1999

15. Together Forever

Y/n crouched in the center of the children's play area on level 3, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. The room was deceptively peaceful, filled with brightly colored toys, murals of smiling animals, and small play structures meant for children. The light, cheerful atmosphere was at odds with the war raging inside her mind.

Why here? Why this place? It was out in the open, a terrible spot to hide, but that was the point. She wanted Five to find her. No more running, no more hiding. This had to end, and it had to end now.

Her fingers traced the edge of the scissors she had picked up earlier. It wasn't much, but it was sharp enough to do the job. Her mind raced with the plan she had crafted—convince him, make him believe she was his again. And when he trusted her, when his guard was down, she'd stab him in the back.

She closed her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. She had no other choice. She loved him—God, she still loved him, but that love had become poison. It was killing her, just like it had killed Klaus, Viktor, and everyone else caught in the wake of Five's madness. It wasn't love anymore. It was survival.

He has to die.

The thought sent a chill through her. She could still see his face in her mind—the grin he had given her when he called her "my love." That face, the one she had kissed so many times, had twisted into something dark and unrecognizable. She had tried to argue with herself, had tried to rationalize it, thinking she could save him, thinking that deep down, he was still the same person she had fallen for.

But he wasn't. Not anymore.

Y/n's fingers curled tightly around the handle of the scissors. She had changed out of her hospital gown on her way to the play area, now wearing tight black jeans and a red tank top. Her old Converse were still on her feet. It felt strange, wearing something so normal, so... casual, while preparing to kill the man she once thought she'd spend her life with.

She inhaled deeply, letting the air fill her lungs before exhaling in a controlled breath. This was it. No more hesitation. No more inner conflict.

She was going to kill him. She had to. There was no other way out.

Footsteps echoed faintly from down the hall. Y/n's entire body tensed, her heartbeat quickening. It was only a matter of time now. She could almost feel his presence drawing closer, his familiar footsteps, the way he moved so silently, but with purpose.

Calm down, she told herself, trying to quiet her nerves. He can't know you're afraid. You have to convince him. Play your part, and he'll believe you.

Her eyes darted to the entrance of the play area, the tension mounting as each second passed. She clenched the scissors tighter, her knuckles going white. This was it—the moment she had been dreading, but also waiting for.

The door creaked open.

Five stood in the doorway, his silhouette casting a long shadow across the room. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the area until they landed on her. A smile crept across his face—a smile that would have once warmed her heart, but now only made her stomach churn.

"Y/n," he said softly, stepping further into the room. "There you are."

Y/n felt her pulse quicken as he approached. She forced herself to stand, carefully placing the scissors behind her back. She had to keep calm. She had to make him believe that everything was fine. That she still loved him.

I do love him, she thought, the bitter truth of it burning in her chest. But love didn't matter anymore.

"Five..." she whispered, her voice trembling as she met his gaze. "I'm sorry. I should've never run."