After some time watching TV with Filbert, Polly heard a knock at the door. She turned to Filbert with a smile.

"That must be her," Polly said before getting up and going to answer the door. "Mom!"

Summer smiled at her daughter. "Polly!"

The two of them hugged each other. It had been a bit since they saw each other in person.

"I'm so glad that you're here," Polly said, releasing the hug.

"So am I," Summer replied. She was always happy to spend time with her daughter. During the phone call yesterday, they agreed that she would come over.

Filbert smiled as he walked over to the two. "Hey, Aunt Summer."

"Filbert!" Summer beamed as she hugged him as well. "How's my nephew?"

"I'm doing great," Filbert said, "It's good to see you. It's been a while."

"It sure has," Summer replied. "Polly let me know that I've missed a few things."

"Oh," Filbert blinked. "She told you about-"

"Her new friend? Yes, she did." Summer smiled. When Polly told that not only did she make a friend, but it was one who turned out to be just like her, Summer couldn't believe it. She was glad that her daughter had a friend that she could relate so much to now. "I hear she's a very good artist."

"Oh, you don't know the half of it," Filbert said. "I should show you the drawings she did of me."

"Actually, I was thinking Dolly could show Mom how could of an artist she is herself," Polly said.

"Oh?" Filbert looked at Polly. "You gonna ask her to come over?"

Polly nodded. "Yeah. After how well things have been going, I don't think she would mind meeting Mom now."

She took out her phone and called Dolly. The artist would pick up not long after.

"Hey Polly," Dolly's voice could be heard on the other end.

"Hi Dolly," Polly said. "My mom's over today and I was wondering if you would like to come and meet her?"

"Today?" Dolly asked.

"Yeah!" Polly said. "You're not busy, are you?"

Dolly took a second to answer. "Oh no, I'm not busy." She chuckled a bit. "What time should I come over?"

Polly smiled. "Any time that works for you."

"Okay, I'll be there soon," Dolly said.

"See you then," Polly said and hung up the phone. She looked at her mom and Filbert. "She's coming soon."

"Great!" Filbert grinned. "I'll cook something."

Some time had passed before there would be another knock at the door. Filbert would just be finishing up the grilled cheese he had been making and Polly and Summer would look to the door after the knock stopped their talking.

Polly gave her mom an excited grin. "That's her!" She went to the door and opened it for Dolly, who entered the apartment along with Coopy.

"Oh, what a cute cat," Summer said, smiling at Coopy. She then turned her attention to the artist. "You must be Dolly."

"That's me," Dolly said, a bit shyly. She hasn't expected to meet Polly's mom this soon. "And...you're Polly's mom?"

Summer smiled warmly at her. She could tell the woman in front of her was shy. She couldn't blame her, it must've been a tad overwhelming for her to talk to someone like herself after being by herself in her home for someone many years as Polly told her. She of course knew of Dolly's friends that she shared the mom with but still, she wanted her to know that there was nothing to be shy or nervous about. "Yes, I am."

After a few moments of just standing there thinking about something, Dolly took off her mask and smiled back at Summer. "It's nice to meet you too."

"Oh my," Summer said, looking at Dolly's scar. She placed a hand on her shoulder. "So you do have a scar like Polly's."

Dolly nodded, looking at Polly.

"I'm very glad the both of you found each other," Summer told Dolly. "From what Polly has told me, you two have come to understand each other in a way that others can't."

"We really have," Dolly said, smiling again and not taking her eyes off Polly. Polly smiled back at her.

Filbert looked at this and smirked. "I don't mean to interrupt but we should probably eat the grilled cheese before it gets cold."

"I agree," Summer said, turning around toward the kitchen. "Shall we go enjoy our lunch?"

Polly and Dolly nodded and followed Summer and Filbert into the kitchen. Coopy went into the kitchen as well where Filbert had some food waiting for him.

NNN

The night had come and Jasper was leaning against his car waiting front in front of a building. He had his arms crossed as he glared at the building that was holding the meeting that he wasn't invited to. He had spent so much time helping those ungrateful bastards and this is how they treated out.

