The night was peaceful. Polly had finished her dinner with Dolly. The artist had talked more with Filbert during dinner. He had questions and Dolly answered them. Polly had watched them talk and discussed this as she enjoyed her dinner. After they were done, Dolly told Polly that she had something else she wanted to show her and brought her outside.
"Here we are," Dolly said as she stopped.
Polly stopped next to her and looked at what was in front of them. Underneath the stars was a huge garden. The blonde saw that there were all kinds of flowers.
She was practically attacked by their beauty. "Wow..."
"Dom't just stand there," Dolly chuckled. "Go over and have a closer look.
Polly walked into the garden and looked all around her. More flowers surrounded her along with vegetables.
"All the vegetables back inside are grown out here," Dolly told her with a smile. "Beat vegetables you'll ever eat."
Polly was very impressed with Dolly the more she told her about her garden. "It's so huge."
Dolly chuckled once again. "Yeah, it is pretty big huh? Took a lot of time and hard work and what you're seeing is the result of that. But you know... these aren't the only flowers I can make."
"Oh?" Polly turned to her. "You've grown more."
"Well... I wouldn't say grown," Dolly said. Taking out her sketchpad, she began drawing a flower with hands and feet. She then added a smile.
Once the artist was done, Polly's eyes would go wide as the flowers practically hopped off the page. It had come to life.
"How did you-"
"Yeah... I can do that," Dolly smiled before whistling.
The flower ran over to Polly and hugged her leg. Not long after, more flowers came walking from deeper in the garden.
The flower that hugged Polly's leg let go and went to greet the others. Polly smiled softly as she witnessed what was in front of her.
"Adorable aren't they?" Dolly asked. "I cherish them with all my heart."
"Hey guys!" Filbert called out as he ran up to them. "Decided to catch up with you. What did I-" His eyes went wide as he saw the flowers in front of him. "Um... are those flowers alive... and talking to each other?"
The flowers all looked at Filbert and he found himself surrounded by them.
"Aww," Polly giggled. "They like you."
A couple of the flowers climbed into Filbert's shoulders. A few others hugged his legs. He couldn't belief what was happening. "This is too crazy," He said, but couldn't help but softly smile.
Dolly grabbed Polly's hand before taking her deeper into the garden. Polly gazed at everything she saw in awe.
Soon, they came out from the other side and Polly could see a lake. Not far from them was a boat that Dolly had her eyes on.
"Wanna go for a ride?" Dolly asked.
"Sure," Polly smiled at the artist. "But shouldn't we wait for Filbert?"
"I'd say he's a little occupied right now," Dolly replied.
Polly chuckled and followed Dolly to the boat. Dolly took the oar and started to paddle. A bit into the ride, Dolly started humming. Polly could tell how relaxed and at peace she was at that moment.
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"Do you do this every night?" Polly asked.
Dolly shook her head. "It wouldn't be as special if I did. I usually only do this once a week or twice a week and treasure it every time."
Polly smiled. It was like her walks in the park that she would take at night. It was no wonder she was so at ease.
"I don't think we've really talked about what I just saw back there," Polly said, "You just brought flowers you drew to life. Have you always been able to do that?"
"Ever since I was a little girl," Dolly smiled. "All thanks to my dad. He was a scientist. One day he was experimenting and I was watching him but something went wrong and we both ended up being sent back by an explosion. I got the most of it but besides my back hurting I was okay. I was a little upset by it and to cheer myself up I went to draw. I was drawing a bird I saw when I thought of the one I had on my paper coming to life. Then, as if I wished upon a star, it did."
Polly was amazed. "An experiment gone wrong turned into a thing of beauty."
"Gone right exactly," Dolly said. "The explosion wasn't supposed to happen but Dad knew how much I loved drawing. That's why he had me in there. Once he was finished he was going to give me the ability anyway. It was a gift for his daughter."
"Your dad sounds amazing, Dolly," Polly said.
"He was," Dolly replied. "People you knew him thought of him as a mad man but he wasn't. He was misunderstood. A man with ideas. He wanted to really change the world."
Dolly looked up at the sky.
"He certainly changed mine," Dolly said. She looked at Polly. "What about you?"
Polly looked at her confused. "Huh?"
"Your dad," Dolly said. "Did he ever do anything like that for you?"
"Well no but he was still the best dad a girl could ask for," Polly replied. "He didn't give me an ability like yours but he made sure I was happy."
Dolly grinned, satisfied with the answer. "That's what a great parent does. Make sure their child is happy and cared for. Glad to see both our dads did that."
Polly looked up at the sky, a smile coming across her face seconds after.
"Is yours up there too?" Dolly asked.
Polly looked at Dolly and nodded.
"He would be really proud of you, you know," Dolly told Polly. "Especially after what you did tonight."
