In all honesty, Theodore absolutely has no idea what possessed him to do what he just did earlier. Sure, it may have felt great, but all he could think of at the moment was, “Well, there goes our chance of survival.”
His friends kept telling him that he did nothing wrong, but he knows that they’re thinking the same thing as him as well. Beating himself up about it wouldn’t make the situation any better, but there’s just no stopping him from doing that, is there? After all, it is his fault as to why things became like this.
Well, not really.
That woman obviously wasn’t going to welcome them, and he knows that they probably shouldn’t push their luck--especially with the amount of hostility radiating off of her the whole duration of their talk. Besides, who knows what that crazy woman would do? He wouldn’t even be surprised if she has lost her mind because of how isolated she is from society.
He released a sigh that obviously held some lingering vexation. “You know what? Screw whatever regrets I had babbled on earlier. We made the right choice of leaving this place.”
“Did you really?”
Theodore felt his face morph into an expression that had his friends sharing a look, both of them silently telling the other that it would probably be best to drag their said friend away from here--fast. However, before Evan and Colin could do exactly just that, Theodore had already faced the source of his negative emotions with a scowl that seemed to be permanently etched on his lips.
“Oh, look who’s here.” Theodore drawled sarcastically, purposely drawing out each word just to see the way Arabella’s own face showed her current irritation towards him as well. “How could we possibly be of service, princess?”
“Quit it with those nicknames, would you?” Arabella replied as she crossed her arms against her chest. “It’s exasperating.”
Theodore merely rolled his eyes, completely ignoring the words she just uttered. “If you’re here to just tell us one more time about how we’re completely unwelcome here, save your breath. In case you’ve forgotten, we left of our own accord so--”
“Let me stop you there.” She interjected, sighing as she took one step closer to where Theodore currently stood. That action of hers alone was enough to make him feel more wary of her. He has no idea what she’s about to do, but he’s pretty sure it wouldn’t be something that would benefit him or his friends. “You left of your own accord. Your companions even barely had the time to assert whether they agree with the plan you just made before you dragged them away with you to God knows where.”
“Well since you insist, I was actually dragging them back to the sho--”
“That’s not why I pointed it out!” Arabella’s sudden outburst not only had Theodore and his friends reeling in surprise, but her as well. However, she was quick to compose herself as she cleared her throat and continued, “Don’t play dumb with me.”
Colin snorted in his place, completely unable to keep his amusement to himself. “You don’t really need to go through all that effort. As if we would ever choose to stay with you and be spat on on a daily basis than leave this place with possibly nowhere else to go.” At that, Colin faced his friend who started all of this, the grimace plastered on his face already telling the guy more than Theodore’s words could at this moment. “Speaking of, where do we go, Captain?”
Theodore silently cursed his friend for asking him such a question, fully aware of the smug expression that is currently making itself known on Arabella’s face. He has no idea whether Colin did that on purpose or whether he genuinely forgot what kind of predicament he would bring upon uttering those words, but Theodore really wanted to smack Colin on the head for not thinking things through.
“Well?” Arabella raised an eyebrow at him. “What’s your answer to that then?”
Seriously, why is this woman even here? Didn’t she make it clear earlier that she would much rather avoid some sort of genuine interaction with them? Supposing she is done with her interrogation, that is. And by the looks of it, she’s far from over.
A face full of displeasure was something that Theodore made sure Arabella would see. He’s being insanely petty by provoking her like that, but he just couldn’t help it when the woman is someone as stuck up and snobbish as her. He’s had his fair share of dealing with people like her, but she just took it up a notch. “Do you really need to be here when I answer that question?”
“Why? Do you not want me to know what your answer is or something?” She asked.
Jake cleared his throat, effectively making all of the attention turn to him. “With all due respect, we appreciate your short-lived hospitality, but we can really take it from here.” With a tight smile plastered on his lips, he continued, “You didn’t really need to see us off.”
Despite only knowing the guy recently, Theodore is pretty sure that anyone with a pair of eyes could tell that Jake was already feeling insanely frustrated about the whole ordeal. Now whether the infuriating woman is going to take that into consideration, he has no idea. For all of their sakes, he really hopes she does.
