A kissing booth?

Warning: remainder of this is much darker than most anything else in this story. Figured I’d give a heads up for anyone who isn’t in to that.

As they approached the corner, all kinds of terrible possibilities were swimming through Molly and Amber’s heads. Assuming Rachael hadn’t been lying and Nora really was just up ahead, the fact that they didn’t hear anything was disconcerting. Molly was shaking at the mere thought of Nora being violated against her will, and Amber was still trying to come to terms with the guilt of thinking everything was all her fault.

They reached the corner, and as they came around, what they saw was not at all what they expected. About a quarter ways down the sidewalk, a tall wooden box stood with the words, “Free Kissing Booth” painted on the side. The front had a cloth hanging down like a curtain, and just next to the box was a table, where Connie and Sydney each sat. Sydney was very clearly asleep, her face resting on the table. Connie on the other hand was awake, and save for the very feint dark circles around her eyes, had no signs of being tired. She had a scowl on her face, and appeared to be leafing through a wad of cash.

Molly and Amber cautiously walked towards them, not really sure what they were going to do. They made the reasonable assumption that Nora was in the box, but as for what purpose they didn’t know.

They continued their approach, and it wasn’t until they were right in front of the table that Connie acknowledged someone was there.

“Sorry, we’re closed.” Connie said, not looking up. “Lazy bitch decided to fall asleep.”

Amber slapped her hand down hard on the the table in front of Connie, trying to maintain some semblance of confidence.

“Hey! I said we’re...” Connie began, before looking up to see who it was in front of her. “Oh, it’s you two.”

“What did you do with her?” Amber said, a clear shakiness present in her voice.

“With who?” Connie asked sarcastically. Amber began to say something but Connie continued. “Ooohhh, you mean Nora. What, haven’t you ever seen a kissing booth before?”

Connie stood up, and walked to the curtain on the front of the box. She pulled it apart, revealing Nora’s head, pushed through a hole in the side. She had a sleep mask covering her eyes, and her head hung limply as she slept.

“You’re welcome to sneak a peck on the lips from her. It’s free after all, and I promise not to tell her.” Connie said, as a tired grin grew on her face. “Course, anything else has a price, and I’m afraid you two don’t seem to have much on you.”

Neither Molly nor Amber were brave enough to ask what it was Connie meant. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, Connie could see it in their eyes.

“Though I guess it’s only fair I let you see how she looks.” Connie said, walking around the back of the box, and pulling a key from her pocket. She placed it in the lock attached to a latch on the back end of the box, and opened.

“After all...” she began, as Molly and Amber slowly walked around to see inside, “you were the one kind enough to deliver her to me, Amber.”