A STILL TONGUE MAKES A HAPPY LIFE

[number_2]

Welcome to the secret plotting post for The Village

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Welcome to the (Green) Thunderdome

[mistertwister]

Okie squeezes through the front door, watching for the butler, when boom, the door slams back shut behind him.

"Steve?" This is bad. He beats on the door, worries about Steve on the other side. "Steve!"

(the only thing i can think to avoid torture wise is fingernail stuff, but ill speak up if i feel like something lands wrong for me)

[number_2]

The butler is there. Now. He is looking at Okie unblinking. He motions to those double doors that lead into Number 2's Green Dome. He says nothing.

[mistertwister]

Shit. Shit shit shit. No way out now. The only choice is to give 2 something to chew on before he thinks to grab Steve, too.

Belly of the beast it is. He walks himself through the doors.

[number_2]

Number 2 is seated in his round chair just as he had been the first day. He smiles and waves for Okie to step down the ramp as soon as the doors part.

"Come in, come in son. I have been looking forward to meeting you, yes indeed. Sit down, won't you. Let's have tea and chat."

[mistertwister]

“You don’t get to call me that,” his voice snaps, all salt and venom and fire. He stomps down the ramp, stops himself by the table.

“Where’s my dad?”

[number_2]

Number 2 puts his hands up as if conceding defeat. "Number 6 is quite safe. Would you like me to take you to him? It might do him good to see you."

[mistertwister]

"I can see him?" Okie says before he can think better of it. Well, too late to turn back.

"Prove it."

[number_2]

"I will. But if you want to be taken to him you will have to wear a blindfold."

[mistertwister]

He wants to act with no hesitation. To know what to do. He does not.

"I-I'll do it. Take me to him."

[number_2]

"Very well."

Up from the floor come two goons in striped shirts. One of them holds a blindfold. They approach and fasten it around Okie's face, good and snug.

Number 2's voice, "Allow these men to lead you so you don't stumble."

Okie will feel them taking his arms one on either side and leading him on. He's taken through a tunnel, the air is slightly colder in here and the hard floor slopes down for quite a while until it evens out. They walk for a long time until the floor begins to tilt up and, still, they walk and walk.

Then, quite suddenly, the blindfold is ripped away and Okie is presented with the sight of Number 6 asleep in a hospital bed. He stirs slightly but doesn't wake.

"There he is," Number 2 says from behind. "Safe and sound, just as I said."

[mistertwister]

He wants to shake them off, wants to fight, knows he shouldn't. He follows them blindly, feels his heart climb into his throat the further down they go. He has plenty of time to think about what kind of trap he's found himself in, before they finally stop and he can see again.

There he is. Pops, alive. Okie won't reach out, won't chance breaking some rule he doesn't know about, won't chance learning that this Peter isn't real.

"I don't suppose yer just gonna let me walk back out after this."

[number_2]

"You'll have to wear the blindfold again, of course," answers Number 2 from behind him. Note that he hasn't promised when that departure will be.

"It's all right, you can take his hand. He's been sedated, unfortunately, so I do not think he will be much for conversation but you may speak freely."

[mistertwister]

He rests a hand on Pops' arm, stands quietly. He doesn't believe for a second that any speaking he could do here will actually be free. He doesn't want to give 2 any extra ammo.

It's several minutes before he speaks up again. "I'd like to go back to my cabin, please."

[number_2]

"Is that all you want to say to him?" Number 2 asks, clearly disappointed by the lack of tearful confessions from a son to his "father".

"You came all this way."