Last Chapter…
"I'm sorry," she whispered again. "Sorry, for what Rissa?" Five asked gently. "Not being strong enough." The younger whispered, before her eyes dropped. She hit the floor with a light thud. And the last thing she saw was Five's aquamarine eyes, staring at her.
She was floating…everything was wavy. There was nothing, it was just…grey. And dark. And cold.
The car flew of the road, going so fast it was a true wonder they didn't get pulled over. Five had his foot pressed hard on the accelerator. His grip was so tight on the wheel that his knuckles had turned white.
Even with them, shooting all the red lights and disregarding every rule of the road. It still didn't seem fast enough. Allison was cradled in Luther's arms, while Ris was held tightly by Diego. But they were dying. Ris had manged to keep Allison alive and stop the rushing amount of blood that had from her. Unfortunately, for Ris, she didn't account for herself. The second she hit the floor, all hell broke loose.
It was peaceful, in the floating greyness, she looked down at herself, the cut from Vanya was gone. Her clothes were different, not blood stained. They were white. White pants, white top, white shoes. She stood out in the greyness. She didn't mind. She didn't care. It was so…peaceful.
"Shit!" Five yelled out, hitting the wheel hard with his hand. Traffic. The whole road, he looked over at Ris and his sister. They didn't have time.
The odd crashing feeling entered his body. He didn't know what to do. Ris understood the medical things. Ris would know what to do, Ris could have saved Allison. If she were not unconscious herself. He was not as good a medic as Ris.
She was dying. Allison was dying. And he didn't know what to do. Luther was yelling at him. Diego was shouting at Luther to shut up. Klaus was looking between him and the girls worry plastered on his face.
She wouldn't have minded staying here forever. Peaceful and grey and quiet.
He squeezed the wheel tightly. It was like his mind was turning off. He couldn't think, he didn't know. He was remembering stupid things. Like: Ris's favourite colour was amethyst. Her favourite scientist was Albert Einstein. She liked fictional books. She liked rain. When they were 16 she threw 5 bottles of expensive wine in the fire to stop him drinking as well as hitting him a stick and making him sleep outside.
She is good at drawing. She is good at making pancakes, but burns most other foods. She likes animals. Her favourite animal was a fox. When they were 24 she read the entire Twilight series in 3 days for a dare. She fed him soup when he ate a bad Twinkie.
Five gripped the wheel, an idea flying into his head. "Five, what are you doing?" Luther yelled out, gripping the steering wheel Five turned the car. They drove clean of the road and onto the forest ground. 'Hold on, Ris. Just hold on a little longer.'
Ris shut her eyes. Allowing the greyness to consume her…
The car screeched to a halt. Five not even bothering to park it. "Come on! Let's go!" Five called out, running out of the car, opening the gate for the boys. Diego ran in first, carrying Ris tightly in both arms. "I don't think she's breathing." Luther mumbled out as he carried Allison inside. "If we don't get them upstairs, there gonna die." Klaus said, following his brothers up the stairs.
The second Grace caught sight of them, she fell into doctor mode. "Set them over here. Five, support Allison's throat. Klaus," she turned and handed him a cloth. "Clean Clarissa's wound, try to keep the blood flow to a minimum, until I can tend to her." Grace ordered.
Grace turned to examine Allison. "She's suffered a severe laceration to her larynx. One of you will need to give blood." She said. "I will." The boys said instantly. "I'm doing it." Luther snapped at his brothers.
"I'm afraid that's not possible, dear boy." Pogo said gravelly, from the back of the room. "Your blood is more compatible with mine." Luther's face fell instantly. "Hey, don't sweat it. I… got this, big guy." Klaus said, jumping forward handing Diego the cloth. "I love needles." he said happily.
"Master Klaus." Pogo interjected. "Your blood is…How shall I say this? Too polluted." Klaus's smile faded, but he nodded reluctantly. "Move." Diego ordered.
Klaus nodded, flying back over to Ris. "I'll do it." Diego stated, Grace held up the needed. Diego started at it letting out a whimper before fainting.
"Whoa!" Klaus called out at Diego, wincing. Pogo nodded. "Stick him."
