𝑻𝑶 𝑩𝑬 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑫, 𝒋𝒊𝒏𝒙

v. emotional blue

11 years around the sun
________

The sunlight seeps in through the holes in the walls and irritates my shut eyes. I stir from my restful sleep and sit up. The apartment is quiet, too quiet for Sevika to be here. There are none of her usual signs that indicate her presence like her working out; fixing her weapons, or talking with Margot's patrons. I stumble off my mattress and look into our main living space. Sevika had promised me, last night, that she would be home by this morning, yet she remains missing.

I collect my sword from its resting spot beside my bed. The blade is spotless and devoid of any proof of violence. Meticulously cleaning the metal was the only thing I could do to lull myself to sleep the prior night.

Departing the brothel where Sevika and I live, I head towards where Vander is being kept. I devise plans in my head for the worst-case scenarios. I imagine Vander has escaped his cage like a ventriloquist and slain all of my friends and family. His display of power garners numerous supporters and Silco is left to watch his dreams for Zaun die.

Despite it being an early morning in Zaun there is a hubbub in the atmosphere. Vendors and Shoppers are whispering to one another. Looking over their shoulders like they're sharing classified information.

As I got closer to the rusty building I was in just hours ago I noticed what everyone else saw. The building is lain in ruin with rubble scattered across the streets. Fires continue to flicker in small areas because they're fanned by the gray. The building appeared to morph appearances. It looked nothing like how I left it last night. A few levels of the building had been completely incinerated. Scorches marked the walls that hadn't collapsed.

"What happened here?" A short man yelled out.

Nosey Zaun citizens crowded around the building just as I did. The few enforcers were unable to combat the overwhelming crowd. Which allowed for all of us to get clear views of the inside. I couldn't decide if not seeing my family was worrying or not worrying.

"Nothing! Now move along!" The officer in charge yelled back. He stood proud behind the lineup of enforcers.

I had to pray and hope that not seeing Sevika was a good sign. She is strong and fierce. Whatever happened here, she survived, and she was able to protect everyone. I am sure of it. With no other place to go, I head towards Silco's underground headquarters.

The hidden door to the descending stairs creeks open. Before I proceed down the steps I slowly draw my sword from its case. I am wary of enforcers or rival gangs that have taken this opportunity to wound Silco's operation whilst he's vulnerable. The stair's floorboards creek beneath my steps. My eyesight is hindered by the lack of light because no candles have been lit. A signal that Sevika and the rest of them aren't here like I initially thought.

Each step I take is guided by muscle memory. That is until I see the faint glow of a candle. Additionally. I hear the mumbling of voices speaking to one another. For a moment I'm hopeful it's my comrades, but Sevika has taught me better, so I keep my guard up. I make my last few steps down the staircase swift and precise. My sword is raised. Ready to attack or defend whatever lies ahead.

In a split second, I'm ruffly thrown up against the wall. My head smacks against the stone wall and I feel pins and needles shoot down my body from the pain. I wince in pain but quickly snap my eyes open to see my attacker in the dim lighting.

Dark blue eyes are highlighted by copious amounts of black eyeliner. "Dustin," I wince." He swipes his tongue over his lips. A common, but weird habit of his. "Well look who it is.." He alleviates his tight hold on me.

I rub my head and am surprised when there's no blood. I pick up my sword that had clattered to the floor with a sigh. "I heard multiple voices," I turn to Dustin. "Where is everyone else?"