𝐄𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐄. [𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫]

003. 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐲 𝐑𝐮𝐧.

— Flashback —

Mom hummed softly as she placed the needle on the record player, Herl Carson's explanations about safety and whatnot spilling into the dining room. She moved gracefully around the table, straightening utensils and smoothing out wrinkles in the tablecloth, making sure everything was perfect. Her smile was faint but warm as she adjusted a plate here and there, her movements delicate, because she's mom. When she finished, she stepped back and rang the little bell, signaling it was time for dinner.

We all knew the drill. The moment we heard the chime, we hurried to our places, standing behind our designated chairs. Even though the silence was normal, sometimes it was strange knowing that maybe other families didn't do this.

Finally, Dad arrived, his presence as cold as ever. He stopped at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over each of us, making sure we were in our places. After a moment of heavy silence, his voice cut through the room with a single, commanding word. "Sit." As if we're dogs.

We sat as one, chairs scraping against the floor, and the quiet clatter of silverware filled the room as we began eating. No one spoke. That wasn't allowed, not during meals.

Diego, seated to my left, was busy carving something into the underside of the table, his movements hidden from view. Klaus, across from him, was up to his usual, doing something drug related. Ben was engrossed in a book I had gotten for him, his head bowed as he read, seemingly detached from the rest of us.

I sat between Diego and Five, my hands resting in my lap, my eyes closed as I focused on manipulating the shadows that danced at her fingertips. The tiny, dark orb I was forming grew more intricate as I meditated in silence, making these orbs take days to make and full concentration. Quietness is what makes me achieve that, so what better time than dinner to do it?

But the stillness didn't last.

A sudden clang shattered the quiet as Five drove his butter knife into the table with a sharp, deliberate force. The loud noise startled us all, and my dark orb slowly started to fade away. I quickly solidified what I could save and slipped it in my pocket, my head snapping up toward him, glaring at him. Even Reginald raised an eyebrow in irritation.

"Number Five?" Reginald's voice was sharp, cutting through whatever carson was saying. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't move, expecting an explanation for the disruption.

For a moment, everyone looked at Five, their activities momentarily halted, before slowly returning to their respective distractions. But I kept my eyes on him, sensing that something was going to happen.

Five's lips curled into a mock smile as he leaned back in his chair. "I have a question."

"No one cares" she muttered rolling her eyes. Five ignored her anyways

Reginald's expression barely shifted, though there was a flash of annoyance in his eyes. "Knowledge is an admirable goal, Number Five, but you know the rules. No talking during meal times. You are interrupting Herl Carson." His voice was controlled, but the reprimand was clear.

"I want to time travel," Five said anyways

I immediately kicked his foot under the table, my eyes shot him a warning glare. I mouthed the word 'stop' at him but I knew he wouldn't listen to me anyways.

Reginald's face hardened, his patience thinning. "No," he said simply.

But Five wasn't about to let it go. He never fucking lets it go. His fingers tapped against the table, frustration flickering in his eyes. Rising abruptly from his chair, the fake smile he'd worn moments earlier vanished.