Serpent's Den

New Disney Wanna-be

Ben's POV:

My concern grew with each passing moment. This young woman had almost been abducted by these 'Black Rose' people and appeared to be going into shock. Debating whether I wanted to call an ambulance for Emma, I did what I could to console her. I wrapped my arms back around her in a side hug as she silently cried into my shoulder. It felt strange hugging someone I had just met outside of meet-and-greets, but I knew that she needed it.

Thinking back to earlier, I remembered that she wanted to tag along for lunch with me and a couple of my friends. I had hoped that I hadn't come across too strong. All I wanted was for her to be safe for as long as possible. If she was alone, that was nowhere near safe. Not with what had just happened. She was a target for this group for an unknown reason that I couldn't fathom. If no one else would stay with her to keep her safe, then I was more than willing to fill that role.

It suddenly dawned on me that I was going to be late to meet my friends. I had to let them know generally what happened and that we were going to have an extra person joining us. Lightly squeezing Emma's shoulders, I pulled my phone out again and messaged my friends.

???'s POV:

Hearing a new notification, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Ben had messaged me. Were we late? Was he already at the restaurant?

"Hey, thought I should let u guys know that I'm gonna be late. Something big came up and someone's gonna be joining us. I'll explain everything when I'm there. Her name's Emma."

"What's Ben saying?" Jack asked me from the driver's seat, periodically glancing over to me.

"Well, we're not late," I started. "Sounds like Ben's got a date with an 'Emma'. He's still coming, but something big happened in his world."

Jack's brows scrunched. "Did he explain anything?"

"Not really. Just that 'something big came up' and he's bringing a girl named Emma. He's going to explain when we meet up, though. Honestly, I'm not even surprised. Ben could easily pick up any girl he wanted."

"Yeah, no joke!" He paused for a second. "Well, if he says that it was something big, then I believe him." He paused again. "Where is this place? What are we looking for again? I keep getting turned around in this town!" Jack almost started to look distressed.

Suppressing a chuckle at his misfortune, I checked the directions. "Seems like we're looking for El Sol De Mexico," I replied, scanning the streets for a matching sign. Sighing, I started the GPS directions and messaged Ben back.

"Yah, no prob. We're not even there yet. We'll get a booth for you and your +1" *winking emoji*

Ben's POV:

Stroking Emma's back, I heard my notification ring out. I checked to see what my friend responded with and felt my bruised cheeks redden. Turning my phone back off and shaking my head, I hugged Emma tightly. She still hadn't said a word since she said that she was trying to process. Over the following moments, I ended up stroking her upper arm. It felt as cold as ice!

Shocked, I asked her, "Do you want to borrow my jacket? You're ice cold."

Emma looked up at me with distant eyes. Now that she wasn't resting her head on my shoulder, I could feel how much she had cried. A wave of cold air blew over my shoulder in her absence. Sniffling, she was able to answer, even if her voice was weak. "Um, sure, I guess. I do feel cold, but I don't want to be a bother." She drew her legs closer to herself, her knees resting against mine.