p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe warmth pressed against my torso as sunlight forced my eyes open provided a calming sense of assurance. At some point, in the middle of the night, I had been woken up when Lila got up from the bed. Initially, I'd thought she was just using the restroom, but it wasn't until a couple hours later that the mattress dipped again, stirring me from sleep as she wrapped her arms around my waist./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd now, I'd have to do the same thing./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a distant sense of guilt, I gently moved Lila's arms away and searched for my discarded clothing. I'd been wearing the same sweater and pants for quite a few days now, so I'd have to go home and change soon. But, for now, we had bigger things to worry about. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs quietly as possible, I opened the door and crept into the living room, finding all three of my siblings still completely passed out. Vanya had slumped over in the chair, her head fallen completely over her chest. Just looking at her made a sharp pain pierce my neck, causing me to reach back and rub the spot. Five, on the other hand, looked completely peaceful, hugging the blankets tight to his chest. I laughed to myself as I spotted that, recognizing that in his sleep was one of the few times Five actually looked like a kid, rather than an old man burdened with the weight of his knowledge of the future. I was almost tempted not to wake him, but I knew if I waited past when I'd promised him, there was a good chance he'd kill me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI crouched down beside the mattress and grasped my brother's shoulders, violently shaking him. He shot up suddenly, his flailing arms nearly missing my face. I flinched and got up to my feet, completely removing myself from the line of fire. Five's eyes blinked with the intensity of a projector light, fervently searching the world around him for some sort of explanation as to where he was before his mind slowly came back to him, and he had the quote-unquote common sense to turn and glare at me. His jaw dropped open, about to deliver some sort of snarky comment, but I preemptively cut him off, not wanting to waste time./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We have to go get Luther," I stated bluntly. Vanya still slumbered behind me, unaware of what was happening over here. "Get up, come on. I told you the moment the sun came up, and I meant it."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI took a much gentler approach with Vanya, reminding myself she couldn't remember the lack of mincing words around here. Not to mention, I'd always felt it natural to treat her with a bit of delicacy. In our childhood, it had been because I carried a sense of empathy for her and how dad had essentially cast her aside, but now that we were adults, it was the regret I hadn't tried as hard as I could to be close with her (though Five and I made a few efforts) and the hope that would change; in this particular moment, it was the fact she didn't remember anything, and I worried if one of us made one wrong move, she'd use her powers again, and we'd be in deep shit./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, Vanya?" Thankfully, it only took the sound of someone's voice to get her to open her eyes and sit up a straighter. "We should probably head out to get Luther now. Do you need anything before we go?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I need time to make coffee," I heard Five grunt from behind me. I drew my focus away from Vanya for a moment and stared at him./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Did I ask you?" He reeled his head back slightly, and I found even myself shocked at how snippy that was. "Sorry, I don't know where that came from. We'll be quick so you can come back and get your lifeblood for the day."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can drive," Vanya offered as she stood. I raised my eyebrows, taking note of the fact she still seemed slightly out of it./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are you sure? You just got up." Still, Vanya nodded and removed the keys to her station wagon from the pocket of her jacket./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah. You've been driving for a while. I can take over this time. Besides, if we're all going to the same place, and then we're going to come back, it makes sense to only take one car, right?" /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Actually, yes," I admitted. "That's an excellent point, Vanya." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe three of us started to make our way toward the door, when my mind floated back to Lila. I didn't want her to think I'd jumped ship on her; the least I could do was leave her a note. I simply stuck a finger in the air to get my siblings' attention and turned around, searching for Elliott's pad of paper and a pen./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanemLila. Had to go get Luther, will be back soon. I promise./em/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span-Mina/span/em/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"I started to put the pen down again, but found myself hesitating. Was this appropriate yet? I didn't know where everything last night put us, and I didn't want to jump to conclusions and scare her off. Then again, it could be entirely harmless./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a final flourish, I drew a heart next to my name, then set the pen down./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWithout further debate, Five and I followed Vanya to her car. Though it took a bit of a fight, Five sat in the back so it would be easier for me to guide Vanya to the House for Solitary Men. All three of us had intended to go up and speak to Luther, but when we got there, it didn't feel right, so we sent Vanya up as a representative, making sure she had all the right information before she left. Meanwhile, Five and I leaned against the side of the brown car, scuffing our feet or picking at our clothes as we waited. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey," I finally murmured. I wasn't looking up at first, but I knew he had turned to look at me. "This doomsday thing… when you got there, what did you see?