Arabella let out a scoff. “Why would I need to see all of you off? It’s not like I’m particularly dissatisfied with the fact that you all decided to leave.”
Well, looks like Theodore was just really hoping for the impossible after all.
But on a more serious note, couldn’t she seriously just leave them alone? They would be able to get on with their lives that much faster if she decides to merely let them be, like how they let her be. Is it really too much for her to return the gesture?
“Stop following us then.” Natalie deadpanned, the four men she’s stuck with for an indefinite period of time looking at her with astonished looks plastered on their faces.
Truth be told, Theodore has always thought of Natalie being the gentle kind of person that would be too nice to even say a slightly mean thing to someone. But by how she’s acting now, it’s safe to say that his perception of her was clearly not as accurate as he thought.
Arabella stared at the woman for the longest time before she let out an exasperated sigh. “I was hoping we could do this without the obvious hostility, but there’s no helping that, I guess.”
Theodore honestly couldn’t believe what he’s hearing right now. Is this woman trying to test their patience or something? Because if she is, she’s doing a damn fine job. “Are you f*****g kidding me?” He replied, the disbelief in his tone of voice too impossible to ignore. “You’re the one who brought on all this hostility! If anything, we should be the one saying it to you and not the other way around!”
Arabella merely waved him off. “Details.”
“You know what? Just say whatever it is you came here to say before we go on our merry way.” Evan quickly said, knowing for a fact that if it were Theodore who answered her, it would only end in a constantly increasing spat session between his friend and the woman standing in front of them.
Arabella looked at them for the longest time before she uncrossed her arms and put a hand on her hips instead. “This is against my better judgement, but I figure it would be more unwise for me to let you go. For all I know, the five of you are merely putting on an act so you could go your way and report this to whoever it is that hired you.”
“For the nth time today, just what the hell are you talking about?” Theodore replied.
“Theo, shush.” Natalie gave the guy a glare, ignoring the look of surprise that painted his face. She looked back at the emotionless woman before saying, “Your point is?”
“Do I really need to spell it out for you?” Arabella let out a sigh. “You’re staying here--all of you. And before you say something, no--I don’t want you here, and yes--I am keeping you here for an indefinite period of time.” She fixed her gaze on the seething Theodore. “Well, until I can figure out your true identities, that is.”
Theodore scoffed. “No, thank you. Seriously, you’re more insane than I originally thought.”
Colin suddenly held his friend’s arm, effectively making the said guy look at him with a questioning look dancing in his eyes. The former gave Arabella a tight smile, similar to the one that Jake gave her earlier, before saying, “Excuse us for a second.”
Theodore could only watch and follow his friend’s movements as the former didn’t give the woman time to answer him, continually dragging him away from the woman’s hard and icy stare. Their friends were quick to follow them, no doubt curious about what could possibly be the reason as to why Colin made that sudden move.
“Wait! Hold it!” Arabella hollered.
He heard Colin release a sigh before facing her, a single eyebrow raised. “What is it now?”
“Not all of you are going somewhere.”
Jake rolled his eyes and it took Theodore way too long to register the clear dislike that came with that certain action of the former. “We’re not going to just disappear, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Arabella narrowed her eyes at him. “What reassurance do I have that you wouldn’t?”
“You’re a bloody paranoid woman, aren’t you?” Evan commented. “Fine, I’ll stay here.”
She looked at him for the longest time before she finally moved her gaze towards Natalie and Jake. “Alright, one more. Which of you is going to keep this… bumblehead company?”
“Bumblehead? Are you kidding me with that?” Evan glared at her, fully intent on making his displeasure known to her.
“Not what I asked.” She told him. “Now, which one?”
Natalie and Jake simultaneously gave the woman a glare before they looked at each other, both of them trying to communicate with their eyes as best as they could. When it seemed like they were finally done, a sigh escaped Natalie’s lips as she let her gaze flit back to Arabella. “Fine.” Natalie spat out. “I’ll stay.”
“Great!” A sarcastic smile painted Arabella’s lips. “Now, off you three go to wherever it is-- Hey!”
