Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A flurry of giggles escape from Jinx’s lips as she darts through the Piltover streets with Big Hat and her sister in hot pursuit, just like she has countless times before. It’s so routine that she could do it blindfolded with her hands tied behind her back. Another mad cackle escapes from her as she sprints through the maze of crowded streets and desolate back alleyways. Truth be told Jinx isn’t certain what she was even doing topside, she simply found herself here. It was a coincidence that she ran into Big Hat and her sister while they were out on a date. (Bleh ew eww ewww and other nasty noises.) Then again they may have just been out on a patrol. Either way they dropped whatever they had been doing to chase her.

“Jinx stop at once!” Big Hat’s voice booms around her.

“We just want to talk! To help you!” Her sister yells from behind her.

We just want to talk. We were just checking up on you. Are you doing okay? We’ve noticed that you haven’t killed anyone lately. Blah blah blah blah. It’s always the same with those two. But Jinx knows better they just say that to try and get her to stop so that they can arrest her. They'll throw her in Stillwater to rot while they live out the rest of their perfect lives. With the loose cannon behind bars there would be no more echoes of the past to haunt them. She won't let that happen.

“Did you bring the pink fuzzy handcuffs with you Toots?” Jinx giggles wildly in an attempt to distract them. A few seconds pass by before she realizes what that implies. (gross.) She sticks her tongue out partially in disgust and partially in hopes that the wind would cleanse it of all that she had just said.

Thankfully she can’t hear what Big Hat’s response is as it gets lost in a garble of splutters. Hah take that mild embarrassment! Jinx laughs as she skids into a dead end alley. Her head whips around searching for an escape route but finds very few. With the help of a stray dumpster Jinx clambers up onto the roof of a small building. Her poor choice in escape route has cost her precious time. More than enough for Vi to catch up. With a casual flick of her wrist she tosses a few chompers filled with smoke and paint behind her for her sister to catch. A jinx must always have tools to help her escape after all. Vi coughs and gasps in surprise, her chompers buy her more than a few feet of distance between them.

With the grace of an acrobat Jinx leaps from rooftop to rooftop as she flees. When she comes to a dead end on top of a three story building, she does what any normal person would. She jumps onto a nearby balcony. No longer at such a dangerous height Jinx simply hops over the small railing down onto the street below. They continue their song and dance across the entirety of Piltover. They even pass by Big Hat’s fancy shmancy mansion, where Jinx takes the liberty of tossing a few paint-filled chompers. An old woman in the yard lets out an unrefined yelp at the barrage of color that explodes from the chompers. Jinx can’t help but snicker at her misfortune.

“Please Jinx!” Vi yells but Jinx can hear the exhaustion in her voice.

What did she just say? Are Jinx’s ears working right? Vi never calls her by her name, her real name. It’s only ever Powder this, Powder that, but never Jinx. The shock of it all makes her lose her footing and stumble. Her right knee burns, and she can feel the wet trickle of blood as it runs down her leg. There isn't time to check over her injury so instead she lightly pats it in a sad attempt to clean it and scrambles back to her feet. But when she looks around at her surroundings Vi is nowhere to be seen. Her head begins to pound as for the first time she actually mulls over her sister’s pleas. That doesn't stop her from sprinting forward intent on crawling back into Zaun.

“But what if they truly wish to help you?” Fishbones asks over her shoulder in a delicate tone, his jaws flapping wildly out of sink with his words.

“Yeah sure, they want to help me and I’m not a jinx.” Jinx quips sarcastically.

“How can you be so sure…” Fishbones begins but Jinx smacks the side of his head. That effectively shuts him up.

“Shhh… How many times have we talked about not interrupting my thoughts during a chase.”

Jinx returns her attention back to where she's going just in time to run square into her sister. She lets out a small ‘oof’ as she falls on her ass. Jinx shakes her head and blinks a few times to reorient herself. When did Vi pass her? A moment’s hesitation is all it takes for Vi to pull her into a bone crushing hug. How long has it been since someone last embraced her? She can’t remember but the feeling of warmth and love that radiates off of her sister is hypnotizing.

It’s impossible to stop herself from snuggling in closer to her sister as she basks in the safety of her Vi’s arms. A gentle hand strokes through her hair. It's only now that Jinx realizes that her sister isn’t wearing her oversized baking mitts. And where is Big Hat? Shouldn’t she be here to slap a pair of definitely not fuzzy handcuffs on her wrists?

“It’s okay I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” Vi’s voice is soft and gentle.

“W-why? Why are you doing this?” Jinx stammers caught between relief and suspicion.

“Because I love you pow- Jay.” Vi swiftly corrects. “You’re still my little sister.”

“I am?” She can’t help but outpour the bubbling hope inside of her into her words.

“Always.” Vi squeezes tighter as if to emphasize her point.

Jinx doesn’t know what to do. Part of her believes this is nothing more than an elaborate trap. But there's an unimaginably small but steadily growing part of her that wants to believe her sister. Could things really go back to how they were? Could they really be sister’s again?

“Really? Even though I’ve, I’ve changed?” Jinx chokes out in a small wavering voice.

“Nothing you do could change that. I’ve always believed in you.”

Vi’s words remind her of Silco. Of his last words. 'Don’t cry. You’re perfect.' Her throat feels dry and she can feel the glistening wetness building up behind her eyes.

“I-” Jinx starts but she can’t find the right words, and she’s worried about how her sister will react when she does.

“Shhh… It’s okay, you can tell me what’s on your mind.”

Silence surrounds them as they sit in each other's embrace. A few minutes pass before Jinx decides on what to say.

“I just. Your words reminded me of Silco.” Jinx reluctantly admits. Shame and embarrassment swirl inside of her. It's no secret that Vi despises Silco with a burning passion and she can't help but worry that bringing him up may ruin this quiet moment of peace.

She can't remember the last time she had a moment of peace. It makes her wonder if she ever did.

“Oh!” Vi startles but doesn’t complain. She always complains when Jinx brings up Silco. Why isn’t she going off on one of her big sister monologues?

That's all it takes for the dam to break. Shimmer laced tears pour out from Jinx as she begins to sob. Footsteps approach them from behind Jinx but she doesn’t care. Jinx tries, she really tries to speak to her sister. To tell her about everything she’s been through while she was stuck in Stillwater. To tell her about Mylo and the monsters he sends after her. Once she finishes silence falls around them. Carefully very carefully she pulls away from Vi so she can ask her sister to say something. Anything.

When her eyes land on Vi’s face, Vi's expression is one of confusion. Did she do something wrong? Jinx tries again to tell Vi about the monsters, about Mylo’s cruel taunts and incessant belittling. That’s when she sees them, the clawed hands that cover her sister’s ears making it impossible for her to hear Jinx’s pleas. Jinx freezes as a cruel laugh echoes around her, crushing her.

“She can’t hear you, not like she’d understand if she could. Vi can’t help you. Not once we’re through with you. There will be nothing left but a decaying empty husk of a corpse.”

Mylo howls with laughter over her sister’s shoulder with a toothy grin. Claggor stands off in the distance, his cold dead eyes staring into her soul. In an instant Jinx pushes her sister away afraid. Her mouth is dry and her words die in her throat. She can see Vi’s mouth move and can see the fear in her eyes, but her sister sounds muffled like she’s underwater. Unnatural shadows leak out from the ground and walls.

“Is this real?” Jinx asks Fishbones but he doesn’t answer. He always answers her. Always tells her if what she's seeing is real or not. Slowly agonizingly slowly she turns her head to her trusty rocket launcher. A miserable whimper escapes her as she realizes why he doesn’t answer. Inky shadowy hands clamp his mouth shut, but she can see the fear in his eyes. It isn't fear for his own safety, no it's fear for her. It’s the same fear that swims in Vi’s eyes.

Jinx tries to run but a hand catches onto her arm holding her back. She struggles against the grip fighting like a cornered animal until the hand lets go. Her body flies forward in sudden movement as she collides with the pavement. The ground beneath her begins to shift and mutate. It grows a seemingly immeasurable number of unblinking eyes that follow her. Desperately she claws forward until her fingernails begin to pull away and bleed and she can pick herself up.

Jinx sprints to the edge of Piltover and Zaun and takes a leap as she jumps down into Zaun. Blue twin braids trail behind her as she attempts to make her escape. Slowly but surely a heavy fog settles over her brain until she isn’t entirely sure who or what she’s running from. It feels similar to when she woke up strapped to the cold metal table. It makes her question if she's supposed to be running from Vi and the sheriff or from the unnatural shadows that reach out their horrific syringe like claws at her from the walls. Then again maybe she's running from the myriad of unblinking eyes that manifest on every available space around her.

The ground beneath her is nothing more than a path of eyes in every shape and size, unfettered by her grimy boots as she races atop them. The eyes are intent to watch her every move, tracking her. Nowhere is safe, nowhere could be safe. Some of the eyes split in two to reveal their crooked mouths and serpent like tongues, they feed the monsters and the shadows information.

“A Jinx!” 

“You killed him, killed your family, next you’ll kill them all!” The eyes croak out through shuddered gasps of air.

Jinx’s hands reach to cover her ears but the voices continue to whisper in her ears just as clear.

“All your fault! ALL YOUR FAULT! A̸̯͖̩͝L̵̮̩̗̃̔̈́L̵͕̙͊ ̷̤̞̻̋Y̷̩̎O̵͉̭͊͋̕Ù̷͈̾R̵̯̰̤̈ ̴̛͚͖͚̀F̵̊ͅA̷̰͔̽͜U̷̧̙͎̍́L̷̰̀̓T̸̨̯͑!”

Unable to bear the voices’ mockery Jinx pushes her shimmer enhanced body even further to hasten her pace. She can hear the faint sound of someone calling out from behind her, but the words are lost in the endless whispers of the voices. She wishes that she could shoot them. It would be much easier if she could just put a bullet or a couple hundred bullets between their eyes. Unfortunately past experiences have taught her that shooting the monsters does nothing to prevent them. Her left middle finger, or lack thereof can attest to that.

Despite having lived in Zaun her entire the unnatural shadows make it almost impossible to navigate through the streets. Not that she would want to lead the monsters to her secret lair anyways, but it would be nice to know where she's headed instead of stumbling around blindly. Ethereal hands reach out to grasp at her ankles forcing her to shimmy in odd directions to avoid them.

“Look at Jinx lost and alone with nowhere to go.” Mylo sings but it quickly turns into a sneer from atop a throne of shadows. “No friends to run too.”

“Shut up!” Jinx screams as she desperately tries to think of a safe haven away from the shadows.

She’s lost but she isn’t so lost that she can’t see the way the people around her look at her. They look at her like she’s lost her mind. It’s a similar look she’s seen people cast at people high on shimmer. People give her plenty of space as she wanders the streets. Jinx continues to roam the streets of Zaun passing by familiar landmarks like The Last Drop and Jericho’s. But while Jericho has a strictly enforced no weapon policy, it still isn’t safe. Not from the monsters. Not from Mylo.

Gradually the darkness swallows up her surroundings save for the small pockets illuminated by various lamp posts and stray lights. Jinx wishes she had brought her flashlight with her, but why would she need a flashlight when the sun was still shining brightly topside? She curses herself anyways grumbling quietly about always needing to be prepared. Her mind is a mess of jumbled thoughts as she drags herself to the safehaven of a dim streetlamp. It isn’t much in terms of protection against the monsters but it buys her precious minutes to try and pull herself together.

Twitchy fingers pull at her hair as the stress begins to overwhelm her. A part of her wishes she could ask Fishbones his opinion but despite being under the light a pair shadowy hands have a tight grip over his jaws. She watches him briefly as he struggles against his tormentors, but averts her gaze just as swiftly, unable to watch him futilely wrestle against the monsters. It only takes a matter of minutes for the shadows to begin encroaching on her safe haven. She’s stood still too long and the light isn’t powerful enough to keep them at bay forever. Nothing ever does.

The shadows continue to steadily snuff out her sanctuary, only adding onto her stress. She pulls at her braids as she attempts to make a hasty plan. Small green lights flicker in the distance but they are too small to be of any help to her. There's no doubt that Sevika will kick her right back out the moment she steps foot into the Last Drop. And she's not sure she could find her way back topside if she tried. Her safe haven is nearly gone, but she has no plan. With no destination in mind Jinx will have to resort to running through the dark aimlessly in search of another refuge.

“Fire-li-ghts.” Fishbones struggles to get the words out.

“Yeah and what about ‘em? They’re too small to provide enough light.” Jinx bites out as she tugs even harder at her braids. Her head is starting to hurt but she isn’t sure if it’s from the stress or her pulling.

“Not tho-se Ek-ko’s.”

The air leaves her lungs as she contemplates what Fishbones is telling her.

“No no no no no. They’d beat me to a pulp the second I showed up.” Jinx shifts around in her diminishing light and stomps at a shadowy hand that reaches out to grasp her ankle. “Besides, the boy savior hates me.”

