"sometimes surviving is the worst kind of pain"

★・・・★・・・★

Police quickly swarmed the interior of the store. Five and I managed to find an exit at the back. I leaned on him for support as he carried me back to his house, our hearts still racing.

Before leaving, Five had found a belt in the store, and tied it tightly above my wound. Although the pressure did slow the bleeding a little bit, I was still losing a lot of blood. My eyes started to drift shut and I stumbled, almost falling off of Five.

"Lexa!" He pulled me back up. "We're almost there, don't worry." His voice trembled slightly.

I tried to hold onto him, but I could feel my consciousness slipping away.

He grunted and dragged me along. He noticed I was falling behind and encouraged me, "You just gotta hang on a little bit longer, okay?"

"Okay."

Eventually, Five and I made it back to the mansion. My vision was blurry and the world seemed to spin a little faster. Five carried me through the foyer of the mansion and looked around for help.

I heard an unfamiliar voice. "Five? What the hell happened- holy shit!"

Another person spoke, "Are you okay? Can we help?"

"Find Grace and Pogo." Five ordered.

★・・・★・・・★

I fell in and out of conscious as I laid down on a metal table. There were numerous voices that sounded around me, but I was too delirious to figure out who was speaking.

"Five what happened?"

"We were attacked."

"By who?"

"Will Alexa be okay?"

"She's going to need surgery."

"You can't just drag random people into this mess!"

"She's not random. She's like us!"

"I think it would be best if you all left the room."

"I'll be here when you wake up."

★・・・★・・・★

"Where are you taking me?" My voice quivered.

I tried to break free from the restraints that were buckled around me tightly, but they wouldn't budge. The doctor, who had taken me from my room, rolled the stretcher I was laying on down a long hallway. Numerous ceiling lights flashed before my eyes as I wondered where he was taking me. Every once in awhile I would hear the screams and cries of other subjects echoing from different cells.

The doctor took me into a red surgery room, where other doctors were waiting.

"A9 is ready for the procedure."

One of the doctors injected some type of liquid into my arm. Instantly, my eyes fluttered shut and I was unconscious.

When I woke up, I felt pain all throughout my body, along with a massive headache. I sat up slowly from the bed I was laying on. I was in a square room, which was colored completely white. The only pieces of furniture in the room were the bed and a side table.

Something was off. I felt.. strange. My body felt unfamiliar. I lifted my hands in front of my eyes to examine them, but they seemed normal.

Ignoring the odd feeling, I glanced at the table and noticed there was a glass of water. I reached for the cup, and gasped when my whole hand went through it. I pulled my hand back and held it firmly. I looked at the water and attempted to grab it again. Fear took over as my hand went through cup again. I held my hand in disbelief and shock.

Part the white wall slowly opened, revealing the same doctor who had taken me before.

A wicked smile spread across his face as he spoke, "Subject A7 is a success. She is ready for training."

★・・・★・・・★

My eyes drifted open lazily. I rolled my head over to my right, and found a small tray of chocolate chip cookies. I sat up carefully and was surprised that there wasn't any pain. I was mostly just sore.

I grabbed a cookie and took a bite out of it. Mm, still warm.

"Oh good! You're awake." A beautiful, blonde woman smiled warmly from the doorway. "I'm Grace, and you're Alexa, yes?"

I nodded unsurely, "Yes.. how do you know my name?"

"Oh, forgive me! Five told us your name when you two arrived." Her bright red lips formed another grin.

"Where is Five?"

"I believe he is in his bedroom, I'll go fetch him for you." She replied happily.

After a few minutes, Five entered the room. He grinned softly.

"I'm glad you're okay."

I tucked a strand of blonde hair behind my ear. "How long was I unconscious?"

Five thought, "You've been in and out for a day."

He appeared to be in a bit of a rush. "Are you going somewhere?" I questioned.

"I am going back to the hospital," he said.

I nodded and pulled myself up and out of the bed. Five teleported to my side and pushed me back down slightly. "Hey, wait, you need rest. You shouldn't come."

"I'm fine," I assured him.

He gave me a questioning look. Placing my legs on the ground, I stood up straight.

"See?" He watched me silently and returned the grin. Butterflies fluttered around my stomach.

Five and I walked to his bedroom. He opened the window and climbed out onto a latter. I limped over and followed him.

As we were climbing down the rusty latter, Klaus's voice sounded through the dirty alley.

"Damn it, where's dad's stuff?" He a trash bag against the concrete angrily. "Shut up! I'm trying to find whatever priceless crap was in that priceless box, so that Pogo will get off my ass!" He shouted and threw another bag.

"I'd ask what you're up to, Klaus, but then it occurred to me.. I don't care." Five stated.

Klaus was inside of a garage bin, smoking a cigarette. He looked up from the trash. "Alexa! You're okay!" He laughed. "Thank god you didn't die! You and Ben would've gotten along though. Right Ben?" He looked up as if he was talking to someone and then laughed.

I nudged Five, "Who's Ben?"

"I'll tell you later," he answered. We started walking away, but Klaus called for us.

"Hey, hey, hey, so," he leaned out of the trash can, "you need any more company today?" He winked and pointed to himself. "I could clear my schedule." Klaus took a gulp out of a silver flash.

Five smirked. "Looks like you got your hands full." He gestured towards the flask.

Klaus glanced at it. "Oh this? No, no. I can do this whenever!" He dove into the trash, digging around for something. "I just misplaced something, that's all."

He emerged from the filth with half a glazed doughnut. "Oh! Found it, thank god." He signed and took a bite.

I scrunched my face.

"Delicious! Wanna try some Alexa?" He leaned over and offered the dirty doughnut to me.

I caught a whiff of the trash and backed away. "I think I'll pass. Thanks though." I almost gagged at the smell.

"I'm done funding your drug habit," Five announced. He grabbed my hand and started walking away. I waved at Klaus and followed.

"Come on! You don't— Maybe I just wanna hangout with my brother, not you, and his friend!" He shouted. "Mi hermano! I love you! Even if you can't love yourself!"

Klaus continued to ramble on as Five and I stole some random plumbing truck. He started the engine and we drove off.