[Pshychatrical office] Task "At last" [Tag: Jessica]

[Kim Anderson]

PREVIOUS LOCATION: Abandoned cabinet

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"Jess?..." she whispered in disbelief, her mind half-awake from the intrusion. This was not a dream. This was real. Why did he bring her here? What is he doing?! Her heartbeat rose in a matter of seconds. She has to do something! She has to!

"No... GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" she screamed and pulled forward but the chains on her legs and hands did not let her move an inch further from her spot. After the last fiasco during the game the purple bitch moved her here so she could "think about her behavior".

Kim looked at them again. This was not good. She promised she won't hurt them. Yet she put Aoi in danger. She was playing with her back then. And now she is doing it again. What is the point of this sharade?! This is useless! No matter what she did she couldn't win! First her dad, then Aoi, now Jess! No, please! ENOUGH!

Stupid, stupid Kim! By giving her "the list" you gave her a full on instruction on how to pull on all the right strings. Admit it, Kim, you are nothing but a puppet. A small little puppet this lunatic enjoys to play with in her free time while she is not killing people!

"LET HER GO!" she yelled and tried to pull on the chains once again. With a small yelp now fell onto her knees. No. It's useless. She could move a little bit more than a meter around the spot she was strapped to right to the piss-bucket and back to the sofa but that was it.

"Jess, stay away from him!" she plead looking right into her dearest friend's emerald eyes. "He cannot be trusted!"

[Jessica Fleming]

Poor Jess was so busy thinking about this carpet that she did not notice that Teddy's landing was far from perfect. Otherwise, she would be much more careful... however, her leap of faith was good enough. Teddy's belly has protected her from the hit as if it was made of straw... or sawdust even.

"I'm okay," she whispered. It could be much worse. Yeah, they did some noise and it was very unlikely that now they had time and possibility to cover the hole but, Jessica at least did not break anything, so it was good enough for her. But they should hurry and get out of this creepy, cracking room until it got too late.

Even though Teddy agreed to help her, it was something that was bothering him... or rather someone. Jessica panicked, and when Teddy held her tight, she could swear that she was about to die from fear. Has the kidnapper found them already? Were this psychiatrist couch and a shadow the last things Jessica saw in her life? The girl gasped and closed her eyes... until she heard a familiar voice.

"Kim!" Jessica exclaimed and rushed right to her, escaping Teddy's grip. "Let me go, she's my friend!"

Seeing Kim in such a horrible condition, with all these chains, Jess could not hold her tears. She fell on her knees and hugged Kim as tight as she could, realizing that she felt anger more than relief. She was mad at the kidnapper who dared to torture her friend like that and partially on Ethan since her memories about this fight about Kim were still fresh. She did it willingly, right... Kim could feel that Jessica's embrace was different, not so gentle and soft as usual.

"Kim, I'm fine, see?" she quickly said, finally forcing herself to stop hugging her, just to look in the eyes. "I know that Teddy is kidnapper's son, but he will never hurt me. He's helping me to escape, right, Teddy..?" Jessica lowered her voice and looked at the chains. This naive girl thought that she explained everything good enough. It was clear in her red-haired head. Kim did not trust Teddy because she saw that he helped the main villain. But Jessica knew for sure that a person who can draw so nicely cannot be a bad one. He was just abused and forced to do bad things, and according to the movie's logic, it was just about time for Teddy's redemption arc. Even though he was the villain's sidekick, Jess was sure that he would betray his mother in the end, and her task was to encourage him to do so. Poor boi deserved better, and he was the only one who could fight against this cruel woman. So everything was running like clockwork... Jessica only had to explain it to both of them.

"Please tell me there is the way to free you," she whispered with the pain in her voice, desperately trying to break the chains by her own soft, weak hands. "Maybe she keeps the key somewhere in this office..." Jessica began to turn her head in different directions, hoping that Kim saw where the kidnapper could hide it.

"I don't wanna leave you here..." the girl said, holding her tears. Her rational side knew that if they don't manage to free Kim soon, she should go without her. There was the only chance to save both of them. Teddy would help Jessica to escape, Kim would not reveal that she saw them to the kidnapper, Jess would bring help and rescue everyone. The kidnapper would get to the asylum, Jessica would take care of Teddy and would never leave Kim again...

Suddenly Jess clearly realized that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with her. Like, literally, never part again. Jessica wished to come home from work and see Kim's happy face, touch her soft hand and talk to her for hours until both of them fall asleep on the same couch, watching a new animated series. But to achieve this life with Kim, Jessica had to go, either with Kim or without her, to come back for her. Time was of the essence, so Jessica could only hope that she convinced both them to follow her master reckless escape plan, based on friendship and rainbows.

