In Every Timeline

CHAPTER 06

5 YEARS AGO

 
I was in my office after a long stressful day reading a book. Specifically, Vanya’s book. "My name is Vanya Hargreeves, and this is my story. We were never a real family. We were our father's creation, family in name... And smile... but not in fact, In the end, after our brother Ben had died, there was really nothing connecting us.” My breath hitched. She was just throwing it all out casually. I felt like throwing up as I continued.  “Cassie, my sister, the only one in the family who actually cared about me even a little. That all stopped after Ben died. Ben and Cassie, they had a special relationship. They understood each other more than anyone else did. After Ben died, she closed off. Stopped living just existing. She became the shell of once sweet cheerful girl I knew. And then she left. Without a word. Without a goodbye. Almost as if nothing else mattered to her, she disappeared. She was the first to leave. Dad was angry, almost a little upset. Probably because she was his favorite…”  I closed the book breathing heavily. How dare she? What the hell was she thinking? Of course I left. I couldn’t care less about Dad. If it wasn’t for Diego… I wouldn’t even be alive…She had no right to use Ben’s name like that….

PRESENT
 

“I thought you said you were going to help. But you’re just flirting with Benarino over here while poor ol' me dumpster dives.” Klaus complained from the dumpster. “I’m not touching that shit.” I said standing several feet away from him. “Mean.” He complained. “You threw them. Not me.” Retorted. “Can we go see a movie or something? Or the ocean?” Ben asked sitting on the railing above. I used my powers and levitated and sat next to him. “A movie does sound nice.” I said softly. “I'm trying to find whatever... priceless crap was in that priceless box so that Pogo will get off my ass!” Klaus yelled. “I'd ask what you're up to, Klaus, but then it occurred to me... I don't care.” Five said climbing down the ladder. “Hey Five.” I waved. He glanced up at me questioningly, probably because where I was sitting on. “Hey! You know there are easier ways out of the house, buddy?” Klaus reminded him. “This one involved the least amount of talking. Or so I thought.” “Hey, hey, hey, so...You need any more company today? I could, uh... clear my schedule.” “Oh, this? No, no. I can do this whenever. I'm just... I just misplaced something. That's all. Oh! Found it! Thank God! Delicious.” Klaus said, eating something from the trash. “Eww Klaus!” I said disgusted. Ben cringed. “I'm done funding your drug habit.” “Come on! You don't... Maybe I just wanna hang out with my brother.” Ben gave him an offended look. “Not you. Mi hermano! I love you! Even if you can't love yourself!” Klaus yelled as Five drove away somewhere. Probably so do some weird things. “So… wanna go watch a movie?” I asked, getting on the ground. “Sure. But keep the ghost PDA to a minimum.” Klaus said leading the way in.

“I mean, do you really think Mom would hurt Dad?” Vanya asked after seeing the footage. Luther was showing us a footage Allison had found on the night dad died. “You haven't been home in a long time, Vanya. Maybe you don't know Grace anymore.” Luther said nonchalantly. I glared at him. “That’s mom you’re talking about.” I said not liking how he was addressing her. She may be a robot but she is our mother. She raised us. “If he was poisoned, it would have shown in the coroner's report.” Diego added. I nodded agreeing with him. “Well, I don't need a report to tell me what I can see with my own eyes.” Luther continued. “Maybe all that low gravity in space messed with your vision. Look closer. Dad has his monocle. Mom stands up. Monocle's gone.” Diego said zooming in on the footage. “She wasn't poisoning him. She was... taking it. To clean it.” “Then where is it? No, I've searched the house, including her things. She doesn't have it.” Luither asked getting frustrated. “That's because I took it from her. After the funeral.” Diego revealed. “You've had the monocle this whole time? What the hell, Diego?” Allison said angrily. I sighed knowing another fight was about to break out. “Give it to me.” Luther demanded. “I threw it away.” “You what?” “Look, I knew that if you found it on Mom, you'd lose your shit, just like you're doing right now.” “Diego, you son of a bitch.” Luther said approaching him threateningly. I stood up quickly, getting ready to stop them if needed. “Hey. No. Calm down. Look, I know Dad wasn't exactly an open book. But I do remember one thing he said. Mom was, well, designed to be a caretaker, but... also as a protector.” Vanya said breaking them apart. “What does that mean?” Allison asked confused. “She was programmed to intervene if someone's life was in jeopardy.” She explained. “Well, if her hardware is degrading, then... We need to turn her off.” Luther added. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. She's not just a vacuum cleaner you can throw in a closet. She feels things, I've seen it!” Diego protested. “She just stood there, Diego, and watched our father die.” “Who cares Luther? Dad is dead now. You’re not taking away the only mother we all ever had.” I said angrily. Diego nodded firmly agreeing with me. “I'm with Luther.” Allison said. I rolled my eyes. Of course she is. “Surprise, surprise.” They both looked at Vanya who was looking all shocked. “- I... I don't...” she started but Diego cuts her off. “Yeah, she shouldn't get a vote.” I glared at him. “Wh... - I was gonna say that I agree with you.” Vanya said annoyed. “Okay. She should get a vote.” “What about you, stoner boy? What do you got?” Diego asked Klaus who was leaning against a pillar drinking. “Oh, so, what? You need my help now? Oh, ‘Get out of the van, Klaus!’ ‘Well, welcome back to the van.’ “ I gave him a confused look. Van? I thought. “What's it gonna be, Klaus?” Luther asked again. “I'm with Diego, because screw you! And if Ben were here, he'd agree with me.” Klaus replied. “No, I don't.” Ben commented from the nearby sofa. I gave him a annoyed look, disappointed. Ben gave me an innocent look but Klaus hissed at him. “So that's four?” “Vote's not final yet. Five's not here. The whole family has to vote. We owe each other that.” Allison reminded. Luther agreed and they all walked away leaving Vanya, Diego and I alone. We turned around to see mom had been listening to the conversation. She looked upset. “You all seem upset. I'll make cookies.” She said and walked away. “Do you ever wonder... All those moments with Mom, the things she said. Like, was it her, or was it really Dad?” Vanya asked suddenly. I looked at Diego not wanting to believe it. Mom was nothing like dad. I refused to believe it. “What are you talking about?” “Well, he built her. And he programmed her to be a mom, to be our mom. Sometimes when I look at her, I just see him.” “Maybe that was true at first. But she evolved.” “Well, how do you know?” “Because Dad only loved himself.” Diego said walking away. I sighed. Vanya took out her meds and drank some. “I’ll see you later Vee” I hugged Vanya and left wanting to be alone.

 

NOTES :)

Hey, sorry about the short chapter. I have exams in my college these days. I'll try to update again soon. Tell me what do you think about Cassie's relationship with her family so far and her history that is slowly unravelling.