𝑻𝑶 𝑩𝑬 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑫, 𝒋𝒊𝒏𝒙

iii. insurrection

10 years around the sun
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"Y/n, follow close behind me." Sevika softly rubs her hand on my head. I pat down the newly rumpled hair with a frown. I had just brushed my hair this morning.

Sevika and I traversed the alleys of Zaun with expertise. We arrived at the bustling bar The Last Drop. There were no strobing lights like I was used to in the bars Sevika had us visit. Instead, warm yellow lights hung against my skin. Giving the allusion to sunlight.

Sevika walked in confidently with her fellow associates.  I tried to mirror the tenacity Sevika presented, but the further we walked in, the more timid I became.

Yelling inside the bar was quickly ensuing. Sevika was one of the loudest voices commanding her opinion to be heard. However, everyone agreed about the overreach enforcers have been enacting.

Some of the most influential figures of the underground were in this room. And everyone was looking for a clear solution.

"We should hit them back," Sevika's hand strikes down on a table. Glasses and coins hitting together. "We've got the numbers to beat 'em!"

"Yeah!" Crowd members cheer in agreement.

"Let's teach them what it means to mess with us!"

Members are cheering or booing Sevika. Their eyes trained on her, and consequently me. I recoil behind her, to hide myself. The sudden attention from strangers becoming too much.

I stare down at Cindy's face. My hands already methodically running down her hair to soothe my nerves. Over the years she had become dirtier, and her face had faded. But her vibrant red felt hair has stayed visible.

"Enough!" A deep voice yells out. A muscular man cuts the disagreements from festering further.

I snap my eyes up at him just as everyone else does. We wait for Vander's next movement. The infamous figurehead of the underground city.

He takes his time and lights his pipe. "You sure that's what you want?"

Once again, the crowd erupts with varying answers. Looking around at the figures in the crowd. I'm frightened and surprised by the amount of rage they show. With a united underground city, we could stand the chance of defeating the enforcers and revolting against topside. However, I'm aware of what failure would mean. I have seen how vile enforces are to innocent Zaunites. So, what would happen if our retaliation were to fail? Would Sevika be okay?

"We crossed that bridge once before, and we all know how that ended." He breathes out a puff of smoke.

I inch closer to grab a piece of Sevika's shirt; I want to have some semblance that she's safe. There is no way anything now or ever would happen to Sevika.

"You're just protecting your kids." One of Sevika's friends calls out. More cheers erupt at his comment.

I hadn't noticed the group, standing hiding behind Vander and his bar, in a doorway. They're huddled together, listening to what everyone's saying just like I am.

There are three boys and two girls, and all of them look on edge. One of the boys is awfully scrawny with his clothes too big. His hair is sticking up like it's been styled that way, but I suspect he hasn't brushed it in weeks. One of the other boys is the tallest of the group. Unlike the other boy, he fills out his clothes more than enough. And on top of his forehead rests a pair of goggles. Lastly was a kid who appeared to be close in age to me. He had a dark complexion with white hair that contrasted with his skin tone. He has a despondent look on his face. Upset by how the meeting is going