As Grace and Five connected Diego to Allison. Klaus suddenly paused, looking intensely. Gingerly, he felt Ris's pulse. "Mom!"
When she opened her eyes, the greyness want just…well, greyness. She was in a room, a familiar room. Her eyes widened. She was back in the Pit, the place where she killed her mother…and Corrin. The room was empty, though the blood stains remained. Ris's breathing sharpened.
Quickly she ran towards the door, pulling the handle. It didn't move. The lights started to flicker. Plunging her into darkness….
Before coming back on. Ris pulled the handle again. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest. She pressed herself again the door. Suddenly she felt hands snake up on her from the shadows. She screamed, as the dark hands gripped her pulling though the door. Wrapping around her body, coving her mouth.
And then she was plunged into darkness…
"Mom! Its happening again!" Klaus reported, as he sat next to Ris's bed. Grace flew over to Ris's bedside, checking her vitals. She had stopped breathing. Five jerked awake, from his seat directly to her next. "Again?" he asked, Klaus nodded. For the past 4 hours, Ris would occasionally 'slip' and die while she was asleep.
Mom suspected underlying symptoms of untreated shock and past injuries. But she also thought the whole thing could be neurological. That Ris blamed herself for Allison's 'death' (she was stable now) so Ris was unintentionally trying to kill herself.
Klaus looked at Five, who was biting his lower lip with worry. He could understand, sort of. Though he often tried to hid it in front of them, Five cared very deeply for Ris. They had a strange friendship. One that was difficult to understand from someone else's point of view. It was strong, though.
Five sat back down, after Ris started to breathe normally. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he turned to Klaus. "You can go, I'll watch her." Klaus wrinkled his eyebrows. "You sure?" Five nodded. Klaus slowly picked himself up. Clapping his brother on the back, he walked to his room.
Five stared at Ris, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. "Please wake up." he whispered. "I forgot to say goodbye."
25 December: 2 years into the apocalypse…
"It's cold." Ris moaned at Five, for the 190 times that night, rubbing her shoulders with her hands. "Well, what do you expect me to do? I can't control the damn weather." Five snapped at her, irritated by her moaning. "Go to sleep."
He fell back under his sorry excuse for blankets. Just as he started to drift off, he felt something heavy sit on him. "Get off." Five grunted at Ris. The younger shook her head. "It's cold." she repeated. Five jerked up, causing Ris to fall off him.
"If you say 'It's cold' one more time. I swear, I will duct tape your mouth." he growled threateningly. Ris rolled her eyes. "We don't even have duct tape." Ris replied in a bored tone, Five's threats weren't really a big deal to her.
She shivered. "I-" "Don't you dare." he interrupted, he pointed to her bed. "Go to sleep." Ris looked at her. "It's cold there." She groaned, pouting at him. Five sighed looking up at her bed which was next to the window. She stared at him with her large doe-eyes.
"Fine." He growled, Ris smiled crawling into the right side of the bed. Five groaned to himself, knowing this was a bad idea.
Laying down he faced her. "Are you still cold?" he asked, the younger shook her head. "It's not so bad now." he nodded, shutting his eyes. "Five."
"Yes, Ris." He answered without opening his eyes. "Do you hate me?" Instantly Five's eyes snapped open. "No, why'd you think that?" he asked. Ris's eyes widened. "I don't think that. I just didn't know if you thought that or not." she answered. Five furrowed his eyebrows. It was too late to be thinking. "What?"
She smiled, resting her head on the 'pillow'. "Goodnight Five." She whispered, shutting her eyes. Five lay down staring at the ceiling. "Ris?"
"Hmm?" she answered, opening her eyes. "Can I hug you?" she raised her eyebrows at the unexpected question. "Yeah, you can."
Five wrapped his arms around the younger girl. After a few seconds, Ris hugged him back. "I don't feel cold anymore." She said, suddenly, curling into a ball next to him. "Why?"
"Body heat." Five answered simply, playing with her hair. "What's-"
"I'll tell you tomorrow."
"The bastard that nearly killed our sister's still out there, with Vanya. We need to go after her." Diego said pacing up and down the living room, with Five and Klaus on either end. "Vanya is not important." Five said, limping slightly. "Hey, that's your sister. A little heartless even for you, Five." Diego said warningly.
