Fading in and out of sleep used to be caused by the bugs that would nibble at my unprotected skin. But now, it's the occasional nights when some people, surprisingly not Claggor, would snore like a beast from the depths. Others talk in their sleep or end up sleepwalking. Mylo has done all three. It amazes me the lengths this guy will go to to be noticed. If this school is all I heard it would be, that guy will be a celebrity within the first hour. It's still dark, but my eyes adjust to darkness easily. There is a purpose behind my journey towards the bar. I have a sneaking suspicion that Vander is waiting for me up there. Sure enough, there he is, sitting at the booth with a healthy stack of papers and pens lined across the table. I walked over and sat across from him.
"Important papers." It wasn't a question, but Vander confirmed it anyway.
"Ugh huh," he grunted. He's tired. Probably too excited to get to work as an official important figure for Zaun. I can finally ask him the important questions he otherwise wouldn't answer.
"Saw your friend yesterday." I went for the head. Vander stopped scanning the page he was on and looked at me. He inhaled deeply and leaned against the booth.
Rubbing his eyes, he began to explain. "I don't trust Silco—"
"That's a start." I must keep in mind to control myself.
He nodded his head in deep thought. "I'd like to believe that he changed."
"What's keeping you from believing?" I asked as I tried to keep my hands flat on my lap.
"He helped me." He crawled from behind his comfortable walls and fought alongside me." He recalled it fondly, but then his eyes fell. "Like we used to."
"I figured that. He wouldn't have done that if he hadn't changed." Memories of his gang chasing me down and brutalizing me flooded my mind, making my scowl prominent. Vander caught on to that.
"Had a few bad run-ins with his lot?" He inquired, giving me an assuring gaze.
"More than a few." A memory of being chased into a dead-end alley and then, nothing. I don't remember what happened there, it's all just nothing. I only remember waking up feeling...wrong. The memory moved something within my stomach that should have been settled by now.
"Looking a bit blue there," he observed as he tilted his head in concern.
I waved my hand dismissively. "Change is difficult, it can be dangerous."
Vander squinted his eyes. "What are you getting at?"
"I gave up a lot of freedom, but I've gained a family. I still feel out of place because of what I've done. Can't pretend that it never happened." That feeling is making it difficult to think straight.
"I understand. Silco is a different man. I don't think he can ever be who he once was, but neither can I. Our response to life's challenges can only change us so much, it becomes difficult to remain who we once were. We must learn, adapt, and grow. Change is not completely out of your control, you can choose who you want to be," he declared with such energy that I can believe every word.
"Silco feels the same way?" I asked, Is the feeling beginning to settle?.
Vander inhaled again. "Absolutely, he has made his choice, and I have made mine."
That sounds pretty serious. Vander let out a breath and held up a specific paper and looked it over quickly before grabbing a pen and signing it.
"Owen. You need to promise that you'll leave this to me." Vander requested as he looked towards me again.
I sat there silently, knowing that if I agreed to this, I might never have my chance to exact my vengeance.
"Owen?" Vander called to me, but I dove into my thoughts and feelings. Silco was right there. I had my finger-sized dual blades tucked against both my legs, I had him. He was right there.
"Focus on me, my boy." He raises his voice slightly. It shook me out of my contemplation. "I need you to promise me."
I tried to say that I can't, but under his gaze, I just shook my head.
An expression of understanding swept across his face. "I understand how you feel." Then he put both hands on the table. "You think you feel bad now? Follow through with vengeance, and you'll lose more than your family."
Hearing him say those words while peering into my eyes sent a chill through me. If I set out to exact my revenge, it will ruin everything. Whatever sacrifices that were made during those three nights would ignite another riot. More death, more enforcement, more despair—it can't go on like this.
"I can't let it go, Vander." I began shaking as if I'm in a blizzard. "I don't know how."
