The Outside World

[Fus ro dah]

(My bad for the long wait!)


Montague had found a nice enough dress and a big, daggy old hat for Emma. He'd blindfolded her and led her from the compound to his waiting car. It was a bit of a rustbucket, but it got him from A to B. The blindfold was to remain on until they had reached their destination, which seemed further because the thief took the long way. Protecting the compound was important. He found a place to park and pulled up, turning off the car, which spluttered angrily, then fell silent. Once he'd taken off her blindfold, the two of them began to wander down the street of the city, away from the car.

 

[khuyen]

(I'm also terribly sorry for the wait, haha!)


Her head was spinning. From the moment her eyes were blindfolded (to which she had replied with a bit of a scoff and 'totally unnecessary, she wouldn't know where they were anyway'), her heart had been beating fast. Her blood was pounding, but it wasn't in the uncomfortable way, like when she had one of her attacks. This was different. This was... excitement. She felt queasy at the same time though, maybe it was from riding the bumpy car.


Montague took her blindfold off, and she blinked once, twice, to adjust her before darkened sight to the view around her. All the air seemed to blow out of her, and she stood dumbfounded. They weren't even on a pretty street, it was just a normal street in the city of New York, but to Emma it was everything. There were so many people, different colours, different styles, so... different. Her hands tugged at the hem of her plain cotton dress, which smelled a bit funny, but Emma had decided not to mention it. Her big, old hat was covering her face from the looks of passerby's, but her eyes saw everything. Montague had seemed pretty nervous about letting her out in case, she got recognized, but he couldn't have been more wrong. Nobody was even looking at her here. She was noone and yet she was everything here.


"M-montagu- hey wait up!" He had already begun walking down the street, away from the car, and she ran to catch up. "T-this is amazing!" her voice was out of breath, and she still felt a bit queasy and dizzy. "What's that? Is that a cafe? What do they sell here?" Her strings of questions were neverending as the two walked down the streets. Emma didn't know where they were going, but she was content, already having plenty of things to burn into her memory.

 

[Fus ro dah]

It was like she'd never been outside before... It was quite strange, yet... endearing? Cute? They were the same word right? He answered each of her questions nonetheless as they walked down the streets. This was such an unusual situation, and he had zero plans about where they were going.


"Do you want to eat at one of the cafes?" He could totally go for a coffee right now. "I want a coffee, how about you?"


(Yes let's give the shut-in coffee *cackle*)

 

[khuyen]

She pondered for a minute whilst looking at a guy who walked past them. How did his earlobes stretch that much? Then she turned back to Montague. "What's coffee?" They walked past a cafe, that seemed quiet and not with too many people. Emma looked through the windows, almost having to peel herself off the glass. "L-let's go in here!" The cafe looked cosy and beautiful and perfect (it was really just the first cafe, they passed). Her heart was clenching in an awful way now, warning her to calm down a bit. Sitting down would be just about right.


She didn't let him answer, but tugged on his arm to follow her inside. "Hey, welcome!" A waitress passed by them, carrying a tray of empty cups and plates. "Just grab a seat, I'll be right with you." Emma just nodded enthusiastically and chose a table near the windows, so she could look out. When she had finally sat down, she could finally feel the exhaustion from running around. This was already way more than she was used to. Her hands were in her lap, fidgeting, as she just sat quietly and focused on her breathing. Breathe in... and out...

 

[Melix]

It was another hour before Jem got up and left. He was sick of this and he needed coffee and lovings; luckily, he knew exactly where to go for both those things: Streetpress Cafe. He walked up and dropped his coat on the hanger and walked up to the front to order hot cocoa and his hot girlfriend. "Hey, baby," he imagined himself saying. He was so cool. "How you doin'?" Then he stopped. Mid-step. In the corner, in a big hat, was a girl; an awfully familiar girl, for more reasons than one. What should he do? His cool (which he'd never really had, because let's face it, he's a dork) evaporated like an ice cube in a steaming furnace. Jem Tytle needed a plan, a big, amazing plan.


His legs did not obey him. Without his consent, his feet moved rapidly toward the window booth. He plunked down next to the male that was with her and blurted out, "Hey! You remember me, right?"

