|| "𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝" ||
Cassie 'Number 8' Hargreeves has lived under her father, Reginald Hargreeves for the past 17 years of her life. But when he dies after heart failure she doesn't know what to do, that's...
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˗ˏˋ꒰☂️꒱
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗
Cassie Hargreeves sat cross-legged on her bed, her gaze distant as she made a stuffed animal float idly in front of her. The news of her adoptive father, Reginald Hargreeves, passing away from heart failure lingered in the air, but she didn't feel much of anything about it. She hadn't been close to him, and his absence didn't weigh on her the way it seemed to on everyone else.
A knock at her door startled her, and the stuffed animal dropped to the floor. She looked up just as the door opened to reveal her older brother, Diego, standing there with a gentle smile.
"Hey, Cass," he said, stepping into her room. He picked up the stuffed animal and, with a casual toss, sent it back onto the bed beside her.
Cassie watched him, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Hey, Diego."
Most of Cassie's siblings had left the Academy a few years ago, moving on to carve out their own paths beyond the strict world of Reginald Hargreeves. But at fourteen, Cassie remained, her days spent in the familiar, echoing halls that had always been her home. She didn't feel entirely alone, though. She still had Grace, her adoptive mother, whose warmth and gentle presence were constant sources of comfort.
And then there was Pogo, the kind and insightful chimpanzee who had watched over her and her siblings for as long as she could remember. His steady presence made Cassie feel like she still had a family here, even if it looked a little different than it once had.
Diego stood at the doorway, his expression serious but softening as he looked at Cassie. "We're gonna have a meeting about Dad in the living room in a few minutes."
Cassie nodded, the weight of his words sinking in but feeling distant. "Okay, I'll be down in a few minutes," she replied, trying to sound reassuring.
Diego gave her a brief nod before turning to leave her room. As he walked away, Cassie felt the familiar tug of uncertainty in her chest, knowing she would have to face the conversations and emotions waiting for her downstairs.
As the door clicked shut behind Diego, Cassie lay back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The quiet hum of the Academy seemed louder in the stillness, wrapping around her like a heavy blanket. She took a few slow breaths, letting the reality of the moment settle in. She'd never been close to her dad, and yet the house felt different now, emptier in a way she couldn't quite name.
After a few seconds, Cassie sighed and pushed herself up. The weight of the upcoming meeting tugged at her, but she knew she couldn't avoid it. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, slipped her feet into her shoes, and made her way downstairs to join her family.
