I'm A Man - The Spencer Davis Group
"Please! Please! Just kill me!" The man pleaded, cowering on the floor. He had just finished living through his worst nightmare before spilling all his secrets to me, "My boss will do it anyway. Just make it quick!"
We were in the middle of his hotel room which looked even worse than mine and that was saying something. He was a Soviet spy and had tried to infiltrate FBI headquarters. It was rare for a spy to get so close without me sensing that something was up but he stayed out in the open where I couldn't really see him, mainly because the FBI kept me to the shadows.
It's been almost four months since I accepted the job with the FBI and it wasn't anything like I thought it would be. I work for National Security and Terrorism just like Agent Cross said I would but they found a different use for my skills during my two-week training period.
Training to work for the feds was usually grueling, time consuming, and took months but when they saw what I could do, I was done after a couple weeks and put in the field. I wasn't a traditional FBI agent in the jobs they had me do. I was the one they could send out when they wanted things done off book – like if an investigation was taking too long. I was their own private mercenary of sorts and I hated every minute of it.
When something threatened national security that needed a quick clean up, I was their guy. I've been to eight major cities in the last three months. I just got back to Dallas two days ago and was sent to track down this asshole right away. He was smart, a little harder than the rest, but that didn't matter. I always found my target.
"Fine." I said.
I pulled a pistol from the pocket of my cinched trench coat and shot him in the head point blank. I sighed as I went to leave the room but caught my reflection in a dirty mirror that was mounted on the wall by the door. My hair these days was more often than not in a high tight pony but I had bangs now that fluttered across my forehead and framed the sides of my face. I always wore black high-waisted ankle pants and black loafers but my shirts always varied in style and colour. I wasn't willing to completely leave my old life and personality behind.
I walked out of the room and looked at the manager who was on the phone as he peered out of his office. He definitely heard the gunshot and was definitely on the phone with the police. It was time to deliver my report to Cross before the police arrived.
Our rendezvous point was a park bench near the FBI building. When I arrived, he was already there waiting. I sat down about a foot away, eyes straight ahead, "It's done."
"Good. Did he say anything?"
"He was supposed to meet an associate at noon tomorrow at a dive bar in the Bishop Arts District. Grotto." I informed, "He was supposed to receive a file."
"I'll get a team ready then. Anything else?" He asked.
"Nope, now if you don't mind. I actually want to rest. Don't call me for a few days." I said with a smirk as I stood up and began to walk away.
"Not even to have dinner?" He called out.
"I have a boyfriend Will, remember?!" I called back.
"Yeah! Who disappeared! You'll give in eventually!"
I paused for half a second but kept walking. I regretted telling Agent Cross that my boyfriend and my siblings have disappeared but I did it while we were drunk at the bar one night. Cross tried to come onto me but I deflected his advances. When he asked why I wouldn't give us a shot, I told him everything. Well, as much as I could without sounding like a raving lunatic.
He said he would help me at first. Cross looked through the FBI database but found nothing. I asked him if I could try looking since there might be something small that could give me a lead but he said it was against protocol. Despite working for the FBI, there were certain clearances that I didn't have. I thought about glamouring him but I can only do one person at a time and headquarters was full of too many people who would ask questions.
I took out the key to my shitty motel room and put it in the lock. I had to jiggle it because it got stuck sometimes but I didn't really mind that. I chose to stay in the motel because it was easier to be found if you were staying in one place and this is the address I put in the note I stuck in Morty's door.
I finally got the door opened and jumped when I saw Five standing in the middle of the room with his hands in his pockets. I was in complete and utter shock at seeing him there in front of me after months of waiting and just stood there frozen. Not much surprised me anymore but Five was always unpredictable.
"Nice to see you too." Five said.
"Five!" I suddenly exclaimed and pulled him into a tight hug. I let go and held him by the shoulders, "What are you doing here? When did you get here? How did you find me?"
"I got here just this morning." He said and I stepped back to plop on my bed. He looked around as he pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and read it, "'I know you've been watching the alley. If you have any information on my siblings, please find me at Rosie's Motel'. Nice place you have."
I shrugged, "I thought staying in one place would be best."
"That makes one of you. Aside from Diego and possibly Luther, I have no idea where the others are."
"Diego! Where is he? I've been trying to find him." I said desperately.
Five waved his hand dismissively, "He's fine. He's in the nuthouse. What have you been up to?"