"I know he is," Polly said, "And the town is safe. I couldn't be more happier."
Dolly frowned a little bit. "It seems the people would be happier if people like us were gone."
Polly's smile went down a bit. "It's my fault. I haven't-"
"You haven't what?" Dolly interrupted. "Kept your mask on? Let me ask you this Polly, even though I already know the answer. Why do you wear your mask? Because those rats make you feel like you have to."
Polly gave a look of disapproval. "They aren't rats..."
"Aren't they?" Dolly tilted her head. "Then why do they treat you, treat us, so cruelly over something we have no control over? I bet you were helping another person after you took Laura down and that's why you took so long to come back home."
"Not exactly..." Polly replied.
"Then if I may ask, what were you doing?" Dolly asked.
Polly was quiet for a bit. A small frown was on her face. "I went to the store to get some peanut butter chocolate bars."
"And from the look you have on your face I'm guessing that didn't go too well," Dolly said.
"Well the cashier was really nice," Polly told her.
"That's great, but what about the other customers?" Dolly asked. "Did they have the decency to at least leave you alone" When she didn't get a response, she continued, "Exactly. They could've just let you be but they continued to terrorize you."
A sad look came on Dolly's face. "That's how people who aren't like us are. They don't understand and they don't care too. That's why we need each other Polly. We can get through it together and we can one day make the town better."
Polly perked up when she heard that. It seemed that Dolly let it slip that she wanted the same thing she did. Dolly saw the look on her face and smiled.
"Yes Polly, I want to make the town a better place too," Dolly said, having stopped paddling. "I just... haven't been sure how to."
"Take it one step at a time," Polly said, putting a hand on Dolly's shoulder.
"You think so?" Dolly asked, looking her in the eyes.
Polly responded with a nod. "Yes. Every little step you take towards a goal counts, especially one like this. They may not seem like much at first, but trust me, they make all the difference."
"You know what Polly} I think you're right," Dolly gave her a smile. "Ever since I found out about you, the world has just felt different. It's felt better and softer. A lot safer. And that's all thanks to the little steps you took. I mean, you captured that mob bitch and now she's rotting where she belongs. The town is safer because of it. That couldn't have been easy."
"It wasn't," Polly said. "But I didn't give up."
It was Dolly's turn to put her hand on Polly's shoulder. "And that's what makes you a hero and your soul so beautiful." She thought to herself for a second before asking, "At the store... those people didn't try to hurt you did they?"
Polly shook her head. "No, but one of them did end up taking off my mask. This guy named Matteo."
Matteo.
"Matteo.." Dolly had seen him when she was watching Polly at the park one time. He had a girlfriend named Daphne as well if she remembered correctly.
"Do you know him?" Polly asked.
"Well not really," Dolly lied. "But does he have a girlfriend named Daphne? I've seen them talking to each other when I visit the park. I kept myself hidden of course."
Polly nods. "Yeah, that's him."
"And you said he took your mask off?" Dolly asked.
"Yes. Everyone but the cashier was either angry or frightened," Polly sighed, "And I don-"
"Blame them? Polly, thinking like that isn't going to help the town change," Dolly said. "If they should be upset at anyone it should be themselves and each other for judging someone, especially one who has done so much good, on their appearance. Nothing that happened at that store was your fault, Polly. But you know what?"
She gives Polly a smile.
"I have faith," Dolly continued. "I have faith that things can change. Despite how they treat you, you are so forgiving and hopeful towards them and everything else. Your strength gives me my own. That's why I think we can change Rothly for the better together."
The thought of having someone just like her to help make Rothly a better place for everyone was something Polly didn't expect to happen but here Dolly was offfering to help.
"Seems I'm not the only one who sees the good in this town," Polly said. "It's a shame people who don't live here don't like coming here."
"The town's reputation has been the way it is for you before we were born," Dolly said. "But we'll change that. We'll make it the best town in the world."
"You really think so?" Polly asked.
"Of course," Dolly replied. "For now, how about you and Filbert stay at my place tonight? There's plenty of room."
Polly thought about this to herself. She didn't mind and Filbert did seem on board with having Dolly around. "I'm sure he'll love that."
---
Later that night, Matteo's eyes shot open. He had heard a noise that woke him. He turned the light next to him on and scanned around the room. Nothing.
He was about to turn the light off when he heard a loud crash. This time it was obvious it came from outside the room.
"What the fuck?" Matteo jumped out of bed and went into his closet, taking out a bat and quietly walking towards the door. He stopped for a second when he heard something coming towards it. After a few seconds, there was silence.
Matteo finally makes it to the door and reaches for the knob. He slowly opens the door.
What looked back at him was a monstrous-looking eye. The next thing he knew, the door was busted open and he had a huge claw came down at at his chest. Matteo fell down, his now scarred chest bleeding rapidly. He looked up and let out a horrified scream.