His eyes widen as I tell him exactly why I behave the way I do. Why I just won't stop doing what I've always done. Despite my promises, I will inevitably find a way to eviscerate every last thug and crime boss I find. I don't care if I have to become an Enforcer to do it. I want them all dead; my soul begs for it. For some reason, I felt my mouth moving. Vander's face is absolutely mortified. Please don't tell me that I spoke out loud. I didn't hear anything but the sound of the blood rushing to my head and the steady sound of my breathing. The edges of my vision were dark and fuzzy like the night sky before I saw Vander's face. I reached up to my mouth and covered it. I can't look him in the eyes anymore. I turned my body to escape, but he moved faster than his body suggests. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in.
"Please, let me. I don't know how, but I'll find a way, please, Owen," he pleaded.
He. Begged.
"Okay." I simply replied.
He patted my back. "I'm not asking you to be someone you're not, just do this for me." He pulled me into his line of sight. "Accept your new life, bury your past."
"You're right." Disgusting, I sound like I've caught a cold.
He smiled, relief washing over his face.
"I need to stretch my legs." Honestly, I feel beyond exhausted after this.
"Alright then, but stay close; you have school today." He informed me.
The cold returned.
"You aren't kidding." I didn't ask.
To my great horror, he is not kidding. The look on his face is one of finality, it is not up for negotiation, debate, nor discussion. He has sacrificed much for Zaun, I owe him this much and more.
"I will be the begrudgingly perfect student." I promised, and it is indeed a promise.
"That's all I ask, for now anyway," he said as I slipped out from his hug.
"For now." I repeated as I walked towards the door. "If any jackass bothers me, I'll put them to sleep instantly."
"Whoa, language, there are kids sleeping." He wagged his meaty finger at me and returned to his papers.
I passed through the doors, and the sweet, greasy Zaun air filled my lungs with precious pollution. Can't get enough of it. I allowed my legs to carry me to wherever my mind wanted to go. I crossed familiar streets and nostalgic alleys until I returned to the scene of the crime. The unmarked building that gave me the turning point I've always needed but will never want again. Walking around the building, I stumble across a solid, flat surface with fascinating features. They didn't recover all of her remains. A few of her teeth are here along with her fingernails. I understand the teeth part; slamming your head into concrete isn't responsible. You shouldn't have allowed a 10-year-old to do that to you. As for the fingernails, drink more milk, I guess.
"So this is where it happened?" I heard a familiar voice bring me out of my thoughts. What is up with people doing that to me this morning? Can't a boy live in his own head in peace?
Looking at who is supposed to be Ekko, it is a boy trapped in crude metal armor.
"What are you doing, Ekko?" I asked him.
He took a step forward and put his fists up. "Give Powder back."
I raised an eyebrow. "I don't keep slaves, not sorry."
He lowered his hands and looked down at himself, then back at me. Thankfully, his brain decided that whatever he is doing is stupid. So he began throwing off his armor until he was in his regular clothes.
"See?" I said as I raised my hands. "Doesn't it feel better not dressing like an idiot?"
He smiled, shook his head, and then charged at me.
Oh no, he's serious. He threw a punch, I ducked, then pivoted behind him and pushed his back. The boy is sturdier than he looks, as I am the one who is recoiling from that push.
"Ekko, I don't want to fight you." I declared as I held my hands out.
"Then give Powder back to me, she's MY best friend," he demanded as he held his fists up like Vi and tried to move just like her too.
"And that's great. But I can't just let her go, she'll hurt me if I do." I informed him as a solid fact.
He dropped his guard. "Wait, what?"
"I know, right? Really makes you rethink your life decisions." I admitted as I rested my hands on my hips.
"Really? Wow." He looks disillusioned.
"Yeah, honestly, she scares me." I continued.
"I'm." Ekko looks down at his feet. "Sorry to hear that."
"Yeah. She wants to make bombs, she learns everything she cares about so fast that it's honestly terrifying." My mind began to wonder about all the things that Powder could learn, and I decided to do my best to keep anything dangerous away from her. But who am I kidding? She'll have a good look at a weapon and will make her own improvements from memory. I've seen her do it.
