Find Eight

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Once in the street, you all glanced behind you to reveal cop cars rapidly approaching, and Diego quickly changed direction.

"Nooope. Come on, this way."

"Wait, but the car is back that way," Allison said, pointing behind you.

"Trust me, ok? Come on."

You groaned, following behind them.

"What did you do now, Diego?" you asked, rolling your eyes.

"They think I murdered someone," he admitted quietly, and you laughed to yourself as Allison's eyes widened.

"Well, did you?" Allison demanded as the siren whooped.

"No, no, no, of course not, okay? Why would you ask that about me, anyway?"

"I'm sure you have murdered a few people in your lifetime," you muttered, and Diego reached back, shoving your forehead.

"I heard that, shithead. We're gonna have to split, okay? I'm in charge. Remember? Vanya needs you two."

"Don't do anything stupid, ok?" Allison asked before taking your hand and running off.

"Have fun in jail!" you couldn't help but call behind you as you made your way to the car. You glanced back one final time to see him flipping you off.

*✧・゚: *✧・゚:*✧・゚: *✧・゚:*✧・゚: *✧・゚:

About an hour later, you and Allison sat quietly driving down a deserted highway, rain sprinkling across the windshield.

"I'm gonna take a nap," you said with a yawn, closing your eyes and leaning your head against the window, "Nighty-night."

"We're here," Allison announced, and you sat up slowly, rubbing your eyes.

"But I just closed my eyes," you whined, stretching. 

"Explain the sun, then," she said with a teasing smile, and you realized with a jolt that she was right. The sky was the bright blue of early morning - you had actually gotten almost a full night of sleep.

You stepped out of the car, following her along the side of the house.

"So... what do we do if she's here? Or isn't?" you asked, ducking under the deck. "I mean, I'm trying to say... what are we here for?"

"To find Vanya and talk to her," Allison said, peering inside the window. "I see her violin case - she might be here." A bird flew close by the two of you, making you jump.

"Jeez," you breathed, shaking your head slowly. "This place is creepy."

"I don't think they're here," Allison said, making her way back to the car. "I'm going to drive around, see if she's in town. Call me if they come back, all right?"

You nodded, then froze.

"I don't have a phone! And I don't know your number!" you called after her, but she had already gotten in the car. You sighed, sitting on the porch and waiting for her return. The gentle sound of chirping birds lulled you into a trance, and you leaned against the wall, your eyes drifting shut slowly...

A car door slammed, waking you up.

"Shoot," you hissed, scampering into the woods and watching from behind a tree as Vanya emerged from a car along with... "Leonard Peabody." Sure enough, he didn't look dangerous at all, just like you remembered. He looked like a nice enough guy, but... his eye had a patch over it. "He really is the guy," you breathed to yourself.

*✧・゚: *✧・゚:*✧・゚: *✧・゚:*✧・゚: *✧・゚:

Breakfast at the Hargreeves House

Luther sat down in front of his cup of coffee that Klaus had poured, picking it up before Five immediately snatched it away, sitting down casually in his spot.

"Nice. Okay." Klaus poured another cup for Luther as Five slurped the first one down.

"Jesus," Five muttered in disgust. "Who do I gotta kill to get a decent cup of coffee?"

"Can we get started please?" Luther asked.

"Anyone see any of the others? Diego? Allison? Eight? No?" Klaus asked.

"I should probably find Eight," Five said, slowly standing up.

"Ah, Ah, Ah... this is the closest thing to a quorum we're gonna get. No running off and hunting down your girlie until we're finished here."

Five raised an eyebrow, frowning.

"Then hurry up."

"All right, all right," Klaus said. "Touchy, touchy. There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just gonna spit it out. Yeah." He paused, and the two boys stared at him.

"Klaus."

"I conjured dad last night," he finally said, and the two exchanged a glance before Five reached for his coffee again.

"I thought you said you haven't been able to conjure anyone in years," Luther argued,

"Ah, yes, I know, but I'm sober!" Klaus announced, waving his spatula in the air cheerily. "Ta-da! I got clean, yesterday, to talk to someone special, and then ended up having this... conversation with dear old Daddy himself." He sighed, nodding his head.

Luther looked at him for another second before staring straight ahead.

"Had anyone got some aspirin?"

"Top shelf, next to the crackers," Five replied immediately.

