Chapter 2: The calm after the storm... isn't really that calm
Her limbs are locked, attached to her front like glue and refusing to move— less her figure convulses with another relentless shiver. It happens again, even if they die down, even if she's wrapped in thick layers of comfort and two reassuring arms...
Why was she so vulnerable to it?
Her eyes flutter after the shake, flashing open if only to tremble back to their closed state. She wriggles gently, the navy jumpsuit less than idea for said situation.
Two hands reposition in tune. One lies restfully on the layers of blanket and the other pushing curly red strands from her brow. But she can hardly register it, flinching in her sleep. Shivering and recoiling at the achingly dry throat and lost scars that have awoken.
"So, you wanna play rough?"
"The only Jewels I care to befriend-,"
Shadowsan sighs, squinting down in dismay at Carmen. Her head rests in his lap, she's unconscious, having a night terror. She shakes in his grip, no matter if he holds tighter or leans forward like now to smooth the sweat from her brow and place a kiss to her hand.
No matter if he cares. VILE didn't, and that damage was... far deeper than one can predict.
"It's okay, Carmen. We're nearly there." He chances a glance to the preoccupied hacker, headphones wrapped comfortably around his ears. Even if their situation was anything but comfortable.
She sleeps through the excruciatingly lengthy car ride to airport, only shooting up as Zack's hand cocks the gear shift and a crank shifts the air. The tires freeze and for a moment... the thieving woman does too.
Frozen solid in his lap. Though, Shadowsan is conversing with Zack as he discusses their plans for paving their way to the private jet. Player pipes in from the other side of Carmen, his laptop over the foot end of the quilts, "No, I'm on the site-,"
A brief yell fills the van, Carmen shoot upwards as much as the blankets allow, immediately freeing her arms and hastily moving to- to-
"Red? Red!"
Player's arms grab her shoulders and she yelps, shuffling backwards to see him. Her eyes widen in horror, nearly suffocating the hacker as she hurried herself as far from him as she can, "Shadowsan?!"
His heart snaps. Why... is she so scared of him?
Player struggles for comfort, "Red..." Zack releases his door, forcing Carmen's eyes to it. The bundled thief lunges before any of them are prepared— ignoring the shivering for a chance at freedom, putting aside the shrieks of a team until she's alone and may confide in herself. Her legs wriggle from the blankets until she's in the front seat with Ivy heaving to hold her back and Zack on the other side of the locked driver's door.
Carmen turns to stare at the controls, not registering the overlapping voices attacking her actions nor anyone around her, really— until a fist squeezes her wrist.
Her eyes widen, "Be a good little sheep, and this won't hurt." Her wrist lunges for freedom, ignoring the cold encasing her dead limbs as she dives for the freshly unlocked door and easily dodges Zack beyond it.
YOU ARE READING
Behind closed doors
FanfictionA series of angsty or comedic one shots, so many you'll find exactly what you need! "...Recovery is not a straight line, the both of us have been dealt enough loss to recognise this. I am not ready to give up hope, but I see your tired hands shake;...
