Acorns and Butterflies

Part 2

Allison did her best to comfort Vanya, who was crying hysterically as soon as the boys left.

She gave Vanya a hug and Vanya clung to her like a woman who's husband had just gone off to war.

When Luther finally got back he just said, "Where...?"

"California," Allison said. "Apparently."

"Goodness," Pogo said. "Sir Reginald is not going to be happy about this."

Allison, Luther, and Vanya were in the line with their arms clasped behind their backs.

"Where in California?" Dad demanded.

"I don't know, sir," Luther said. "They just... something about Hollywood? Is that right, Vanya?"

Vanya shrugged, looking down at the floor. Allison hated the way Vee would do that. Hiding her face with her hair.

"You've poisoned your siblings with your Hollywood magazines, Number Three," Dad said. "I hope you're proud of yourself."

Allison said, "What? It's not MY fault!"

"She told them we have to wait until we're eighteen," Vanya said.

Dad scoffed, "As if I would allow you to waltz out of here at any point?"

Speaking of waltzing.

Five chose that moment to casually walk into the training room where they'd been lined up.

"Five!" Luther said. "You came back!"

"Uh huh," Five said. "Where's everyone else?"

"Number Five!" Dad said. "You will explain yourself this instant, young man!"

"Uh huh," Five said. "I'll be sure to do that."

"Where are your siblings?" Dad said. "What have you done with them?"

Five squinted at Dad. Then he looked at the line, made eye contact with Allison, and said, "Four, Two, and Six... left... with me?"

"Is that a question?" Allison said.

Five sighed, "I'll bring them back."

"Wait!" Vanya said.

But Five blinked away in his usual spark of blue lights.

"That foolhardy boy!" Dad said. "That arrogant little boy!"

"What should we do, sir?" Luther said. "Should we arrange for a search party in California?"

"Five said he's going to bring them back," Vanya said. "So maybe we should just wait for them to come back?"

"I've had it up to here with that reckless child!" Dad said. "When he returns he'll be punished ten fold!"

"Um," Allison said. "What does that... mean?"

Vanya started crying again and Allison wanted to give her another hug, but Dad had told them to stay in military pose. Vanya was the only one breaking formation...

Allison frowned at her shoes.

"Never you mind," Dad said. "I want the rest of you to quarantine yourselves in your rooms for the rest of the day."

"Huh?" Luther said. "But I want to help you find them!"

"There's no point in searching," Dad said. "At least... not manually."

"What does that MEAN?!" Allison screamed.

Dad glared at her and said, "Settle down, Number Three."

"No!" Allison said. "I won't settle down!"