Number Eight

A Light Supper

I watch Lila on the ground as Five presses his foot further into her neck, still The Handler doesn't at all look worried.

Mother of the year.

"You've got a good nose," she says.

 "You know," Five starts, "planting her in a psych ward, taking advantage of my simpleton brother, that was smart."

"Well," The Handler sighs, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." At this, Five instantly stills, "she's your..."

"Daughter, and my only one at that so I'd appreciate if you didn't crush her windpipe." Five lets Lila struggle for a few more seconds before releasing her.

When she gets up, she says, "I am so going to enjoy killing you someday." 

With a slight growl I say, "if you lay a hand on him, I'll kill you."

Five looks over at me, "and what's she doing here?"

The Handler sighs, "Lila, darling, would you give us a minute?" 

Five grins, "yes, the grownups need to talk."

Once Lila's out of earshot, the conversation continues. "What is it you want?" Five questions.

"Do you like Jazz, Five?"

"I'd rather lick a cheese grater."

"Jazz is like a beautiful woman." I refuse the urge to cringe when she comes around and brushes a strand of hair out of my eyes. 

Five watches every move with pure murderous intent. Still, The Handler continues.

"Complex, emotional, hard to please. She doesn't just give it to you, she makes you work for it."

At this point, Five walks around in circles getting impatient. "I really hope you're going somewhere with this."

"Under my leadership, the Commission would sound more like jazz." 

Five sighs, "and what about the board of directors."

"That's where you come in."

"No. No, it is not."

The Handler points to me, "would you do it for her?" 

When he looks in my direction, I shake my head. 

He looks back to her, The Handler must see his hesitation because she says, "in exchange for assassination of the board, I'm willing to get you and your family out of this timeline and back to 2019."

The relief that this isn't a hostage situation has me slumping slightly.

Five turns to her, "and what about World War III that's due to kick off in just a few days?" 

The Handler sighs, "once you and your siblings are gone, that's gone too."

"And the apocalypse when we get back to 2019?"

"That too."

"I distinctly remember you telling me that apocalypse had to happen, that it was supposed to happen."

Five, please just shut the fuck up and take the deal.

The Handler shrugs, "back then I was toeing the company line, but once I'm in charge...."

"Jazz."

"Exactly."

I look over at Lila who glares at me as though I just personally killed her dog. Then again, I guess that's what it's like when you're a traitor in someone else's eyes.