Chapter Four - Dead of Night
Alina hadn't had a destination in mind when she had fled the academy, she only knew that she had to get away as soon as possible.
She had realised as much the very moment Sir Reginald had placed the captive creature on the table between them; he had watched her attentively, his cold eyes barely concealing a spark of excitement and she had tried her utmost to avoid his gaze, choosing instead to keep her focus trained on the tiny creature before her.
The mouse had been trying to climb the sides of the jar, but failed to find purchase. Everytime it slipped down to the bottom, it would turn it's nose upwards, sniff the air, pick a new spot and try again.
She had met it's gaze for a moment as it no doubt tried to ascertain the level of danger it was in. It paused only for a second, seemingly studying her, before turning its focus to the far side of the jar.
She didn't have to use her powers to know that its heart would be racing. She didn't have to use her powers to sense its fear.
Sir Reginald had tried again, 'Show me what you can do.'
The tone was coaxing, but stern and Alina bristled at it.
Alina took a breath, gave a defiant shake of her head and bid her gaze find the floor.
She heard a scoff from the man across from her.
'Whyever did you come here then?' He enquired, the words bitter and accusatory.
Alina was not entirely sure if this question had been rhetoriical, but she answered nevertheless, wondering whether, if she answered, the old man may take pity on her and allow her to stay regardless of her willingness to demonstrate her terrible skills.
'I wanted to ask...if I could stay. Just for a night or two...maybe.'
Sir Reginald frowned as if deep in deliberation.
'Very well…' He began, Alina's heart swelling, her gaze rising to meet his own, 'If you show me what you can do.'
Alina gritted her teeth, fought back the itch in her eyes as Sir Reginald finished. He gave a nod to the jam jar. The mouse had stopped its efforts to escape momentarily, its focus on her as if it somehow understood the situation and was waiting for her to decide its fate.
She reached forwards, took the jam jar in her grasp, holding it up to her face. The action was slow and reverent and Sir Reginald had regarded it with renewed interest.
Alina could feel the hum of the mouse's heart, even at this distance.
She brought the jar downwards, decidedly, clutching it against her chest, cupping it in her right hand, hoping that the warmth of her body and the reduced visibility and light might calm the creature somewhat.
'No.' She had stated finally, her grip on the jam jar tightening for fear that Sir Reginald would reach across and snatch it from her.
Even though she had only just met him, she would not have put it past him to kill the mouse himself in some effort to exert power. She hoped that if she held onto the small creature tightly enough, this would make him think twice about it.
Sir Reginald gave a sigh in exasperation and once again snapped the ledger closed.
'Then you are of no use to me.'
Alina watched him rise from his chair and lean forwards in an effort, she was sure, to intimidate her.
'The Umbrella Academy is home only to truly skilled and highly trained individuals whose sole purpose is to fight against evil and protect the world. I have no use for someone who will not demonstrate their powers when needed or those who have no training whatsoever!'
Sir Reginald moved towards the door only turning back when Alina spoke with an incredulous scoff.
'I fail to see how one small mouse could be considered evil or even how it could bring about an apocalypse!'
Sir Reginald pivoted, turning fully to face Alina, his expression the epitome of impatience and anger, 'If you are not willing to demonstrate what you can do and nor do you recognise the impact even the smallest of creatures can have in this world, then you are neither fit enough nor intelligent enough for the Umbrella academy!'
Alina found herself standing as Sir Reginald once again made to leave the room.
'I suggest you leave these premises at once; You are utterly useless and not at all welcome here.'
With this he strode from the room, disappearing from sight, leaving Alina staring after him.
She stood for only a second more before setting her brow, gathering up her bag and moving towards the door.
She had retraced her steps to the foyer, half glimpsing the figure of Pogo in the lounge area as she passed through it. She had had half a mind to thank him for his help earlier, but then her heart hardened as she remembered the subsequent conversation with Sir Reginald.
Alina kept her gait steady and sure, focused only on removing herself from the strange building.
She all but ran down the steps at the entrance, not caring whether she had closed the door or gate properly.
She had turned right and walked to the end of the street, ignoring the bewildered glances from any of the few passersby which were around at this time of night. She had no idea of destination or direction, but it felt almost cathartic to keep going, to keep her feet moving, her pace quick but sure. She focused on the muted slap of her trainers on the sidewalk, the steady whisper of her breathing, the hum of the mouse's heart.
She felt a prick of guilt then knowing the creature must be scared and confused.
At this, Alina's thoughts turned to empathy and she found herself slowing pace. She looked up, saw a sign, adjusted her trajectory.
She didn't much care what the name of the park, but it was beautiful.
It was near empty - owing to the lateness of the hour - and it was quiet; perfect for her purpose.
As soon as she saw the entrance, she had subconsciously slowed her pace and crossed over the threshold almost solemnly. She found it hard to focus on any one thing in particular, but she could see a concrete pathway bordered intermittently with ornate lamp posts. This appeared to lead to a stone bridge which she assumed traversed a river or pond.
All around her, she could hear the rustling of the trees and bushes which both bordered the park and pockmarked the otherwise unmarred grassy lawn.
