❝ did you stop them with some real tough vigilante shit? ❞

―

LIENA PUNCHED THE BAG IN FRONT OF HER AS HARD AS SHE COULD.

It swung backwards and then back toward her. She hit the punching bag once more, catching it as it came flying back to her. Tiny beads of sweat dripped down Liena's forehead as she punched the bag over and over again. The radio off to the side played music through the empty gym.

"We go now to a breaking story..."

The space between Liena's eyebrows creased as she turned her head to the radio. She grabbed the punching bag and held it in her hands.

"Moments ago, police reported the death of the world's most eccentric and reclusive billionaire, Sir Reginald Hargreeves."

Liena's hands dropped to her sides. She stared at the radio. The sound that it emitted was now static in her ears. Reginald Hargreeves—the man who had taken her in and instilled years of trauma upon her—had died. Liena was unsure how to feel. But there was one thing she knew for certain. She wouldn't cry. Because the thing about Liena Feng was that she did not cry.

The door to the gym opened, causing Liena to break free from her thoughts. She turned around, seeing Diego walking through the door. The man had a small cut above his eyebrow.

"You look like shit," Liena told him.

"Yeah?" Diego replied, stepping closer to her. "So do you."

Liena grabbed the towel on the bench next to her and started dabbing the sweat off her face. She tossed the towel and then picked up her water bottle, proceeding to take a drink.

"Did you hear the news?" Liena questioned, wiping a water droplet from her chin with the back of her hand.

"You mean about the old man?" Diego asked, followed by a nod. "Yeah, I heard."

Liena sighed and then changed the subject, not wanting to think about it anymore. "So, what was it this time?"

"Robbery," Diego answered, knowing what she was referring to. "The freaks had the family tied up, but they're safe now."

"Wow," Liena replied, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Did you stop them with some real tough vigilante shit?"

Diego rolled his eyes at her. "You're doing it again."

He started to walk away toward the back room where he slept. Liena followed after him, pushing her way through the door before it had the chance so close.

"Doing what?" Liena asked.

"You're making fun of me again," Diego replied.

"It's kind of hard not to when you're dressed like that," Liena laughed.

Diego rolled his eyes again. "Don't you have a home to go to?"

Liena shook her head. "Unfortunately, no. Got evicted this afternoon. I was going to tell you, but you know... you were out gallivanting the city."

Diego's eyebrows furrowed. "Why were you evicted?"

"Well, that's kind of what happens when you don't pay your rent on time for an extended period of time," Liena sighed. "And when you can't keep a stable income in order to pay said rent."

"Shit." Diego gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Liena. You really don't have a place to stay?"

Liena shook her head. "But I already talked to Al. He said I can stay here if it's okay with you. I completely get it if you don't want me crashing the party."

"Are you kidding?" Diego asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Of course you can stay here. At least until you can get back on your feet."

Liena smiled at him. "Thanks, Diego."

"No problem," Diego smiled back.

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Liena stared up at the mansion in front of her. She held her breath as the familiar logo of the Umbrella Academy stared back at her. She had tried as hard as she could to forget about her time at the academy, but every so often she was reminded, plagued by nightmares that haunted her dreams.

The events of how she had ended up being branded as Number Eight were still blurred in Liena's mind. She had blocked the tragedy out as much as she could, but some pieces still remained.

The flames burned around her, destroying everything in their path. Liena's hands were engulfed in fire, burning bright. She called out her parents' names.

The house was ash. Burned to nothing. Her parents were gone.

A foster home where she spent only a few days. Then came a man with a monocle. The Umbrella Academy. Number Eight.

Liena took a deep breath and held it in for a few seconds before exhaling. She opened the gate to the academy and climbed up the steps. She pushed open the glass windows, adorned with a black umbrella. As she stepped into the foyer, memories of the first day she arrived at the academy flooded her mind.

She remembered the looks on the others' faces, each of them mixed with varying degrees of confusion about why she was joining them and fear. She didn't want to be there, and it was clear to thirteen-year-old Liena that they didn't want her there either.

Liena stepped through the house; the sound of her footsteps echoed on the black and white tiled floor. Liena continued into the living room. Seated in one of the chairs was Grace, the robotic woman that she had come to know as her mother. Liena did not have the same relationship with Grace as the others in the academy, yet she still deemed her as her mother due to the love and care that she had provided.

"Mom?" Liena called, but the woman did not budge.

Liena sighed and then glanced up at the fireplace, where a portrait of Number Five rested on top of the mantle piece. Liena had only known Five for a short time before he had disappeared.

"Liena."

