Polly was silent. She hadn't expected that answer. She now feels regret for bringing them up. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't-"

"No," Dolly interrupted, turning to Polly to give her a sad smile. "I don't mind. Let's get inside first."

Dolly walked to the door, and the man who drove them opened it for her. Polly followed after her.

The blonde would be greeted by a sight that made her feel as if she were in an art museum. They were all kinds of pictures. There were a couple pictures of the woods, one of a group of squirrels, a rabbit, and so on. Polly continued walking as she looked at the pictures in awe.

"You made all these?" Polly asked Dolly.

Dolly turns to her with a grin. "Yep. Everything you see here on these walls is the work of yours truly."

"You're really amazing," Polly smiled at her. She had never seen so much beautiful art one place in her entire life. Dolly really was the best artist in the world. The blonde couldn't take her eyes off all the pictures on the wall.

"So um," Dolly started, her hands behind her back. "About my parents."

"Oh...right..." Polly looked at her again. She knew Dolly had insisted on talking about them, but she didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.

"They died in a car wreck," Dolly said.

"A car accident?" Polly asked.

Dolly nodded. "It happened the same night I got this," she put a hand on the scar on her face. "We were driving at night. It was really peaceful." She wanted to smile at that part of the memory but she couldn't. "I was relaxing in the back while I was drawing. Then, out of nowhere, someone hits our car from behind."

Polly gasped. "Was the person in the other car drunk or something?"

Dolly shook her head. "I don't think so." She narrowed her eyes. "What they did was clearly on purpose. Our car fell off the road. They followed after us and sent our car on fire."

"They what?!" Polly was shocked to hear such a thing. Why on earth would someone run a family off the road and set their car on fire?

"That's how I got my scar," Dolly sighed. "The fire came in contact with my face. I still managed to get out of the car, but I was in pain, a lot of pain. I passed out and later woke up in a hospital. That's when they told me..." she trails off, tears starting to come to her eyes. "That's when they told me they were gone."

"Oh Dolly..." Polly walked over and wrapped her arms around the artist, pulling her into another hug. She wondered how people could be so cruel. How they could do something so horrible? She closed her eyes and said, "I lost my dad the night I got my scar too."

Dolly broke the hug and looked at her. "You did?"

Polly nodded as the memory came back to her. She looked up at the ceiling for a bit, her eyes going back to Dolly seconds later. "I was helping Mom make dinner in the kitchen, and Dad was watching TV in the other room. Before I knew it, I heard glass break and there were these guys in skeleton masks in the house. Dad tried to fight them off but they were too many of them. Mom went to get a gun but they got to her before she could."

Dolly listened as Polly continued, "I was able to get away for a bit. I went to my room and got a bat. I went back down and was able to get hit on one of them before a man held me down. That's when he poured acid on my face."

Dolly held a hand to her move. "What did they do to your parents?"

"I remember being knocked out right after I heard a gunshot," Polly said. "Next thing I know, I wake up in a hospital. My aunt, uncle, and cousin are there. My mom is in the room crying. She hugs me tightly. She tells me she's sorry. I ask, "Where's Dad? Is he okay?" Then she tells me that he had been shot...and that he was gone."

Polly wipes the tears from her eyes as she looks down. She had never had to tell this story to anyone who didn't know. No one had asked. Most people were too fearful and hateful towards her.

It was Dolly's turn to wrap her arms around Polly. The other woman had comforted her when she was reliving her painful memory so she had no problem returning that. "You must have felt so scared, so alone for so long," the artist said. "I know because that's exactly how I felt. You don't have to feel that way anymore because you're no longer alone. Because we have each other now." She looked Polly in the eyes with a hopeful smile. "Right?"

It didn't take long at all for Polly to nod. "Yes." She smiled at Dolly. They did have each other now. They may have just met but Polly knew she had found someone she could truly connect to. She no doubt had a connection with the loved ones she did have but she and Dolly were both living in each other's shoes.

"How about we move on?" Dolly asked. "We can talk about something else now."

"Okay," Polly said. "That sounds good. I do have a question."

"You do huh?" Dolly smirked. "Ask away."

"How do you afford this place?" Polly asked, looking around the mansion.