"Hey, hey, hey. This is serious, guys, all right?" Klaus protested, stopping Luther from standing up. "This really happened, I swear."

"Ok, fine. I'll play," Five said, leaning forward and granting Klaus a fake smile. "What did the old man have to say?"

"Well, he gave me the usual lecture about my appearance and my failures in life. Yada, yada, yada, no surprise there. Even the afterlife couldn't soften a hardass like Dad, right? But he did mention something about his murder, or lack thereof, because... he killed himself." Klaus lowered his head dramatically.

"I don't have times for your games, Klaus."

"I'm telling you the truth, Luther, I'm telling you the truth," Klaus promised as his brother stood up.

"Why'd he do it, then?" Five asked, eyebrows drawn together.

"He said it was the only way to get us all home again."

"No. Dad wouldn't just kill himself," Luther insisted.

"Ah. You said it yourself, he was depressed," Five reminded him, staring at the table. "Holed up in his office and room all day and night."

"No. There weren't any signs. Suicidal people exhibit certain tendencies, strange behaviors."

"Like sending someone to the Moon for no reason?" Klaus pointed out, and Luther glared at him.

"I swear to God, Klaus, if you're lying..."

"I'm not," Klaus said, raising his hands in the air. "I'm not, I'm not."

"Master Klaus is correct," Pogo announced, walking into the room. "Regretfully... I helped Master Hargreeves enact his plan."

"What?"

"So did Grace. It was a difficult choice for both of us. More difficult than you could ever know." He sighed, shifting his stance and repositioning his cane. "Prior to your father's death, Grace's programming was adjusted to prevent her from administering first aid on that fateful night."

"Sick bastard," Five whispered, looking at the floor.

"So that security tape we saw?" Luther asked.

"It was meant to further the murder mystery," Pogo explained. "Your father hoped that being back here, solving it together... would reignite your desire to be a team again."

"And to what end?" Five questioned.

"To save the world, of course."

Klaus giggled, and everyone turned to face him.

"All right."

"First the Moon mission and now this," Luther mumbled. "You watched me search for answers and said nothing. Anything else you want to share, Pogo? Any other damn secrets?"

"It was your father's dying wish, Master Luther," Pogo said quietly. "I had no choice."

"There's always choice," Luther spit before walking away.

Five sighed, running his hands through his hair distractedly.

"I need to find Eight." He flashed away.

*✧・゚: *✧・゚:*✧・゚: *✧・゚:*✧・゚: *✧・゚:

You sighed, impatiently waiting for Allison to return. Shortly after arriving at the house, Vanya and Harold had disappeared into the woods. You had chased after them, watching with wide eyes as Vanya used her newly discovered powers to blast back the trees. You were still growing accustomed to the fact that Vanya had powers. Thanks to Five, you had long suspected it, but now you had confirmation.

And her powers were strong. You had turned and ran as soon as the bush you were hiding behind began to sway, scaring you. They eventually returned back to the house, where you waited, and then Harold left in the car. Ever since, for about the past 30 minutes, you had been trying to plan a speech.

"Hey, Vanya," you began, pacing back and forth in the grass. "I saw you have powers, and I think they're super awesome. You know what that means? We can all team up on Harold! Oh, right, your boyfriend is going to end the world. Yeah."

You shook your head, sighing. 

I'm just gonna go for it, you finally decided. I'm done waiting for Allison. Vanya is my sister too.

You crept toward the door, hesitantly raising your fist to knock, before you heard a car begin to pull into the driveway. You scrambled back, afraid that it was Harold, but you were relieved to see that it was just Allison. You pressed a finger to your lips as she got out, motioning for her to be quiet, and she crept over.

"Vanya is in there," you whispered, pointing to the house. "Harold left a little while ago, but I'm not sure when he'll be back. We should be careful."

Allison nodded slowly, walking onto the porch.

"You stay back and keep an eye out for him. If he comes back, come get me, all right?" she asked.

"Ok, but Vanya..." You trailed off as Allison walked through the door. "Has powers. Oh well."

You sighed, placing your chin in your hands and sitting on the steps. For a while, you just felt bored - but then things became interesting. A sharp wind whistled through the trees, sending the wind chimes clattering. You grew curious, and crept to the side of the house to peer through the window.

