flawless. five hargreeves

COULD'VE, SHOULD'VE BUT YOU NEVER DID
WISH YOU WANTED IT A LITTLE BIT

Reflections - The Neighbourhood

"A subway?" I muttered, confusion lacing my voice as the station blurred past us, the overhead speaker crackling with indistinct, garbled announcements that only added to the surreal atmosphere.

The train screeched to a halt in front of us, its doors sliding open with an eerie hiss. Five was already moving toward it, his steps confident and unhesitating. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "Hold on," I said, my voice betraying the unease I felt. "What if it isn't safe?"

He sighed, the sound heavy with both impatience and resignation. "Only one way to find out."

I hesitated, my hand lingering on his shoulder as I glanced at the dimly lit interior of the subway car. The flickering lights and the stale, musty air did nothing to alleviate the anxiety gnawing at me. But I knew he was right—we couldn't just stand there and wait for something to happen.

"Okay, fine," I conceded, releasing my grip on him and stepping forward.

He glanced back at me, a brief flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he turned and entered the subway car. I followed closely behind, the unease growing with every step.

As the doors slid shut behind us, the train jerked to life, the sensation of movement making my stomach twist. We were venturing into the unknown, together, and despite everything that had happened, I was strangely comforted by his presence at my side.

The train lurched to a stop, and we both got to our feet as the doors slid open. The platform outside was dimly lit, casting long shadows that made the already eerie atmosphere even more unsettling. I stepped off first, not noticing the slight elevation of the platform. My foot caught on the edge, and I stumbled forward, barely catching myself before I fell.

Five's voice cut through the silence, his tone dripping with amusement. "You're so clumsy," he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

I shot him a glare, the embarrassment of nearly falling making my cheeks flush. "I'm not clumsy," I snapped back, trying to regain my composure. "This place just gives me the creeps."

His smirk only widened as he stepped past me, his gaze sweeping over the shadowy surroundings. "Sure, blame the creepy subway," he said dryly.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. "Let's just keep moving," I muttered, more to myself than to him, determined not to let him get under my skin any more than he already had.

We climbed the stairs leading out of the subway, the darkness of the underground giving way to the unsettling quiet of the town above. The contrast was jarring, and I furrowed my brows as I looked around. "Wasn't there just chaos and destruction? What happened?"

Five's expression mirrored my confusion. "Same day? Same time? Different timeline." His voice was tight with unease. "We need to get back."

"Don't have to tell me twice." I followed closely behind him, the urgency in his voice driving away any lingering doubts.

As we reached the original subway station, the weight of what we were about to face settled heavily between us. The eerie quiet of the alternate timeline was replaced by the distant echoes of gunfire and chaos, a stark reminder of the danger waiting on the other side. My pulse quickened as we stood on the platform, the dim light casting sharp shadows on the walls around us.