Control {The Umbrella Academy} *Complete*

Chapter 6

It took her a-while to regain some sort of composure over herself. Once she was able to keep her shaking hands still, Leta stood and made her way inside. The first person to notice was, of course, Pogo.

"Miss Leta, you must be freezing." He looked up at her, sadness bored into his skin. She smiled gently, bending down and giving him a kiss on the top of the head.

"I'm fine Pogo, I'll just head up to my room and take a hot shower." He nodded. Even so, she could tell he was concerned for her. He wouldn't be the Pogo she left all those years before if he wasn't.

Leta quickly made her way up the stairs, turning off to the left and heading into the bedroom with a large Number Eight plastered on its front. She sighed. It had been years since she had been inside. Since she left.

*~*

October 1st, 2007.

It was the eighteenth birthday of the Umbrella Academy. It would be an understatement to say they were excited.

Allison had gotten up extra early that morning, helping Grace make breakfast for all her siblings. It was going to be a good day, she knew it.

Every year Reginald had a celebration for the kids. Well, more of let them celebrate for one hour while he hid himself away in his room. All training was also suspended for that day.

It was one of the best days of the year.

Leta had also woken up early that morning, but for a much different reason. Today was the day she was going to confess her love to Klaus.

Ever since her arrival at the academy the boy had been there for her every moment. He knew best of his siblings how it felt to be more controlled by your powers than the other way around, and it comforted her. Knowing she wasn't such a lone screw-up as she thought.

Every free time they had they would always spend it together. His company had just become... her safety.

She had risen early that morning to psych herself up for the proclamation. She had even managed to get a bottle of wine without Reginald's knowledge.

It was going to be perfect.

She cracked open her door, looking up and down the hall before exiting, careful to have silent footfalls.

Seven, six, five... and there it was.

Door number four.

Leta sucked in a heavy breath, looking at the golden number in fear.

It hadn't particularly occurred to her until now that maybe.

Just maybe.

He would say no.

Even with the fear set heavy on her shoulders she raised a fist to the door.

"Number Eight!" Her heart leapt as she heard the voice. Leta turned slowly to her caretaker as he peered down at her from an unforgiving face. "Come with me. Now."

She nodded silently, rubbing a finger up and down her wrist slowly, it was one of the only things that made her feel control.

That control was an illusion.

Reginald led her into his office, motioning for the girl to sit. She obliged, placing herself down and looking at the man.

"It has come to my attention that today you turn eighteen." Leta opened her mouth to answer, Reginald sticking up a finger to silence her. "You are eighteen then. Number Eight you have shown nearly no improvement since I took you in over six years ago. Due to this I believe you have no control. You are not worth my time." His voice was cold, face unmoving as Leta used every bit of strength she had to hold herself together. "I have been kind, housing and feeding you for these years. But you are now an adult. You can house and feed yourself. Therefore I see no reason to let you stay. I expect you to be gone within the hour."