Cryptophobia - Outbreak

CHAPTER 4: 11:25am - 20 Minutes until outbreak

Attempting to get off the train and walking down the platform towards the ticket barriers was an unpleasant reminder of just how crowded London would get, notably during peak times. If it wasn't people forgetting things and holding up the queue, it was slow walkers and suitcases with an apparent mind of their own.

On top of that all, there were those people who would wait until they reached the barriers to pull out their oyster cards and those who despite it not working, would try persistently, as if half expecting the machine to realise the errors of its ways, holding everyone else up in the process.

No sooner had he thought that, Ria did exactly the same thing whilst attempting to multitask her texting habit and find her ticket. Irritable by her complete lack of awareness and disinterest in engaging with them, Terry decided to take a stand, here and now. He was a parent dammit and if tough love was his only option, he'd damn well use it.

Without thinking, he grabbed her phone from her hands along with the headphones plugged into her ears and shoved it into his inside coat pocket.

Ria almost immediately protested.

"What the hell are you doing, Terry?"

"Dad, I'm dad to you".

"You're no dad of mine! Give it back!"

"No, we are going to have fun today as a family, whether you like that or not". It was a good thing the noise of the crowds drowned them out, because their raised voices were enough to peak the interest of any nosey bystander.

"Fun? You call this fun? It's more like torture! Every minute I have to spend with you is a challenge just to prevent being sick!"

"You don't mean that".

"I mean it! Give it back!"

"Fine, have it back", Terry replied, surprising her, but she knew all too well that it was too good to be true, for no sooner had he taken the phone out of his pocket, he removed the battery and gave her the shell.

"Give my fucking battery back!"

"Ria! I told you to mind your tongue. You're not getting this back until the end of the day".

"What! You can't boss me around!"

"Well I am, get used to it".

"Ugh! I hate you!" She yelped and threw a strop. "I didn't even want to go on this stupid trip! I could have stayed with Lacey! I would have actually had fun unlike this...crap".

"You'll enjoy yourself, we've only just begun".

"Yeah right, whatever! I wish you'd just disappear! I'm not going to talk to either of you!" She snapped, crossing her arms and pouting her lips.

"I'm sure you eventually will, but until then, I'll happily wait until you do".

"You'll be waiting a long time. Give back my battery!"

"You might get it back earlier if you at least try to enjoy the day". She shot him a sarcastic smile before completely disregarding him once again.

"You could do better, but I suppose that's enough to ask for now. Should we make a move then?"

"Yay!" George yelped with glee. Terry took him by the hand and lead the way towards the underground, Ria following reluctantly behind in silence. As they passed through the barrier, at least there was one thing Terry could be satisfied with, it was her new found ability to focus on one thing, the most important thing at the given time. Hopefully now she would no longer hold up the queues and my were there queues. The crowds were stressful just to look at, let alone travel amongst. Had he not held George's hand so tight, he would surely lose him.