Chapter 10

Vi was running towards the river, Caitlyn following quickly behind.

"Come on, I stashed the bike over here"

"The what"?

Just then Vi pulled the bike out from the bushes she had stashed it in.

"Tell me your joking"

"Sorry babe this is our quickest way up to my house". Vi said while giving Caitlyn a soft smile and wink.

"Do you even know how to drive one of these"? Caitlyn asked while approaching the bike.

"Well good enough", Vi said while throwing her leg over the bike, and gesturing Caitlyn to do the same.

Caitlyn looked at Vi and back at the bike with much hesitation.

"Come on cupcake, we don't have much time".

"Fine, but you don't get to call me pet names anymore. I'm only here to help you find your sister, then I'm out".

Vi frowned. She knew she had hurt Caitlyn deeply but was hoping that even after everything that they could still be friendly towards each other, but she was no longer sure if that were possible.

"Sure thing Caitlyn". Vi said while starting the bike. "Hold on tight".

Caitlyn grabbed the back of Vi tightly as the bike lurched forward. Vi still getting the hang of the clutch. After a few moments they were gently speeding up the dirt hill.

Vi drove the bike right up to the front door. She waited holding one arm out to help Caitlyn off the bike. Once they were both off, they ran up and into the home.

Caitlyn immediately began looking around.

"What are you looking for"?

"Trying to see if there are any signs of a struggle. I need you to look around, let me know if anything is missing from you or Jinx".

"Got it". Vi let Caitlyn do her thing. She knew she was an expert tracker. Vi began looking through the few things they had. It was easy considering they hadn't acquired much over the past few months.

"Nothing of mine seems to be missing, but most of Jinx's tools are gone, along with a few of her bombs and cloths".

Caitlyn thought this was very strange but kept her comments to herself for now. She then went back outside and walked around the house, stopping at the edge of the perimeter.

"What it is", Vi called out?

"Are you sure Jinx didn't know anyone"?

"Of course I'm sure. She never left the house while I was gone, just played with her gadgets, why"?

"Well, there are two sets of footprints leading away from your house".

"So, she was taken"?

"Well problem is, both sets of footprints are pretty small. Indicating Jinx was probably with another women, that and there is no sign of forced entry or sign of a struggle".

"Are you trying to say Jinx left me, without even saying goodbye. With some stranger no less"?

"Well, I never said a stranger". Caitlyn said while smiling to herself. As she couldn't help but see the irony of it all.

"Jinx wouldn't just leave me, not without talking to me first, not after all I have done for her, after everything I gave up for her".

Caitlyn watched as Vi looked more defeated, remembering what she looked like the night she jumped out her window. Caitlyn never wanted to see Vi looking like that again.

"I'm sure if she left there was a good reason, we just have to find her".

Just then they heard what sounded like a car engine speeding towards them. Vi grabbed Caitlyn and threw themselves behind the shed that was close to their home. The car pulled up next to the house. They both watched as 4 large men exited the vehicle.

"Alright, our lead said this is where they are staying, remember they are both dangerous so be on your toes. Let's be in and out quickly so we can collect that reward".

Vi looked at Caitlyn, fear and anger filling her insides. Just as Vi was about to lunge forward after the men, Caitlyn grabbed her pulling her back.

The men then pulled out large guns and stormed forward smashing the door in to make their way inside the home.

"Let me go, I'm going to go take them out. Kill ever single last one of them".

"Don't be stupid. Your sister is no longer in there, and you will just go getting yourself killed. They don't know we are on to them, so we have the advantage. Your sisters' footprints lead into the forest, she can't be more than a half a day ahead of us".

Vi looked at Caitlyn frustrated, all she wanted to do was hurt the people that were coming after her, and her sister. "Fine, let's go".

Both women made their way to the forest quickly without being seen. Caitlyn immediately began looking for more signs of Jinx and her partner. Only small clues presenting themselves, a broken branch, or flattened grass.

"We need to keep our eyes peeled. You know anything about these woods"? Caitlyn asked as they made their way deeper into the forest.

"Only the horror stories the villager's tale about the Demacian Raptors".

"What in the hell are those"?

"Well, they are described as large, winged beasts, with razor sharp talons. I've never seen one myself, but a few locals say they spotted one around High Silvermere the last few months. Honestly, I thought it was just an old wife's tale to keep kids out of the forest, until my bar man nearly shit himself telling how he was chased by one a couple weeks ago.

"Well that sounds promising". Caitlyn said while wondering what she gotten herself into and why.

They both kept walking higher and deeper into the forest, silence overtaking both of them. Vi kept wanting to speak, to talk to Caitlyn and ask how she had been doing but knew she didn't deserve to know.

"So how is Ekko"?

Caitlyn looked back at Vi giving a small glare. "I'm surprised you even care to know".

