Project 404 [DNF]

Chapter 19: Mr. Davidson

Was Sapnap surprised that his friend had jumped out of a moving car? Not really. Was he however pissed that he'd been left alone with two guys that never seemed to shut up? Yeah.

It had been three days since that little stunt had occurred. After that, the remaining trio had continued the journey. They'd stayed at a few shabby motels and if everything went well, they'd reach the lab later today.

They'd just left the gas station. Loud snoring was heard from the backseat where Quackity laid passed out. It was honestly a relief. Together, the pair were like two puppies on cocaine.

Karl sat in the passenger seat, mindlessly staring out the window. Though, they surely knew how to get on his nerves, Sapnap couldn't deny his admiration for George's friends. What they'd done was reckless and could certainly lead to some rather unpleasant consequences. Yet they were here, willing to take that risk.

Sapnap glanced at his passenger. He didn't recall ever hearing Karl utter a single complain about the current situation and the brunette seemed set on helping his friend in any way possible.

There was also something else, something that was harder to place. Sapnap had given the two of them a half-lie of an explanation. Basically just stating that he and Dream had helped George escape, of course leaving out the part that they'd been the reason why he was there in the first place.

It was a bizarre situation, nonetheless. But neither of them treated Sapnap like some random outsider. They quickly involved him in their banter and, especially Karl, had done a great job at making Sapnap feel like someone that mattered. The brunette frequently asked him questions about his life, his interests, his childhood et cetera. He'd clarified that he couldn't answer questions about George's situation. But Karl seemed genuinely interested him.

It was a foreign feeling. Sapnap was used to playing the pawn. As long as he fulfilled the orders he was given, no one cared to bother him further. So, Karl's sudden interest was something new, but it was a lie to claim that he didn't like it. It made him feel like a human being and not just a means to an end.

"Sapnap?" Karl sounded tired.

Hearing his name caused him to shrug in surprise. His gaze landed on Karl, but the brunette kept staring out the window.

"Yeah?"

Karl stretched his arms out at yawned before facing him. "I know that this is personal, so you don't have to answer." He paused until Sapnap gave him permission to continue with his question.

"What do you plan on doing after you're done with this 'mission'?"

It caught him by surprise. It was a valid question, just not one that he had given much thought. Schlatt had promised them a clean slate if they completed the mission, but that was obviously not happening anymore. He didn't regret what he'd chosen to do, yet it was fair to view it as an impulsive decision. The reasoning had been to help Dream before he'd develop any dangerous traits. But when he'd agreed to help George, the thought of what might happen after they'd reached his dad, hadn't crossed his mind.

When he really thought about it, why would George's dad help him? Or Dream for that matter. If their role in all of this came out, it felt unlikely that Mr. Davidson would sympathize with them.

He anxiously began drumming his thumbs against the steering wheel. What would he actually do? The only possible future he saw was to continue living a life a as refugee. Schlatt would keep tracking him until he was found and then skin him alive. And who's to say that Mr. Davidson wouldn't do the same?

He sighed. "I honestly don't know. I made a deal with George to find his dad. But that's how far our plan goes. After that– well, I guess George will be safe and it's not impossible that Dream will too. But I'll probably just have to continue running."