Number Eight

The Seven Stages

"What now?"

I'm sitting against the alley wall, Klaus is still lying on the ground as though he's a teenage girl listening to 2000's music, and Luther is asking too many questions that make me want to commit more arson.

"Now nothing, make peace with God!" Five shoots back. Luther gives him a look, "what, what about Allison and Viktor?"

"Fuck them," I say, "it's their fault we're not fucking home right now."

"She's right," Five says, "they should have been here."

"What about Diego then," he continues, "he's a responsible young man."

I shoot him a look, "really playing the Number One role right now."

"Something must have happened to them."

"Screw Diego, alright!" Five yells, "Screw everybody! I was better off on my own in the apocalypse."

With a scoff I jump to my feet, "I beg your finest pardon?"

"You're all useless!" He continues, "you can't even follow basic instructions!"

"Hold up, you might want to remember who's helped you through all of this, who helped you get that god damned briefcase."

"Oh yeah, Ivy, real worth it in the end, wasn't it?" With that, he walks toward a door at the end of the alley and slams the door behind him.

I turn to Klaus and Luther.

"Did Five get meaner?" Klaus whimpers. With a sigh, Luther seems to come to a conclusion. "Klaus, go check on Allison, okay?" He turns to me, "you two go find the others, make sure they're okay and meet back here."

"Do you want me to handle him?" I ask, silently hoping he says yes. Unfortunately, he shakes his head, "I think you two need a break from each other for a while."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Klaus leads me to a double story house with a neat lawn and perfectly white walls. "Are you sure this is the right place?" I ask.

He waves a hand in the air, "trust me, I've been here before."

I follow cautiously behind.

"Hey," I pipe up again before we reach the front door, "are you okay?"

"Me?" He asks pointing to himself. I give an eye roll, "yes. You. That whole thing back in the alley..."

"Oh!" He nods, "never mind that. Our brother was just causing me some trouble. Wanting things that DON'T BELONG TO HIM."

So, it was Ben.

Before I can question further, he knocks on the door. After a moment, a man who I presume is Allison's husband answers the door.

"Hey Ray," Klaus greets, "I know it's late, but-"

"Klaus, now is not a good time."

"Oh," Klaus pouts, "I'm sorry."

Behind Ray, Allison comes into view, and he immediately pipes up again. "Allison! Hey!"

He pushes past Ray, and I make my way behind him before Ray cuts me off. He looks me down for a moment, "I'm assuming you're Ivy?"

I nod and hold out my hand, "yes. Hi. Nice to meet you."

He eyes me for a moment clearly deciding if I'm to be trusted or not. After a moment, he holds out his hand and shakes it. "Nice to meet you too."