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs though someone flipped a switch, Five's expression crumbled; his shoulders tensed up as he pulled his arms closer against his chest, completely closing himself off. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWhatever it was he'd seen, it was embad/em. Five hadn't always been an open book, but I understood I always had to ability to make him talk when he was otherwise reluctant. For him to completely shut down and refuse to say anything more was out of the ordinary, at least on my end./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm just trying to get a bearing on what we're dealing with," I explained. "Not to bring up past demons, but last time, you wouldn't let me help you until we only had four days left, and we couldn't stop it." That came out unintentionally harsh, and I began to feel a knowing guilt. Gently, I reached over with both my arms and pulled my brother against my side. "I know you think you have to solve this on your own because you've seen it, but you don't. It's not just your burden to bear, nor should it be. Even if they're scattered, like right now, this family is emalways /emgoing to be here to help you through whatever you need. And, if all else fails, I'll always be there exactly when you need me, if not earlier." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe didn't say anything, but I knew Five took that to heart. I'd genuinely meant it, and even if he didn't fully believe it right now, I hoped he'd recognize it soon. After all, it had only been two weeks for him, and it's not like this got any easier the second time around. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Can I ask you something?" It didn't sound like his voice had completely found him again, but it was inching its way back. Rather than verbally responding, I simply let out a little 'hm', encouraging him to continue. "On the note you left Lila this morning…" My eyebrows arched up slightly. Five had been behind me when we left, so I guess he went back to see what I'd needed to write down. "Is something going on there?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI wanted to give him a definitive answer, but I just couldn't yet. I hadn't even asked her yet, not to mention the fact she snuck off in the middle of the night made me a little nervous./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I don't know yet, actually," I sighed. "I mean, I'd love for her to be my girlfriend, but I don't know where she stands on anything yet." The fact he'd asked me something so uncharacteristic brought me a slight bit of confusion. "Why do you ask?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBefore he got the chance to answer, the wall a few floors above us suddenly crashed open, a prominent hole appearing dead in the middle. From inside, I noticed Luther, his face still slightly swollen, peer out at Five and I. Somehow, my brother found amusement in what was clearly a sudden outburst, and laughed as he squinted against the rising sun. However, I was sure he'd grown at least a little nervous because that could mean Luther wouldn't come with us./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, nice to see nothing's changed, even in 1963," I joked, trying to soften the blow of what I figured was coming next./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs a confirmation of my unfortunate suspicions, Vanya came storming out of the building only a moment later, her eyes downcast with her hands balled into fists. Something Luther had said changed her attitude, demonstrated by her reluctance to speak to us when she emerged. Instead, she started to make a beeline right for her car, forcing Five to step up and into her path slightly. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, that clearly went well," Five deadpanned. "You ready to go?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm going back to the farm." Her blunt statement lit a fire in my brother's eyes, furious she wasn't as fixated on the mission as he was. The promises I'd made just moments ago were completely unraveling right in front of style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey. Unacceptable, Vanya. Remember, we need to stick together." Five was persistent, but Vanya suddenly didn't seem to give a shit./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, why, so I don't end the world again?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThere it was… /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLuther must have mentioned it to her when they were talking. It was bound to come up eventually, but a situation that was obviously already spring-loaded with emotional intensity certainly wasn't the ideal style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Were you even gonna tell me?" she demanded as she threw open the door to her car. Five hesitated a moment, likely debating how exactly to deliver this, but his frustration was starting to get the better of him./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You know what? In my defense, no. All right? And can you blame me? When you… you get angry, shit blows up." My blood ran cold as Vanya's brown eyes fixated on me, her expression completely indignant. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What about you?" I stuttered, fearful as I was put on the spot. "What, just because your brother didn't want to tell me, you just went with it?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"No, Vanya, that's not—" She cut me off before I could explain./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are there any other family secrets you failed to mention?" Her voice dripped with venom as she slammed the car door in Five's face. Despite the move she intended to end the conversation, Five kept style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"A boatload, Vanya," he answered honestly, "which I don't have the luxury of sharing them at the—" Realizing she couldn't hear him, he knocked on the window, prompting her to roll it down, though she still appeared incredibly peeved. "The clock is ticking on doomsday." Vanya didn't budge on her stance, and shockingly, Five caved a little. "Just tell me when I need you, you'll be ready." