Rotting from the Inside ; Five Hargreeves

Chapter 5: Spying and Alcoholism

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Seraphina's head leans against the van window, absently tapping the glass with her fingernail. Number Five had parked the pair across the street from Meritech, and a blanket of silence had fallen between the two ever since.

"Oh, shit."

The girl turns her head towards Five, watching as he reaches towards the back, pulling the dufflebag open. He pulls out a bottle of vodka and places it in Seraphina's lap before removing Delores from the bag, propping her up in the space between their two seats.

"Hey. Sorry you were in there for so long, Delores." Seraphina turns her head back towards the window, zoning out.
"No, I'm not drunk. I'm working. Yes, it's about the eye thing. This is the place it was made. Or... will be made. We just have to wait."

After several minutes of silence, Seraphina's attention is grabbed by the sound of rustling to her left.
Turning her head, she sees Five pulling money from his pockets. He grabs her wrist, slapping the money into her open hand.
"Go get something to eat. There's a convenience store right there," the girls eyes widen in fear at his words.

"But-"
"No but's. Go. You better come back with something." Her eyes search his frantically, only to see he's dead serious. Letting out a sigh, her hand closes around the money and she steps out of the car.

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Seraphina walks into the convenience store, her arms hugged tightly around her waist. Making a beeline towards the drink section, she grabs a bottle of black coffee, hoping Five will like it despite being refrigerated, and grabs herself a Diet Coke.

Hesitantly shuffling over to the food section, she takes a look at her options; mostly candy and chips, but out of the corner of her eye, sees they also sell pre-made salads and wraps. Seraphina grabs one of the salads with a smile and walks to the cashier.

"Your total is $8.65, would you like a bag?"
"Yes, please."
And with that, Seraphina walks out of the store, bag in hand.

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"I'm back." Seraphina slumps into the car seat and places the plastic bag in her lap.
"What'd you get?"
The girl pulls the salad and the Coke out, gaining an unimpressed look from Five, and places them in her lap before handing the plastic bag to the boy. "I got you something too. Oh, and I put the rest of the money in the bag."

Five takes it from her grip and opens it, a small but fond smile grows on his face. He looks up and faces her,
"Thanks, Angel. Now, eat your salad."

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After the girl had eaten, she had gone quiet, zoning out. So wrapped up in her own thoughts, she hadn't noticed Five having an episode, his breath picking up and his eyes glossing over, fear etched onto his face. Suddenly, she hears knocking on the passenger window, and the sound of someone calling Five's name.

She snaps her head up in attention, seeing none other than their Number One. Her face smooths out into a bored look, and glances over at the boy next to her, who looked shaken up.
"You okay, Five?"
"Fine. I'm fine."
Luther then opens the car door and reaches his arms in, picking Seraphina up and tossing her into Five's lap before going through a, rather funny amount, of effort to fit himself into the van.