"I'm a busy man, Julia. I don't have all night," Jonathan said when he saw Julia lagging behind. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg3ioIOd3p
"Oh, well, I'd hate to take up your time," Julia replied with a bit of spite in her voice. She was really unsure what to think of him at this point, but yet after hearing his story she was more reluctant than ever to speak her mind any more than she already had. So she followed him to the car, wondering what to say or do next. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxP8rLQi7z
"Then get in." 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxtPGyXMJh
Before she could give a firm no and try to reason with him, she was practically shoved into the back seat of the car, and she realized she no longer had her purse. She looked around frantically. Then she heard the bang of the trunk being closed. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzXJQT9GVM
"Don't worry. I sat it in the trunk for you." Jonathan gave her a tight smile and slid into the driver's seat in front of her. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa8IGQpRAd
She didn't care about her purse anymore. She started to bolt out of the car...only to find the doors on both sides had safety locks on them. She looked out the rear window. Hadn't anybody nearby seen an innocent woman just get shoved into a car against her will? 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkwIxuUZt0
Julia's breathing quickened and her mind raced, but she didn't cry or scream. "I have to be honest with you--you are really starting to creep me out," she said steadily, meeting his eyes. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlME4uXoMll
Jonathan laughed condescendingly, like a parent to a child who'd just asked for a second bowl of ice cream. "You're the one who wanted to see how my mask works. So don't blame me if you get more than a little freaked out tonight." 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04pyIlE6Ud
Julia tried one more time. "Please, can I just give Dave a quick call?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj7UhJdWu2
Jonathan tilted his head and blinked. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to make phonecalls when you're already with somebody?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7BxyHU0Hd
Julia was unsure what to say to that. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNgZqSzF6R
"So why would you want to call him? He seemed a little...interfering when I talked to him last. Wanted to know why I wanted to see you, why we were going to a coffee shop at this time of night, things like that." 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1cXbFUa1r
Julia's heart sped up. "It'll only take a minute," she said quickly. "I just wanted to remind him about something." The number she really wanted to call was only three numbers long and started with a 9 and ended with a 11, and Julia remembered her earlier conversation with Dave with a sharp pang and how stupid she had been today. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pjqAJU1FS
"How about I just call for you?" Again he had that smile on his face, but now those eyes had gone from twinkling to beady and dark, and the smile had gone from charming to creepy.
Julia decided to just play along--for now. "If that's what you feel would be best," she replied, hoping she sounded casual and unafraid.
He got out his phone and dialed, and without even saying hello, he said quietly to the other end, "Yes, I have her. We're just now leaving. It was an interesting conversation, actually. As for him, take him to that old abandoned park. I'm sure you know the one. Meet us at the carousel." That being said, he hit the end button with a little beep. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxjIq67HIG
Many thoughts and emotions buzzed through Julia's mind, but knew full well from experience not to show fear or anger in threatening situations, but to simply try to stay on the person's good side until she got access to something better.
After a few deep breaths, Julia's mind began to work. Let's see, he loves talking about this "mask" of his. Maybe I'll try that, then I could get my knife out once he stops the car. And if he's seriously trying to kidnap me, then I could try to get to his keys and phone and call for help. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt for her knife. It was still there, and Julia hid her relief. "The names that those kids called you...is that why your mask looked kind of like--"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOlfDvSYrh
"A scarecrow? You might say that," he said nonchalantly, buckling up and pulling out of the coffee shop's parking lot. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFi0G0y68J
"Doctor--I mean, Jonathan..." She forced a smile, trying to keep the anxiety out of her voice. "You don't have to do all this." 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjagdhksovz
"But I want to, Julia. I like to be able to enlighten others whenever I can." He looked at her in the rearview mirror, seeming almost smug. "Trust me...you won't ask another question after tonight." 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZEbkKqO1R
Any other person in her situation would have been screaming and banging on the doors, but not Julia--even though she wanted to more than anything. Just wait for the car to stop, then make your move. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7YTc4MSKL
Julia watched as the bright lights and skyscrapers were gradually replaced with walls covered in graffiti and dilapidated buildings that might have once served an honest purpose. She thought of Fortunato from that short Edgar Allan Poe story, The Cask of Amontillado, and wondered if she'd just been tricked in a very similar way. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8ndR52FhQ
Soon the silhouette of a Ferris wheel came into view when she peered out of her right window. Would there be no easier way out of this? 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4btY9SvES
Jonathan parked the car next to an abandoned gas station and then opened one of the back doors after he got out. Reluctantly, Julia slid out, hugging herself from the cold that came from both the late autumn weather and the feeling inside her chest. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDLQWDDCFL
"I can assure you of one thing, Julia," he said, keeping a firm hand on her shoulder while unlocking his trunk with his free hand. "My childhood story may seem terrible, but it does have a happy ending, and it went something like this..." He opened the famous briefcase and took out his mask, which he pulled over his head, and a needle. "Fortunately you won't need much of this, since that caffeine has probably already gotten your heart pumping somewhat." 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSfpP7oFRg
"Doctor Crane...why are you doing this?" Julia bit her lip and tasted blood. "I never agreed to taking anything. Please, let's just go back. I'll never bother you again." 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu95Cxbg8q
"Doctor Crane isn't here right now, but if you'd like to make an appointment..."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFkHxMxFVe
Julia jerked away in one frantic motion, but not before he injected the needle into her shoulder.
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