"I'm not saying I don't care about her." Five snapped. "But if the apocalypse happens today, she dies along with the other seven billion of us. Harold Jenkins is our first priority."
Diego paused thinking. "I agree. Let's go." He said after a few seconds. "You guys count me out." Klaus said, the two stabby brothers raised their eyebrows. "I mean, you know, no offense or whatever. It's just I kind of feel like this is a whole lot of pressure for newly-sober me, so-"
"You're coming." Diego stated. "No, no, no." Klaus moaned. "I mean, I think we can all agree that my power's. I mean, it's pretty much useless. I'd just be holding you guy's back." he finished. "Klaus, get up." Five ordered. "You can't make me." Klaus shot back childishly.
One of Diego's knifes hit the couch with a thud. Klaus sighed in defeat. "Oh, then again, a little exercise couldn't hurt." Klaus said sarcastically.
Five's eyes flicked to his Mother, she smiled kindly. She was looking after Ris until he got back. Nodding his head, he walked to follow the boys.
She was in a room, a well-furnished room. Ris looked around hearing something distant. Voices. She walked to investigate the sound. Turning a corner her eyes widened in front of her was Jenkin's and Vanya. Clearly having an argument. "Vanya, you need me." came the Jackass voice.
"What I need is my family." Vanya called out angrily. "I didn't…I didn't mean to kill Allison or Ris." She sighed. "And I love her. And I love them. All of them." Ris smiled at Vanya happiness filling her up.
Jenkin's shook his head. "Your father was right. Not strong enough. He knew it. And now I know it." he mumbled. "You're weak!" he yelled out slamming his hand on a book.
"Stop it." Vanya growled out. "You're pathetic." Jenkin's continued, slamming the book again. The room started to rattle. "Please don't." Vanya pleaded. "Look at you. You're nothing." Jenkin's yelled out. "No!" Vanya shouted. "You're just ordinary." Jenkin's yelled back, the slamming growing louder.
"Stop it!" Vanya screamed, covering her ears. "Less than ordinary!" Jenkins ranted. "Stop it!" Vanya yelled. Her own screaming ringing in her and Ris's ears.
"You are not special!" 'Stop it!' "Ordinary." 'Stop it!' "Ordinary. Pathetic. Nothing!" Jenkin's yelled out, Vanya raised her head, the wind whipping. Jenkin's started to choke, as Vanya lifted him into the air. Objects were whipping around back and forth behind him. "No. No, not to me, Vanya. Please. Please." Jenkin's chocked out.
Vanya lifted her head, spoons, knifes, scissors, glasses, anything and everything slammed into Jenkin's. Eventually he flew across the room, slamming into the table. He was dead before he hit the ground. Vanya then turned an odd look on her face. Her eyes widened.
"Ris?" Vanya called out in confusion. But before Ris could open her mouth, she was sucked back into the greyness.
"It's not exactly what I was expecting." Klaus said staring at the broken, bloodied, mangled body of Harold Jenkins. "The understatement of the year." Five commented dryly, staring intently at the body. "No sign of Vanya." Klaus said, turning to the door. Diego nodded to himself. "Let's get out of here, before the cops come."
"In a minute." Five called out, bending down. Pulling the eyeball out of his shorts pocket. "Come on, Five, what are you-"Diego started, as Five pulled back the bandage and stuck the eye in to the man's dead body. "Ugh…Wow." Klaus said sarcastically.
"Same eye colour, same pupil size. Guys this is it. The eye I've been carrying around for decades, it…It's found its rightful home." Five said happily, turning to his brothers.
"We got the guy we needed to kill, to stop the apocalypse." Diego mumbled. "Yay! Let's go." Klaus said eagerly, turning towards the door.
Five pulled out the eye. "No, no. Wait, wait. It can't be this easy. Look, this is the note that I got from the Commission. The one that says, "Protect Harold Jenkins," aka Leonard Peabody." he explained. "Yeah?" Klaus answered, bored by the situation.
"But who killed him? Who did this?" Five asked. "I have a crazy idea. Crazy, but why don't we find Vanya-"
Five huffed, before spatial-jumping to the car. He squeezed the wheel tightly, before resting his head on it. Ris was still unconscious since he left, still fighting for her life, still blaming herself. He bit his lower lip subconsciously, before his eyes widened as he slapped his mouth with his hand.