"On second thought—" I began to negotiate.
"You know what, it was a mistake coming here and finding you like this." Ekko apologized as he began backing away.
"Well, yeah, the trash can armor was pretty weird. But anyway, if you want Powder back—" I began to start the good part of negotiating.
"You know what? You two." He threw two thumbs up. "Best of luck to you."
With that, he ran around the corner. I won't bother chasing him down, not with all the good metal he littered everywhere. How rude. Just when I was about to claim the medal as rightfully mine, I heard her voice.
"Was that Ekko?" I froze, then turned around to see Powder, with her hands behind her back.
"Hey there." I turned to where Ekko was, then back at Powder. "Yes, it was; he just left."
"Oh. Right." she walked closer to me. "What were you talking about?"
"Oh, you know. Just shooting the shit." I smiled while assuring myself that I didn't completely lie.
"Shooting the...shit?" It's funny hearing her cuss. "About me?"
"Why wouldn't we? You're amazing." I exclaimed.
"I know I am," she confirmed as she walked closer to me and stood within arm's length. We just stood there in silence, looking into each other's eyes. My smile slowly melting away along with her chirpy expression. Seeing her expressionless face is something to behold. "You didn't leave with someone today."
"I did not." I acknowledged. Thinking back...
"You are supposed to leave with someone," she reminded me.
"I am, yes. It slipped my mind." I confessed, as THAT was the true reason why I wandered off.
"Slipped your mind," she repeated as she slightly tilted her head back. "Where are we right now?"
"The building where I almost broke every bone in my body." I recollect. Still sends shivers down my spine.
"Right. Where we found you, getting beat and tossed around by pissed-off kids. Unconscious," she informed me in a calm voice.
"Really?" This is new information. I suppose that explained the bruises then, that makes sense.
She then pulled out a contraption from behind her back. It looks like some kind of toy animal.
"When are you going to take this seriously?" she asked me as she began fiddling with it.
"This? What are we talking about here? With context, we can narrow down the 'this' to something more specific." I explained as Powder paused to stare at me, clearly not amused at my attempt to stall.
"If caring for you is a game, then I'm going to keep score." she pushed a button on the toy, and it activated. It began moving at a rapid pace, fluttering its arms and legs as if it were designed to dance.
I stared at that thing, and...no, she wouldn't.
"That's not a bomb, Powder." I said as if it were a fact.
She didn't answer, she just lifted the thing in front of me and held it in my face as the contraption began to slow down.
"Powder." I looked between her and the toy, she can't be serious.
The thing that I hope isn't a bomb slowed down even further. Now I could run, and she could run after me, endangering everyone IF it goes off. If it doesn't, then this is a funny but messed-up prank. But if we stay here, the damage will be absorbed by the buildings mostly. The people of Zaun will likely only have two casualties.
"You need to be taught that your life matters. But you are different. Normal people would get it by now, but not you, Doomed Hero." Powder attested.
The contraption is almost at a complete stop. I could have run, maybe could have broken her leg, and run away. But no, lately, there's only one thing that's keeping me here. One person, really. Sounds bad, I know. I love my family, they accepted a burden like me when I wouldn't have if I were them, which I'm grateful for. I could abandon them all even now; it will hurt, sure. I would hate myself for it and would exact vengeance on myself for abandoning my family. I grabbed the contraption in her hand and waited with her till it came to a complete stop. My eyes didn't leave hers. We waited for the truth to either remain silent or blast us with a surprise that we won't see coming. Those seconds were intense. Powder's eyes still held that same eternity, but in that moment, it was more like the calm waters of an endless ocean. An almost perfect reflection of the sky. Finally, Powder lowered the "toy" and stepped back.
She shrugged. "You 1, me 0, for now. Let's get ready for school."
She began to walk back, but I stopped her by the shoulders and turned her around to look at me.
"No more games." I grumbled.
Powder allowed a relieved smile to adorn her face and laid her head on my chest. I bet she can hear my thundering heartbeat.