Fishbones lets out an unintelligible croak as the shadows once again clamp his mouth shut. Still Jinx can see the way he pleads with her through the light blue shimmer in his eyes. It’s the closest thing the shark has to tears, and both he and Jinx know it. Only half of her fits within the light as the rest has been thoroughly shrouded by unnatural darkness. Taking one last moment to steel herself she squeezes her eyes shut and takes a deep breath. Then with shaky legs she abandons the shrinking light and takes off into the darkness.

Chapter Text

The further Jinx delves into Zaun the more active the monsters appear to become. They lurk around every corner, in every shadow, prowling the streets with their gnarled fangs and wicked claws. They're hunting her. Though many of them don’t have eyes, it doesn't hinder them in the slightest. Not when the eyes that grow on the walls and ground whisper to them. Feeding them information about her whereabouts, and where she’s headed. Jinx skids around the corner of an abandoned building as she flees from the shadows and Mylo. She nearly crashes into a brick wall in the process only just managing to push herself off of it with a grunt. It forces her to stop for just a singular moment. But that moment is all that the monsters need as a hulking abomination of shimmer mutations shambles out from the large rolling warehouse doors. It drags it's oversized arms behind itself as it staggers towards her. It takes all of Jinx’s self control not to scream out in terror. She knows deep down that screaming will only make her situation worse and alert even more monsters to her location. Her heart races so wildly inside her chest that it's painful.

Jinx stands as still as a statue hoping against all odds that the monster won't notice her. It lumbers aimlessly around the street bumping into stray trash bags and lampposts. Inhuman breathy guttural groans pass from its throat, it sounds worse than any of the moans the shimmer addicts make down in the pits. After a few horrific minutes of watching it wander the street the monster finally comes to a stop a few feet away from her.

It looks too similar to the way he did that night. Vander. It looks so agonizingly similar to how Vander did the night she killed him. The night she killed them all. Jinx closes her eyes and holds her breath hoping against all odds it will leave her alone. Time seems to stand still as seconds drag on for eternities. She can hear its labored breathing as it lumbers around her. When everything goes quiet around her she finally decides to chance a look at the monster, but it’s vanished from her sight. There isn't so much as a trace of evidence that might clue her in as to where it shambled off to.

With hesitant steps she continues forward on her journey trying desperately to remember her way to the Firelight’s hideout. Unfortunately for her she doesn’t remember the exact location of the hideout. It's not like it would matter though. The unnatural shadows and darkness make it borderline impossible to navigate Zaun’s streets. Pulses of needle like pain shoot up from her feet as she stumbles around in the dark.

How long has she been walking for? It feels like a dense fog has settled over her brain and she can’t recall how or when this all started. It feels like all she’s ever known. She can't help but wonder how there could possibly be a way out.

“Lost and all alone.” Mylo sadistically chants from all around her. “What kind of a fool would risk helping a jinx?”

The voices from the walls begin to echo his words, in a distorted mockery of a crowd.

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” Jinx repeats over and over again as she continues to move.

There’s no light in sight, so despite the agonizing pain in her feet Jinx trudges forward. She can’t stop now it isn’t safe here. Part of her regrets leaving topside it would be much easier to find a constant source of light there. It makes her think back to the times when the monsters came relentlessly. It makes her think of how Silco always told her that she just needed to be scarier than her monsters. But how could she even pretend to be frightening when she’s so afraid. She’s so, so afraid.

“Aww is Jinx gonna cry? You want your big sister to come and hold you?” Mylo leans forward on his shadowy throne as he taunts her with his distorted voice.

He’s not wrong, she can already feel the light acidic burn of her shimmer tears on her cheeks. And she could really use Vi’s strong arms around her right now. Protecting her, shielding her from the monsters. She laments running away from her sister, but she had been so frightened in the moment that she wasn't thinking about anything other than running away from the shadows. The air around her goes still. With frightening uniformity the nearby monsters turn as one to stare at her with their empty eye sockets. A shiver of fear runs down her spine as Mylo giggles maniacally. Suddenly a deafening wail of a roar comes from behind her and forces her to cover her ears, though it does nothing to muffle the sound. She lets loose her own terrified wail of a scream as she pushes herself to run faster. No part of her wants to stick around and find out what made that noise. Her gaze flicks around her looking for an escape.

With reckless abandon she charges through the rusty doors of a nearby warehouse hoping that the monster will lose track of her. But it worsens the darkness around her. She stumbles blindly colliding with various boxes and shelves. Every step she takes seems to make an explosion's worth of noise. She doesn't feel safe here, but she has to hope it's the right choice. There isn't time to second guess herself now. Her eyes narrow as she attempts to take in her surroundings. A pair of beady red eyes shines to her left. It gives her the heebie jeebies but she trudges on. It isn't until the bright glowing red eyes begin to multiple and fill the darkness surrounding her that she feels her heart sink to her stomach. A cacophony of caws fill her ears as she crashes through another door and back outside. A swarm of hideous crow-like birds fly out from behind her. They have mouths full of razor sharp teeth on their stomachs and lashing barbed tongues. They swoop and dive around her on the attack. Jinx flails her arms above her head in a pitiful attempt to keep the birds away. A particularly nasty bird with razors for wings divebombs her and she has to duck her head and look away to avoid being cut.

“Look at her go!” Mylo cackles as he watches her duck and weave away from the birds. As always Claggor continues to stare at her with those dead unblinking eyes.

She runs through garbage dumps and clambers under bridges to evade the murder of crows. She even debates jumping into the disgusting river to get away from them. A large gooey tentacle thrashing wildly within the water makes her reconsider that option. Try as she might no matter where she runs the crows aren't far behind her. It feels like she's ran around the entirety of Zaun at this point. A small part of her wonders what the point is. It wants her to curl up and give in to the monsters.

As she thinks of giving in her eyes flick over a faint green light that hangs above a large vent with a fan in the wall to her left. The light isn’t big enough to protect her from the monsters, but only one undercity gang would openly leave such a thing. The fan looks like it hasn’t functioned in her lifetime, but it makes for a good hidden entrance. Without a second thought Jinx swerves towards the fan as the birds continue to mercilessly caw and peck at her. The moment the fan is within reach Jinx launches herself into the tunnel unconcerned about any bodily harm that may come her way. Her metal finger makes an ear piercing scraping sound as she drags herself forward. In an act of Janna's mercy the crows settle outside of the fan a reminder that it isn't safe outside.

Small green lights litter the sides of the tunnel making for an eerie journey. They cast her shadow on the walls, only it isn’t her shadow. It moves around without her and allows her to move ahead of it. Seeming content to let her saunter ahead before chasing back after her. The strap that holds Fishbones to her back unbuckles as she swings him around in front of her. Her hold on him is tight as she cradles him close to her chest like she used to cradle Vi's bunny.

She can’t help but glance from side to side and occasionally over her shoulder as she walks. This is technically enemy territory regardless of the fact that she willingly stepped foot here. Despite the lack of eyes littering the walls and the ground beneath her, Jinx can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched. The tunnels are like a maze, but the small lanterns light her path. It isn’t long before she sees a light at the end of the tunnel. Literally.

Desperation coats her movements as she sprints towards the light eager to bask in its glow. The shadow chases after her and she can hear Mylo’s laughter echoing off the walls. That’s when she notices the encroaching shadows that had gone unnoticed. They reach forward slowly suffocating the light at the exit. Her only chance at safety being snuffed out just before her eyes.

The muscles in her legs scream out to her in the form of searing pain as she forces herself to move faster. The light is getting smaller. She wants to scream out for it to stop, there’s nothing she wants more than for all of this to stop. Her footsteps echo all around the tunnel like claps of thunder. Just when the light is all but smothered Jinx closes her eyes and lets out an unholy wail. Like a cat pouncing on its prey she throws herself at the hole that she shouldn’t be able to fit through.

The first thing Jinx notices is the feeling of something soft and damp beneath her. Winking one eye open she is met with the thriving community of the Firelight’s base. A sharp shaky breath falls from her lips. A wave of relief washes over her as she rolls onto her back. Her relief is short-lived as she’s immediately surrounded by Firelights with their weapons pointed at her.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to point weapons at a lady before the first date?” Jinx instinctively quips, hoping to mask her lingering fright.

Before she can protest Fishbones is pried away from her along with pow-pow, and then she’s being dragged off in the opposite direction of her weapons. She lets out a strained whine as she watches her weapons disappear off into the distance, but doesn’t complain. She isn’t dumb, and understands that the Firelights aren’t very pleased with her and are simply taking necessary precautions. Jinx takes a moment to glance at her surroundings, and more importantly to glance at where the Firelights are dragging her. That’s when she realizes the greatest horror of them all, they’re taking her towards a dark and undoubtedly musty boiler room.

A sinking feeling begins to build up in her stomach. She can’t let them take her there. The monsters will find her and there will be no escaping.

“NO! Please no no no no, not there! I-I promise I’ll behave!” Jinx pleads through tears there’s no use in trying to mask her fright. And it’s not like she could now if she wanted to. Their pace begins to decrease as she begins to squirm with an animalistic ferocity against the Firelights’ grips. “You- you can even cuff me if you want! Just don’t leave me in the dark! Don’t leave me with the monsters!”

“Shut your trap looney!” A Firelight with a grinning mask barks as they continue to drag her towards the dark.

“I…” Jinx begins but the Firelight’s words have taken the wind out of her sails.

Her entire body goes slack as she resigns herself to her fate. Stupid Fishbones, she should have known better than to expect compassion from her enemies. Shadows envelop her upper body as they reach their destination. Inky black hands grasp at her throat. She can hear the small whisper of Mylo’s cruel laughter behind her. Jinx squeezes her eyes shut and prays that he can’t see her.

“That’s enough!” Little man’s voice booms from all around them. “Bring her back out here to me!” He commands. The weight of his authority cascades from his voice.

The Firelights around her let out various huffs and grumbles of frustration but obey their leader’s command like the good dogs they are. Of course Jinx doesn’t say that but she is thinking it, so that has to count for something. Her frantic heartbeat begins to settle as they sluggishly drag her back out into the safety of the light. Despite her precarious predicament she can’t stop herself from basking in the warmth of the light that filters down from above.

Jinx is very rudely thrown to the ground in front of a pair of very familiar boots. She has to awkwardly crane her head up to look Ekko in the eyes. In an act of what Jinx can only assume is pity Ekko reaches his hand down to help her up. With a hesitant hand she accepts his offer allowing Ekko to help her back to her feet.

“Come on, let's go somewhere private.” Ekko has a sparkling fire in his eyes that tells her this isn’t a suggestion, but rather a demand.

“Can we keep this chat outside?”

Ekko lets out a long exasperated sigh as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “I know a place that should work, follow me.”

Jinx claps her hands excitedly to try and reestablish her facade of normalcy as she follows him up and through the expansive wonderland that is the Firelights’ base. It’s not like she hasn’t been here before, but this is the first time she’s really been able to take in the sights. All the other times she’s been following a wounded Firelight or two or several, and therefore has had other priorities other than looking around. Still she’s on alert watching every shadow. Mylo jumps with vigor between the pits of shadows with a crooked grin to rival the Firelight’s mask she had seen earlier. Claggor stays put, content to sit on a tree branch staring into her soul. Jinx quickly averts her gaze.

It isn’t until they reach the final ring of the Firelight’s layered platforms that Ekko stops and turns back to her.

“What are you doing here Jinx?”

Jinx shoots him the friendliest smile she can muster. “Can’t a gal stop by to check on an old friend?”

Ekko snorts at her answer like she’s made some sort of joke. “An old friend, sure.”

Jinx is trying her best not to fidget but Mylo is whispering insults from the shadows, and she can’t stop taking glances over at Claggor who remains on the tree branch. Ekko looks at her from head to toe. He remains silent content to watch her for a while.

“Let me ask again. What are you doing here Jinx?” Frustration leaks from Ekko's voice.

Her mouth has gone dry, and it feels impossible to think of the proper words. “Silco always said the enemy of my enemy is my friend?” She tries weakly.

“Oh and do you always listen to what daddy Silco told you?” Ekko spits back at her.

Jinx recoils back and glances towards where Mylo is sitting. She’s about to speak when Ekko interrupts her.

“Also let's not forget that there has never been a time when you had an enemy or even a problem that you don’t just pump full of lead or blast into pieces to be splattered onto the nearest wall.”

“I can’t.” Her words are mumbled. “Not with them.”

“You can’t? You can’t! Tell that to all my friends you’ve slaughtered!” Ekko angrily shouts. He's pacing now with footsteps full of righteous fury for his fallen friends.

Mylo and the shadows have clawed closer to them. Much closer than should be possible given the amount of sunlight that trickles down onto the walkway.

“I can’t!” Jinx screams back at him as her hands reach up to pull on her hair. Mylo's advancement is putting her on edge. “They never stay dead. They never did.” She finishes quietly.

Ekko stumbles back a step whether it's because of her volume or words Jinx doesn't know. His eyebrows furrow like he’s deep in thought. He quickly glances to his left and runs a hand through his hair. “They never stay dead? Jinx, what are you talking about?”

Jinx opens her mouth to speak, but hesitates before any words come out. Instead of answering him she asks a question of her own. “Do you have a blue flare?”

