DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INCEPTION.
Sorry for the lateness!
Cobb's eyes shot open as he leapt out of the chair.
"Wh-"
He swung around to where his team were quickly moving out of their chairs in a daze of panic. He moved towards them but froze when he heard the click of a gun.
"Nice to see you again…"
That voice. It sent shivers down his spine.
"Cobb!"
He heard Arthur's panicked voice, only to be cut off by a sharp pain to the head, soon followed by blackness.
I told you this was a mistake…but you never listen to me…
You could be at home right now, with the children….
But you had to give in….you just can't seem to give it up, can you?
"Wake up."
Cobb squinted, trying to adjust his eyes to the harsh light. He slowly brought his head up and looked around him. He took a sharp intake of breath when he saw his team. They were lying on the garden chairs, hooked up to the PASIV, sleeping soundly. He also saw someone standing above them.
"…Let them go," he demanded. "Whatever you want, just…let them go."
The man chuckled. "You don't recognise me?"
"I've met a lot of people."
"I think you remember me."
The man stepped forward and Cobb stiffened. He put on a calm face.
"…Phillips."
"Well done."
Cobb glanced at the PASIV. "Can you wake my team up?"
Phillips shook his head. "Can't do. Strong sedative, wrong kick…limbo."
Cobb glared at him. "If anyone drops into limbo, I will kill you," he muttered menacingly.
Phillips chuckled. "Well…that's something I can't help."
"What the hell is going on?"
Eames strode around the dreamscape by himself, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Eames!"
Yusuf came running up behind him. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I remember waking up, hearing Cobb's name, then it blacked out."
"Same here. Have you seen the others?"
Eames shook his head. "No clue."
"Arthur, stop going so fast!"
Arthur slowed down his pace, but it was still a task for Ariadne to keep up with him.
"We have to find the others," he stated.
"I know but…I need you to slow down," she panted. He stopped and turned to her.
"Are you alright?"
"…Yeah. Look, I know you're confused, I am too. But we need to just figure this out instead of going into a blind panic."
He nodded and reached for her hand. "I know. Sorry."
"Don't be." They started walking again, but Arthur kept a firm grip on her hand. "Arthur…"
"Yes?"
She inhaled. "I um,…I need to tell you something…"
"What's that?"
She pulled his hand so he was facing her. His face creased with confusion. "Yes, Ari?"
She took a deep breath and sighed it out. "Arthur, I'm pregnant."
He stared at her for a moment. His expression quickly became blank.
She looked at him, increasing in worry. "…Arthur?"
He looked at the ground, furrowing his brow, as if in deep thought.
"Arthur, say something, please," she begged.
He looked back up at her, serious as ever. "…We need to find the others."
"Wh…" Arthur let go of her hand and started walking ahead of her. She stood there for a moment. This wasn't the reaction she had imagined. She didn't even realise she was upset until she felt her eyes brimming with tears. She wiped them away furiously and wandered after him.
"Wake them up, now," Cobb growled.
"Aren't you angry?"
Cobb furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
Phillips chuckled and paced around the sleepers. "Your forger was a bit careless. Didn't even bother to find out more about the employer before taking the job…little strange, don't you think?"
Cobb's eyes widened. "He…he wouldn't…"
"But he did…" Phillips smirked. "In this world, we're all in an auction…we sell ourselves out to the highest bidder."
