so it’s late, they’re hungry, and they’re being kidnapped.
hopefully. they really hope it’s just a kidnapping, because the alternative is probably that they’re going to be dragged out into the woods and shot. they fidget with their seat belt, glancing out the window as the streetlights pass them by. they’re not really close to any woods right now, but who knows?
it occurs to eve that the intimidating teal-haired man isn’t making any efforts to blindfold them or otherwise keep his identity hidden. if they were gonna be kept alive, he’d be wearing a mask or something, right? so maybe they are going to be killed after all.
“i think i saw something like this in a movie once,” eve finally says, unable to stomach the silence any longer, as they turn back to face the man with a shaky smile. “i used to watch a lot of movies, though, so i’m not sure which one. crime stuff isn’t really my thing, but i know i watched this one, so it must’ve been good, huh?”
the man doesn’t take his eyes off the road.
“i don’t really remember how it ended, but there was definitely a scene-”
the car slows to a stop at a red light, and the man finally turns to meet eve’s eyes with an irritable glare.
they fall silent and look back out the window, now gripping the seat belt with white knuckles.
maybe they should reflect on their choices -- or better yet, try to send a distress signal. the man didn’t even take their phone.
who would they call, though? barry, maybe? no, he’s innocent. eden? no, definitely not eden. they’re trying to get them out of trouble, not drag them further into it.
so they really don’t have anyone, huh. guess that leaves reflecting.
they, uh, don’t do that. their thoughts are meaningless, discordant, high-pitched noise, and they’re starting to drown in their own head.
the man startles them back to reality, and they blink rapidly at the realization that the car has stopped moving. “huh?”
“i said out. the boss is waiting.”
they’re in a well-lit parking lot. the illuminated sign above the door is in a language they don’t know, but it looks like the front door to a nice restaurant.
this wasn’t how the movie went, was it? they wrap their arms around themselves against the night’s chill as they step out, following obediently behind the man as he holds open the front door for them.
it’s definitely a restaurant. it... doesn’t quite add up with the whole ‘getting shot in the woods’ theory, but it doesn’t do much to reassure them of their safety either. at the sight of the two of them, the smiling waitress behind the podium sobers quickly and straightens up. “the usual booth, sir?”
“not for me. the boss has a meeting with our friend here.”
oh, that’s them. they hold up a hand and smile stiffly at the waitress, and she regards them with something close to fear.
she picks up a menu and begins to walk towards the back of the restaurant, leading them towards a booth. its only other occupant is a man they don’t recognize, but whose name they immediately know.
eve looks at the driver one last time. he jerks his head in the waitress’s direction.
so they follow her into the lion’s den, take a seat, and look at the menu.
