Northern Downpour

Part 4

The cab ride was tense. Traffic was slow, and the sun had set. You knew Snow could tell something had happened between you and Bigby. Sitting in this damn cab with him in between you and her, you began to wish you'd gotten your own cab.

You leaned your head against the window and closed your eyes. You were exhausted. If traffic was gonna continue at the rate it was going, maybe you could get in a nap.

That plan was foiled when Bigby tapped your left thigh. You resisted the urge to snap at him. Instead, you ignored him. He tapped you again. You shoved him off.

"Blue," he said softly.

Again, you ignored him. He poked your thigh this time. Hard. You slapped his hand this time, opened your eyes and side-eyed him. He wanted your attention, this was all you were giving him.

"I'm sorry."

You watched him for a moment, then looked out the window. You felt more than heard him sigh, and you had to bite the inside of your cheek to keep from smiling. You briefly wondered if the Big Bad Wolf knew he had perfected the art of the Puppy Dog Eyes.

You laid your hand on your thigh, palm up. When Bigby took it, you leaned your head on his shoulder and closed your eyes.

You ended up drifting in that weird state of consciousness where you're almost asleep, but you can still hear what's going on around you. You were almost certain you'd be unable to tell if you dreamt any of Bigby and Snow's quiet conversation. You zoned back in at the end.

"I'm full of surprises," Bigby said.

You straightened and rubbed your eyes. The cab slowed down to a stop. The Trip Trap was waiting.

"Yeah, maybe you two should take this one," Snow suggested, peering out the window.

You took note of the shady-looking people lingering in the alleys.

"Maybe we should," you agreed.

You opened the door and got out. You stretched, promised Snow you'd both be careful, and waved as the cab pulled away. You kinda wished you hadn't dozed--you felt more tired than before. Great.

You went inside the bar. Music was lightly playing, and it was empty except for Holly and...the guy from the line at the Business Office? They each looked at you and Bigby with disdain. You had a feeling this wasn't gonna go as smoothly as you wanted it to.

"What do you two want?" Holly asked.

"We're looking for the Woodsman," Bigby replied.

"Well, he's not here. So I guess you can go now."

"Look, I'm not gonna ask where he is now, okay?" Bigby sighed, approaching the bar. "I just wanna know the last time he was here, that's all."

Holly sneered. "Who?"

You crossed your arms and leaned against the pool table. Bigby put his hands on the bar, leaning over it just a tad. "I'm being nice, so try again."

"He hasn't been here for a few weeks," she sighed.

You narrowed your eyes when she glanced at the guy. He shook his head faintly.

"No--maybe--I don't know," she continued. "But yeah, he hasn't been here in a while if he's been here at all, which---I don't know."

"We'd just like some help," Bigby said. "Then we'll be out of here."

"Well I'd be willing to help you out of here. Would that help?"

You rolled your eyes. Bigby stepped away from the bar and started looking around. You followed suit. You noticed a large jar on the bar. You and Bigby stared at it in mutual disgust.