A frustrated sigh slips from Ekko’s lips. He still looks angry but a cloak of worry has begun to envelop him. He rubs the back of his neck as he answers. “Does it have to be blue? We keep a stash of green flares in our armory, but I can't guarantee we have any blue ones.”

“She wouldn’t have come anyways.” Mylo scoffs. “Maybe she would have for Caitlyn but not for you.” He spits venomously.

That’s not true. It can’t be. Vi wouldn’t do that. Would she? Jinx doesn’t know. It frightens her to think that maybe Mylo is right. She tries to ask Ekko what he thinks but she gets no response.

"Jinx speak to me. What's wrong?" The anger in Ekko's voice has fully been replaced with worry.

With all her might Jinx attempts to explain everything to Ekko but just like with Vi he doesn't seem to understand her. She wonders why people never seem to understand her when it matters most. She thinks perhaps it's just another side effect of being a jinx.

“Jinx?” Ekko’s hand latches around her wrist to stop her from pulling her hair. She didn’t even realize she was doing that. Her eyes flick up to meet Ekko’s gaze. But instead of being met by Ekko’s confused face, it’s Mylo's that she sees. Mylo has latched onto Ekko’s back and has grown a second pair of arms so that his hands can cover Ekko’s eyes and ears. His neck is nearly a right angle with how it bends down to allow his face to cover Ekko's.

Jinx lets out an unholy ear-piercing scream. Thanks to her shimmer enhanced strength it doesn’t take much force to pull her wrist out of Ekko’s grip. Her legs start moving before she can fully process what’s happening. It’s much easier to find her way out of the base than it was to get inside. Unfortunately for her the further she gets away from the Firelights’ base the darker it gets. The shadows stretch and reach out unnaturally as they consume her surroundings.

Monsters of every shape and size once again lurk the streets of Zaun on the hunt for her. Nowhere is safe. Jinx carefully roams the streets evading monsters with her breath held. Time blurs as she gets lost in a loop of scampering past hideous monstrosities and ducking behind the nearest available cover when they look over at her. Her hands ball into fists as she pounds the side of her head, chastising herself for leaving her sister. With every step she takes it’s becoming increasingly difficult for her to recognize where she is.

The various alleyways blur together into a maze that she can’t escape. Her feet torture her with agonizing pain with every step she takes. Somehow the air in her lungs feels suffocating. In a panic Jinx begins to breathe faster in an attempt to get more air. Yet for a reason she can’t comprehend it does nothing to alleviate the pressure in her lungs. If anything it feels worse. Her left hand reaches up to clutch at her chest while her right is used to steady herself on a nearby wall.

The sturdy wall can’t support her enough to keep her from falling onto the wet road. She crawls to the lone dumpster in the alley with what little strength she has left hoping it will hide her from the monsters in the streets. Her eyes dart around as she prays that Mylo and the monsters forget about her. But Jinx has always been. A jinx. Mylo’s cruel sadistic laughter echoes around her as she crumples against herself. She knows that she’s going to die. Mylo will finally have his revenge. She'll be torn apart limb from limb all while Mylo gleefully cackles over her. Shaky fingers begin to tug and pull at her hair.

She wishes that Vi was here to hold her. She wishes that she could have told Vi that she’s sorry.

Chapter Text

The smell of Ozone fills the air around Zeri as she dusts off her jacket. She wrinkles her nose as the smell of lightly burnt flesh enters her nostrils. A local chempunk has been going around stealing from and ruffing up citizens in this neighborhood. The asshole goes out of his way to target the elderly, disabled, and children. But with the help of a vigilant Firelight his days of delinquency are over. She holsters her gun and leaves the rest to the Firelight she had been working with. They had both taken notice the chempunk's crime spree, and had teamed up to take them down.

She watches the Firelight for a moment as they handcuff the unconscious chempunk. She can feel a familiar warmth spread to her cheeks as her mind drifts to images and memories of her time with Ekko. Things were and still are a bit awkward between them after their breakup. Sure she still thinks of him as a friend, her best friend even, but their dynamic has changed. It's clear that neither of them are ready or able to resume their friendship from the same place they had left off. Their biggest sore point is that Zeri wasn’t a Firelight, and didn’t want to be one. Even if she helped them out often.

It's not like she's against their mission. They have done a lot to help clean up Zaun, and they have gotten most of the shimmer off the streets. If anything she admires their commitment to their community, to Zaun. But with any organization there is only so much that they can do. Only so much ground that they can cover. And unfortunately Zeri’s neighborhood (along with many others such as this one) aren't a part of that ground. The logistics of patrol routes and which neighborhoods they could reasonably help without spreading themselves thin had led to more of their arguments than Zeri cares to admit.

Sure they got the occasional Firelight patrolling their street, but it isn’t enough. Local gangs and chempunks take advantage of her neighbors, her friends, and her family. It took her taking matters into her own hands for things to change. Eventually they had both grown tired of their constant arguments and decided to break up while keeping a friendly work relationship. But that left them where they were at now with neither of them knowing how close they still were outside of their less than frequent more than occasional joint work.

Zeri gives the Firelight a friendly wave as she departs. Leather boots scuff the ground as Zeri begins to make her way home. A melancholic chuckle escapes her lips as she ponders how one stray thought can bring her mood down. It helps remind her that she’s the one in charge of how she’s feeling. Zeri smacks her cheeks and tells herself to knock it off. It's no use spiraling into more depressive thoughts.

She thinks back to all the good she's done today. She helped her elderly neighbor find his cat Mr. Grimbles. Went out and bought groceries and medicine for a single mother stuck with two sick children. By Janna's perky tits she just stopped an attempted mugging. Zeri had done well today and that's worth celebrating. That isn’t to say that her dour mood has disappeared entirely, but she’s feeling better than she was. Zeri instinctively nods to a group of Firelights that are huddled together as she passes them. They nod back before returning to their conversation, they must be on a break.

She considers going over to them, but ultimately decides against it once she checks the pocket watch that Ekko had given her. She had promised her mom that she would be back in time to help with dinner, and she’s already pushing it. There’s no doubt that she’ll have to take a few, rather risky, shortcuts to get back on time. Zeri picks up her pace as she rushes back home.

Electricity coats her in a soft green glow as she uses her magic to run even faster. The undercity streets become her playground as she zips through them like a stray bolt of lightning. She tries to keep to the less populated alleys so that she doesn’t risk hurting anyone with a stray jolt of electricity. It’s taken her a fraction of the time it should have to cover the distance she has. With the pace she’s making there’s a possibility that she’ll get home with time to spare. A smirk tugs at her lips as she thinks about it.

Her neighborhood is only a few blocks away now and her stomach is already growling as she thinks about what her mom might have planned for dinner. She hopes it’s some of her mom’s homemade tamales or if she’s lucky it will be some of her explosive empanadas. Zeri surges around the corner into an alleyway intent to take one final shortcut towards her home. However a strange noise makes her stop dead in her tracks. She looks around the desolate alleyway but doesn’t spot anything out of the ordinary.

With cautious steps she moves forward. There’s a dumpster and a stack of crates off to the side, but otherwise the alley is empty. Instinctively she holds her left hand out in the shape of a finger gun. A small bolt of electricity dances between her fingertips. She’s about to call out when she hears something. The closer she steps towards the dumpster the clearer the noise becomes. It sounds like quiet hiccups. It makes her wonder if someone's crying.

Another choked sob echoes around her and confirms her suspicions. As she continues to move forward she begins to hear mumbled mostly incoherent cries. Zeri’s closer now, close enough to make out the long braids of blue hair that trail out from behind the crates. A stuttered breath falls from her lips as she realizes who she’s just run into.

Jinx, the loose cannon.

Part of Zeri wants to bolt out of the alley as fast as she can. Yet something pulls inside of her mind to investigate further.

“I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t have left. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. All my fault.” Jinx mumbles as she rocks back and forth cradling her legs tightly against her chest. She looks. Small.

Zeri has heard stories about Jinx. Everyone in the undercity has. A part of her always wondered how her first encounter with Jinx would go, but never in a million years would she imagine she would find Jinx like this. It’s hard for her to look at the weak and terrified girl in front of her.

“Should’ve told Vi sorry. Sorry. I’m so sorry. Don’t let the monsters eat me. They’re not real. They’re not real.” Jinx sobs.

Zeri’s throat feels drier than the Shurima desert but she forces out her words. “Are you okay?”

In a blur of motion Zeri is met with pink eyes staring up at her. Jinx’s eyes widen with hope the moment they lock onto Zeri’s. Zeri is frozen and can only watch on as Jinx scrambles to her feet. A twinge of fear shoots through her and Zeri can’t help but take a stumbled step back unsure of what Jinx might do. Before she can react Jinx launches herself into her and they both go tumbling down onto wet stone. Jinx is so close that Zeri can smell the faint but acrid smell of gunpowder that radiates off of the other girl.

“Are you an angel?” Jinx’s voice is small. A stab of sympathy, pity, affection, protectiveness? Pierces through Zeri’s heart. “Have you come to save me from the dark? From the monsters?”

Zeri is left in a daze. Jinx’s arms wrap around her torso and Zeri can feel the way Jinx snuggles in closer to her stomach. Her shirt begins to dampen and cling to her skin no doubt from Jinx’s tears. Zeri’s hand hovers over Jinx’s back, unsure of how the other girl will react to her touch. She shifts her body into a more comfortable position against the wall.

Jinx’s arms wrap tighter around her in response to her movement. “Please don’t leave me.”

For all intents and purposes Jinx has her effectively trapped, but Zeri doesn’t tell her that. “Shh it’s okay, I won’t leave you.” Zeri coos, as her hand finally touches down on Jinx’s back.

Zeri attempts to release her magical energy and as a result the soft glow that surrounds her begins to fade.

“NO! No no no no no. Should’a known it wouldn’t last. Always a Jinx.” Jinx lifts her head from Zeri’s stomach. Her fingers begin to pull at her hair. "Nothing ever keeps the monsters at bay forever."

For the first time Zeri notices Jinx’s tears are a vibrant pink. It looks worryingly close to shimmer, but Zeri has never known the drug to produce this kind of a reaction.

“What’s wrong?” Zeri patiently asks. Or at least she hopes it comes off as patient because internally she’s been freaking out since she laid eyes on the twin braids.

“The light. I should’ve known the light would fade.”

The light? Zeri sits there stunned for a moment before she realizes Jinx is talking about her electricity.

“Give me a second I can just…” Zeri furiously rubs her hand through her hair to rapidly build up a static charge. It always helps to make her glow just a tiny bit brighter. “There.” The distinct green glow fills the alleyway once again.

Jinx looks at her with awe. From this close Zeri can see the dark circles under Jinx's eyes. She wonders when the last time Jinx had a proper rest was. Jinx wiggles in her lap before collapsing back against her chest. Together they sit in the alley, where the only measure of time is the number of bodies that filter through the streets around them headed towards the entertainment district. Jinx has fallen asleep zipped up in Zeri’s oversized jacket with her head on Zeri’s chest.

Zeri isn’t entirely sure what she’s supposed to do now. She can’t exactly leave. At least not without waking Jinx, and she doesn’t want to leave Jinx alone right now. It’s abundantly clear to her that Jinx is in the middle of a mental breakdown, and disappearing on her will only make things worse for her. With little else to do Zeri remains put, her hand absentmindedly stroking through electric blue hair.

Enough time has passed that Zeri feels it's safe to say she has missed dinner prep, and if she waits any longer she may miss dinner altogether. It dawns on Zeri that she needs to do something, but she can’t just leave Jinx here alone. Not without waking Jinx up first. She supposes that she could take Jinx with her, but she wants to save that as a last resort. There are a few tricks she can use to get the attention of passersby but this alley isn’t located next to the most populated streets. As if summoned by Janna’s grace she spots the group of Firelights from earlier. An idea pops into her mind, or more accurately a certain rugged white haired leader of the Firelights pops into her mind. With a snap of her fingers she shoots a small bolt of lightning just ahead of the group.

The Firelights startle and drop into combat positions.

“Pst.. Hey over here.” Zeri whispers. Only one of them turns their head, but they quickly point her out to the others.

“What’s up Zeri? Everything good?” The Firelights’ eyes glance down at the lump in her coat but graciously they don’t ask her about it.

“Shh.” Zeri hushes them. “I’m fine. I just need a favor. I need y'all to get Ekko for me, tell him it's urgent. And to come alone.” She pauses for a moment in thought.

The Firelights clearly don’t look convinced that she's safe, but they don't argue with her. “Anything else?”

“Oh could someone tell my mom that I’ll be late for dinner. ‘M not sure how late so tell her to go ahead and eat without me.”

The Firelights nod and hesitantly take off on their hoverboards. Once they’re in the air she watches as one of them splits off in the direction of her neighborhood while the rest zip towards the Firelights’ base. Jinx remains sound asleep against her. Staring down at the girl in her arms Zeri is silently thankful that she’s asleep. She doesn’t want to cause Jinx anymore undue distress and this guarantees that nothing she does outside of leaving could cause any.