He never knew how much, she rubbed off on him.
When she opened her eyes she was met with a cloudless grey sky. Picking herself up, Ris looked around. She was on a pathway, her clothes were grey, except her t-shirt which was a strange white mixed with blood colour.
The tinkling of a bicycle bell sounded throughout the silent grey scenery. Ris turned around to see a young girl in a white dress, riding a white bicycle with white flowers in a grey basket coming towards her.
The bicycle stopped in front of Ris, the girl gave her a small smile. "Hello Clarissa," she said gently as if Ris were a young scared puppy. "Hi." Ris answered unsurely. "Umm, where are we?" Ris asked confused by the whole situation. "Where do you think." The girl answered.
Ris huffed. "Personally, I believe I am dead." The girl shook her head slowly from side to side. "You're not wrong, but you aren't exactly right."
Ris opened her mouth, but the girl cut her off. "That doesn't matter right now, you can't stay. Not for long anyway. He asked me to bring you here. Though it would be best." Ris furrowed her eyebrows.
"Who's he?" she asked. The girl pointed to a shed, with a water tower, towering over it. "He's there. Don't worry, he'll answer all your questions. Might even provide a few answers." The girl said, Ris nodded slowly making her way to the shed.
"Clarissa!" The girl called out. Ris turned around giving the girl one last look. "Good luck." The girl said. Ris nodded to herself, as she slowly opened the shed door.
She was in a coffee shop, an empty coffee shop. Sighing to herself, Ris walked towards the nearest booth by the window.
Sitting down, she looked around unsurely at the silence, the grey. "You don't like the silence, don't you?" a sharp voice rang out.
Ris looked up, her eyes widened. As she looked at the face of Reginald Hargreaves AKA Five' twister father AKA the devil (according to the Hargreaves siblings) AKA she was a dead girl.
Mr Hargreaves slid into seat across from her. His face void of emotion. "Hello Clarissa."
Ris swallowed hard. "Mr Hargreaves." She said stiffly. "How are you today, Clarissa." Asked in his monotone, though it sounded like a statement than a question. "Fine." Ris said coping him tone. "I mean, better than you. Since your dead."
Hargreaves raised an eyebrow. "Now, I know your far more polite than that." Ris clenched her fist. "Well, clearly you don't know me very well." She replied curtly.
"What do you want, Monocle." she snapped, he reminded her of her mother. "To help you. All of you." He said quietly.
Ris gave a sadistic laugh. "Nice, you really helped, torture your children. Give them a hell of a lot of psychological issues, turned them against one another. Yeah, you're a real angel."
"Believe it or not, but I am not the enemy." Monocle said patiently. "Then what do you want? Why am I here?" Ris asked, patience be damned.
"Because, my children would not listen, nor would they understand. What I am about to tell you." Monocle said. Ris sighed to herself. "Okay. Talk."
"When I first founded the Umbrella Academy, while happy-" (Ris snorted at that) "-I had received some subjects. I was worried about the majority of the babies left out in the world. So I made call to some colleagues in the government, after expressing my concerns they agreed to let me get in touch with a person who had some interests and concerns out of her own. Her name was Doctor Clare Alpin."
Ris gulped. "Your mother, Doctor Alpin expressed that she had been doing tests on her own daughter after giving birth to her."
Doctor Alpin said she could help raise a clean, kind, sustainable environment for the children of the 43 woman. So with a clear conscious I and some selected others, funded the SSCOGT. The subjects were brought in after some parents believed that it was too complicated to raise a child with abilities. It was only after Number Five went to the future was when I…when I realised the true ambitions of Doctor Alpin."
"According to my contracts the program had been shut down, after Doctor Alpin's untimely death. I was pleasantly surprised when I found that you and Number Five had lived in the apocalypse. You see, Clarissa you were my failsafe. You know what is at stake. You all are destined to save the world."
"Okay, hold it." Ris sharply interrupted. "You mean to tell me, that you funded the company that tortured and killed over 20 children. You were the person, who helped ruin my life."