[Kim Anderson]

Kim saw as the man's tight grip on her friend's shoulders lightened and then she rushed towards her. Her baby blue eyes darted in fear and confusion. There were no electric bracelet, no chains, no ropes. What the fuck is this guy doing? What's the trick? What was going on?!

In a matter of seconds Kim found herself in a warm embrace. Not able to breath out Kim just sat there for a moment with her hands at her sides. Feeling the the warmth of her body against hers. Hearing her voice again. It didn't feel real and yet - it was. Slowly she rose her hands and put them tight around the back of Jessica's head, her fingers intertwining with the red locks of hair.

"Jess," she breathed out, closing her eyes. She couldn't add anything else. There was no doubt Jessica was fine, safe and whole - so far their captor kept their promise. However something felt different about her frined. Her voice, her posture, even the embrace itself! She looked... determined? And it suited her!

Kim let go of the embrace and allowed herself to smile with just the corner of her lips. For a second she looked down to take Jessica's delicate hands into hers before her soft but confident voice brought her eyes up again to meet her emerald greens.

"Get out of here?" Kim mumbled in disbelief and looked back at the giant who was at the moment awkwardly standing nearby in the shadows, shifting from foot to foot. No! Unbelievable! He was a "momma's boy", so far from what Kim has seen he always obeyed his mother's rules. There is no way... Theodore however nodded eagerly in response to her friend's question.

The ginger girl tightened her grip around Jessica's hands. "No," she shook her head. "Jess you don't know what this woman can do to us," she gulped down the fear down her throat.

"This is a trick! She- she is testing us!" she whispered so only Jess could hear her words in case they are being recorded. Fuck, this wasn't good. The girl felt how her hands started to shake but she tried to keep her composure up! She didn't get that far just to lose it all at once! What should she do?! What is the test? Her eyes darted up to meet with the ginat man's ones.

"Tell me!" her eyes pleaded but she was way to scared to ask outright. What if it's something horrible. What if-

Meanwhile Jessica let go of her hands and tried to pull on the chains in an attempt to save her. Kim shook her head biting on her bottom lip. "Jess, no," the ginger whispered taking her by the shoulders to make her look back at her. "Jess! Look at me!" she reached up and stroked her cheek, her finger gently caressing the soft skin. What should they do? If what Jessica said is true...

"I don't wanna leave you here..." she heard and felt her heart sting. She never wanted to leave her too. Never in a million years.

"But you must," she whispered back, her voice trembling from the pressure. Even if it's a test Jessica should run. Now! Nothing was restraining her. "Please, Jess, I don't know what's going on but I know you can't trust this man!" she looked back at the man who looked to be distracted with the view outside again. “You should leave. Just go!”

Please. Just run. Now!

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ROLL-RESULT:
1. Kim - the girl tries to understand Teddy's motives and believe Jessica - 3 (fail)

ACTION: time is ticking, you need to decide what you are going to do next! Jessica can:

A) Listen to Kim and try to run away
B) Try to persue Teddy to get the keys to free Kim; (a roll at disadvantage; Teddy does not want to go down into the basement to get the keys)
C) Try to find something to break the chains (a roll at disadvantage; it's a bit too dark in here if only you had a lighter or a flashlight)
D) Follow Teddy's lead and "listen" to his plan
E) Your own choice (please DM before posting)

[Jessica Fleming]

 "Kim..." just whispered Jessica in response. She was so close, so real, so... here. That seemed right, but it was the only thing Jessica could describe in such a way. The whole world has gone mad, and the only thing that remained normal was the feeling that Jessica felt towards Kim. Why should she not trust her? Don't trust Kim, Ethan said, don't trust Teddy, Evan said... Well, technically, Kim said that as well, but Jess was too stubborn in her desire to see the best in her friends and never doubt them. Naruto has taught her well.

"Yes, Kim, we CAN get out of here," Jessica has not realized how determined she was. The girl really got into it. She knew what she was doing as if she was on stage again. Probably that was just an adrenaline rush that turned off all her anxiety and constant doubts. Or maybe Jessica just realized that it was the time when she should be strong, strong for Kim, in a real way. There was just too much at stake here to cry and panic. Jessica finally got the chance to escape and help everyone, and she won't lose it. Even if she failed, that would be fine. It just meant that this part was not the third act, as she initially thought, but only the second.

Kim did not believe her.

Jessica bit her lip. She could not blame her. Probably Teddy did some horrible things in front of her because his mother ordered him to do so. However, Kim's idea made sense. It could be another test by their inventive kidnapper. However, after thinking about for a moment, Jess shook her head and whispered:

"I know she is insane, but it does not make sense and contradicts previous games. Otherwise, I would be shackled and get a list of rules. And if it's loyalty test..." Jessica softly smiled. "I've failed it already."

