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𝐑𝐚𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐯𝐚𝐧, which despite its ominous appearance, was surprisingly comfortable.
She wasn't being kidnapped; she had come willingly.
Rae smirked at the thought, 'Oliver Queen can kidnap me whenever he wants' she mused silently.
They were in route for what Oliver had dubbed a 'safehouse'. The van's engine hummed steadily beneath her, and the road noise created a white noise that was oddly soothing. They had made a pit stop to pick up Caitlin, leaving Harry and Jay behind at the lab.
Rae knew she'd get an earful from Harry about that decision later.
Kendra was sitting across from her, deep in conversation with Carter, who was trying to jog her memories of their past lives. Rae, however, was on a phone call with her pseudo-grandmother, Mrs. Welma, trying to reassure the elderly woman.
"Don't worry, Granny, it's only a few more days and I'll be back home," Rae explained, trying to inject as much patience into her voice as she could muster.
"If you're back in the city, I don't know why you can't come back home and rest!" Mrs. Welma's voice crackled through the speaker, filled with concern and a touch of irritation.
"I'll be fine. You worry too much. Just make sure you're taking care of yourself, that's all I ask for."
"And all I ask for is for you to come home! You've gotten so skinny, you have to eat more!" Mrs. Welma's tone was a mix of scolding and affection.
"Pot meets kettle," Rae muttered under her breath, earning a curious glance from Caitlin, who was sitting in front of her.
"Hm, well I've baked some shortbread cookies for you, you can come pick them up."
"I just told you I can't come right now, and cell service isn't that great where I'm heading, so I won't be able to call you a lot," Rae said, her voice tinged with frustration but softened by the affection she felt for her (fake) grandmother.
"You can bring some for your friends—"
"They're not my—" Rae started to protest but caught Caitlin's eye, seeing the scientist's supportive smile. Rae sighed, "I'll come see you soon, okay?"
"Alright, alright, I can't keep arguing anyways, I've gotten too old for you it seems, not much time left in the world—"
"Oh come on, Granny, don't do that."
"Well I tried. Be safe. Have fun on your camping trip with your friends. I love you."
"...Love you too," Rae replied softly, feeling a pang of guilt for not being able to reassure her grandmother more.
As she hung up, the van hit a bump, causing everyone inside to jostle slightly. Diggle, sitting in the front, glanced back to make sure everyone was okay before returning his focus to the road. Felicity was tapping away on her tablet, likely tracking something or someone while the rest (+ Laurel) were with Oliver in his car that were leading them to their destination.
