Five read the mystery card that I had received in the mail to himself quietly. He flipped it over multiple times, checking to see if there were any other messages or clues to who could've possibly sent me the letter, but there was nothing else. "Are you sure you don't know who could've sent you this?"

I sent him an 'are you serious' look. "Who else would I know in the sixties?" I asked, a bit too sarcastic.

"I don't know," Five sighed. "I have no idea why someone would send this to you though."

I glanced out the window onto the street again. The regular crowd of people walked by. There was no sign of the creepy, black figure I had seen before. "Whoever sent this knew exactly where I'd be and when I'd get it."

"Someone must be watching you then," Five stated. He followed my eyes and glanced out the window too, until both of us turned back to gaze at each other.

"What should I do?" I asked him. Five and I spoke in hushed voices now, unsure about who was listening or lurking nearby. "If someone's following me, then maybe they know that we're not supposed to be in this timeline."

"You're right," Five agreed. He took a look at my card again. "Whoever sent you this will be at the gala tonight though." He held up the personal message at the bottom of the card.

I nodded. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out then. We'll have to be more careful from now on."

"You don't think this could've been Lila's doing, right?" Five asked. I glanced over at the girl, who was laughing at something Diego must have said. There was definitely something going on between those two, probably something romantic. I just hoped that Diego wasn't in on whatever suspicious business Lila was involved in.

"I doubt it," I replied. "I still don't trust her though."

"I don't either," Five stated. I was glad we were on the same page. "She already knows too much, and I highly doubt Diego would cut her off now."

"Well, you know what they say," I sighed. "Couples who go to asylums together, stay together." It seemed like Lila had Diego wrapped around her finger.

Five made a face at my quote as he turned towards me. "Where did you hear that?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Oh, I just made it up.. I thought it was fitting for them."

Five smiled and shook his head in disbelief. "You're right. It is fitting," he chuckled. Then, he paused. "Wait.. we didn't go to an asylum together."

I nodded in agreement. "We went through the apocalypse though, and now we're going through a second one." My hands intertwined with Five's as the two of us shared a smile. "I think the life threatening matters we've been through together mean more than spending some time locked up in the looney bin."

Five smirked. "I'll have to agree with you on that one," he said. I felt butterflies fluttering within me. "Speak of the devil," Five muttered. I brought my hand up to my lips to cover my smile.

Our eyes averted to Lila, who was walking over to the window we were standing by. She had a toothy smile on her face and she addressed me, "Ready to go?"

I tilted my head to the side slightly. "Go where?" I asked the girl with the accent.

She smiled again. "The shops, of course," she exclaimed as if it were obvious. I still wasn't catching on though. "Since we're going to that gala tonight, I figured we'd take a trip into town for some new clothes." She sent me a sly wink.

"Oh," I replied, clueless. "I didn't realize that we were dressing up for this thing."

Lila made a surprised face as she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Alexa, don't tell me you were planning to go dressed like that."

My brown eyes glanced between Five and Lila. "Fine, I won't tell you then.." I said, growing a bit embarrassed. I've always wanted to go shopping for new clothes. I've never actually gone before, but I didn't want to go with Lila. She was up to something but I'm not sure what yet. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing now though?"

"You're dressed like an assassin," Lila whispered, laughing softly to herself.

I crossed my arms over my chest to try and hide the uniform from the Horror Order. "Well, that's not too far from the truth," I remarked.

"It's true, kid, you'll probably scare everyone away if you go like that," Diego commented from across the room. He was twirling his knife between his fingers.

Lila nodded in agreement, making me look towards Five now. The boy just shrugged. "Personally, I like the look," he admitted. "You might turn some unwanted heads though."

"It'll be a girls' trip," Lila said with a wink. "And it'll give us a chance to become acquainted."

The word reminded me of a memory from my past but I couldn't think of why. I sighed and gave in, "Alright, fine."

Lila clapped her hands together in excitement as she began to pull me away from Five. "See ya later, boys!" Lila waved goodbye without turning back around. She pulled me along towards the doors. I glanced over my shoulder and met Five's blue-green eyes. His hands were shoved in his pockets as he adorned a humored smirk. When I mouthed, 'help me,' he chuckled and shook his head.

★・・・★・・・★

I watched Lila as she sorted through a rack of fancy, colorful dresses. Her hands pushed racks behind her after she took a moment to look over the clothing. She was holding about two different dresses right now, but still insisted on searching through the rest of the items in the store. Every once and awhile she would glance over her shoulder to see if I had found anything, but I couldn't seem to find any dresses that caught my eye yet.

"I take it you've never been shopping before," Lila pointed out. She didn't bother to look at me. Instead, she kept going through the clothing racks.