 

[Fus ro dah]

Montague was still trying to figure out how the hell this girl hadn't even heard of coffee... Movement to his side, on the other end of the booth seat to be precise...


This girl didn't seem to know about anything outside... how could she know this guy?





He cleared his throat and looked at the intruder. "Excuse me, this is a private conversation."

 

[Melix]

"That's nice," said Jem. He was going to play fair, but if this man was going to be rude to him, well then, perhaps not. "Listen, not threatening you or anything, but I have a gun and the legal authority to arrest you for kidnapping and aiding and abetting a fugitive." He kept his voice low. "I really don't want to do that, though. Because for all I know, you have noble intentions, while her dad, I'm sorry to say, does not." He frowned. "So I'm going to ask you again: Sarah, or should I say, Emma, do you remember me?"


He was waiting for a response when his girlfriend came up. "Sweetie! How are you doing, darling? Would you like some hot cocoa and a back massage? Oh my gosh, are these your friends? I never get to meet your friends!"


"Stella!"


Stella squeed. How embarrassing could she be? "They are so cute! Oh, I just want to tickle you all! Gosh!" Apparently a lot more embarrassing than that. "I'll get you all hot chocolates! For free. Love you, baby!" She scurried off.


"Love you, too," muttered Jem, weakly. "Sorry about that. Girlfriends. You know." He said to the boy. "Or do you?"

 

[Melix]

@Solitaire @khuyen

 

[khuyen]

(Sorry I forgot to tell you I'm on a little holiday so I won't be on frequently! )


Emma had been blissfully staring at a menu-card, trying to decide if she wanted to get a caffe latte or an expresso. Truth be told she had no idea what it was, but it sounded exotic and nice. Suddenly someone came over and sat at their booth. Emma looked up at Montague, giving him a curious look. Maybe one of his friends? But when her eyes turned to their newcomer, she found his eyes fixed intently on hers. There was something strange in his look. Something she couldn't quite pinpoint. He looked so sure and determined. She almost didn't hear the questions and just stared back. Did she know him?


Her eyebrows furrowed, as the two boys spoke to each other in unfriendly tones. "Wa-wait, hold on? I'm not sure I -" their waiter came over to their booth like a hurricane - talking like one as well. Perhaps they were in courtship, Emma thought. When she left with promises of free hot chocolate, Emma just sat a bit dumbfounded, holding a hand to her heart unconsciously.


"I-I think you've got the wrong person. I'm not Sarah..." She frowned. But her name was Emma though. Were there a lot of people called Emma here? "... How do you know my father? Please don't tell him I'm... Here..." She trailed off feeling a little panicked at the thought of her adventure ending abruptly. Nonsense, she thought. She really didn't recognize this guy. I think.

 

[Fus ro dah]

Was... this guy trying to insinuate he was gay or something? Whatever, insults like that had no effect on Montague at all.


"Look, mister." He started. "You're making my friend here extremely uncomfortable. She's going through a rough patch, so if you don't mind." He made shooing motions. "We'd like to continue our conversation alone. She's not this 'Sarah' you seem to think she is. Her name is Alice and she's my girlfriend."


He met Emma's gaze and hoped she'd just follow along with his lie. Please...

 

[Melix]

"No, she's not." Jem Tytle glared at him. "Her fake name, that which she's going by now, is Emma Craft." His voice was low, low, low. No one outside their booth could hear. "She lives with her adoptive dad- yes, you heard me right- stepmother, and stepsister." He turned to Emma. "By the way, your stepmother has a boyfriend. I just felt I should let you know. Anyway, you've been living with your dad since you were, mmm, four, which is about the time your mum went completely bonkers and tried to kill herself, so she got sent to a rehab center." He paused to see how she was taking this information, decided he didn't care, and moved on. "Tell me why I know anything about you if I don't know you."


Just then, Stella returned with their hot cocoa. "Can I get you anything else? Half off for my sweet little Jem..." She looked between them and then back at the girl. "Would you like whipped cream, dear? Cinnamon? Anything?"

 

[khuyen]

She felt the sweat make her skin sticky against her scratchy, old dress. What were they saying? The words coming out of the strangers mouth were cold and harsh to her and Emma began to feel sick. "S-stop, please stop. You don't know- it's not..." Her vision was swimming and she tried to look at Montague, but he looked strangely blurry. "You've got the wrong person, I'm A-Alice."


