Siren (Umbrella Academy 7.5)

11. I Heard a Rumor

[Enjoy the length and drama. 🖤]

At the hospital, a woman on the PA called, "Dr, Cooper, call the nursing staff. Dr. Cooper, please call the nursing staff."

"Vanya?" Harold called, placing a hand to her arm. "Madelina, hey. Hey. Wake up."

Vanya opened her eyes. "Oh, my God, you're awake!"

"Yeah."

"Wh--Why... Why... Why... Why are you dressed?"

"I'm gettin' out of here."

Madelina frowned. "Shouldn't you be observed? Or--" They stood.

"No, no, no. They, uh, want me to come back for a checkup tomorrow, and to be fitted for a prosthetic eye, but that's it."

Vanya looked at Harold. "God, your eye, I am so sorry. We both are."

"No,  I don't wanna--I don't wanna talk about it, I just... Let's go home, okay? Madelina, you're welcome to spend more time with your sister."

"Okay." Vanya gathered her stuff. "I'm just glad you're all right. I don't know what I'd have done if something happened to you."

Madelina smiled lightly. "We would've figured something out, V."

As they walked through the halls, a nurse called, "Excuse me! Mr. Peabody. The doctor hasn't discharged you."

Vanya frowned. "I thought you--"

Harold cut her off. "I'm fine. I'm ready to go."

The nurse pursed her lips. "Fine, but you'll have to sign the voluntary discharge papers."

Harold groaned and was handed a clipboard as Madelina said, "There were three men that were injured outside the tavern last night. Do you know what happened to them?"

The nurse met her eyes. "We just got one."

"And where are the other two?" Vanya questioned.

"Well, paramedics couldn't save them."

Vanya's and Madelina's minds flashed back to the previous night.

"And the one that made it?" Harold wondered.

"Critical condition, but still with us, thank God. Just waiting for him to wake up." Harold handed the clipboard back to the nurse as she continued. "Though, he has been mumbling about some sort of creature from Greek mythology. A Siren, I believe. Delusional words of a traumatized brain."

"Come on," Harold pressed, wrapping an arm around Vanya's shoulders.

ACADEMY - KITCHEN

August was pacing in the kitchen. He hadn't heard from Madelina, and his worry was increasing by the minute. Saraya hadn't slept well, as she always had her mother sing a lullaby, but Madelina was, again, nowhere to be found.

Klaus walked into the kitchen. "Oh, hey, August. We have a family meeting. You can attend if you wish. Since, you know, you're technically family."

"Yeah, sure," August muttered. "Klaus, please tell me you've heard from Madi."

"Sorry, doc. I haven't. Listen. I'm gonna go get the others. You drink a cup of coffee. Or two. You look like you could use it."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Oh, yeah. Back in a jiffy!"

Klaus left and August began brewing a cup of coffee.

Luther came down, shortly followed by Klaus, and held his head.