The Second Act » Tyler Galpin

12

As the bus rolled on through the night, the darkness outside was only occasionally pierced by the dim glow of passing streetlights and the occasional distant headlight of an approaching vehicle. Inside the bus, the two teenagers, Libitina and Tyler, sat side by side, their jackets providing a shield against the chill of the night.

Libitina occasionally glanced out of the window, watching the shadows of trees and buildings as they passed by. The rhythmic hum of the bus's engine was oddly soothing, offering a sense of movement and progress that contrasted with the stagnant life they had left behind.

Beside her, Tyler's eyes were fixed on the dark expanse ahead, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of composure. His encounter with the Hyde and the newfound control he had acquired were secrets he still held close. The weight of his past actions and the truth about his connection to the Addams family hung heavy in the air.

"Do you have a plan?" Libitina wondered, her fingers tracing the glass. The question brought Tyler back to reality. Tyler's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead as he considered Libitina's question.

"I have a few ideas," he admitted, finally turning his attention to her. The weight of their escape hung heavily in the air. Tyler was acutely aware that if people knew of him being back in town would see him returning to the hospital. The need to stay hidden was paramount. "I know a place where we can hide for a while, at least until I get a few things figured out."

As the bus rumbled on, the two teenagers shared a silent understanding. "How do you feel about a nickname?" Tyler wondered into the silence.

Libitina turned her attention from the passing scenery to Tyler, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "A nickname? Like what?"

Tyler contemplated for a moment, his eyes locked on the road ahead. "Well, how about Libby?"

Libitina's lips curled into a faint smile. "Libby, huh?" She considered the name for a moment. "I like it. It's got a friendly ring to it." The idea of a nickname somehow made their journey feel a little less daunting, a small glimmer of normalcy in their otherwise extraordinary circumstances.

"If anyone asks..." Tyler trialed off lost in thought. "I'm your cousin?" She suggested the lie he mentioned to Susan. The woman who had helped them.

Tyler nodded, agreeing with the plan. "Yeah, that should work. We'll stick with that story." The prospect of starting anew, even if it meant living under aliases, was a chance at freedom neither of them was willing to pass up.

"I don't think Wednesday would like to be introduced to her sister who is supposed to be locked away." Libitina joked, trying to defuse the tension.

Tyler couldn't help but smirk at the irony of the situation. "No, I don't think she'd be thrilled. Let's keep that little detail to ourselves for now."

The bus continued its journey through the night, carrying two teenagers with pasts they hoped to leave behind. As they approached Tyler's hometown, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The bus rolled to a stop in the familiar surroundings of Tyler's hometown. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as he gazed out at the café where he had worked before everything had gone wrong. Memories, both bitter and sweet, flooded his mind. This was his home, a place where he had once felt safe and where he now hoped to find refuge once more.

Tyler's urgency was palpable as he grabbed Libitina's hand and quickly led her off the bus without acknowledging the driver. He knew that time was of the essence, and they needed to move swiftly and discreetly to avoid any unwanted attention or recognition in his hometown.

In the darkness of the night, Tyler guided Libitina through the familiar streets of his hometown, moving swiftly and with purpose. He knew exactly where he was heading – the forest that concealed a secret place he had used as a refuge in the past. This was a place where they could hide and regroup, away from prying eyes and potential dangers. Libitina followed without hesitation, her trust in Tyler growing with every step they took away from the town and into the sheltering embrace of the forest.

Tyler led Libitina through the dense underbrush of the forest, bypassing the red tape that was meant to keep intruders out of the old abandoned home. He knew this place well, having used it as a sanctuary during his earlier escapes. The house was a dilapidated structure, long forgotten by the town's residents, and hidden away in the heart of the forest.

As they approached, Tyler checked for any signs of intrusion, making sure they were truly alone. Satisfied that the place remained undisturbed, he carefully removed the red tape and pushed open the creaking door, revealing a dimly lit interior. Dust and cobwebs hung in the air, a testament to the years of neglect.

"Welcome to our hideout," Tyler said with a faint smile, stepping inside and holding the door for Libitina. The interior was sparse, with tattered furniture covered in dust sheets and a few belongings he had stashed here before. It wasn't much, but it would provide them shelter for the time being.

Libitina entered cautiously, taking in the surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. The place had an eerie ambiance, with shadows dancing in the dim light filtering through broken windows. It was a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the hospital they had just escaped from.

Tyler moved further into the room, searching for a flashlight among his hidden supplies. Once found, he turned it on, casting a beam of light to dispel some of the darkness. "We should be safe here for a while," he reassured Libitina. This old, forgotten house in the woods was a far cry from the sterile walls of Willowhill Psychiatric Hospital, but in its isolation, it offered them a chance to catch their breath and plan their next move."I would just stay out of the basement." He mentioned, his voice growing cold.

Libitina's curiosity was piqued by Tyler's cryptic warning, but she didn't press the matter further. The basement of this eerie old house held secrets that he wasn't ready to reveal, and she respected his need for discretion.

"I won't go near it," she replied softly, her gaze focused on their immediate surroundings. The dust-covered furniture and forgotten relics of the past painted a haunting picture of this abandoned place.