Vanya was furious. She shouted at Allison, who looked frightened and concerned. You were so swept up in what was happening in the house, you didn't hear the car until it was too late. You spun to face the driveway, revealing Harold getting out of his car.

"Shit," you hissed, and made a break for the porch.

For some reason, you hadn't expected him to chase you. But, of course, he did. You felt sharp pressure on your shoulders, and you were dragged backward, your back hitting the porch with a thunk.

"Nice try, Number Eight," Harold hissed as he stood over you, and your eyes widened.

"How do you know who I am?"

"I know who all of you are," he said with a sinister smile. "The Umbrella Academy - you all think you're so high and mighty, don't you? I could kill you right now, if I wanted."

"Well, thanks for not," you said, swinging your legs at his knees. It brought him to the ground, but what you didn't realize was that he held a weapon. You froze when you saw the gun pointed at you as he scrambled to his feet.

"I wouldn't thank me," he growled. "I would never let any of you have an easy death. I'm going to make you suffer, just like you did to me."

"What? I didn't-" He swung the gun at you, and everything went black.

Only a few moments could have passed since you went unconscious - he must not have hit you very hard. Still, something wasn't right. When you tried to sit up, you fell back down, your hands skidding along the dirt. Your eyes searched the darkening forest, finally landing on your captor.

You were being dragged.

"What the-" you thrashed, struggling to free your feet, but Harold just kept walking.

"Oh good, you're awake. That will make this so much more fun."

"Yeah, no chance," you said, digging the palms of your hands into the ground so hard it drew blood, but it was worth it. He slowed down slightly. "You know what I didn't find fun? That weird devil worshipping thing you had going on in your attic."

He froze for half a second, and you took your chance, snatching your feet away from his grip and staggering into a standing position. You didn't know why it was so difficult to do so until you glanced down at your ankle - you had a chain wrapped around it, with a rather heavy metal ball on the end.

"Creep," you muttered, before limping forward and shoving him before he could tackle you to the ground. "You are so dead." You advanced on him, and surprisingly, he walked backward, away from you. Filled with a sudden confidence, you lunged for him, throwing a punch to his face. He wasn't quick enough to dodge, and your fist connected with his nose in a satisfying crunch.

"Fuck," he hissed, still retreating. It was difficult for you to walk with the chain attached to your leg, but you didn't care because - whoa. Suddenly you were on a dock. You glanced around before your head whipped back around to find Harold about to shove you off the edge. You clung to his shirt and he was forced to pull back, unless he wanted to fall in with you. You wrestled with each other, both of you inching toward the edge of the dock. Finally, you managed to kick him in the stomach with your non-weighted foot, sending him flying backward.

You were over-confident in the moment, sure you had won, and didn't back away from the edge. At the last possible moment, he grabbed onto your foot and took you down with him.

One aspect of training that The Umbrella Academy had never focused on was swimming. And especially not with a heavy metal sphere attached to your leg. You realized, with a final gasp of fresh air before you went under, that this had been Harold's plan all along. He swam back to shore while you floundered desperately in an attempt to stay afloat.

You had been stupid, allowing him to lure you to the dock. Of course he had been planning to drown you.

After only a few seconds of struggling to stay afloat, you found yourself beginning to sink. Your ankle ached, and your arms were exhausted. You heard a car start, and shouted as loud as you could.

"Vanya! Allison! Help!"

But then the sound of the motor disappeared, and you were left alone.

In a last ditch effort, you attempted to swim toward the dock. It was only about 7 feet away, but as far as you were concerned, it couldn't have been further. You had barely made it a few feet before you felt your foot being dragged down again, and were forced to focus on simply staying afloat and taking deep breaths. You counted the seconds, and only 45 had passed before you truly began to sink. Your arms turned to jelly, your legs to rocks, and this time you didn't fight it.

You sucked in one final breath before allowing yourself to sink down, down, down.

For a moment, you wondered if anyone would ever find you. Would Five think you had run away? Would Allison believe you had deserted her?

But then, all other thoughts left your mind as you heard the distant sound of a car door slamming.

"Allison! No!" you heard someone shout, and desperate hope flowed through your body. You grabbed hold of the adrenaline, feeling it course through your veins as you fought your way to the top of the water, forcing all your energy into screaming one word.

"Help!"

And then the lake water dragged you under again, welcoming your exhausted body into its depths.


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