"I thought you'd never ask," Dolly said. She looked towards a drawn chef who was bringing her a plate of sandwiches. She takes one and hands it to Polly before wrapping an arm around the chef. "You know that guy that drove us here? Well, he and this guy are among others drawings that I have working around town. Add all that up and I got all the money I need for this place."

Polly giggled a bit. "Yeah, I'd say that sums it up."

"Good," Dolly said, allowing the chief to leave unwrapping her arm. She then felt something rubbed against her leg. She looked down and smiled.

Rubbing against her leg was a cat who was purring. Dolly picked it up.

"Polly, this is Coopy," Dolly said. "The most adorable cat you'll ever see in your entire life."

Coopy tilted his head at Polly, who smiled and petted his head.

"I think you might be right on that one," Polly commented. She watched as Coopy enjoyed the attention that Dolly was giving him. The blonde smiled softly as she could tell how close they were.

"How about a movie?" Dolly asked.

"Sounds fun," Polly replied with a smile.

Dolly grinned and stopped one of her drawings that was walking by. "Tell Fred to bring some popcorn to the living room."

The drawn man nodded and made his way to the kitchen.

Polly walked with Dolly to the living room where the artist put an adventure movie on. The two smiled at each other as it began.

NNN

The next morning had come and Polly woke up realizing that she had slept over Dolly's mansion. Polly was about to leave when Dolly insisted that she had the same driver from last night drive her home. Polly decided to take the offer and was back at her apartment in no time.

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She said goodbye to the driver, but not before getting his name, Rylan.

She went inside the apartment and noticed Filbert was sleeping on the couch. The man stirred a bit before waking up and seeing that his cousin had returned home.

"Where have you been?" Filbert asked, sitting up. "I was starting to get kinda worried when you didn't come back after awhile."

"Sorry for worrying you," Polly replied, rubbing the back of her neck after taking her mask off. "I guess I lost track of time."

"It's fine," Filbert said. "So how was it? Who wanted to see you?"

"This girl named Dolly," Polly said, smiling as her new friend came to her head. "She's really nice and draws the best art you've ever seen."

Filbert raised an eyebrow at that. "Really? I'm sure she's good, but the best art you've ever-" He stopped when Polly showed him the picture Dolly drew of her. Filbert's eyes went wide. "Whoa! Okay, I stand corrected. That is the best drawing I've ever seen."

"I know right?" Polly giggled as she looked at the drawing again. After a couple of seconds, she started paying attention to her scar in the picture. "She...has a scar like me."

Filbert's eyes widened again. "She does?"

"Yeah," Polly said, her eyes still on the picture. "We shared our stories with each other and were really able to connect."

Filbert really couldn't believe what he was hearing. Polly had found someone who had a scar like hers. Someone she would be able to connect to about it. On one hand, there was another poor girl who probably had to put up with the same crap Polly did. On the other hand, it was that exact fact that made him for happy for Polly. She really found someone who was just like her.

Before he could say anything, Polly had gotten a text on her phone. She looked at the text.

"It's from Megan," Polly said, "She wants to meet up for lunch to celebrate us catching Laura."

"The celebration continues, huh?" Filbert asked. He grinned and said, "I hope you guys will show up to the best restaurant in town."

Polly giggled. "I don't think there's any other place her and Henry would rather celebrate."

"Maybe you could invite your new friend too?" Filbert suggested. "It'll give her the chance to meet the gang.

"

"I'm not sure if today's a good day," Polly said. "I'll be sure to talk to her about it though."

Filbert shrugged with a smile. "No rush."

NNN

Polly's favorite restaurant, Lenmunch Feeds, was one of the most popular places to eat in town. They were known for their great service and even greater food. It was busy just about everyday but lucky for Polly today was one of the less busy days. She got to the place at the time they all agreed on and ran into Henry outside. The two went in and got their table. Polly ignored the looks she was as getting as they looked at the menu, trying to decide what to order.

Henry put his menu down and looked around. "Where is she? She was the one who arranged this whole thing."

"I'm sure she'll be here," Polly said.

"She is here," A voice said. They looked to see a woman with a smirk on her face. Her hair was brown with red highlights and was covering one of her eyes, she wore a black shirt with the sleeves cut off, gray torn pants, and black shoes.