Ris confirmed, a pained smile on her face. "Why am I not surprised." She shook her head. "How do we do it then? How do we stop this impending apocalypse?" Ris asked darkly.
Monocle shook his head, looking like he wanted to scold her. But ultimately decided against it. "Listen carefully, Clarissa." Monocle started, but Ris's vison was changing, the grey was changing to colours. "Clarissa."
"Clarissa."
His words were slurred. "What I am going to tell you is off extreme importance. Vanya can-"
"Clarissa!"
Her eyes snapped open, as she let out a bloodcurdling scream.
"No sign of Vanya." Five called out. "She's not in any of the rooms." Diego reported. "She's not downstairs, either." Klaus said. "Well, I'm out." Diego said, patting Klaus's shoulder briefly. "Wait. Wait. Where are you going?" Klaus and Five asked in sync.
"Vanya's still out there, and so are Hazel and Cha-Cha." Five warned. "I know." Diego answered calmly. "I'm gonna get my things and then I'm outta here. I got some unfinished business with those fools." Diego turned on his heel and walked away.
Five sighed, before turning to Klaus. "Hey, did Dad say anything about the apocalypse when you spoke to him? Any clues as to how it happened?" he asked. Klaus's shoulders slumped slightly. "No. No clues. Truly terrific shave. But no clues." he answered tiredly.
Five huffed angrily, stalking down the stairs. Klaus's eyes lit up. "You know, come to think of it, he did mention something about my potential, and how I've barely even scratched the surface of my-"
"How did he know about the apocalypse?" Five asked himself. "I don't know, but listen." Klaus said. "This whole jumping through time thing of yours, how did you know how to do that?" he asked.
"I didn't. You'd realize that if you were actually sober." Five snapped, he didn't have time for this. "Hey, I am sober." Klaus defended. I've been sober for two almost…two days now. It feels like 45 years." he mumbled.
"Who are you kidding, Klaus? I've seen you fidgeting all day." Five argued. "Well, I guess we're both fighting our addictions, then." Klaus commented dryly. "I'm not an addict." Five said confused. "Yeah, you are. You're addicted to a drug called the apocalypse." Klaus mocked. "You're wrong." Five growled.
"First sign. Denial." Klaus pointed out. Five spatial-jumped in front of Klaus threatening. "You and I, we're not the same." he growled. Klaus chuckled. "I've seen that look in the eye of someone who doesn't know who they are without their high anymore."
"Trust me. You gotta just let it go." Klaus said in a soothing tone. Five glared angrily at Klaus. And in one swift movement, Five flung the eye ball at the wall. Shattering it. Five turned around walking angrily towards the lounge.
"Figuratively, but yeah, that works, too." Klaus mumbled, turning to follow his brother. Before he was cut off by a loud bloodcurdling scream that rang around the academy.
Five stopped dead in his tracks, turning around slowly to face Klaus. The two locked eyes.
"Ris"
She felt like a buckets of cold water was splashing over her, drowning her. Her lungs couldn't seem to get air, her throat burned, her body shook constantly. Refusing to stay still, for even a second.
Her ear were buzzing, she could hear people calling her name. But she couldn't seem to make out any voices. The colours, noises and feels were so different to the grey. It can far too fast.
"Rissa!"
Warm hands gripped her from behind, as she was pulled into somebodies chest. Instantly she fought hard against the person. The person held her tightly. "Stop it, Rissa! Rissa, Its me!" he yelled into her ear. Her body slacked. Five. She could tell it was him and if he was here, she was safe.
Little by little the room started to regain shape, the burly blobs of colour slowly started to take shape. Her eyes flicked around taking in the room. Brown walls, a small wooden cupboard, a bed with purple blankets, a lamp, Grace her golden hair shining brightly in the dimly lit room. Klaus in his colourful clothes, looking at her with worry.
She could feel Five's warm breath against her neck. She was shaking whether it was fear or the icy feeling of dread, she didn't know. The room was completely still and quiet, like they were all waiting for her to make the next move.
Ris felt empty, like the life that had been sucked out of her. Then shoved back in, everything was too loud, too exposed, too brutal, too chilling, too raw. It was terrifying, how different she felt. How exposed she felt. Like she would shatter into a thousand pieces.
