𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑
—𝚛𝚞𝚗 𝚋𝚘𝚢 𝚛𝚞𝚗, 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎—

𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 of her day didn't go as well as she had planned, Mariana was joyed to have spent it with a kind boy and his psychotic brother. The Carson girl was surprised to find that the glass eye Number Five was so infatuated with hadn't been bought, nor manufactured yet, but shrugged it off at the same time — odd things had been happening often in her life lately, and this one just added onto the list. The raven-haired girl simply led Five and Klaus Hargreeves out of the prosthetics building, encouraging them to go get the ice cream that the eldest brother was so enthusiastic about. And while the two of them thought it over, Mariana was stuck in an ultimatum of her own; she could call her father and ask for him to pick her up, or she could find Spencer and spend the night at his home. The latter would surely mean that she had to interrogate the boy on his whereabouts for the day, while also admitting that she had saw him with another . . . or Mariana could say goodbye, and pack up her things that permanently reside in his bedroom. While both options weigh on her shoulders, she slouches as she walks and nervously tugs at her jacket.

"Is there something wrong?" Five notices her change in posture quickly, stopping to look at the shorter girl.

"I have to go home soon," she replies with a small sigh. A frown furrows onto the boy's lips as he realizes that she was right. This single day couldn't last forever — everything had begun to seem like an adventure instead of his absolute responsibility. It would have to come to an end eventually, and then what would he do? Pretend like he didn't know Mariana anymore?

Number Five had already included her in things she didn't need to know, and it would be risky to continue on with her by his side. Yet he so badly aches to have her stay with him forever; even if forever was only a few days longer.

"Oh," Number Five's face falls, before he quickly recollects himself. "You couldn't stay out a little longer?"

"Don't bother," Klaus groans, running his hands down his face as he stumbles to get to them. "She needs to go home sometime, Five. Besides, I know you're looking for company, and why else would I be here?"

"You're not here to be my company," the boy glares in response, turning to look at his brother. "You're here for the twenty bucks I offered earlier, which you certainly aren't getting. You're useless."

"Now that's just disrespectful," Klaus scolds, pointing his finger in accusal. "Don't lie about the whole 'I'm not lonely' thing, because we all know it had to get tough living by yourself for forty years. You're only acting so bitchy because—"

"I wasn't alone." The boy's eyes are no longer focused on Klaus as his voice grows soft, and his eyes find the pavement below their feet. Mariana is confused by his sudden change in emotion, just before her heart plummets. "Her name . . . her name was Delores."

It was an odd feeling; that of a mixture of both jealousy and understanding in a flashing second. Mariana didn't want to show that she was upset by his words, but at the same time it was impossibly hard to not express her heart's discontent. Of course Five had someone to get him through the harsh nights of the apocalyptic era. How else would he have made it?

"We were together for over thirty years," Five continues, admiration dripping from his lips like warm honey.

"Thirty years?" Klaus asks, chuckling a bit. "Oh, wow! God, the longest I've been with someone was . . . I don't know, three weeks? And that's only because I was so tired of looking for a place to sleep."

Number Five faces Mariana as Klaus continues on with his rambling, pulling her gloved hands into his. "I'm going to get us out of here," he gives her a smile.

"What about Klaus?" Her eyebrows are furrowed as she glances over to the man.

" . . . only because he made the most fantastic osso buco, though. It was great, you guys would've loved it—"

"He'll be fine," Five shrugs.

It was a terrifying experience to disappear from one spot, and suddenly reappear in another; and Mariana honestly felt as though she needed to throw up. Because all too quickly, she and the Hargreeves boy were in the back of a taxi with their fingers still intertwined. With wide eyes, she stares at him — his abilities were incredible.

"Don't stop," he tells the alerted driver, "just keep going." Five leans back into the leather seat of the vehicle, not minding the comforting feeling of Mariana being so close to him. He unconsciously runs circles on the back of her gloved hand as he begins speaking again. "I know it would be a long shot to see if you could spend the night at the Academy, but I'm willing to try my luck."

The girl is taken aback by what he was saying, but doesn't hesitate to respond. "I'm not sure if that's the best idea for me."

"Why not?" He asks, his lips parting in confusion. "It's okay if you don't want to, I completely understand."

"My parents wouldn't be too content if I stayed the night with someone who isn't Spencer," she answers honestly, hating that she ever had to admit it. Her endless wishes of being normal would never be true, so why try to fake it?

"I'm sorry," the boy frowns, his chocolate eyes glowing from the sunlight outside. "I forgot about that. Maybe we could meet up again tomorrow, at the same place."

