EUNOIA ━ diego hargreeves

33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

──-ˋˏ☂︎ˎˊ-──

FREYA STARED dubiously at Klaus, who climbed into the driver's seat. Five had a map sprawled out on the hood, and he was flipping through it without a care in the world. Slowly, she crossed her arms over her chest. "I thought you were banned from driving."

"What?" Klaus glanced up, and then waved her off dismissively with a laugh. "Oh, no. I just told you that because I never felt like driving."

Freya felt something pull at her chest, and a moment later, she splashed water at him from her fingertips. Klaus scrunched his face up, and wiped it off. She rolled her eyes. "Jerk."

"You love me."

Freya patted his head, opening the backseat door. "Yes, unfortunately."

After getting settled in the vehicle, they lapsed into silence. Five was preoccupied with more papers in his lap, and Freya busied herself by staring out the window, listening to the music that was playing softly on the radio.

There wasn't much to look at. The scenery outside was mostly desert and flatlands, other than the occasional rest stop and small towns they passed, there wasn't much excitement going on.

Eventually, they pulled up to a drive through and ordered food, and Klaus slurped his drink loudly from the front seat. Five hummed. "This actually isn't so terrible."

"Duh," Freya answered. "Klaus and I are literally amazing."

"Yeah, see? Told ya."

"Come to think of it, my whole live I've been under the gun," Five mused. "Missions for dad. Working for the Commission. Trying to survive the apocalypse. I was always looking around every corner. Just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's nice to just breathe."

Klaus nodded, patting the steering wheel. "Good for you, man. Retirement is suiting you."

"Actually, Five, I think I agree with you."

"Oh?" He turned in his seat to look at her, eyebrow cocked. "Maybe the world is ending again, after all."

She rolled her eyes. "No, I just mean that I'm done with all of this. I'm tired of the constant fighting and never knowing what's next. I just want to be able to relax."

"Please," Klaus scoffed. "You used to beat up other teenagers over street hot-dogs."

Freya snorted. "Yeah. Maybe. But all this end of the world crap has taught me that we're all going to die anyway eventually. Why should I have my time on earth be spent with freaking Mortal Combat all the time?"

"Which is why this trip is perfect," Five said, grabbing something from under his seat. "I circled a bunch of roadside attractions along the way."

Klaus made a face. "I'm not sure if we're going to have the time-"

"We have the Brownsville Big Nickel. Oh, Rickey's Bakery has award winning pies."

"Well, if you'd just let me explain-"

"Oh, there's this Cow Henge. That's it, though."

"Okay, listen to me," Klaus demanded. "Just shut up for two seconds, okay?"

"I literally do not know how to do that," Freya told him. "The ability to keep my mouth closed for over ten seconds is not in my talent-range."

"Yes, Freya. We are very aware."

"Okay, you know what, grandpa?"

"Guys!" Klaus sighed, making them fall quiet. "Two seconds. That's all I ask."