p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe moment my siblings and I reached the barn doors, I stopped dead in my tracks and stuck my hand up, causing them to do the same. Five and Lila stood bloodied, bruised, and panting, their fists clenched tightly as they stared each other down with complete and utter contempt. Neither of them had noticed the rest of us in the doorway, but based on the topic of conversation, that was probably a good thing. They needed to hash this out on their own… unless someone was at risk of dying, of course./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"This isn't gonna be quick," Lila sneered, her breath visible against the dark boards of the barn. "You are going to suffer for what you did." Five slammed his hands against his side, brows furrowed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Lady, I got no idea what you're talking about," he admitted. I tensed as she stepped closer to him, her feet heavy with the weight of whatever burden she was bearing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ronnie and Anita Gill." The venom completely dropped from her tone as the names spilled from her lips. She spoke them with a sort of authority, as though asserting to Five that he absolutely should remember them. He, however, continued to blink at her like she had two heads./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Mean nothing to me," he finished, attempting to feel out where this was going./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"1993. East London. You hog-tied them and you shot them in the head."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI leaned against the doorway, my insides lurching at the mere image of that. I sometimes allowed myself to forget the brutal things my brother had done with his own hands, but one way or another, they resurfaced to give me another image of gore to keep me up at night. Still trying my best to remain silent, I took in deep breaths through my nose, attempting to calm myself./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe little bits of hope I had completely tumbled out of me when Five's expression fell, the memories finally returning to his mind./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The flower merchants." The connection immediately clicked for him. "They were your parents?" For the first time, I watched horror overtake Five's face as he stumbled backwards./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"And they never did anything to anyone." My heart was rended from my chest as her voice trembled, allowing emotion to seep through. "They didn't deserve to die like that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're right, all right?" Five admitted, trying to put out the fires before they grew too large. "I killed them. But I killed a lot of people over the years. It was just a job, all right? It was nothing personal."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"'Never personal,' my ass," Lila spat, straightening back up again as Five gave her another excuse to bring in resentment. "Yeah, I've killed. It's always, always personal."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"That's why you're not cut out to be an assassin."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFive jumped back when Lila reached down and removed a knife hidden in her boot. Her knuckles paled as she gripped it like her life depended on it, set to aim it right at my brother's throat if she needed to. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Bet your life on that?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThere was almost a laugh in her tone. She was emenjoying /emthis game they were playing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You wanna blame someone? Blame the Handler, all right?" Five spouted out quickly. "She faked the kill order."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Bullshit! I saw the kill order." Lila couldn't see past the bias she'd been fed throughout her whole life. Her mother was not a good person, yet she would mercilessly defend her when she got the chance. "AJ Carmichael ordered it, and you carried it out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy heart hammered throughout my entire body as I watched the scene unfold, tensions and threats mounting by the second. Adrenaline begged me to step in and save my brother, but the logical part of me knew an intervention now could pull someone's personal trigger. It was better to stay back until absolutely necessary./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Lila, listen to what I'm telling you, all right?" Five begged. "The Handler gave me the kill order. She came on the job, which she'd never done before. You're Commission. You know execs never go on jobs, but that day in London, she was there. Ask yourself why." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFinally, that broke through to Lila. Her bravado and hunger for vengeance became injected with doubt, causing her to slowly lower the weapon so securely gripped in her hand./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Stop trying to muddy the waters." Though she intended it to be a threat, her words came off as a plea for help./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I never realized what she was up to at the time, but… now it all makes sense."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe way Lila's face constantly shifted and changed gave every impression she'd finally pieced everything together, but she still refused to accept the situation at hand. Not that I could blame her in any capacity—the life she'd known was suddenly upended for her, forever changing the path she had forward. I hated to think I might be another source of upset, but she had to know everything, and we held information Five clearly didn't possess. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"She never cared about your parents," he muttered, trying to bring himself to believe his words as well. "She was looking for emyou/em."