Doomsday Creators (The Umbrella Academy) Book Three

11. Mixtape

Once Viktor and Allison headed out to bargain with the Sparrows, Lucy went into town to steal some more clothes for everyone, since they only owned the clothes they had arrived in.
She didn't like stealing, but in the 60's she had grown accustomed to doing it to survive. And since they were now living in another timeline they didn't belong in, they couldn't get jobs, so none of them had an income.
Lucy took it upon herself to make sure that her family was provided for, since her ability helped her to take things that didn't belong to her.

When Lucy returned to the hotel, she found Luther sitting in the lobby beside an old tape player, listening to songs through a pair of headphones.
Lucy approached him curiously and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
"Are you making a mixtape?" Questioned Lucy, as she pointed down at all the tapes on the table.
"Oh, yes, I am" answered Luther.
"Why?" Asked Lucy.
"Well, I'm not great with words or emotions, so I hoped this would show the person I like, how I feel"
"Who on earth would you be making a mixtape for?"
"Someone special".

"I hope it's not for Allison. She's going through a lot right now, and making her a mixtape would be a nice gesture, but it's not really what she needs right now. A bunch of cheesy 80's love songs, aren't going to make her feel any better. If anything they will make her feel worse" admitted Lucy.
"It's not for her" Luther said quickly.
"Oh, then who are you planning on giving a mixtape of love songs to?" Quizzed Lucy.
"Don't tell the others, but I've met someone, and I want this tape to tell her how I feel"
"When have you had the chance to meet someone? We've only been in this time zone for like 2 days, and 1 of those days you were being held captive by the Sparrows".

Luther blushed, and Lucy quickly put the pieces together.
"You've got a crush on one of the Sparrows" gasped Lucy.
"Not exactly" mumbled Luther.
"Explain" demanded Lucy.
"Well, she likes me too. So, it's not a one sided cruch. We shared an instant connection on the day we met. And when we were alone together yesterday, we shared a very intimate moment" revealed Luther.
Lucy shuddered, "Please tell me you didn't sleep with one of them".
"O.K, I won't tell you then" replied Luther.

"Don't get smart with me. Luther, what were you thinking? Have you forgotten that they are the enemy?" Questioned Lucy.
"The Sparrows aren't that bad when you get to know them" insisted Luther.
"They tried to kill us" reminded Lucy.
"They were just defending their home. We would have done the same thing if someone turned up unexpectedly at our house and started causing a scene. They aren't angry at us anymore though, they just want Marcus back. And Sloane was really nice to me-"
"Did it occur to you that she was just being nice, so that she could get information out of you?" Interupted Lucy.

"Of course I thought that at first. I even confronted her about it, after our first gym work out together, but she denied that was what she was doing. And when I left the house that night, she snuck me back in through her window, so that she could spend more time with me, behind her siblings backs" revealed Luther.
"Of course she was going to deny it. No one would admit that they were using you" replied Lucy.
"You don't know her like I do. Sloane is a good person. When we are together, she doesn't ask me about you guys, we discuss our hobbies and dreams. She isn't trying to get information on our family, so that they can beat us again in the next fight" informed Luther.

"Manipulaters don't demand things straight away. They pretend to be your friend, and worm their way into your head and your heart. Once there, they can do whatever they like with you, because you trust them. I learned the hard way, that you can never trust people who want to get close to you. They always have their own agenda's. You cannot trust Sloane, she is a Sparrow, and that makes her the enemy" warned Lucy, as she thought about what Daniel had done to her.
"Not everyone in the world is out to get you. Some people are actually really nice. And if you got to know Sloane, I'm sure you two would become friends" insisted Luther.

"I doubt it, because I don't trust anyone outside of our family anymore. It is too dangerous for you to spend any more time with this woman, because you can't tell that she is manipulating you, and you might accidentally say something that could put us all in danger. You need to trust me on this, and stay away from her" instructed Lucy.
"Or how about you trust me? I know what I'm doing, and I don't need you telling me what to do. I trust my instincts, and my gut is telling me that Sloane is a good person. I like her, and I think she likes me. We shared something special last night, and I know it was real. You don't have to trust her or the Sparrows, just trust me. I am a grown up, and I can take care of myself. So, just leave me to it, because I know what I'm doing" reassured Luther.

"I'm just trying to look out for you, and our family. Too many things have gone wrong for us, and for once, I want us to have an easy and peaceful life. I won't bury any more siblings. Since we are stuck in this time line, I don't want things to get worse with the Sparrows. I want to avoid another confrontation with them, if possible" admitted Lucy.
"I understand that, and I'm grateful that you want to protect me. But I don't need your protection. And if you really want to avoid another confrontation, then you need to stop seeing the Sparrows as the enemy. We need to mend our relationship with them, and that is what I am trying to do; bring the two families together. Think of me as the bridge between us" replied Luther.

"I guess since I can't stop you from seeing her, without tieing you up forever, I am going to have to let you do this. But just be careful, please, for me" begged Lucy.
"I will. And thank you for trusting me, you won't regret it" smiled Luther.
"I had better not..." Lucy faltered, and clutched her chest, before bending over in pain.
"Are you alright? Are you going to pass out? Is your consciousness going to leave again?" Asked Luther, his face full of concern.
"No, it's not that. I'm never in pain when that happens" answered Lucy, as she took a few deep breaths.

"What's wrong with you then?" Questioned Luther.
Lucy sighed and stood up straight, "I think Five just left this time zone".
"How do you know?" Quizzed Luther.
"Because it feels like a part of me has been ripped away. It doesn't feel like this when he just goes far away. He must have Blinked to another time period without me, because I can't feel him anymore. Ever since finding out we are twins, our bond has been stronger than ever, which is why I know he isn't around anymore" explained Lucy.

"I thought he wasn't going to travel in time any more, because of what happened last time, when he got stuck in the apocalypse" frowned Luther.
"I thought so to, but clearly he has changed his mind. He must be trying to solve this grandfather paradox thing by himself" replied Lucy.
"Are you going to be O.K with him gone?" Asked Luther.
"I'll be fine. It was just a shock to have him suddenly pulled from me like that, when I wasn't expecting it. But I'm fine now, it doesn't hurt any more, I just feel a bit empty, that's all... I think I'll go back to my room and rest"
"Alright, but don't hesitate to come and get me, if you need anything"
"Thanks big brother... I hope your girlfriend likes your mixtape"
"Me too".