Like she had shattered. And she couldn't find her pieces, not matter how hard she looked.
Her heart beat banged hard in her chest, slowly she felt Five's arms release her. His aquamarine eyes started worriedly into hers. "Rissa?" he whispered gently. Ris stared back, her lower lip quivering slightly as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. Burring her head into his neck.
Hoping that his warmth could take away her cold.
Ris's body recoiled sharply as the hot water rained down on her. Everything was…muddled. Black was white. The Sun was the Moon. The colours were blinding her in comparison to the soft hues of 'the grey'.
She shut her eyes allowing the water to run down her body, and wash away some of her worries. But the haunting words of Monocle still rang in her ears.
If she was honest, she didn't remember getting out of the shower, changing and walking down the stairs and lying on the couch. While Five made margaritas and conversed with Delores. In fact: she was extremely surprised when the sound of knocking burst her out of her stupor.
"Eh, I'll get it." he called out, rubbing Ris's shoulder as he made his way to the door. After about a minute Five returned with Hazel, who was pointing a gun at him. Ris opened her eyes lazily, willing her body to sit up. Sadly, her body was rude and didn't not obey her command.
"You're here to kill me?" Five asked calmly as he sipped his drink. "Oh. Sorry. Old habits." Hazel said. "Well, I can understand why you might feel that way, you know…" he trailed off.
"Well, you attacked our house, tried to kill my family, kidnapped my brother, and aided in torturing my partner." Five replied, saying the last bit with a bit more bite.
"Well, there's not much I can do about the past. I'm not the only killer in this room. You got your own bloody history, pal. Not to mention hers. Speaking of which, that job you two did in Calhoun, that shit's legendary. Can't believe I'm actually sittin' here talkin' to you, after all…" Hazel said fangirling a little.
"Hazel, why are you here?" Five asked, walking towards the kettle. He slowly picked up a mug, poured something in as the kettle boiled merrily. "Well, I'm, you know-Agh!" Hazel grunted as he was kicked in the back by Diego. Ris slowly picked herself up. This was worth watching. "Diego, stop!" Five yelled out, as Ris watched in interest as Deigo parkoured over Hazel like a grasshopper.
"Hit him!" she cheered, earning a hurt look from Hazel. As Diego proceeded to beat the living daylights out of Hazel. "You know, before…You know, before you kill him, you might wanna hear what he has to say." Five suggested also enjoying the entertainment.
"I'm gonna kill you for what you did to Patch." Diego growled out pulling out one of his knives. Hazel turned to Five, mentally asking for help. "Or don't. See how that goes." Five mumbled to himself. Pouring the water into the mug, he returned to his seat to watch.
"Come on!" Hazel yelled out, Diego stabbed him deep in the leg. Ris wrinkled her nose. "Ouch." She whispered. "That's gotta hurt." Five commented.
Hazel pulled out the knife, as Diego continuously beat the living out of him. Hazel then grabbed Diego holding him like one would a teddy bear. Squeezing Diego tightly, Diego then bit Hazel's ear. Hazel howled loudly.
Five sighed, setting down his drink. Spatial-jumping Five smashed a glass vase at Diego's head, the older fell to the floor unconscious.
"Ugh, Five!" Ris groaned, sitting up, wincing slightly. "It was just getting good." Five rolled his eyes at her. "I draw the line at biting."
He turned to Hazel. "Hazel, whatever you came here to say, I suggest you make it quick, before he comes round."
Five walked over to the counter, picking up the mug and handing it to Ris. She took it gratefully, smelling the warm liquid. Hot chocolate.
"I left my partner, quit the Commission, came to volunteer." Hazel said quickly. "For what?" Five asked, sipping his drink. "To help stop the apocalypse."
Five chuckled. Ris furrowed her eyebrows. "What was so funny?"
"What on earth could be so funny to you right now?" Hazel asked. "Before I answer that, why do you wanna help us?" Five shot back. Hazel shifted. "Let's just say I have a vested interest in a doughnut shop."
Ris smiled slightly, gripping the hot chocolate tightly in her hands. "Well, I hate to break it to you, pal, but you're a day late and a dollar short. The fact that you're here right now means, without a shadow of a doubt, that the apocalypse is over." Five answered. Ris instantly sat up straighter.