"I've been working for the FBI in the National Security and Terrorism unit."
Five clenched his fists, "You're telling me that you work for the FBI and you couldn't find any information on the whereabouts of anyone?! What kind of agent are you?"
"Hey! Don't be so judgmental! I don't have that kind of clearance." I snapped and then looked off to the side as I crossed my arms, "And I'm not technically an agent."
"Malia, what exactly is it that you do?" Five asked.
"I'm the one they send when they can't get what they need through traditional and legal means. They send me out to clean up their messes mostly." I muttered.
"So... you're a hitman." Five shook his head, "Great, that's just great."
"Why does it bother you so much? You're not the only one in the family capable of killing you know."
Five gave me an incredulous look, "Why does it bother me? Because I'm trying to pinpoint when in the time line things changed so we can prevent the apocalypse!"
"What are you talking about! That's not supposed to happen for almost 56 years. We have time."
"We don't actually because we brought the apocalypse back with us. The world ends in ten days." Five explained as if I was stupid.
I groaned and fell back on the bed, "Please tell me you're joking."
"I wish I was. So I need your help."
"What do you need me to do?"
"We'll convene later. Pack your stuff up and go back to Morty's Television and Radio. He'll let you in this time." Five directed.
"And where are you going?" I asked.
"I'm going to see if my Luther lead pans out. I'll see you later." He blinked away before I could say anything else. I didn't miss his vagueness one bit.
I packed up my stuff in a rollaway bag that I bought when I began to accumulate more stuff. 'Stuff' didn't mean just more clothes either; I've collected a couple different guns as well. I stopped by the office on my way out to say goodbye but as usual the office was empty. I didn't bother to ring the bell because it was best to make a clean break. I dropped the key and went on my way.
I went back to the alley after months and knocked on the back door to Morty's. Like last time there was no answer and I looked around the dark alley. I haven't been here in the dark since that first night. I stepped back and called up to the slightly cracked window.
"Five said you'd let me in this time! Did I need a password or something?!"
I heard what sounded like someone running down a set of stairs and then the door opened to reveal a middle-aged man with brown hair and crow's feet in the corner of his eyes. He was wearing a blue shirt and an ugly tweed jacket. This is the man who's been spying us?
"You Morty?" I asked.
"No, that was my father's name. My name is Elliott." He grabbed my suitcase for me and let me inside.
"Malia."
"Nice to meet you. How come you didn't teleport inside like your brother?" He asked.
"We all have our own special abilities." I said as I followed him up the stairs and into an apartment that overlooked what was once a TV store.
"Really? What can you do?" He stopped beside a couch looked at me.
I smirked, "When I look people in the eyes, I can make people see things... Usually their worst nightmare."
He visibly gulped and then avoided my gaze, "Well, why don't you get some rest. You must be tired. They couch is all yours. Goodnight."
I took off my jacket and laid down on the couch, pulling a throw blanket over me. It wasn't comfy by any means but I would trade any luxury if it meant seeing my family again, especially Diego. I fell asleep with a content smile, knowing I would be seeing him soon.
I awoke early to a conversation Five was having with Elliott about his pictures. I couldn't make out what they were saying at first but I sat up to clear my ears so I could pay attention to what was going on. I tuned in at the exact moment Elliott said it would take him five or six hours to develop a film for Five.
"Attention all units. We have a code 3-15 at the sanitarium." Elliott's little radio said through the static. That thing went off periodically all night.
"Wait, isn't that the psych-ward you mentioned Diego was in?"
"What the hell is code 3-15?" Five asked Elliott.
"Fugitives on the run." Elliott answered.
I got up quickly and went over to the radio as Five turned up the volume. "Suspects are considered armed and dangerous."
"Who's Diego?" Elliott asked after a bite of oatmeal.
"Imagine batman and aim lower." Five painted him picture.
"That's not entirely fair." I said.
"Yeah, well you're biased. And it's been a while so your memory is probably skewed." Five said and then turned to leave, "Stay here and help Elliott work on the film. I'll be back as soon as I can."
When he was gone, I turned to Elliott, "So what can I do to help?"
"There isn't really anything you can do."
"Okay, can I use your shower then?" I asked.
