House Of Wax : Nick Jones FF ✅

Fourteen. 14

For an entire hour, the air was filled with the relentless noise of honking horns and the heated arguments of frustrated drivers. Nick, who had been caught in a nap, woke up irritated by the aggravating ordeal of stagnant traffic. Impatient drivers added to the chaos with a symphony of honks, accompanied by yells and colorful curses. Dalton's attempt to soothe Nick's annoyance backfired when he shared that Lilian had to embark on a hike to find Wade's elusive fan belt, abruptly cutting their call.

Dalton, sharing Nick's concern, tried to reassure him, saying, "She'll call us back." However, any sense of relief evaporated as the honking persisted, with even Paige in the passenger seat joining in the frustration. Leaning back with his feet up, Dalton couldn't contain his exasperation, declaring, "Dude, it's over!" The collective agitation in the confined space grew, the stifling atmosphere of the traffic jam amplifying their frustrations.

To escape the oppressive ambiance, Nick opened the window, inviting a flood of outside noises—car horns, distant shouts, and the low hum of engines. Almost halfway out the window, Nick continued fiddling with his phone, locking and unlocking it in anticipation of Lilian's call. Muttering under his breath, he observed, "It's not moving."

Equally irked, Blake overheard and shot back, "It'll move. We'll make the second half." Despite the attempted reassurance, uncertainty lingered, and the relentless standstill continued testing their patience. The visual scene of the cramped car, frustrated expressions, and the chaotic bustle outside painted a vivid picture of their predicament, setting the stage for the unfolding events in the mysterious town they were destined to reach.

A palpable tension hung in the air as Dalton and Nick exchanged an unspoken understanding, their silent communication manifesting in a shared glance that didn't escape Paige's watchful eyes in the rearview mirror. The subtle dynamics between them hinted at an unfolding narrative that Paige, with a sense of trepidation, predicted wouldn't bode well for Blake. Her intuition proved right as Dalton and Nick's hushed conversation rose above the blaring horns and shouts of other drivers, injecting an additional layer of stress and pressure into the already confined space of the car.

Within the tumult, urgent calls rang out to Blake, imploring him to "Pull back!" and reminding him that "Lily and the others are waiting for us already!" Paige couldn't help but sympathize with her boyfriend, who, in the face of their collective insistence, initially resisted with a hiss, defiantly declaring, "I'm not missing this game!" Yet, she sensed the fleeting nature of his resistance, knowing that the impending clash of wills would ultimately yield to the persuasive force of Nick and Dalton's determination.

Nick, reaching the threshold of his patience and eager to reunite with Lilian, leaned assertively over to the driver's seat where Blake sat. The loud, insistent honking of the horns was his audible declaration, demanding compliance. "ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!" Blake's response echoed, shattering the temporary chaos into sudden silence, his outburst akin to that of an exasperated parent who had reached the limits of tolerance.

Amidst this silence, Blake drew in a deep breath, a visible manifestation of the pinnacle of his frustration. In a moment that spoke volumes, he exchanged a glance with Paige, who, understanding his turmoil, extended a comforting hand to massage his tense shoulder, accompanied by a reassuring smile.

Softly, she implored, "Let's go. Please." Blake's gaze shifted forward, surveying the gridlock of cars surrounding them. Overwhelmed by a surge of pent-up emotions and frustration, he unleashed a series of furious fist-poundings on the horn, each thud resonating with the internal conflict raging within him. With a determined resolve, he maneuvered the truck.

...

Meanwhile, in the eerie solitude of the so-called town, Lilian, Carly, and Wade cautiously stepped onto the desolate streets. Contrary to their expectations, the town appeared ghostly, devoid of any signs of life, even on a weekend. The absence of footsteps and the haunting silence made the atmosphere unsettling. Wade could even discern the soft sounds of Carly and Lilian walking a mere meter away. Skepticism lingered in his mind, but he chose to keep that thought to himself, not wanting to dampen Carly's enthusiasm or Lilian's curiosity about the peculiar town.

Amid the desolation, Carly's excitement bubbled up when she spotted a pet store, drawing her attention. Simultaneously, Lilian found herself intrigued by the mannequins in a clothing store window, showcasing outfits she contemplated trying on. "I wonder if they have my size. Maybe I could get something matching with Nick and Dal too," Lilian mused, her imagination weaving through the potential ensemble possibilities.

Wade, however, redirected their attention, discovering a gas station, as indicated by the enigmatic truck driver. As they explored the building in search of any signs of life, the doors remained locked, and the windows were suspiciously barricaded. Undeterred, Wade decided to raise his voice in a hopeful "HELLO!" Only the echoes of his call responded, and the desolation persisted.

As Carly and Wade engaged in conversation, discussing their quest to find someone or an entrance into the seemingly deserted workshop, Lilian took a step further. She decided to dial Nick's phone, seeking a connection to the outside world. Almost instantly, Nick's concerned voice resonated, "Did something happen?" Lilian, giggling, assured him that all was well, diverting his attention from the traffic situation they were enduring.

Lilian listened intently as Nick detailed their progress and mentioned their return to the camp. Just as he delved into a less-than-polite comment about Wade, Lilian swiftly interrupted, "No one at the gas station." Her interruption carried a subtle warning, signaling her disapproval of Nick's potential disparaging remarks. Lilian had always been sensitive to comments questioning her compatibility with Nick or criticizing their friends, and she wasn't about to let it slide this time. "I don't know where we're going right now," she added, redirecting the conversation away from negativity.

The mysterious eyes observing her remained unnoticed as Lilian maintained her focus on ensuring a positive exchange between her friends.

"I'll pick you up soon, babe." Nick mutters, "Blake's being an ass right now. Call me back soon."