I'm Not Going Anywhere

1

My head is in their hands, and I'm able to relax under their touch. Y/N, the only thing that has kept me anchored to the Earth while in Edgewater. I've been here four days, and it has not been a cake walk. Initiation is hell, and the guards are in on it. I miss Powder, I miss Vander, I miss Claggor and Milo. I wonder if she's okay, where is she staying? Is she getting enough to eat?

"Vi, you're crying..." 

Shit, keep it together. I can't show weakness here, it's already a risk to let Y/N hold me.

"Oh yeah, just a little dust in the eye." 

They touch my cheek, gently wiping the tear away. 

"It's okay, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Sleep, I'll keep an eye out." They could be in on initiation, I could be putting my life at risk. I'm already putting my body in the hands of someone I barely know... But my body is weak, my chest aches and reverberates with pain. And their hands are soft, and warm... 

- Y/N POV - 

Violet reminds me of a girl who came a couple weeks ago, Len. She was proud, so sure her standing in the lanes would keep her safe in here. She's in the medical ward now, with broken legs. Or, what can be called the medical ward. It's just rows of beds. 

So Vander is dead, Benzo too. I remember before I was in here, the family they had seemed so full of love. 

She's asleep now, her perpetually furrowed brow is relaxed. I wish when I first came here someone showed me mercy like this, letting me sleep. I didn't sleep at all for the first week. 

Her hair is so soft, she's been through so much. 

"Y'sure you wanna pick that one?" Gretch says this as she leans on the bars keeping us in from the hallway. Or in this case, keeping her out. Gretch is vicious, if I had my way she'd set up permanent lodgings in solitary. She's small, I can see her bones shift under her skin. But don't let that fool you, she's the most dangerous person in here.

"What can I say, I have a thing for strays." I wish she'd just leave. 

"It's gunna be hell protecting her, I'll make sure of it. If it weren't for Vander, we'd already have our revenge on Piltover. And you've seen Vi fight, she can handle herself." Why is she telling me this? What does she care if I go down with Vi?

"What, love my homemade dishes so much you don't want me too roughed up to cook?" Gretch shifts her weight and crosses her arms. Even in the dim light I can see the sharp edge of her elbows. Three months ago they were causing fireworks of pain in my ribs. The only way I was able to leave her war path was by getting a job in the kitchen. Don't wanna fuck with someone who has prime access to spitting in your food. 

"I can't give you fair warning? You know Silco will want an example made of her, you know he has people in here." She's smiling, not just grinning but full-teeth smiling. Her teeth are wet and angular, like a hungry wolf.

"Piss off, Gretch." The smile does not falter, she just shrugs her shoulders and walks away. The soft pat-pat-pat of her footsteps melts in with the sound of busy rats. The time ticks by, counted by drops of water making their journey from the crack in the roof to the floor. I pull the blanket over Vi's head, so she can't be seen from the hallway. I can see the sky through the barred window, it's a clear night. I think of my brother, and my mother. Would they be proud of me now? Ha, probably not. I wonder if they're watching the same stars I am, if they can feel my love from here. 

"You don't have to protect me, I can handle myself." Vi says this quietly, her sound slightly dampened by the shitty blanket. 

"I didn't notice you were awake... it's my choice to stand by you. I've seen too many people have their bodies and souls broken in here. I don't want you to become one of them. In the morning, I'll see about getting you a job in the kitchens."