I grabbed some clothes from my bag and took a shower. The water here was actually hot and I forgot how good hot water actually feels. I threw my hair back in another high tight pony when I was done and got dressed in my usual black ankle pants and a light blue sleeveless turtle neck. Just as I finished getting ready, I heard familiar voices coming up the front stairs.
"Diego!" I called, ripping open the bathroom door and bolting into the living room, "Diego!" I shouted again when I saw him.
"Malia!" Diego shouted just as happily and caught me when I launched myself into his open arms.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and attacked his lips with so much enthusiasm, I'm surprised our lips didn't split at the impact. He held me so tightly and it felt so good to be in his arms again. The euphoria I was feeling was short lived though, as Elliott came out shouting about the film, pointing a shotgun at Five.
Diego let go of my waist, allowing me to drop my feet to the floor but didn't let me go, "You guys know this lunatic?"
"New acquaintance." Five confirmed, "He's harmless."
"Are you sure about that?" I finally noticed the woman who was with them. She was about my height with short black hair and had a British accent. I didn't have time to ask who she was though because Elliott began yelling again.
"Are you or are you not! An enemy! Of the people!"
"Uhh..." I started.
"That's such a loaded question..." Diego said, looking to Five.
"It really depends on the people." Five agreed, returning his gaze.
"Evil people, maybe?" I went with as I put my finger on my chin in thought.
"That's a fair assessment." Five nodded in agreement.
"If you move one more muscle, I'll blow your brains out." Elliott threatened.
"Do either of you want to take this, or should I?" Diego asked quietly.
"I got him." Five said.
"Hey Lila. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Malia." Diego said, pushing me toward his friend to distract her.
Five blinked to Elliott and pushed the gun to aim at the ceiling as it went off. Diego stepped forward, grabbed the gun next and took out the magazine. He pulled on the receiver next to release the bullet that was in the barrel, the shell flying to the side.
Lila looked at the seen in complete shock before letting out a chuckle, "Okay. What the hell just happened?"
"We saved your life." I said and then held out my hand, "Nice to meet you Lila but why are you here?" I didn't want to sound rude but it just came out.
"Be nice Malia. She saved my life." Diego said, coming over to us as Five tied up Elliott.
"Oh, then thank you for saving this idiot." I said with a smile.
Lila shook my hand and smiled back at me in return, "Any time Malia."
"Now that introductions are out of the way. How about a little home movie?" Five suggested.
Five set up the movie reel in the kitchen and fiddled with it to try to get it going. Lila was sitting and painting the toenails of Elliott who was now tied up. Diego was sitting on top of the counter facing the screen with his arms around me as I sat between his legs. Aside from taking the gun away from Elliott, Diego hasn't left my side. His chin was resting on my shoulder.
"When did you get here?" He whispered so Lila couldn't hear.
"July. You?"
"September. When I couldn't find you, I went after Oswald." He said.
"When I couldn't find you, I started working for the FBI."
His arms tighten around me a little more as he spoke again, "Have you..." He sighed and started again, "It's been a long time since we've been together and I wouldn't blame you if you did..."
"There is no one else Diego. I haven't even been tempted because I love YOU, you big idiot." His question got me thinking though and I glanced at Lila, "What about you?"
"You're the only one for me."
"If you two are done. I think I got this working properly." Five said.
He played the home movie and an old lady appeared on the screen, telling her husband how to work the camera. They started arguing until the woman told her husband to give her the camera. Then the old man came onto the screen as the wife filmed. Lila said something about loving old people and how it was nice they made it to that age without murdering each other and I giggled.
"Diego and I will probably end up murdering each other in the end."
"Why are we watching this?" Diego asked, "I'm sure you could find something better."
"Shush."
The old man on the screen began to speak, "I'm Dan Frankel and we are now getting ready to see the president in Dallas Texas. Today's date is November 22nd, 1963."
"But that's six days from now." Lila said.
"Holy shit, this is it. Kennedy is about to get shot." Diego said, leaning his head further over my shoulder, "How do you have this?"
"Hazel died to get me this footage. It must be the key to stopping Dooms Day." Five said.
"How come you didn't tell me this?" I asked.
"Wait, Hazel?" Diego asked.
"It's a long story."
"What's Dooms Day?" Lila asked.
"Longer story." Five answered.
"What exactly did Hazel say to you?" Diego asked.
"He was killed before he could explain but whatever he wanted us to see is on this footage." Five said.