He wondered why Dolly had asked him about his place. He didn't know what she had in mind but he trusted her. How could he not? This was a woman who could bring her drawings to life. That fact still shocked him.

He soon noticed he got a text on his phone. He checked to see who it was from.

Dolly.

He read what it said.

Go inside.

Jasper was a bit surprised. He looked around and didn't see her anywhere. Not even a car. He replied back to her.

What about you? Where are you? I don't see you anywhere.

It didn't take long for him to get a text back.

Just go in. Trust me.

Jasper looked around again. When he still couldn't find his friend he looked back at the text. He let out a sigh and then nodded.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

He headed towards the building.

NNN

The meeting inside the building was being held by Aidan Franco, one of Laura's colleagues. He had always secretly loathed her due to her position at the top of the underworld. He was glad that she had been taken care of and was now out of his way. Now it was his turn to show the rest of the underworld what a leader truly was. And what better way to do that than by taking care of the reason that Laura was out of the game in the first place?

"Glad all my favorite people could make it," Aidan said, flashing a smile. "You're probably wondering why I called you all here."

One of the women at the meeting, Crystal, crossed her arms and said, "We all have a pretty could idea. So why not just cut to the chase?"

"To the point, huh? I like that." Aidan said, giving her a wink. "Alright, as you all know last month Laura Cortez was arrested. Obviously, because of that, she's no longer around. Some of you may not see that as a problem, but trust me there's a big problem."

"That problem being?" One of the other guys asked.

"A woman known as the Breath," Aidan said. "Or her real name, Polly Everwood, as Laura told me. We've all just been going about our lives, seemingly not caring that the woman who ran things in this city was taken down by her. Do we not think she's going to come after us too?"

"Oh I get it," Jasper's voice could be heard. He walked out of the shadows as she smirked with his hands in his pockets. "So you want to do a team-up to go after her. Good thinking, buddy."

"Who invited him?" Crystal asked, looking around.

"It sure as hell wasn't me," Aidan said, glaring at Jasper. "Beat it."

"Woah, woah, no need to be hostile," Jasper said. "I just came to see what my good friends we're up to."

"We are not your friends." A guy spoke up.

Aidan looked impatient. "This meeting is for non-annoying people of actual importance. I suggest leaving me. Or is Ward going to have to make you?"

The man in question, Ward, pounded his fist into his other hand with a sadistic smirk on his face.

Jasper looked annoyed and took out a knife. Almost immediately, he found him held up against the wall by Ward, causing him to drop the knife.

Aidan shook his head. "You really should have listened to me."

Another voice from the shadows then spoke up. "I suggest you have your idiot let him go."

Aidan looked around, his eyes narrowed again. He took out a gun and pointed around, getting tired of interruptions. This was his moment and he was going to let a pain in the ass like Jasper or whoever the hell this was ruin it. "Who's there?!"

"Someone who doesn't like seeing her friend being treated badly." The voice said. "I'm going to say this one more time. Let him go."

Aidan merely scoffed. "Or what?"

There was no response. All that was heard was the snap of a finger. Then, something was suddenly on top of Ward. The man let out a horrifying scream as his skin started to be ripped into. The others sitting were in shock as blood started to get everywhere - including on them.

"Ward!" Aidan got up and pointed his gun at the thing tearing Ward apart, but he was grabbed and thrown into the wall. He groaned before looking up.

He would see a pumpkin monster looking down at him.

"What the hell?!" Aidan backed up as much as he could. He was cornered by the monster. He looked at the others. "Are you just gonna sit there?!"

"I would The voice from the shadows said again. The source walked into the light. It was Dolly. "He won't harm you if you stay right there. Sadly, I can't say the same for your friend."

The other monster, which was another pumpkin head, had finished Ward off and its mouth and hands were dripping with blood.

Jasper was wide-eyed at this whole ordeal. He had no idea that this was what Dolly planned to do.

Aidan looked over at what remained of his goon. "Ward..."

Crystal, despite being terrified like the others, spoke up. "Just how the hell are you anyway?"

"I'm the person who's going to kill you herself if you don't shut up," Dolly warned.

"Why should we be scared of you? There's more of us than those two-" The guy speaking would stop when he saw multiple pairs of pumpkin eyes looking at them all from the darkness.