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI barely heard Lila whisper a 'why', but Five's lost stuttering and concerned expression somehow motivated me to step in, if for no other reason than the sake of saving my brother's life./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Because you're one of us."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLila's rage had completely dissipated by the time she whipped around to face me, searching my face as though I wore a complete roadmap to all her answers. Though I couldn't give that to her, I could hopefully at least provide her with some sense of ease./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The Handler stole you, Lila," I continued, piecing everything together. "Just like our asshole father took all of us." She began to shake her head vigorously, her knife now primed to run right through my skin. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"No. It's not the same thing." With every step I took toward her, Lila's voice shook more, but she made no more of an effort to hold up her weapon./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're right," I shrugged. "Because he didn't have our parents murdered." That statement only caused her trembling to increase. Realizing I'd misstepped, I tried my best to retreat into a more understanding state, unwilling to completely lose her. "Listen to me, Lila. You were born on October 1, 1989—the same day as all of us."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI took another step, falsely believing I could get close to her. Immediately, Lila stuck her knife back out, right within stabbing distance. On instinct, the rest of my siblings lunged forward in an attempt to protect me, but I hastily shooed them away, not wanting anything to get out of hand./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Stay back!" Lila barked at me, forcing away the tears she'd started to cry. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, hey! Stop!" I ordered, glaring at each one of my six siblings to get them to stand down. "Wait. Wait." They all relaxed slightly, allowing me to focus back on Lila. "Lila. Lila, stop."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I trusted you!" I flinched slightly at the sheer hatred within her voice; at that moment, I felt a little bad for the way I'd snapped at her previously. "I got you a job, I even introduced you to my mother, and then you took off on me." It took everything in me not to raise my voice at her. There were very few things someone could mess with when it came to me, but these motivations were one of them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Because I had to get back to my family," I sighed. "Lila, I'm sorry, but you have to know that they're always going to be my first priority." Unfortunately, that did nothing to dissuade her. "This isn't the point of the conversation. She's using you, Lila. The Handler./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're wrong," she insisted, vigorously bouncing one of her legs. "She raised me. She loves me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah, you know what?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI turned around slightly, shocked as Luther leaned forward slightly. My heartbeat picked up again, worried about whatever he was about to say. His life in this time period certainly softened his calloused exterior, but he still wasn't the best at sentiment and disarming a tense situation./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Love shouldn't have to hurt this much."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy eyebrows flew up. That was… surprisingly sweet. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanOf course, all that flew out the window when Lila dismissed the statement a second later by pretending to gag. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"All right, I tried."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"He's right." I shot Five a warning glare after he spoke up. "We have to kill her."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, Five!" I stuck one hand up, preventing him from taking another step. He looked unamused, but I honestly didn't give a shit. I wasn't willing to let any unnecessary lives go. "Five, stop. I got it." Reluctantly, he unclenched his fists and stepped back again. "Hey, Lila."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWhen she turned to look at me again, the innocence and fear in her eyes made something jump forward in my chest, desperately screaming to reach out and hold her and tell her everything was going to work itself out. I'd never seen her this scared, even when she first opened up in Elliott's dark room. The version of herself she presented at the Commission was the real mask, and beneath the tough act she put up, there was a genuinely kind woman, capable of the love her mother never gave to her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Truth?" This time, she let me move closer, leaving us just a couple inches apart. "She's dangerous. And you're scared of what she'll do with all that new power. That's why you dragged me to the Commission. Because I know what it's like to love dangerous people. Difference is…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI glanced around fondly at my family, completely surrounding the two of us. We could fight, we could disagree, and we could even try to kill each other on a few occasions, but in the end, the moment one of us needed any of the others, we'd all officially drop everything and do whatever we could to get to the one of us in danger./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"…they love me back." The affection that momentarily permeated the air burst when Lila resorted to threatening me with her knife again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Shut up," Lila choked out./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The only thing she loves is power. Now, the minute she can't use you, she will turn on you, and deep down, I emknow /emyou know that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You don't know me, Mina."