the Blaine incident: the taking

Chapter 4 - The mission

"I'm not a big believer in second-guessing decisions."

-Bob Iger

"Okay, hold up, we are definitely not doing this. Like, not gonna happen." Nico rationalizes, and I see where he's coming from, I think we're crazy, too.

"I second that." Viv speaks up from her corner, "I think it's absolutely insane to put try and put yourself into the situation most women try to avoid their entire lives. We've made it this far in life, please don't ruin that for yourself. Fin wou—"

"Don't. Don't say her name and use that bullshit on me right now. I need her back. I don't give a damn what the world thinks about what women deserve. She deserved a long and happy relationship with Blaine, she deserved a lifelong friendship with me, she deserved to have kids of her own, and live a goddamn life of her own. Don't use her against me. She would do the same thing if it was me or Blaine." Tears are rolling down my face and I'm raising my voice as loud as I can. Viv is a sweet girl, she really is. She just doesn't get it, not yet anyway.

"We need to figure out the process behind the taking." Moira continues, ignoring Viv's comment, and my outburst. Blaine hasn't spoken once. She's been sitting on the couch, just above me on the floor. We haven't moved, we haven't made eye contact, but her hand has moved on and off my shoulder the whole time. She knows something. "Blaine, please help us, describe the event in as much detail as you can." Moira speaks softly, even though I know Blaine is only soft and fragile because something happened that she doesn't want me knowing about. Blaine just stared straight ahead, not a word uttered, not a tear shed. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, usually a woman is alone when she's taken. Maybe me being paranoid is a good thing. Maybe it's what will get me through this.

"Blaine, you need to tell us what you know." I say through gritted teeth.

"I don't know, okay. I went to the bathroom after english, Finny didn't come with me, she said she wanted to enjoy the bit of sun we were getting that day and she'd meet me outside." She takes a deep breath, "When I came out all I saw was a school bus driving away. It could've been them. It could've been the kids from the school a couple blocks away. I don't know, I just know that I didn't see her." Blaine hugs her knees and buries her face.

"How many men in suits did you see?" Viv speaks softly, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.