Butterflies Volume II

Chapter 31

Popcorn and notebooks laid out, Violet and Lola sat in the living room of Billy and Violet's apartment and watched the end of the trial. The verdict was imminent, and as they watched Homelander strut through the divided crowd, Violet knew he had won. There was no possible other outcome when his fist was so far up the country's ass. The trip down the centre leading to the entrance divided the two sides so brightly coloured. Homelander supporters donned the colours of the flag, pale faces and racist slogans dashed across their signs. On the opposite side, gold and purple booed him, anger across all their faces.

They were all slightly hopeful in their anger, trusting a justice system that truthfully was just as terrified of Homelanders as anyone he faced was. Lola sat on the edge of her seat, as though Violet's life depended on it, whilst Violet shoved popcorn into her mouth. They waited, for just moments, two prepared statements sat on the table in front of them. Lola had poured herself into them, speaking in Violet's voice. However whatever the verdict was wouldn't change Violet's objective. Perhaps the world would either thank her or despise her, but a great deal already wanted her put down like a dog.

Lola's phone buzzed, and she picked it up so quickly Violet could have sniggered. But she held up a finger, predicting Violet would tease her, reading the screen frantically. Any second now. And suddenly, she sank like a balloon, not having to say the words for Violet to know the truth, because the TV shouted it for her. Someone in the audience shouted "not guilty" and cheers erupted from the racists. Picking up their prepared statement, Lola kept a strong grip on the paper and the screen, Violet putting the popcorn aside so she was at least paying attention.

"You should add on that statement that if he's not guilty then how can I be?" Violet suggested, "I mean the cunt can kill someone in broad daylight but sure I'm the fucking monster."

Lola tried to see if she was serious nodding slowly, "we can allude to that... Sure. But I think we should be just expressing disappointment."

"Disappointment? Love come on," she replied, "they would probably expect me to be angry."

She held a hand up to the screen, those dressed in purple cursing the other side. They were angry for her, dressed in her colours anticipating her reaction for her. There was no autonomy when your fans believed they knew you. And with her hand raised, trying to prove a point, chaos erupted. Coffee was thrown at the other side, one of the Homelander fans leaping over the fence to attack the other side. Violet withdrew her hand, cringing as though somehow her powers had caused it. A riot ensued, the two sides flooding to attack the other.

"Yikes," Violet joked, "see I said popcorn was needed."

Lola gaped at the screen, "what is happening?"

Punching, shouting, weapons appearing in people's hands, Violet didn't have to explain to her what was happening. Purple melted with red, white and blue as though to predict how everything would end. She had people fighting the colours dripping for Homelander without even saying a word. The whole idea of him could be erased with all those who believed in him. Lola was standing, collecting notes and trying to call people on her phone. Call Annie's crew, who were there amongst the crowd, try and figure out what to do. Violet just sat there.

"We need to do something," Lola scrambled.

"I don't see how I can do anything about that," she said, "let the people fight."

Tear gas was employed, fogging the riot. Out from the entrance cameras spun, and Violet saw Homelander doing exactly what she was. He stood there, arms folded behind his back, feigning an concerned expression, but doing nothing. Surely he should have at least done something. She scoffed as Lola was on the phone to one of Annie's charity members, asking where she was. Homelander's passiveness didn't last for long, as he began to gently try and swim people back to peace. But it did nothing.