|Doppelgänger| Five Hargreeves

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖𝟎

 After Diego finally stopped the van, we had our very needed break and were back on the road after he cleaned the...substance on the floor of the vehicle. Being inside of the van was now much more bearable since the windows were gone. Viktor pretty much exploded them after we all started freaking out, to Diego's misfortune and our luck.

It was finally night, and I laid my head back on Five's chest, trying to get some sleep like the others in the backseat were doing. The boy behind me ran his hand through my hair, absentmindedly, which did help in soothing me so I could drift to slumber at some point. But then, Diego spoke to the two of us.

_"I think she's cheating on me. Lila."-I opened my eyes upon hearing that. Where exactly did he get that idea from?

_"Why do you think that?"-I asked, my voice whispered so I wouldn't wake the others up, especially Lila.

_"She goes places at night. She goes places, and she lies about it."-The way he spoke made me actually worry now. He was too serious, and he seemed hurt.

_"You know, she's got that book club."-Five said, reminding us. I shrugged.

_"Oh, yeah. It's probably just that."

_"Yeah, what is it? A book club of two?"-That was way too specific now.

_"What are you talking about?"-Five asked, looking at his brother with furrowed brows.

_"Last night, I followed her. She was in some café with some guy. Some Greek-looking son of a bitch with a creepy mustache."-Those characteristics were way too familiar. I immediately looked up at Five with an accusing look. He slowly looked back at me, his eyes told me he was begging for me to wait so he could explain.

_"...Creepy mustache, you say?"-I asked Diego, while still staring deep down into the boy's soul.

_"Oh yeah. Sleazy as hell. Just pencil-thin. You know what I mean?"-I scoffed as he gave more details of the "mysterious man's" appearance. I licked my teeth behind my lips, trying really hard to control myself and not throw someone out the window.

_"Interesting, don't you think, my dear husband?"-My tone was straight up venom. Diego didn't seem to realize what was going on, but Five definitely did. He cleared his throat and turned to speak to his brother again.

_"Diego, whatever this is, trust me...it's nothing."-I decided to look out the "window" and completely ignore the boy. I reached to take his hands and pull them away from my waist. He sighed, before he continued to speak.

_"...You guys got the house, a family. Only an idiot throws that away. Lila is no idiot."-I noticed Five getting closer to me, feeling his breath close to my ear. Then, he whispered, quiet enough that I was the only one to hear it.

_"And I'm not either."-I glanced at him for a second, but my eyes drifted again. I knew that. I didn't think he was cheating or something like that. What truly pissed me off was the fact he didn't tell me he met Lila that day and I had to find out through my paranoid brother.

_"So am I supposed to just ignore it? Say nothing?"-Diego asked. His tone made me sad for him again. He was convinced of his cheating theory.

_"That would be correct. Bury it. Deep. Cover that shit with concrete."-Five advised him. I decided to keep myself quiet.

_"You're a good brother."-Diego said, not even realizing Five was lying to his face. That also was part of the reason I was pissed off. He could've just told Diego, it would make things easier.

We went back to being silent again. I couldn't sleep anymore that night.

-☂-

Finally, we arrived in the town of New Grumpson, Maine, the following morning. We were now outside the van, as Five had seen a telephone booth and thought it would be faster if he just looked at the town's residents records. As he searched the book, we just waited by the van. It was extremely cold, my fingers felt numb even if I shielded them by putting my hands inside my pockets.