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanVanya barely waited a second before her head snapped forward slightly./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can't help you, Five. I don't even know who I am." My heart dropped as she turned the keys, starting the engine./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're our sister." I hadn't intended to be the one to say that, but it slipped out. "And a member of the Umbrella Academy. Like it or not, that's who you are."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Look, that's who I was, okay? New timeline, new me."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"No, that's not how it works!"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHaving made her final declaration, Vanya stepped on the gas pedal, leaving Five and I in the dust. I felt defeat and dread settle into me, but I tried my best not to let it show as Five turned to look up at Luther, only to spot him flipping his brother off. This hadn't gone the way either of us had intended, not even in the slightest./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I wonder if it's too late to be un-adopted," Five muttered. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUnder normal circumstances, I would have said something to discourage the thought, but at the moment, I was more fixated on the fact we'd ended up right back in the same boat we'd been in two days ago. Still, I attempted to remain positive./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"This is just a tiny, little hitch in the plan. We'll get past it." I paced back and forth, running my hands through my hair. "I mean, they're our siblings. They'll find their way back eventually." Part of me understood I was in denial, but then again, Five seemed to be in the same place. "For now, let's try to go get Klaus and Allison. At least one of them will come with us, and that's better than nothing."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We have bigger things to worry about right now." I halted my movements, eyeing my brother with curiosity./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Like…?" He made his way over to me and reached into one of his pockets, removing a folded sheet of paper. Once it was in my hands, I hastily read over the words, my mind coming back to me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe gala…/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Shit," I groaned. "I completely forgot about that." I started to run through plans in my mind, but none of them allotted time to go round up the other two members of our family before we had to go. "Okay, here's what we do… we head back to my house because I need to change, we go to Elliott's and fill Diego and Lila in, we sneak into that gala, and the moment we get what we need out of Dad, we leave and start rounding everyone up."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt was slightly irrational and extremely hopeful, but at the moment it was all we had./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Fine."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI did my best to remain balanced on the cracked pavement as I turned circles around my brother, waiting until the tingling running down my arms turned into a slight burning sensation to slap my hand down on his. Right as I did, we jumped, and I quickly ran up my steps to throw on a new sweater and a skirt before we repeated the routine, joining our brother and Lila again./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd now, I'd have to do the same thing./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a distant sense of guilt, I gently moved Lila's arms away and searched for my discarded clothing. I'd been wearing the same sweater and pants for quite a few days now, so I'd have to go home and change soon. But, for now, we had bigger things to worry about. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs quietly as possible, I opened the door and crept into the living room, finding all three of my siblings still completely passed out. Vanya had slumped over in the chair, her head fallen completely over her chest. Just looking at her made a sharp pain pierce my neck, causing me to reach back and rub the spot. Five, on the other hand, looked completely peaceful, hugging the blankets tight to his chest. I laughed to myself as I spotted that, recognizing that in his sleep was one of the few times Five actually looked like a kid, rather than an old man burdened with the weight of his knowledge of the future. I was almost tempted not to wake him, but I knew if I waited past when I'd promised him, there was a good chance he'd kill me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI crouched down beside the mattress and grasped my brother's shoulders, violently shaking him. He shot up suddenly, his flailing arms nearly missing my face. I flinched and got up to my feet, completely removing myself from the line of fire. Five's eyes blinked with the intensity of a projector light, fervently searching the world around him for some sort of explanation as to where he was before his mind slowly came back to him, and he had the quote-unquote common sense to turn and glare at me. His jaw dropped open, about to deliver some sort of snarky comment, but I preemptively cut him off, not wanting to waste time./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We have to go get Luther," I stated bluntly. Vanya still slumbered behind me, unaware of what was happening over here. "Get up, come on. I told you the moment the sun came up, and I meant it."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI took a much gentler approach with Vanya, reminding myself she couldn't remember the lack of mincing words around here. Not to mention, I'd always felt it natural to treat her with a bit of delicacy. In our childhood, it had been because I carried a sense of empathy for her and how dad had essentially cast her aside, but now that we were adults, it was the regret I hadn't tried as hard as I could to be close with her (though Five and I made a few efforts) and the hope that would change; in this particular moment, it was the fact she didn't remember anything, and I worried if one of us made one wrong move, she'd use her powers again, and we'd be in deep shit./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, Vanya?" Thankfully, it only took the sound of someone's voice to get her to open her eyes and sit up a straighter. "We should probably head out to get Luther now. Do you need anything before we go?