time after time // the umbrella academy (2)

payphone - MAROON 5

Yeah, I, I know it's hard to remember
The people we used to be
It's even harder to picture
That you're not here next to me

CHAPTER 1

I fall to my knees as my breathing increases. I turn in a sitting position only to stare up at the blue glowing time-travelling vortex I fell from only moments before. I slowly stand up feeling my pale hands shake.

"DIEGO?" I yell into the whirling portal. My red hair is whipped around my face as I watch it grow smaller. "FIVE!" I scream. I receive no reply as the hole in the sky closes. I breathe out a shaky breath as I run my hands through my hair. I lick my lips unsure what to do as I turn around taking in my surroundings. The empty alleyway stairs back at me as I realise I'm alone. "Fuck." I slowly make my way out of the alleyway as I pull my sandy coloured cardigan around my torso. I emerge from the alleyway only to be met with a town that looks like something from a movie. The cars, I recognised, are definitely not from the 2000s. I look around frantically trying to catch any glimpse of my family. My stomach drops as I realise I'm truly alone. I notice a young blonde woman not too much older than me walking in my direction. "Excuse me." I state touch a lady's shoulder just before she walks past me, "Hi, sorry to bother you but would you be able to possibly tell me the year this is." I watch as she moves out of my grasp.

"1960." The lady states as she gives me a disgusted look.

"1960." I repeat lost for words. The lady quickly walks away quickly leaving me standing on the sidewalk. Each individual that passes gives me a stare. It's only now that I notice my clothing. My sandy coloured cardigan, my white bodysuit, my blue jeans and brown high heeled ankle boots don't fit in in 1960. I silently curse myself as I walk up the street looking into the windows of clothing stores. I come upon a store simply titled 'clothing'. I giggle to myself, goals. A small bell rings as I enter the store.

"Hello Ma'am, how can I help you?" A man questions giving my clothing a sceptical look. I cross my hands over my chest before replying.

"I'm looking for new clothes." The man nods before taking me over to the woman's section. I immediately notice a knee-length plaid dress that is high neck and short sleeves. I don't usually choose red clothes as the sometimes clash with my hair but in this instance, I don't particularly mind it.

"This a beautiful dress for someone with your figure." I jump at the sudden noise but soon feel infuriated by the statement. I turn to him with a sweet smile.

"I agree, can I try them on?" The man nods over to the change rooms. I smile with a nod in reply before walking the way he pointed. On my way over I grab a long sleeve white shirt that I thought could add to the look. I walk into one of the small confines rooms towards the back of the store before shutting it behind me. I quickly undress and dress before looking in the mirror. I have placed the white shirt under the dress and I must say, not too bad. I reach into the pockets of my jeans realising I have no money. "Shit." I hiss. I look up getting an idea, a horrible idea, but an idea. But I couldn't possibly. I quickly open the door and snatch the pillow that was placed on a small waiting bench before getting back inside the small cubicle. I place the pillow on the floor before kneeling down beside it. I relocate my cloths to a further location before placing my hands face down on the pillow. I feel a warm sensation tingle my hands as the pillow gains heat. I remove my hands to see a small flame build on the surface of the pillow. I quickly gather my items before blowing on the fire. This action causes the fire the grow rapidly. I quickly leave the empty changing room, thank go no women are changing, and enter the main part of the store. I immediately locate the man for earlier before walking up to him. "Hi, um there's a fire in the back room." I state giving him a small smile. His eyes widen as he runs to the back room. I quickly grab a pair of white heels as the man's voice booms through the store.

"EVERYONE EVACUATE!" I smile to my self as I run out of the store holding my own used clothes and the white pumps. Once outside I continue running until I reach the edge of the town. I let out a few deep breaths looking around at the scenery. "Stupid 5!" I mumble kicking a rock. I watch as it flies across the road with a small sigh. A small tear falls from my eye as I think about my family, my siblings. As much as we fight I know deep down we love each other. Out of all of them, I'm the closest to number 2, Diego. He and I had always been close in our academy days and since our meeting back up at Dad's funeral its been like no time had been lost. I continue walking across the path that leads me further and further into the forest surrounding the town. Why did I bring pumps? The sun begins to set as I decide to camp out. I've always been in tune with the environment due to the powers I received at birth. Much like my other siblings, I gained powers I was taught to control when living with the Umbrella Academy. Since I can remember I've always been able to control the elements; fire, water, earth and air. I remember my father being confused with my power as it was quite powerful, it still is. I arrive at a secluded area under a massive tree creating a shelter and a fallen log. I place my old clothes on the grassy floor before sticking my hand out. Three sticks fly into my hand. I place these sticks over my old clothes before holding my palm out. There sat a ball of fire, just floating on my palm. I placed it on my clothes causing them to catch on fire. I feel myself smirk. Out of the four elements, fire has always been my favourite. It makes me feel strong and fierce. I lay back on the grass feeling the warmth of the fire by my side, the crisp evening wind tug at my hair. I hold my hand over my face examining the tattoo etched onto my wrist I received as a child. The symbol for the Umbrella Academy stares back at me as I sigh letting my arm falling back onto the grassy floor. I look up into the night sky as a shooting star flies across the dark canvas. My mind wonders to my siblings hoping they are safe, wherever they are.

OUTFIT