you were everything

RIP Kenny's Untouched Birthday Cake

☂ the end of the universe ☂ 

We crouch behind the counter, hurling anything we can grab at the masked intruders—an old bowling ball, an oversized birthday cake that Kenny never even got to taste.

"How the hell are we getting out of here?" Diego roars, tossing a gleaming knife toward the attackers.

Alison smacks my arm, urgently pointing at the lanes. The chute where the pins disappear is narrow but just wide enough to squeeze through.

"Go!" I shout, diving toward the opening. The others follow in a chaotic rush, sliding into the chute behind me. I land on my feet with a quiet thud at the other end, but Luther gets stuck halfway. Klaus grabs his legs and pulls him free.

"Wait—where's Five?"

The others shrug helplessly.

"I think he mentioned something about needing to do something first," Diego squints, peering around the room. "He had a fortune cookie or something in his hand just a minute ago."

I frown. So he just decided to bail on us?

"There's no time," Luther says, holding the back exit open. "Let's move." We dash down the alley, hearts pounding.

"The Icarus Theatre," Diego gasps, pointing across the street. "That's where Vanya is."

Alison nods, her fingers tapping furiously on her notepad. "Y/N and I go in alone," it reads.

Luther huffs, shaking his head. "Not a chance."

"It's our best shot," I shoot him a glare. "Do you really think she's going to trust you after everything that's happened?"

Luther shifts uncomfortably. "Fine," he mutters.

Alison and I slip into the crowded theatre, blending in with the chaos of the room. I spot Vanya across the aisle. Our eyes meet, and she offers a small, fleeting smile. But the eerie gleam in her eyes sends a chill down my spine. She's not herself—not completely.

The music playing is hauntingly beautiful, a stark contrast to the betrayal she must feel.

A hulking figure charges toward us from the stage, and I groan inwardly. Of course, it's him.

Vanya raises her bow, a wave of energy slamming into Luther and sending him flying into the crowd. He crashes into the seats on the opposite side of the theatre, unhurt but clearly rattled. The gust of wind that follows sweeps through the room, sending the audience into a panic, scattering in every direction.

The orchestra continues to play, though the musicians are visibly shaking, clearly terrified. Vanya waves her bow again, her control tightening, forcing them to keep going.

"She's stronger than I thought," Diego mutters, crouching behind a row of chairs.

Alison and I share a glance, then turn our glares on Luther.

"Yeah, yeah," he mutters. "We're fine, thanks for asking."

"Almost lost you once," he mutters again, his voice raw. "I wasn't about to let that happen again."

"Well, so much for the element of surprise," I scoff. "What else you got?"

Alison's eyes dart toward the stage.

"No kidding, Allison," Diego says under his breath. "What's next?"

"Her violin," Luther peeks cautiously from behind the chairs. "It's the key to her power. If we can get it from her and stop her from playing, we have a chance."