CHAPTER FIFTEEN: SECONDS

Lotus didn't remember falling asleep, but she woke up in the spare bedroom under a mountain of blankets. She groaned throwing them all off, and dragging herself out of bed. Her shoes sat by the doorway and she jammed her foot in each one before finding herself back in the living room. Elliott's body was still in the chair, the green sheet concealing most of him.

"Try to ignore it." Diego's voice floated over to her, she sent him a glare from where he stood by the archway.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'll try to ignore the dead body of the guy who's house we're staying in." She grumbled, "My bad."

He walked to the railing and leaned over, "Oga Foroga. Is that a name?"

Lotus sighed, "I'm getting food."

She walked to the kitchen and swung open the fridge door, staring inside aimlessly. She reached for the milk as she heard Luther dial a phone number. Their voices muffled together as moved and tried reaching for the cereal on top of the fridge. After a few failed jumps, she huffed in defeat.

"Hey! It's Öga För Öga, idiots." Five's voice floated over. Lotus dashed out of the kitchen, stopping as her eyes landed on Five. He was covered in blood as he shedded his blazer. "Swedish as in an eye for an eye. It means the Swedes killed Elliott."

Lotus rushed over and grabbed the collar of his shirt, stained with blood. "What the hell happened?"

He shrugged, moving past them towards the bathroom. She followed closely, watching as he pulled off his vest and tie.

"Five, what did you do?" Luther questioned.

In response, Five slammed the door shut. Lotus leaned against the wall as he dug under the sink and pulled out a stack of cloths, running them under water and scrubbing at his clothes.

"Hey." She stepped over and grabbed his hand, staring at his blood stained face. "What happened?"

"The Handler offered me a deal."

"I thought she was dead."

He shook his head, "Nope."

"How many people did you kill?" She questioned, grabbing another cloth and soaking it it, she gently started cleaning off his cheek. "How bad?"

"An entire room of people. Including a fish. Well, I saved the fish and gave it to her."

Lotus frowned, "Are you alright?"

"I did what needed to be done." He nodded, "I found us a way home."

She paused, "You what?"

He stopped scrubbing and leaned against the sink, meeting her gaze. "We're going home."

Lotus couldn't help but smile, she wiped away some more blood. "This is totally inappropriate to say since you're coated in blood, but you look good."

He snorted, "I wasn't expecting that."

"I'm full of surprises." She shrugged, pulling him down against her. Their lips connected and she couldn't help but laugh about how silly all this was. He looked offended as they parted, "What's so funny?"

"I mean, first off, you're covered in blood." She was still laughing quietly, "Second, why is it now always me who has to initiate moments like these, huh?"

He blinked, "I thought you liked taking charge."

"A girl likes surprises sometimes."

He raised a brow as a bang echoed against the door, they both jumped, spinning to face it. "I don't like what I'm hearing." Luther's voice echoed.

Five put a finger to this lips, shaking his head. "Uh, what exactly are you hearing, Luther?"

A pause, "You killed a bunch of people and then something about you looking good despite being covered in blood."

"Who cares, Luther, at least I'm not in love with my sibling." Lotus protested.

"I am not in love with Allison!"

Five snickered, turning back to the mirror. He soaked the cloth under a stream of water again and returned to scrubbing.

"Is it easy?"

"What?"

"Killing all those people."

He sighed, "Not at first. But then I needed to do it to stay alive in the commission. It was my job, I had to be good."

"What about now?"

"I only did it because it was to get us home. I did it for my family." He glanced at her, "I'm done with it now. I'm not hurting anyone else."

She raised a brow, "Really?"

"I'm not the same person I was when we first met." He told her, "I guess the old man was right, even here. Everything can change in seconds."

Lotus pursed her lips, watching him move to wiping off his face. "You're a good person, Five."

"You're the only one who says that to me."

"Because it's the truth." She mumbled, "You are."

Five sighed, "You're the only one who has never blamed me for any of this. And you stick by my side no matter what shit I try to pull."

"So be grateful I don't have any other friends."

"Friends?" He raised a brow.

Lotus rolled her eyes, "I'm leaving now."

He snickered, turning his attention to her as she put a hand on the doorknob.

"Hey, Lotus."

She paused, meeting his gaze.

"Thank you."

She didn't bother asking why he was thanking her, he wouldn't tell her anyways. Instead she opened the door and walked out, giving Luther and Diego a nod as they stood by the door.

"What'd he do?" Diego questioned.

Lotus shrugged, "He'll tell you when he's cleaned up."

"Are you serious."

"Does it sound like I'm kidding?"

Diego rolled his eyes, falling silent. Lotus grinned, eyes trained on the closed bathroom door. They were going home, and she couldn't wait.