It had been a few hours since the incident. Dad had instructed Mum to treat me in the training room rather than move me to the medical room, as he knew this would draw attention from the others.

I could tell Dad was disappointed that I had failed and I knew this wasn't going to be the last time he would try.

Pogo did a sweep of the house to see where the others were, to make sure that no one would see me walking to my room. I was still a bit damp and cold, even with a towel around me.

Once I got the all-clear from Mum and Pogo, I made my way up to my room. I also hoped no one would see, I really wasn't in the mood to talk about what had happened, in fact, I just wanted to forget about it completely.

I think a warm shower might help me.

That idea seemed well thought out until I felt the warm spray of the water and started to freak out a little. My mind took me back to the training room and the feeling of not being able to breathe took over me.

I tightly closed my eyes, hoping I would get through whatever was happening.

You aren't in that room, you are just having a shower. You are just having a shower!

I tried to coach myself through it, forcing myself to open my eyes. I was relieved to see that I was indeed in the shower. It took a while for my breathing to get back to normal but I managed to coach myself through it.

After continuing with my shower, I got myself sorted and changed. Before leaving the bathroom, I took notice of my reflection. My eyes were quite red and my skin was pale.

Well, I mean, I did nearly die so I guess that makes sense.

For the rest of the day, I decided to stay in my room and sit in my chair next to the window, I wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone still, which was a bit upsetting as it was all of our birthdays, it would have been nice to have some fun with the others.

I recalled the conversation from last night, I couldn't help but laugh at what Diego had said. He was right, Dad was going to push us... some more than others.

A soft tap came from my door, snapping me back into my dull reality.

Hmm, I wonder who that could be.

"Hello?" I called out, hoping it was anyone other than Five. I was still furious with him from earlier.

"Hey, it's Klaus, can I come in?" Klaus spoke softly, as if not wanting anyone to know we were talking.

I was relieved that it was him at my door, I knew what he probably wanted to talk about and part of me wasn't really ready, but it wasn't just my feelings I had to consider here.

I adjusted myself in my seat before speaking.

"Hey, come in," I spoke in a quiet tone. With that, he opened the door and gave me a soft smile. I gestured for him to sit down next to me.

For a moment we just sat in silence, taking in the moment.

"So... I just wanted to talk about earlier. What happened?" Klaus kept looking at his hands, I could tell he was nervous.

I sighed.

"I'm not supposed to say anything..." I spoke softly, remembering Dad's words of not telling the others about my training.

Klaus turned to look at me, a slightly annoyed look on his face.

"Charlotte, come on. It's me..."

He was right, I knew that if I could trust anyone, it was Klaus. I decided to tell him everything, what Dad had said to me, the way I felt, the way I tried not to die and then seeing him. I decided to leave out the shower part, thinking it wasn't important and I still needed to recover from it.

Klaus gave me a sympathetic look, he reached to touch my shoulder.

"You know, when I saw you, I thought I was just hallucinating. But the longer I looked at you and felt your spirit I knew that you were... you were dead."

His words struck me a little, so it was true. I had beaten death.

"Now that I think about it, where were you? I didn't recognise the room you were in?"

Klaus froze in his seat as if I had noticed something I wasn't supposed to. He then chuckled a little.

"Ah, well... I guess it's my turn to share... I was in a crypt." I couldn't help but gasp a little at his confession.

"A crypt?" I repeated, making sure I heard him correctly.

"Yeah, when Dad made me stay after breakfast he... well... he told me basically the same as you, that my powers required more training compared to the others... he also made me promise not to tell anyone. He said he was disappointed that I don't use my powers and that my powers have unlimited potential so this training was needed. We drove to a cemetery and he put me in a crypt... he wanted me to get comfortable with seeing the dead and he wasn't going to let me out until... until I stopped crying... I had been in there for a few hours before I saw you."

Even though Klaus was still unloading everything I went to hold him in a hug, I felt like we both needed it.

"Another few hours passed before he let me out... I know it's not the last time I'm going to see those mouldy stone walls and I think you know it's not going to be the last time you see that training room."