Liena turned at the sound of her name, seeing Allison and Vanya standing in the foyer. She approached her two siblings, sending them a soft smile.

"Hey, Liena," Vanya said sheepishly.

"Hey," Liena greeted back.

"It's good to see you again," Allison sent her a welcoming smile.

Liena nodded her head. "You too."

Allison let out a small chuckle before she pulled Liena into a hug. Liena's eyes widened at the sudden touch. She glanced at Vanya, who shrugged in response. Liena wasn't sure if she should hug Allison back or not.

Her relationship with Allison had never truly been the greatest. The two girls were both very different from each other, and that much had been clear the moment Liena first stepped into the academy wearing a faded AC/DC shirt, ripped jeans, black combat boots, and a leather jacket to match.

Liena opted for a light pat on Allison's back. The woman pulled away from the hug. Liena folded her arms across her chest.

"Ah," Diego's voice sounded as he walked into the foyer. "What is Vanya doing here? You don't belong here. Not after what you did."

Liena rolled her eyes at him as he walked away, making his way up the stairs. Not too long ago, Vanya published an autobiographical novel that detailed the lives of the Umbrella Academy. While it mostly detailed Vanya's own experiences and story, there were several mentions of the other Hargreeves siblings. Liena could still quote the words that Vanya had used to describe her.

Liena had joined the family at the age of thirteen. She had a fire within her—both figuratively and literally. It was best for everyone if Liena was kept in a good mood, or else it would have catastrophic consequences. In her case, the fiery burning of various inanimate objects around her. She was probably one of the kindest people you could ever meet, as long as you stayed on her good side.

Liena had been mad at Vanya when she had first read the book, burning it to nothing in her hand. But she did not hold a grudge. Liena believed that life was too short, and Vanya had always been a kindhearted soul despite the shortcomings and mistreatment that were inflicted at the hands of their father.

Allison turned her body slightly to the man. "You're seriously gonna to do this today? Way to dress for the occasion, by the way."

"At least I'm wearing black," Diego replied as he continued to stomp up the stairs.

"You know what? I—Maybe he's right," Vanya stammered. "And I shouldn't—"

"Forget about him," Allison interjected. "I'm glad you're here."

Liena nodded. "Me too."

"Do you still put up with him?" Allison questioned, turning her head to Liena.

Liena sighed, nodding her head. "Unfortunately, I do."

"I don't know how you do it," Allison chuckled.

Vanya nodded in agreement, laughing softly. "Me either."

Liena shrugged. If she was being honest, she didn't know why she put up with him either. It forever remained a mystery to her. A silence came over them, making Liena begin to feel uncomfortable. She rocked back and forth on her heels before deciding to make her way up the stairs.

Liena slid her hand up the banister as she ascended the stairs. She could remember all the times she had to run down those stairs to get ready for a mission. Liena made her way down the hallway, pausing in front of her old bedroom. The wall next to the door was still partially black, charred from one of her fiery outbursts. She continued to glance around the room, a smile coming to her face from seeing her old band posters still plastered on the walls.

Liena exited the room, continuing to walk through the rest of the house. Her heart nearly stopped when she bumped into someone.

"Liena Beana!" Klaus cheered, wrapping her in a tight hug.

Liena didn't mind embracing him. Other than Diego, Klaus was the one she was the closest to. He had been the one to welcome her from the very beginning. Liena considered Klaus to be her best friend.

"Klausy Mousy," Liena replied as she pulled away from the hug.

Liena Beana and Klausy Mousy were the childish nicknames that the two of them had come up with when they were fifteen. They had been high off their minds at the time, giggling like two schoolgirls when they had created the awful names.

Liena glanced down, looking at the skirt that he was wearing.

She smiled at him. "You're rocking that skirt."

Klaus looked down and then back up. "Oh? This old thing? Why, thank you. I stole it from Allison's room."

Liena couldn't help but laugh.

"It's been so long," Klaus said as Liena's laughter came to a stop. "I have missed you dearly."

"It hasn't been that long, Klaus," Liena responded. "We just saw each other right before you went to rehab. How was that, by the way? Back to your old ways yet?"

"Oh, it was enlightening!" Klaus replied jokefully. "And you know me so well."

Liena chuckled. "You're such an idiot."

"You know you love me," Klaus responded.

Luther's voice sounded from downstairs, causing them both to turn their heads.

"I think that's our cue for the family festivities to begin," Klaus joked. "We better get down there before Luther blows a gasket."

Klaus interlocked Liena's arm with his own. The two of them descended down the stairs. Liena took a seat on the couch next to Vanya as Klaus made his way over to the bar. Liena looked down at her hands, picking at her fingernails as she waited for the others to enter the parlor.