"Or I could tell my father I'm staying with Spencer tonight." Mariana doesn't realize that her lips have betrayed her thoughts until Five is alight with excitement. She had slipped up, and had only made her situation worse by doing so. What would her parents think of all of the lying she had been doing lately? She was already ashamed of herself for the men she had murdered, so why did she just keep adding onto the ever-growing pile of stress that was lying upon her shoulders?

The answer was simple; she loved the constant rush she felt while she was with the famous Academy boy. He brought new cards to her boring deck, and played hands that she had never known before. It was a thrilling emotion to be so caught up in someone and the way they could make your heart beat so much faster than it normally would. And maybe that was infatuation, but it was so different than the way her fingertips tingled as she placed her hands in the river by her home.

"You would do that?" Number Five asks incredulously, suddenly aware of their touching hands.

"I . . . " she hesitates, biting her bottom lip for a short moment, before nodding her head. "Yes, I would. I can call my father later and tell him."

"Well, in that case," he grins, leaning forward as he prepares to tell the driver their destination, "I have something I want to show you."

She smiles, even though she's positive that soon enough, her insides would begin to burn alive. And as Five begins speaking to the driver, she tunes out completely — her mind was growing too heavy too fast.

"This won't take long, I promise," the boy assures her, giving her a heart-stopping smile. "And afterwards, maybe we could go eat again — or something along those lines, if you're up for it."

She wanted to tell him that she didn't care what they did, or where they went. As long as they were together, taking on the world one mere second at a time, nothing else could stand in their way. But she knew it was too soon to tell the Hargreeves boy of the bond she felt they were beginning to share. Mariana was walking a lone street when thinking that this — the shit that Five despises, but doesn't want to live without — could ever become anything more than what it already is. Twenty-four measly hours should mean nothing to her. Instead, they were bringing meaning to her dull life, and changing her like nothing else could.

"Of course," she says, unsure if he could hear the uncertainty that lies deep within her voice.

Although their skin wasn't touching, Five could feel the soft heat that radiates from her body. Without hesitation, his lips move on their own accord, uttering the words that he wouldn't dare say if he had thought about it for a little longer. "I like the way I feel when I'm with you."

His eyes find hers as he gages her reaction, prepared for her to laugh, or even turn away without so much as a second glance. But she didn't do either of those things, although that's what he expected — Mariana's cheeks flush a pastel pink as the corners of her lips twinge upwards. "And what is it that you feel, exactly?"

"I feel . . . " Five falters, not knowing the correct way to phrase his heart's content, "like me. Like everything before now was just a show, and I'm finally finding my way to who I really am. Is that crazy?"

She wanted to tell him that she felt the same way — in fact, he had spoken the things that she, too, felt when they were together. It wasn't crazy at all, nor did she regret admitting it to herself. Mariana was beginning to learn new things about her boundaries, which had only been brought upon by the Hargreeves boy beside her. And not only that, but she was seeing new things in a different perspective, and shining a light on her biggest fears and wishes. Right now she wanted nothing more than for this moment to last a lifetime; she understood that once the taxi stopped at their destination, she would no longer have his touch, nor his full attention. And soon enough, her visit with Five would be over.

When the next morning arrives, she will have no other choice than to go home to her same life — the one that had become a bore lately, and made her want more than what she had. Perhaps Mariana was becoming ungrateful, or maybe it was just her way of getting used to her brief state of freedom . . . but either way, she was beginning to come to terms with what she would have to do. The Carson girl needed to tell her parents the truth. In the morning, she needs to find the courage to admit what she had done at her favorite bakery, and confess to Spencer about her trip to the mall.

"I feel the same way," her voice comes out as a whisper, and suddenly her gaze falls on the scenery outside of the window. "But I also feel like I'm straying from the person I was always meant to be. It's something that I don't fully understand yet, but I still feel as though I'm doing something wrong."

"You haven't done anything wrong, Mariana," Five assures her.

"I killed people. You and I both know that it came easily to me — like an instinct. What if I should be far away, locked up somewhere?" Her heart gets a little lighter, a weight falling from her chest as she tells him what's on her mind. "I'm dangerous, and my parents were protecting me from that. Now that I'm going behind their backs . . . do you think I'm capable of destruction?"

The boy doesn't miss a beat before replying. "Yes, Mariana. You are capable of destruction; loads of it, if I'm being honest. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll bring it upon anyone or anything."

Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes. "Why don't you think I'm a monster, Five Hargreeves?"

He is now aware of the quiver in her bottom lip, and the tears that line her honey eyes. The boy's heart drops out of his chest for the second time today — a beautiful soul such as Mariana Carson doesn't deserve to be so broken. She shouldn't have to worry about things such as this, nor should she have to hide away in her home because she fears what she is capable of. The button-nosed girl deserves so much more than what she has.

