Number Eight // Five Hargreeves

XV

Tessa's POV

I pry my eyes open, expecting to be met with the bright interior design of Allison's vintage living room.  But to my surprise, I'm back at the academy.  Right under the chandelier that illuminates the entryway to this haunted building.

"Five?"  I call out, my voice echoing off the high ceilings and marble floors.  I don't think it's ever been this quiet here. 

"Five?  Klaus?  Ben?"  I call out once more, this time more frantically.

"Hey Tessa, I'm right here."  The soft voice flowing with familiarity causes me to turn around.

"Ben?  Where- How are we here?"  I ask.  A solem look falls upon his features.

"Oh my god am I...?"  I continue as I look at him, fearing what the answer is.

"I don't think so.  Not yet atleast.  I can still hear your heart beating,"  he reassures.  I look around the building, trying to figure out why I'm here.

"Number Eight!  Number Six!"  A voice bellows out from the main dining room causing Ben and I both to jump back.  That voice still resonates deep within us, still instilling the same fear and blind obidience we had for all those years.  I look at Ben as he offers me his hand.  I take it, and we begin walking towards the familiar voice together.

"Unacceptable.  You're late."  Reginald says from the head of the dining table as soon as we step into the room.  A strange wave of nostalgia washes over me as I enter this room.  Every night for 16 years I would sit at that table.  Just Reginald, Grace and I, never talking, just enjoying our meals silently.  Ben and I take a seat on his right hand side as Grace serves us a plate.  

"I would have thought someone who can commune with the dead would have come sooner to see me, but alas my expectations are yet again decieved,"  He says as he takes a bite of the wild rice and carrots that has been cooked for dinner.

"Dead?  No, you were alive only days ago!  I saw you!"  I shout, the previous statement taking me by surprise.

"Ah yes, well...one can never be too careful in these times.  Life and death is but a mere factor within human nature.  It could be gone at a simple flick of the wrist,"  he says, his neutral tone unwavering.  Is he really saying what I think he's saying?

"Are you... ?" I ask, slightly hoping that he has passed on out of this world.

"Just barely.  I needed to speak with you two.  After the course of our discussion the other night, slowing down my heart rate to a pace that's right next to death seemed like the only reasonable way to get the two of you alone without prying eyes,"  He says calmly as though he does this everyday.  He always does go the extra mile.  But he's not lying.  I can hear his heart beating faintly and not so often, but beating. 

"Now I must speak quickly.  What I must tell you two is of the upmost importance.  I assume you've figured out the true meaning behind that dinner the previous night?"  He asks.  I nod my head, Ben still sitting there confused.

"You always were a quick one Number Eight.  But the two of you must work together.  Only then can you defeat the apocalypse.  Try to do it by yourself and you will fail and die so do not take what I am saying lightly.  Your powers go hand in hand.  Seperate they are strong, but once they merge into one, you unleash a new level of power.  That is the only way to stop this once and for all." He explains, not indicating how he knows.  As much as I hate him for what he did to me and to my family, this is bigger than I am.  It's bigger than all of us.  And I know he's right and the only way to win is to listen to him.

"Go!  Quickly!  And tell the others!"  He says as he begins to dissolve into thin air.  I look down at my hands and see that Ben and I are dissapearing in the same way.  Suddenly I am plunged with darkness once more.