I Want it Back Now!
Back at the club, Dibs' anxiety grew with every moment that Carl was gone. He watched the door, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. He had to find Carl, had to make sure he was okay. He pushed through the crowd, his eyes searching the sea of faces. He had never felt so helpless, so lost (I mean he has but not like this). The club lights spun around him, the music a cacophony that matched the chaos in his head.
Finally, Dibs spotted the couple leaving the club, Carl's tall frame unmistakable even from a distance. He quickened his pace, his heart racing. As he reached the door, a hand clamped down on his shoulder. He spun around, expecting Carl, but instead found a burly bouncer with a stern look. "You don't wanna go out there, kid," the bouncer warned. "Trust me." Dibs, his thoughts a blur of fear and confusion, pulls away from the bouncer's grasp. "Look, I'm not a kid," he says, his voice shaky. "I'm 37, and if something's happening to my friend, it's my business." The bouncer raises an eyebrow, sizing him up. "Alright, pops," he says with a smirk. "But don't say I didn't warn ya."
The cool night air hits Dibs like a slap in the face as he stumbles out into the alley, his eyes scanning the shadows. The smell of rain hangs heavy in the air, mixing with the scent of spilled beer and exhaust fumes. He can't see Carl anywhere. Panic claws at his throat, making it difficult to breathe. "Carl?" he calls out, his voice echoing down the narrow alley. Only the distant sound of a siren responds.
As Dibs takes a tentative step forward, his heart races with every drip of rain that hits the pavement. The neon lights cast a garish glow over the alley, revealing nothing but trash and shadows. He can feel the weight of the city's secrets pressing down on him, whispering of the dangers that lurk in the night. "Carl!" he shouts again, louder this time. His voice cracks with fear.
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Giselle watches from the shadows as Carl is dragged away, a smug smile playing on her lips. She had done her part; now it was time to enjoy the show. She takes a deep breath, filling her lungs with the damp, electric air. The smell of rain mixed with the faint scent of chloroform was intoxicating, a reminder of the power she now wielded. She steps out of the alley, her heels clicking against the wet pavement as she heads back to the club, eager to see the chaos she had set in motion.
Meanwhile, Carl's world goes dark, the chloroform stealing away his consciousness. His mind reels, trying to piece together what happened. He had known Giselle was dangerous, but he had never thought she would betray him like this. He had been a fool to trust her. As the darkness takes him, he can't help but think of Dibs, alone and unsuspecting in the club. The guilt and fear are crushing, but the last thing he feels is a sense of resolve. He would not let Dibs get hurt because of him.
Carl wakes up to the sound of distant laughter and the cold press of concrete against his cheek. His head throbs, and his vision swims with the aftereffects of the chloroform. He tries to sit up, but his body feels like it's made of lead. He's in a room, dimly lit by flickering candles, the air thick with the scent of incense. Yama sits across from him, his eyes glinting in the low light. "Welcome back, old friend," he says, a cruel smile playing on his lips. Carl's mind races as he tries to remember the last thing he saw before he blacked out. "Where am I?" he croaks, his voice raw.
Yama leans back in his chair, his hands steepled in front of him. "You're in my little slice of paradise," he says, his smile widening. "Where no one can hear you scream." Carl's heart sinks. He's been here before, in this very room, when he was just a young and naive thief. He had hoped never to return. "What do you want from me?" Carl demands, pushing himself into a sitting position despite the pain.
Carl's eyes narrow, and he glares at Yama, the fury in his voice clear as day. "What do you want from me?" he growls, the sound echoing through the dingy room. The candles flicker, casting eerie shadows across their faces. Yama leans forward, his elbows on his knees. "Ah, straight to business," he says with a chuckle. "I admire that. But let's not be hasty. First, I want you to understand your position. You see, you owe me, Carl. And I've come to collect."