Butterflies

Chapter 34

It was strange to be back at Grace's home when the only time Violet had been there she remembered Billy had hurt her. It burdened her as she stood beside Billy at the window, watching the trees bristle in the wind and blow away the leaves that could not hold on any longer. She wondered if she let go herself would she fly away to an endless pile of other leaves that did the same, no longer recognizable to their own trees. Perhaps if she let go of the world she had been absorbed into it would forget her, and she could join the other people who had gone without a word. But her branch was too strong and the voices told her she was too important to glide away.

Her book sat in the other room, taken apart to lie bare on a table for Grace and Victoria Neuman to decipher all for their own legal strategy. Was Violet good enough to go to court for? Was her story enough for them to blast on news channels for all to see? Last time someone took her story to make awareness, they died, and Violet hoped she wouldn't have to find Victoria's body like she did Lydia's. They all had seen her book except Billy, who stood beside her silently like he was waiting for her to say something.

Violet was still thinking. She was trying to piece together what to say. Doctor White was gone and she didn't get to be the one who did it, her torture was lying on a table being flicked through like brochures for exciting events. It was Violet who had the most on Vought, it was her who could put out the fire that raged across the world but still... She had no idea what to say. Reaching out, she felt Billy's hand close to hers, and without looking, she wrapped her fingers around his. His eyes jerked down to where they hands were enclosed around one another, and he smiled briefly. It was her way of saying she needed him, it was Violet's way of forcing him to be beside her. And how he much preferred to be there next to her then to be discussing what was their next move.

They could hear Lamplighter making his statement in the next room, and Billy's grip on Violet's hand got just a bit tighter, listening to him play victim while shoving his face with pizza. It enraged him, but he stayed by the window and avoided the book, because he knew if he read it the fog would take over and his knuckles would be covered in blood. Grace sat behind, noticing Billy's look at Lamplighters direction, that single glare she would never forget, even when it was all over. It was odd them standing hand in hand, Violet so silent, so quiet beside him.

"Put away that petulant look before you hurt someone with it," Grace called out, Violet's hand dropping from his as she sighed.

"Yeah, I should be chuffed we're pissin' away the best asset we ever got our mitts on," Billy replied, Violet leaning on the glass to face him.

"Correction, I'm the best asset you've ever got," she said with tired eyes, and even while she was weakened, Billy smirked at her jokes.

"Well I'm just sayin' my plan would be squeeze the cunt till he gives up the next cunt, then kill the fuck when we're done," Billy explained, Violet puffing out air at the sheer violence he detailed.

"I have no doubt with you'd be happy with that unending cycle of brutality," Grace sat lounged on her sofa, barely glancing over at the pair by the window. Violet wasn't sure of her opinion on herself, whether her standoffish approach was still the same as it was before, or if her eyes mostly looking to Billy meant she had no care for her. To her words Billy spun around, surprisingly offended by her comments as if she hadn't held a gun to Lamplighters face.

"How can you not want blood for what he done?" He walked forward.

"He's willing to speak against Vought at the hearing," Grace leaned forward, "we've never had Congress on our side before."

"Congress. Please. What a bunch of corrupt fucking cunts they are," he scoffed, Violet then grinning at Victoria Neuman walked in just as he said it.

"Oh, come on you're not the first person to call me a cunt, Mr Butcher," she brushed passed him and sat down across from Grace, "I'm starting to think it's like a... Badge of honour."