p class="MsoNormal"strongemspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Slipping some f-bombs in here! Just a head's up/span/em/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongemspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/span/em/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"Mina: "a Hindi originated name with multiple meanings"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;""…love…helmet; protection…"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .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 suddenly lost control of my mind. Every inch of me was seething with rage, and just a second later, I shot up in my seat. I noticed Allison suddenly move the dishes that had been set in front of me out of the way, and she looked like she was ready to grab onto me and hold me down at any second. u/u/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanDad didn't even flinch as I leaned as close to him as I could get, before starting to stalk around the table, an animal eyeing her prey she hoped to wound. I expected someone to stand and push me back, keep me from doing something I'd regret later, but all of my siblings remained completely still and silent, watching me with baited breath and wide eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Cut the shit," I seethed, staring him down. I kept myself at a bit of a distance, standing right behind Klaus. "I don't care who the fuck you are, you don't talk to my brother like that. He's asking for your help, and you just scoff? You've always been the worst fucking excuse for a father, but you emdo not/em, under any circumstances, go after my brother."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 refused to even breathe as Dad slowly got out of his chair, meeting my eyes almost head-on./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"What do you think?" Dad barked. "That a gesture like this would somehow prove your worth and change my mind? That I'd all of a sudden bend and help you all out?" Somehow, his glare intensified. "That I would agree with you? Do you think standing up for your siblings earns you brownie points?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 could feel Klaus reaching out to grab my hand, but I slapped it away without thinking, unwilling to show any weakness./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Your posture and unwillingness to meet eyes with anyone at the table shows me you are a woman buried deep with insecurities, who thinks her family will fill the hole she has inside her. Do you expect them to just fix your problems because you're trying to fix theirs?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanJust because he was right didn't mean I was going to let my crumbling insides show. Instead, I slammed my hand on the table, causing the rest of my siblings to flinch./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Insecurities you fucking created!" I screamed. "I was perfectly fine until you started to pit me against everyone else at this goddamned table. I starved and pushed myself, and I nearly died all because of you!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanFor a moment, I almost thought I saw Dad flinch, as though I'd broken his cold exterior, but it just appeared to be a trick of the eye./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Then your mind is weak. A strong person would fight through the criticism and use it to improve, rather than as an excuse for their own uncontrollable emotions and failing health. You can't possibly be good enough for a team of heroes if you work like this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 scream right in his face, as loud as I could, but before I got the chance, Klaus's arms shot up in the air, nearly striking me, and he began to twitch violently. Dad took the chance to sit back down in his chair, and I fell out of my trance, eyeing the man beneath me with concern. A few of the others at the table shook their heads and looked away from the scene, while others merely shifted their concerned gazes to Klaus./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Is he having a seizure?" Allison asked as Klaus began to choke, his breaths coming out in short gasps. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Overdosing, probably," Diego sighed, as though it wasn't that big of a deal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 crouched down and set my hands on my brother's shoulders, trying to get him to come back from whatever this was, but he wasn't responding at all. Part of him did still appear to be in there, as he looked to me with desperate eyes before slowly turning to look in Dad's direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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'm…" he managed to get out, though it sounded weak and strained. Dad did seem to be a bit alarmed by whatever was happening, but it quickly switched to annoyance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Out with it, boy," he ordered. Klaus took a deep breath, gasping for air. I couldn't quite make out whatever he said next, but immediately after, the fit died down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 shook my head as Klaus collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain. I had no idea what just went on there, especially because I'd never seen him do that before, but it would be good for him to get off the floor. Carefully, I kneeled down and slung an arm under his shoulders, guiding him back up into his chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 gonna be okay?" He managed to nod, and although I didn't completely trust it, I still decided to make my way back to my chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Well," Dad sighed, scooping up his books and papers. "Thank you for coming. I've seen about enough."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 felt a guilt beginning to manifest in my stomach as Five straightened, desperate to stop Dad from completely abandoning us. I'd been part of the reason Dad wasn't taking us seriously; part of this failed mission was emmy /emfault. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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, I…" Dad didn't even bother to stop at the sound of my voice./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanOut of nowhere, Luther slammed his fists down on the table and stood up straight. My hand flew over my mouth to stifle laughter as he ripped his shirt open suddenly, sending buttons flying and revealing his ape chest he usually preferred to keep hidden beneath clothing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Look at what you did to me!" he demanded, staring Dad dead in the eye. The older man flinched as he looked to his future son for a moment, before the disappointment settled back in. "Look at it!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Oh, shit," I heard Five mutter beside me. "Why?" While I wanted to be upset, this honestly was too entertaining not to laugh. Luther, of all people, was standing up to Dad for the second time this evening./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanDad, on the other hand, wasn't the least bit amused. Slowly, he turned to head back toward the doors, when his eyes fell on Five, and it was as though something sparked in his mind./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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, in the culottes." Five appeared shocked as Dad pointed directly at him. "A word, in private?