Published 4/29/23

(Takes place after Peter apologizes to Sydney and they become semi-friends (Sydney still slightly hates Peter tho))

"And why did you want to talk so late in the afternoon?" Sydney asked, annoyed. It was the end of the day and right when Li'l Sydney was going to bed, Peter had knocked on Sydney's door and asked to talk. After being convinced, she sighed, agreed, offered Peter some beverage (he asked for tea) and sat down in a chair at her table.

Peter sat across from Sydney. He sighed. "Well, yknow how your mom's in jail because she stole all of your things?"

"I am aware."

"That's not really the only reason she's in jail.." Peter said anxiously as Sydney took interest in what he was going on about.

"What do you mean by "not the only reason"?" She asked suspiciously while crossing her arms.

"Well, uhm," Peter stuttered. He knew the basic gist of what he was going to say, but how?? How do you tell someone that their mother threatened to destroy your life unless you, well, uh... kill your son??

Sydney raised one eyebrow over the other like that one The Rock meme. What was this cat hiding? "Just spit it out, man, jeeze."

Peter took a sip of his tea and thought. Sydney looked at him in annoyance. Sighing, Peter softly put down his mug, and stated, "YourmomthreatenedtoharmmeandeveryoneIlovedifIdidn'tseriouslyharmPeteyandleaveyou"

"Pardon?"

Peter was trying to catch his breath after saying all of that. "Well," he sighed. "That's the truth,"

"No I'm just having lots of trouble understanding what you said because you sounded like a child trying to tell their parent something right before they were about to be punted like a football."

"Well, ow, that felt like a stab to the heart."

"Oh, suck it up," Sydney rolled her eyes. "Now, house bout you try to tell me what the heck you just said, and talk normally this time."

"'heck'?" Peter repeated, confused on why the cat in front of him didn't say an alternate swear, due to past experiences.

"What, you want me to swear in front of the kid?" She asked, still noting that Li'l Sydney was probably still awake, probably listening to them.

"Good point," Peter stated. "Well, your mother.. she, well.." Sydney listened carefully as the tabby cat talked. "She.. she threatened to seriously f- screw up my life if I didn't.."

"Didn't what?"

"...Seriously harm Petey, almost killing him."

Sydney looked at the tabby cat in an expression he couldn't quite read. Was it anger? Guilt? Surprised? He was still trying to seek out any sign of normal expressions, when Sydney got up and screamed,

"THAT BITCH!"

She started going on and semi-venting about how her mom hee one of the worst people in the world, until the two of them heard the small pitter-patter of thumps coming from the steps.

"Mama?" Li'l Sydney questioned with a tired expression. "Everything's okay?" She looked over in Peter's direction. "Oh, hi Uncle Peter!"

"Hey, kid," the tabby replied, smiling. "Now, Sydney," he said with a reassuring voice. "I think I should leave, your kids gotta go to bed,"

Sydney calmed. "Okay. We can talk about this more in the morning," she shooed Li'l Sydney upstairs and followed Peter towards the door. Just as she was about to say goodnight and close it, Peter blurted out,

"Maybe she might have something to do with his death?" The two looked at each other, Sydney's expression again unreadable. "Sorry, shouldn't have suggested that-"

"No, you're fine. I'll look more into it," she replied. "Goodnight, Peter. Don't stay up too late making up random theories," Peter smiled with a thumbs up, and right when he was walking off, Sydney called out again.

"And thank you," she continued. "For, yknow, tellin me the truth,"

"Right out of my mouth," he laughed wearily. "Night, Syd."

"Night, Pete."

Peter walked to his house, sighing. It was just after sunset and he was very tired. Then he remembered his tea still on the table. He wished he could've cleaned up the cup before he left. He'll repay Sydney back, somehow. For now, all he could do was lie in bed. No theories whatsoever.

Until he walked into his dark house. Oddly enough, he.. wasn't tired? Getting bored, he decided to call someone. Noticing his low battery percentage on his mobile phone, he put it on the charger and walked over to his telephone. Dialing in the number, it rang.

Ring

Ring

Ri-

"Hello?"

"Hey, Mascot! It's me, Peter." Peter stated, waiting for a response.

Silence.

"Hello? Mat?" All Peter could hear was silence. He looked down at the phone cord-

It had been cut.