Synthesis (Five Hargreeves/OC)

Chapter 4

Detroit: Become Human - Breathe In

Back in her room again. She found herself in there more often, recently. She needed to think, to brood. What happened in the shop? Why did it happen in the first place? There were so many things that happened at once. First was time slowing, almost stopping completely. The mechanical noise was all she could focus on, everything else muffled in the background. Then everything turned blue, but was still clear as day. Possibly even clearer than her average vision. The numbers. The words.

She remembered only two things. The large and bolded '70%' that sat to the right of her vision. But that wasn't what concerned her. She only had enough time to read one other word. It was small, almost insignificant. But it could be all that she needed. Meritech. She didn't know how long she had been laying in her bed, her cotton pajama dress resting delicately against her frame. She mindlessly played with the fabric, eyelids growing heavier by the hour. Sooner or later sleep consumed the young girl, losing herself in a deep trance.

When her eyes opened she was met with an unfamiliar set of eyes. They were soft, motherly. But beneath their tenderness was a deep melancholy. Streams of tears coated her dusty cheeks that were framed by disheveled hair. It wasn't until then that she realized she was cradling her, a soft blanket wrapped around the infant body. Her small hand reached up to the woman's face, fingertips just barely grazing her cheeks. "Rowan?" The woman whispered. An explosion went off in the background and she looked around her in a panic. She tried to relax the expression on her face. "Rowan?" She spoke a bit louder, then suddenly jolted forward. A warm feeling seeped through the fabric of the babe's blanket, tinting it a deep red. "Rowan!"

The girl shot up, panting in a cold sweat. "Rowan?" Her head snapped to beside her and she saw Five standing beside her bed with a concerned expression. Her eyes squeezed shut as she swallowed, trying to slow her racing mind. The boy just stood there watching, waiting. She turned herself to sit up on the edge of the bed, patting herself to make sure it was really her. "I have to stop by somewhere real quick," His eyes followed her and she slowly stood up, making her way to her dresser to gather her clothes to shower. "Well, to be honest, I'm not sure how quick it'll be." She hugged her belongings close to her and stood in front of Five. "I just wanted to let you know so you didn't panic." She raised a brow at him. "You know you would." Rowan nodded, still recovering from her sleep.

"I'm gonna shower." She walked past him and disappeared into her bathroom, setting down her things. Five just stood there, looking at the floor with knitted eyebrows. "Just promise me you'll be careful?" She asked gently and he turned his head to her leaning against the door frame. He hesitated and her expression grew more saddened, worried. He sighed through his nose.

"Fine." Rowan smiled weakly and closed the door behind her. He waited a few seconds longer, only disappearing when he heard the water start to run. Once she was finished and dressed she made her way to her bookshelf, deciding on non-fiction. It was true, she was an all-kinds-of-things-y girl. However, she did have a preference. The girl had always enjoyed factual information, details. Even the slightest bit of it could help a person should they be in danger or in a debate. The smallest difference could make the largest impact, and the thought of it intrigued her. As she started the third chapter a knock sounded from her door. She marked the page and stood up to open it, Vanya standing there with a concerned expression.

"Do you know where Five is?"

"He told me he had to make a trip somewhere. I'm not sure where, though." The woman in front of her sighed. "Why don't you check his room? He could be back already." Rowan offered a smile, watching her nod and make her way to the door just down the hall from hers. She hid herself, following after her in curiosity.