"Really? How do you know?" Hazel asked, surprised. "The mark is dead." Five answered Found him this morning. You were the last known unknown left in the equation."
Hazel chuckled. "Shit. Really?" Five nodded. "Mm-hmm. And if you're out, then Hellrider ain't riding. "Oh! All right." Hazel laughed out happily. Ris gave a shaky laugh. Five smiled at her, relief also crossing his face. "So now what?" Hazel asked.
"You know, to be honest, I don't know." Five answered, sighing to himself. "I've been chasing this thing for so long, I…I never really thought about the day after. I don't know. What about you?"
Hazel sighed. "I'm done with all this madness. Time to start over. You should do the same." "That's easier said than done." Five commented dryly. "It doesn't have to be hard. I mean, think about it like this. If you never time travelled, you never got caught up with the Handler, what would have happened?" Hazel suggested.
Five turned around, looking at his brother and Ris. "I guess I would have grown up to be an emotionally stunted, extremely lonely man-child, like everybody else around here."
Hazel chuckled softly. "Well, there you go. Now you can grow up. Good luck to you both." Hazel said, getting up to leave. "Hazel. One more thing before you go." Five called out. "Shoot."
"Which one of you was the trigger man for Detective Patch?" Five asked. Hazel sighed. "Trigger woman."
Five huffed sadly. "Huh. That's too bad. That gun could have cleared my brother's name."
"Well, today's your lucky day, amigo." Hazel said pulling out two guns. "Take 'em both. I'm done with this life" Waving goodbye to Ris, Hazel walked out of the Academy.
Five turned to Ris, sitting down next to her on the couch. "Are…are you sure it's really over?" Ris whispered quietly, looking at him with her large doe eyes. Five wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders. "It's over." he whispered back. "It's all over."
Ris slowly lay her head onto his chest, as Five slowly rubbed her back, soothingly. "We're safe now." he whispered. Not knowing how wrong he was.
10 minutes later…
Diego groaned loudly as he picked himself off the floor. Looking up he saw Five and Ris staring at him from the counter. "Good, you're up. Ready for a drink now?" Five asked enthusiastically. "Where is he?" Diego snapped. "We let him go." Five answered.
Ris sipped her hot chocolate. "You what?" Diego growled out. "Now that the apocalypse is over, it's time for the fighting to stop." Five said wisely, Diego growled picking up his knife. "Diego, he didn't kill Patch. His partner Cha-Cha did." Ris said calmly, his anger evident.
"So what?!" Diego yelled out. Ris flinched in pain, her ears (and body) still not used to the normal things after the 'grey'. Five glared at his brother. "They were both there that night." Diego growled out, not noticing or caring at Ris's pain.
"This half of the partnership gave me both of their guns. Which will clear you, because the ballistics will match Patch's crime scene. Hazel came here looking for a way out. He wanted a fresh start. And he happened to have in his possession the one thing that could do our family a little good. So it's time to move on." Five said, making sure to keep his temper in check.
"Not a chance." Diego grumbled.
"Suit yourself." Five said, picking up Delores and turning to help the still shaking (Blame Diego) Ris. "I am curious. Your girlfriend, Patch. What did you like about her?" Five asked.
"A lot of things. Cute butt. Nice legs." Diego said nonchalantly. Ris and Five shot him a look. Five's of 'seriously'. Ris's of disgust. "Anything a little more profound than that?" Five asked.
"She believed in people. No matter how much shit and filth she saw on the streets. She always saw the good inside." Diego said quietly.
"Well, I'm sure she'll be proud to know that you're killing Hazel and Cha-Cha as a way to honour her memory." Five said, turned around and walking up the steps.
Five stared at Delores deep in thought. Ris was sitting on his bed, the silence settling between them was…odd. Unnatural almost. "Five," Ris said after a few minutes. "Five." He blinked snapping out of his daze. "Hmm?"
"You okay?" she asked. Five nodded. Ris wished she could read his mind, wished she could understand what was going through his mind at that very moment. Another minute passed. Five suddenly got up from his chair, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I…I need to do…something." Ris raised an eyebrow. "I…I need you to stay here, Ris."