To pass time Zeri pulls out a notepad and begins to continue drafting the story that she’s been writing. It’s nothing fancy, just a children’s book that will be gifted to the children under the Firelight’s care. It isn’t enough to keep her attention forever unfortunately, as she reaches the point where she’ll need more than just a notepad to make any more progress. Now with nothing better to do she uses her electricity to lightly burn the wall in front of her. She’s in the middle of a particularly lifelike drawing of a sump rat when the whirring sound of a hoverboard catches her attention.

It always amazes her how nimble Ekko is on his hoverboard. He’s already on his feet with board in hand by the time she turns to look up at him. Ekko’s face is somewhere between shock, relief, and pain.

“I would ask what it is you need but…” Ekko trails off as he glances down at the lump in her jacket and Jinx's loose braids. “I uhh- think I can see why you called me here.”

“Sorry I couldn’t think of what to do and I guess.” Zeri hesitates, cheeks burning with embarrassment. “I hoped that you’d have an idea. You are the leader of the Firelights after all.”

Ekko runs a hand through his hair. His eyes look to the left. He always does that when he’s thinking really hard.

“I… Shit.” He lets out an exasperated sigh.

The alleyway isn’t very wide but that doesn’t stop Ekko from pacing back and forth. Zeri can hear him mutter under his breath but doesn’t interrupt him. It’s clear to her that this is really stressing him out, though she has a feeling there's more to his stress than having a terrorist beside him.

After a few minutes of pacing Ekko stops and turns to her. His face is set with determination, and she can see the spark of fire in his eyes. “I need to go topside. Vi needs to know about this, and I’m sure Caitlyn can help get Jinx checked into one of topside’s fancy psychiatric hospitals.”

“Okay. I assume you want me to stay here with her?” Zeri has heard of Vi but she's never personally met Vander's prodigy.

“If you don’t mind?”

Zeri lets out a quiet chuckle. “Dude I’ve been sitting here for like an hour or so already I can sit here for a while longer. Just try to hurry back.”

Her gentle laughter stirs Jinx from her slumber as her jacket begins to rise. Ekko’s face hardens with resolve. He wordlessly nods to her and takes off on his hoverboard. Zeri watches his silhouette as he shrinks smaller and smaller into the distance. Jinx wiggles inside her jacket until Zeri unzips it enough for her to be able to poke her head out. Glassy unfocused shimmer pink eyes stare up at her. It pulls at Zeri's heartstrings in a way that she's never felt before.

"We'll get you somewhere safe. A place where medical professionals will be able to help you." Zeri softly promises as she gently strokes Jinx's hair. Tears are threatening to leak from her eyes.

Jinx doesn't seem to comprehend what Zeri is telling her but she does gently snuggle in closer resting her head against Zeri's chest once more. She rocks back and forth hoping to coax Jinx back to sleep. It's clear that the poor girl is in desperate need of some rest. Zeri hums a tranquil lullaby as Jinx gradually drifts off to sleep once again. Now all that's left is to wait, and pray that Ekko's plan is solid.

Chapter Text

Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. The sound of her fists colliding with the punching bag echoes around her in the Kiramman's at-home gym with an almost rhythmic beat. Vi’s frustrated. No frustration doesn’t even begin to describe how she’s feeling. She was so close this time, so.

Wham! She lets loose a furious scream as she pours every drop of the anger she feels at herself into her fist and screams. Her fist collides with the punching bag with an almost inhuman force. The poor punching bag wobbles and nearly tips over, just managing to fall back into an upright position.

She was so close to finally reaching her sister. They were having a moment, actually talking to each other instead of fighting. And then she went and messed it all up. If she just hadn’t gotten so surprised that Jinx brought up Silco. A heavy grunt escapes her throat, her punches are becoming less refined as she pours her emotions out through her fists. The punching bag wobbles and wobbles struggling against the force of her punches. Until a particularly hard blow sends it tumbling down onto the mat with harsh a thud.

The sound of someone clearing their throat behind her pulls Vi out of her own head and back into the present.

“Water for your thoughts?” Caitlyn asks, her ocean blue eyes swimming with worry. She holds a cold water bottle out towards Vi.

“You always know just what I need Cupcake.” Vi answers slyly hoping to mask her lingering frustration.

Vi quickly rights the bag before confidently striding over to Caitlyn. Her hand reaches out for the water as she saunters up to Caitlyn, but before her hand can make purchase on the beverage Caitlyn gently tugs it out of reach. Vi's about to pout but the feeling of Caitlyn's lips crashing into her own stops her. Vi really wants that water, but she’s not about to complain. She tries to deepen their kiss. To distract Caitlyn, to distract herself, but Caitlyn pulls away before she can.

“Water first, then you can tell me what’s on your mind. There will be time for more of.” Caitlyn wipes the remaining saliva from her lips with the back of her hand. She pauses as her cheeks darken. “This later.”

Vi takes a long swig of her water as she mulls over her thoughts. Honestly just thinking about it is feeding into her frustration. But talking to Caitlyn usually helps her put her thoughts into perspective. It takes Vi a few moments to figure out what to say.

“Sorry, I’m just… I feel like I was really reaching her, and then.” Vi’s voice begins to crack as her fingers fiddle with her arms wraps. “When she brought up Silco I just got so surprised, I reacted out of instinct and confusion. All it took was that little slip up to burst the bubble of peace around us. I-I ruined our moment.”

She tries her best not to cry, but her body betrays her. Caitlyn clearly notices her tears as she pulls her into a loose embrace and kisses her on top of the head. The act elicits a strange mixture of comfort and an upsetting feeling of infantilization. But Vi knows that this is just how Caitlyn shows her support. In the end it leaves her feeling conflicted. It's not like she's ever looked down on her sister for needing comfort, but she was supposed to be the tough one. The one who scared the monsters away, not the one needing to be comforted.

“I know you feel like this is all your fault, but we don't know what goes on in your sister's head. How she sees the world. There's a chance she was reacting to something else entirely a hallucination perhaps. We knew that something like this might happen. This was always going to be-”

“A long process. I know, I know.” Vi dejectedly cuts Caitlyn off.

Caitlyn shoots her a weary smile. Of course Vi knows this is going to be a long process, this isn’t the first time they’ve had this talk. And Caitlyn isn’t even the only person she’s brought this up with. It’s the same point her therapist brings up nearly every appointment. But as her therapist says even if she knows something that doesn’t discount her feelings.

“Why don’t you get yourself cleaned up and we can talk about where we go from here.” Caitlyn offers. "Meet me in the sitting room when you get out?"

Vi lets out an exhausted grunt of acknowledgement as she chugs the last of her water and begins to make her way back to their room.

A content sigh falls from Vi’s lips as she runs the towel over her hair. She’s fresh out of the shower and feeling properly refreshed. Her mind feels clearer and she feels ready to plan out where to go from here. A cacophony of thunderous footsteps echoes through the main hall as she makes her way down the winding central staircase of the Kiramman mansion. Upon reaching the bottom of the steps she allows herself a moment to take a deep breath, then she looks over towards the living room where she spots Caitlyn waiting for her on the couch. Normally Caitlyn keeps her sleuthing work contained within her office. However, this is a side project a very important side project as far as Vi is concerned, but a side project nonetheless. As such it gets its own (rather large) container and folders, but it can't be pinned to the corkboard in Caitlyn's office alongside the other active cases.

“I’m ready, let's get this planning party started!” Vi announces as she steps into the living room.

A surprised Caitlyn jumps in her seat as she looks over at her. Caitlyn shakes her head but Vi spies a small smile pulling at the corner her lips. Her fiancée gestures in front of her at the myriad of papers that litter the floor.

“I went ahead and took the liberty of compiling all of our previous efforts to reach your sister, along with the effects they’ve had on Jinx. I've placed them into different categories based on how she responded.”

“Right?” Vi answers a little confused and unsure of how that will help them in the present.

If there’s one thing Vi loves about Caitlyn it’s that she doesn’t think Vi’s dumb for not understanding something right away. Instead she tries to reword or explain whatever it is in a way that’s easier for Vi to understand.

“Say for instance when you subtly pleaded with her to stop killing, and she listened. Or today when you called Jinx by her name. Her chosen name that is, and she couldn’t help but pause what she was doing. Too caught up in the fact that you called out to her using her preferred name. It's clear that she takes some of what you say to heart. There's undoubtedly still a part of her that wants her sister to be proud of her. Not to be proud of Powder but rather to be proud of Jinx, the person she is now."

Caitlyn's foot taps against the edge of the in Vi's opinion gaudy rug in the the center of the room.

"There's a chance we could use that desire to subtly push her into getting help. Rather unfortunately as much as you and I may want to we both know that we can't just drag her to a therapist to get treatment."

"She'd never accept the doctors' and nurses' help that way." Vi adds thoughtfully, though she's unsure if Caitlyn even hears her right now.

Caitlyn wanders around her carefully laid out mess of papers. "But if we can find a way to convince her to get help without forcing her." Caitlyn looks over to Vi and smiles. "Maybe then she would actually accept it."

Vi hums and nods her head in understanding.

Caitlyn nods back but doesn’t verbalize her acknowledgement, instead turning back to her work. She’s in what Vi likes to call her detective mode where she’s too busy thinking to communicate much verbally outside of what she's already thinking. Caitlyn gets like that alot when she's working or thinking very hard. Focusing all that brainpower she has into solving the problem, and forgetting to leave enough spare to be able to communicate. Vi looks over the the scattered notes and pictures, but ultimately decides to hang back and give Caitlyn room to work. She doesn't want to destroy the meticulously crafted arrangement by picking up anything to examine it closer. It leaves her feeling like there isn't anything more that she can do except wait until Caitlyn solves whatever she’s working on. With little else to occupy her she decides to sit back and watch on as Caitlyn works.

She’s been silently watching Caitlyn work for the past ten minutes. In one moment she’s perfectly normal content to watch her fiancée work and in the next she’s overwhelmed by emotion. Jinx, her sister, has killed more of Caitlyn’s colleagues than she’ll probably ever know. Her sister who kidnapped Caitlyn from the very bathroom Vi showers in every morning. The very same Jinx who almost killed her mother, and her childhood friend/older brother figure when she fired that rocket at the council building. And yet here Caitlyn is spending her very limited free time meticulously pouring over the best ways to help her sister. Her emotions only seem to swell as she remembers how carefully Caitlyn’s researched the different psychiatric hospitals in Piltover. Combing over every incident and pushing the council to establish an updated set of rules and guidelines that the hospitals have to follow. Rules that provide a better chance for the patients inside to receive proper care. To give them a chance to truly have a chance at a "normal" life whatever that means. That's all without mentioning how hard she pushed for greater budgets to be distributed to every mental hospital, even funneling some of her own wealth into them.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong darling?” Caitlyn asks. Her eyes sparkle with concern.

“Nothing I was just. Just thinking about how passionate you are about helping those around you, including those who've wronged you like my sister. Especially after she’s hurt.” Vi chokes up. “After she’s hurt you and your family so much.”

Caitlyn stands from her crouched position in front of the papers on the floor and makes her way to her. Gently Caitlyn wraps her into an embrace. Caitlyn’s hands find Vi’s cheeks as she presses their foreheads together.

“Jinx has lived a hard life. You both have, and you both deserve the chance to be a family again."

Vi begins to sob as Caitlyn speaks.

“She’s had two families ripped away from her, and even if you and I both know it was an accident I’m sure she blames herself for Vander, Mylo, and Claggor’s deaths. Then that very same night she gets adopted by one of the largest criminals Piltover, and the Undercity have ever seen. A man who encouraged her violent tendencies and who did not attempt to get her the professional help she desperately needed and still needs with her undiagnosed psychosis. I don't condone Jinx's actions, but I can't help but feel the weight of topside's incompetence on my shoulders when I look at her.” Caitlyn looks like she could rattle on for hours explaining the whys of her actions. 

“Careful there Cupcake you're beginning to make me think that you’re doing this for more than just me.” Vi quips trying to regain a shred of control over her emotions.

She hates feeling so raw. So vulnerable.

Caitlyn snorts. “As Piltover's sheriff it’s my responsibility to ensure that criminals face the proper punishments for their crimes. But these past few months seeing first hand how she’s been struggling with an undiagnosed mental illness. After seeing how scared she was today. From a legal perspective it’s hard to imagine a reality where she would ever be considered fit to stand trial.”

Caitlyn shifts on her feet. Her hands rub up and down her arms in the way that lets Vi know that she's feeling emotional.

“Today when she ran from your embrace, the look on her face. That look of pure terror. It has stuck with me. It's felt like I've seen it every time I've closed my eyes.”

For a moment they forget about their planning party, too comfortable in each other’s arms. Needing the comfort each other provides. It isn’t until they hear the tell-tale sound of the front door being opened and the small commotion that ensues that they reluctantly let go of each other. Hurried footsteps echo through the foyer as someone approaches. To Vi’s surprise Ekko comes scrambling in looking worn out. His eyes are blown out with worry.

“I apologize for the interruption, Miss Kiramman. I simply could not get him to wait outside, while I inquired about his permittance into the estate.” The Kiramman’s butler Wade apologizes as he seemingly materializes out of nowhere.

Vi watches as Caitlyn merely waves her index and middle finger of her right hand to the right, silently communicating that everything is under control and that his presence is no longer required. Wade curtly nods and turns to take his leave.