I shrugged and shook my head, but remembered that she wasn't paying attention. "Never," I said. "I was an orphan, well, I am an orphan.. My life got kind of complicated though, so fashion and clothes were the last things on my mind."

Lila hummed in response. "My mother is keen on fashion. She represents the quote, 'if looks could kill,' but with her style."

"If only she were here to help," I chuckled. "I could really use the expertise." 

Lila perked up and walked over to me. "Well, it's a good thing that I'm here," she said with a smile. I may not trust the woman, but she sure was good company. Lila deep, brown eyes looked me up and down before she turned towards the clothing rack I was standing beside. It took her seconds before she pulled out a dress and tossed it into my arms. "Try this on," Lila ordered, pointing towards the dressing rooms in the back.

I walked over to a stall in the back with Lila following closely behind. We parted ways into our own dressing rooms. I closed the black curtain and began to change into the dress she had picked out for me. The silk slid easily onto me, outlining my frame nicely. The threads felt as soft as a cloud against my pale skin. The sweetheart neckline was cut elegantly, and the sleeves stopped right at my wrists. The skirt part of the dress flowed right above my knees, while the waist and the rest of my upper body was snug in the material. I admired my own reflection in the mirror as I twirled slightly. This is by far the fanciest outfit I had ever worn in my entire life.

I pushed the black curtain aside and stepped out of the dressing room. Lila was already outside waiting for me. She gasped softly as her eyes stared at my dress. "Taffy is definitely your color," she complimented.

My lips tilted up into a warm smile. "Thanks," I replied happily. "Your dress looks amazing as well." She was wearing a shiny, teal dress that cut off right at her knees. I noticed that she had also grabbed a pair of dark red heels, which seemed to catch my eye and remind me of something. I couldn't grasp my mind around the vague vision or memory I was seeing though, so I pushed the feeling aside.

"Here," Lila said as she held out a pair of small, white heels. "I found these and thought they'd look nice with your dress." I took the shoes out of her hands with a grateful expression. She probably made my day today. I had never felt and looked better in my life.

After the two of us changed back into our regular clothes, we met outside of the dressing rooms again. Lila handed me a bag for my dress and shoes, while she already held her own. My brown eyes creased in confusion. "Did you already pay?" I asked Lila. I was a bit shocked that she had money, but I figured that maybe someone had lent her some.

Lila chuckled. "Oh, you're too cute," she replied. She spoke in a much quieter voice now as she leaned down a bit. "We're stealing these, obviously!"

My face dropped a bit. "Oh.. I didn't know that."

"I figured it would be real simple to get away with it, especially with your powers," Lila explained.

I nodded slightly. "I guess you're right," I said adamantly. I disliked the idea but I doubt that she had even come here with good intentions in the first place, let alone any actual money.

Lila and I linked arms and I hesitantly phased us through the back wall of the store. We reappeared in the back alley of the building. Lila seemed excited about our shopping trip, while I was feeling guilty about stealing. It wasn't the fact that I was stealing in general, I was just against using my powers to get away with illegal things. It made me feel like I was back at the Horror Order again.

★・・・★・・・★

I climbed over a stone wall with Five right behind me as I followed Diego and Lila into a hiding spot behind an old, turquoise car. The four of us were crouched behind the vehicle, so that we were out of sight from all of the guests, who were just arriving at the gala.

"So, what's the plan?" Lila whispered. Her head peeked over Diego's a bit as she tried to get a look at our surroundings.

"We infiltrate, we identify, we extract," Diego stated. "Double time."

Five and I nodded in agreement, while Lila seemed beyond confused by his words. "Why the hell's he talking about?" She asked the two of us.

"Find the old man and get out fast," Five replied without hesitation.

Diego turned around slowly. "That's what I said," he remarked. "On me." Diego shuffled away, moving to the next car in front of him.

"After you," Lila said, turning around towards Five and me. We stayed out though. Five's eyes tore into Lila with his signature glare of annoyance and distrust. I tried my best to mimic his expression, but I don't think anyone could do it as well and as intimidating as he could. "What, I can't be polite?"

"Cut the crap. Alright?," Five demanded. "My dimwitted brother might buy your bullshit, but we don't trust you for a second."

"O ye of little faith," Lila breathed.

"Stick it up your ass," Five remarked. Lila's playful smile was testing his sarcastic smirk.

"All the sudden you don't trust me?" Lila asked, turning to me now. "I take you shopping and this is how I'm repaid?"

"Trust was never there," I stated bluntly. "Thanks for the dress though."Lila sent me an angrily scowl as Five and I moved past her.

The four of us hid behind cars until we made it to the side of the elegant, brick building that hosted the gala and held the Majestic Twelve meeting. We each walked through a side door and joined the other socialites of society.