The waitress came back with several mugs of hot chocolate and the sweet smell made Emma nauseous. Either that or the constant interrogation with this stranger. Jem, was it? "Bathroom! Where's the? Oh over there?" She stood up quickly, perhaps too quickly seeing as she had to grab onto the table edge to not topple over. Scurrying out from the booth, she looked to Montague, boring her eyes into his. "Sweety, honey.. Are you coming? You've got to help me with.. That thing." She finished off lamely, hoping he'd follow her as she turned around and almost bolted into the bathrooms.

 

[Melix]

Jem scurried after her. "Hey, look, I'm sorry," he said. "I'm not meaning to be a jerk." He grabbed her arm. "I'm not used to this; I haven't seen you in forever and I don't know how to act." Jem smiled at her, not the predatory smile from earlier, but a sweet one. "Mom's gone and Dad left me. I've spent the last fifteen years looking for you. You're my sister." It was easy to see he believed every word he spoke. "Are you gonna be okay, Alice?"

 

[Fus ro dah]

Dammit... That other guy was quick.


Montague quickly stood and moved to stand beside 'Alice', his arm going around her shoulders in that asserting dominance way as his gaze met the others. "Listen here, friend." He spoke quietly. "Stop harassing my girl, alright? She's not interested in whichever tale you're trying to spin. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to leave before something drastic happens. Come on, honey."


With his arm still around her shoulder, Montague turned the two of them and made for the exit calmly.

 

[Melix]

"Please don't leave me!" Jem, determined and worried, hurried after them. "Humor me, okay? You know I have a gun, and you know I know you kidnapped her or at least aiding her, which is also a crime, seeing how she's a fugitive. I have the legal authority and manpower to detain you. I haven't pulled anything on you, though." He ran in front of them. "Please, please, please listen." He pulled out his gun and calmly pointed it behind him. "Sign," he said, and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit and went through the sign, into a massive, many-branched oak tree. "If I wanted to grab you guys, I could. But I'm not doing that, because she's my sister and I care about her and you have to believe me." He put the safety on the gun and aimed it down, pushing it toward the male. "Take my gun."

 

[Fus ro dah]

Gee this guy was about as subtle as a streaker at a ball game. He eyed the gun and frowned a little, this guy seemed a little... unstable? Who the hell shoots a gun off in the middle of a cafe?!


"She's not a fugitive." He replied with a sigh, not taking the gun, he wasn't stupid. The police would be called and this gun was literally just fired. "If she was your sister, I'm pretty sure she'd recognise you and now that you've gone and fired a gun in the middle of the street. We're going to leave now, because she's got anxiety issues and you're not helping. If you really did care about her, you wouldn't endanger her life like you just have."

 

[Melix]

"I aimed away from her," he said. "And I'm sorry I have to do this, but you're under arrest." Since the man hadn't taken Jem's gun, Jem leveled it at him and took the safety off again. "Put your hands up."


Stella was rushing over. "Sweetie? Why are you firing a gun in the middle of the cafe? I don't think that's safe."


"Stella, walk away."

 

[Fus ro dah]

Montague raised his eyebrow at the man. "You're arresting an innocent man and his girlfriend out for coffee? You're no police officer for sure, so, I'd like to see some form of identification and a legitimate reason for arresting and threatening an unarmed couple."

 

[Melix]

"'Kay," said Jem, stepping forward. "Walk with me. I left my bag at our table." There was a threat in his voice. The gun made it scarier. Interestingly enough, he was only pointing it at the male. He trusted his sister. Sarah, Emma, or Alice, she would surely come around. After all, Jem was a very likable person.


(Ya, he's mildly delusional.)

 

[Fus ro dah]

(I'm gonna wait for Khu to post so we don't leave her behind.)

 

[Melix]

(Okay.)

