End of the Beginning [Five]

Twenty-one

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"Why do I get the feeling that this is a very bad idea?" Diego asked as he drove them toward the last known location of the infamous Ben Hargreeves as supplied by the news station.

"We're driving headfirst into a battlefield where there are literally hundreds of angry people with weapons waiting to kill us with no plan, no way how to tell what we're up against. I think it's a splendid idea." Emery said dryly from his spot in the back where he had pressed his head against the final remaining window of the van, feeling the cold pane cool him down. He had left Adele back at Lila's house with her parents, kids, and Claire and immediately missed the dog's absence at his side. Seven years had been hard enough. Twenty minutes had been harder.

He flexed his hands on his lap rhythmically, feeling that familiar thrum of light flicker through the air. It was night now but that didn't mean he lacked any supply of it. He could pluck the light from the streetlamp with a simple glance out the window without hardly moving his hand. He swallowed down an almost giddy smile, the prospect of what he was going to try to do nerve-wracking enough.

"If we survive this, I will never personally insult any one of you again," Allison said from the middle row.

"Oh, then we have to survive. There's no other option." Klaus praised.

"Peace on earth awaits!" Lila shouted out, riling them all up from her spot in the passenger seat. Her eyes were wild and Emery had to resist the urge to duck each time she turned around to look at any of them, fearing her eyes would turn into lasers again and decapitate him before he had a chance to try and survive properly.

"We're going to survive this," Luther said vehemently, trading a glance with his wife, who only nodded. It was nice to have her with them. She was strong and resolute, with more will to speak of than all of them combined.

"Just— let's go in there with our heads screwed on right, okay? We don't do anything stupid, we handle it, and we get out." Five said as Diego sped them down the road, tires screeching as he took a turn. Emery cursed loudly, sure some French had slipped into his words as he refrained from going for round two with the lacking contents of his stomach.

"Easier said than done, Five."

"I try to be optimistic for once and I get ridiculed." Five defended as he looked past him and out the window, watching the buildings flash by as they got closer and closer to what? To Ben and Jennifer, to Viktor and Reginald. To the end of the world.

"The world is an unfair place," Emery muttered, lips quirking upward as he managed to find joy in such a bleak time.

"Let him live in his delusions. It's a nice change for once." Klaus complained as the car screeched to a stop, Diego's eyes going wide as he witnessed the events set out before him. Emery paled as he tilted his head to see in front of them.

Standing in front of a large department store under renovation stood hundreds of the Keepers, all standing guard with varying weapons in their hands. Lights blared down the street as news reporters and journalists attempted to cover the unfurling scene. Not even the merry Christmas lights adorning the street leading to the grand corner store could make the sight look anything less than a very bad idea.

"Does that look like a delusion?" Diego said sardonically, failing to keep the slight tremor out of his voice as he clutched the wheel.

"Well, that doesn't look good." Luther found the voice to say.

"Let's get out of here. Before they spot us." Sloane added with a nod.

"Quick, back down that alley so we're out of sight," Allison said, looking over her shoulder and directing Diego backward.