Alina looked down at the jar, giving a sad smile. The mouse looked up and her, whiskers twitching. Her smile widened as the mouse began to clean itself, first bringing its little paws up and over its round pink ears and then along its nose, before licking them and beginning the action again.
'Come on, let's get you home.' Alina offered, looking up and setting her sights on the silhouette of a hedgerow on the edge of the lamp closest to the bridge.
Figuring this was as good a spot as any, she made her way over to it, kneeling as soon as she was in reach.
She outstretched her arm until her hand was just underneath the bush and then gently tipped the jar.
The mouse followed her silent instruction and stepped, tentatively at first but then with more certainty, towards the top of the jar and over the rim. It sniffed the air and paced a small circle as if it was deciding on the best direction, before pausing a moment to look up at Alina.
It gave what she took to be a grateful twitch of its nose before turning tail and skittering across the humus, disappearing into the tangle of twigs and leaves.
Alina found herself smiling, but this disappeared with a sigh, 'At least one of us has a place to stay tonight…' she pondered aloud.
Alina waited a few seconds to see if the mouse would come back, but when it did not, she moved to stand, turning her gaze skywards in the vague hope that inspiration and direction would find her.
She supposed she would have to find a motel. It was something that she had not wanted to do, particularly as she would have to give some of her personal details, which may lead to issues further down the line.
Even fake names and fabricated stories would only last for so long. She had been hoping to stay and 'be absorbed' by the Academy; a place which was already shrouded in mystery. And protected by the old man's eccentricity which, she reckoned, kept everyone a little scared and suitably distant.
Alina took a breath and moved to walk away from the hedgerow, her feet subconsciously carrying her towards the bridge.
Suddenly, there was a voice behind her.
'Hey Beautiful...'
She bristled and instinctively pivoted to find a man smiling back at her. She read him in a moment, her skin prickling. He was probably in his mid 30's and was wearing dark jeans and a wrinkled suit jacket. Beneath the jacket, he wore a polo shirt which, in this light, was a strange milky orange colour and sported a logo Alina didn't recognise on the left breast.
Alina eyed the man, taking a few steps away from him, hoping he'd get the hint.
He didn't and staggered closer to her. She took a breath and for a second the fizzy tang of alcohol caught in her nostrils.
She had to fight against rolling her eyes.
The man outstretched a hand then, pointing vaguely to the bush with a furrowed brow, 'What were you doin'...just now?' He queried, slurring slightly and swaying on the spot.
Alina narrowed her eyes, affected a sardonic smile, 'Nothing that concerns you. Good night.'
With this, she turned away, dropping her left hand to her side subconsciously.
This, it seemed, was a mistake and she realised it after only taking a step or two away. She registered the shuffle of feet behind her and then felt a hand close around her wrist.
Alina half-registered a slurred verbal attempt to halt her and she tried to continue walking away, but found the man tightening his grip on her wrist.
The next moment passed in just a breath and Alina barely had time to realise what she was doing when the man crumpled to the ground, a distinct look of surprise and pain crossing his features.
She couldn't help but give a yelp in surprise as she felt the itch of her power receding as the stranger's fingers loosed from her arm.
Tears all at once welled in her eyes and she knelt, reaching out for the man's neck in the vain hope that she would be able to locate a pulse. She knew that she would not find one, but the unmoving skin still startled her and she found herself withdrawing, somehow getting to her feet.
Turning her thoughts to more practical matters, Alina found herself pivoting, surveying the surrounding area with watery eyes until her focus came to rest on a bench. Her feet carried her towards it and the closer she got the more sure she was that there was someone laying on it.
As she walked she could feel her heart pounding and her mind racing. She had no desire to kill anyone else tonight, accidental or otherwise, but if the person had seen her then all her efforts had been for nothing; there would be no escaping a lifetime incarcerated. Or worse, as soon as people realised what she could do.
As she came alongside the bench, she paused a few moments, her head tilted in silent scrutiny.
The man on the bench was clearly drunk and clutched a half empty bottle in his arms. He looked scruffy, somewhat eccentric, judging by the clothes he wore. He also appeared to be asleep.
He looked troubled, and she wondered at his circumstances.
Perhaps he was well acquainted with the wrong side of the law. Perhaps he was homeless, his life in ruins, ignored by the masses, invisible.
Would anyone believe him if he did try to tell someone about what he had seen? If he had seen anything.
She decided that they wouldn't. That she would be safe enough to leave him alive.
Alina turned away, heading for the exit and focusing her attention on the task at hand; hiding.
As she reached the end of the path, she could not help but feel the itch of eyes upon her and she pivoted with a breath, ready to feel another hand around her wrist or see the man on the bench waking, staring after her.
To her surprise she found nothing and no one. She put it down to fatigue and emotional stress, making a conscious effort to push the sensation away.
She steeled her resolve with a small shake of her head and continued into the street beyond the park, turning left in an action she was sure looked more determined than it felt.
Sorry this chapter was a long time coming, but I hope you like it. I hope to get more written this weekend so I will with any luck have something more for you to read soon. :) xxx