a mannequin and a boy • the umbrella academy ON HOLD

volume two, issue 5

"Dolores, can't you just use that spirit magic of yours to get the key?" Klaus asked her as she leaned against the prison cell wall with an amused look.

Over the course of the three years she was forced to spend with him, she may not have aged nor found a way home, but at least her and Klaus formed an interesting bond. They were close enough that he could see her in her spirit form, or at least hear her if she so chooses not to be viewed by him.

Dolores also managed to learn more about her powers. Like how she can interact with the physical world, or really spook people.

"I could, but that would cheating, wouldn't it? And I wouldn't call it 'spirit' magic, more like... 'leaving Klaus alone' magic" Dolores replied, going completely invisible to Klaus as she spectated an odd man obsessing over the false prophet.

"Oh, come on!" Klaus exclaimed, and Dolores left him alone, easily phasing through the bars to see what was going on at the front desk.

As she expected, there was just a normal man that was working there, and nothing was interesting to her.

And then, the unexpected. Allison Hargreeves, a woman that Dolores hasn't seen in three years, walked right through the door.

Dolores disregarded everything else and made herself visible, running up to Allison. Luckily, no one noticed the powers aspect of it, but the sudden appearance of an Asian girl and a black woman did alarm most of the white people in the room.

"Dolores? Dolores!" Allison exclaimed, shocked and delighted at the same time.

"Allison!"

"You haven't changed- at all. How long have you been here?"

"In Dallas? Barely a day. In the 60's? Three years."

"But how? You still look fourteen."

"I spent a lot of it in a not very..." Dolores paused, glancing at the receptionist. "Physical, if you will."

"Excuse me, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the receptionist told the two, with a hard glare directed especially at Allison. "I can tolerate a black woman, but you, young lady, could be a spy for all I know."

"Oh. Right. I'm here to see my husband, Ray." Dolores's eyes widened after she glared at the man, looking over at a now saddened Allison.

"Go to the black section, you'll find him." With that, Allison started down the hallway, Dolores following her like a lost puppy.

Being here for three years really taught Dolores just how much appearance and a glance could determine your label, but being able to disappear reassured her, at least.

Dolores left Allison alone to talk to her husband, disappearing to walk around the building freely. No one seemed very threatening despite the building being the place for threatening people, which was nice. Not that Dolores really had any reason to worry-- no one could even touch her, after all.

"I suggest you quit analyzing everyone you pass before someone notices," someone said the moment she stepped outside. Shivers ran up her arms and goosebumps formed as she searched the area for the owner of the creepy voice.

Standing toward the side of the building was a fairly lanky man with a brown goatee that matching his receding hair. Dolores wouldn't imagine him to be so intimidating if he hadn't spoke, especially since he spoke directly to her.

No one should see Dolores-- she confirmed that already when a few people walked right through her-- so how could he?

The man stared right into her eyes as he motioned for her to draw closer.

She did as she was told, managing to stay a reasonable distance away as well. He couldn't hurt her, as she was untouchable, but considering the fact that he shouldn't be able to see her, she didn't know what to expect.

"Dolores. I've been spending a lot of time searching for you." Dolores's eyes widened, but she chose not to say anything, wanting to hear this man out.

"No one can just come here and stay for so long without being questioned. How many kids like you have you even seen?"

"No one, sir."

"And by that I don't just mean of your color or your race. In fact, no one can see you, Dolores, but you knew that already."

"Yes, sir."

"But I don't want to turn you in, just ask you a few questions. I also need a favor. Think you could do that for me, Dolores?" She nodded, timidly.

The man beckoned for her to follow him as he started walking down the side of the street to a car.

The man was starting to look more familiar as the sun shined on him when it passed, but Dolores couldn't put her finger on it just yet.

Of course, Dolores knew not to get into a car with strangers, seeing as they could easily drive off and you'll never be seen again. But she already came this far, and she wanted to see where he'd go. 

Besides, Klaus wouldn't be out for a while and who knew where Ben ran off to? She had time. 

As the two drove off, Dolores thought about Allison, and her mind drifted to Five. She hadn't seen Five in years, with no indication or even sign that he was even in this timeline, but that was also true for Allison up until a few moments ago. 

"Excuse me for asking this, sir, but what did you say your name was, again?" Dolores politely asked, her head tilted. He glanced at her, his eyes glazed over with something... alien. 

"I didn't."

"Didn't what?"

"Say my name."

Dolores pouted, nodding. 

"But I'll tell you what it is."

Just tell me already! Dolores thought, her head snapping over to look at him as if that'll help her hear more clearly. He took a deep breath, and as if something, a switch, maybe, flipped in her mind, she recognized his face from a portrait. 

A portrait on a wall. A wall of a building. A building that looked normal but housed the extraordinary. 

"Reginald Hargreeves."

author's note 

"haha guys I just like writing Dolores's chapters more" I was wrong, this was hard for some reason but I'm pretty okay with the result. 

Question of the Chapter: are you in school/work yet, after quarantine?

My answer: I'm supposed to start online in a week, and then I'll get the choice to go or stay online for school.

thank you guys so much for 40K! I love you!