“What’s up Little-”

“There’s no time to explain we’ve got to go now!” Ekko who had been glaring at Wade turns his attention back to Vi as he interrupts her through hard labored breaths.

Concern fills Vi’s stomach. Ekko’s never this rattled.

“What’s going on?” Vi asks. She hates how small her voice sounds.

“Listen, it's about Jinx.”

Vi’s breathing stutters. “Is she?” Vi can’t even finish the sentence, she doesn’t want to imagine it. As she remembers how her sister was acting when she ran from her, it's hard not to imagine a million different scenarios. Her traitorous brain fills in the gaps with images of finding Jinx floating face down in the river, a crumpled body below the bridge of progress, slumped against a wall with her brains staining it a deep crimson her familiar pistol resting limply in her lifeless hands. Vi's stomach churns at the thoughts.

“Jinx is safe, physically speaking. I’ve got a good friend looking over her.”

Relief washes over her like the choppy waves against the rocky shore of Stillwater. But Ekko still looks nervous, and that leaves her on edge.

Ekko runs his hand through his hair as he looks her dead in the eyes. “Vi she’s in a bad. Bad spot mentally. Look I’ll tell you more on the way but we’ve got to go now!”

Vi picks at her arm wraps, feet rooted by fear. What if she’s too late? What if Jinx lashes out in fear. What if…

She feels Caitlyn’s hand wrap around her own. Caitlyn squeezes twice silently communicating that she is with her. It helps Vi to calm down a smidgen.

“Lead the way.” Caitlyn’s calm and collected voice brings her back to reality.

In a whirlwind of motion Vi retrieves her and Caitlyn's boots, not caring enough to grab anything else. She needs to get to her sister now and she won't let anything get in her way this time. Together they take off in a mad dash towards Zaun. Piltover streets pass in a blur as they race through them. The crowds of Piltovans watch on with worry as they recognize their sheriff and deputy sprinting through the streets. Ekko fills them in about Jinx’s visit to the Firelights’ base on the way. Vi knows that her sister suffers from psychosis. She’s seen her sister mutter to herself, and the way she becomes overwhelmed by fear of monsters that don’t exist. But listening to Ekko recount how Jinx pulled and ripped at her hair. How she vehemently protested being left alone in the dark.

The way he describes the sheer terror in her screams as she ran away from the Firelight’s base, it all makes her blood run cold as ice. She thinks back to the moment she had shared with her sister earlier that morning. Jinx had attempted to tell her something, that by her gestures and panicked tone seemed important. However, Jinx’s words had come out so fast and garbled that they were nigh incomprehensible aside from a few that were spoken with alarming clarity.

Jinx had repeated Mylo’s name a number of times along with mentions of monsters. It wasn’t the first time that she realized that Jinx saw things that weren’t there. At least not for anyone but her. But was she seeing Mylo? Or even worse a twisted demented version of Mylo? Tears leak from her eyes as she sprints. She should have been more stern, stricter when she got onto him for bullying and belittling Powder. That's not to say that Mylo was the sole cause of her deteriorated mental health. Not by a longshot but he certainly didn't help. Maybe then things wouldn't have gotten this bad. Vi shakes her head and runs a hand over her eyes to clear the tears as she tries to refocus on getting to her little sister.

The sun is only just beginning to set by the time they reach the edge of Piltover and Zaun. They don’t have time to waste waiting on the shoddy elevators. Instead they elect to free run atop the various roofs. Caitlyn stays be her side nearly the entire way down. Vi mentally thanks her past self for insisting that Caitlyn learn how to traverse Zaun like a true Zaunite. Ekko elects to descend on his hoverboard, and with how exhausted he looks Vi can’t blame him for taking the easy way down. For her and Caitlyn the descent is difficult but it gets them onto the streets of Zaun in half the time it would have taken the elevator.

The streets of Zaun are only just beginning to fill with people. It will be another hour or two before the streets truly begin to fill and the city comes alive. They regroup with Ekko down below as he once again leads the way. A bubble of anxiety encircles Vi as they delve deeper into Zaun. They pass by familiar sights like The Last Drop and Jericho's, but she hardly pays them any mind. She worries about how they’ll find Jinx, and she can’t stop mulling over the words she wants to tell her sister. The words she needs to tell Jinx. Their group elicits a myriad of wide eyes and gaping jaws from the citizens of Zaun. It isn’t often that the sheriff and her deputy are in Zaun, and even rarer that they're following the leader of the Firelights at that.

As they turn yet another corner Vi notices a vibrant green light that’s emanating from an alleyway. It's like nothing she's ever seen before hextech, chemtech, or otherwise. Ekko leads them closer to the narrow alleyway. As they round the corner into the alley Vi is met by the sight of her sister passed out. A lump forms in her throat and she has to fight back tears at the sight of Jinx peacefully asleep snuggled in between a girl and her zipped up jacket. After imagining what could have been, it's a welcome sight to see. Before she can say any words of gratitude to Ekko's friend, the girl begins to shake her sister awake. Jinx stirs with a grunt, bleary pink eyes slowly focusing in on her surroundings.

Jinx’s eyes grow wide as she finally notices Vi.

“Vi?” Jinx asks reverently.

Chapter Text

Zeri has been periodically checking her surroundings as she strokes her fingers through electric blue hair. That’s how she notices them, the two women led by worn out looking Ekko. The shorter one with short pink hair is unmistakably a zaunite, just as the taller one with long blue is unmistakably a piltie. They certainly make for an odd pair, but now isn’t the time to dwell on such inconsequential thoughts. With a gentle shake Zeri wakes Jinx. Jinx grunts as she stirs, her bleary pink eyes slowly taking in her surroundings. It’s hard not to picture a cat slowly waking up from a nap. But that all changes the moment Jinx notices the pink haired woman.

“Vi?” Jinx asks reverently. Her mouth opens and closes a few times, her disbelief is written across her face. “Is that really you?”

Jinx takes a few shaky breaths. “Are you real?”

Vi or at least the one Zeri assumes is Vi steps forward and crouches down to their level. She can see the woman fighting desperately to hold back her tears. Jinx launches herself into Vi’s arms the moment she’s within grabbing distance. But Jinx’s bottom half is still pinning Zeri down. An unforgiving awkwardness settles around Zeri. This feels like a very private moment and one that Zeri desperately doesn’t want to interrupt. At the same time she’s very much stuck in the middle of it with a front row seat to watch it all play out.

“It’s me sis, it’s really me.” Vi's eyes are wide with shock. Whatever situation Vi had expected to find, it clearly wasn't this.

Jinx’s boot slides against Zeri’s leg roughly rubbing at her skin underneath her jeans. Zeri almost expects Jinx to purr as she latches closer onto Vi.

“How, how did you even find me?” Jinx chokes out. She looks around wildly. It makes Zeri wonder if the poor girl even realizes where she’s at.

A few moments pass as glances awkwardly bounce between everyone as they try to determine how to tell Jinx the truth.

“Zeri found you, and signaled a group of passing Firelights to come get me. You were already asleep when I arrived, but I knew we couldn't just leave you here. So I rushed topside, to Vi as fast as I could.” Ekko speaks up.

Zeri watches Jinx’s face scrunch up like she’s deep in thought. It’s rather obvious by the way she keeps glancing over at Ekko that she doesn’t believe him.

“He’s telling the truth.” Zeri hesitantly offers.

In a whirlwind of motion Jinx turns back to face Zeri. A look of understanding plasters her tear streaked face. 

"So then you really are an angel."

"No I'm really not. I'm just an ordinary girl who likes to help out her community." Zeri sheepishly chuckles out as she feels a warm heat rise to her cheeks from the wholehearted praise.

Jinx sits quietly for a moment still latched onto Vi. Slowly a look of horror etches onto Jinx's face as she turns to face her sister once more.

"How did you manage to avoid all the monsters?" Jinx whimpers out as her eyes scan the street behind Vi.

Jinx doesn't notice but Vi is too shocked to answer. She's clearly too stressed worrying over her frightened little sister to formulate a response that isn't a spluttering mess of words. Thankfully Caitlyn steps forward for her.

"There are people, doctors topside that help all kinds of people to..." Caitlyn hesitates and it's clear she's searching for the correct word to use. "Overcome their monsters. People similar to yourself. Vi and I have been doing thorough research on these facilities. If you would allow us we believe it would do you good to be checked into to one of these hospitals for treatment."

Jinx narrows her eyes and pulls away from Vi leaning in closer to Zeri. It's abundantly clear that for whatever reason she's extremely distrustful of Caitlyn. Pink eyes flick back and forth between Vi and Caitlyn. Everyone else waits with bated breath while Jinx thinks.

"Jinx please. We just wan..." Vi begins to plead but she's swiftly cutoff.

"Shut up, let me think." Jinx loosely grasps at her hair while her right fist pounds into the side of her head. She hits herself twice before she switches to pulling at her hair. Her whole body rocks back and forth on Zeri's lap. With careful hands Zeri gently moves Jinx's arms back down to her sides so that she can't tug on her hair. It doesn't stop the shaking of Jinx's hands as they open and close in and out of fists.

Heavy silence fills the air, with no one daring to take so much as a breath. Jinx cocks her head to the left. It looks like she's listening to someone as she nods occasionally to whoever she is hearing.

"Yeah and we saw where that got me." Jinx stubbornly insists cutting through the silence. A few seconds pass before Jinx speaks again. "And that was pure coincidence, you can't act like this was all a part of your plan." 

Zeri can tell by Vi's movement that she wants to reach out and cradle her sister. Hell she fills an overwhelming pull to take Jinx into her arms as well. Ultimately it's the feeling of not belonging here that prevents her from acting. She isn't sure what stops Vi.

"And how can you know that they won't just drag me off to some musty cell to rot?" Jinx throws the words like bricks at her hallucination.

Ekko and Caitlyn grimace at her accusation, while Vi blanches and visibly pales.

"Jinx I would never. Never allow anyone, not even the council, to throw you in Stillwater." Vi shakily promises through tears.

Jinx takes a moment to think about her sister's words. Her eyes desperately flick back and forth between everyone, judging their sincerity. 

"What about the monsters? If I go out into the streets they'll find me and then they'll gobble me up and spit out my bones." Jinx whimpers pitifully.

Vi nervously looks around, and Caitlyn and Ekko look stumped. Clearly in their panicked rush to get here no one took the time to think about how hard it must be for Jinx to walk out into the dark maze of monsters her mind has conjured. Zeri takes a deep breath allowing the air to sit in her lungs for a few seconds. Determination fills her chest as she slowly exhales. While she may not have a personal duty to Jinx or to Vi for that matter. She does have a duty to Zaun and regardless of what she's done Jinx is still part of Zaun. While Zeri had been a bit worried for her own safety throughout her time with Jinx, a wave of calmness washes of Zeri as she makes her decision.

"You said the monsters are afraid of my light correct?"

Jinx silently nods.

"Then you don't have to worry about the monsters, because I'll be right beside you making sure they can't get close enough to harm you." Zeri vows.

Caitlyn, Ekko, and Vi turn to stare at her with eyes shimmering with gratitude and hope. The look of gratitude Vi gives her in particular is almost too much to handle. Jinx sits with her brows furrowed ruminating over Zeri's promise. A silent pressuring tension builds around them. After what feels like a century Jinx nods her head mumbling a soft "Okay."

Gently Vi reaches down to help Jinx to her feet. Despite the gentleness in Vi's movements Jinx nearly stumbles over herself as she rises to her feet. She barely manages two shakey steps forward before collapsing against Vi's chest.

"I can't. My- my feet." Jinx inhales sharply as she begins to sob into Vi's chest. 

Zeri's heart aches as she watches Jinx struggle to stay standing. The evidence of her pain is written across her face. With careful movements Vi cautiously lowers Jinx back to the ground, a deep pain for her sister's troubles evident in her increasingly tense body.

Zeri reaches out with slow movements trying her best not to startle Jinx. She stops just before reaching Jinx's left boot. "May I?"

Jinx gives her a small nod. Taking it as her permission Zeri begins to undo Jinx's shoelaces. A heavy lump forms in her throat as she slides the boot off Jinx's foot and takes in the state of her feet. She hears Vi let out a desperate whine of emotion at the sight. Even with only her boot removed it's clear to see the massive amount of dry blood that's bled through Jinx's heavily bloodstained sock. Zeri hesitantly peels away the sock forcing herself to continue despite the mewl of pain that comes from Jinx. She coos soft affirmations hoping it eases the mental burden of the pain, even if only a bit. Looking underneath the sock reveals a collection of bloody burst blisters. It's a wonder Jinx made it to the alleyway at all with the state of her feet. Zeri quickly sets about removing Jinx's other shoe, trying her best to take away as much discomfort as she can.

Vi rubs her hand up and down Jinx's back. "Can I carry you?

Jinx nods slowly. With a quiet grunt of exertion Vi lifts Jinx into her arms. One arm looped under her rear to provide support while the other pulls under her armpit. Her hand rests on Jinx's back cradling her close. Zeri doesn't fail to notice how shocked Vi seems.

