Prison Break

Part 14

Having to go right now to work as an enforcer was...  awkward, especially with the chatter around the city about the night before, especially around HQ.  Caitlyn didn't say much when asked about it, just deflecting for the most part.  "I just did what I had to," Vi heard her say a few times.  What she had to.  So glad to know she just thought putting Powder in a wheelchair for the rest of her life was necessary.  Vi herself barely talked to or looked at anyone, especially Caitlyn.  She'd been up most of the night and didn't want anyone to notice how tired she still was.  Besides that, with the news they'd gotten that morning, she hated that she had to be away from Powder all day, and wanted to get back to her as soon as possible.  Well, at least, she knew the cover had worked.  As far as Piltover was concerned, Jinx was dead.
Just as she was about to walk out the door that evening, Caitlyn dragged her into her office and locked the door.  Just what Vi wasn't in the mood for.  She folded her arms.  "What?"
Caitlyn sighed.  "How bad is it, Vi?"
"Oh, you know, just...  no movement or feeling anywhere below her chest, so...  Yeah, most of her body."
Caitlyn's face went white.  "She's paralyzed..."
"Yeah.  Thanks for that.  Can I go now?"
"Vi, I...  I-I'm so sorry, I never meant to..."
"What?  You just ...  forgot you weren't supposed to actually shoot her?  Just trying to make it look real enough?  I think you did a little too good a job on that front!"
"I didn't mean to...  It was an accident, I misfired."
"Oh, really?  Not just 'doing what you had to?'"
"Vi, that's part of the cover.  What did you expect me to tell people?"
Vi looked down for a second to catch her breath.  That did make sense, maybe she was overreacting a little.  But then, why...  "Why'd you have the gun aimed at her then?"
Caitlyn turned her head away from her.  "I...  W-well, I..."  Or maybe she wasn't.  Vi felt the calm start to drain out of her again.  Caitlyn sighed.  "My first thought was to put it in her head.  But then, I...  Well..."
"...  Thought just crippling her was enough?"  Vi felt like she could throw up any second.  She turned to the door.  "Least, your mom got her justice, right?"
"Vi, I wasn't..."
"I get it."  She unlocked the door.  "Now, I've just gotta help her to not believe those voices in her head telling her she's worthless.  Thanks.  Guess you enforcers really are all the same."  She opened the door.  "See you tomorrow, Sheriff."  Before Caitlyn could say anything else, she walked out.
The walk back to the refuge felt longer than usual, especially on the way out of Piltover.  Every couple minutes, it seemed, someone tried to stop her and ask about what happened.  Vi just kept her head down and ignored them.  After the first few times, she put her hood up, not that it made much of a difference.  For all the posturing and going on about how much more "refined and cultured" they were, topsiders could never seem to get the hint when someone wanted to be left alone.  Besides that, she really didn't feel like playing the hero who'd helped take down a violent maniac.  She was just another trencher topside had screwed, and who just needed to focus now on taking care of her little sister.
Looking around to make sure she wasn't being followed to the refuge was always a given, but it took a second to remember she still had to do it on the way to Powder's room.  That just served to put Vi in an even worse mood, knowing even some people here thought of her sister the same way they did up there, and that some of them might not think what had already happened to her was enough.  It really made her hope they'd be able to get out of there soon, on top of still having to go back topside with Caitlyn during the day.
After checking in with Ekko, Vi quickly went to the room and closed the door.  Powder lay asleep on her side facing the chair.  That was something Vi was gonna have to get used to doing, helping her change positions every so often, so she wouldn't get sores.  Before she could really dwell on that, though, the sight of the calm, pale face caught her eye.  Vi couldn't help feeling a little better seeing it.  She gave a small smile as she walked over to the bed, then went down to her knees and rested her top half on the edge.  Putting out a finger, she gently pushed Powder's nose.  "Beeeeeeeeeeeeep," she said softly.
Powder opened her eyes, and a big smile broke across her face the next second.  "Hey!"
"Hey."  Vi rested her chin on top of her hands.  "You doing okay?"
"I guess.  Ekko came in as much as he could, but...  I'm still kinda surprised I haven't DIED of bordom yet."
Vi let out a little laugh.  "Sorry, Powder.  If it makes you feel any better, my day wasn't exactly the exciting follow-up to last night, either."  Powder laughed.  "I talked to Ekko on the way in.  He said your hands should stop shaking so much once you've had your medicine for a couple weeks.  After that, he...  He should be able to make you some splints to keep them steady.  If you want then, I can bring you some supplies, so you can draw.  Maybe some books to read.  Think you can survive until then?"
