small writing warm up: also a continuation of this
You do make it out of the narrow alleyway, one hair-raising, ear-splitting scratch and scrape at a time.
The man you’ve accidentally abducted seems amused by your actions. Though he’d chided you for them earlier, he failed to produce an alternative solution to dislodge the car. The damage to the driver’s side door is extensive, but judging by the man’s clothing and accessories, he can afford to replace it.
You shimmy your way out of the car, planning to disappear among the throng of people that have gathered around to shop and eat and chat and fuck. This street is always packed with people this time of night. It’s why you chose it. There’s nothing you like more than a crowd large enough to be anonymous in.
What you don’t expect is the mysterious man to follow you out of the vehicle. He doesn’t say anything at first, so you assume the two of you are just coincidentally heading the same way, however after a few blocks it becomes obvious he’s tailing you.
You bring yourself to a stop, turning to face him.
“We traveling companions now or something?” you demand.
He blinks at you, a frown tugging at his bottom lip, “I don’t know where I am or how to get home.”
And that, that simply cannot be true. The dude looks like he’s pushing thirty. Where are his street smarts? His common sense? His survival instinct?
“Not my problem. Use your GPS. Subway station’s that way,” you add, gesturing vaguely to your right.
“I don’t have one,” he says plainly. “Didn’t think I’d need it.”
You let out an exacerbated sigh and jam your fingers into your temples to stave off an impending migraine.
“I know you have a phone on you. Your goons called you like five minutes ago. There should be an app on the phone you can use as a map.”
“It’s a burner. Its only function is to send and receive calls.”
“There’s like a million street signs. Pick one and send them your address. I’m sure your white knights will be here to rescue you in no time, princess.”
The man properly pouts now, an expression unbecoming of his stature. His dopey eyes and puckering lips make him look like a kicked fucking dog. A pretty kicked dog. Like a purebred or some shit, but a kicked dog all the same.
“I don’t like to be called that,” he deadpans, “and, anyway, they can’t come get me. You stole their car.”
This dude’s as thick as they get.
“You look like you come from a family full of lush cars that sit idling in a garage somewhere. I’m sure daddy dearest can spare a second car to rescue his precious son.”
He cocks his head to the side, considering you. “You’d really leave me here? Alone? It’s your fault I’m stranded in the first place. The least you could do is see I get home safely. If you’re worried about your own, you have my word no harm will come to you.”
“Look, dude, this has been fun and all, but I’m confident you can take care of yourself so drop the wounded animal act. Of the two of us only one is packing a-”
A cool, smooth hand slaps itself over your mouth while the man uses his body weight to push your back flush against the grimy brick wall of the ramen shop you’ve stopped outside of. Your biting words die easily in your mouth as your throat dries up.
When the man speaks, it’s as calm as ever, despite his outburst, “I’d appreciate if you could keep that bit of knowledge between the two of us. Tools like that aren’t exactly legal and I’d hate to have to use it.”
Unable to form words, you nod at him, hoping he understands what the movement is meant to convey. You figure you’ve got a 50/50 shot of him interpreting the motion accurately given his communication track record thus far.
A sharp, piercing gaze holds your own for a moment longer, then his hand falls away.
“I live in Musutafu. I’m not sure how far that is from here. You seem familiar with the subway system. Lead the way.”
You suck down a steadying deep breath. There’s a part of you that’s frightened of this dangerous stranger you’ve managed to saddle yourself with. You mostly just feel pissed. You consider your options, remembering an old platitude your mother used to sigh whenever you were in a rage: better to be pissed off that pissed on.
“Hope you’ve got cash,” you acquiesce. “I’m not shelling out for your subway fare.”