Theodore, Colin, and Jake were already walking away from the scene before she could even finish her sentence. Personally, Theodore thinks that it’s for the best. He’s pretty sure his ears would fall off if he heard one more word come out of that spiteful woman’s mouth.
“Don’t need your permission!” Colin hollered, the three of them ignoring the annoyed sound that came from her.
The three friends merely laughed together as they walked farther away from the rest. While Theodore was still confused as to why his friend suddenly dragged him away from there, he didn’t mind taking the chance to get away from the one and only Arabella Ellis. It was the one thing he has wanted to do ever since she stood in front of them once again, and now that he has been given the opportunity to do just that, he’s not going to complain.
Theodore watched as Colin looked around their current surroundings, it being no different from what greeted their eyes earlier. Despite the fact that trees and shrubs still grew all around them, it was getting less… forest-like as compared to where Arabella suddenly ambushed them.
“Okay, this seems far enough.” Colin announced before dropping the hold he had on Theodore’s arm. He faced him with a mischievous glint in his eyes, the kind of look that already had Theodore doubting whatever it is that’s currently in his mind.
Theodore decided not to take any chances. “What is it this time, Porter?”
Jake laughed. “Straight-forward. I like that.” He gave his two companions a grin. “Well, don’t mind me. I’m just here to get away from that stuffy place.”
Colin was quick to give the said guy a teasing pout. “Aww, did you not come here to keep Theo and I company?”
“You wish, huh?” Theodore didn’t miss the way Jake answered Colin’s question, no doubt playing along to the short game that the latter has concocted. “Don’t worry your pretty little mind. We’ll be together for a long time, after all.”
“Well, true.” Colin chuckled before facing Theodore once again. “Now, about why I dragged you here.”
“Ah yes, the mystery that is about to unfold. This better be good.” Theodore replied as he leaned against a tree he found standing near him.
Colin smirked. “I don’t think you’ll like whatever it is I’m about to propose, but you better think this through, Landon, because this is our only chance of survival.”
At that, Theodore already had a guess as to what this conversation is going to be about. It didn’t exactly take a genius to know that this is going to be about the one thing he didn’t want to agree with. Shaking his head, Theodore said, “Nope. Not happening.”
Colin narrowed his eyes at him. “I wasn’t even done explaining!”
“You’ve explained enough.” was Theodore’s immediate reply.
Jake looked at his two companions, both of them glaring at the other, before he released a sigh. “Alright, this sort of thing isn’t going to take us anywhere.” He said. “Why don’t the both of you listen to what the other has to say before coming to a decision? That way, you both won’t have any regrets.”
“No.” came Theodore and Colin’s simultaneous response.
“Why did I think keeping the both of you company would be a great idea?” Jake wondered aloud, fully aware that his two friends are able to hear him loud and clear. “Man, I wish Nat came here instead of me.”
“Oi.” Theodore gave him a frown. “That’s just mean.”
“How did what I said mean? I was simply stating my regrets about coming here.” Jake replied, a slight smirk appearing on his lips upon seeing the way his two friends narrowed their eyes at him. “What? Don’t look at me like that. You’re making me feel all bashful.”
Colin rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll listen to whatever this i***t,” He pointed at Theodore. “Has to say.”
The grin that appeared on Jake’s lips was immediate. “Grea--”
“However,” Colin quickly intervened. “I’ll be the first one to say my piece.”
“What?” Theodore looked at his friend skeptically. “Why you?”
“Because you get pretty into it and it takes you an awfully long time.”
Theodore released a sigh. “Fine.” He bit out. “But you better make it quick as well.”
Colin smirked. “Don’t worry, I’ve already got that covered. Besides, I’m sure you already know what I want to say, so that makes things easier on my part.” He laughed when he saw the way Theodore rolled his eyes at him. “On a more serious note, I really think we should take her up on her offer. Well, it wasn’t really an offer per se, but taking advantage of her not letting us leave would be beneficial for us too, you know?”
Truth be told, Theodore already had those thoughts running through his mind. He didn’t really see any other way, and it just irritated him further. He knows that their chance of survival lies on that woman, but he just doesn’t like it--especially when she knows that their lives are basically in her hands.
