Invisible String | Five Hargreeves

𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Five was looking over the hotels balcony in deep thought. His hand fidgeting with your fingers anxiously.

"So, how is it that we're still here, but the whole of the universe is going down the cosmic shitter?" You hear Allison ask from behind. "Maybe we're the last to get flushed." Viktor answers her. "Wasn't talking to you."

"Hey, has anyone seen Klaus?" Luther asks. "Or Dad?" Sloane adds. "They'll be here." Diego says hopeful. "Really? Did they... hit traffic? Look, people, we're alive because we're special, right? We're the only ones who can save the universe." Ben starts rambling. More than half of your family was now gone and yet he still found a way to make himself the center of attention.

"Uh, question." Allison says "Yes." "Didn't we just try that and fail miserably?" She points out. "Yeah, it's because his plan was stupid." Diego butts in. "Mm." "I got a better one." Says Diego. "'Course you do." Ben spits out sarcastically. "We go with the large hard-on particle accelerator. You guys do some science, and..." Diego clicks his tongue making a bating motion. "...we launch the Kugelblitz into outer space. Didn't think I knew that, did ya? It's in Switzerland."

"It's "hadron," not "hard-on," ya moron!" Ben snaps. "Oi! At least he's trying, you shitty little squid. What have you contributed?" Lila points out. "Actually, he did blow up half his family." Diego says. "Ey!" you yell glaring at him.

"Oh, you wanna talk about family problems? You know what should have blown up is your face on that neck!" Ben protests. "I wish I had a cake to hit you with it in your face!" Ben and Diego start arguing in Korean and Spanish. You turned to them amused. Five let's go of you and walks towards the group.

"Hey!" He yells. "You guys done? The universe is disappearing outside. So you can keep rearranging the deck chairs of the Titanic if it makes you feel better. But the fact remains that we are too late." He says.

Diego and Ben scoff. "Five, come on." Luther whines. "It's over, Luther. We failed." He says "Come on. It can't be over over." Viktor sits up from his seat. "Yeah, come on, Five. We gotta figure this out, man." Diego argues. "Okay. How about we take a step back? Look at the big picture here. Most of us have spent the last 28 days trying to stop the world from ending. What exactly have we accomplished?" He asks. The room remains silent as no one can answer.

"Well," Luther speaks. "we made some friends along the way." He says turning to Sloane. "Incorrect! You know what we've done? Nothing. We made things worse every single time." Says Five. "Amen to that." Allison mumbles.

Five sighs, "Look, when I went to the Commission, I had a conversation with my 100-year-old self. And my last words were, "Don't save the world." He tells them. "Don't save the world"?" asks Viktor. "Don't save the world." Five repeats. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Diego says. "Is it? Well, whatever we're doing's not working. All we ever do is save the world for a day, pat ourselves on the back, and then everything goes to shit again." Luther says.

"Yeah, maybe we're the problem." Says Victor. "Oh, yeah. Us." Allison scoffs. "So, wait. Your big plan is no plan?" Lila says.

"Exactly." Five points at her. "Conscientious objection. Why the hell not? We've tried everything else. Look, maybe this is just what the universe needs. I say, embrace the apocalypse. See what's on the other side."

"What if it's... nothing?" Sloane asks unsure. "Then it's been nice knowing you all. Whatever's on your bucket list, I recommend you do that now."

Five turns to you with a saddened defeated expression painted on his face. What the group didn't know is he too was unsatisfied by this answer. The only thing he wanted was to live a long happy life with you but he knew he had to listen to his future self. He sighs taking a seat on a bench beside you.