BROKEN TOYS ||| ARCANE

The Base Violence Necessary For Change

Ever wonder what it's like to drown? Story of opposites. There's peace in water. Like it's holdin' you, whisperin' in low tones to let it in. And every problem in the world will fade away.

But then there's a thing, in your head, and it's raging. Lighting every nerve with madness.

To fight, to survive.

And all the while, the question lingers before you: "Have you had enough?"

It's funny. You could pass a lifetime without ever facing a choice like that. But it changes you forever.

For that, I thank you, old friend.

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The wind blew gently, shaking the flimsy sign of Benzo's shop. Through the broken door, Jax sat facing it, he heard footsteps approach as he stood up. Ready to face whatever came next, for the sake of his family.

He looked down to see he bandaged hand shaking lightly, his nerves surfacing as the door swung open. Vander and Benzo entered the shop, surprising the boy. "Dad?"

Vander sighed in relief to see his son was still safe, "We don't have much time."

"How'd you find me?" He questioned suspiciously.

He walked towards the boy, grabbing him by his shoulders, as Jax tensed, "I'm proud of you. Always have been. You and Vi."

"Sorry but... This is the only way to protect the others." Benzo watched from the window as he heard the distant barking of dogs. The Enforcers were getting close.

"Vander!" Benzo warned, essentially telling the man to hurry up.

Vander cupped his sons face as he looked at him for what could be the last time, "You've got a got a good heart. You're strong, don't ever loose that. No matter how much this world tries to break you. Protect the family." Jax was baffled by the mans sudden outburst.

"What are you..." Vander suddenly dragged him into the back room, tossing his son in and shutting the door tightly bolting it from the outside. Jax instantly began barging the door, but it's reinforced wood wasn't budging the lock sturdy as he flung his whole body weight against it. He couldn't do this. He couldn't loose him. "Dad! Let me out. Right now!"

"I'm guessing that's for me." Vander turned to see both Marcus and Grayson standing in the doorway. He could also make out the silhouettes of the other Enforcers through the window.

Grayson nodded to Marcus who walked forward, bringing out a pair of handcuffs ready to end this whole mess now. However, Vander stood in his way. "You gonna let us make the arrest or not?"

"You'll oblige a doomed man one last smoke." Grayson's eyes widened as she realised what his plan had been the whole time. The door Jax was locked behind was almost flying off it's hinges as he struggled to break it open.

Vander lit a match with his thumb, bringing it to his pipe and lighting it taking one last heavy puff. "Won't you?"

Grayson pulled Marcus away and stood beside Vander, refusing to look the man in the eye. "I'm not putting you away, Vander."

"The Council needs it's pound of flesh." he insisted.

"Without you down here, it all falls apart." Vander set his pipe down and sighed. He knew she was right. He was the only person holding the Lanes back from declaring war. The only person who even came close to a leader. Everyone respected him.