Hazy Shade of Winter [ON HOLD FOR NOW]

12

Wednesday, 8:15 A.M. (again)

Four Hargreeves siblings stood around the bar while they debated what they should do. Adriana stood further away and jumped when she heard a crashing sound. She turned to see Five lying on the bar top. She ran over to him to see if he was okay.

Five instantly sat up and mentally cursed himself. He met Adriana's eyes as she asked, "Are you okay? What happened?"

He nodded slowly. "I'm fine. We need everyone. Immediately."

Adriana glanced around, but didn't see Vanya. She shrugged and motioned for Five to follow her.

Once he saw most everyone there, Five began the meeting. "So, the apocalypse is in three days. The only chance we have to save the world is, well, us."

"The Umbrella Academy," Luther replied.

"Yeah, but with me, obviously," Five said sarcastically. "So if you don't get your sideshow acts together and get over yourselves, we're screwed. Who cares if Dad messed us up? Are we gonna let that define us?"

"No!" Vanya yelled.

Five smiled briefly at her and went on. "No. And to give us a fighting chance to see next week, I've come back with a lead." He lifted a folded piece of paper into the air. "I know who's responsible for the apocalypse."

Allison grabbed the note from Five's hand. She opened it and Adriana read the note from behind.

Reassignment: Protect Harold Jenkins.

"Harold Jenkins?" Allison questioned.

"Who the hell is Harold Jenkins?" Diego questioned from his spot behind the bar.

Five looked between his family and Adriana and threw his hands into the air. "I don't know. Yet. But I do know he's responsible for the apocalypse. So we have to find him. And we have to do it now."

"How is he connected to what's gonna happen?" Luther asked with a frown.

Five glanced down and admitted, "I don't know."

From the look he was giving, Adriana guessed he had to be telling the truth.

Diego narrowed his eyes. "Wait. So you just know his name? That's it? There's probably dozens of Harold Jenkinses in the city."

"Well, we better start looking then," Five answered sarcastically.

Allison frowned. "Wait. Am I the only one who's skeptical here? I mean, how exactly do you know all of this about what's his name?"

"Harold Jenkins. You know those lunatics who attacked the house?"

"Oh, yeah. I think Ana and I remember those guys," Klaus piped up.

Adriana's gaze darkened. "I most certainly remember them. You don't easily forget your captors."

Diego narrowed his eyes at Five. "Yeah, the ones who attacked us and kidnapped our brother and your not-girlfriend, and almost killed her, while you were out getting drunk."

Five looked apologetically at Adriana before answering, "Yeah. Them. They were sent by the Temps of Commission to stop me from coming back and preventing the end of life on earth."

"The Temps what?" Allison questioned.

"The Temps of Commission," Adriana repeated. "Pay attention. Five, who the hell are they?"

Five let out a sigh. "My former employer. They monitor all of time and space to make sure that whatever is supposed to happen happens. They believe the apocalypse is coming in three days. So I went to Commission headquarters and intercepted a message that was meant for said lunatics. 'Protect Harold Jenkins'. So he must be responsible for the apocalypse."