Klaus and I broke away from the hug and stared at each other, we both knew this was the start of something and it wasn't going to get any easier. I tried to look on the bright side, at least we both would have each other.

"It may not be the time, especially after such a horrific day for us both, but at least we will have each other, to turn to and confide in." I grabbed his hand.

"We will not let this change us." I gave my best reassuring smile, hoping it would lighten the mood.

Thankfully, Klaus smiled back.

"Yeah Charlotte, we are in this together."

After Klaus and I talked a bit more, we both felt less alone in the situation that would now be our lives. It was going to be hard keeping it from the others but it was something we needed to keep to ourselves, Dad had a way of finding things out and for sure if Luther overheard this, he would definitely go straight to Dad.

7 pm rolled around and it was time for dinner, the bell to signal that we could enter the room sounded and we started to make our way into the dining room. As I stood behind my chair I could feel a pair of eyes looking at me, I slowly looked up to see Five staring at me, a questioning look on his face.

The anger I felt towards him hadn't gone away, I scowled at him which made him snap his head to the side to look towards Dad.

With how today went you wouldn't think it was our birthdays. There were no balloons, presents or even a mention of any kind of celebration. The day just continued like any other day, even after dinner we all decided to do our separate things.

It was about to turn 10 pm when that familiar ringing sound alerted us that it was mission time.

"Right children! Time to get ready, meet in the entrance hall in 5 minutes!" Dad's voice echoed through the speaker that ran through the house.

I rolled my eyes and started to get changed. We had an upgraded mission outfit now, instead of wearing our uniform we had a black leather jumpsuit that was fitted with a silver belt. I really wasn't in the mood for this mission, if anything I was exhausted, but I knew I couldn't say anything.

We were all getting faster at getting ready, it was our first time wearing the new outfits and as I looked around at the others I had to admit we all looked pretty cool.

"So children, there has been a break-in at the SpringTime Mall. There are said to be 10 armed men, so be careful and keep your eye out. Number 1, based on this information, divide the group in a way you see fit." Dad instructed before we headed out.

It took us about 15 minutes to arrive at the mall, we had all gathered around the entrance point, waiting for Luther to tell us his plan.

"Right, I think it's best if Me and Allison go together,"

Surprise, surprise.

"We will cover the middle point of the mall which is the food court. Diego, you go with Klaus and Ben and cover the right-hand side, that is a larger area to cover, so the more there are of you the better."

Oh for God sake.

"Lastly, Five and Charlotte, you cover the left-hand side. Right so let's get going."

Before any other words could be shared everyone dispersed, leaving Five and I alone. In all honesty, I still hadn't recovered from earlier but I knew I couldn't let that show.

"Right, I know you aren't happy to be paired with me and to be honest it works both ways, but come on I'll spatially jump us in." Five finally spoke up, extending his hand towards me.

I barely looked at him, I clenched my jaw as I took his hand and let the familiar blue light engulf me.

I didn't know whether it was a good thing or not that I was getting used to balancing myself after landing. I looked around, taking in my surroundings. Inside the mall, it was pitch black, the only coming from the moon, that was shining through the glass ceiling.

As Five and I moved through our part of the mall in silence, we started hearing movement. We noticed that one of the shop's shutters was up, we guessed the robbers must be in there. As much as I was annoyed at Five I knew on missions I had to put that aside.

"Split up?" I asked in a whispered voice. Five nodded his head in agreement. We moved slowly in the opposite directions as we entered the store. I hid behind a mannequin, waiting to hear more movement. I started to pick up on whispered hushes and I knew the robbers were near.

I made my way further into the store and that's when I saw 2 of our targets, stuffing items into their bags. Before I had a chance to think of a plan I was yanked back hard by my collar, my back had hit the wall which sent a shooting pain throughout my whole back.

Great, now I'm going to have a big bruise on my back. That's not going to be annoying.

The commotion startled the other robbers which caused them to panic and head towards the exit.

