𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠...
A few minutes after the Umbrella Academy left, we continued with our daily routine. "Post-Game workout everyone. You already know the rules. Don't be late." Marcus told us for the millionth time. I guess that's what it is to be Number One.
Being constantly annoying.
I got dressed into my Sparrow Academy workout outfit and made my way to training. Marcus didn't let time waste because as soon as everyone got there, we got to work.
We had some upbeat music in the background while we discussed the Umbrella Academy. I was at the end of the line of treadmills since I'm Number Eight. But being next to Jayme makes up for it.
"Okay! Let's start. Big one is strong but slow, possibly stupid. Some sort of... simian hybrid." Marcus began analyzing the Umbrella people one by one. "Who took the little jumpy guy?" Sloane questioned us, shrugging her shoulders while keeping up with the treadmill.
"Ooo! Jayme and I handled him." I raised my hand and smirked at Jayme. "No big deal. We just gave him a spanking and sent him to school." Jayme brought up her hand to fist-bump mine.
Chris rambled on about the one with knives.
"The skinny one is their weak link." Fei inputted her thoughts, looking more focused than usual.
"Unless hiding behind couches shouting, "Where's my daddy?" is his superpower." Ben dramatically acted out the one with the hat. He quickly turned off his treadmill and continued, "Enough post-gaming. They disrespected us, Marcus. We need to be out there finding these freaks and taking them out."
I wouldn't say disrespected. More like... embarrassed.
Marcus looked at Ben quickly and said, "Oh, you mean like this?" He brought up the TV remote and clicked on one of the camera footage that was playing. We all turned off our treadmills to get a little rest.
"Can someone explain how you got your asses handed to you in 30 seconds? Do you have any idea what would happen to our reputation if anyone had seen that?" Marcus was pissed off. He looked genuinely offended.
He continued talking, "I mean, we haven't faced decent enemies for years. This could be good for us. Good for business. But only if we're smart with our next move." Marcus tried to look on the bright side.
Someone entered the room and cleared their throat. "You summoned, Number One?" Dad asked my brother.
"Sit." Marcus waited for Dad to sit down before interrogating him about the Umbrella Academy. "You spent time with these people. What's your assessment?"
"Unimpressive. Neanderthals on a day pass. Cried too much and showered too little. The only thing they lacked more than grit was any regard for one another." Dad informed us truthfully. I laughed a little at his comment.
"No loyalty. We can use that." Ben started to strategize in his head. "Good. Give a full report to Christopher." Marcus nodded his head at Ben and looked back at Dad. Chris started talking to Dad as well.
Dad stood up and continued to talk about the Umbrella people. "Still, I wouldn't underestimate the Umbrella Academy. Yes, their skills are as lacking as their hygiene, yet somehow, they saved the world in 1963. Had they not, none of you would be standing here now. Perhaps I misjudged them." He looked as if he had come to a realization.
Chris told him to hurry up with the report, kicking Dad out of the room.
Everyone left the training room slowly. Marcus was about to leave until I called out for him. "Marcus! Hey, I have an idea." I told him with a small smirk on my face. "Yeah, what's up?" He looked at me confusingly.
"You know I can track them with my telekinesis. What if you were to send me there to get information out of them? They think they know me. It'll be a piece of cake." I suggested to my brother.
He was thinking about it for a minute. "I'll get back to you on that. I have to see if my plan works first. I'm meeting with their Number One. At least I think she's their Number one." He lightly laughed with a smile.
"You got this Marcus." I high-fived him and walked back to my room to take a shower.
⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡...⋙
After the shower, I went to check up on Ben. I knocked on his door lightly before I picked up on him saying, "Come in." from the inside. I walked in and saw that he was at his desk, painting Jennifer again. I sat down on his bed and looked out his window.
"Hey, Ben?" I asked softly.
"Yeah?" He returned the tone.
"Why were they saying they know us?"
"I don't know, (Y/N)."
I laughed a little bit. "That guy with the hat was funny."
"More like annoying." Ben rolled his eyes at the thought of that certain Umbrella person.
I sighed again before looking back at Ben. "That Five guy was staring at me the entire time. I eventually talked to him and made him punch himself. You should've seen!" My voice got a little louder in laughter. It was just too funny.
"I'm sure you did. Next time, make sure I'm watching." He turned to look at me. We started laughing together and kept talking the entire evening.
⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡...⋙
Flashback...
The year 2003
I cried in pain. I couldn't move. It hurt so damn much. I couldn't remember what exactly happened on the mission but I sure as hell can feel it.
"It's okay, (Y/N). Breathe in and breathe out." I heard Ben's voice trying to comfort me.
We had just finished a mission and now we were outside waiting for Dad to pick us up. I was on the floor clenching my body from the pain.
There's a ringing in my ears. I can't hear very well right now. My vision is so blurry, I can't see. "It hurts Ben." I whimpered in agonizing pain. I can just hear Ben and Sloane. Telling me not to worry. Telling me Dad and Pogo are both on the way.
I attempt to look around. I see the figures of my five other siblings surrounding me too. A worried expression scattered across all of their faces. I couldn't stay awake for much longer. It hurt too much.
The next thing I remember is waking up in my bed. I was asleep for 2 days straight. There were bandages wrapped around both my arms and legs. I couldn't feel the aching pain anymore.
It took me 3 weeks to recover. As much as I tried to train with my siblings, they always sent me back to bed rest. They cared and checked up on me but I wanted to be out there again with them. I got lonely when they were off on missions and I was home.
But there was something off. I just couldn't tell what it was at the time. Whatever medication Dad gave me stopped my aging process. Which sucks, but at least I'm alive. It took me 2 or 3 years to figure it out since Dad never told me anything.
I've looked the same for 20 years. I've learned to let go but my siblings still tease me about it here and there.
⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡...⋙
I felt something was wrong again. No matter how hard I try to look for where this feeling is, I can't find it. I noticed Marcus had been gone for a while so I went to go look for him around the house. But, I looked everywhere and he wasn't there.
I guess I'll just have to ask him about the meeting tomorrow.
Giving up on looking for my brother, I went to my room and put on my pajamas. I laid down on my bed until I eventually fell asleep to the sound of the music playing in my room.
L is for the way you look at me... ♫
O is for the only one I see... ♫
V is very, very extraordinary... ♫
E is even more than anyone that you adore... ♫
Little did I know that Five Hargreeves would also be playing this exact song. Thinking about me.