Bloodguilty // FIVE HARGREEVES

10. Dead-blow

Vanya and Diego are there, right behind Elisa as they head to the tree that's going to help them enter the Commission through Elisa's old room. The others have left already, too, but they went to the other side of the building, to the prison entrance.

The tree is still there—a relief to Elisa. She hoped it'd be, but maybe she had been wrong and someone had found out about her secret entrance. But those worries weren't necessary because the tree, her friend, is still right where he should be.

Diego's jaw drops a little when he sees that Elisa is inspecting the huge tree for any sign of damage or that he's dying. "What was the way in again?" he asks with a small voice.

"By climbing," Elisa says, leaning against the big, scary tree. "Don't worry, Diego, he's got your back."

"A tree?" He blinks. "How exactly can a tree have my back?"

"He had mine through my whole childhood," she whispers as she let's her hand touch the trunk carefully. "He was my way out of this place."

"That means it's safe to climb?" Vanya asks, watching the tree in awe after having heard Elisa.

Elisa nods in reply. "I'll go first," she says. "I'll open the window."

Then Elisa her ascent starts. The way up is easy and goes quick, as she remembers every step she must take well. But she still doesn't go as quick as she could, knowing that the others are watching her every move, so they'll know which branches to hold on to.

Since the window is unlocked already, Elisa doesn't have trouble to open it. It cracks open and allows her to go inside her room. Then she peers outside, where Vanya is grinning at her, ready for the climb, and where Diego looks rather . . . scared. There's no sign of eagerness or happiness for what he'll have to do. His hand goes over the trunk—just like Elisa did just a few minutes ago. But he doesn't smile. He only takes deep breaths.

"You'll be all right," Elisa tells him, hoping to reassure him a little.

It doesn't work. Diego looks up and shakes his head. "I'm not fond of heights, and this tree looks like it'll throw me right off."

"This isn't Harry Potter." Vanya pats her brother's shoulder. "It will be okay. I'll go now. Or do you wish to go now?"

Shaking his head wildly, he takes a step back, giving Vanya access to the trunk. She nods to her brother and attempts to reassure him another time. Then she takes off. Careful to grab the right branches, Vanya goes upwards bit by bit, and she does so splendidly. Her brother watches her with wide eyes . . . and his arms stretched out, ready to catch her if she'd fall. When noticing this, Vanya sticks out her tongue to him.

When she's close to the window, Elisa reaches out to give her a hand to get inside. Vanya smiles proudly as she accepts the help. "Did you see that?" she asks, still grinning enormously.

"I did," Elisa says, smiling now, too. "You were awesome."

"Did you ever doubt that?" Vanya cocks her head to the side.

"Never," Elisa admits, her smile not fading a little. "But your brother . . ."

"Yeah," Vanya whispers, her smile fading a little when she glances at her brother still with both his feet on the ground. "Do you think we can help him? From in the tree, I mean."

Elisa thinks for a second or two, debating. "This tree is strong," she says in the end. "But I'm not sure if it's that strong. I think it's better if he does it by himself. But if he does need help, I'll go. I don't want you to fall."

"I don't want you to fall."

"I know this tree," Elisa says, "and you do not."

"Let's just wait to see if my brother actually needs out help," Vanya replies, returning to watch her brother doubt all the choices he made in his life.