Petals For Brains | Number Five Book II

CHAPTER 7: Oddballs In a Car 🌻

Maybe it was because she had grown ever so fond of the home, the children and the headmistress, but Eleanor Hargreeves felt heartbroken as she bid farewell to them. Just as the sun began to peak its head and grant a warm glow over Dallas, the young woman was saying goodbye to White Willows, a place she had called home for the past years. The children were distraught to hear that their beloved Eleanor would no longer be with them, with tear streaked faces, snot dribbling out of their noses, they cuddled close hoping to say just the right words to convince her to stay, something that would prove fruitless as she flashed each and every child a smile in response to their attempts. She hugged Steven last, tightening her embrace on his shoulders, while the young man could not help the blush of his cheeks and the thundering of his heart at the proximity. The old woman, watched laughing at the boy's reaction while she waited patiently for her turn. When the young lady pulled away, it was the cue for the old woman to wrap her own arms around the girl, engulfing her in her sweet scent.

The hug, while savored to the fullest of potential, reminded Ellie of her parents. She could not help but let her thoughts drift to them, and where they are in Dallas, in this day and age. Probably together already. Throughout her time of consciousness within the decade, she wrestled at the thought of looking for them. The idea of being able to see them filled her heart with hope, but she knew better. Even if it were the deepest desire of her heart, she resisted, her selfish reasons could never outweigh robbing them of the happiness that would soon find them. But oh how she wished she could tell them she loved them one last time.

By the time Ellie trekked back to the alleyway, Dallas was already in full swing. People passed her by, countless men in suits all walking with a purpose, and some women pushed around strollers for a healthy morning walk. The morning chatter gave comfort to the young lady, all seemed well. Emphasis on the seam.

The dingy alley looked even more dingy under the sunlight. The early rays of the sun didn't give it any favors at it only revealed the piles of garbage and nest of who knows what animal in every corner. It didn't concern the green eyed girl though, instead she focuses on the figure pacing back and forth, still clad in his academy uniform. He was definitely deep in thought, hallmarked by his bunched eyebrows and intense glare and nothing in particular. If it weren't for his spy senses he would have failed to realize the other presence quickly approaching him.

Five whips his head towards the young woman and cheesily stares at her. He could see her more clearly now under the soft sunlight, the little things that has changed throughout their separation. He could easily tell that it had been at least a year. Her hair had grown much longer, a few pieces framing her soft face, the flowers were the same, beautiful colors making her the pixie that she is. He noticed the freckles that kissed her cheeks, larger ones on her nose. While he was certain that this was his Ellie, and that she'd barely changed he was pleasantly surprised to recognize a peace in her green eyes. He sighs deeply as he approaches, slotting her in his arms and landing a kiss on the tip of her nose. She giggles at his affection and takes it as a cue to cuddle further into his chest.

"I'm glad you're here now." Five admits, inhaling the floral aroma of her hair that would never fail to give him comfort. As he goes to tighten the embrace, Ellie lets out a yelp, an object digging into her chest. "Jeez Five, what the heck is that." without any hesitation, Ellie begins to frisk him, delving her hand in his jacket pocket to retrieve a box. They examine it for a moment, turning it over and absorbing menial details, puzzled at what it was and what it meant.

Five was quick, leading his wife up the stairs and into Elliot's flat. They enter to find the man having a bowl of cereal by the table, his mouth hanging agape, the mouthful of milk spilling out in surprise of the new company. He looked at the young woman curiously, the flowers on her hair telling him she was probably one of those eccentrics, a hippie as they called them. "Remember I told you about my wife? Well, this is her." Five says, effectively instilling fear into the man once again, recalling a threat about being able to melt his brain. The beautiful girl looked harmless but he was not about to take any chances.