"I want to hear this every day," she decided as she lifted her head and placed her hand over my heart. "If you forget, I'll kick your ass, got it?"
This is getting out of hand. If I didn't allow their initial, relentless feats of understanding and compassion to change me, I don't think that I would have made it this far. They have gone to extreme lengths to bring a dangerous stranger into their lives and call me family. If I don't wise up and acknowledge their sacrifices, creepy shit like this will only escalate.
"I have spoken with Vander already. I need help, Powder." Admitting this openly makes me feel naked.
"We know." Powder acknowledged. "But you have to let us in."
I feel like passing out. "Believe me, I'm trying. I really am."
"Good, just leave it at that. Don't think too hard on it. We have bigger problems." Powder insisted as she grabbed my hand and led me out into the streets.
Looking back at the scattered remains of scrap that might be picked clean by the time I return sickened me to my core. Such precious metal is at risk of being taken from me, I have to let it go.
"What other problems should I add to my long list of problems?" I asked as we walked towards the bridge.
"Registration. Everyone else is on their way there," she informed as she walked with a skip in her step.
"So, this school thing, what's it like?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Don't know, but it's worth finding out," she answered as we began walking side by side.
As we walked across the bridge, more people began filling the space. We let go of each other's hands and opted to stick close, shoulder to shoulder. I never mind bumping into Powder periodically. Knowing that someone was there, that she was there, calmed my racing mind. The sight of Enforcers didn't make me nervous in the slightest. It occurred to me that most weren't the monsters that I was led to believe. They aren't cracking skulls open with the butt of their rifles indiscriminately. Most smiled at me when I made eye contact. Upon eye contact, I didn't see the ill will in them. They just wanted to maintain their slice of paradise, whatever that looked like. It seems too good to be true. We are finally going towards a brighter future? Is this what I wanted? Probably not. Honestly, I haven't thought this far ahead. Surviving day by day consumed my mind. Powder bumped into me.
"You're doing it again." She side-eyed me. "We're here."
Looking ahead of me is the great and grand Piltover Academy. There is a line that made sense. Even though we arrived early, public education is the street food of society.
"Great, lines." I looked around to see excited parents and kids our age taking in the sights as well. Most were elated to be in the presence of new people. But knowing top siders, it was akin to the grin of a cat cornering a rat. However, I've seen rats fight off cats before, only when cornered. I'll never forget a rat tearing away the eye of a cocky street cat once, good times. I never saw anything like that again, but man, that was a lesson I'll never forget. When push comes to shove, fight like a cornered rat and take home a trophy. I caught myself. Looking to my left, I see Powder eyeing me.
I gave her a wide smile. "Your eyeballs are looking wider today. Have you been—"
"Owen," she warned.
"Okay." I responded immediately. Our brief conversation earned us a few chuckles from the people in front and behind us. Powder must know that I will further annoy her by putting on a show, so I'll do it anyway.
"Ready to make some new friends?" I asked.
She turned her head towards me. "I guess so."
"I'm hoping there will be like-minded individuals who will understand my soul." I proclaimed.
Powder's jaw slowly dropped.
"It's okay to leave your mouth open around here, I guess. The air isn't as bad. But we're still outside, so bugs are always going to be a problem." I informed my esteemed blue-haired scarecrow.
She shut her mouth and grabbed my hand to squeeze it as hard as she possibly could. The action made my heart flutter in absolute jubilance. Looking around me, I was met with smiling faces and laughter. That's right, you rich bastards, I'm just a harmless jokester. Your arrogant kids are safe around me. All the delightful games I have in mind for them—the possibilities are endless.
Powder squeezed my hand. "It's our turn."
Huh, I hadn't noticed that my legs were moving. I've got to teach my legs not to do that without my permission. We entered the building and were bombarded with parents saying farewell to their children. Strange, it feels as if I should be in their position. That would be nice, to just experience it.