Diego had been the last to arrive, taking a seat in the chair that Grace had once occupied. He stared into the fire place, watching the flames. The room was silent as they all sat there, none of them saying a word. The only sounds that could be heard were Klaus preparing a drink at the bar, Allison sipping from her glass, and the faint crackling of the fireplace.

"Um..." Luther spoke up as he rose from his seat on the couch across from Liena. "I guess we should get this started."

Liena glanced up at him, giving him her attention.

"So, I figured we could have a sort of memorial service in the courtyard at sundown," Luther continued to say. "You know, say a few words, just at Dad's favorite spot."

"Dad had a favorite spot?" Allison asked.

"Yeah, you know, under the oak tree," Luther replied as if it were public knowledge.

Liena tilted her head to look up at Allison, who was looking down at her. Liena pouted her lips downward as she shrugged.

"We used to sit out there all the time," Luther told them. "None of you ever did that?"

"Will there be refreshments?" Klaus asked, walking into the living room with a cigarette between his fingers. "Tea? Scones? Cucumber sandwiches are always a winner."

"What? No," Luther shook his head. "And put that out. You know Dad didn't allow smoking in here."

"Is that my skirt?" Allison questioned.

"What?" Klaus asked in confusion before realizing that he was still wearing the skirt. "Oh, yeah, this. I found it in your room. It's a little dated, I know, but it's very breathey on the bits."

Liena covered her hand with her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter.

"Listen up," Luther barked. "We still have some important things that we need to discuss, all right?"

"Like what?" Diego asked, speaking for the first time since he had sat down.

"Like the way he died," Luther responded.

Diego rolled his head, glancing down. "And here we go."

"I don't understand," Vanya spoke. "I thought they said it was a heart attack."

"Yeah, according to the coroner," Luther replied.

Liena turned her head as Klaus sat down next to her. She took the glass from his hand and took a small sip. Klaus gasped at her. Liena placed the cup back in his hand and directed her attention back to Luther.

"Well, wouldn't they know?" Vanya questioned.

Luther nodded. "Theoretically."

"Theoretically?" Allison asked.

"I'm just saying, you at the very least, something happened," Luther told the group. "The last time that I talked to Dad, he sounded strange."

Klaus gurgled his drink. "Oh, quelle surprise!"

"Strange how?" Allison asked.

"He sounded on edge. Told me I should be careful who to trust," Luther answered.

Diego stood up and began walking toward him. "Luther, he was a paranoid, bitter old man who was starting to lose what was left of his marbles."

Luther shook his head. "No. He must have known something was going to happen." Luther turned to look at Klaus. "Look, I know you don't like to do it, but I need you to talk to Dad."

Klaus stared at him wide-eyed as Allison scoffed. Liena rolled her eyes at Luther, groaning as she looked up at the ceiling.

Klaus leaned forward. "I can't just call Dad in the afterlife and be like, "Dad, could you just...stop playing tennis with Hitler for a moment and take a quick call?""

"Since when? That's your thing," Luther responded.

"I'm not in the right...frame of mind," Klaus told him.

"You're high?" Allison asked.

Klaus laughed. "Yeah! Yeah! I mean, how are you not listening to this nonsense?"

Liena crossed her arms. "Trust me, I wish I was."

"Sober up, this is important," Luther snapped at Klaus.

Klaus sighed, leaning back against the couch, and then dramatically leaned his head against Liena's shoulder.

"Then there's the issue of the missing monocle," Luther changed the subject.

Diego rolled his eyes. "Who gives a shit about a stupid monocle?"

"Exactly," Luther said, turning to Diego. "It's worthless. So whoever took it, I think it was personal. Someone close to him. Someone with a grudge."

Liena and Klaus exchanged a confused glance.

"Where are you even going with this?" Liena asked.

"Oh, isn't it obvious, Liena?" Diego spoke, his gaze fixated on Luther. "He thinks one of us killed Dad."

Luther groaned softly, rolling his eyes. He glanced around the room, not saying anything to protest Diego's statement.

"You do?" Klaus gasped.

"How could you think that?" Vanya asked.

Luther opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

"Great, job, Luther," Diego pushed. "Way to lead."

Diego walked past him.

"That's not what I'm saying," Luther tried to explain.

"You're crazy, man," Klaus said. "You're crazy. Crazy."

"I've not finished," Luther continued.

"Sorry, I'm just gonna go murder Mom," Klaus replied as he walked away. "I'll be right back."

