Let it Rain (The Umbrella Academy)

CHAPTER EIGHT: The Old Man

I chewed on my cheek in thought. "So, guys, have you heard anything aboot the 2019 apocalypse? Is that still on?"

"I assume so. I think it's been planned since the start of the Commission. Everything always is," Li answered.

"Why do you ask?" Gilligan cocked his head.

"It juist makes me uneasy tae think about, I guess. The end of everything just seems a wee intense, don't you think?" I scratched at my face in stress.

"It kinda is ain't it?" Gill agreed and took my hand away from my face before it bled.

"I know but Mum said that it had to happen though. That it "wasn't the end of everything, just the end of something,"" she mimicked the Handler. "Also, Guppy's gonna agree to whatever you say." She laughed and his skin bloomed red.

"N-No I wouldn't. I just genuinely agree. My own opinion." He crossed his arms.

"Why's your face red then," Lila teased as she jabbed at his arm.

"Anyway," we both abruptly responded. It was no secret that Fish liked me but I went out of my way to avoid the topic because part of my heart still belonged to Five.

"If ye could stop it, would you?" I asked my two best friends.

"Probably not. It's the way things were meant to be. Why?" Lila squinted her eyes.

"Oh, nae reason, juist curious," I covered.

"If you say so, goofus." Lila grinned. Odd.

The Handler strode into the room in her trademark red heels and all black attire as her blonde curly hair bounced with each step. "Cameron dear, you are going to be partnered up with someone new for today. Lila honey, you're going to be on a solo mission for me."

Our jaws dropped as we started in unison, "But—"

"No buts. This is final." She pushed a briefcase into my hands. "You will meet your temporary partner on this date." She handed me a piece of paper.

—————

CONFIDENTIAL

July 29, 1993
Alton Motel, East London
8:00 AM

—————

"You'll be further debriefed when you get there."

"Can I be Cameron's—?" Gilligan started but couldn't finish his sentence because as quickly as she had walked in she had walked out. "—And she's gone. Cool..."

"Well I guess I'll see you later." Lila looked at me a little stunned. We were practically conjoined at the hip whether it was on missions or around the Commission. We haven't done many missions without each other so there must be a reason, especially since I'm still injured so I can't use my powers safely yet.

"Aye, yeah, I'll see you in a bit." Lila followed the Handler out the door. "Alrighty then."

"Well, have fun. Be safe. Try not to get shot or stabbed this time." Gilligan smirked.

"No promises." I chuckled. "Wish you could just be my partner."

"I know! We haven't been on a mission together in like five weeks and three days... or so. Rough guesstimate."

"Sounds like you do." I chuckled. "1870, Aleksandr Ilyich Ulyanov. Mixed feelings aboot tha' one. Wish we coulda handed him over before he did all that but of course the point of waiting had to be to spark his brother's interest." I scoffed. "Sick, really."

"Though, if anyone was gonna do it at least it was us, together."

We grinned at each other. "Aye, I guess so." There was a silence as we locked eyes. I blinked a few times to break our trance. "Well, I gotta skedaddle."