 

[khuyen]

Jem had smiled at her, a sweet smile, that made her head hurt even more. He seemed so... desperate to talk to her. Suddenly Emma was steered outside, and she felt her legs weaken a bit. Was she scared of this stranger? He genuinely seemed to think he knew her, but... She felt Montague's arm around her shoulder, and it made her calm down a bit. Well, technically, Montague is a stranger as well, and that didn't turn out that bad. Maybe they could just talk about it? Her skin was tingly where Montague's arm touched her, and it was uncomfortable in an... odd way. She moved his arm off her, letting it fall down to the side and held his hand like a child would hold a mother's hand.


She saw Jem pull something out, but she had no idea what it was. It did make a loud bang though and shot through the sign, creating a hole in it. Emma's common sense figured it was probably something very dangerous, and she clutched Montague's hand harder. A gun, they keep saying. I read about those once. Her mind went into overdrive, trying to piece together all the things, she didn't understand. It made her feel dizzy again, and her hand was starting to sweat.


The two boys kept talking over her, saying odd things about legi..legiti.. legi-something. People were staring at them, whispering. Obviously the gun had caused a commotion and it had put a halt to the busy atmosphere surrounding them. She could almost feel the eyes bore into her skull, and it made her feel so anxious. What if someone recognized her now? "I-I don't want to go back.. not yet..." She mumbled to herself, gasping for air. Oh no. It's coming... "P-please, don't shoot him." She raised her voice a bit shakingly, shouting to Jem who was pointing the gun at Montague. "I need... him." As she finished her sentence, she fell to the ground, her hand slipping from Montague's. Clutching her heart, she let out an agonizing cry, as she tried desperately to calm her racing heart. Her sight started to blur and blacken, untill she completely... well, blacked out.

 

[Fus ro dah]

"Alice!"


Montague totally stopped caring about gun-toting... psycho as the girl went limp and slammed onto the sidewalk. He didn't have to pretend to care about her, and the concern on his face and in his voice was real. He scooped her up and rested her head on his lap, taking her hat off and setting it aside.


"Alice?" He checked her pulse and her breathing, she was okay. It seemed she just passed out and he scowled up at Jem. "Look what you did now you psycho! Get me a glass of water, and glass of soda. Now!"


Fuck that guy, he didn't care if he had a gun right now. This girl needed to be tended too, and the water would hopefully help wake her and the soda... He just assumed she had low blood sugar.

 

[Melix]

Jem was on it. He dropped the gun, which went off but luckily didn't hit anyone, at least not that he noticed, and ran into the kitchen. Stella was waiting for him with a...was that a dart gun? "Give me one reason to let you pass."


"Legal responsibility for a girl dying on your floor." said Jem, diving past her and grabbing a cup. Stella grunted.


"We are so over, Jem!"


"That's nice. My sister is dying." He filled the cup and made his way to the limited refreshment stand. The Coca-Cola machine was out of order, so he filled up a cup with a slurpee, grabbing two straws. He hurried back and knelt down in front of her. "Is she okay? Is she going to be okay?" He was frantic as he handed this guy he didn't know the stuff. "You can save her, right?" This was the slide accident all over again. For a moment, he saw Montague as his father, which made him make the most horrified look in his life before quickly reverting back to normal when he realized. "Is there anything else I can do to help?"

 

[khuyen]

In her dream, she kept walking. Her feet were taking her places, but there was nothing to be seen. Sometimes she'd break into a run, running from something, she didn't really know herself. She had had this dream before, she knew. It was familiar in a sense, it didn't scare her anymore. Suddenly, she saw light ahead and two figures standing, reaching to her. Her feet took her to them, but they kept moving further away. "W-wait for me!"


Darkness was all Emma could feel around her. She'd always do this, when she had one of her attacks. The black-outs were so familiar, but she could never figure out if she was dreaming or just plain not-there. She couldn't feel or hear anything as usual. Her body lay limp in Montague's hold. Sometimes she'd give a little spasm, but her breathing was slowing down to a small wheeze. Sometimes, there'd be a long pause in between her breaths, making them question if she was even breathing.


In the distance, they could hear police sirens. There had been screams when the second gunshot was fired, and people had scurried away from the sighting, afraid of getting hurt. The gun lay on the ground, as the two boys fussed over their passed out girl. The police car pulled up to the curb, letting out two bulky policemen. They took one look at the gun, and at the sight, furrowing their eyebrows. "Sir, we've had reports of shooting, I need you all to come with me to the policestation..."