"That's not what I was saying. I didn't—" Luther stopped talking, sighing to himself.

"I think it's too late for damage control, Luther," Liena told him as she stood up from the couch.

She followed the others out of the room, looking around the house to see where Diego had gone. She found him in the living room, lying on the couch fiddling with one of his knives.

"Hey," Liena announced her presence before entering the room.

Diego tilted his head but remained silent. Liena stepped closer to the couch and picked up his legs. He raised an eyebrow at her as she took a seat on the couch and then placed his legs down on her lap.

"Are you doing okay?" Liena asked, resting her hands on his shin.

Diego shrugged. "Define okay."

"Look, Luther was completely out of line," Liena told him. "We all think so. But do you really have to get under his skin like that?"

Diego sighed. "He's so obsessed with finding out what happened to Dad. I mean, he can't seriously think that someone had ulterior motives, can he?"

"Luther has always been such a Daddy's boy," Liena replied. "I think he's just in denial and doesn't want to accept the fact that the man was old. But hey, think of it this way..."

Diego nodded his head at her, telling her to continue.

"The second this memorial is over, we can go back to our lives and forget all about it," Liena told him.

"Fingers crossed," Diego remarked.

The sound of music could be heard faintly from upstairs. Liena and Diego tilted their heads to the sound before exchanging a confused glance with each other.

The lyrics of "I Think We're Alone Now" began to fill their ears. Diego smirked and then threw the knife he was holding at the ram's head across the room. He swung his legs off of Liena's lap and stood up. Liena watched him as he shut the sliding doors to the living room and then made his way back to the couch. He stood in front of it and then started dancing along to the music.

Liena couldn't help but laugh as he did the wave with his arms. Liena stood up from the couch and started to dance with him, the two of them waving their arms. Liena spun around, jumping up and down as she danced. Diego started doing a reeling in motion as if he were holding a fishing pole.

Liena started jumping toward him, acting like the fish that he was reeling in. When she stood in front of him, they both turned and started shimmying to the side. Diego grabbed Liena's hand and spun her around in a circle. They continued to hold onto each other's hand as they danced around widely, having absolutely no rhythm to their moves whatsoever.

A sudden blue light flashed, causing the lights to flicker. Liena and Diego froze, holding onto each other's hands even tighter. Various objects began moving across the room as if there was a gravitational force pulling them. Diego and Liena glanced at each other.

"What the hell is going on?" Liena asked.

"Don't know," Diego replied. "But I think it's coming from outside."

Diego didn't let go of Liena's hand before he started pulling her with him, leading her out into the courtyard. He pushed the door open as the others followed behind them. Liena's eyes widened when she stepped outside and saw a blue light flashing in the sky. It almost looked like some sort of portal.

"What is it?" Vanya questioned.

Allison pulled Vanya's back. "Don't get too close!

"Yeah, no shit," Diego shouted over the loud howling.

"Looks like some sort of temporal anomaly," Luther informed them. "Either that or a miniature black hole. One of the two."

"Pretty big difference there, Paul Bunyan," Diego quipped.

"Out of the way!" Klaus shouted, pushing his way through.

"What are you—"

Klaus held up the fire extinguisher in his hand and began to try and extinguish the anomaly. He threw the fire extinguisher into it, and it disappeared into the void.

"What is that gonna do?" Allison asked.

"I don't know!" Klaus shrugged. "Do you have a better idea?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Luther spoke. "Everybody get behind me."

Diego pulled Liena back, holding on tighter to her hand.

"Yeah, get behind us," Diego shouted.

"I vote for running! Come on!" Klaus said.

When no one started running with him, Klaus sighed and stayed put. Liena stared up at the flashing blue light in the sky. She squeezed Diego's hand. He looked down at her for a split second before glancing back up.

The electricity of the blue anomaly crackled, sending a shiver up Liena's spine. Her eyebrows furrowing when she noticed that it appeared that someone was trying to get through it. A face appeared in the light, flickering back and forth between an old man and a young boy.

Suddenly, the portal disappeared, and a boy dropped from the sky. The wind stopped howling. Liena and the others stared down at the boy. Slowly, they approached him. The boy stood on his feet.

"Does anyone else see little Number Five, or is that just me?" Klaus wondered.

Five glanced down, looking at his small frame and oversized clothes, before looking back up. "Shit."

Liena tilted her head to the side in confusion. "What the hell just happened..."

— EMILIA'S NOTES

hello! hope you enjoyed the first chapter.

it was really fun to write even though it was mostly setting up character dynamics. i can't wait to get more into the story and more into liena's backstory.

thank you for reading!