THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY

Run Boy Run

TRIGGER WARNING
BRIEF CHILD ABUSE/MENTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE

Six (give or take) years later.

Jennifer Klein winced as the shots went off in the next room. She looked up as footsteps approached, Hazel blinking down at her for a second. He gave her an awkward smile. “C'mon.” He gestured for her to get up with the hand holding his gun which made her twitch a little. She didn't bother trying to smile back as she slowly stood, placing a hand on the briefcase. Cha-Cha soon left the room, grumbling to herself like usual as she wiped at her shoulder. Little spats of blood flew off and she didn't give Jen so much as a glance as she grabbed onto the briefcase. Hazel took that as a sign to go as he flicked the briefcase open. They were soon returned to the commission, the familiar hustle and bustle of the building filling Jen's ears as she immediately let go of the briefcase.

“Ah, Hazel, Cha-Cha.” The Handler's sickeningly sweet voice filled the little girl's ears and it made her tense. The click of the women's heels followed the voice. “Hello, Jennifer.” She cooed, looking down to the girl who forced her lips into a light smile. “Hi.” She offered quietly. The Handler didn't seem phased by the awkward greeting as she looked back towards the two adults. “Wonderful job, as always. I knew I could count on you two.” The blonde shot the two assassins a big grin. The grin that made Jen shiver. Cha-Cha gave a light nod. “Thank you, ma'am.” She muttered briefly. The Handler's brows raised and she tilted her head.

“I have a new assignment for you… a very important assignment.” She clicked her tongue lightly, reaching out to give a light touch to Hazel’s face. He didn't react. Just stared at her. “You two remember Number Five, yes?” The two assassins gave another brief nod, and Jen glanced up. She'd heard the name. Number Five was a ‘legend’ in The Commission, for his apparent skill in his work. He was an assassin too. That was all she really knew about him. She'd never met him, and honestly, she didn't want to. “He's broken his contract.” The Handler continued with a smile. Though Jen noticed she seemed a bit more irritated as she explained. “And you know what happens to those who break their contract… Unfortunately, the other operatives we sent after him were… ahem. Not capable. But I trust you two will be able to handle this, yes?”

Cha-Cha's face twitched a bit. “Of course.” She assured, crossing her arms over her chest. The Handler's grin grew, if that was even possible. Lord, Jen hated that woman. “Wonderful! Jennifer, why don't you go see Dot? She'll give you the information.” The Handler suddenly looked at the little girl, who startled at suddenly being addressed. She gave a rapid little nod and quickly walked off. She went to the case workers room, poking her head in. Big green eyes darted around, looking for Dot. The woman was easy to spot, with her bright red blouse and big glasses. Jen swallowed anxiously and reluctantly stepped into the room. The typing stopped for a second as all eyes in the room moved to the unexpected guest. Though they all went back to what they were doing after a second.
“Jenny!” Dot's voice called out softly as the woman smiled. Jen's lips twitched a bit as she scurried over to Dot's desk. “Hi…” She murmured, a small, somewhat awkward smile on her face.

“How are you, little miss?” Dot questioned kindly as she halted her typing for the moment, the woman's attention on the little girl in front of her. Jen shifted on her feet a little and gave a small shrug. Dot just nodded a bit as her expression shifted to something more sympathetic. “Well, I assume you're here for the…” She trailed off a bit as she grabbed a little folder from inside her desk. “Number Five case?” The older woman smiled sweetly. A nice smile. Not like the one The Handler had. Jen nodded a bit, holding her hands out for the folder. “Yes… thank you…” Dot handed off the folder, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Of course, Jenny… oh! I have something for you.”