"And what is your name?" a voice that is halfway at death's door asked me. It was a man in a uniform, with spectacles. He has the posture of someone who hates his life and everyone in it but lacks the energy to express it in a healthy way; he needs a hug.
"Owen," I answered.
He wrote my name down on a card, then looked up at me expectingly. "Just Owen?"
"Just Owen." I repeated with a toothy grin.
He pursed his lips and signed his signature on the bottom of the card and gave it to me. I took it and walked over to the side of the hallway.
"What is this?" I asked as I leaned against the wall. Looking at the crowd of kids, they flowed in the direction of their cards. The doors have systematically assigned labels of numbers and letters.
"I guess we go to our room number," she stated.
She has a different number than mine. Excellent, she won't be able to stop me from having fun.
"Make sure you behave, or else I'll find you." Powder promised as she began to walk away.
"And do a bunch of mean and nasty things to me, I get it. Have fun in class." I spoke loud enough for everyone to hear me.
Powder glared at me and clenched her jaw as she rushed away to find her room. With zero expectations, I followed the number system and found my room. There were barely any seats left, so I picked the one closest to the center. Looking around, I can tell who's who just by how they dress and hold themselves. So, they're looking to pit us against each other, huh? Fair game. They must think that we're stupid or something. Their aptitude tests are a joke. What a major waste of my day. I could have built a proper suit of armor for Ekko for the amount of time I've wasted in there. Where is the little guy anyway? I waited outside for Powder on the steps. Parents came to pick their kids up, and here are my kids—oh, I mean, siblings.
"That was different." Mylo said as he stretched. He approached me, and we did our handshake. "You survived."
"What did you expect?" I asked as I stood to walk home with them. Ekko walked to my left, and Powder walked to my right. Everyone else walked behind us. This is how it should be. I hope this never ends, just being together.
"Gee, I don't know. For you to send them to the hospital." Mylo speculated.
"Well, I have to let you know that I was too busy being assaulted by stupid questions." I scoffed.
"We had to take a test too, but it wasn't for a grade." Claggor commented.
"That aptitude test, right?" Vi inquired.
"Yeah, are we going to get a cookie tomorrow for getting a high enough score? I have to get something for all that trouble." My irritation's growing by the second by thinking about it.
"It wasn't that bad. I got done with it in about." Powder thought for a minute. "4 minutes."
"It's the sitting that irritated me. And that teacher was looking at me for the entire time." I complained.
"Seriously?" Ekko asked.
"I know I'm pretty and all, but dang." I commented as I mockingly caressed my face.
They groaned at my great act. As we walked along the bridge, it was surreal to see merchants from Zaun carrying their goods to Piltover to trade. Hopefully, my favorite herbalist stays where she is. All this frustration needs some attention. Maybe I'll settle for that ointment? I only needed one serving of that for my body to fix itself. Or maybe find out why that injection felt like fire raging through my body. We're almost at the end of the bridge now.
"What are we going to do today? Benzo's trying to work today, can you believe that?" Ekko mused.
"We've got to report to the big man about school. Vander wants to know everything." Vi instructed.
"Oh, I bet he does." I commented with a sly smile on my face.
"What are you up to?" Claggor asked with suspicion.
We made it to the Last Drop. I leaned against the support.
"Claggor, I'm not up to anything, I'm a good boy." I reported with not a hint of sarcasm in my voice. They all laughed anyway, I'm offended.
"I'm glad you're here to take SOME of the heat off me." Mylo said as he held his fist out, and I bumped it as he walked inside.
"But seriously—" Claggor began as he walked up to me.
"I'll be nice, trust me, big guy." I assured.
He smiled. "Big guys don't like being called 'big guy.'"
He held his hand out, and I slapped it. We then slapped backhanded, fist bumped, and collided forearms in a cross formation. A simple and iconic shake, if I do say so myself. He walked inside the Drop.
"What about our shake?" Powder asked as she crossed her arms.
"I'm thinking of something truly special for us, since you have such nimble fingers." I explained.
