Northern Downpour

Part 12

The sun had set by the time you and Bigby reached Central Park. You didn't quite know how you were doing it, with your thigh and all, but you were running at full speed to the bridge before that symbol disappeared.

You skidded to a stop underneath it. The symbol was still there. Bigby kicked it open, revealing a portal. You took a deep breath. He looked at you, and you nodded. He took your hand, and you ran through the portal.

You came out into what looked like a hallway. You turned around and watched the symbol fade away on the wall behind you.

No turning back now.

Slow footsteps and metallic creaking echoed down from the right. You and Bigby pressed yourselves against the wall and waited as the sounds came closer. When they were right next to you, you both turned to face whoever it was.

"Tim?" Bigby said. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Good evening Sheriff," Tim replied. "Blue. I'm here to take you to the boss." He held out his hand to shake. "Thanks, by the way, for leaving off Tiny. You'd think I'd have outgrown that centuries ago."

Bigby shook his hand, and so did you.

"I have to admit," Tim continued. "When they told me to watch the door, I wasn't sure what to expect when you came through the portal. I know you aren't here on a social call."

"You've just been waiting for us to show up?" You asked. "You knew we were coming?"

"That's what they told me. I dunno, they said you made it pretty clear. I'm supposed to bring you in, so if you'll come this way."

He gestured to the hall behind him. You and Bigby looked at each other. You shrugged and let Tim lead you down the hall.

"Thanks for understanding," he said. "This is all I'm here to do, and I don't wanna mess it up."

"You shouldn't be here, Tim," Bigby said. "This place is dangerous, especially for someone like you."

"It's not like that. Whatever you two may think of him, he doesn't treat me like some broken little kid. I think he gets what it's like. He gave me a job, and I'm lucky to have it. This is the only option I've got."

You frowned, but said nothing. He had a point. If Fables couldn't get help the way they were supposed to, they would take what they could get.

"I understand the position you're in," Bigby replied. "But you don't have to do this. There are other things you can do."

"So it's just that simple?"

"Maybe not, but you don't wanna be a part of this."

"A lot of us depend on him."

You started walking faster, eager for this conversation to be over and to just get the Crooked Man already. Bigby sped up as well.

"Some of us never get to the front of the line at the Business Office," Tim continued. "But he's there. We need you, but we need him too. What we don't need is a war. Hey, wait up. I gotta go in with you."

You and Bigby stopped to let him catch up.

"Thanks," he said.

You finally came up to a double door. You could hear people talking inside. You heard Jersey and Georgie, but you couldn't make out the rest. You gestured for Tim to open the door. He did so, letting you and Bigby enter the room as he announced you.

Dum and Jersey were sitting in chairs on your left. Dee was standing by a desk at the back of the room. The blonde woman from the club was standing behind a sofa on the right. Georgie was sitting on one end of the sofa. A man was sitting on the other end.