And he'll be damned if he doesn't give her the world to make up for it.

"You are the most pure and loving person I've ever met in all my years of living. No one has even come close to you," his arms are around her now, pulling her small frame into his chest. "Don't you dare say that you're a monster, Mariana. You're an angel, if anything."

Her tears don't fall — he was there to hold her together.

"Thank you," she murmurs into his shirt, relaxing in her spot.

And all too soon, the car stopped moving, forcing the two teenagers to let go of one another.

Mariana furrows her eyebrows at Five after exiting the car, slightly confused as she stares at the empty parking lot ahead of her, and at the sign on the building in front of her that reads 'Gimbel Brothers'. While the boy pays the taxi driver, she begins to wonder why Five wanted to come here, especially so late in the day. By now, the sun had set, and the sky was beginning to turn gray; small droplets of rain speckle Five's blazer, which still resides on Mariana's stiff shoulders, and thunder crackles in the distance. Shivering from the cool water that hits her cheeks, the girl looks over to her friend with concern. "Why are we at a clothing store?"

"Because you need to meet someone here," he explains, holding out his hand while squinting his eyes to see her past the foggy rainfall, "someone important. To me, at least."

Her gloved hand falls into his upon instinct, and she frowns, "We should probably get inside, I don't think I should be around this much water when we're in public. There's no telling how easily I could slip up, especially in this weather."

He simply nods in understanding, before the two of them are suddenly inside — Mariana gasps, clutching her chest and dropping Five's hand. "You nearly scares the life out of me."

"Sorry," he chuckles. "I'm not used to having someone with me."

The extensive shop is larger than what she expected, and is vast when it comes to clothing collections. Rows upon rows of racks are filled with vibrant colored tops, and Mariana isn't sure if she's ever been as interested as now. "I've never really been in a clothing store before," she admits quietly.

"Come here for a second," he grins, gesturing to the back of the store.

Giving in, and overlooking the fact that they were breaking into a store, Mariana reluctantly follows him to a display of three mannequins. Standing in complete awe, the Hargreeves boy snatches a flashlight from a shelf behind them, flipping it on before shining the light on the most centered model. He sighs, a soft smile falling onto his peach lips.

He never looked at Mariana that way, did he?

The raven-haired girl didn't think so, at least. Here he was, staring at the pale complexion of a mannequin as if it were crafted perfectly, specifically for him.

"Delores," he mutters, wanting to reach out and touch the mannequin's rose colored hair to see if she was just a figment of his imagination.

So this was the girl he had been in love with during the apocalyptic days? Forty years of his life was spent next to the plaster figure, and this was who Mariana had feared to meet. The girl who had managed to capture Five's heart wasn't a girl at all.

She was fake.

And there was no way Mariana could compete with an imaginary character that he had made up, and crafted from his deepest thoughts of angelicality.

"It's good to see you," Five begins, his chocolate eyes practically gleaming as he stares at the mannequin. "I've missed you, obviously. And I . . . it's been a rough couple of days."

Mariana bites the inside of her cheek, her attention falling to the dark floor as she wraps her arms around herself. A rough couple of days, he had said. But what about their time together? Had it not meant anything to him? Did she not mean anything to him?

The Carson girl couldn't comprehend the next few seconds as quickly as she'd have wished, otherwise she would've dragged Five away, and hidden behind a rack of clothing. Instead, she was caught in a moment where Five simultaneously yells "no!" while two masked figures reveal themselves from the shadows and began to shoot at the unsuspecting teenagers. With her heart pounding in her chest, Mariana throws herself to the floor, barely dodging the bullets that were coming her way.

How had it happened so quickly? One second she had been staring at the most interesting boy she's ever met, and now she was cowering on the other side of a shelf full of home decorations. Covering her mouth with her hand and squeezing her eyes shut, Mariana tries to calm her aching chest by breathing deeply. It didn't work, of course, considering the blistering sounds of gunfire that never seemed to cease. Where was Five? Was he safe? How did she always seem to get into situations like this? During her two times in the public eye, she was almost killed both times. Is this what things would be like for her if she were to go out by herself more often?

She was no longer terrified — now the girl was rising to her feet, hurriedly glancing at her surroundings to find Five. Perhaps if she could just be near him, she wouldn't have the urge that now begins to tighten the muscles in her hands. No, Mariana Carson wasn't scared of the terrorists that were trying to kill her. She was scared of herself; of what she was going to do if she didn't get out of the building soon. The adolescent grits her teeth as her forearms tingle, sending shockwaves through her body and giving her the overwhelming sensation of power. Mariana, still in search of her friend, self-consciously tugs at her gloves, before realizing that she had been close to pulling them off.

