Let it Rain (The Umbrella Academy)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: I Made a Deal

"Welcome home!" Dot held her arms out in a perky hug. "We've missed you."

I couldn't bring myself to even fake a a cheery smile. "It's nice to see you too, guys."

"Where have you been? You just kinda dropped off our radar and we got a little worried," Geraldine inquired in her silk voice.

I sweetly grinned thinking back on my life. It really was amazing. I just hated that it had to end this way. "Well, since I saw you last, I tried but failed to stop the '19 apocalypse as Dot would know." The woman in red glasses nodded. "But we, the Umbrella Academy, escaped to the past via Five's time traveling ability where I ended up in 1924."

"Wait, didn't Gill go to '17?" the dainty blonde woman asked.

I smiled and nodded then held out my left hand with the pearls. "Eighteen years this September." The two girls quietly squealed and grabbed my hand.

"Oh it's so darling," Robyn gawked. "So, where is he now? Why didn't you bring him with you? We really miss him too."

"Ah, um, had to leave them behind 'cause Ah made a deal with th' Commission. Ah work for th' Handler—She saves mah family from th' '63 apocalypse." I shakily exhaled then ran a hand over where she injected the tracker in my arm. A painful reminder that she owns me.

"Oh, hun... I'm so sorry." Geraldine rubbed my knee.

"It's for th' greater guid..." I took my hand back and twirled the beads. "Ah can't telepathically talk tae 'em either." I was trying to not let the water in my eyes fall but they were bound determined to. "Th' Commission's in a different timeline than theirs 'n... Ah can't get anywhere near 'em with this thing by th' sound of it."

Dot pulled me into a hug. "Oh, Cameron..." That's when I broke down.

"Ah miss them sae much," I choked out. "Taunted by them for an eternity." She rubbed my back. I sniffled and pulled myself together. "Well, I've got an assassination to get to. Georgi Markov is about to have a very bad four days." I sadly forced a pitiful chuckle then went to the case room. I took a trembling breath then flipped the latches.

September 7, 1978
London, England

"Okay, first things first." I sighed and sat down in a corner booth in a coffee shop.

An overly perky waitress walked towards me. "What can I—"

"Black coffee, please."

"Okie dokie. Will that be all?" I sighed and turned to the drops of rain racing down the window. "I'll take that as a yes," she grumbled under her breath.

Sure is dreary oot thare. Wish Ah could actually use mah umbrella bit naee. Thay had tae make that a weapon tae.

The waitress silently poured my coffee. I absentmindedly looked down at the black liquid steaming in my cup. Not even it was comforting right now. I couldn't use my powers either. For the first time to me coffee was just... coffee. It wasn't comforting. It wasn't of any use. It wasn't the cherished thoughts of old memories. It was only a pool of black in a chipped white mug. Just looking at it made my stomach turn.

Why does it hae tae be a dreary day? I tossed some money on the table then stood up and left, not casting another glance at the untouched mug.

I shuddered as I stepped into the chilled hazy weather and flipped up the collar of my long trench coat. I checked the black, poison injecting umbrella at my side, then started my way to the Waterloo Bridge.

Where are ye, Georgi? I squinted my eyes as I tried to pick out his face in the light rain. Then I spotted the silver haired man and stalked behind him. Noo tae dae mah job... I took a deep breath then stumbled into the man and injected the pellet of ricin poison into his thigh.