𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿║𝙁. 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙨

CHAPTER FIVE: CONSEQUENCES

17 YEARS AGO

"During extreme weather conditions, a climber must possess the wisdom to determine when evacuation is inevitable. A controlled alpine descent begins with the girding of one's loins and the anchoring of the climbing rope to one's enemy, the mountain."

Feliks and his siblings ran down the steps as they heard their mother ring the dinner bell. Feliks was currently a panda, he and Five had been taking a nap in the garden and Feliks wanted his Lyubov to have something soft to rest against.

They may say that they're too young to be boyfriends. He always argues that if he's old enough to stop bank robberies and hostage situations, then he's old enough to have a boyfriend.

He lumbered in after Klaus and offered his mamuska a piece of paper with his mouth.

Grace took it and, upon further observation, found a crude drawing of their family. She didn't comment on the fact that the senior Mr. Hargreeves wasn't depicted in the colorful picture and just smiled, patting Feliks' furry head. He let out a happy rumble and ambled over to his seat next to Five. Originally, their assigned seats said that Allison sat next to Feliks but Five had long since usurped it. Allison hadn't made any comment on it and took Five's previous seat next to Luther.

"The Dülfersitz rappel is the preferred method for descent when rope is the only available tool, but must be regarded as a last resort."

Feliks stood next to Five on all fours, waiting for their father to arrive so they could sit. He reached up one of his paws to the other boy. Five smiles and they clasped hands, careful to avoid claws scratching against skin.

Their father walked in with a steadfast pace and took his place at the head of the table. "Sit." He permitted. The chairs gave rough noises as they were slid out and scooted back in. Feliks awkwardly nudged his chair out of the way and stood at his spot. He was just tall enough to be level with his food.

Their father looked at him. "Number Eight." He said sternly. Feliks ducked his head, feeling his face burn in humiliation as the table's attention was brought to him. "Why have you not shifted back?"

"I..." Feliks faltered. Five grabbed his big paw and held it. "I... am having some trouble turning back..." He said embarrassedly, keeping his gaze firmly on the table.

"A screen anchor must be used to be successfully retrieved from the face of the mountain. Tightly knot the end of the rope."

"And why is that?"

"I-I am not knowing, I try and is not doing." Feliks was starting to feel a rise of panic well up in him. His English was getting choppier as he got more worked up. "Pozhaluysta. Pozhaluysta, ne zapiray menya snova v komnate. Pozhaluysta!" His words were said so quickly that they blurred together and no one could discern what he was trying to say through the poor boy's sobs.

Five's eyes widened and he kneeled onto the floor next to the distressed panda. Feliks paws were covering his eyes, but he could see the trail of tears wetting down parts of his fur. He hugged the animal tightly, feeling the shakes and shudders his love gave off.

"Once anchored, thread the doubled rope through the legs, front to back, and around the buttocks."

"Number Five," Reginald said cuttingly. "Get off the floor and begin eating. Number Eight, meet me in my study after dinner."

Five glared and Feliks wanted to let out a loud cry at their father's words. Meeting in the study was never good, never mind meeting alone. But he wanted this night to be over so he could curl up with Five and sleep peacefully with his favorite person. So he just sniffed wetly and pushed at Five's chest lightly, telling him he was fine. His Lyubov looked at him worriedly but began eating as well. Feliks let out a shuddering breath and tried to calm himself. He sat up and tried to grasp his utensils, but they were too small for his meaty hands and slid right through his tear-soaked, slick fur. The fork clattered loudly onto the plate, right onto the food, and caused bits of the mashed potatoes to splatter against the wood mahogany and the decorative mat in the center of the table.