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I need time to make coffee," I heard Five grunt from behind me. I drew my focus away from Vanya for a moment and stared at him./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Did I ask you?" He reeled his head back slightly, and I found even myself shocked at how snippy that was. "Sorry, I don't know where that came from. We'll be quick so you can come back and get your lifeblood for the day."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can drive," Vanya offered as she stood. I raised my eyebrows, taking note of the fact she still seemed slightly out of it./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are you sure? You just got up." Still, Vanya nodded and removed the keys to her station wagon from the pocket of her jacket./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah. You've been driving for a while. I can take over this time. Besides, if we're all going to the same place, and then we're going to come back, it makes sense to only take one car, right?" /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Actually, yes," I admitted. "That's an excellent point, Vanya." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe three of us started to make our way toward the door, when my mind floated back to Lila. I didn't want her to think I'd jumped ship on her; the least I could do was leave her a note. I simply stuck a finger in the air to get my siblings' attention and turned around, searching for Elliott's pad of paper and a pen./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanemLila. Had to go get Luther, will be back soon. I promise./em/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span-Mina/span/em/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"I started to put the pen down again, but found myself hesitating. Was this appropriate yet? I didn't know where everything last night put us, and I didn't want to jump to conclusions and scare her off. Then again, it could be entirely harmless./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith a final flourish, I drew a heart next to my name, then set the pen down./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWithout further debate, Five and I followed Vanya to her car. Though it took a bit of a fight, Five sat in the back so it would be easier for me to guide Vanya to the House for Solitary Men. All three of us had intended to go up and speak to Luther, but when we got there, it didn't feel right, so we sent Vanya up as a representative, making sure she had all the right information before she left. Meanwhile, Five and I leaned against the side of the brown car, scuffing our feet or picking at our clothes as we waited. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey," I finally murmured. I wasn't looking up at first, but I knew he had turned to look at me. "This doomsday thing… when you got there, what did you see?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs though someone flipped a switch, Five's expression crumbled; his shoulders tensed up as he pulled his arms closer against his chest, completely closing himself off. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWhatever it was he'd seen, it was embad/em. Five hadn't always been an open book, but I understood I always had to ability to make him talk when he was otherwise reluctant. For him to completely shut down and refuse to say anything more was out of the ordinary, at least on my end./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm just trying to get a bearing on what we're dealing with," I explained. "Not to bring up past demons, but last time, you wouldn't let me help you until we only had four days left, and we couldn't stop it." That came out unintentionally harsh, and I began to feel a knowing guilt. Gently, I reached over with both my arms and pulled my brother against my side. "I know you think you have to solve this on your own because you've seen it, but you don't. It's not just your burden to bear, nor should it be. Even if they're scattered, like right now, this family is emalways /emgoing to be here to help you through whatever you need. And, if all else fails, I'll always be there exactly when you need me, if not earlier." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe didn't say anything, but I knew Five took that to heart. I'd genuinely meant it, and even if he didn't fully believe it right now, I hoped he'd recognize it soon. After all, it had only been two weeks for him, and it's not like this got any easier the second time around. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Can I ask you something?" It didn't sound like his voice had completely found him again, but it was inching its way back. Rather than verbally responding, I simply let out a little 'hm', encouraging him to continue. "On the note you left Lila this morning…" My eyebrows arched up slightly. Five had been behind me when we left, so I guess he went back to see what I'd needed to write down. "Is something going on there?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI wanted to give him a definitive answer, but I just couldn't yet. I hadn't even asked her yet, not to mention the fact she snuck off in the middle of the night made me a little nervous./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I don't know yet, actually," I sighed. "I mean, I'd love for her to be my girlfriend, but I don't know where she stands on anything yet." The fact he'd asked me something so uncharacteristic brought me a slight bit of confusion. "Why do you ask?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBefore he got the chance to answer, the wall a few floors above us suddenly crashed open, a prominent hole appearing dead in the middle. From inside, I noticed Luther, his face still slightly swollen, peer out at Five and I. Somehow, my brother found amusement in what was clearly a sudden outburst, and laughed as he squinted against the rising sun. However, I was sure he'd grown at least a little nervous because that could mean Luther wouldn't come with us./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, nice to see nothing's changed, even in 1963," I joked, trying to soften the blow of what I figured was coming next./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAs a confirmation of my unfortunate suspicions, Vanya came storming out of the building only a moment later, her eyes downcast with her hands balled into fists. Something Luther had said changed her attitude, demonstrated by her reluctance to speak to us when she emerged. Instead, she started to make a beeline right for her car, forcing Five to step up and into her path slightly. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well, that clearly went well," Five deadpanned. "You ready to go?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm going back to the farm." Her blunt statement lit a fire in my brother's eyes, furious she wasn't as fixated on the mission as he was. The promises I'd made just moments ago were completely unraveling right in front of style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey. Unacceptable, Vanya. Remember, we need to stick together." Five was persistent, but Vanya suddenly didn't seem to give a shit./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, why, so I don't end the world again?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThere it was… /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLuther must have mentioned it to her when they were talking. It was bound to come up eventually, but a situation that was obviously already spring-loaded with emotional intensity certainly wasn't the ideal style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Were you even gonna tell me?" she demanded as she threw open the door to her car. Five hesitated a moment, likely debating how exactly to deliver this, but his frustration was starting to get the better of him./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You know what? In my defense, no. All right? And can you blame me? When you… you get angry, shit blows up." My blood ran cold as Vanya's brown eyes fixated on me, her expression completely indignant. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What about you?" I stuttered, fearful as I was put on the spot. "What, just because your brother didn't want to tell me, you just went with it?"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"No, Vanya, that's not—" She cut me off before I could explain./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are there any other family secrets you failed to mention?" Her voice dripped with venom as she slammed the car door in Five's face. Despite the move she intended to end the conversation, Five kept style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"A boatload, Vanya," he answered honestly, "which I don't have the luxury of sharing them at the—" Realizing she couldn't hear him, he knocked on the window, prompting her to roll it down, though she still appeared incredibly peeved. "The clock is ticking on doomsday." Vanya didn't budge on her stance, and shockingly, Five caved a little. "Just tell me when I need you, you'll be ready." /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanVanya barely waited a second before her head snapped forward slightly./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can't help you, Five. I don't even know who I am." My heart dropped as she turned the keys, starting the engine./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're our sister." I hadn't intended to be the one to say that, but it slipped out. "And a member of the Umbrella Academy. Like it or not, that's who you are."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Look, that's who I was, okay? New timeline, new me."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"No, that's not how it works!"/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHaving made her final declaration, Vanya stepped on the gas pedal, leaving Five and I in the dust. I felt defeat and dread settle into me, but I tried my best not to let it show as Five turned to look up at Luther, only to spot him flipping his brother off. This hadn't gone the way either of us had intended, not even in the slightest./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I wonder if it's too late to be un-adopted," Five muttered. /span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUnder normal circumstances, I would have said something to discourage the thought, but at the moment, I was more fixated on the fact we'd ended up right back in the same boat we'd been in two days ago. Still, I attempted to remain positive./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"This is just a tiny, little hitch in the plan. We'll get past it." I paced back and forth, running my hands through my hair. "I mean, they're our siblings. They'll find their way back eventually." Part of me understood I was in denial, but then again, Five seemed to be in the same place. "For now, let's try to go get Klaus and Allison. At least one of them will come with us, and that's better than nothing."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We have bigger things to worry about right now." I halted my movements, eyeing my brother with curiosity./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Like…?" He made his way over to me and reached into one of his pockets, removing a folded sheet of paper. Once it was in my hands, I hastily read over the words, my mind coming back to me./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe gala…/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Shit," I groaned. "I completely forgot about that." I started to run through plans in my mind, but none of them allotted time to go round up the other two members of our family before we had to go. "Okay, here's what we do… we head back to my house because I need to change, we go to Elliott's and fill Diego and Lila in, we sneak into that gala, and the moment we get what we need out of Dad, we leave and start rounding everyone up."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt was slightly irrational and extremely hopeful, but at the moment it was all we had./span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Fine."/span/p
p style="tab-stops: .5in 135.0pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI did my best to remain balanced on the cracked pavement as I turned circles around my brother, waiting until the tingling running down my arms turned into a slight burning sensation to slap my hand down on his. Right as I did, we jumped, and I quickly ran up my steps to throw on a new sweater and a skirt before we repeated the routine, joining our brother and Lila again./span/p