When Kim asked, Jessica stubbornly looked at her best friend, having mixed feelings. She wanted to listen to her, especially after this soft touch, but if there was the smallest chance to free Kim, Jess would give up her voice again to get it. She could not leave. Not yet. She gotta try or otherwise she won't forgive herself. Even if Jessica manages to bring help here, the kidnapper may kill Kim just to punish the redhead brats.

"Just look at Teddy," Jessica had asked Kim when she said that he cannot be trusted. Jess believed that this man was not a good actor and his feelings at this moment were true. "It's real. But we don't have much time."

Think, Jess, think... Come on, you have played thousands of old quests when you were a kid, they had to teach you to think outside the box... Like, investigate your surroundings... not, it's too dark, it's a bad idea... okay, then, what's in your inventory? Jess checked her pockets. Old photo and remnants of wax crayons... The girl suddenly stopped to move and took these crayons, staring at them.

"I know it may look crazy..." she said to Kim. "Just let me try something..." Jessica turned her head to Teddy. "It won't take long, I promise..."

Probably they did not need to break chains or look for a key. Kim always was slender, but after all of these misfortunes, she has got pretty skinny. So... maybe she could just slide out of these shackles... if Jessica used this wax material right. That should work in the same way as when she tried Riley's ring. Even though Jessica managed to put it on a finger, it was too small to take it off. Gosh, they used a lot of soap that day... Jess could only hope that wax was not much worse in this regard.

[Action roll: Jessica tries to free Kim using her wax crayons to make the shackles slipperier]

[Theodore Wong]

Teddy looked outside at the clear night sky in awe. It's been awhile since he's been outside. Especially at night. Mother used to send him to get rid of the big smelly bags in the fridge from time to time but the last time she asked him was about two weeks ago... if not more.

Then his attention turned back to the girls when he heard his ginger friend say, "We CAN get out of here!" The man stood out of the dark and nodded eagerly, his palms caressing each other in a circular pattern. He was nervous. This was not a part of his plan.

"Just look at Teddy," the man heard and straightened his back, putting his hands to his sides like a good boy. "Teddy!" he replied and nodded once again. Yes, they didn't have much time.

"Alright, Jess," he heard the slender ginger girl sigh and watched as she smiled back at Jessica. "I believe you." Teddy felt his lips curl up in a shy smile. He was glad to see Jessica happy again... but there was not much time for sentiments!

So when the man came closer he gently took Jess by the shoulder as if asking her to leave with him but it seemed like this girl's mind was busy with something else - a near impossible Houdini-like trick!

When she looked back at him Teddy furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Teddy?" he asked if she needed any help. And yes a lot of help was needed! It did take them awhile to grease the shackles from the inside however when Kim finally took off her shoes... SLIP! The pulling itself worked out smoothly! Who would have known that such an idea would turn out to be an utter success!

Barefoot the slender woman finally stood up from the cold floor and rubbed her wrists. "Thank you," she smiled looking down at her hands and feet still in disbelief. And Teddy smiled back at them again. He looked down at Jess being proud of his dear friend! She was so creative! So smart! Of course, he was a little bit sad to waste his last box of crayons this way... but it's okay. They will find a new one! Even better one! And they will draw together one day again! And they will have so much fun!

"Where is the key?" the sudden voice of reason - being in the face of Kim - interrupted his joyful train of thoughts.

"Teddy?!" he blinked twice in confusion. What key?!

"The key to the room! To Jessica's room where you took her from!" Kim insisted taking a step forward, looking straight at him.

Ah, oh! Tha-a-aat key! The man panicked and started looking through his pockets. He had the key! He clearly remembered that he did! He checked both pockets on his pants and then his robe...

Alas, nothing.

"T- Teddy," he shrugged and shook his head admitting that he lost it. He felt sorry for being so clumsy. He didn't mean to make things worse... He just- He wanted to save Jessica. He didn't want mommy to... to-

"Great," the slender ginger girl whispered as she facepalmed herself. "Do you know where the keys to the rest of the rooms are? Or any spare ones?" she continued calmly. Teddy still shook his head again negatively. No, he didn't. It took him so much patience to sneak out this one. He never thought of taking them all at once. Mommy would have noticed. Since the moment Kim became a part of their lives mother became twice as strict... and paranoid.

The slender girl let out yet again another sigh, turned with her back to them and just stood there in silence for a moment lost in thought. "T- Teddy?" the man carefully whispered and tapped Jessica on the shoulder. He didn't know why her friend was so unhappy to get out of the shackles so... maybe they should just leave now? He really didn't mean to lose the key. He lost things all the time.