By the way Colin was already looking at him with a smug look on his face, he knows that his face said all the things that he couldn’t really say verbally. “You know it too, don’t you?”
Theodore let out a begrudging sound of agreement. “Doesn’t mean I’m all on board on that though.”
“Oh, I know. You hate that woman with every fiber of your being after all.” Colin chuckled, Jake laughing along with him as well. “But you could make this whole situation turn into your favor. You could take this chance to gather information about her as well that would make her equally indebted to us, just as we are to her.”
“And you’re giving me that role?”
“Well it’s not like anybody else is gutsy enough to do it.” Jake chorused. “Think about it, Theo. You can equal her in more ways than one more than any of us could.”
At that, Theodore couldn’t help the scoff that escaped his lips. “Oh please. Colin could do that in a heartbeat.”
“You’re not entirely wrong, but there’s no way I’m dealing with a woman as troublesome as her.” Colin gave his friend a grin, the very same grin that made Theodore fully aware of the fact that this whole discussion is done. “You’re used to dealing with trouble. What’s one more to add to the list?”
Theodore’s mouth spoke before he could even think about it. “Well, there’s only you and Evan on that list at the moment.” By the time he realized what he just said, it was too late. “Fuck.”
Colin laughed. “It’s just one more, Theo. You’ll be fine.”
“Besides, I doubt Evan and Colin are that bad.” Jake told him in such an uplifting manner, that it made Theodore slightly jealous of his enthusiasm.
“Are you kidding me? You saw how Evan idiotically swam five miles earlier, didn’t you? He didn’t even need to swim because he did so slowly, that we were just on par with each other.” Theodore clicked his tongue. “That moronic dunderhead.”
Jake winced, no doubt recalling the obvious struggle that Evan was in. “While that much is true, I doubt Colin is that idiotic.”
“Oh he’s not.” Theodore replied. “The problem with this guy,” He gestured to the smug looking Colin. “Is that he’s too cunning for his own good. It always leaves a trail of trouble that ends up with me cleaning it up.”
“I think I already gathered that much since he just went and dumped everything on you with regards to dealing with Arabella.”
“You don’t get to say that because you dumped everything on me as well.” Theodore glared at him, effectively making the said guy laugh in his place. “Some friends you are.”
“That’s because we have complete faith in you.” Colin rested his hand on Theodore’s shoulder, a serene expression taking over his face.
Knowing the guy for as long as he did, he already knew what he’s trying to do. Theodore let a scoff escape his lips as he swatted Colin’s hand away from his shoulder and said, “Slyness disguised as flattery won’t work on me, you idiot.”
“Ah, well, that’s too bad.” Colin remarked. “It’s about time we head on back, didn’t we? After all, we’ve already settled our business here, and I think it’s high time we saved Evan and Nat from the grasps of that woman.”
“What?” Theodore exclaimed. “I haven’t even said my piece yet!”
“It’s fine. We already know what you want to say anyway, and I’m pretty sure you would still end up being outvoted.” His smug friend replied, his feet taking him back to where they previously were, Jake following in tow.
“A deal’s a deal, you moron.” Theodore made sure to glare daggers at his friend’s head, enough to make him feel like he’s making a hole through his head.
“Not when we didn’t shake on it.”
“In what world is that a valid excuse?”
“In this world.”
“We’re living in the same shitty world, you dumbass.”
Jake laughed. “Honestly Theo, I think you would only be wasting your breath. If we made a vote here and now, I would have voted for Colin’s plan.”
Colin looked at his friend, unperturbed by the vexation violently flashing in his eyes. “See? I told you it wouldn’t work in your favor.”
“There’s still no way I’m doing the main role in all of this, you know.” Theodore told him in a stubborn manner.
“It’s fine. Even if you say that now, you would only be fueled by your dislike for her and completely act on your own. You get to spat at her, and we get to watch how everything unfolds. It’s a win-win, if you ask me.”
“How is that a win-win?”
“It just is.”
Theodore sighed. “f**k it all. We both know you’re right anyway.”
Aksara