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHer last, futile attempt to push me away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a bit of the cocky gusto Five and I shared, I gently lowered the knife she had pressed against my rib cage and smiled at her, reaching up and brushing away a few stray tracks of tears./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Don't I?" The anger finally seemed like it had completely left her body. "I know that we can be that support system you need… if you just let us."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy breath hitched in my throat as she took the last remaining steps between us and stared up at me, almost asking if I was telling the truth. Fearfully, she cast her eyes to the rest of my siblings, who all offered her a reassuring smile… even Five. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFinally, the apprehension died, and I leaned down, resting my forehead against hers. She shook with sobs, so I carefully wrapped my arms around her, bringing her into a warm embrace. My heart ached for her, knowing that she'd buried her real self so far down. It had peeked through on occasion, and when I'd seen it, it was what made me… fall in love with her. Gently, she pushed away just enough to have us look at each other, then she reached up, placing a hand on my cheek and bringing our faces closer together./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe pain didn't even register at first. I could hear the pops and clatters of shells on the ground, but I'd thought it was somewhere far off, or maybe aimed at someone else completely. Instinctually, my body twitched and flinched, but I still felt nothing. It wasn't until my legs gave out beneath me, and the force of the shots caused me to collapse to the ground that the stinging finally started. I managed to convince myself it was just a graze, until the stinging separated, creating a burning, consuming pain at several points throughout my torso. The calm confusion turned to panic, especially when Lila screamed and crouched down, shaking me harshly. Her words already started to fade out, merely registering as acoustics in the air. I tried to ask her what happened, what had been done to me, but instead, salty, tangy pools of blood forced themselves up my throat, spilling out the sides of my mouth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA chill slowly began to spread throughout my bones, creating a pit in my stomach. The shivers completely overwhelmed my person, to the point where it felt like all my energy was going into the futile attempts at warmth. Something sticky stared to soak through my jacket, onto my skin, but I found myself unable to even lift one of my fingers, let alone turn my head. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI just needed a moment to rest and get my energy back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThen Lila and I could/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spandluoc I dna aliL nehT/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" ygrene ym teg dna tser ot tnemom a dedeen tsuj I/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" ym nrut enola tel ,sregnif ym fo eno tfil neve ot elbanu flesym dnuof I tub ,niks ym otno ,tekcaj ym hguorht kaos ot derats ykcits gnihtemoS .htmraw ta stpmetta elituf eht otni gniog saw ygrene ym lla ekil tlef ti erehw tniop eht ot ,nosrep ym demlehwrevo yletelpmoc srevihs ehT .hcamots ym ni tip a gnitaerc ,senob ym tuohguorht daerps ot nageb ylwols llihc A/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" ym fo sedis eht tuo gnillips ,taorht ym pu sevlesmeht decrof doolb fo sloop ygnat ,ytlas ,daetsni tub ,em ot enod neeb dah tahw ,deneppah tahw reh ksa ot deirt I .ria eht ni scitsuoca sa gniretsiger ylerem ,tuo edaf ot detrats ydaerla sdrow reH .ylhsrah em gnikahs ,nwod dehcuorc dna demaercs aliL nehw yllaicepse ,cinap ot denrut noisufnoc mlac ehT .osrot ym tuohguorht stniop lareves ta niap gnimusnoc ,gninrub a gnitaerc ,detarapes gnignits eht litnu ,ezarg a tsuj saw ti flesym ecnivnoc ot deganam I .detrats yllanif gnignits eht taht dnuorg eht ot espalloc ot em desuac stohs eht fo ecrof eht dna ,em htaeneb tuo evag sgel ym litnu t'nsaw tI .gnihton tlef llits I tub ,dehcnilf dna dehctiwt ydob ym ,yllautcnitsnI .yletelpmoc esle enoemos ta demia ebyam ro ,ffo raf erehwemos saw ti thguoht d'I tub ,dnuorg eht no sllehs fo srettalc dna spop eht raeh dluoc I .tsrif ta retsiger neve t'ndid niap ehT/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" resolc secaf ruo gnignirb dna keehc ym no dnah a gnicalp ,pu dehcaer ehs neht ,rehto hcae ta kool su evah ot hguone tsuj yawa dehsup ehs ,yltneG .reh htiw evol ni llaf …em edam tahw saw ti ,ti nees d'I nehw dna ,noisacco no hguorht dekeep dah tI .nwod raf os fles laer reh deirub d'ehs taht gniwonk ,reh rof dehca traeh yM .ecarbme mraw a otni reh gnignirb ,reh dnuora smra ym depparw ylluferac I os ,sbos htiw koohs ehS .sreh tsniaga daeherof ym gnitser ,nwod denael I dna ,deid noisneherppa eht ,yllaniF/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" neve …elims gnirussaer a reh dereffo lla ohw ,sgnilbis ym fo tser eht ot seye reh tsac ehs ,yllufraeF .hturt eht gnillet saw I fi gniksa tsomla ,em ta pu derats dna su neewteb spets gniniamer tsal eht koot ehs sa taorht ym ni dehctih htaerb yM/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know that we can be that support system you need… if you just let us."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBehind me, I heard a weapon clatter to the ground, and someone let out a loud gasp. Startled, I jumped and whipped around, unsure of exactly what I was staring at. Five had wrestled a gun from the Handler's grasp, which he now had pointed in her direction, but… how the hell did he know she would be there? Did he see her coming?