Bloodguilty // FIVE HARGREEVES

12. A Fourth Companion

Diego - Vanya - Elisa

Before you start this chapter, I want you to know that it contains what might be triggering moments. Mentions of rape—even a scene where there's unwanted touching. Please, do not read if you aren't sure you can handle scenes like this. I want you to take of yourself <3

"I've never seen you before," Pieter says, pointing his finger at Diego. He shows his white teeth, smiling widely. Elisa sees Diego's posture stiffen as she hides her face a little more behind his back by taking a risky step closer to him. "Are you new?" This wasn't how it was supposed to go, and Elisa shakes her head a little, disappointed in herself. She should've seen this possible outcome. She should've trained Diego to talk. Now, she can only hope he'll say the right words . . . and act like an agent. Like a murderer.

"New?" Diego scoffs, and Elisa sees him stretching his shoulder as he wipes away dust on his blue costume. It is a good thing Pieter De Vent is looking closely at Diego, if he wasn't, then he might've noticed there was real dust on the costume. He might've noticed that this costume has been worn in a very long time.

Diego looks down at the man, taking in his height. Then he looks up again, eyes staying on Pieter's small, oval head. "Not one to recognize your colleagues, eh?" He cocks his head to the side, and Elisa thanks him for being so familiar with these gestures. Then Luther's miserable faces flash in front of her eyes, and she just knows he's just copying his brother. Elisa smiles.

"Actually," Pieter says, "I do recognize many, many colleagues of mine. And-"

"Let me guess." Diego clicks his tongue, taking in Pieter scrunching up his nose in annoyance for cutting him off. "Was it Herb who made you study every and each one of 'em?" Elisa her eyes widen, and she remembers complaining about it to Klaus. He must've told him—no, he must've laughed his ass off because of it, and then afterwards, he told his brother about it. Elisa notes to kick Klaus' ass for it and to throw her arms around him, too. He deserves both at some point.

The annoyance smeared on Pieter's face fades away immediately. The corners of his lips lift, and he nods. "Yes," he admits. "Yes, it was Herb."

"Thought so," Diego answers, and Elisa imagines him now smiling, too. Probably out of relief that he succeeded. Pieter thinks he knows others at the Commission now—perfect. Now he only has to walk away. He needs to—

"Did he also teach you every single agent in here?" Pieter asks, curious. He doesn't make a move to continue with whatever he was doing.

"I'm afraid not," Diego says, shrugging. With wide eyes, Elisa crimps a little, hoping the movement with his shoulders didn't make Pieter look at them. If he would, then he'd notice Elisa or Vanya.

Vanya. Immediately, Elisa looks behind her out of the corner of her eyes to Vanya . . .

But she's nowhere to be seen. Elisa her lips part, and she starts to look around carefully. Where, where, where?

"I got away before he could really make me," Diego says, followed by a nervous chuckle. Would he know that Vanya has left him and Elisa? Would he know they're with one less? "So I don't have a single clue who you are."

"Then I should introduce myself," Pieter says in a light tone. "I'm Pieter De Vent."

Elisa notices Diego's shoulder moving, his arm rising, and then she realizes that Diego is shaking hands with Pieter.

"I'm—"There it is. Diego was going to say his name. "Angelo Bobs."

"Angelo Bobs," Pieter repeats the name, almost whispering. "I know many names, so it won't be hard to remember another one."