'There's no need to escort me if it's just a cab ride.' I mentioned to him as he signaled for a cab.
'Trust me on this one, cabs are not the safest mode of transportion in Ether. Cab drivers are notorious for dealing with the hackers and the devils.'
Just then a cab pulled up next to us and the Sage opened the door with a smile that sent chills down my spine.
'Ladies first...' he said with a voice not of his own, it seemed much deeper than it did moments ago.
I took a step backwards realizing something was not right.
'On...second thought I just remembered I need to use the bathroom. I'll catch up with you later!'
Before I had a chance to turn and run I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist and heave me into the car. I landed on my stomach on the back seat and saw a chance to escape so I reached up for the latch on the door and screamed as it faded away. I turned to crawl back out the other door, but the Sage was already half-way in and pulled his door shut quickly as well. His eyes staring at me with a look of absolute shock.
'I...I...I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me!' He exclaimed as he reached for the handle on his door, but just like the other it faded away.
Just then that same rumbling voice that came from the Sage, now came from the driver. 'You know...Sages aren't supposed to spend longer than necessary with players. More importantly, they're not allowed to give gifts away either due to the possibility of favortism being shone.'
The Sage paled as he stared at the featureless driver's face though the rear-view mirror.
'P-P-Please don't tell anyone, I'll give you anything you want. I'm scheduled for an evaluation tommorow! An evaluation that has the possibility of giving me a position in the Order of Lancelot!'
Surely the Sage is only trying to stall...whatever this person is until more Sages can arrive. Not more than 15 minutes ago he was a knight in shinning armor, now he's a babbling mess.
'I knew you'd see things my way...in that case I'm taking the girl. She's all I need.' said the driver as he reached up to the mirror to adjust it. I could only see shadows over his face but then I saw a red glow coming from his eye sockets.
I felt vulnerable as that red glow began to strengthen and focus on my image in his mirror. I pulled my legs up on the seat and wrapped my arms around them, burying my face in between my knees as I tried to shake that horrible sight from my mind. I heard the Sage shift beside me as he leaned in and kissed my forehead. Here it comes...the Sage wasn't about to give me away to some freak, he was going to go down in a blaze of flames!
Whoooooosh
I looked up and saw the door latch fade back in on the Sage's side of the car.
Click
The doors are unlocked!
Slam
Wait...he's leaving me here?!
Click
The doors are locked again! I jumped for the latch and cursed as one of my finger nails just barely clipped the latch as it faded away. I quickly sat back up and jumped at the driver, my hands reaching for his neck. Instantly I fell back in the seat as a seatbelt slithered across me and buckled me in.
'Time for a ride David...' said the driver as we quickly sped off.