"There you are, Megan," Polly smiled at her friend.

Megan took a seat next to Henry and grabbed the last menu on the table. Filbert walked to the table seconds later.

"You guys ready to order?" Filbert asked.

"I'll have a burger and fries," Henry ordered.

"Gotcha," Filbert said, writing it down. He looked at Polly and Megan. "How about you guys?"

"Fil, what are you doing?" An older voice could be heard. They looked to see Filbert's boss Lenny just in time for him to take the order from Filbert. "Why are you working? You should be on your lunch break with your friends celebrating."

Filbert blinked at him. "But sir-"

"No buts!" The old man smiled. "I didn't give you a break from cooking just so you could come out here and take orders. I did it so you can enjoy this time with your gang."

Filbert smiled at him and sat next to Polly. "Thanks, boss. You're the best."

"Anything for my employees," Lenny said. "Okay so we have a burger and fries. What else?"

"I'll have a burger too," Megan said, "I'll take mac and cheese with it."

Lenny wrote Megan's order down as well. "And you too?"

"I'll have some pancakes," Polly told him.

Filbert raised an eyebrow and chuckled at her. "Pancakes for lunch?"

"What can I say, the best pancakes in town are here," Polly grinned at her cousin.

"You're too kind," Lenny commented, writing her order down with a smile.

"I'll take a grizzled cheese with tomato soup," Filbert said.

"Can't ever go wrong with that," Lenny finished the orders. "Coming right up! I'm guessing you're all having your usuals to drink, right?"

The four nodded and Lenny gave a thumbs up before leaving.

"So how did you spend the rest of your night after taking Cortez down?" Megan asked Polly and Henry.

"Well, when I got home from the station I just went to sleep," Henry shrugged with a chuckle. "It was a busy night after all."

"Fair enough I guess," Megan said. She looked at Polly

"What about you?"

"She was spending the night with her new friend?" Filbert grinned.

"Filbert!" Polly said.

"New friend, huh?" Megan's face was now filled with intrigue. "Who is this new friend?"

"Dolly," Polly said with a smile.

"Tell us about her," Henry said.

"She's very nice and an artist," Polly said. "Here, I already showed this to Filbert but you guys should see it too."

She showed them the drawing that Dolly made for her and the look on their faces was the same as Filbert's.

"Wow," Megan said. "That's some talent right there."

"Your friend's a really good artist," Henry said. "Think we'll be able to meet her?"

"I'm hoping soon," Polly said. "I know we just met but I know she would fit right in with the gang. We really connected because..." Polly trailed off.

"Because she has a scar on her face just like Polly's," Filbert whispered to the two sitting across from them.

"Are you serious?" Henry asked before looking at Polly again. The blonde nodded at him. "No kidding? I see..."

Polly wasn't surprised by their reactions. They couldn't have expected to hear about their being another girl in her situation. "I really want her to see that there are more people than just me who won't judge her. That's why I'm hoping you all have the chance to meet soon."

"Well we'd love to meet her," Henry said.

"Yeah," Megan said. "Let her know that if she's afraid of us judging her that she's got nothing to worry about."

Polly smiled at the two. "I know, and I know that after meeting you guys she'll know it too."

"I'd have to be nuts to be a jerk for someone who could make some sick drawings for me," Megan said, looking at the drawing of Polly again. "Looking at this has got ideas popping in my head."

Polly shook her head with a smile.

NNN

Later that day, Dolly had been painting would she had been alerted by O, another one of her drawings, that Polly had arrived. Excited, the artist quickly stopped when she was doing and ran to her friend, wrapping her arms around her in a hug.

"I knew I'd see you again but it's still great to see you," Dolly said.

Polly returned the hug. "It's great to see you too."

The two broke the hug and Dolly asked, "How was you day?"

"Great," Polly smiled. "I went out with my cousin and friends for lunch and had a fun time."

"That's exciting," Dolly chuckled.

"That's kind of one of the reasons why I'm here," Polly said.

Dolly raised an eyebrow, wondering what Polly could mean by that. "It is?"

