🔞5EX: SUSTAINED OBLITERATION🔞

Tick Tock

Mr Ferdinand hands a small packet of documents to each of us and directs us to page seven. I lick my thumb and use the now moistened digit to flip to the required page then look up and see Yanni fixing me with a glare, his tongue worrying the corner of his mouth. I expect him to break eye contact as he has been caught staring but he doesn't, instead slowly running his thumb over his bottom lip. I swallow but also refuse to break the intense eye contact, stubbornness one of my major personality flaws. I feel my heart begin to race and my temperature is definitely rising. I wonder what is boiling my blood, and with a sharp intake of breath I realise it is not anger as I'd like, but intense sexual attraction!!
I quickly avert my eyes and with a very unsteady hand I pick up the glass of Whisky Jimmie had given me earlier and drain it in one huge gulp. Replacing the glass on the table I lift my eyes and find Yanni chewing his lip with a smirk, one eyebrow raised.

He is so smug. I am angry. He beat me.

That bastard!!

"Miss Benfield?"

"Hmmm?" I respond, my head still swimming at the realisation that I am attracted to that arsehole!

"I have been instructed by those persons listed on the document in your possession, namely the 5 members of 5EX to make you aware of our intention to sue you for the reasons listed in paragraph two there. Please take a few moments to acquaint yourself with the document then we can discuss it further. Excuse me for a few moments please" he nods formally as he leaves the couch and heads out of the room.

What the hell is this?! I am having the weirdest day ever. These people are appearing crazy to me. I feel like I'm a character in a film, or I'm asleep and dreaming, because this whole situation is surreal!

I spend a few minutes reading the document from front to back. I can feel the anger rising in me, but there is a tiny touch of fear too. Fear that, if they take me to court and sue me for compensation, they will bankrupt me and leave me with nothing! I've worked so hard for all I have, to lose it to people who don't even need it would kill me!
The anger I feel is partly because I feel I've been Shanghaied, but also because I am unprepared and unarmed for this situation. I despise being on the back foot!

I am apparently to be sued for.....

- Defamation of character (x5)
- Libel, pertaining to 6 stories I've published (these stories will apparently be detailed to me in the coming days) resulting in uncomfortable, and in one case a dangerous situation!
- Compensation (at a sum that is not yet set) for 'Harm caused to the plaintiffs feelings' and 'Possible Harm to future relationships' due to content of my work.

Pardon?

Ok!!?
First things first!

I haven't even written six news articles about 5EX.......

Oh tits!!!

Yes I have, but they weren't for my newspaper....... they are fanfictions I have published under a pseudonym!
It can't be that?! How could they link them to me? I'm Sydney Benfield, my pseudonym is 'FiveXfan', and besides, they're FICTION, so how can they possibly sue me?!
What do I do? Deny I wrote them? Admit I am 'FiveXfan' and fight a lawsuit? I can't do that, it'd take all I have.
Mr Ferdinand re-enters the room and retakes his place beside Yanni.

"Miss Benf...... Sydney, I presume that you understand the contents of the documents in your possession?"

"Well, I can read, so I see what the complainants are alleging, but I do contest those claims. I will not insult anyone present by denying I am 'FiveXfan' but I fail to see how works of fiction can be subject to court proceedings? How can stories impact on lives to the degree that is being alleged?" I enquire. The weight of six pairs of eyes on me making my palms sweat.