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After another long, silent walk, Klaus led them to a warehouse. In the original timeline, this place had been his refuge—a constant in his chaotic life. Whenever he needed shelter, it was here he found some semblance of stability. He never expected it to exist in this timeline, but some things, he realized, remain unchanged. Returning brought back memories of Ben: their conversations, the exasperated looks he received, and the life lessons Ben attempted to impart. It had been their sanctuary, far from prying eyes, allowing Klaus to talk freely without judgment.
"You really know your way around these streets, huh?" Five remarked.
"Of course, mi hermano. This place and I transcend timelines now," Klaus replied, dripping with sarcasm.
The floor was littered with trash bags and cardboard boxes, remnants of what appeared to be an abandoned office. "Good enough for tonight, I suppose," Luther said, glancing around.
Klaus spread some curtains on the ground to create makeshift beds. "See? Heaven," he joked. They all lay down, enveloped in a heavy silence for nearly twenty minutes.
"What the hell have we been through?" Luther finally broke the stillness. "Just yesterday, I had the best day of my life—I got married. Now, I’m in a timeline where I’m not even sure my wife exists." A whimper escaped him, shattering both Klaus's and Five's hearts.
"Listen, we’ll find her. We’ll figure this out and live the lives we always wanted," Klaus reassured him, though he couldn’t guarantee it. "But I promise I’ll do my best, Luther." It was unexpected comfort coming from Five, and Luther felt a pang of guilt. "I’m sorry for lashing out after everything," he began, but Five cut him off.
"We were all on edge. I get it." Klaus let out a soft laugh. "Hey, look at us, bonding and apologizing. In a new timeline for just an hour, and we're already breaking records." Both Five and Luther smiled.
"Well, we’re all we’ve got. We might as well make the most of it," Luther said.
"Let’s sleep before one of us annoys the other, shall we?" Five suggested, turning to get comfortable.
"Good call. I was just about to talk," Klaus replied. "Good night, then." They drifted off.
Five woke with a shiver. God, it’s freezing, he thought, jolted awake by the cold he hadn’t noticed before. He turned to check on Luther, who was curled up in a fetal position. Still adjusting to his own body, Five wished for the warmth of his old self. How did Klaus survive like this? he wondered, remembering his own struggles in the apocalypse, though he had been more prepared.
He noticed cold vapor escaping from Luther’s mouth. Should he wake them to find warmth? The floor wasn’t safe for fire, so that was out. Klaus lay beside Luther, obscuring Five's view. Rising quietly, he began searching the room.
He found some old, dirty towels and a few more curtains. This should help, he thought. He decided to cover Klaus first, selecting the thickest curtain. Kneeling beside him, Five suddenly noticed something alarming—Klaus’s breath was shallow.
"Klaus?" he called, concern creeping into his voice as he shook him. He felt for a pulse: it was there but weak and irregular. “One day! One fucking day!” he yelled. “Luther! Wake up!!”
Luther stirred, groggy. "What? What’s going on?"
"Klaus is unconscious—he’s suffering from hypothermia!" Five shouted. Luther sprang into action, hoisting Klaus onto his back. “What do we do?”
Five gently piled the blankets on Klaus. “We need to find somewhere warmer before his heart stops,” Luther said, feeling for Klaus's pulse. “We need to hurry.”
“Let’s go!” Five urged. Spotting a closed bar, he rushed them inside, shattering a window. They dashed into the kitchen, where Five found a stove. He cranked up the heat, rubbing his hands together.
“Five, it’ll take forever to heat up,” Luther said, still trying to warm Klaus.
“Got a better idea?” Five shot back, rummaging through a lost-and-found box. He returned with old jackets and scarves, draping them over Klaus. They could finally feel the warmth radiating from the oven.
“Oh, it’s working,” Luther said, relief flooding his voice. But when Five checked Klaus’s pulse again, his expression fell.
“Shit. SHIT! No pulse!” he exclaimed.
Luther immediately started chest compressions. “Come on, Klaus! You only had to last one day!”
“Ten seconds to tell me your business here, lads,” a voice interrupted. Five looked up to see a man with a gun trained on them.
“Wait! Don’t shoot!” Five pleaded, hands raised.
“We’re not supposed to be here. We had nowhere else to go! That’s my brother, and he’s dying. Please, let us save him,” he added, desperation creeping in.
The man studied them, then lowered his weapon. Without a word, he ducked behind a corner and retrieved a first aid kit. Five followed closely, still with his hands up.
“Get away, big guy,” the stranger ordered Luther. “You’re going to break his torso.” He pulled out an epinephrine needle and jabbed it into Klaus’s heart.
Both Luther and Five froze, unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events.
“Wait!” the man said, holding the shot ready.
Klaus gasped loudly, and relief washed over them. “Oh my god! Klaus! You’re alive! It’s okay, you’re safe,” Luther said, cradling Klaus’s head.
“One day. You couldn’t last one day, Klaus,” Five scolded, though both he and Luther exhaled in relief.
“I really couldn’t,” Klaus murmured, and they both let out a breath they didn’t know they were holding.
“Looks like you need a place to stay,” the man said. “You’ll clean those glasses tomorrow; your shift starts at ten.”
Five was baffled but too exhausted to protest. All he wanted was to sleep.