Luckily Five was there to sort them out, I on the other hand had my own target to deal with. I picked myself up and glared at the robber, but I couldn't help feeling that he had the upper hand. The robber was about 6 ft 4 and was very muscular, it was going to take up a lot of my energy to beat him.

The robber chuckled as he noticed me preparing myself.

"Aw, look at this, you really think you have a chance at beating me?" He cracked his knuckles, getting ready for our fight.

"Looks can be deceiving," I replied, a smirk on my face.

We charged towards each other, his fist aiming for my face, I managed to slide under his arm which only made the robber angrier. I focused on my powers and a lilac light emerged from my hands, I started to levitate, just a few inches off the ground, this was enough to scare the large robber.

"What in the-" Before the robber could finish his sentence I blasted him with air, which knocked him into the wall I had been pushed into earlier. I noticed the fear in the man's eyes as I walked up to him, before he had a chance to say another word I manoeuvred my hand so that I was restricting his airflow.

I felt a strange sense of power rush over me, it was something dark that I couldn't quite figure out.

Before deciding what I should do next someone grabbed my hair and again I was yanked back. I yelped in pain as I looked to see another robber coming to help his friend. This distraction made it so that I was no longer suffocating the first robber.

I struggled under his grip, as he held me back, I was on my knees, noticing the other robber had regained his energy and made his way towards me, I knew he wanted revenge. As much as I tried to get out of this situation my lack of energy meant my powers were useless. I prepared for impact and winced as the robber hit me in the gut, he continued to hit me a few times before pulling out a gun.

Both the robbers sniggered as they looked down at me.

"Better luck next time... oh wait," he clicked his gun into place, "there won't be a next time." I closed my eyes waiting for the gun to go off but nothing happened.

Upon opening my eyes, I noticed that both the robbers were now on the floor knocked out and a smug Five had his foot placed on the main robber's chest.

I slowly got up from my knees and brushed myself off. As soon as I regained my composure, I felt two hands placed on my shoulder.

"Why on earth did you not shout for help?" Even with his mask on I could tell the look he was giving me.

"You could have been killed, you idiot!" Even though his words were harsh, there was a sense of worry in his voice.

I brushed his hands off me.

"Yeah, okay, point proven. Thanks for saving me." I spoke as I turned to the robbers, tying up their hands. Both Five and I moved them towards the exit, where I could see the other 2 robbers Five had sorted out from before.

"Do you mind just keeping that compilation between us?" I asked quietly, slightly embarrassed about the situation. He took a small pause before answering, clearly thinking the situation over.

"Okay, but just don't do something like that again. You need to call for backup when you need it." I nodded, grateful that I didn't need to ask any further.

It wasn't long after that we all regrouped, I made sure to not draw too much attention to myself, my back and stomach were still hurting and I didn't want anyone to worry about me.

Once the police arrived we handed the robbers over and gave them any information we could. The press caught wind of what we had accomplished, so naturally, as we were leaving, reporters were trying to get photos. We posed for a few and then headed home.

Five kept his promise and didn't tell Dad about our little incident, which I appreciated. It was only when I closed my bedroom door did I realise how awful of a birthday it had been. I couldn't help but notice the bruises that were already starting to form on my stomach, which made me worry about how my back would look.

As soon as my head hit my pillow I was out like a light, hoping for a better next few days.

Five Fact 1: Five actually noticed Charlotte leaving the training room but decided not to say anything. This was also the reason why he decided not to say anything to Reginald about the incident on the mission.

Five Fact 2: When Five saw Charlotte with a gun pointed at her head he was genuinely worried.

A/N: Hey Guys! Another chapter done! I'm really enjoying writing the fighting scenes and seeing the dynamic between Five and Charlotte change! I've been so busy recently with work so writing has really helped me relax. I hope that you all are enjoying the book so far. I'm hoping to release a few more chapters over the weekend so be prepared!

QOTD: Who's friendship dynamic do you prefer so far?

I can't help but like Charlotte's and Klaus', I know I'm the author so I am biased! A close second is Charlotte and Five of course 🙄😏

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