Setting that temporarily aside, we now cut back to Clive, who was currently chilled - but not yet killed 🤭.
The Dark Rizzards had, quite literally, left him in the cooler, cold and on hold.
Would Clive survive? Or would he end up… un-alive?
___
36%… 37%… 38%…
The download was continuing, but Sally was beginning to reassess the situation.
Even though she had barely interacted with Jon in the story to date, she still felt a strong sense of kinship, a real desire to protect this 'everyman', who had just let her know that despite a hectic battle, that the Dark Rizzards' overwhelming numbers had ultimately proved too much for him to handle alone.
Clive's comms had also gone unresponsive after he conveyed that the Dark Rizzards had arrived at his clothing store…
In the past, Sally may not have been too affected by this, every person for themselves right? Anti-Rizz was all about self-sufficiency, competence, and personal growth and development…
That said, she had been starting to realize slowly but surely, that quite literally, even if they were capable… that no person was an island…
Her interactions with a certain 'That guy' had begun to show her that perhaps true co-operation and partnership was a possibility… and quite possibly - as she thought back to her Undercover experiences as Allie - a lot more… fun…
Sure, maybe they could succeed and get away with the EVP Blueprints if they stuck to the Plan…
But at what cost…?!
___
"Here… drink this… this should warm you up."
Clive felt a warming sensation as the hot liquid spilled and trickled into his body…
…
"D-do you gotta phrase it like that, Author…?" Clive muttered weakly.
___