Dolly put her hands in her pockets as she walked around the table, looking at all the criminals sitting there. Unknown to them due to her wearing her mask, it was in complete disgust. This was the kind of filth that Jasper had been putting up with?

"So you're the ones you run things in the Underworld with that bitch Cortez out of the way huh?" Dolly scanned her eyes around the table again. "I haven't been here long and it's easy to tell how pathetic you all are."

Crystal growled. Dolly looked at her.

"Real scary," Dolly said, her voice filled with sarcasm. "You're not a hard one to figure out. You're like Cortez in some ways, born with everything you could ever want. The difference? Cortez knew how to keep the people on her side, at least for as long as she did. She put on a pleasant facade, delivered on promises because the money was nothing to her, and even had parties that allowed anyone to come to make the people feel welcome in her world. You? You reek of pleasantness. You lash out when the littlest thing goes wrong. You think it's all about you. You see yourself as the golden woman of the world when really you're nothing more than a pile of vile, disgusting cow vomit."

The artist heard some snickers around the table and she looked at the other people sitting. "Something funny? You're all just as bad. At least this one is honest about what she is. But honesty doesn't let you off the hook."

Dolly placed a hand on Crystal's shoulder and snapped her fingers again. Within seconds, Crystal's neck had been snapped by some of the pumpkin monsters. Everyone - including Jasper - was shocked at what they had just seen.

The artist took a seat where Aidan was sitting. She tapped the table with her fingers a bit. The two pumpkin monsters that were in view were now beside her as the other ones still looked from the darkness.

"Don't be shy, Jasper," Dolly said. "Have a seat. Just get the garbage out of your way."

Jasper, still unsure how to take all that was happening, walked over to where Crystal's body was. He didn't know how he felt about moving a dead body, he never actually killed anyone before, but then he thought about the line of work he was in. He also thought about all the times Crystal treated him like shit. Growling, he pushed the body off the chair. It felt good. Very good. He sat down.

Dolly looked at him before turning her attention to everyone else at the table.

"Remember the part where I said I don't like seeing my friend being treated like garbage?" Dolly asked them. "Turns out you've all been doing that. Well, you're not gonna do it anymore. If I hear you have, you'll end up just like the dead bitch on the floor. Do you all understand?"

The criminals all looked at each other. The artist could tell they were afraid, even though some of them were trying their hardest not to show it. They all looked at her and nodded.

"Good," Dolly said. "And as far as a new leader of the Underworld is concerned, you're looking at her. Jasper here is my second in command."

Jasper couldn't believe it. Dolly had just taken charge of the Underworld and made him second in command. No way these guys actually go along with it right?

"You take orders from him when I'm not around," Dolly said. "Failure to do so will result in your immediate execution. Got it?"

Jasper saw that they all nodded their heads. They were going along with it. He should've realized they would after what he just saw.

"Are you kidding me?!" Aidan got up from his spot and looked angry. "You expect me to take orders from him?! You really are out of your mind!"

"Seems like you haven't learned your lesson," Dolly said. She looked at the two pumpkin monsters beside her. "Why don't you two make it more clear this time?"

The pumpkin monsters went at Aidan, throwing him around and causing into his skin as he yelled out in pain. Jasper only watched as this unfolded, still in disbelief that all of this was happening. One of the monsters threw Aidan across the table.

Dolly just sat in her seat. "Now then... are you going to listen?"

Everyone around the table nodded. Jasper watched as he wore an expression of glee. Someone had put these bastards in their place. It was about damn time. Dolly said she wanted change and she was definitely making it happen.

He listened as the artist began talking again.

NNN

Perfect shot. That's what Polly for when she shot her arrow at the target she was aiming for. She and her mother were currently in the woods doing some training. Summer looked at this and smiled.

"Amazing job, Polly," Summer told her.

Polly lowered her bow and looked at her mother. "Thanks, mom."

Summer frowned a bit. "I can tell you're smiling under there. I wish you wouldn't wear that mask the whole time when we're spending time together like this."

"Mom, we've been over this," Polly said, looking at another target and aiming an arrow at it. "I have to wear in case someone shows up." She shot the arrow. Another perfect hit.

