Chapter Text
The door opened suddenly. Reginald was standing in the doorway. Four’s first thought was, Shoot! Then, Traitor! Because standing behind his father was Number One. He had a stubborn expression on his face, like he wasn’t planning on apologizing. Well, that’s quite all right. Four wasn’t going to ask anyway.
He was barely aware of anything past what was in front of him. Which means he didn’t notice that his heart started beating rapidly or that he had started trembling.
“Number Four, who are you talking to?” Four was nearly full on panicking at this point, Dave was trying to help. Key word, trying.
“Hey, hey, Four calm down. Kid, listen it’s okay.” Dave was not helping. Not one bit.
Four spoke before he thought, that’s who he is. Now, though? He wishes he thought more. He responded. “No. No! It’s not, Dave, it’s NOT OKAY!” That’s when he remembered the company that they were currently keeping. God, he thought, if it was bad before…
“Who is Dave?” His father crossed through the doorway. Didn’t even hesitate at the line of salt Six had jokingly put there (“It’ll keep Father out, y’know, cause he’s a demon,” Six had giggled).
One was giving him a wide-eyed, confused look as he stifled a giggle at the memory. It made him feel kind of like a zoo animal, the way One was staring at him. He suddenly had a lot more respect for them.
Their father snapped his fingers, once again gaining Four’s attention, “Who is Dave, Number Four?”
“No one, sir,” Four knew it was a weak lie, but maybe it would work? Reginald did not look convinced.
“I will ask once more. Number Four,” his father’s tone was low and threatening, “Who. Is. Dave?”
“A ghost, sir. A nice one, he doesn’t yell or anything,” Four immediately realized his mistake. It was more obvious when his father went from open hostility to detached curiosity.
“Number One, leave us. Number Four and I need to discuss something privately.” One, who had been standing there awkwardly, ran off immediately. For some reason, Four missed the larger boy’s presence. He felt himself begin to tremble as Reginald strode farther into the room, setting himself on the desk chair. Four heard more than saw Dave shift closer.
“So, Number Four, you have been lying to me? You told me they don’t listen to you, yet you are openly conversing with one. Obviously, you are able to control them,” his father said rather harshly. Dave made a small noise that sounded extremely disappointed.
Four was proven right when Dave muttered, “I do not approve of this guy’s existence. Can I end it?”
He had to hold back the laugh threatening to break through at that question. Instead, he answered his father, “I do not control any of them. They control themselves, sir.”
“Right, you ‘don’t control them.’ But you control it, this Dave you were talking to.” Four hated the way his father said Dave’s name, it made him sound like a pest. Of course, maybe he was just biased.
“Dave is not an it. Sir, I’m feeling ill, may I go to bed early tonight?” This was a lie. He felt perfectly okay and he probably wasn’t getting any sleep tonight.
“Of course, Number Four. Feel better, tomorrow you have individual training.” His father left the room, leaving the door open a crack.
Now Four did feel sick.
“Good night, Dave.” Four’s voice sounded infinitely quieter than usual.
“Sweet dreams, kid.”