Mr. L gestured toward a pair of old metal folding chairs near the center of the room.
"Shall we?" he said, his tone light, almost cordial.
Liam didn't answer. He just walked over and sat down, his eyes never leaving the mask.
Mr. L sat across from him, leaning back slightly, his hands resting on his knees.
The mask tilted slightly as he studied Liam.
Shay stood off to the side, his arms still crossed, his expression hovering somewhere between confusion and irritation.
And then nobody said anything.
The silence stretched out, thick and uncomfortable. Liam stared at Mr. L.
Mr. L stared back. Neither of them moved.
Ten seconds passed.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Shay shifted his weight, glancing between them. His jaw tightened.
Forty seconds.
"Alright," Shay finally said, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "Would one of you just speak up already? This whole staring contest bullshit is getting old."
Mr. L's head tilted slightly, but he didn't look at Shay.
