Itsy Bitsy Spider

27. Ransom and Retrieval

Zepile was not the adventurous type. He wasn't even a Hunter, though he did start to consider taking the Exam when he met Gon and the others. Though he considered adding more spark to his life, he was an antiques trader. An antiques trader, whose idea of an adventure was raising his voice at an auction slightly higher than he normally did. In fact, the most thrilling day he'd ever had was when he was able win an ancient book before auctioning it off for an even higher price. He'd made a thirty five thousand jenny profit that day.

Yes, Zepile didn't have a lot of history with excitement.

However, he knew enough to know that aiding in a kidnapping was not an everyday experience.

He glanced at the overhead mirror, which reflected back to him an image of the man in a ninth era fur-lined trench coat (a rather expensive and authentic leather one...hand-sewn, he might add) and chained up.

To be honest with himself, he wasn't quite sure why or how he'd gotten in the car, let alone started driving. Helping in a kidnapping was illegal, wasn't it? So when his body moved on its own... he didn't know what to think. Actually, he hadn't thought at all, which was a habit he should probably get rid of. 

Behind Zepile, Kurapika punched the kidnapped man in the face, so hard his chain rings left dark marks on his otherwise flawless cheek. He started to shout, then Senritsu started to shout, then the man spoke calmly which caused more infuriated shouting. Zepile scooted as far forward as possible, but their shouts grew even louder, and chaos once again broke out behind him. Fists flew, chains shook...

Zepile hunched his shoulders, confused, exasperated, and ever so slightly annoyed, forced to drive for people he had no connection to. He cast a few warning looks to the two in the back as he drove.

Kurapika pressed his stiff back into the seat in an attempt to calm himself. He drew his eyes away from the Spider, breaths slowing with each passing second. He would not allow himself to be manipulated by this monster any longer. "I'm sure you heard, Zepile;" he spoke to the driver behind closed eyelids, "Lingon Airport. Do you know the way?"

He nodded. "I've lived in Yorknew for over a decade," he blabbed, turning at a light. Why he was telling them this, he had no idea. "You know, ever since I started living on my own, I've had a lot of time to trade around the city. Probably for the better, since I can't take care of children. Man, my nephew was a handful. " God, now he really was just rambling. Like one of those taxi drivers who told you their life story while you sat in the back seat, politely nodding and inspecting your nails while adding dry questions.

Zepile supposed that comparison wasn't too far off the mark.

"Oh, you have a nephew. How old is he?" Kurapika asked politely, making small talk.

They spoke for a while, formal and stiff. Zepile had moved onto the topic of his profession before he sighed. As much as he was passionate about antiques, he just had to address the more major topic at hand. "So. Kurapika. Senritsu." Zepile nodded before attempting to sort out his thoughts into clear, concise questions. "Who are you, who is that, and why are you kidnapping him? And what did you mean, 'the enemy was injured'? And something about captives and friends? And on the phone, you mentioned murder? I..."

"Yes?" Senritsu asked patiently.

Zepile stole a quick look at her heavily bruised leg, concerned. Time to cut to the chase. "Can you just explain from the top? Please? I'm so confused."

Kurapika nodded slowly, understanding. He'd been desperate for a driver, and rash. No doubt pulling a normal citizen from the streets to act as a getaway driver had the man on edge.