"Are we ready?" Caitlyn gently asks Jinx, though Zeri can't help but believe that it's partly for Vi as well.

Slowly Jinx lowers her head against Vi's shoulder blocking her view of the world around her. Out of the corner of her eye she spots Caitlyn shooting Vi a comforting smile. Zeri hasn't had much interaction with topsiders, but she's heard the stories her mother and neighbors would tell about them. Caitlyn for her part acts nothing like how Zeri expected.

A brief flash of concern strikes Ekko's face, before he masks it with a grim determination. She remembers when he told her about his connection to Jinx. How they used to be childhood friends turned bitter enemies thanks to Silco. It's clear that despite everything they've gone through he still cares about Jinx. His shirt clings to his chest with sweat, but he resolutely takes point leading the way. He's their guide through the darkness that is Zaun. Their firelight.

It's a wearisome process, traversing through Zaun. In the beginning it's a mess of winding alleys, yet gradually the back alleyways and desolate streets fade into the background behind them as they enter the familiar main streets of Zaun. Their eclectic group draws the gazes of nearly everyone in the streets. It's hard not to when you glow like oversized firelight. Thankfully people give them plenty of space to walk. Whether that's out of fear, surprise, or intrigue is hard to tell. Even the market place, one of the busiest spots in the undercity, is almost frighteningly easy to pass through. The whole time Vi hums a soft melody, one that sounds frustratingly familiar to Zeri though she can't quite figure out why.

The verdigre splattered elevators finally come into view right as the first hints of nightfall darkens the cracks that let in light from the sky above. The journey through Zaun has been slow, but thankfully uneventful. Ekko jogs ahead to check on the infamously shoddy elevators. As the group gets closer, Zeri notices that his eyebrows are furrowed in deep contemplation. Caitlyn runs ahead to speak with him. He's crouched down checking something near the base of the elevator.

Zeri hangs back with Vi and Jinx as she watches Caitlyn and Ekko. They talk amongst themselves and Zeri watches as Ekko emphasizes his words with dramatic hand movements. After a few minutes the sheriff sends a worried look their way but motions them forward. Dread fills Zeri's stomach. Of course Zaun's famously shoddy elevators have chosen tonight to break down. As they step onto the elevator Ekko turns back with a grim expression.

"What's wrong?" Zeri whispers crouching down to Ekko's level.

Caitlyn steps out of the way moving to stand beside where Vi as sat down with Jinx.

"The thing's lost all power, and we all know that the backup batteries have been dead since long before you or I were even born."

Ekko mutters an extra quiet "Fuck." clearly trying his best not to cause Jinx any further distress. This in turn has the unintended consequence of stressing him out more. While Zeri's never been the greatest with engineering, she's always left the building and tinkering up to her mother or more recently Ekko. What she is great at however is providing new perspectives.

"Could I power it? With my electricity."

Brown eyes flick back to the small unit, muttering something about circuits. Ekko taps a finger against his knee. He closes his eyes and begins to sway back and forth as he contemplates her suggestion.

"Janna I'm a fucking dumbass, here I am worried about power when I've got a walking generator beside me."

Zeri gently runs her hands through Ekko's soft locks. "Hey, this is a stressful situation. No one's gonna fault you for not being on your absolute A-game." She lightly bumps her shoulder into his. "Besides I know you woulda got there in the end, I just gave you a little nudge."

Ekko stares at the ground for a moment before nodding. Zeri can see his chest expand and his nostrils flare a bit as he takes a deep breath and lets it out.

"You see this battery here?" Ekko asks pointing to a small box inside the power unit. Zeri quickly nods. "I need you to hit it with about 480 volts. Give or take."

"Can do."

With a smirk Ekko steps away "Hit it Genny."

Zeri winks her right eye shut using her left eye to line up her index and middle finger with the battery. She takes a steadying breath as she begins to build a charge between her fingertips. "Sparks ready everybody stand back." Zeri quietly urges doing her best not to spook Jinx.

She gives everyone an extra few seconds to maneuver out of the way. Electricity surges forth from her fingertips striking the small box. The elevator lurches to life with new found energy, but Zeri isn't finished yet. If they want to make it all the way up to Piltover it's going to take more than just a five second boost. Smoke begins to rise from her index finger as Zeri grips onto her jacket tightly with her free hand, allowing the excess charge to be safely redirected into the power supply in the back. Counting to thirty in her head Zeri allows her magic to slowly fizzle out. She's feeling a little woozy, but she promised Jinx that she'd be her guiding light beside her the whole way. It doesn't matter how drained she feels, she made a promise and she intends to keep it.

"Genny the human generator is always happy to be of service." Zeri quips with a small bow that nearly sends her tumbling to the floor. Ekko rushes forward to steady her. Despite the embarrassment of tripping over herself she relishes in the small smile the old inside joke brings to Ekko's lips.

A deep aching tiredness floods her body as the adrenaline of shooting lightning from her fingertips fades. With deliberate steps Zeri makes her way over to where a worn out Vi is sitting, with a rather trembly Jinx. She's just managed to sit down when she feels the elevator jolt into movement. The sound of rusty gears churning an even rustier chain screeches in her ears filling the silence around her. The only other sounds being the soft hum coming from Vi, and the unintelligible mumbles Jinx produces. Zeri takes a moment to simply observe the other members of their motley crew. Caitlyn stands off to the side tapping a finger against her chin as she stares at the sisters, looking so deep in thought that it makes Zeri believe she's oblivious to the world around her outside of the sisters. Ekko for his part looks relaxed laid back against the side of the elevator with an arm draped over the side. Yet despite his mellow demeanor an aura of worry radiates from his body. After years of knowing each other it's hard not to notice the glaring signs that point her to the conclusion that his relaxed attitude is nothing more than an act.

The first clue comes in the form of the pocket watch grasped tightly in his hand, the very same pocket watch that he fidgets with when he gets overly worried. She watches as he unconsciously sets and resets the stopwatch. The second clue rests in his eyes, and the way his gaze keeps flicking between Vi and Jinx like he can't quite decide who he's more worried about. The third and final clue resides in the way he's distanced himself from everyone. While there isn't much space on the cramped elevator Ekko's made sure that he's as far away from everyone else as he can possibly be. She wants to reach out, to comfort him. To tell him that everything will be okay. But she can't. She has to stay beside Jinx, to be her guiding light.

At least that's what Zeri tells herself.

The further the elevator ascends the fresher the air becomes. Air that once was thick, and warm. Acrid air more industrial byproducts and pollutants than actual oxygen. A smog that carries millions of imperceptible chemicals that tastes like dust, and burns your lungs. The heavy polluted air is gradually replaced by fresh, clean air that fills your lungs without issue. Zeri can't stop herself from breathing it in greedily. The sky above them is so clear and bright, a true sight to behold. Still the stars aren't the only source of light as gently glowing golden building and street lamps begin to come into view. A quiet gasp involuntarily crawls out from her throat at the view. The elevator grinds to halt finally stopping with one final lurch.

"I can lead from here." Caitlyn steps up to the gate of the elevator. "You don't have to keep pushing yourself, Ekko, you should rest. You've been more than enough help already."

Despite how well-meaning Caitlyn may be, there's one thing that she hasn't accounted for. Ekko's stubborn as an ox-mule, and he doesn't leave a mission half finished.

"I appreciate the concern Cait, but I can rest after we've gotten Jinx settled into her hospital room. Until then, I ain't going nowhere."

Thankfully Caitlyn doesn't try to argue with him. Instead she accepts his words with a nod before moving her attention back to Vi.

"We're going to Radiant Meadows Psychiatric Hospital, Vi you may have seen or heard the name come up in a few reports. They were the first hospital that reached out to me when I approached the council nearly a year ago with the idea of having trained medical professionals take the place of enforcers on calls involving anyone showing signs of struggling with mental illness. The staff there are made up of the best nurses and doctors that Piltover has to offer." Caitlyn who has been looking Vi straight in the eye suddenly looks away. "And I may have already conversed with a few members of their staff inquiring about the possibility of Jinx oneday being placed under their care." She admits the last part shyly.

Ekko who had been looking out at the streets turns back towards Caitlyn. "How far away is it?"

"If I had to guess we have another twenty to thirty minute walk ahead of us to reach Radiant Meadows from here. Vi I'm ready to lead the way whenever you are."

Determination hardens Vi's face as she makes her way back onto her feet without removing her arms from where they cradle Jinx. "Let's get to it then."

Chapter Text

The motley crew's march through topside continues on with Caitlyn at the front as she leads them through the vacant Piltovan streets. It's a far cry from the rowdy and bustling streets of Zaun. A quiet calm fills the air around them. Zeri can't help but gaze at her surroundings completely awestruck by the architecture and greenery that surrounds them. She can only imagine how it looks during the day, with bright golden rays of sun engulfing everything around her in a soft glow. It would also help if she wasn't feeling so exhausted, she's never used this much magic for such a prolonged period of time. As much as she hates to admit it, it's beginning to take its toll on her body. Her entire body feels like it's on fire, screaming at her to stop. The burning sensation succeeds in breaking her concentration for just a moment. WIthout her magic filling the air a darkness begins blanketing the space around them. It may have been no more than a moment but that single second is a second too long for Jinx. Zeri hears a frightened whimper from over Vi's shoulder.

Due in part to her close proximity, Zeri accidentally overhears Vi heartbreakingly whisper to Jinx. "You're doing so good, we're almost there." Vi's words while not meant for her do succeed in dampening Zeri's cheeks with tears just as much as it succeeds in reassuring Jinx. Vi continues to softly reassure Jinx as they walk. It helps to spur Zeri on allowing her to push through to the end. The glow of her magic is significantly fainter than it had been, only stretching out a few feet away from her. While it's enough to cover Vi and Jinx it doesn't stretch much further forcing her to pick up her stride to prevent Vi from stepping into the darkness with every step forward. If there's one thing to be grateful for it's that it isn't an overly difficult journey, mainly flat roads with the occasional small hill, but everyone looks on the verge of collapsing by the time the sprawling Radiant Meadows Hospital comes into view. Vi's entire body quakes with every step, but she perseveres for her sister.

There's a suffocating nervous energy permeating around them as Jinx's rag tag group of weary protectors steps foot into the lobby. The bright lights of the hospital make Zeri look like a dinky flashlight in comparison. Still that dinky flashlight got them here, and that's all that matters. The lobby is empty save for two front desk attendants, an older well built man and a younger curly haired woman who are hard at work playing a game of cards. The man spares a quick glance in their direction clearly intent on resuming his game of cards as fast as possible. But his game of cards is abandoned the moment his eyes land on Jinx. The nurse scrambles out of his chair as he rushes into action. His desk chair rolls across the floor bouncing lightly into the wall with a soft thud as he darts out of sight.

"We made it, Jinx. You did so good." Vi hoarsely chokes out through a stream of tears. Still, she doesn't let her shaky voice dissuade her from encouraging her sister. "I'm so, so proud of you."

It's hard not to melt at the sight of Vi squeezing onto her sister even tighter, pouring every ounce of love she has for Jinx into the hug. Jinx responds by grasping onto her sister in equal measure. It isn't difficult to notice how shaky Vi's legs are as she wanders over to a chair. Vi huffs out a soft grunt of exertion as she plops into a chair, carefully sitting Jinx on her lap. The sound of a door being opened grabs everyone's attention. From behind the door emerges a dark skinned woman, who looks to be in her mid to late thirties, with chocolate brown hair streaked with small lines of grey hairs pulled back into a puff ball of a bun. The doctor wears round circle glasses that she pushes up onto her nose, a white doctor's coat flows behind her as she walks. She has a clipboard in her hand and name tag bounces on her coat. Dr. Harkins is written in neat black letters across the name tag.

"It's good to see you again sheriff." Doctor Harkins greets Caitlyn warmly but her eyes haven't left Jinx's curled form. A sparkle of recognition twinkles in the doctor’s eyes, making it abundantly clear that she recognizes who they've brought in.

Without waiting for a response the doctor gently makes her way over to where Vi and Jinx are sitting. Dr. Harkins' knees make a soft popping sound as she crouches down below Jinx's level. The doctor wasn't very tall to begin with but she looks closer in size to a young child than a fully grown adult now that she's crouching.

"Hello there, young lady my name's Elizabeth Harkins but I go by Dr. Harkins here." Dr. Harkins introduces herself with a quiet and reassuring voice. "Do you mind if I ask what your name is?"

Despite the prompting Jinx remains still. Desperately clinging on to Vi, it's difficult to know whether Jinx heard the doctor or not.

"It's okay Jinx she just want to help you." Vi gently coos.

It seems like Vi's words have an immediate effect on Jinx. A small hiccup comes from Jinx as she slowly turns to the doctor, her cheeks are stained with faint purple tears. From where Zeri's standing she can just make out the grim flash of understanding that dances in Dr. Harkins eyes at the sight. Despite being from topside it's clear that this isn't her first time seeing shimmer.

"Jinx."

"What a lovely name." Dr. Harkins encourages. "Has something happened tonight? I can't help but notice that you seem a little upset."