"Mmmm...  I'll do my best."
Vi giggled, then kissed her forehead.  "That a girl.  So.  You said Ekko was in here you company a bit.  You two alright now then?"
"Yeah, we, um...  W-we talked about what happened that night.  He, uh...  Y-you were right, he...  H-he wasn't mad."  Powder's face slowly got closer and closer to the covers as she talked.  "He, um...  He said he'll...  do whatever he can to help me get better."  She started bringing the blankets up over her chin and cheeks, but Vi could see where they were turning red before she could hide it.
Vi grinned.  "You're turning into a tomato, Powder."
"I am not!"  Her cheeks got even more red as she said it.
Vi couldn't help laughing a little.  "Looks like someone's got a bit of a crush..."
"I..."  Powder pulled the covers up over her head to hide her face.  "Sh-shut up!"
Vi felt like she was going to totally lose it, and it took just about everything in her to not just outright crack up.  Instead, she put out a hand to tickle her stomach.  She tried for a few seconds with no reaction, then realized what she was doing.  "Oh.  Wait."
Powder peaked her head out from under the blankets.  "Did you just try to tickle me in that spot?"
"Yeah...  Forgot for a second.  Guess that's...  not gonna work anymore."  She rested a hand on the spot as a wide grin spread across her sister's face.
"Aw!  Poor Vi!  Can't torture your little sister anymore..."  She laughed, but then, her smile faded the next second.  "I-I'm really gonna miss that, actually."
"Me, too."  Vi sighed and brushed some stray hair behind Powder's ear, but then got a thought.  "Well...  I guess that just means I have to...  find a new spot."
"What?"
Vi shot her a mischievous smile, then started moving her hand around her head.  "Hm...  Let's see...  Maybe here?"  She tried a little behind her ear.  Nothing.  Powder gave a little smirk.  "No?  Okay then.  How about...  here?"  She tried right under her nose.  Powder just smiled and gave a little fake yawn.  "Wise guy."  Vi thought for a moment, then slowly moved her hand down farther.  "Maybe..."  She tried under her chin.
This time, Powder bit down hard on her lower lip.  Vi went a little faster.  A second later, her sister erupted with laughter!  "St-stop!  Stoooop!" she said between laughs.  Vi just kept going.  The loved hearing that laugh.  She kept at it until both of Powder's hands were around hers, pulling it away.
Smiling from ear to ear now, Vi laid her head on the pillow beside her sister's, so that they were looking into each other's eyes.  "Yup...  I think I found my new tickle spot."
Powder's face was completely lit up now.  "You're evil."
"Oh, I know, I'm the absolute worst."
"Well, yeah, abusing your poor, helpless, innocent, crippled little sister?  Pretty low, Vi."  Vi just laughed, then softly kissed her nose.
That night, Vi woke up sweating from head to toe!  "POWDER!" she screamed as her eyes flew open.  The dark room confused her at first.  Then, her eyes started to adjust, and she remembered where she was.  Right, in the chair, next to the bed, holding Powder's hand.   Right.
"Vi?" came a sleepy voice.  She looked down to see two glowing purple orbs staring back at her behind half closed lids.  "What's wrong?"
Vi caught her breath.  "Nothing, Powder, it's okay.  I just had a bad dream."
"You?"  Her voice sounded shocked.
Vi gave a weak smile.  "Yeah.  Believe it or not, I get them, too."
"You wanna talk about it?"
"I...  don't know, Powder."
"You'd always tell me that talking about them helps make sure they don't come back."
"I know, I know."  Vi took a deep breath, then sighed.  "I've had it a lot, but...  this time, it felt a lot...  a lot more real."
"What happened?"
Vi swallowed hard.  "Cait...  C-caitlyn shot you.  Usually, it's that night when...  everything happened with Silco again, but...  th-this time, it was last night.  She just...  aimed at your head, and..."  She felt tears start to slide down her face.  Powder reached a hand up to her cheek and Vi rubbed it.  "Sh-she did it last night.  She's the one who...  why you have to...  spend the rest of your life in a...  stupid wheelchair!"  She sniffed a bit, then felt Powder's thumb stroke her cheek.
"But...  I-I'll have you, though, right?"
