“This way.” Sebastian mumbled. “Do you know the time?”

Rory checked his watch. “It’s 11:45.”

There was only a narrow strip of pebbles and seaweed, the tide was in, and Sebastian headed towards the pier. Rory stared down at the ground as he followed, and only looked up when Sebastian clapped, and laughed.

“Well, the arcade’s looking a sorry state, but the chip shop’s still there … and it’s open.”

Rory hesitated before he followed. Sebastian held open the door, and Rory ducked under his arm then glanced up at the server. She would be the last one to see him alive other than Sebastian.

“Want something?” Sebastian asked.

“No, thanks.”

Rory knew he wouldn’t be able to keep anything down, and he didn’t want the last thing he tasted to be vomit at the back of his throat.

“Suit yourself.”

Sebastian strode forward and ordered a large bag of chips. Any other time, Rory would’ve thought they smelled good, but the vinegar twang made him grimace.

Sebastian tried to pay, but the woman shook her head, said the shop didn’t accept those notes. He turned back and raised his eyebrow at Rory.

“Oh, they don’t take those anymore. That’s an old five-pound note.”

“It’s the money I had in my pocket the day I was booked in.”

Rory flipped open his wallet and handed Sebastian a new five-pound note.

He scrunched his face and rubbed it in his fingers. “It feels horrible.”

“It’s a bit odd at first.”

“Just fives?”

“Tens, too.”

“Never thought money would change.”

Sebastian hummed, then turned back to the woman. Rory snorted at his feet, he was buying lunch for the man about to kill him.

Sebastian popped a chip in his mouth, then groaned.

“That taste, that’s exactly how I remember it.”

The door dinged when they left, and Sebastian walked down the stone steps to get to the beach. “What time is it now?”

“12:00.”

Sebastian nodded, then gestured for Rory to come to him. “Let’s have a walk.”

“A walk?”

“Yeah.”

Rory joined him, and they strolled side by side along the beach. Sebastian offered him a chip, but he shook his head, and looked away.

“Sebastian I—”

“Not yet.”

Rory pressed his lips together, catching his words. The wait was torture, but he imagined that was Sebastian’s point. He wanted Rory to suffer, to fill him with so much tension, and fear he wouldn’t fight or run when the moment came.

“Can we stop here…”

Sebastian pointed his chip ahead. “Not yet.”

“I can’t take it, just do it.”

Sebastian sighed. “Over there.”

“Please,” Rory said, stepping closer. He smacked the chip from Sebastian’s fingers, then grabbed his hand and held it to his throat. “Go on.”

Sebastian glared, but the look wasn’t intimidating, or like ice, it was full on horror. Rory closed his eyes and pushed Sebastian’s hand into his throat.