Lesson 94- It’s important to always ask nicely before taking something.

**Torin**
I’m probably about to get a dozen speeding fines, but if I do it will be one hundred percent worth it as long as I can get Laura back, as long as I can wipe that expression off of Rina’s face. She was CRYING and I was no help at all. Also I think she’s angry with me. I would be angry with me if I were her. To be honest, if I were her, I would never have made friends with me in the first place. I know it can’t last. It’s only a matter of time until it all falls apart. I’m not a good friend, I don’t know how to be, and as much as she insists that I can be, there has to be a reason why no one else has ever bothered with me. Still, maybe if I can fix this quickly, get Laura back and find a way to cheer Rina up, just maybe she will be my friend for a little while longer. That’s not to say I don’t care about Laura. I do, and I would have gone to get her anyway. But I probably wouldn’t be breaking so many speed limits. It seems like she’s been taken by her mother, and while I am aware that she has a somewhat distant relationship with her mother, I don’t really know why. When Laura came to work for me it was in the hopes that a connection with me would help to maintain that distance between them. At the time, she assured me that she wasn’t in any physical danger, just that her family are controlling and she wanted to avoid that. I want to believe that it’s still true. If they were likely to hurt her or anyone else, surely Laura would have mentioned something when Rina mentioned that there was someone searching for her in the bar. Or maybe not… She treats me better than most, but I’m not someone she confides in. She works for me because I pay her well and because my reputation is convenient for her. It doesn’t mean that she actually trusts me. I suppose I’ve just started getting used to Rina telling me about things. It’s fascinating the way people confide in her. Five minutes of conversation and somehow she seems to learn everyone’s deepest secrets. It’s a skill I envy. Laura might not tell me if she thought she was in danger, but I’m fairly sure she would have told Rina, and Rina would have said something by now if she knew anything. So either Laura has been taken, but isn’t really in danger, or she’s in a lot more danger than she imagined.

I park on the street in what I can only describe as a nice, cookie cutter neighbourhood. It’s all big houses and perfect lawns. The last place you would think to look for a missing person. But this is the address I have recorded for her mother’s coven. Before Laura came to work for me, I was looking around for witches that might be willing to cast wards for me, for a fee of course. This was one of the groups I looked into. I found the address, a phone number and an email for them. I sent an email through and then the next thing I knew, Laura was calling me and arranging a meeting. I thought to offer the covens services to cast wards, but to my surprise she asked me for a job, something more long term. Sure there’s no contract, but the arrangement works out for us both. I never could have gotten the bar running without Laura, and it’s been at least two years since her family even bothered trying to contact her. Maybe more. She’s been able to afford to move out, to get her own place and cut all contact with her family. Until two days ago at least.

I get out of the car and approach the front door. I feel like I should prepare in some way, but there’s really nothing to be done. I’m just going to go in there and get her. As much as I hate my reputation, in times like this it can be relied on to do the work for me. I knock on the door, or rather I pound on it. The man who answers the door is a mess. Well, technically he’s perfectly put together in pressed black pants and a dress shirt. But he looks exhausted. Threatening this guy feels particularly mean.
“Lance, who's at the door?” A woman’s voice called out. I raise an eyebrow at Lance and cross my arms over my chest. He sighs.
“Who are you then?” He asks flatly. Huh? Oh right, when I’m at the bar people recognise me easily. I’m generally the biggest guy there and everyone knows it’s run by a ‘big, scary demon.’ They see me and put two and two together. But outside the bar I could be anyone. Sure, I’m still big enough to be intimidating, and people don’t go out of their way to mess with me. But it’s not until they realise what I am that they really start to act weird.
“I’m here to pick up Laura.” I answer bluntly. The woman steps into the entryway where I can see her and scoffs at me. She looks familiar. I’m not the best with faces, but I think this is the woman who came looking for Laura in the bar. I just keep looking at her, unimpressed.
“Laura is home now, she isn’t going anywhere.” She answers, her nose stuck up at me. Wow, one sentence in and already talking to this woman is torturous. I need to remember to give Rina more credit, she stayed polite for an entire conversation with this woman. Thankfully, I don’t have to do that. I’m AIMING to scare this woman. And at least she confirmed that Laura IS actually here.
“I am here to pick up Laura.” I repeat firmly. Rina has told me I tend to keep a poker face. I mostly do it because I’m trying not to scare people, but apparently it tends to have the opposite effect. It makes me look in control which she says worries people. Well, worrying them is what I want to do, and appearing in control sounds perfect.
“And who do you think you are that you think you have the right to take my daughter?” The woman demands. Ah, so this is Laura’s mother. No wonder she was willing to risk working for a demon. This woman is a nightmare.
“I’m her employer.” I respond bluntly. I feel a strange satisfaction when the woman goes pale. I don’t usually enjoy scaring people, but I think I might make an exception for this woman.
“I… I… Laura must have forgotten to tell you, she is resigning from her job. She has obligations to her family that she needs to fulfil.” Her mother attempts to lie to me. A couple months ago, I might have bought it. It wouldn’t be a surprise to me if she quit. There’s a part of me that still does believe it. But I promised Rina that I would bring her back and that’s what I’m going to do. If Laura wants to quit after that, she can, and I won’t argue. But she needs to reassure Rina and she can’t do that unless I bring her back.
“She can tell me that herself, is she inside?” I take a step closer, intending to push my way inside. This is risky, I might be a demon, but if Laura’s mother is anywhere near as powerful as she is, then this woman is still a threat. I’m sure I could take her in a fight, but I don’t particularly want to harm her, and I definitely don’t want to kill her. Laura’s mother doesn’t move and I prepare to push past her, but to my surprise, the man takes her by the elbow and pulls her to the side.
“Come along dear. There’s no need to make a fuss.” The tired looking Lance says gently. I walk straight past him and into the house. I might have imagined it, but as I pass him, I think he gives me the slightest nod. Well… Maybe not ALL of Laura’s family are completely insane. Now, I just have to find her, get her back to Rina and find some way to buy myself more time with her, even if it’s just a little bit.