Vi nodded, letting herself smile just a little.  "Yeah.  You'll...  Y-you'll always have me."  She wiped her eyes, and could just about make out Powder smiling at her.  "I won't...  I-I'll never abandon you again!"
Powder brought her arms down trying to push herself up, so she helped her to sitting, but felt arms around her the next second.  "I love you, Vi."
Vi smiled warmly, and put her arms around her little sister tightly.  "I love you, too, Pow-pow."
The next morning, Vi got Powder up early, then went and woke up Ekko.  "You excited?" she asked Powder when she got back to the room.
Powder rubbed her eyes, then looked up at her.  "Yeah.  But did you have to get me up this early?"
"Well, yeah, if you wanted me to do it before work.  You can go back to sleep when I'm done if you want, okay?"
"Okay."  Powder giggled a bit.  "Man, my head's gonna feel light after this!  Hey, does that mean I'll be a little light-headed?"  Vi laughed and shook her head.
A few minutes later, Ekko came in with a pair of scissors and some new sheets.  Vi would've been fine with letting him stay, but Powder was the one to shoo him out.  She "wanted it to be a surprise".  Vi did her best to keep from giggling.  It was the cutest thing, she thought, seeing her baby sister in love.
Once Ekko had been kicked out, Vi got to work with the scissors.  Slowly but surely, one long braid got cut, then the other.  Powder had always had thick hair, but now, it felt a little like trying to cut through a rope with a butter knife.  Nevertheless, though, the scissors eventually got through it, and both braids made their way down to the floor.  Powder had her eyes closed the whole time, even as Vi moved to do her bangs.  It seemed like she was closing them tighter as it went on, like she was getting more and more nervous about something.
"Okay," Vi said when she was finished.  "I think we're just about done."
"H-how does it look?"
Vi smiled.  "I'll be honest, Powder, you look...  absolutely adorable!"
"I don't look like...  her...  anymore?"
"Tell you what, I'll let you be the judge of that."  Vi went to the door and had Ekko go get a mirror.
When he came in with it and saw Powder, he suddenly started messing with his hair with one hand.  "W-wow," he said shyly as he handed it to Vi.
"Is that a...  good wow or a bad wow?" said Powder, who still hadn't opened her eyes.
"It...  I-it's a good one."  Ekko looked down, but Vi could still see his cheeks turning red.  "Look for yourself."  Vi held the mirror in front of her, and after a deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes.
When she saw herself, Powder didn't say anything for a while.  Her face looked shocked more than anything else.  Vi swallowed hard, thinking she might've messed something up.  Then, Powder put out a hand and carefully touched the glass.  "That...  That's me?"
"Yeah.  Unless Ekko accidentally grabbed a picture instead of a mirror."  Vi set the bottom of it down a little closer to her, and Powder held the edges as well as she could.
"That's not Jinx."  The words were quiet, but it was one of the best things Vi had heard in a while.
Vi smiled.  "So, you like it?" 
Powder just nodded, not taking her eyes off her reflection.  She giggled to herself a little as Vi sat down on the bed.  "No more Jinx."
"Nope," said Vi.  She put out her free hand and stroked her cheek.  "Just cute, sweet, strong, brilliant Powder."
After getting all the hair on the floor swept up, Vi picked Powder up in her arms, and held her while Ekko changed the sheets on the bed.  "Good thing I'm not that heavy, huh?"
"Yeah.  I don't think they'd let me take the gauntlets to lift you otherwise."  Powder laughed, then yawned.  "Tired?"  She nodded, and Vi kissed her forehead.  "Okay.  You can go back to sleep in a minute."
Once the bed was made up again, Ekko went to get rid of the hair clippings, and Vi laid Powder back down.  "Can you leave the mirror here?" Powder asked as she put the covers over her again.
"Yup."  Vi put the mirror on the bed where she would be able to reach it.  "Really like your new look, huh?"
Powder gave a nod, then closed her eyes, and rested her head on the pillow.  "No more Jinx..." she said again.
"Yup.  That's right.  Hey, don't forget to have Ekko turn your over in a few hours.  Okay?"  No answer.  Vi looked up.  "Powder?"  She was already passed out again.  Vi shook her head, then stood up smiling and cupped her cheek.  "See you tonight, sweet girl."  She stroked her cheek softly, then got her gauntlets on and went to remind Ekko before heading up topside for the day.