"It doesn't have to be special; it can be simple, like Claggor's," she recommended.
It was my jaw that fell this time, and I tasted every speck of dust in the grimy air.
"You can't be serious." Ekko was chastised.
"Forgive her, for she does not know the sanctity of the handshake." I recited as I clasped my hands together.
She gave a deep sigh and walked inside.
"One day, she'll understand. Handshakes are not to be rushed." I romanticized.
Ekko shook his head and walked inside, I followed him. The Last Drop hasn't had many customers lately. Many of them are recovering from the cleanup; the others didn't make it. But there is one who did make it. One who embodies the luck of people who serve themselves. One who will do anything to achieve their goals. Silco is sitting on the stool in front of Vander, looking over notes, having a drink. Mylo and Claggor are heading downstairs. Vi and Powder are indecisive on what to do. They both are seated in a booth two spaces from the front door. But as soon as I locked eyes with Vi, desperation swept over her face. But I've made my decision. My hands are already around my blade. All I need to do is close the distance, and Silco is as good as dead. I'll risk betraying Vander and my family, I'll risk it all. Vengeance is but five steps and a knife thrust away. So far I've managed to achieve two steps; my heart is pounding, and my disinterested disguise is genuine. A force unlike anything I've felt before rocked my world. My body flies through the door, and I roll onto the dirt road. The world is hazy, everything sounds so far away. Then a pressure mounts on me and starts...crying in my ear? The noise, the sounds, are so far away. I don't know how long it took for things to return to normal, but when they did, the right side of my face exploded in pain.
"Stop. Just stop. Leave it behind," the voice pleaded. That's too bad. I don't listen to people when they beg; I never did. The figure pulled back, and it was Vi. That makes sense.
"WHY!? WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?" That must be Powder. Boy, does she sound angry.
"Girls! Owen!" Here comes Poppa Vander. He pulled Vi off me and took me in his arms. "I told you, my boy, just leave things to me. Why won't you listen?"
"Vander..." I spoke up, sounding drunk. I have only ever gotten drunk once. I just wanted to know what it felt like. Ended up singing myself to sleep on the dirt road. I woke up with coins all around me along with the second-worst headache I've ever had. The headache right now takes the top spot.
He led me back into the Last Drop, and he was oh so gentle about it. He struck the floor with his feet as if it owed him money, plus five rounds of liquor. The steps creaked with every foot that stressed them to their limits. Finally, he lays me to bed. Vander then walks over to a hidden stash of medical supplies and returns to me.
"Huh, where did you get this cut?" he asked as he applied the ointment.
"Was just rolling around." I answered as relief washed over me.
When he was done, he sighed deeply. "One of these days, you will learn to accept your new life. Give it time."
He turned to leave; soon after, Powder fell on top of me, pressing her head against my chest. I could feel Powder's efforts to restrain her sobs. What am I doing?
"Vi. What did you do?" I heard Mylo ask with restrained anger.
"He was going to kill Silco. I couldn't just sit there!" she exclaimed as she walked over to me.
"So your first reaction is to damn near knock his head off?" he criticized.
"I-I just reacted. If I hadn't...he was holding a knife," she explained in a strained voice.
Huh. I remember a certain someone holding a knife. We struggled, rolled around, and now he's gone. All in all, I kind of don't mind this. My mind, however, isn't in good shape, so I don't think I'm in the condition to make that decision.
"Leave, everyone just leave." Powder demanded.
There was a brief silence, then I heard shuffling towards the stairs.
"Pow Pow, I just—" Vi began with sincerity.
"You've done enough. We'll talk later." Powder promised.
"Okay, Pow." Vi mumbled dejectedly as she made her way towards the stairs.
I felt Powder's skinny hands caress my face.
"Am I still pretty?" I asked, secretly wanting to know.
She huffed. "Shut up."
Powder landed a kiss on my lips without me knowing. She then rests her head on my chest. I get the feeling as if that's cheating, but I'll let it slide, just this once.