Sold To Josh Groban

Chapter 3

The unknown, as it turns out, is just an abandoned theater. Josh Groban had apparently been keeping me in the theater's former janitor's closet that he'd converted to a holding cell just for me. I follow behind him as he chatters animatedly about the history and features of the theater. Normally, I would be very interested as I'm a huge history buff, specifically when it comes to musical theater, but my mind is too busy trying to escape.

"And here's where we'll be practicing," Josh Groban says, bringing me into a boring white paneled room with a fold out table in the middle. I turn to him.

"What do you mean, 'where we'll be practicing'?" I question. Josh Groban kneels in front of me, taking my hands in his.

"It's the reason I brought you here," he vocalizes. "I have to be honest, Y/n." He pauses, face furrowing. "Actually, hold that thought. It's a little awkward to call you Y/n." I secretly agree with him. My mom is such an alcoholic idiot that she just had to name me something unique. There aren't even any vowels in my name, making it completely unpronounceable!

Josh Groban looks as though he can read my mind just from looking into my eyes. "Why don't I just give you a nickname, alright? What would you like to go by from now on?" I think carefully. I guess this is the name I'll be known by for the rest of my life. Let's go with something sensible.

"How about Ebony Dark'ness Dimentia Raven Way?"

Josh Groban frowns. "I think that one's a bit too long. Maybe... Rose Swan or something?"

I scrunch up my nose. "I don't know..." I trail off.

"Wait! What about Éponine Hisoka Nanami?" I grin, momentarily forgetting my predicament as I savor my new name. Josh Groban beams with pride and my heart flutters. No! Stop that! You're not supposed to fall in love with your kidnapper!

"That's a wonderful name," he says, leading me to sit across from him at the fold out table. "Can I ask where you got it from?"

I blush deeply and hold up one finger. "Only if you promise to tell me what the hey's going on here." Josh Groban nods his agreement and I begin.

"First," I say, "Éponine is my favorite character from a kind of obscure musical. I don't know if you'll have heard of it. Les Miserables?" His soft brown eyes light up in recognition. "Good. Anyway, she's absolutely the most tragic character of all. And the other two are hot men from anime's I like."

"It's a good choice, Nine," he says. I almost squeal with delight, but I reign myself in. He's already given me a cute nickname!

Josh Groban folds his hands grimly and his eyes pierce into mine. It feels like he's staring into my very soul. "The reason I brought you here is simple. I really need you not to freak out." I nod. All I have to do is earn his trust, gain access to some kind of hairbrush, and then I'll beat him within an inch of his life. This is the first step to gaining that trust.

"I'm not actually Josh Groban. I'm from another universe entirely."