Angelica "Freak Two" Munson

Chapter 49

"Okay," Dustin leads the storm into the bathroom, "What the hell?"

They only burst into laughter once more as the effect of the joke hadn't quite worn off yet.

Angie tried to keep up with Dustin and Erica, but as the adrenaline had simmered down, the pain had become prominent.

She darts in a moment after the other two. At this point, the older two have risen from the dirty tile floor.

"Steve?" She questions immediately as she enters the bathroom, searching for him.

He turns away from the disapproving eyes of Dustin to look to her. Almost simultaneously, he notices the troubled gaze hidden within her features. It's like an instinct as simple as breathing.

"Angie," Steve moves a step closer, but before he can even catch his footing, she dashes towards him. Her body aches in protest, but she is overwhelmed with emotion.

He plants his feet in just enough time to catch her as she weakly leaps into his arms.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Steve wraps his arms around her entire body, encasing her in warmth.

Angie whimpers softly in his arms, trying to keep her emotions under control.

He's okay. He's okay.

She keeps repeating the phrase in her head, but the fear is almost overpowering.

"Shh, it's alright," He places a comforting hand on the back of her head as she hides in his shoulder.

She arches away, with her hands on his cheeks, to examine his features.

Steve takes her hands away from his face and stares into her eyes, "I'm okay. Everything's fine."

They hold the stare for a moment, conversing silently.

After a moment, Angie nods, stepping away from the embrace.

"I'm sorry," She mumbles, wiping away any evidence of tears, "I got away from myself."

Everyone shares a brief solemn look before Dustin clears his throat, "It's alright." He steps back towards the bathroom door, "Let's get going, though. I have a feeling it's gonna be a long night for all of us."

Steve takes one last glance at Angie to find that she's already looking in his direction.

He tries to reassure her again as the group moves towards the door, but concern overtakes his features.

She tries to brush it off, "I'm good now. I was just worr–" Her hand moves up to subconsciously brush her hair behind her ear, but pain seers down her arm. Angie seethes, trying to hold it in.

Steve closes the distance and places a supporting hand on her elbow, "What is it?"

"It's nothing." She shrugs him off gently, "I think I just dislocated it or something."

He moves to inspect it, but she stops him once again.

"I'm sure it's fine, Steve. 'Just a little sore." She gives him a weak smile as Dustin waves them on.

"Come on, guys." He urges again. "And... blend."

They merge into the crowd, and no one seems to notice anything.

Erica turns to Dustin with a surprised look, "Well, shit, that worked."

"Of course it worked." He replies, appalled that anyone would doubt him, "We just have to get on the bus with the rest of these plebes, and home sweet home, here we come."

"Uh Dustin..." Steve speaks up sheepishly.

"What?"

"We might not wanna go to your house."

Angie aggressively closes her eyes as she remembers the occurrence. They could've unknowingly screwed their only way of getting out of this.

"Why?"

"Well, I might've told them your full name."

Panic covers Dustin's features as he looks back to inspect Steve's expression, "What the hell is wrong with you?" He whispers in shock.

"Dude, I was drugged."

"So?"

"So?" Angie mocks him in disbelief.

"So, you resist. You tough it out. You tough it out like a man."

"Oh, yeah, it's easy for you to say."

"You know, I'd love to see you try it, Dustin." Angie rolls her eyes, "Then, you might be singing a different tune."

Robin stops them shakily, "Guys?"

As the arguing ceases, they all gaze to look upon the assuming Russian guards checking id's at the doors.

"Abort." Dustin mumbles, "Abort. Abort."

They dash in the opposite direction as a guard spots and begins to follow them.

With Robin leading the charge, they meet the escalator, which is unluckily stopped.

"Shit!"

Steve urges them to slide through the middle, "Come on, let's go, let's go."

Robin doesn't hesitate to go first, followed by Erica and Dustin.

Before the guard can reach them, he slips under Angie, and they slide down the ramp together.

Dustin leads them to the food court, and they squeeze in behind one of the counters.

They try not to breathe too loudly as Russians close into the perimeter. Any sound could lead to them being caught, and they didn't want to risk it.

As time grew on, so did all of the pain from their wounds. Although adrenaline was still high, it wasn't high enough to keep the pain at bay.

Robin managed to scrape by without many physical injuries. Steve and Angie, on the other hand, were struggling to keep it together.

Noticing that she was visibly struggling much more than he was, Steve subtly placed his hand unto hers.

He waited for a moment to see if she would pull away, but instead, she shifted and clasped their hands together as firmly as she could in her damaged state.

He was able to contain his smile as it was nowhere near appropriate for their current situation, but his heart was racing from something other than being chased by Russians... although they were definitely a factor.

They heard one of the Russians speak into his intercom, and it went silent– terrifyingly silent.

Angie subconsciously squeezed Steve's hand a little harder.

It was if she could feel them getting closer... closer to getting caught... closer to pain... closer to... death.

As the end of their adventure grew near, and they all accepted defeat, a car alarm blared through the empty food court.

What in the actual hell?

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I'm so sorry that it's been so long since I updated. I knew I was gonna be busy, but I still underestimated. I also apologize that this chapter is short. I'm gonna try to get at least one more chapter out tonight to make up for it. I'm officially on Christmas break, so hopefully, I'll be updating more regularly for the next couple of weeks. Thanks for your understanding!