Broken Gears

Caitlyn was on patrol alone for the first time in a long while. Usually, she would have Vi here with her, distracting her from the boredom of waiting for a criminal to slip up, with her annoying, yet amusing antics. But today, Vi was needed at another district where crime was at an all time high. However, crime in this district was also unusually higher than average, and reports of Jinx being sighted around here came through. So they had decided to split up, and Caitlyn was left sitting here alone and bored in her squad car, as nothing had come up yet.

Strange, I have forgotten how boring it is to be on patrol alone. I suppose it is nice to get some relaxing down time, though, the Sheriff thought while staring at the daily commute of lower district Piltovian citizens. She had seen nothing out of the ordinary so far, so she just watched as simple people went on, living their lives.

At least it beats paperwork. Contrary to any popular belief of the kind, Caitlyn actually hates paperwork. It is a hell to go through, and is always worse when Vi puts her own off, and Caitlyn is forced to do it for her. Caitlyn loathed having to go through Vi's paperwork, along with all the complaints about the bruiser's excessive actions and a certain blue-haired terrorist's rampages.

Speaking of the devil, she noticed a person matching the most common description of Piltover's most infamous: pale skin, thin frame, and long blue pigtails. The girl was cloaked in a long black coat and had her back facing Caitlyn, so the Sheriff couldn't see Jinx's signature appearance beyond the small bit of exposed skin and hair. She could not she see Jinx's devilish red eyes either, but without a doubt she knew that the girl was Jinx in disguise. No one else in the city would fit the appearance of the criminal, and the fact that she was wearing the coat to be inconspicuous only proved the fact further.

So the reports were true, but what is Jinx doing here? She mostly destroys the richer districts. Never any of the poor or middle class districts, Caitlyn thought, perplexed at seeing the criminal outside the financial district or other common sightings. But she let the thought pass for the moment, deciding it wasn't important at the moment.

Caitlyn was conflicted with her next course of action. She couldn't decide if she should pursue Jinx or wait for backup. Standard protocol required her to call in for backup for a major and/or dangerous criminal, and wait for it, but several factors made her question if it was the correct response for this scenario. For one, backup meant Vi, and Vi meant massive property damage simply from the enforcer's chase. Caitlyn really did not feel like dealing with more paperwork for that. But she had a more practical reason behind wanting to pursue as well.

This could prove to be a perfect opportunity to trail Jinx to her hideout, as the bluenette did not even see her. So long as she remained silent and subtle, she could discover Jinx's base of operations, and come back later with a strike force to arrest the criminal unsuspectingly. That sounded like a more logical course of action, as the countless times Caitlyn had given chase to Jinx have always proven fruitless. Maybe letting Jinx slip up and lead Caitlyn to whatever place she calls home will lead to a better outcome.

After a moment's delay and deciding that trailing is the better option, she exited her squad car, taking her hat and rifle with her. She silently followed Jinx down an alleyway, staying far enough to not be heard. After a few minutes of trailing, it started to look as if Jinx had no clue to her presence whatsoever, as the criminal continued to walk around without care, even giggling to herself.

Oddly though, no one took much notice to Jinx's presence, but Caitlyn assumed that the coat threw them off from identifying her. But before Caitlyn could mull over it any further, Jinx strolled into another branch of the alleyway.

Caitlyn followed the bluenette into it, going further through the district. She followed Jinx into the twists and turns of multiple alleyways and underpopulated streets, with no noticeable end in sight. She was starting to grow frustrated and anxious, wondering if she should just call in backup now and attempt to capture Jinx before she even reached her destination. But the Sheriff steeled her nerves, and decided to just be patient and wait for a more secure arrest, continuing to follow the criminal and hoping that Jinx would eventually lead Caitlyn to a hideout soon.

Suddenly, Jinx quickened her pace, before turning around a corner into another alleyway. Caitlyn matched her pace as silently as possible and entered the alley as well. It was a dead end, with no Jinx in sight, instantly alerting Caitlyn.

Dread filled the Sheriff and her eyes widened when she realized that Jinx had been aware of her the entire time, and led her into a trap. But before she could react, a laugh sounded out, and a rocket, shot at something above her exploded, causing debris to rain down onto her.

The next thing that she knew was sudden, immense pressure. She had been crushed underneath the heavy debris.

Involuntarily, she let out an anguished cry, as the excruciating pain set in. A warm pooling liquid was felt under her, soaking her back. It chilled her to realize that it was her blood that she felt. What scared her more was that she had no clue as to where the blood was even coming from.

Is this how I die? By being stupid enough to chase after Jinx without backup, and without realizing that she was leading me into a trap? She bitterly thought as she lied underneath the rubble. Her breathing was getting shallow and painful, with the intense pain threatening to overcome her consciousness all the while.

Please, no. I'm not ready to die. Not like this...

In a last desperate act to save herself, she reached for her communication device to alert her partner to her plight. It was attached to her belt on her right hip, so all that was required was a simple reach with her right arm to press a button and call for aid.

But as she tried, she found her arm to be unresponsive, causing her immense pain to even try to attempt moving. She tried again, only to repeat the results, with black dots of pain dancing over her eyes. Despair took over and tears welled in her eyes as she cried out once more.

Her right arm was disabled, possible permanently…

She would have to reach over with her left hand now. That's if she was even capable to still do so.

Hoping like she had never hoped before, she tested her left arm. Fortunately, it responded, and she could position it through the debris to her hip. Now all that was needed was to reach for the device and activate it. Black dots were starting to increase in her vision, threatening against action. It filled her with both weariness and panic. However, she focused her resolve and reached for the device, barely managing to grip it, and pressed on the button.

A small beeping noise sounded out, and her partner's voice came through, relieving the desperate Sheriff.

"Yeah, Cait what is it? I'm about to go on lunch. Can it wait for later?" Vi stated, somewhat annoyed at being bothered. Any other time, Caitlyn would have chastised her partner for being so rude, and not recognizing the importance of placing work first. Especially in case of emergencies, just like this. However, that was definitely not a priority to Caitlyn right now, and she pleaded for help.

"I...need help...please come. Quickly." Caitlyn weakly murmured, her voice dying with her consciousness. It extremely hurt to say that small amount of words, and she feared she could not say anything more. The small remnants of consciousness in her hoped that she was loud enough to be picked up as well, otherwise all her efforts would have been in vain and she will die here.

"W-what? Caitlyn?!" It had worked. She had been heard! A slight smile graced her, and she hoped that a rescue would come in time.

"What happened! Where are you! Never mind, I'll just track you. Hold on, I'm coming Cupcake! Just stay on the line!" came the alarmed, and now distressed voice of her partner.

However, the Sheriff could not reply, nor heed Vi's request, as her vision was already fading and it hurt just to breathe. But right as she went into the good night, she saw something, and could swear it was some light cracking through the debris and violet eyes gazing down at her…

Welcome to Broken Gears.

This is a redemption story, that focuses on a Caitlyn and Jinx relationship. It is rated Teen for language, violence, and implied themes such as rape, abuse, and death. If you are uncomfortable with anything listed, it is unadvised that you read this story.

Disclaimer: The characters, setting, and all things related to them except the plot are all owned by Riot Games.

If you happen to enjoy the story, be sure to favorite/follow and to leave a review. Anything helps me grow as an author, and will be appreciated and will surely inspire me to continue writing!

Hope you enjoy the story, and thank you for reading.