"Of course I care, why wouldn't I"?

"Maybe because you left him too".

These words cut deep into Vi

"I had to; it was the only way".

"The only way for what, for you to be happy. Cause we both know you don't care about anyone else".

"I left with Jinx because I care about all of you. I saved you both from her".

"Or did you save her from us"?

Vi looked at Caitlyn confused and hurt. Vi always knew she was trying to save Jinx from a fate worse than death, but also thought she was doing piltover and Zaun a favor by removing the crazy lunatic that was destroying both cities. Or were her motives purely selfish. She knew she was losing her mind while in that shack, locked away in darkness, starving. But what exactly was her real motivation, she could no longer remember. Then it hit her, she did what she did for her parents, for Vander. She saved her sister when no one else would.

"Ya I guess your right cu, Caitlyn. I saved my sister, because no one else was going to. She did some very unforgivable things, there was no denying that. But there's no way I could sit back and allow her to rot on the floor of Stillwater, being beaten on a daily basis, having men take adv". Vi stopped talking, realizing she didn't want Caitlyn to know anymore. "I'm sorry I hurt you, but I'm not sorry for saving my sister".

Caitlyn looked at Vi, seeing her in a whole new light. She knew things for Vi in prison were bad, but how bad she couldn't even imagine.

Just then they came upon a cliff. They both looked up.

"This is where the trail ends".

"You think they climbed that"?

"Well, I don't see another way up".

Vi looked up and without hesitation began grabbing at the rock's edge pulling herself up.

"Whoa, I don't think so", Caitlyn said as she grabbed Vi's leg, holding her from moving further up. "It's way too dark to start climbing right now. It's only a matter of minutes before you won't be able to see the next ledge to grab onto. We need to make camp here for tonight, and we can figure this out tomorrow".

Vi let out a frustrated sigh before dropping back down to the ground. "Alright, but first light, we start climbing this thing".

"Ya, ya first light".

They both sat down putting their backs against the cliff wall.

"It's going to get cold tonight". Said Caitlyn as she pulled out a winter hat and gloves and began putting them on". Do you have anything warmer than that"? She said as she pointed to Vi's cloak.

"No but I should be just fine, my gauntlets keep me pretty warm".

Caitlyn looked at Vi with great concern. "Here, I brought a small blanket, we can share". Caitlyn began unfolding the blanket and wrapping it around herself, reaching out with one arm for Vi to come sit closer, and join her.

"I'm fine really, I'll be ok".

"You're not going to freeze to death during the night leaving me to find your sister on my own, now get over here now".

Vi chuckled a little at the thought of Caitlyn stumbling upon Jinx without her, as she moved closer to Caitlyn pulling the small amount of blanket around her.

They both sat still in silence, exhausted from the day.

"Hey Cait".

"Yeah".

"Do you hate me"?

Caitlyn let out a deep sigh. "Vi, I hate how much I could never hate you".

A small tear fell down Vi's cheek, as she sat back and closed her eyes.

Vi was sitting in darkness. Cold cement could be felt underneath her hands. She tried to stand, only to find her legs and feet shackled to the floor. A large door opening on the other side of the room, bringing small amounts of light with it. A small figure emerged, walking towards her. Vi cried out for help, only for it to be muffled by the manic laughter of the approaching figure. Vi struggled against the shackles, trying to break free, to escape. The figure now standing over her, Vi looked up and saw long blue streaks of hair covering the figure's face. Vi felt a rush of comfort as she threw her arm up begging for help. The young girl looking down at Vi laughed as she grabbed her arm and began twisting it. Vi screamed, begging her to stop. Tears rushed down Vi's cheeks as she looked up once more. The young girl pulled her arm back thrusting it forward into Vi's face, throwing her to the cement floor.

Caitlyn was cold, but exhausted. She closed her eyes feeling sleep take her quickly. She laid back in peace only to be woken up shortly by the body next to her.

Vi was mumbling while her body was tensing up, occasionally kicking and seizing back up. Small cries and screams coming from the strong brave girl, making her look vulnerable, and weak. Caitlyn knew this must be a night terror. She did the only thing she could think of and grabbed Vi, wrapping herself around her old friend hugging her tight, hoping it would cross over.

Vi threw her eyes open, half expecting to be hit by Jinx, before realizing where she was. She felt warm arms being draped around her. She looked down to see Caitlyn holding her with her head pushed against her chest. Vi brought her arms up wrapping them around Caitlyn. She then leaned her head back against the cliff wall, hoping this feeling of warmth would never end.

They both laid against each other secretly knowing the other was awake but not wanting this moment to end, as they both fell back to sleep in each other's embrace.

I hope you're all still enjoying. Sorry for how long this story has become. I'm really hoping to finish it up with a few more chapters.