"If you die, I die. If you ride, I ride. If you fight, I fight."

-

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE — DON'T LET ME DOWN

It was a normal day at the Academy.

Mom played Mountaineering on the vinyl record player and we were in our full uniforms.

We walked in order into the room. I was first, and Luther followed me from behind.

I stood beside Luther, and right next to Father's chair.

I straightened my back when Father walked in, my hands clutching the back of the chair.

Father gave away no emotion as he stalked in with purpose, looking at all of us at once before pulling back his chair.

He sat down first. "Sit!"

The rest of us quickly took our seats, and I picked up my utensils and started devouring my breakfast.

I looked over at Ben down the table, he was sitting next to Klaus and I tilted my head at Luther, quirking my lip as Allison and Luther looked at each other not-so-subtly.

Ben smiled, looked at Dad and returned to his book.

Suddenly, Five stabbed his knife on the table.

I jolted, looking over instantly.

He had a look on his face that said 'I've had enough'.

"Number Five?" Father said sternly.

"I have a question,"  Five said, resting his elbows on the table and looking at Father.

"Knowledge is an admiral goal, but you know the rules," Father told him. "No talking during mealtimes. You are interrupting Herr Carlson."

The record continued playing, and Five pushed his plate away.

"I want to time travel," Five gritted his teeth.

"No," Father replied.

"But I'm ready. I've been practising my spatial jumps, just like you said," Five stood up and jumped, appearing beside Father. "See?"

Father didn't spare a glance at him and replied, "A spatial jump is trivial when compared with the unknowns of time travel. One is like sliding along the ice, the other is akin to descending blindly into the depths of the freezing water and reappearing as an acorn.

The other resumed their eating and I look at Five, mouthing "no" at him.

"Well, I don't get it," Five shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Hence the reason you're not ready," Father took a sip from his glass.

Vanya shook her head from the far end of the table.

"I'm not afraid," Five said.

"Fear isn't the issue," Father told him. "The effects it might have on your body, even on your mind, are far too unpredictable."

Father put down his knife and fork, clattering against the plate as his voice shook the room, "Now, I forbid you to talk about this anymore."

Five turned and started leaving.

I stood up abruptly as Father shouted, "Number Five! You haven't been excused!"

He started running and I walked through the table, following him without a moment's hesitation.

"Number Zero! Come back here!" I could hear Father shout from the table. Five yanked the door open and I picked up my pace.

"Five!" I yelled, running as I grabbed his shoulder.

I yelped as he jumped, the scenery around us changing and different people surrounded us.

"What the-"

"Not ready my ass," he smirked.

Five grinned as he jumped again, bringing me with him.

I looked around, my grip on him tightening.

Snow rained from above us this time, the cafe down the street had "For Lease" signs hung up the front.

Five looked around, beaming as he grabbed my hand and jumped again.

I almost tripped when we emerged.

"Holy shit," Those were the first words I said as we looked around.

The sky was grey and there was smoke everywhere.

Five looked around as his grip on my hand strengthened.

"No," he muttered.

I turned and started running in the direction of the Academy, dragging Five with me.

I skidded to a stop in front of what was once our home.

The flames danced mercilessly as we gaped at the ruins.

"Vanya!" He shouted. "Ben!"

"Diego! Klaus!" I screamed beside him, my hand clutching Five's.

"Dad!" Five shouted again. "Anyone!"

He looked down as his hands, dragging them in front as he tried to jump again.

His powers whooshed and creaked and faltered, "Come on!"

"Shit," he breathed.

He sank to his knees and I let out a sob, rubbing my face as the tears streamed down my eyes.

"Hey, Zero. Zero!" Five stood up and grabbed my shoulders roughly. "We'll find a way, we can do this."

I stifled a cry and nodded. 

The wind howled and Five looked behind me, his gaze transfixed on something and he released me, walking over to what looks like a hand.

He grabbed the bloodied eyeball from the gloved hand, rubbing the blood from it before looking over the bricks.

"Zero!" He shouted and I ran over.

"Is that-" My voice broke off into a whimper.

"Luther," he said.

I stood up and climbed the ruins, running across the field of destruction.

I found Diego under a massive pile of debris, I sank to my knees shakily as I brought up my hand to his neck, desperately trying to find a pulse.

Nothing.

I let out a devastating cry, shaking him as Five stepped over him and towards Allison.

"Where's Klaus? And Ben?" I asked.

"I-I found Klaus," Five's voice came from behind the wreckage.

I dashed to his voice and found Klaus with his body half-buried under the rubble.

Five reached for my hand as I turned my face and squeezed my eyes close.

"This isn't happening, this isn't happening, this isn't happening, this-"

Five grabbed me by my shoulders and shook me a few times.

I whimpered, tears streaming down my face.

Five's eyes softened and he wrapped me into a tight hug.

"We'll find out who did this, I swear, we will."

"I swear."