When the Lights Go Out: MAN OF MEDAN [The Dark Pictures Anthology]

vii. plan gone wrong

"Conrad, stop it!" I whisper yelled, but it didn't seem to do anything because he was still determined. He looked at me one last time then headed out. "Conrad!"

I got anxious as soon as he stepped out of the window. He's really gonna get himself killed with this impulsive attitude of his. Of all the times he could act on a whim, why now?

"Calm down, Emma. I'm sure he'll be fine." Julia said, holding me back.

I can't believe this. He's deviating off the plan! I even deliberately pulled him out of this "heroic" thing he so desires but who could ever tell this hard headed man what to do? This is the most Ed-thing Conrad could ever do.

Continuing with the plan, Alex grabbed Julia's perfume, banged the door and then hid beside it. He shouted and lured them in. "Hey! Hey, it's an emergency!"

"I'm bleeding! Fuck!" I decided to join in the fun and pretended to sound hurt.

"Danny, check on them." Olson ordered one of his men as we heard footsteps coming our way. Julia, who was holding a pair of scissors, and I crouched and got ready for what's about to happen.

When Danny opened the door, Alex smashed the perfume bottle on his head and tackled him but Danny was way too stronger than Alex was and managed to pin him on the wall and put his knife on Alex' neck.

"Take it!" Julia reached out her arms to give the scissors to Alex but he was unable to take it. Being the impatient woman that I was, I quickly stood up and punched Danny square in the jaw. I could tell it was painful because even my fist got cut. While holding his jaw, he tried to attack me but Alex pulled him and finally pointed the scissors on Danny's throat.

Danny was grunting while we bring him to the deck above and saw Conrad who successfully overpowered Junior with a knife.

Okay, maybe I underestimated him, but you've got to understand why I'm acting this way.

Olson looked weak, seeing his two minions being threatened like this. But somehow I felt a little bit of guilt when I saw his face. These two aren't just his companions, but they're his friends as well.

Imagine seeing your friends being threatened with a knife and scissors. That must suck. One wrong move and they'd just slip away from existence.

But then I went back into my senses when I remembered what they've been doing to us. They're horrible and you don't sympathize with horrible people, right?

"Get 'em!" Julia encouraged Alex and Conrad.

Olson still tried to look tough and unbothered to get the upper hand and said, "Think about what you're doing, boy."

"Let's finish this." Alex gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on Danny.

"The kid's trying to kill me, Olson." Junior said while trembling in Conrad's arms.

Olson lowered his gun and reached it to Conrad. This is a trap, I know a trap when I see one.

"Connie..." Julia murmured, taking a step forward.

"Don't take it Conrad." I calmly said and hoped he'd listen this time.

His gaze shifted from the gun to me and back to the gun. Shit, he really is considering taking the gun. Why can't he understand that Olson isn't actually giving the goddamn gun?

Conrad reached for the gun but Olson dropped it. Conrad crouched to take the gun but Junior was fast enough to punch Conrad and pin him down.

"No!" I screamed and was about to attack Olson but Fliss warned me not to.