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Jinx was dead. Vi knew Jinx was dead.
She had seen her fall, watched the explosion, and viewed what was left of her body afterward. But her voice still followed Vi, whispering at her constantly, never giving her a moment of peace.
Can’t believe you're still with the topsider. I die and you go run off with your girlfriend, you didn't stop and think about me.
Vi’s head snapped up. She had just been trying to get some rest, after her night had been plagued with too many nightmares, leaving her to wake up more exhausted than she had gone to bed.
Caitlyn was out meeting with the council, still trying to help organise the memorial for all the people who had died in the war. There were too many names, too many people. Vi had tried to insist on coming, desperate not to be left alone with Jinx's voice, but Cait had taken one look at her exhausted face and made her stay in the penthouse to nap.
I died for you, sis. And all you can do is feel sorry for yourself. Maybe your precious girlfriend is sick of you. I would be.
No. Vi jumped to her feet, backing into a corner like she could fight off Jinx’s voice. Vi knew Cait loved her. She said she loved her. Cait loved her. Right?
Who could love you? Face it, sis, you kill everyone you love. Vander went with the Piltie goons to protect you . Mylo and Clagger were following you, trusting you to keep them safe. And you failed. Like when you failed me, you could have gotten off the platform before Warrick woke up, yet you still went and ruined everything. Maybe you’re the real jinx. How could anyone love someone like that?
Vi sunk to the ground, burying her face in her arms, desperate to hide from Jinx. She was right, of course, she was right. Vi was a jinx. She killed her whole family, ad she already came so close to killing Cait, who probably fucking hates her. She needs to get out of here and go… somewhere. Somewhere where she couldn’t hurt anyone else.
First smart decision you've made in a while.
Vi stood, not stopping to grab anything, even her gauntlets. She raced out through the streets of Piltover, down into the narrow lanes of Zaun. She couldn’t go to the last drop, there would be people there. More people for her to get killed. Where else could she go?
Benzo’s Shop.
She had seen it briefly after she got out of Stillwater. It had been completely abandoned, windows boarded up and the roof collapsing. No one would be there. She wouldn’t be able to jinx anyone else. She made it to the shop and kicked the old boards covering the door until they gave way. Once she was finally inside she collapsed in the corner, exhausted, and closed her eyes, finally ready to sleep.
Why do you get to rest? People are dead because of you and you complain about some bad dreams? Boo hoo sis.
Jinx was right. She shouldn’t be complaining. She was the one who made so many people suffer. She’s lucky. She doesn't deserve it.
She doesn’t know how long she stayed there, huddled in the corner, refusing to move or sleep. It could have been hours or days. Jinx stayed with her, yelling at her every time she started to fall asleep, whispering truths to her, making sure she never forgot what she had done. She doesn’t deserve to forget. All of this is her fault.
She ignores everything other than Jinx until she hears the door to Benzo's shop open. She should move, and run away so she doesn’t hurt anyone else, but she can’t convince her exhausted body to get up. She hears a voice calling her name, But she ignores it. Suddenly she’s being picked up. Her eyes fly open, shocked at the sudden movement. Ekko is staring down at her, obvious worry in his face.
Why should he be worried about you? You’re a murderer. You’re a jinx!
“I know, okay?” She doesn’t know when she started to respond to Jinx out loud. Probably a while ago, judging by how hoarse her voice is.
“Vi? I didn’t say anything.” Ekko stares down at her, eyebrows furrowed.
You don’t deserve fucking concern.
“N-not you. What are you even doing here? Leave me alone.”
“‘Not me’? What? Vi, You've been gone for two days. We’ve been looking everywhere for you. Caitlyn was scared you were dead.”
“Cait… No Ekko, I can’t go back. I can’t… I don’t...”
“Vi. I’m taking you back. You’re fine.”
You’re going to get everyone else killed. Are you so weak you can't even fight your way out of this?
She is. She is that weak. Normally she would try, but she’s so goddamn tired…
Ekko finally arrives at the penthouse, still holding Vi in a bridal carry. Caitlyn’s anxiously pacing the entry hall when she spots them.
“Vi!” She immediately sprints forward to take Vi from Ekko, gently cradling her. “What happened? Are you hurt? You look exhausted.”
Vi looks up because, even though she knows it will get Cait killed, she still loves her.
Selfish. Murderers shouldn’t love people.
Despite the constant questions, Vi feels the days of no food or sleep catch up to her. Her eyes finally fall shut to the sounds of Cait’s questions and Jinx’s sharp insults.
When she wakes up, she’s back in Cait’s bed, swaddling and a pile of blankets that make her realise how cold she had been when she passed out. Just as she started to get her bearings, the door opened and Cait walked in, holding a bowl of what looked like soup. Once she realised Vi was awake she put the bowl down and hurried to her side.
“Vi! You’re awake! How are you feeling?”
Why is she pretending to care? No one cares about you. Especially a Piltie goon.
Vi flinches back. Of course, Cait doesn’t care about her. Who would care about a jinx?
“Vi?”
“You should go. I’m fine.”
“You’re not ‘fine’. I came back from my meeting and you were gone. Ekko said he found you in an abandoned shop in the undercity. Vi, What happened?”
“Nothing. I-”
Why are you still here? You’re going to get her killed. You’re going to get everyone killed.
“Shut up !”
“Vi? I wasn’t talking.”
Great. Now everyone is going to think you’re insane. Maybe you are.
“Not you, Cait.”
“We're the only ones here.”
“I should go.”
“Vi! Please, just tell me what’s wrong!”
Jinx all but screams at her.
Leave.
Run.
You’re a murderer.
A jinx.
You’ll kill her.
Kill everyone.
Staying is selfish.
Why did you get to live?
Why did you let everyone else die?
We’d all be alive if it wasn’t for you.
It's all your fault.
I shouldn’t have saved you.
“Vi? Vi!”
When had she stood up? She was backed into a corner, pulling at her hair. Cait was yelling, no, begging her to talk to her, confused and scared. She shouldn’t be scared. Can’t she see that Vi doesn’t deserve her worry? She’s a curse, a jinx. Cait should be running as far away as possible. But instead, she was pulling Vi into her arms, gently moving her hands away from her hair.
“Please, Vi, just tell me what’s wrong.”
She shouldn't tell her. Surely Cait would hate her if she knew the truth. But Vi’s too tired to hide it.
“She wouldn’t leave me alone, Cait. She… she…”
“Who?”
“Jinx. She’s here, Can’t you hear her?”
“Vi… Jinx is dead.”
“I know! I know she’s dead, and it’s all my fault. I killed her, I'm a jinx, I’m a monster.”
“Vi, it’s not your fault.”
“Yes, it is. She told me. She’s right.”
“Vi, that isn’t Jinx. Jinx is dead, you can’t actually hear her.”
“I can Cait. She's always here. Reminding me of what I’ve done. I’ve killed everyone I've loved. If I don't leave, then you’ll die too, and I can't handle that. ”
“I’m not going to die. What happened to you was awful, but it's not your fault. She’s lying Vi, It’s not actually Jinx. Don’t listen to her.”
“What if she is Jinx? What if she’s telling the truth?”
“She’s lying. I promise. You trust me, don’t you?”
“Yeah. Always.”
“Come on then. You need to eat, and sleep.”
Cait gently leads her back to the bed and sits beside her.
“Cupcake?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks”