a change of heart | e.k

Chapter Three

Short recap: Lane and Domino are out searching New York for Lane's father. At the last minute, Amy and Dipper decided to head back to the lodge with the new girl, Evangeline, who had come with a message for Elmer. Amy and Dipper wonder about the night they took five more of the objects, as Evangeline's letter seemed to imply that The Unknowns were aware of this. Things really aren't all as they seem...

Lane was awoken to the sharp gasp that pierced the air.

Adrenaline rushing through her system, she sprang up, staring at the girl who'd jolted awake. "What? What's wrong?"

Domino spent a few moments shaking, turning her head every which way, fisting a hand over her chest. "Where... where is...?"

"Wese in an abandoned alley fa tha night," Lane reminded her softly. "Like I said — I used ta sleep he-ah all tha time. Wese safe."

The girl glowered. "We ain't all street rats, Brigid."

Lane drew back, understanding whatever had woken the girl hadn't been very pleasant if she was lashing out like that. "No need ta bring out tha real names, Dominic."

Domino sighed, slumping against the brick wall. "Sorry, it's jus... it's Specs. I can't handle not knowin' if he's safe or not. I can't stop worryin'."

"Hey, he's alright," Lane promised. "If anythin', he's saf-ah den we is. He's got more chance 'a survivin'. Don't worry 'bout it."

The glare returned. "Wasn't like you was havin' tha deepest sleep, either."

Lane was quiet for a moment. "I... still get nightmares. 'Bout tha Refuge. Pretty stupid, considerin' how long it's been."

Domino frowned. "If Ise rememberin' right, didn't you get brought ta dat place more den once? More den twice, even?"

She begrudgingly confirmed this. "I've lost count. But Finch was only dere once, which is why it shouldn't matt-ah."

"Why's dat?"

She turned her head towards the girl slightly. "He's tha one bein' hurt in my dreams. I've nev-ah wished I was in someone else's place more in me life. I know he has tha same dreams... wese nev-ah togeth-ah when dey happen, though."

"None of us is gonna be able ta have a good night's sleep when dis is all ov-ah," grumbled Domino. "Assumin' wese still all he-ah."

"Yeah," agreed Lane absently. "Fa tha meantime, guess we always have each oth-ah."

They both met each other's gaze, before turning away. Both knew they weren't close enough to provide that sort of comfort. It wasn't the first time Lane wished she'd just let Dipper tag along.

"Well, wese up," Domino declared. "Might as well start plannin'."

"Yeah." Lane sighed. She hated it, but she had no idea where to start. Her father could've been anywhere. He would be impossible to find if he wanted to be, and it seemed he did.

Why, dad? Lane questioned silently. Why would you leave me to figure it all out on my own?

"You really think he's alive?"

Lane turned her head towards the girl. "I dunno what else ta think. Maybe it's jus tha little kid in me talkin', but I really, really hope he is. I need him."

"Den we'll find him," replied Domino. "Before he... y'know... did he say anythin'? Mention any places he coulda run off ta?"

After a moment, Lane slumped. "No, nothin'. You'd think he would've, even if it was by accident. Maybe he is dead, 'n Ise jus runnin' 'round like a fool. Maybe Albert was right dat day."