•The Curse•

ch. 42

No one's POV

Daniel rolls her eyes at the interaction between the three, a wry grin on her face. She's clearly used to this kind of banter, having known Molly for a long time.

Daniel: "Alright, knock it off, you guys."

Molly chuckles while Craig grumbles and turns away slightly, still holding Tweek's hand, though a little less willingly now. Tweek just looks at them both, trying to conceal his bashful expression.

The room goes quiet momentarily, and the tension from earlier is still perceptible. Daniel shakes her head at their antics, though the corner of her mouth twitches in the hint of a smile.

Finally, she stands up straight from the edge of the desk, her attention turning back to the matter at hand.

Daniel: "Alright, enough clowning around. We need to talk about the job."

The seriousness in Daniel's tone shifts the atmosphere in the room. Craig and Tweek look up promptly, and any further bantering is put on hold.

Molly, too, focuses her attention on Daniel, anticipating what's to come. This is the moment when they'll learn what they've signed up for.

Daniel: "It's not easy to do this job, even if it looks so simple, it isn't with those people around."

The vagueness in Daniel's comment causes a ripple of worry on Craig and Tweek's faces. 'Those people', whoever they are, clearly add an extra layer of complexity to the job at hand. Molly, too, tilts her head slightly, her expression curious yet concerned.

Molly: "But we can do the job, right?"

Daniel: "I don't think so. It's a bit too dangerous, and I do not want those people to get near you three."

Tweek: "Do those people hurt you? Doesn't your boss do anything?"

Daniel: "Oh, don't worry, I protect myself from those people, and my boss taught me how to get those people's dirty hands away from me, he's the nicest 50 year old man I have ever met...damn..he's the only 50 year old man that has been nice to me."

Daniel's explanation paints a picture of a working environment that's not as safe as they'd hoped. The mention of needing protection from others and a boss teaching self-defense tactics hints at dangerous, even violent confrontations.

Craig's expression is still somewhat skeptical, his trust in Daniel's boss obviously waning.

Craig: "Why don't they just get rid of these 'people' then?"

Daniel: "Well, you can't get rid of them. They are everywhere, some are men, and some are women."

Daniel's nonchalant response is at odds with the information she's providing. The idea that these dangerous individuals are pervasive and present in both genders is alarming, to say the least. Craig arches an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with the explanation.

Tweek, too, looks a bit unnerved by this revelation. He unconsciously grips tighter on Craig's hand, a sign of his anxiety.

Daniel, seeing the unease in the trio's expressions, continues, her tone firmer this time.

Daniel: "Listen up. These people are no joke. I'm not saying you can't handle it. I'm just saying you have to be prepared for anything."

(If you don't get what Daniel is saying, she is talking about predators and violent people)

Craig, still skeptical but trying to stay level-headed, nods reluctantly. He understands the severity of the situation but isn't completely convinced of their preparedness to deal with it.