Wonder • Five Hargreeves

32

Number Five

"What about our family?"

Five asked this question as he settled his gun into the waistband of his shorts. Winnie watched this action (with more than a little interest) and smiled innocently after Five caught her. His eyes danced with soft amusement and he guided her arm back into the crook of his elbow.

The Handler stared at the pair. "What about them?"

"They have to survive." Winnie replied easily. Not I want them to survive, but they have to survive.

The Handler was a woman used to being in control. From her perfectly styled curls, clipped ruthlessly into shape with a needling pins, to her perfectly curated outfit with matching accessories that she kept in militant pristine condition. She was an organized, brutal woman- a finely honed edge.

The Handler reflected on these facts of herself, her love of control, and weighed them against the delicious thrill she just experienced as Winnie issued that order.

The Handler breathed in deep and bit her lip. She glanced around the open prairie, the moment in time she had stolen to have this conversation, and at the chaos of a shoot-out-slash-ice-cream-truck-attack caused by the Hargreeves family.

"All of them?"

The smaller blonde in a pant-stained uniform raised a cold eyebrow at the question. The Handler felt that exhilarating thrill again and grinned.

"Ill see what I can do. Is that a deal?" She offered out her manicured hand.

"One thing." Five said, ignoring the woman's hands to pull Winnie closer to him by her waist. Winnie laughed lightly at the quick movement, his hands on the small of her back while her hands splayed on his chest, and Five leaned in to whisper into her ear.

"Will you go toss that gun over there? Separate its clip and throw them in opposite directions?" His voice was hot in her ear.

Winnie turned her head back to look up through her lashes. Her lips were fighting a smile. Standing taller on her toes, she brought her lips to his ears.

"Did you have to whisper that to me?" Winnie asked.

He pulled back, his eyes as easy as his smile. "Of course. That was confidential information."

Winnies head fell back with a ringing laugh. She pushed away from him, still laughing, and did as he asked her. She didn't so much as spare a glance at The Handler as she passed, but was very mindful of checking on her brothers in the ice-cream van to ensure their safety. Once satisfied, she found the gun and separated its clip, flinging them in opposite directions of the road.

Winnie then clapped her hands together to rid the dust and skipped back, a pleased expression on her face.

"Good?" Winnie called to Five.

Five, who was slowly and precisely moving the bullets in the air so they would miraculously miss Luther, didn't respond immediately. He was decidedly pushing the last one into place a little more left before he nodded at Winnie.

"Good." He took back his spot at her side. "Shall we?"

Then the couple turned and finally shook the Handlers hands- which had remained faithfully outstretched. The Handler beamed a disturbing red smile at their physical contacts