Jinx curls in on herself. Her eyes dart around the room with frantically. Jinx mutters softly to herself as her eyes land on the entranceway. Her fingers begin to twitch, grasping for her braids. With fidgety movements Jinx begins playing with her braids. Dr. Harkins observes Jinx in silence occasionally jotting something down on her notepad. Suffocating silence fills the room as Jinx stares into the darkness outside.

"Mylo." Jinx's voice cuts through the silence. Zeri hasn't heard the name before, but from the look on Vi's face it's clear that the name means something to her. The brawler's brow furrows and her lips curl into a frown at the mentioning of the name. Dr. Harkins immediately picks up on Vi's reaction to the name.

"Jinx, Mylo is dea..." Vi begins but her words falter as Dr. Harkins meets her gaze. The doctor softly shakes her head in opposition.

Dr. Harkins swiftly notes down the name as she talks. "And this Mylo, what did they do to upset you?"

A shuddered breath falls from Jinx's lips. She's beginning to breathe in shorter and faster breaths. There's a far away look in her eyes as they widen with panic. Vi wraps a gentle arm around Jinx's stomach, keeping her secured and close to Vi's presence.

"He-he sent them after me."

The doctor nods, listening intently at the new information pouring out of Jinx.

"Who did he send after you?" Dr. Harkins softly questions while continuing to jot notes down.

Jinx's body convulses with fright. Her hands begin to tug and pull at her braids.

"The monsters." Jinx admits quietly, her eyes darting to the doctor before swiftly returning to the entrance.

Zeri looks over to the entranceway but sees nothing outside of the soft glow emanating from inside the hospital, the light stretches into the void of empty darkness. It makes her wonder what Jinx is seeing.

"How often do you see Mylo?"

Zeri can see the rising panic in Jinx's body, it's written in the way her shoulders are tensed. In how she begins to tug harder on her braids. It doesn't take a hextech scientist to realize that Jinx looks ready to dart.

"He's always there, in the shadows. Him and Claggor. Sometimes Vander's there too, but Mylo's the only one who talks."

Vander, now that's a name Zeri recognizes. The hound of the underground, first revolutionary hell bent on creating a free Zaun no matter the cost. She grew up hearing her mother telling stories about the bridge protest, and how that seemed to be the straw that broke the man's will to fight. She remembers her mom telling her that he took in a few orphans on the bridge. A few pieces in the mysterious puzzle that is Jinx are beginning to slot into place.

"I see, and does Mylo always send the monsters after you?"

Jinx shakes her head. "Not always, most of the time he's content to throw insults from the shadows." She mumbles.

"You mentioned a Claggor, do they also insult you?"

Again Jinx shakes her head. Her gaze drifting from the doctor over to a dark corner of the room. "No, he just." Jinx pauses content to stare off into the corner. "Stares."

The scene in front of her is hard to look at. Vi looks like she's been torn in two at Jinx's admissions, the abject horror clearly visible by her paling complexion. It makes her look a lot more like Jinx without any of her normal color. Zeri risks a glance over to Ekko, the amount of pain that swims in his soft brown eyes immediately makes her wish she hadn't. Her heart aches. For Ekko, for Vi, but most of all for Jinx. The only question that remains is how Caitlyn fits into all this, as there's clearly more to her actions than a sense of kindness. The woman is the definition of calm casually giving the remaining employee at the front desk information about Jinx while occasionally glancing back at Vi.

Caitlyn catches her gaze, but just as quickly returns her attention back to the task at hand. Zeri feels awkward, both for being caught staring and for standing in the middle of the lobby. Despite the lingering awkwardness her heart won't let her slink away to a remote chair.

"What does Mylo say?" Dr. Harkins asks gently, but Jinx shakes her head violently.

The doctor takes Jinx's non-answer in stride. She simply continues to scribble down some more notes into her notebook. Once she finishes with her notes she very calmly calls for a nurse to join them in the lobby over her walkie-talkie.

Dr. Harkins clips her pen onto her breast pocket and smiles up at Jinx. "That's okay, we'll worry about that later. For now why don't we see about getting you settled in."

A nurse comes bustling out from the same doorway Dr. Harkins had emerged from with haste, coming to a stop a few steps behind Dr. Harkins. It's clear by the way that Dr. Harkins steps away from Jinx that she's trying her best not to crowd her, the staff here want Jinx to feel safe and are more than willing to allow her to go at her own pace.

"Can you really keep the monsters away?" Jinx chokes out. "For good?"

Dr. Harkins hums softly. "I don't want to lie to you, Jinx. I can't promise that the monsters won't ever return." 

A muffled whimper escapes from Jinx as she shrinks back against Vi. Zeri can see more shimmer pink tears beginning to cascade down her cheeks.

"But, I can promise that we can help you find ways to manage them. It's also abundantly clear that you have people in your life that want to see you get better, and I'm positive that they will rush to your side the next time they do return."

While Dr. Harkins may be speaking to Jinx that doesn't stop her from meeting everyone else's gazes. Silently calling upon everyone else to uphold her promise. Vi, Ekko, and Caitlyn agree readily and Zeri finds herself agreeing just as swiftly.

"How does that sound?"

Jinx sniffles slowly bringing an arm up to wipe against her nose. Vi's foot bounces against the sparkling clean tile floor radiating an anxious energy.

"Okay, I guess?" Jinx murmurs, turning back to look at Vi. The scene in front of her reminds Zeri of some of the younger children under the Firelights' care. Always looking to the older children for approval before doing anything.

A quiet moment passes before Vi responds. It's clear that tonight has been taking a heavy toll on the pink haired woman.

"Try your best to behave back there, the nurses only want to help."

The nurse happily takes the moment to offer her hand to Jinx. It's a slow process, with a hesitant Jinx peering at the offered hand like it might bite her. It takes a few moments, but Jinx eventually takes the offered hand allowing the nurse to pull her further into the hospital. The atmosphere in the room changes drastically the moment Jinx disappears from sight. With the burden of staying strong for her sister lifted for the moment, Vi wastes no time bursting into tears. Caitlyn rushes to Vi's side placing a reassuring hand on the brawler's back.

"I'm sorry." Vi immediately apologizes, but Dr. Harkins won't have any of it.

"It's okay dear, let it all out." She offers Vi a wistful smile. "It may be hard to believe, but I know how scary it can be to see your sister in such a frightened and vulnerable state. Although in my case I'm the younger sister."

Zeri takes the moment to move further out of the way, slinking her way over to where Ekko is sitting. She doesn't want to stick herself into the middle of what's becoming an increasingly private matter. Instead she attempts to focus her attention on Ekko, but he's absorbed by the conversation happening in front of him. Hesitantly Zeri reaches over placing her hand over Ekko's. She unconsciously gives his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Is this her first episode?" Dr. Harkins asks but Vi tilts her head, it's clear that she doesn't fully understand what the doctor's asking about. "Is this her first time experiencing visual or auditory hallucinations? Has she heard voices or seen things before?"

"I'm not sure, we..." Vi stutters over her words. "We haven't exactly gotten along since we were children."

"She's spoken to her guns the past few times we've run into her." Caitlyn offers.

Dr. Harkins hums thoughtfully, lightly tapping her pen against her chin. From beside her Zeri hears Ekko clear his throat to get the doctor's attention. He waits until Dr. Harkins has turned fully to face him to speak.

"Jinx came to visit me earlier today, thinking back on it now she was slightly off, even by her standards. Like extra twitchy and stuff ya know?"

"Hallucinations can cause an increase in anxiety and depression." Dr Harkins adds taking more notes.

"Anyways we were talkin' and there's one sentence that I keep thinking about. She said that they never stay dead, that they never did. I didn't really understand what she meant at the time. After hearing everything just now I can't help but assume that by 'they' she meant Mylo, Claggor, and Vander."

Vi seems to deflate at Ekko's words while Dr. Harkins simply nods. It's an unusual sight to see Ekko stumbling over himself. He's usually so confident in his speech and actions. Zeri tries her best to help by giving his hand another reassuring squeeze.

"There's one more question I need to ask to ensure Jinx receives the proper care that she deserves, and I apologize for any discomfort it may bring. Still I believe it's vital to make sure that she is safe underneath out care." Dr. Harkins' tone is absolute. "Has Jinx shown any suicidal tendencies or inclinations of self-harm?"

The shock of Dr. Harkins' question is evident on Vi's face. Her eyes look like they're about to pop out of her skull as her foot begins to tap faster. She looks ready to object but Ekko speaks up once again before she can. "Yeah, she's. She's attempted before." There's a look of unfathomable pain swimming in his eyes. Vi looks like she's seen a ghost. There's no doubt in Zeri's mind that tonight is clearly taking a heavy emotional toll on her. Ekko shifts in the chair as his gaze locks onto Vi's.

"Back on the bridge, about a year and a half ago. We had a pretty big fight, but eventually I got the better of her. She was working for Silco at the time, really she was his adopted daughter. I was on top of her ready to knock her out, but I hesitated. For the first time in years it felt like I was seeing Powder again, the old her." He clarifies. "That single moment of hesitation was all it took. The next thing I hear is a soft click followed by a small thud as a grenade rolls out from her hand. I scrambled to jump out of the way but I still got caught up in the blast of her grenade, fucked up my leg real good. I don't know what happened to her after that, but you don't just walk off an explosion like that. The next time I saw her she was. Different."

Ekko rubs his hand through his hair. It's a hard story to listen to. Zeri can only imagine how Ekko feels having lived through it, now having to relive the events to help with Jinx's care.

"Now I can't confirm this, but my best theory is that Silco somehow managed to use the healing capabilities of shimmer to heal her. At least as much as it could. Jinx used to be hyper, but she was nowhere near as hyper as she is now. Surely you've noticed her bright pink eyes?"

Dr. Harkins pauses her note taking to look up from her clipboard and nod.

"Yeah, well they used to be blue. Again I don't know what Silco did to her, but it looks to me like her body's become a miniature shimmer factory. Constantly pumping it through her blood stream if her purplish blood is any indication."

The pen in Dr. Harkins' hand finally comes to a stop, as she begins to address Ekko.

"Thank you for your honesty. There are too many people who try and downplay something as serious as an attempt, but your honesty will allow us to tailor our precautions to ensure Jinx's safety. Both emotionally and physically." Dr. Harkins turns back to Vi. "Now let's see about getting you back to your sister. If you'll just follow me please."

Despite Dr. Harkins' prompting Caitlyn has to help Vi out of her chair. They're swiftly whisked away through the double doors. Vi and Dr. Harkins swiftly disappear, but Caitlyn meanders for a moment.

"I'll come back to inform you when we get her settled in a room."

"Thanks, this uh... It means a lot to see you looking after her." Ekko expresses.

Caitlyn offers them a small smile. "Of course."

She disappears through the doors a moment later leaving them alone in the lobby. Zeri hears Ekko sigh as he leans his head against her shoulder. It's been a long and tiring day. But there's a new feeling bubbling up inside her chest, one that makes her believe this isn't the end. It's only the start of something new, the moment they stepped through Radiant Meadows' doors they stepped into their future. Into the unknown.

Chapter Text

It hurts to walk, the burning pain in her feet is a stark contrast to the cool tile floor. She worries that the nurses will hate her. She's done a lot of bad things, to a lot of people. And the fact that she's leaving bloody footprints behind her that someone will have to clean up probably doesn't help her chances of the nurses liking her. Every step Jinx takes is followed by a sharp inhale and increasingly watery eyes. Between the pain and Mylo whispering from the depths of shadows Jinx is finding it rather difficult to keep up with the nurse. She's doing her best to ignore Mylo's taunts. To not let them get to her. It's a herculean task now that Vi and Zeri are no longer by her side.

She's too lost in her thoughts to notice the nurse coming to an abrupt stop in front of her. If it weren't for the shimmer flowing through her body she would have had no chance of stopping on time. Jinx glances up at her surroundings. They've stopped in front of a desk space with two more nurses stationed inside. The nurse Jinx has been following briefly chats with two other nurses behind the desk. Jinx watches as she slides a manila folder, with her name plastered on the small blue index tab on the side, across the desk. It's hard for Jinx to keep up with what the nurses are talking about, especially with Mylo's constant jeering. There's a tall thermos sitting on the desk that Jinx really wants to hurl at him. Her fingers twitch with anticipation at the thought of snatching it.

"Jinx." The nurse gently calls forcing Jinx's attention away from the thermos for now. "I'm required to ask that you leave any personal items on your person with Samantha here at the desk."

An indignant huff falls from Jinx's lips. Her lips curl into a frown at the idea of her personal belongings being taken. She stares at the nurse suspiciously. There's no malice or distrust in the nurse's eyes like Jinx expects. Shockingly the only emotion on her face is sympathy. With slow movements, Jinx pats herself down but comes up empty-handed. Jinx's eyes scan over the small name badge on the nurse's chest Brooke. Jinx has to muffle her snort by disguising it as a sneeze. What a piltie name. The best she can do is give Brooke a small shrug with her palms open.

Brooke's lips twitch into a stilted smile. Her palm remains outstretched like she's waiting for Jinx to place something in it.

"I have to ask you to hand over your belt, it's nothing personal I promise. Just standard procedure."

