𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter Ninety One ~

There had been plenty of decisions that Dusk had to make in her lifetime. But this one was more difficult than any previous choice she had to make. She tried to see a bright side, but at the moment, there was none. This is a lose-lose situation. We either die now or die later. She started pacing back and forth across the room as the clock was ticking, unable to finalize her vote. She wanted to believe that a future for her and Klaus would lie ahead, but what would happen if another apocalypse or doomsday showed up to wreak more havoc on the world? There was only so much strength the phoenix possessed, and if the same events kept happening over and over again, she wouldn't be able to fight anymore.

What do I do? Dusk inhaled a quivering breath, feeling her lungs begin to burn the longer she didn't exhale. She thought about talking with some of the Umbrellas to get their perspectives on the decision, but she feared some would try to push her in the wrong direction. Though she loved Klaus more than anything in the world, she didn't trust him to help her with this, especially when he believed their father wasn't so bad. Who else could I turn to?

A lightbulb appeared in her head. There was somebody who she trusted that could help. Not just one person, but two. Dusk dashed down the hallway, peering into the open rooms, hoping to find Five or Victoria. And as she searched the sixth floor of the building, she found the redhead sitting on a bed, scratching at Mr. Pennycrumb's ears as he licked her face with puppy kisses. "Knock knock?" Dusk asked, gently tapping at the door.

Victoria looked up and gestured her friend inside, while the little dog climbed onto her lap. "So, how's my best friend?" Dusk asked, trying to start the conversation on a light tone before digging into the root of her predicament. "I'm okay, considering the hours we have left and the lingering hangover," the redhead answered. The raven nodded at the last bit, she too still felt the sting after the pain-relief tablets she swallowed.

"I hear you and Five are a thing now. What caused you to change your mind about him?" Victoria's cheeks started to turn pink at the mention of his name. She knew deep down at least a few people caught her and the time traveler's big smooch on the dance floor, but hearing them bring it up made her both smile and cringe. "In truth, I swore to hate him till my last breath. But last night, after remembering the good times and who he really is, I realized I still love him,"

"Aww!" Dusk's hands went to her chest. "That's so sweet! You know, after all these years of never hearing from my twin, I'm glad he found someone to love and you both reconnected," Victoria chuckled softly, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear before her eyes widened. "Wait, did you say twin?" She questioned. Now's a good time as any to tell her, Dusky! "Yeah, me and Five are twins," the phoenix confirmed.

Victoria's mouth dropped open in shock, silently asking herself how she didn't realize it sooner. Looking back on it, she did see similarities between her boyfriend and bestie. "That's awesome! But why didn't you tell me sooner?" Dusk explained how she only found out a couple of days prior, and that she feared Victoria wouldn't want to associate with her anymore back when she considered Five her enemy. But the redhead told her that even if she and Five didn't get back together, she wouldn't have cut her out, just warned her to keep him away.

Their moment of brief happiness and joy was soon interrupted by the ticking of the old-fashioned clock that rested on the dresser. Only fifteen minutes left before they all returned to the lobby with their final decision on Project Oblivion. Dusk looked down at her hands as they rested in her lap, inhaling a quiet sigh. "Hey, what's wrong?" Victoria inquired. There was no point in hiding it anymore, she needed the advice. That was what she came for in the first place.