On the screen there was some sort of explosion or gunshot or something and I got to my knees to lean forward and get a closer look. Five replayed the footage again but paused it at a certain point. There is no way... It can't be. Diego got off the counter to step forward and Five pulled the projector back to enlarge the screen.
"I'm seeing things, right?" I asked, still on the counter on my hands and knees
"It can't be." Five said, walking closer with Diego to get a better look.
"Are you going to fill me in you three? What the hell is this shit we're watching?" Lila asked, getting frustrated.
"That's impossible." Diego murmured.
"Clearly, it's not." Five said.
I swung off the counter and stood beside them too look closer as well, "It's just someone who looks like him." I tried to reason.
"It's him." Five said.
"What is it?" Elliott mumbled through his gag.
"Dad." Diego and Five said at the same time I said, "Mr. Hargreeves."
I stepped away and brought my hand to my head as I leaned against the counter, "I can't believe this. The whole time I've been looking for you two, I didn't even stop to think that I could be looking for him too."
Five started pacing, evidently not thinking about it either, "Why would you think to do that?"
"Of course dad would be involved in the assassination of Kennedy. I should have known." Diego said, leaning on the counter beside me.
"No, you're jumping to conclusions." Five said.
"What the hell else do you think he's doing on that lawn, holding an open black umbrella on a sunny day on the exact same day the president gets shot!" Diego shouted, pointing aggressively at the screen. It's nice to know something didn't change.
"It doesn't look good. I must admit." Five said.
"You know what he was like with his umbrella's. We were called The Umbrella Academy for god's sake. But dozens of people were there watching the president that day." I said, trying to calm him down.
"He was probably the catalyst for the whole god damn thing." Diego was talking like a crazy person.
"Easy Diego, seriously."
"No. It all makes sense. This is obviously what Hazel was trying to tell you." Diego explained, "We have to stop dad from killing the president."
"Calm down. Dad was no boy scout but presidential assassination? It's never been his thing." Five said.
"I have to admit. The whole thing does seem a little farfetched." I said.
"How would you two know? Five, you skipped out on his golden years and you Malia? You missed the first eleven years of what it was like growing up with him." I stepped back as if slapped.
"Skipped out? You think I had it easy Diego? Do you think either of us has had it easy?" Five said angrily, "Malia was neglected and alone until she came to live with us and I was alone for 45 years. You know what, we don't have the time for this right now. Dad is clearly in Dallas, let's go talk to him. Maybe he can shed some clarity on the timeline."
"Dallas is a big place; we need to find him first." Diego said.
"Gee... if only we had some magical old timey way to find people and their addresses." Five said sarcastically.
"Have fun." I muttered and left the room, ignoring Diego when he called my after me.
I sat on the top of the stairs leading down to the show room. If Diego wanted to be a dick, fine, but he didn't have to be a dick to me. Not anymore and especially not out of anger. I stayed there, not wanting anything to do with him at the moment and I hoped he got the message to stay away. He didn't. Of course he didn't, he's Diego.
"Still angry?" I heard him ask as he walked up and sat beside me.
"Still being an asshole?" I snapped, "You're lucky I don't sock you in the mouth."
"I'd deserve it."
"You would." I said, tilting my head slightly to look at him.
Not so long ago it'd be so easy to stay mad at him. Hell, I was consistently mad at him from the moment I met him. Now though, it was as if it was the most difficult thing to do. That was made apparent when he let out a chuckle and I responded in kind. The whole thing just seemed a tad bit ridiculous.
He threw an arm over my shoulder and kissed my temple, "We found the address to dads' company and we're going to check it out. You coming?"
"Hell yeah." I said and let him help me to my feet, "What about Lila? Will she be okay here with Elliott?"
"I talked to Lila, she's cool." Diego said.
"You know, she seems like a cool person. I think we could be great friends." I said as we went outside to meet Five.
"She actually just said the same thing to me."
I got into the back seat of the car Five was waiting in and Diego got into the driver's seat. He drove quickly and none of us said a word until we rolled to a stop outside a large white building with lots of windows. This was Mr. Hargreeves company, the name that would stick with him throughout his life until he created the Academy.
"This is it." Five said as we got out of the car.
"D.S Umbrella Manufacturing Company." Diego said as we stopped in front of the door. Five paused halfway up the walkway. "You okay?"