This situation wasn't good for her; she was moving too quickly along a path of ruin that would indefinitely hurt someone. How would she be able to control it? Eventually, without the right advice, she would fall into a hole too deep to climb out of. She would be the monster she always feared she would become. Because as much as she hated to admit it, the power coursing through her veins felt good. It felt as though she was meant to demolish everything and everyone that seemed like a threat to her. She wanted to wreak havoc upon the two people that dared to try and harm her . . . to harm the boy that she was so utterly infatuated with.

Or was it something else? Something more than infatuation. The truth was that she wasn't truly sure of how she felt for him. Maybe it was just the thought of being with him that made her cheeks heat up and her pulse race. Or maybe there was something inside of her that she didn't want to admit just yet.

"Oh, shit, it's them," Five's voice groans as he rushes over to Mariana. Grasping the girl's waist, he pulls her to the floor before looking over her features with concern. "Are you hurt?"

"No," she shakes her head quickly. "Thank God you're here, I was scared that you—"

"Never-mind me," the boy cuts her off, his tone low. "I'm fine."

His free arm is wrapped around the torso of his dear Delores, clutching her as if his life truly depended on it. Mariana doesn't focus on it for too long, though — as she has more important questions to ask. "Five, who are those people?"

"There's no time to talk," he shakes his head, laying the mannequin on the linoleum floor gently, before looking to Mariana. "I'll be right back for you . . . both of you."

And then he was gone, leaving Mariana with dread instilled in her bones. Or was that power? Now that she's alone and Five's touch is no longer holding her back, she can't help but want for the very thing she had done the night before; to murder those that had done her wrong.

Without any second thought, as the masked assassins begin to shoot again, Mariana stands from her position on the floor. Slowly and carefully, she steps into the clearing of the store, making sure the attackers clearly see her from the short distance. In confusion, they halt in their places, while still keeping their weapons aimed at the girl. Her eyes are no longer the shade of warm honey that Five Hargreeves liked to get lost in — instead, they're a frosted blue that glow in the darkened light. The only sound that echoes down the aisle is the short tap of Mariana unbuckling the clasps on her leather gloves, and dropping them effortlessly. From the sidelines, watching with hesitance, Five refrains from running to the girl and pushing her behind him.

He would act quickly if her plan didn't go as she wanted, and would knock out Hazel and Cha-Cha before they could blink twice. And if she got hurt . . . he was unsure of what he would do with himself. Mariana meant more to him than life; because without her, he was positive that his would have no meaning. She brought light to his age of darkness, and made him feel things that Delores never could. Perhaps that's what scared him the most — that the person he thought he would spend his life with wasn't really what he wanted.

He loved someone else.

And here he was, watching that very girl as the rain from outside dribbles underneath the entrance doors, and steadily streams towards her fingertips. How had this made him realize that she was the one he wanted? Deep down he knew that Mariana would regret this as soon as she was conscious again — and maybe the fact that he knew her that well was enough to trigger new understandings in his mind.

So as the Carson girl raises her hands to take the lives of his enemies, Five runs to her side, grasping her hands and transporting them before Hazel and Cha-Cha began shooting again. When finding himself back in the Academy, Five stares down into Mariana's eyes, watching as they slowly fade back to their usual beautiful color. With his palms placed on her cheeks and their faces mere inches apart, he could tell that his previous thoughts were true . . . he did know what love was, but only because he had met her.

"You stopped me," Mariana breathes, her hands flat on his chest as her lips part in concentration. "I don't . . . I don't know what happened — one moment I was with Delores, and the next I was throwing off my gloves."

"You need a teacher," he replies steadily, his voice light and his face growing soft. "And I'm sure Klaus, although he's pretty indecent at times, can help you out with that. I'll be there every step of the way if you'll allow me to be."

"You'd do that for me?" The girl breathes, now aware of the painful distance between their lips.

She had never been this close to a boy before; so close that she could feel his minty breath fanning her cheeks. But Mariana wanted so badly to lean in just a little closer, and place her lips on his — just to feel the connection between them and to tell if what she had been feeling was real.

"I'd do anything for you, Mariana."

And then he was sure.

He was sure that if he were forced to choose between Delores — the person who had helped him through his lifetime of loneliness — and Mariana . . . he would choose Mariana every time.

Just like he had back in the store; where Delores still lies on the floor, stranded by the boy who had fallen for another.

❝ i initially didn't want to write
a part 3, but i feel like this is a really
good place to end off because there's a
lot more character development. how
are you guys liking the book so far? i
put a crap ton of effort into every chapter,
which is why it takes so long for me to
update every time :) let me know what
you all think of five and mariana! ❞