"Okay." The younger said calmly. Five shook his head. "No, Ris. I need you to stay here." Five repeated. "Where else am I going to go?" Ris said dryly.
Five nodded to himself. "See you soon, Rissa." He said picking up Delores and a bag. Ris smiled. "See ya later alligator." She replied, smiling at him. Nodding to himself, Five disappeared from her sight.
Ris sat alone in the room, lying back she tried to sort out her messed up brain. When a knock on the door, interrupted. "Come in." Ris called out, sitting up again. The sound of clicking of heels made its way to her ears.
"Hello Clarissa." Ris's breath hitched. 'Not her. Not here. Not now.'
She turning around to face the woman. Her heart pounding. "Are you all right?" asked the calmly gentle Grace. Ris let out a sigh of relief. "Yeah, yeah. I'm okay, just got a fright that's all." Ris answered. Grace walked towards her; feeling her forehead.
"Your fever broke. Why are you still shaking?" she asked. "I don't know. I…I just can't stop." Ris answered. Grace nodded to herself, before pulling out a bottle of pills from her skirt.
Extracting two, she gave them to Ris. "Go on. Chew them. They will help with the pain. You need to rest. Clarissa." Grace said gently, taking the pill. Ris lay back onto the pillow. Grace gently covered her with the soft aquamarine blanket. Kissing her forehead.
Grace whispered her a 'sleep well'. Nodding her head, smiling. Ris shut her eyes. Grace's motherly eyes never leaving her.
Five walked calmly into the clothing store. Setting down the bag he pulled Delores out. Adjusting her on the display. He gave her a sad smile. "Hey. I bet it feels good to be back amongst your friends." Five started. "And it's okay, you can say it. We always were an unlikely pair."
He chuckled. "This isn't easy for me, Delores, and I… I want you to know that I cherish every single minute, I ever shared with you, all 23 and a half million of them. A lifetime."
Five laughed. "Now look at us. We're lucky enough, we get a second one. Yeah. You are right. I do have a lot of growing up to do. But, this time. I'm not doing it alone. I'll never forget you, Delores." He said, before turning around. Walking towards a store attendant.
"Excuse me, miss?" she looked up. "Yeah?" He smiled at her. "Could you give that mannequin something new to wear? She likes sequins."
Patting her shoulder. Five walked out of the store. Ready to start his new life.
Ris opened her eyes. But she wasn't in Five's room. She was in a box, Vanya's screams echoing all around her. "They're still afraid of us." came a child's voice. Ris picked herself up. Vanya was staring at the glass. The voice of her younger self echoed around them.
"Even after all these years. Afraid of our power." "You're not real." Vanya said, staring into the glass. Ris opened her mouth, but nothing came out. "We killed Leonard."
"Because he lied to us." Vanya answered, Ris's eyes widened in shock. "Not about everything." The voice replied.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know." The voice answered. "You've always known. Our brothers and sister, they're just like Dad, driven to keep us down, a muted voice, isolated from the group, never in the limelight, never the centre of attention. It will never end. Not until we act.
"But they're our family." Vanya said. "They fear you now. They're gonna keep you in here forever." The voice snapped back.
"No." Vanya whispered, Ris screamed at the top of her lungs for Vanya. No sound came out.
"Do you remember what that was like? Staring at these grey walls, hour after hour, day after day while they played together? Do you want to live like this for the rest of our lives?" The voice said.
"No. No." sobbed Vanya. She started to wheeze. "I can't breathe in here. I can't breathe in here."
"Then do something about it." The voice said. Vanya's heartbeat stared to bounce on the wall. Growing lounder. 'Like the violin did.' Ris thought. "Embrace who we are. Who we've been all along." The voice finished.
The heartbeat, grew lounder. Ris watched Vanya shut her eyes tightly. The thumping of her heart growing louder. Vanya shut her eyes.
And like a wave was coming from her body. Ris watched as the prison unfolded itself like a cardboard box. The sound echoing around her and a pair of white eyes staring at her.
"VANYA!"
Cliffhanger! Thoughts? Anyone have any ideas for what's going on with Ris? Reviews? Who knows? Till next time….
