Bound by Duty | Five Hargreeves

3. Old faces, new beginnings

It's been three years since I first arrived in Dallas, and it's safe to say my plan worked. I'm still here, with Elliott. I've got my own room, what used to be a storage room in which Elliott redecorated into a bedroom for me.

I've made a few friends, gotten used to the area and have some sort of status now. It's been so peaceful I almost forget I'm on a mission. Five hasn't arrived yet, but his siblings have. Turns out Elliott was so cautious when I knocked because he'd been tallying the 'unexplained appearances' of people.

Those people of course being Five's siblings, but I never dared say a word. Not unless I wanted him to become suspicious of me. Klaus, Luther, Diego, Vanya and Allison. Elliott's dedicated to figuring it out, to trying to understand what was going on and who these people were.

I played dumb of course, pretending to not believe him at first— and then act surprised when I watched Diego's appearance in 1963. Though, to be honest, it was only partially an act. It was a once in a lifetime sort of experience.

Putting on my favourite dress; a thin white dress with little blue flowers all over it, I grab my bag and put on a pair of white flats. "Elliott!" I call, heading down the stairs, knowing he's probably in his room figuring out the new statistics he'd gotten last night. "I'm going to Jess'!"

I get no response back, but I know he's heard me. Opening the door, I take a deep breath of the cool Dallas morning air. My shoes click on the floor as I make my way down to Jess' store, one of my favourite places to go.

It was a lovely little cafe owned by an old woman named Jessica Woodworks. She was the sweetest person in the entire world. The bell dings as I open the door, and the woman turns to me with a wide grin.

"Philippa!" She greets me, cleaning the counter with her usual white cloth. "Here for your usual breakfast? How's Elliott doing?"

I grin, taking my usual seat at the end of the bar. "Yes, usual please." I hum, leaning against the counter. "Elliott's good— still in his head about those 'mystery appearances'... but I know I can't stop him. Not now I've seen one... though I'm sure it was still a dream."

Jess chuckles, shaking her head as she prepares Elliott and I's coffee and breakfast. "You know very well your father's got his head screwed on just fine. He just... happens to attract the attention that most would say he's crazy for." She smirks, winking.

"Mm..." I nod, smiling as she hands me the coffees. "I suppose so... but our living rooms turned into his office. There's papers everywhere! I can barely eat my meals there."

The woman hums, nodding, handing me the bag of our breakfasts. "Yes, I know what you mean, dear. I remember those stacks of papers all too well from when I last visited." She ponders for a moment, "I should visit again soon, just to check in on Elliott a tad."

I nod, taking the bag and getting up. "That sounds great, Jess. I'll ask Elliott when a good time would be." The bell dings, and I look over as another customer walks in. "I'll see you later." I grin, before leaving the store and heading back towards my current 'home'.

Upon opening the door, the air immediately seemed thick and dry. I quietly put the food down on the table in the middle, grabbing the vase that sat on the table previously.

Gripping the piece of pottery tightly in my hands, I slowly make my way up the stairs, my eyes narrow, my ears focused on the quiet mumbling of voices. As I reach the top of the stairs, I find Elliott and another... friend. Neither of which had noticed me yet.

"You ever heard of, uh..." The familiar boy spoke, a mug of coffee in his hand. "Area 51?" His back was to me, his gaze on Elliott, who immediately began freaking out.