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWait… wasn't he in front of me before?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanNone of that mattered. Furious, Lila moved to stand next to me, staring down her mother with the same contempt that had been directed toward us just a moment ago./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It's true, isn't it?" Lila snarled. "What Five said." The Handler turned her attention to the person pointing the gun at her, inhaling deeply. "Answer me! Is it true?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBefore she got the chance to answer, gun shots pierced the air, forcing my hands up over my head as I ducked and stepped in front of Lila. The Handler's mouth opened, but no sound came out, locked in a silent scream as her suddenly lifeless body slammed against the ground. Dark red blood, appearing nearly black against her pale skin, leaked freely from her mouth, staining her teeth and the yellow hay beneath her. I wanted to be glad she was dead, given the scourge she'd put on my family, but I just felt like I was going to vomit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLila suddenly broke out into a sprint, heading right for the object her mother had dropped. Luther, in an attempt to be the hero, lunged forward, but before he got the chance to reach her, I stuck a foot out. He tripped over me, sending the both of us tumbling to the ground. I couldn't breathe, but I felt a sense of relief as Lila picked up the briefcase and blinked away in a flash of blue light./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith what little energy I had, I managed to turn my head back and watch as Five and the mysterious gun man, now revealed to be one of the goddamn Swedes, aimed their weapons at each other, ready to fire and see who got riddled with more holes. I desperately tried to push Luther off me so I could get up onto my feet, in an attempt to save Five, but I thankfully didn't need to. After another moment of staring, Five dropped the stolen gun to the ground, putting his hands up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Enough."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe word hung in the air, presenting its challenge to the adversary across from him. The Swede refused to let up at first, the barrel of his gun aimed right at Five's stomach, but something changed. He raised it for a second, then matched my brother's motions, backing away slowly. He uttered something in Swedish, which I presumed to be the same statement Five had given, and finally, emfinally /emhe was out of our lives./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe Handler was dead, the Swedes wouldn't follow us, and Harlan's storm had completely disappeared… and the world was still in one piece./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I almost had her," Luther growled, glaring at me. "Why the hell did you stop me?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI wanted to snap at him, to go off on a rant and put him in his place. After all these years of him lecturing me, it would feel good./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBut instead, I just laughed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You know what?" I giggled. "Despite everything… I still love her."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThat finally got Luther off me, allowing my breaths to return to normal. He rushed off to check on Allison, and while I'd intended to do the same for Five, a glint right by one of my hands stopped me. Carefully, I brushed away the hay and held up a gold pin./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span'Head of Security.'/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSmiling, I removed the backing and stuck it on my jacket, hoping it wouldn't get me in too much trouble with other organizations./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Who the hell was that guy?" Klaus shouted, pointing at the exit to the barn./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI merely shook my head and laughed again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" Vanya had yet to stand down, however. She suddenly whipped around and began shouting Harlan's name before dashing out of the barn, leaving the rest of us to follow her. Our sister made her way down a secret set of stairs, bringing us down into some sort of underground storage area. The blue and orange energy surrounding Harlan still swirled violently, but its radius had at least died down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" Without a second thought, Vanya stepped inside and spoke to the young boy, her words still completely inaudible to the rest of us. She hesitated a moment, as though worried she'd break something, then rested her hands on Harlan's and closed her eyes. I stared in awe as orange orbs of light rushed through Harlan's skin, absorbing back into Vanya's and causing the field around them to slowly die down. Vanya had, in fact, given him powers, and now, just like that, she'd taken them away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" Was she the only one of us that could do that?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" Before I had any more of a chance to ponder that, a violent burst of energy caused all of us to stumble, and finally, the circling flashes of lights disappeared, leaving Harlan as I presumed he had been before this whole mess. He appeared confused as he looked around at all of us, but he wasn't bursting out into another powerful fit, so I took that as a win./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" I smiled as Sissy dove forward, pulling him tight against her chest and sobbing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" As Vanya looked back to the rest of us and smiled, I felt a sense of satisfaction I hadn't been granted since our childhood./span/p