Slow mariachi music played in the background of all of the chatter amongst adults. Everyone was dressed so nicely for the event. Even though I appeared as though I belong, I still felt like I didn't fit in. I had spent the majority of my life either in Miracle Home, at the Horror Order, or in the apocalypse, so it came to no surprise that I wasn't exactly sure how to act with all of these fancy people around.

Five picked up two glasses of alcohol from a passing waiter. He handed the sparkling cup to me, which I accept with a grateful smile. Maybe the taste would take the edge off of my nerves.

"I don't see Dad anywhere," Diego stated. His dark eyes remained wandering around the room, trying to locate a familiar face within the crowd of unrecognizable people.

"Just keep an eye out for the Majestic Twelve," Five stated. "Lexa and I got the upstairs. Diego, try not to do anything too stupid." Lila chuckled softly. I didn't miss how she was quick to attempt to follow Five and I as he grabbed my hand and pulled me away.

The two of us weaved through the clusters of conversing men and women, until I accidentally bumped into someone standing near the steps. Five paused as I immediately turned around to face the blonde woman I had just ran into. "I'm so sorry-" I trailed off as soon as I looked up at who I bumped into.

Standing right before my eyes was none other than Elaine Williams.. Silas' adoptive mother. She was wearing the same exact navy dress that I had seen in the picture of her and Reginald when I snooped through Silas' office. I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing even though she was directly in front of me, smiling widely at my shocked face. "Oh, it's really not problem-"

"Elaine," I spoke softly, accidentally interrupting her.

I hadn't realized my slip-up until her expression changed to one of confusion. "Have we met before? I'm sorry but I don't seem to recall your name," Elaine said honestly. Her blonde hair was pulled into a ballet bun and slicked back neatly. I could tell that she was wearing a bit of makeup but it barely made a different to her natural features. She was a very beautiful woman.

I shook my head almost instantly as I took a step back. "No, we've never met," I replied. "I'm just.. a big fan of your work." The lie seemed a bit far fetched but she seemed to believe it.

"Well, it's always a pleasure to meet young ladies, who are interested in science," Elaine exclaimed. She held her hand out for me to shake, which I timidly accepted.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Five waiting for me on the steps. "I have to go," I said apologetically.

Elaine smiled one last time. "It was nice meeting you. Have a great night!" She politely waved goodbye as I turned around and rejoined Five.

"Who was that?" Five asked. The two of us began to creep up the stairs.

"Elaine Williams," I answered. "She's a colleague of your Dad's and Silas' mother, the man who created the Order."

"How do you know that she worked with the old man?" Five questioned me.

The two of us made it to the top of the steps. Our voices were whispers by now. "When I was searching through Silas' office at the compound, I found a picture of the two of them that is supposed to be taken tonight." Five's eyebrows raised as if he were impressed by my findings. "Reginald gave Elaine the idea to conduct her own human experiments."

"Which influenced Silas to continue them," Five finished my sentence.

"It turns out that the Umbrella Academy was his inspiration for the Horror Order," I added. "I found an old newspaper article with a picture of you guys."

Five smirked and shook his head. "Ah, the glorious days before I spent isolation in the end of the world."

I intertwined my hand with his. "At least you won't be spending it alone this time around." The two of us shared a smile as Five teleported us into a closet in the room the Majestic Twelve were having their meeting.

The small, dark space had us cramped together, side-by-side. Our eyes peered out the tiny slits in the doors, where we saw eleven old men.

"By the way," Five spoke up. He whispered in my ear. "You look beautiful."

I felt a smile creep onto my face and blush spread across my cheeks. I was thankful that it was dark in the closet. "Thank you," I spoke softly. Our hands never left each other's hold.

"The president is continuing to make inquiries into Roswell and the other crash sites, gentleman," a man announced to the rest, beginning their meeting. "And, as you know, we cannot allow him to get his nose into our business. I've confirmed the motorcade will indeed be turning left on Elm Street. We'll have our people in place."

"Gentleman," Reginald spoke up. It was strange seeing him in person, rather than looking at images of him or hearing stories. "This plan of yours seems ill-timed."

"It's going to be a turkey shoot," someone added.

"Dad?" Five's head perked up a bit when he saw his father. He accidentally bumped into a rack in the empty closet. The two of us frozen as it swung back and forth, causing a disruption in the meeting.

"Shh!" Reginald quieted the group of men. He walked over to the crackling fireplace and grabbed the metal poker. I watched with wide eyes as Reginald took slow steps towards the closet. Five immediately teleported the two of us out of the room and back into the hallway. I let out a sigh of relief. That was a close call.

When Five and I turned around, a tall man was directly stood behind us. He appeared to be a waiter, who worked at the gala. His hair was strangely platinum white though.

"Shit," Five breathed.