"I wanted to see if you would be comfortable with meeting them," Polly said.

"I'm....not sure, Polly," Dolly admitted.

"Is this because you're afraid they'll judge you?" Polly asked. "I promise they won't. They don't judge me."

Dolly had to admit that Polly made a good point at that part. Obviously, Polly's friends would have seen her unmasked. The thought of them not judging her went their the artist's mind. She had already made a friend in Polly. She really like the thought of making more. However, some unpleasant thoughts soon came to her mind, ruining the mood.

"I-I still don't know, Polly," Dolly said. "I mean, you and I have only just and-"

"And we get along great," Polly said. "Plus, they've seen your art and they love it. My friend Megan even wants you to draw for her."

Dolly couldn't help but chuckle when she heard that part. "She does?"

Polly nodded. "Really. She does. They all think you're art is amazing and they all want the chance to meet you and get to know you."

"I'll...think about it, Polly," Dolly said. "It, uh, might be better not to rush too fast into things."

Polly was a little disappointed to hear that but she knew that Dolly had a point. She decided to just drop it for now. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Dolly put a hand on Polly's shoulder. "I really appreciate the offer though." She said. She then looked back at her newest work. "Wanna see my new painting?"

"I would love to," Polly smiled. She followed the artist to the painting and gasped. "Awwww."

It was a painting of a bunch of kittens looking back at her. They were all wrapped up in a cozy blanket.

"The idea came to me when I was petting Coopy earlier," Dolly said.

"They're adorable," Polly said. "But...how come they aren't alive?"

"My drawings can only come to life when I want them to," Dolly told Polly. "With this one I just wanted and adorable picture to look at."

Polly nodded in understanding as she felt something in her leg. She looked down and saw Coopy. She smiled and picked the cat up, petting him on the head a couple times and making him purr.

Dolly smiled at the sight. She thought it was so adorable. She knew that her cat would like Polly. As the blonde played with her cat, Dolly couldn't help but go back to what Polly said about her friends accepting her. It had been so long since she talked to someone other than Polly that wasn't one of her drawings.

"Tell me about them," Dolly said. "Your cousin and your friends."

Polly looked at Dolly, kind of surprised. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything," Dolly said. "Like uh, where do they work?"

"Well Megan, the friend who I told you wants you to draw for her works at a clothing store," Polly said. "They sell...dark clothing." She chuckled.

"Sounds spooky," Dolly replied with a smirk.

"My other friend Henry is a cop," Polly said. "And my cousin Filvert works at the best restaurant in town in town."

"Best restaurant in town, huh?" Dolly asked. "Is that where you went with your friends to eat?"

"Yep," Polly said. "Maybe we could go sometime? I'm sure you'll love it."

"Maybe on a day when there aren't too many people," Dolly said. "I'm sure the best restaurant in town is always busy."

Polly nodded in understanding and went back to giving Coopy attention, which the cat loved.

"You two stay right there," Dolly said. She then started setting up a blank picture to paint on.

"You're gonna paint us?" Polly asked.

"Yep," Dolly said. "You two just hang out and let me down the rest."

Polly giggled. As she and Coopy enjoyed each other company, Dolly got to work painting them. The artist always loved to see her cat happy.

The thoughts of potentially getting along with Polly's loved ones came to mind again and as much as she feared it could go wrong, Dolly couldn't help but be a little curious.

"You know...maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I was able to meet one of them," Dolly said. "One of your friends or your cousin."

Polly's eyes went back to her. "Of course! If you're more comfortable meeting just one of them for now that's not a problem."

"I can do that then," Dolly said with a smile. "How about Filbert?"

"Great! He was the first one who wanted to meet you," Polly said. "I'll see if he's in the mood to cook. You'll love his cooking."

"How good is he?" Dolly asked with a chuckle.

"Really good," Polly said. "The best food you'll ever have."

"I'll have to be the judge of that," Dolly said with a wink before going to finish the painting.

NNN

Filbert was watching TV at the apartment when he heard Polly come in the door. "Hey, how'd it go with Dolly?"

"Great," Polly smiled at him. "Got another drawing." She showed him the painting. "And she's coming over tomorrow."

Filbert looked at her. "Wait what?"