"Jess," Kim broke the silence turning around to face Jessica once again. Teddy also listened and played close attention to her friend. "Teddy," she addressed the big man and he nodded shortly in response.

"We should go to the kitchen. Now! I... I think I have a plan," her eyes shifted from side to side as if she was doubting her own decision. And Teddy didn't like that...

"Do you trust me?" Teddy saw how the girl extended her hand to Jessica. She looked up at her again with that small pursed smile... And Teddy didn't trust it. They should leave. Now! However... No, this was Jessica's decision. And he will follow her and do whatever she asks him to... as friends always do!

[Jessica Fleming]

It seemed Jessica was born with the stars on her side. It could be blind luck or the result of the work of her ingenious mind, but everything has worked out. Teddy let her escape the room, they found Kim, Jessica has convinced her to trust Teddy and what was the most important - she managed to free her.

The girl did not react when Teddy had touched her shoulder. She got lost in her thoughts, evaluating her random ideas. Jessica was a little nervous, thinking about that because she did not have much time. Even though it was dark already, everything around her became blurry as if she needed glasses.

To be honest, Jess even did not expect this plan to work. That was a random idea, based on her gaming experience. Probably, if she had another companion besides Teddy, they would offer a less creative but more rational solution. However, unlike Jessica's scheme, it may not work.

When Teddy decided to help her, Jess gave him a grateful smile.

"Thank you," she said, continuing to do her job. Rub-rub-rub, rub-rub-rub... "I really appreciate your help." Jess would not blame him for leaving her behind because of this delay but still was happy that he once again proved to be a good guy. Jessica wanted to think that she was right about people and Evan worried for nothing.

"Critical success!" Jessica quietly exclaimed and quickly hugged her friend when she was free. She did not worry much about the loss of her crayons, it was worth it for sure. Now villain would not hurt Kim, and they can escape together... Jess bit her lip. Actually, they could free everyone else. It may take longer, but it was dangerous to leave everyone here. When the kidnapper saw that two redheads had escaped with her son, she would lose her head. She may decide to kill them all before the police's arrival, and Jess realized that she would not forgive herself.

Kim was thinking along the same lines and also wanted to get those keys.

"Do you think we can free everyone?" she asked Kim, being a little sad that such interrogation made Teddy so upset. She touched his hand, the one that he put on her shoulder, trying to be supportive. "Kim..." Jessica lowered her voice. Even though she said that she had a plan, it made Jess anxious. They had a small and simple escape plan, and now stakes became even higher... and the more time they spend here, the lower was their chance to escape.

But... How could Jessica resist Kim when she smiled like that? When Jess was with her, all her doubts were gone. Even though she hesitated due to her ultimate desire to leave this horrible place as soon as possible, she finally smiled and took her hand.

"Yes," the girl said, enjoying the touch of her soft hand. "Take me to the whole new world."

Still, Jess was uncomfortable for making Teddy wait so long, so she told him that they could use this opportunity to grab some food. It must be a long journey, and they needed provision anyway. Not to mention that Jess was sure that the villain has a bunch of evil dogs in her yard, and they should draw them away, giving the meat.

[Kim Anderson]

As their hands met the girl felt something spreading across her cold fingers. Warmth. It was warmth. Jessica always knew how to bring warmth into their lives. With just her touch, her kind words, her playful gaze! Kim looked up and as their eyes met she couldn't resist but smile back, her grip around her palm tightening gently.

It felt so familiar. The way she looked at her. The way she smiled! Even the way spoke BACK to her! Kim only NOW has realized this sudden change but didn't mind it. It actually could make things much easier... or worse.

Jessica probably won't like what idea just got born in Kim's head but unfortunately, she couldn't think of anything else that could actually work and won't harm anybody else who is still alive in the process. And even what she had in mind sounded like a stealthy escape route that nobody takes in some cheap-ass 3-stars-rated video game!

They could of course try to go down and ambush the crazy bitch in her own lair but that was way too risky. What if the door is closed and she hears us? What if she sleeps with a fucking gun under her pillow?! What if Teddy will betray their trust and last minute will switch to the stupid bitch's side?

For a split second, Kim eyed Teddy still standing behind Jessica's back. Even though she believed Jessica's words - the woman still did not trust Theodore. He was Madge's son! Not just a random henchman person but her blood! Her family! And it looked like family bonds are taken as seriously as they can be in the Baker family so... better not risk it.

So Kim moved her gaze back to Jess, nodded her head, and carefully pulled her friend along with her out of the room into the dark corridor heading straight to the kitchen, eyeing what's happening in the back. Teddy thankfully followed suit and carefully tiptoed down the dark path they've taken behind them.

NEXT LOCATION: The Dining Room