1999

5. Cabin In The Woods

Later in the day, the cabin was alive with the thumping beat of the stereo, which was blasting at full volume. The music, a constant presence in their high state, seemed to envelop the space, making everything feel vibrant and pulsating. The smoke from the pot they had been indulging in curled lazily through the air, adding a dreamy haze to the scene.

Y/n was the center of it all, her movements fluid and carefree as she danced around the cabin. The high had made her movements loose and uninhibited, her body swaying to the rhythm of the music with an energy that was both mesmerizing and contagious. Her eyes were glazed over, the pink hue of her eyelids a clear indicator of the pot's effect. She moved with a kind of grace that was heightened by the drug, her laughter ringing out with a pure, unrestrained joy.

Five watched her from where he sat, a satisfied grin on his face. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Y/n as she danced. The smoke that filled the cabin made his vision slightly blurry, but it didn't diminish the impact of what he was seeing. In this moment, he was struck by how captivating Y/n was. She was different from anyone he had encountered before, and it was impossible to ignore the feelings stirring inside him.

His mind, usually a whirlwind of plans and schemes, was now focused on one singular thought: Y/n. He liked her. It was a feeling that both confused and excited him. There were millions of thoughts racing through his head, but amidst the chaos, there was a clear and distinct emotion—a deep appreciation for her. Five had never felt this way about anyone before, and it was unsettling but oddly comforting.

As he observed her, a pang of guilt pierced through him. He had inserted that chip in her neck, a decision made with the intent of protecting her from the real dangers he was trying to eradicate. The madness that drove him to kill those deranged people was justified in his mind as a necessary evil. They were threats to society, their twisted beliefs and actions making them a danger to others. He had convinced himself that he was doing the right thing, that his actions were justified.

But seeing Y/n now, so alive and free, he couldn't help but question his own choices. He had crossed a line by doing something to her, something that no one should have to experience. Even if it was meant to protect her, it still felt wrong. She wasn't like the others he had targeted. She was different—her own person, in a good way. Y/n had a lightness about her, a genuine quality that stood in stark contrast to the darkness he was fighting against.

In his warped perception of the world, he had always believed that he was the only sane one left, fighting against the demented and the deranged. But Y/n represented something pure and true, something that made him question his own sanity. The world needed more people like her, not like him. He was the one who was lost, who had strayed too far from the path of normalcy. Y/n was a beacon of something better, something worth protecting, even if he had to confront his own demons to do so.

As the music continued to play and Y/n danced with abandon, Five felt a sense of resolve settle within him. He had to make things right, to find a way to protect her without compromising her freedom or her trust. The line he had crossed could not be undone, but he could try to make amends in whatever way he could. Y/n deserved better than to be caught in the web of his twisted sense of justice.

He took a deep breath, the smoke filling his lungs as he tried to clear his mind. The guilt and the sense of purpose intertwined within him, creating a complex tangle of emotions. He knew he had to tread carefully, to ensure that Y/n remained safe while navigating the treacherous path he had set for himself.

For now, though, he watched her, letting himself be caught up in the moment. She was a reminder of what the world could be, a glimpse of hope amidst the chaos. And for the first time in a long time, Five allowed himself to fully appreciate the fleeting, beautiful moments that made life worth living.