October 1, 2000
Brooke, after persuading her parents, was taken to see the Umbrella Academy. She'd heard stories and made it her goal to meet them. And on her eleventh birthday, she was finally able to.
She walked up to the mansion and knocked.
An Asian boy answered and asked, "Can I help you?"
Brooke was speechless for a moment and smiled. With her heavily accented voice, she said, "I've wanted to meet you for so long. You're my favorite, Ben."
He smiled shyly. "Um, thanks?"
"Oh, I'm Brooke."
"Nice to meet you, Brooke." Ben glanced back and closed the door behind him.
"Are you allowed to leave?"
He shrugged. "Probably not, but I'm going to anyway."
She smiled and pocketed her hands. "Um, so what do you like? When's your birthday?"
"Today."
"Mine too." She stood and did a small pirouette with a smile.
"That was nice."
"Thank you. Mother and Father enrolled me in lessons, but I personally find them unnecessary. You see," she lowered her voice, "I have a superpower."
Ben faced her and asked, "What is it?"
"Can I use you for a moment?"
"Um, sure?"
Brooke stood and with a wave of her hand, Ben was up and dancing. He tried to stop himself, but couldn't.
Brooke waved her hand again and he stopped.
"You're like a puppeteer," he said.
She shrugged. "I wouldn't go that far, but I can force people to dance. What about you? What's your power?"
He shook his head. "It's not as cool as yours."
"Oh, I'm sure it is." She sat and folded her hands. "Please?"
Ben sighed. "I have... Tentacles that I can use to attack people with."
Brooke nodded slowly. "That sounds terrifying, but cool."
"Really?" She nodded and he smiled. "You're the first to think that."
"Ben Hargreeves, you will never be a monster in my eyes."
"You'll always be my puppeteer."
"I told you; I'm not a puppeteer."
He shrugged as he stood. "You are to me. It was nice to meet you, Brooke. Happy birthday."
"You as well, Ben. Happy birthday to you as well."
That fall day, Brooke unknowingly fell for the boy who feared himself a monster.
The future would not be kind to the destined lovers, but they never forgot each other.
Love dances long after death, even if it isn't realized.
YOU ARE READING
Dancing After Death
ActionBrooke Marino was one of 43 children born on October 1, 1989. But she was one of 36 that was never adopted. She meets the Umbrella Academy and two click right away, so to speak. But before either of them can admit how they feel, tragedy strikes. ...