"Yeah, fine." Five said, peering into the window as Diego took a knife and kneeled down to pick the lock.
"How long has it been Five, since you saw him last?" I asked him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Forty-five years." Five replied, leaning his back against the wall, "You know when I was stuck out there, in the apocalypse, there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't hear his voice in my head."
"What was he saying?" Diego asked, not having much luck with the lock.
"I told you so."
"Well, if he is here, he's never met you before. That means he can't say that to you now." Diego said.
"I'm sure he'll find a way."
"You can always punch the guy in the mouth if he tries. I like doing that when people say things to piss me off." I suggested.
Diego and Five just looked at me.
"What? Don't act like that's not an option."
Five rolled his eyes and blinked inside to unlock the door. He should have just done that in the first place. We entered a little sitting area and Five tried to turn on a lamp but it went out almost instantly. That was weird until Five suggested it seemed more like a front to hide something bigger. There were two doors to take in order to explore the facility.
"I'll take the right. You two take the left. It looked bigger from the outside." Five said.
I'm glad he made that decision because I did not know who to follow at this point – my boyfriend or my brother. I walked with Diego down the hallway and some of the doors were locked. Diego eventually found one that was opened and went inside to look around. It was actually quite dusty.
"You search here, I'm going to move on." I said and left when he told me to be careful.
I turned a corner and found another door that was unlocked and went inside. It looked like a lab of some sort and there were files stacked on a desk. I picked one of them up but the papers were blank. I opened up some of the drawers but they were all bare. I went to open a cupboard but heard movement farther down the hall in the opposite direction Diego was.
I left the room just as Diego entered this part of the hall and we both saw someone leaving through an exit at the end of the hall. We hurried down and opened the door to the outside and there was fog everywhere. There also happened to be a man walking away through it.
"I'm going to get a better look from above, keep him in your sights." Diego said and ran to the side of the structure.
I stealthily followed the man through the fog. I've always been quiet on my feet but my job with the FBI made me even quieter. If he knew I was closing in on him, I'd be surprised. Then again, there is no telling what kind of training this man went through.
I knew Diego was closing in on him from another angle, so when the man entered a larger part of the warehouse I ran in after him. Only he wasn't there. I looked around and couldn't find any sign of him. Diego entered soon after and saw that it was just me.
"Where'd he go?" Diego asked.
"I don't know."
"You weren't supposed to take your eyes off him." Diego gritted through his teeth.
"And up until five seconds ago, my eyes never left him once." I said and then that feeling started to happen. The one I get when something bad is about to happen, "Diego. Something isn't right."
"Do you hear it?" He asked, instantly knowing what I meant.
I tried to tune into the sounds around me but heard nothing and told him as much. It didn't take long for both our ears to pick up on something though. We whipped around when we heard someone jump from the rafters and immediately jumped out of the way of an attack. Diego threw his knife but the man did some sort of matrix style move and dodged it.
"Impressive." Diego said, rolling his neck.
"My turn."
I went after him next. I started off with a knee strike, moving to a low round house kick before using my other leg for a high kick. Each of them was blocked successfully, so I used my body weight to try an elbow strike to the stomach. Blocked. A scissor punch. Blocked. I tried a left hook but when that was blocked too, I pulled a gun from my coat pocket with my right hand and aimed to shoot.
The man knocked my wrist harshly, making the gun go sailing and then he kicked me in the chest so hard I was sent flying back into a metal pillar. I coughed as I tried to catch my breath. I was completely winded from the impact. Fuck this guy was good.
"No one hurts my girl." Diego said and began fighting.
Diego got a few blows in but for the most part it looked like he was getting his ass handed to him. When I regained some semblance of normal breathing, I got to my feet to help. By then though, Diego managed to get a metal pole and start kicking that bastard's ass. The man was kneeling on the ground as Diego went for the final strike but he looked up.
"Dad?" Diego said. His pause was enough for Mr. Hargreeves to pull a knife and stick it into Diego's side.
Mr. Hargreeves got up and looked Diego right in the eyes, "Amateur." He said before pulling it and walking away.
"Diego!" I screamed as I ran over to him.
I caught him before he fell to the ground and brought him down slowly. I pulled his shirt up to get a better look at the stab wound and it didn't look good. I applied pressure to it as I called out for Five. I didn't have any supplies with me to save him and I had to save him. Losing Diego wasn't an option.