Summed sighed. "I know.... so you won't scare them. Even though there's nothing to be scared of."

Polly looked at her. She was about to say something until Summer started talking again.

"I know what you're going to say but please don't," Summer said. "I'm tired of my daughter feeling like she needs to hide herself from the world. Scar or no scar, you're perfect Polly. The fact that people treat you like you're some sort of monster is ridiculous. You do so much for others. You care about them. Make sure they're safe. I couldn't ask for a better daughter. I know I tell you this a lot, but it's true, I'm so proud to have you as my daughter. You're the most amazing person I know. And I'm glad you've finally met someone new who sees you for what you truly are."

Polly' looked down at the ground. Summer continued.

"That Dolly really is something else," Summer said. "She's a wonderful artist and a truly kind person, just like you. I really like her for you, Polly."

Polly looked up at her mother. "You like her for me?"

Summer smiled softly at her daughter. "You do like her, don't you? I can tell."

"Of course I like her," Polly said. "She's the best friend I've ever had."

"You know that's not what I meant," Summer chuckled.

Polly looked to the side. "Well, how can I not? She's amazing..."

"I can tell she thinks about you too," Summer replied with a smile. "You two couldn't take your eyes off each other when we were having lunch."

Polly looked at her mom again. "So what should I do about it?"

"What do you think? Ask her out," Summer said.

Polly became nervous at the thought of that. She had never asked something out before and she wasn't even sure if Dolly felt the same about her like her mom was saying. But her mom had also never lied to her. Maybe she was right.

She would have to think about it though.

NNN

At an unknown location, Jasper walked inside with a box of pizza. "I've got pizza!"

Coopy turned to look at him and let out a meow. Jasper chuckled. "Don't worry, little guy, I got the milk."

He placed the pizza box down and poured the milk into a bowl. Coopy went over and started licking it.

Dolly was sitting down and painting her newest piece as she said, "Thanks."

"No problem," Jasper said, walking up and looking at the painting. "Oh, you're making a painting of the meeting?"

"Yep. A gift for you actually," Dolly said, finishing up the piece. "There we go."

The panting was indeed of the meeting, though Dolly herself wasn't in it. Instead, it was Jasper who appeared to be hosting it as all the mob bosses were gathered around, listening to him with frightened looks on their faces.

Jasper snickered. "Nice touch making them look scared."

"I thought it wouldn't hurt to make them look like what they clearly were," Dolly said. "And that should be, scared especially for what's to come. That meeting was only the beginning. I said I was going to fix this rotten canvas and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

"I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next," Jasper said. He grabbed a slice of pizza and took a seat on a chair. "I can't believe I'm one of the top people in the underworld now."

Dolly smirked at him. "Believe it, my friend. You deserve it. Just like the people of this town deserve what's coming to them."

"Are you gonna let that friend of yours you talked about know?" Jasper asked. "Polly, right?"

Dolly gave a small sigh. "Not right now. She wouldn't understand. But she will."

The artist looked at the painting again. She had brought her underworld to its knees like it was nothing. That's exactly what it was. Nothing. Just like the rest of the terrible people in this city. They all think they can judge others, treat them terribly based on their appearance. She was going to make sure that never happens again, that the people who do it pay dearly.

Her mind began to think of Polly. The woman she cared about so much had suffered just like her for way too long. Never again.

"You okay there, Dolly?" Jasper asked her.

Dolly turned to him, that same smirk on her face. "Never been better." She saw that Coopy had jumped on her lap and started petting him.

"So what's next?" Jasper asked her.

"Maybe I'll go check on old Matteo." Dolly said, looking down at Coopy as she petted him. She thought of Ethan and his attack on Matteo as she did so.

"Matteo? Who's that?" Jasper asked.

Dolly looked back up at him. "Just someone that needed dealing with just like your colleagues. He's got a girlfriend who's the same way."

Matteo, Daphne, the mobsters. So many people who needed to be taught a lesson. An entire rotten canvas of a city that needed to be redone to be a masterpiece. Dolly had so much in her mind that she wanted to do and she couldn't wait to do it all.