PYROMANIAC - (Umbrella Academy) X Five Hargreeves

2:19

They entered the alleyway hand in hand. Right before they rounded the corner, Five had asked her if she was sure she wanted to go through with it.

She had stared him right in the eyes and was so filled with adrenaline and anger she found didn't care anymore.

The Handler would get what she wanted - they would get what they wanted - and she never had to see the vile woman again.

So they waited in the alley for her; Lena picking blood from under her nails as an anxious habit and Five pacing up and down with his hands in his pockets. Neither said much, the anticipation of waiting killing the air between them.

When The Handler did arrive, Lena's whole body tensed and she nearly snapped her nail in half. On the outside she kept her expression neutral, but inside she was screaming.

The woman's grin widened when she saw Lena, and then Five holding AJ inside the cup of water.

"AJ!"

She took the cup and cackled at the sight of him confined right in the palm of her hand.

She held it up with triumph, eyeing the two before locking her eyes on Five. "You know you're really starting to fill out those tight little shorts of yours." She commented.

Lena bristled and tucked Five behind her ever so slightly, him gripping her hand behind her back. "Give us what we came here for."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. I thought you'd be buzzing after this mornings slaughter!"

"I am," Lena commented stiffly, her eyes glowing a deep fiery red that reflected in the Handlers eyes. "But probably not in a way you'd like, so take care of your part of the bargain!"

Five could feel her hand burn in his and just squeezed hers tightly back.

She grit her teeth and stared defiantly up at the woman.

The Handler rolled her eyes and picked up the briefcase at her feet, holding it out. "Here," she sighed.

Lena grabbed it and passed it back to Five, exchanging a hopeful look with him in secret.

The Handler checked her watch. "As per our agreement, this will get you and your siblings
back to 2019."

She gripped Five's hand tightly.

"You have ninety minutes."

Their heads snapped round at the same time so fast they could have gotten whiplash.

She dropped Five's hand in shock. "What?!"

Five clenched his teeth. "You said nothing about a time limit."

She suddenly felt sick.

"Actually, you have eighty nine minutes
and thirty seconds," she flashed them a pleased smile. "Better hurry."

Lena felt her chest ache like someone was stabbing her right in the heart. She span to face Five who was pale, fists clenched, holding the case within a white knuckled grip.

"This is impossible, okay?"

All Lena could hear was her heartbeat in her ears mimicking the ticking of a clock.

"My siblings are scattered across the city!"

She could feel her skin burning with absolute, uncontrollable rage as she realised this was the Handlers plan all along - to fuck them over. To get what she wanted while they had to pick up the pieces.

Like usual.

"Nothing's impossible. You proved that this morning when you killed the board." She stated sweetly, her lipstick painted smile painfully sharp.