Gnosis

CHAPTER 2: THE FRANKEL FOOTAGE II

Word Count:  2293

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The room simmered in silence as Elliot, who is bound tightly to his chair, slumped with a resigned expression. Much to (Y/n)'s clear frustration, Five and Diego had deemed it necessary to tie him up "for security," despite her protests. She'd made her disapproval known, but after a terse debate, she reluctantly let it go, standing nearby with arms crossed.

They all gathered in the dim living room, light from the projector casting an eerie glow across their faces. The old footage began to roll, flickering and shaky, showing a man and woman—likely in their sixties—leaning into each other as they spoke, their voices barely audible over the crackling sound of the film.

Lila sat cross-legged at Elliot's feet, a bottle of nail polish in hand as she brushed some colors to his toes. "They're so cute," she cooed as the two people in the footage kept talking over each other. "I love old couples. I'm always so proud of them for not murdering each other."

(Y/n) sighed, glancing at Elliot, who struggled against the ropes binding him. "Do you really have to tie him up?" she asked Five, who stood next to the projector, his eyes glued to the screen.

"It's just a precaution," he replied, barely giving her a glance.

Meanwhile, Diego had perched himself on the kitchen counter, knees drawn up and one arm draped over them. "Why are we even watching this?" he asked.

Five shushed them, too engrossed in the flickering images.

"We are in Dallas, Texas, to see the president. Today's date is November twenty-second, nineteen sixty-three," the voice in the footage declared.

Silence filled the room as the statement sunk in. Even Lila stopped painting Elliot's nails.

"Well... that's six days from now," she said, arching an eyebrow at the group.

(Y/n) turned her gaze to Five, realization dawning on her. "Wait—you weren't kidding about being from the future?"

"Oh, holy shit," Diego muttered as he shifted forward, his arms resting on his knees as he squinted at the screen. "The grassy knoll... Kennedy's about to be shot. How the hell do you have this footage?" His eyes darted from the screen to Five, a mix of wonder and confusion on his face. By now, everyone's attention was on Five.

"Hazel died to get me this footage. It must be the key to stopping doomsday," Five explained, his tone somber, eyes never leaving the screen.

Diego paused, confusion etching his features. "Hazel?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

"Long story," Five replied curtly.

"What's doomsday?" Lila asked, intrigued.

"Longer story," Five said, his tone clipped as he remained focused on the footage.

"What exactly did he say to you?" Diego pressed, growing impatient.

"Well, he was killed before he could explain. But whatever Hazel wanted us to see, it's on this film." Five explained.

The room once again settled in silence. The only sounds breaking the quiet were the soft whir of the projector and the occasional creak of Elliot shifting in his chair. As the president was shot, everyone in the room collectively held their breath and froze as their eyes glued to the screen.

"Oh, no." Five exhaled, quickly rewinding the clip a few seconds. "This can't be."

"What is it?" (Y/n) asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion as she looked at the screen. "What are we looking at?"