Ordeal or No Deal [Bjorn]

[Bjorn]

Yes, he knew of the backpackers. Offhandedly he wondered whether his belongings had been left behind or been cleared out. He wondered what ‘they’ had done, whether they’d survived the way he had. Guilt flooded his system as he realised he’d paid no mind to them until now. This place had triggered an onslaught of fragmented memories — a starting point.

Bjorn vaguely remembered coming to in a furnished room, though he had gotten himself out of there so fast that he didn’t remember the establishment or its location. Any search of familiarity on his way out had been sidetracked when hunger had struck. Or so he assumed, since he remembered next to nothing aside from disjointed images. This was the first time since that he’d managed to make sense of it all.

What had happened that night?

“Outside’s not safe,” he replied. If it were, he might have escaped the building anxiety half an hour ago. Unfolding himself from the low armchair was an awkward affair.

“Bjorn,” he added, reaching for the offered hand and giving it a firm shake before breaking contact, weirded out by the clamminess. It had been a long time since he had touched anything other than a live meal.

[Lancaster]

Outside's not safe, Bjorn said. Those three words said more than anything else.

Lancaster could go outside all he liked. He could travel from place to place with no repercussions. When he walked outside, he felt as safe as if he were inside. Never had he had a problem with being hunted, though sometimes he had toed the line--not with hunters, but with those of his own kind. Not because he had done something critical against them, but because they simply did not like him. But it had been so long ago, and he couldn't remember the exact details. Now? It wasn't just that he had no one hunting him, but because he had faith in his own strength, to defend himself if anyone even tried.

Bjorn had neither.

"Okay. Upstairs it is, then," he said. They would stop where they stopped, though Lancaster was inclined to take the boy -- he couldn't stop thinking that's what he was -- up to the attic. It would be more comfortable, there. More like a home than an establishment.

Before he led Bjorn to the stairs and up, he went to the bar and muttered quietly to Jessica. She nodded, glancing over his shoulder at Bjorn, before nodding again with a brighter smile. Lancaster then gestured for the stairs, meeting Bjorn in the middle to take him up. And up again, leaving the door open so that Bjorn at least wouldn't feel trapped.

"Okay. Start at the beginning," he said, dropping himself onto one of the old couches.