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 hesitated as we watched Dad change his path and head toward the bar instead. Defeated, the rest of our siblings started to gather up their things and began to head toward the door. I heard Allison shout something about the check, but honestly, I was just so desperate to get out of there that I didn't pay in any mind. I was just helping Klaus up from his chair and starting to head toward the doors, when a voice called out to me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Mina?" I turned to see Five looking up at me with scared eyes. "You going?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 to Klaus underneath my arms, unsure of what to do. Allison noticed I'd paused, then looked to Five, who was staring right at me, and made her way over to take Klaus from my arms./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Do you want me to stay?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. Luther's words from earlier were still in my ear, so I was trying my best not to hover. If he wanted me to stay, I would, but if not, I wouldn't argue with him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Yes." His words came out small and quiet, like the life had been sucked out of him, but I still heard it. My heart dropped for a moment, looking at how defeated Dad had left him, so I made my way over and pulled him into a brief hug./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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'll be right here when you're done."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 slid back down into the chair I had been sat in and leaned back, allowing my eyes to scan around the bar Dad had chosen for us to meet in. This didn't seem like the sort of establishment I would picture him in, and I couldn't piece together what would motivate him to pick something like this place. Dad was full of surprises sometimes, I supposed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 asked for a private word," Dad said loudly, looking in my direction. He'd caught me off-guard, causing me to hesitate for a second./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 asked her to stay," Five jumped in. "She's staying here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanWe shared a smile, then I turned my attention back to everything else. Their conversation was too quiet for me to be able to hear anything, but I didn't mind. Whatever Dad wanted to say to Five was their business, and I wasn't about to be one to attempt to eavesdrop. At a couple points, wait staff came up to me and asked if I wanted a drink, but I refused. I had enough yesterday to last me a year, and although tonight's events made alcohol tempting, I decided against it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanUnfortunately, when the conversation was concluded, Five came away looking more defeated than when we started. His shoulders were slumped about as far as they could go, and he didn't speak a word as the two of us headed out of the bar and into the elevator, sending us back down. We were about halfway through our ride when I felt a weight push against my side, and when I looked down, I saw my brother slowly pressing himself closer, attempting to get a hug without actually looking like it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 reached over and slung an arm around his shoulders, squeezing tight for reassurance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongemspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/span/em/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"Mina: "a Hindi originated name with multiple meanings"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"emspan style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;""…love…helmet; protection…"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .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 suddenly lost control of my mind. Every inch of me was seething with rage, and just a second later, I shot up in my seat. I noticed Allison suddenly move the dishes that had been set in front of me out of the way, and she looked like she was ready to grab onto me and hold me down at any second. u/u/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanDad didn't even flinch as I leaned as close to him as I could get, before starting to stalk around the table, an animal eyeing her prey she hoped to wound. I expected someone to stand and push me back, keep me from doing something I'd regret later, but all of my siblings remained completely still and silent, watching me with baited breath and wide eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Cut the shit," I seethed, staring him down. I kept myself at a bit of a distance, standing right behind Klaus. "I don't care who the fuck you are, you don't talk to my brother like that. He's asking for your help, and you just scoff? You've always been the worst fucking excuse for a father, but you emdo not/em, under any circumstances, go after my brother."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 refused to even breathe as Dad slowly got out of his chair, meeting my eyes almost head-on./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"What do you think?" Dad barked. "That a gesture like this would somehow prove your worth and change my mind? That I'd all of a sudden bend and help you all out?" Somehow, his glare intensified. "That I would agree with you? Do you think standing up for your siblings earns you brownie points?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 could feel Klaus reaching out to grab my hand, but I slapped it away without thinking, unwilling to show any weakness./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Your posture and unwillingness to meet eyes with anyone at the table shows me you are a woman buried deep with insecurities, who thinks her family will fill the hole she has inside her. Do you expect them to just fix your problems because you're trying to fix theirs?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanJust because he was right didn't mean I was going to let my crumbling insides show. Instead, I slammed my hand on the table, causing the rest of my siblings to flinch./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Insecurities you fucking created!" I screamed. "I was perfectly fine until you started to pit me against everyone else at this goddamned table. I starved and pushed myself, and I nearly died all because of you!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanFor a moment, I almost thought I saw Dad flinch, as though I'd broken his cold exterior, but it just appeared to be a trick of the eye./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Then your mind is weak. A strong person would fight through the criticism and use it to improve, rather than as an excuse for their own uncontrollable emotions and failing health. You can't possibly be good enough for a team of heroes if you work like this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 scream right in his face, as loud as I could, but before I got the chance, Klaus's arms shot up in the air, nearly striking me, and he began to twitch violently. Dad took the chance to sit back down in his chair, and I fell out of my trance, eyeing the man beneath me with concern. A few of the others at the table shook their heads and looked away from the scene, while others merely shifted their concerned gazes to Klaus./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Is he having a seizure?" Allison asked as Klaus began to choke, his breaths coming out in short gasps. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Overdosing, probably," Diego sighed, as though it wasn't that big of a deal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 crouched down and set my hands on my brother's shoulders, trying to get him to come back from whatever this was, but he wasn't responding at all. Part of him did still appear to be in there, as he looked to me with desperate eyes before slowly turning to look in Dad's direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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'm…" he managed to get out, though it sounded weak and strained. Dad did seem to be a bit alarmed by whatever was happening, but it quickly switched to annoyance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Out with it, boy," he ordered. Klaus took a deep breath, gasping for air. I couldn't quite make out whatever he said next, but immediately after, the fit died down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 shook my head as Klaus collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain. I had no idea what just went on there, especially because I'd never seen him do that before, but it would be good for him to get off the floor. Carefully, I kneeled down and slung an arm under his shoulders, guiding him back up into his chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 gonna be okay?" He managed to nod, and although I didn't completely trust it, I still decided to make my way back to my chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Well," Dad sighed, scooping up his books and papers. "Thank you for coming. I've seen about enough."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 felt a guilt beginning to manifest in my stomach as Five straightened, desperate to stop Dad from completely abandoning us. I'd been part of the reason Dad wasn't taking us seriously; part of this failed mission was emmy /emfault. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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, I…" Dad didn't even bother to stop at the sound of my voice./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanOut of nowhere, Luther slammed his fists down on the table and stood up straight. My hand flew over my mouth to stifle laughter as he ripped his shirt open suddenly, sending buttons flying and revealing his ape chest he usually preferred to keep hidden beneath clothing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Look at what you did to me!" he demanded, staring Dad dead in the eye. The older man flinched as he looked to his future son for a moment, before the disappointment settled back in. "Look at it!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Oh, shit," I heard Five mutter beside me. "Why?" While I wanted to be upset, this honestly was too entertaining not to laugh. Luther, of all people, was standing up to Dad for the second time this evening./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanDad, on the other hand, wasn't the least bit amused. Slowly, he turned to head back toward the doors, when his eyes fell on Five, and it was as though something sparked in his mind./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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, in the culottes." Five appeared shocked as Dad pointed directly at him. "A word, in private?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 hesitated as we watched Dad change his path and head toward the bar instead. Defeated, the rest of our siblings started to gather up their things and began to head toward the door. I heard Allison shout something about the check, but honestly, I was just so desperate to get out of there that I didn't pay in any mind. I was just helping Klaus up from his chair and starting to head toward the doors, when a voice called out to me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Mina?" I turned to see Five looking up at me with scared eyes. "You going?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 to Klaus underneath my arms, unsure of what to do. Allison noticed I'd paused, then looked to Five, who was staring right at me, and made her way over to take Klaus from my arms./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Do you want me to stay?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. Luther's words from earlier were still in my ear, so I was trying my best not to hover. If he wanted me to stay, I would, but if not, I wouldn't argue with him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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"Yes." His words came out small and quiet, like the life had been sucked out of him, but I still heard it. My heart dropped for a moment, looking at how defeated Dad had left him, so I made my way over and pulled him into a brief hug./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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'll be right here when you're done."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 slid back down into the chair I had been sat in and leaned back, allowing my eyes to scan around the bar Dad had chosen for us to meet in. This didn't seem like the sort of establishment I would picture him in, and I couldn't piece together what would motivate him to pick something like this place. Dad was full of surprises sometimes, I supposed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 asked for a private word," Dad said loudly, looking in my direction. He'd caught me off-guard, causing me to hesitate for a second./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 asked her to stay," Five jumped in. "She's staying here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanWe shared a smile, then I turned my attention back to everything else. Their conversation was too quiet for me to be able to hear anything, but I didn't mind. Whatever Dad wanted to say to Five was their business, and I wasn't about to be one to attempt to eavesdrop. At a couple points, wait staff came up to me and asked if I wanted a drink, but I refused. I had enough yesterday to last me a year, and although tonight's events made alcohol tempting, I decided against it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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;" /spanUnfortunately, when the conversation was concluded, Five came away looking more defeated than when we started. His shoulders were slumped about as far as they could go, and he didn't speak a word as the two of us headed out of the bar and into the elevator, sending us back down. We were about halfway through our ride when I felt a weight push against my side, and when I looked down, I saw my brother slowly pressing himself closer, attempting to get a hug without actually looking like it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"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 reached over and slung an arm around his shoulders, squeezing tight for reassurance./span/p