"O-kay?" Jinx scrunches her nose as she answers.

Her belt clicks as she unclasps it from her waist. Jinx can't think of a reason why they'd want to take her belt of all things, but it seems to make Brooke happy so she indulges Brooke in her request. One of the nurses behind the counter takes the belt from Brooke and places it into a clear bag with a plastic zipper. Jinx watches as the nurse scribbles her name in big letters onto the front of the bag before putting it into a large chest with several locks attached.

"If you'll follow me I'll get you checked out, and see about getting you a room set up."

A soft grunt of acknowledgment is all Jinx gives her in response. Thankfully Brooke takes it in stride. Silco used to get onto her about always verbally acknowledging things, but it seems like the staff here don't mind grunts or hums. Jinx is silently thankful for that. She can't always find her voice, sometimes it's easier for her to respond nonverbally. Following Brooke it isn't long before they come to another stop but the room they stop at is nothing like what Jinx expects. It looks like nothing more than an oversized closet. And peering inside reveals it to be nothing more than a small storage room filled with a rack of wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and other medical equipment.

"Here we go." Brooke grunts as she lifts a folded-up wheelchair off of a rack. Jinx stares at the nurse like she's just grown a second head. Can't she see that her legs work just fine? There's no reason for her to be wasting time pulling down a wheelchair. Unfolding the wheelchair with practiced movements the nurse kicks the footrests down before looking back to Jinx expectantly. 

"You're so pathetic that they don't even trust you enough to follow the nurse." Mylo sneers from the shelf of towels he's perched atop.

Jinx tries her best to ignore him. But the supply closet is too dark for Jinx's liking. Breathe in, hold, breathe out Jinx thinks to herself. She takes a step back to distance herself from the darkness. Brooke's lips have broken out into a beaming smile as she maneuvers the wheelchair out from the closet.

With a sweeping motion Brooke gestures for her to sit. "Would you mind taking a seat for me?"

It's hard to gauge what Brooke is playing at. Perhaps this is some kind of power play or something similar. Still, Vi told her to listen to the nurse, and Jinx doesn't want to let her big sister down. Reluctantly Jinx shuffles over and plants her rear in the wheelchair. Brooke hums her approval as she begins to push Jinx further into the hospital. There's a nervous buzzing building inside her stomach as her eyes wander around the hospital. Most of the doors they pass are closed, though there are a few left open. It's difficult to get a good look inside any of them. She isn't able to glean much information off of the small peeks she's able to steal. What sticks out most to Jinx is how clean every room seems to be. Much different from any of the "hospitals" she'd had the luxury of visiting back in Zaun. It certainly looked more appealing than Singed's "Lab" which was nothing more than a glorified cave decked out with the most ominous lighting imaginable.

Just the thought of it makes Jinx freeze. Even now Jinx can still feel the pain of that night. Countless hours of unending hellish agony as off-brand Dr. Frankenstein pumped her dying body with gallons of shimmer and other drugs. A shudder of fear runs down her spine at the memory. The memories hurt too much. Without thinking Jinx begins to open and close her hands. The small repetitive action has always helped when her thoughts begin to overwhelm her. Pulling on her braids has a similar effect on her. It's grounding in a way that doesn't make sense to her. 

"Would you mind hopping up on the table for me while I grab some disinfectant and bandages for your feet?"

Jinx blinks slowly. When did they arrive at an examination room? Jinx shakes her head to clear out the pointless thought. It doesn't matter. Right now she needs to focus on being good for the nurse, and that means following her instructions. A small grunt of pain escapes from Jinx as she stands up from the wheelchair. Positioning herself to where she can hop back onto the examination table. It's cushioned and squishy. Much more appealing than Singed's freezing cold metal table.

"This is going to sting but I need to disinfect the wounds before we can wrap them up." Brooke politely states as she places a roll of bandages beside Jinx. She dabs a small paper towel with a familiar looking brown liquid. She remembers Silco and Sevika using something similar whenever she got hurt or needed stitches.

There's a harsh stinging sensation on the soles of her feet as Brooke pats the cloth onto them. Jinx hisses in pain as she grips onto the edge of the table. Her feet continue to sting for a few moments after Brooke has put down the cloth. Thankfully the bandages Brooke wraps around her feet don't hurt near as much and after a few seconds Jinx begins to feel a bit of relief as the sharp stinging pain begins to ease. Brooke swiftly collects the excess bandages and the bottle of brown liquid placing it beside the built in sink, before dumping the small paper towel into a trash bin. Jinx watches as the nurse collects a few items from a cabinet above the sink. She feels her stomach sink as she notices Brooke approaching with a needle attached to two small tubes in her hand.

"You're going to feel a small prick, but I need to get you fitted with a port. Another nurse will be in her shortly to collect some blood samples, and Dr. Harkins is going to want you connected to an IV to make sure you're not dehydrated." Brooke explains as she reaches out for Jinx's arm.

Jinx wrenches her arm back. Her heart thunders against her ribcage. She's tried her best to keep the thought of her previous stint in a "hospital" out of her mind. But the sight of the needle has brought it all back. Terror grips her heart in its cold claws as she screams.

"NO!"

Jinx scrambles away from the nurse until her back bumps into the wall. She's cornered with nowhere left to run. Mylo's fiendish laughter echoes around her. Jinx resorts to thrashing wildly to the nurse from dissuade her from getting any closer. There's no way she'll survive going through another procedure like that again. She won't let them. Jinx squeezes her eyes shut, she doesn't want to look at the needle any longer. Too many bad memories are connected to needles.

"Jinx!" Someone yells but Jinx can't recognize their voice.

Jinx continues to thrash, punching and kicking at the air in front of her wildly.

"Jinx!" The voice is closer now. It sounds familiar. Jinx stops screaming to listen closer.

"You're safe Jinx. You're safe." Vi coos from beside her.

She feels a gentle hand on her shoulder, tempting her to open her eyes. The pressure that had been steadily building in her chest begins to evaporate. Jinx sucks in a deep breath before opening her eyes. She latches onto Vi for safety burying her head into her sister's shoulder. Jinx shivers at the feeling of Vi gently rubbing her back.

"shh, let it out. Let it all out."

The world feels less frightening from the comfort of her sister's arms. As the seconds pass into minutes Jinx feels herself calm down, until she's eventually able to summon the strength required to lift her head from her sister's shoulder. It takes her a moment to realize what she's done. Jinx broke her promise to Vi, she wasn't good for the nurse.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jinx sobs. "I tried really, really hard to do what she said."

Vi's grip on her tightens as she pulls her closer.

"It's okay Jinx, you have nothing to apologize for. You did your best, and that's all that matters." Vi gives her another gentle squeeze. "Can you tell me what happened?"

There's a sharp intake of breath as Jinx's breathing stutters. Red hot shame floods through her body making the tips of her ears burn. Jinx stares at the tile floor unable to meet anyone's gaze.

"The needle. It reminded me of the night after I fought with Ekko on the bridge." Jinx pauses unsure of how much information to give her sister. "I was dying and Silco took me to his doctor. The guy who made shimmer. He had these big needles and I was in so much pain. There was so much shimmer flooding through me that my body couldn't keep still. I kept twitching against the restraints and I..." Jinx stutters off.

An uneasy silence fills the room. It makes Jinx question if she shared too much. Jinx squirms feeling uncomfortable after sharing so much.

"They probably think you're weak. I mean who else other than you needs all this help." Mylo taunts from under the table.

This is the point when the other shoe drops. It has to be. Everyone in the room is realizing just how broken she really is. No matter what they do. No matter what they try, they can't fix her. No one can.

"It takes a lot of strength to persevere through such horrible circumstances and still allow yourself to be vulnerable and extend your trust to the people around you." Dr. Harkins tells her.

Vi strokes her cheek gently, wiping away her tears.

"Having a port put in isn't strictly necessary, at least not at this stage. It can be put off until you're feeling up to it. We can get you set up in a room instead. How does that sound?"

Jinx thinks long and hard before coming to a decision. She takes a deep breath as she decides that with her sister by her side she can do this. Might as well get it out of the way instead of putting it off to a later date. At least that's what Silco always used to say.

"No, I can do this."

Dr. Harkins smiles warmly. "Just let me know if decide it's too much okay? I'll stop immediately if you tell me to."

Jinx sticks her arm out but begins to shake as Dr. Harkins approaches.

"Here hold my hand." Vi assures her as she grabs Jinx's left hand. "Squeeze it all you want."

The moment is upon her. Jinx buries her head into Vi's shoulder as she feels Dr. Harkins grab ahold of her arm.

"3, 2, 1."

There's a soft pinch just below her elbow. A cry escapes her throat muffled by Vi's muscles. With all her might she squeezes down on Vi's hand until the pain fades. The sound of tape being torn confuses her. Then she feels it being stuck just above the cold plastic left above her skin.

"You did so good!" Vi praises. It makes her insides feel funny. Like there's something fluttering around inside of her gut.

Now that the port is in exhaustion settles into Jinx. From her eyes all the way to her bones. She groggily watches as Brooke collects a few vials of her blood. They're nice and magenta. The shimmer in her blood gives a soft purple glow to them. Brooke packs the vials into a small container that's picked up by another nurse. Not long after they finish collecting her blood Jinx is given a nice t-shirt and comfortable pair of sweatpants to change into. Vi takes her clothes once she finishes changing with the promise to bring them back after washing them. Brooke sits Jinx down into the wheelchair before declaring her ready to go to her room.

They pass by Caitlyn on the way out. Was she waiting there the entire time? Jinx has to crane her head back to get a good look. Vi stops briefly to talk and hand Jinx's clothes over to Caitlyn before hurrying to catch back up with her.

"You can pick what room you want to stay in. We have all kinds of rooms here. From most every color of the rainbow to even themed rooms." Brooke explains as she wheels Jinx around.

"Themed rooms?"

Despite her tiredness a rush of excitement hits Jinx.

"Yeah we have all kinds of themes. There's a Shuriman desert room, am Ixtal jungle room, an ocean room..." Brooke continues to blab on about the various rooms but Jinx has already heard enough.

"There's an ocean room?" Jinx states with wonder.

Brooke stops the wheelchair and bends down to look at Jinx. "There is. Would you like to see it?"

Jinx can only nod furiously. Brooke gives her a bright smile.

"The ocean room it is then!" Brooke cheers as she picks up the pace.

It doesn't take long for them to arrive to their destination. And what a destination it is. Jinx is left awestruck at the sight of fish splattered across the walls. It feels like she's really staying in a room that's been submerged in the ocean. She spots stingrays, whales, an octopus, and even a turtle painted on the walls and ceiling. It's perfect but there's one thing missing.

"Where's the sharks?" Jinx pouts, but she's still amazed by the room.

The wheelchair comes to a stop beside the bed. Jinx takes the opportunity to crawl underneath the covers.

Brooke laughs. "Unfortunately there are no sharks, but I can put in a request under your name for some shark related items if you want me too."

"Or I can talk to Cait and see about grabbing you some sharks to decorate with sometime." Vi adds as she steps into the room "If that's allowed?" She quickly tacks on.

Brooke hooks Jinx up to an IV bag before moving the foot of Jinx's new bed. Jinx watches as Brooke bends down to mess with something on the floor before making her way to the door. "Every patient is entitled to personal items and clothing as long as the items are cleared by the front desk first." 

Jinx lays in her bed looking around at her new room. Everything feels surreal. It doesn't help that the warmth of the blankets is making Jinx feel sleepy. She has to fight against her eyelids to keep them open. It's a losing battle but she fights valiantly. She has to be on guard, especially in the dark. Vi's eyes are red and puffy, she looks like she's about to break some bad news to her. Jinx knows what that means.

"Do you have to leave?"

"I do Jay, but I'll be back first thing in the morning. I promise"

Brooke returns with blankets and a pillow in hand. "Actually your fiancée made sure to fill out the form for overnight visitation for you. So you're cleared to stay the night with Jinx if you want."

Vi looks just as shocked as Jinx feels. A sparkle of hope reignites inside Jinx's chest.

"Will you stay with me?" She chokes out.

A soft smile spreads on Vi's lips as she ruffles Jinx's hair. "Of course I will."

With the help of Brooke Vi creates a makeshift bed on the small window nook. Brooke turns off the lights after getting Vi and Jinx settled in for the night. Jinx is worried about the darkness at first until she notices the beacon of light that spills forth from the foot of her bed. Whatever device Brooke had been messing with earlier is casting a dim but substantial light onto the ceiling. It looks like she's staring up from underneath a pool of water watching as the sun reflects off the surface above her. She's so entranced by the sight that she misses Brooke leaving the room.

"Goodnight sis." Vi calls out from her makeshift bed.

Jinx flops and turns in her bed until she's feeling comfortable. It's a little hard being connected to the IV bag above her bed but she manages.

"Goodnight sis." Jinx mumbles back.

The room is quiet save for the soft snores coming from Vi. Jinx can't remember a room ever feeling this quiet. Jinx files that thought away to be analyzed at a later date. For now, she's content to pull the covers and let her heavy eyelids finally close. The image of an electric angel guarding over her comforts her inside her mind as she drifts off to sleep.