Chapter 10
“You’re late. Again.” Mrs. Medarda punctuated—her watchful eyes following Vi, who quickly found her seat next to Caitlyn.
Vi rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m sorry, Mrs. M.” Dropping her bag on the ground and hastily pulling out her book, Vi looked back up at her teacher. “Powder wanted to show me something, and you know Powder…”
“Yes, that girl is very stubborn,” Mrs. Medarda sighed. “But no excuses. This better be the last time this happens, or you will be seeing Principal Grayson.”
Vi wanted to scoff at the mention of her name. She knew Grayson was once an enforcer but had thought she’d given it up, seeing what they had done to Zaun—done to her family. Forcing a smirk on her face, Vi replied, “Me and Principal Grayson have become quite close. I think she’d be thrilled to see me.”
A noise caught Vi’s attention, and she glanced at her table partner, who was looking down and softly snickering. Feeling a small—but genuine—smile pull on her mouth, Vi brought her gaze back to Mrs. Medarda, her pointed expression staring Vi down.
“Violet Vanderson,” Mrs. Medarda began, pinching the bridge of her nose. “We are in English class, and yet you chose to say: Me and Principal Grayson.” Caitlyn’s snickering wasn’t nearly as quiet as the rest of the class began laughing. “Not only that, but you are in advanced English. This better not show on your next paper.”
“It won’t, ma’am, I promise.”
“Promises, promises…” Mrs. Medarda muttered before returning to her desk. “Everyone, resume annotating chapter seven. I hope there will be no disturbances from now on.” Glancing at Vi as she finished her statement.
“What’d I do?” Vi mumbled as she flipped open the book.
“I think you know exactly what you did.” Vi heard a voice say next to her.
“And what would that be, Princess? Please, I’m all ears.” Vi looked up at Mrs. Medarda, ensuring she wasn’t spying, before turning back to Caitlyn.
“Well, for starters, you’re an ass.” Setting her pen down, Caitlyn gave Vi her full attention.
Vi clutched her chest as if pain had shot to her heart, a mocking grimace—full of agony—covered her face. “Ouch, cupcake. That really hurt.”
Caitlyn giggled. “Serves you right.”
Just as they were about to concentrate on their book, a loud knock sounded at the door. Marcus stormed in, directing his gaze at the students—his familiar scowl evident on his face. “I need Leopold Loxley and Dorian Castellan to the office immediately.”
“Why is that?” Mrs. Medarda glared at Marcus. Everyone knew the two resented each other, so it was always entertaining when they were forced to interact.
“Grayson needs them.” He grunted.
“Must I repeat myself?” Mrs. Medarda sighed. “I need a reason, Marcus. You are interrupting my class.”
Trying to restrain himself, his face began turning red. “For the terrorist attack.”
“That wasn’t that hard, was it?” She turned to her students. “Mr. Loxley and Castellan, please go with Marcus.” Marcus held the door open for the pair, offering Mrs. Medarda a brisk nod before leaving without another word.
“He’s a peach, isn’t he, Mrs. M?” Vi remarked, garnering a class full of snickers.
“For once, Ms. Vanderson, I agree with you.” Mrs. Medarda chuckled. “Everyone, get back to work. I’m serious this time.”
“I don’t know how you have the audacity to say such things.” Caitlyn laughed as she opened her book back up. “I mean, seriously, aren’t you worried about getting in trouble?”
“If I were so worried about getting in trouble, Principal Grayson wouldn’t be my best friend.” Vi shrugged, her tone teasing.
“That’s not something to be proud of, Vi.”
“Violet and Caitlyn! Are you asking for a detention?” Mrs. Medarda’s booming voice came from the front of the room. “I’ll be happy to give you one.”
“No, Mrs. Medarda. I’m sorry for causing an interruption.” Caitlyn immediately apologized—remorse evident in her eyes.
Mrs. Medarda offered Caitlyn a curt nod of approval, her expression softening ever so slightly. Then, her gaze shifted to Vi, sharp and unyielding. Looking at Caitlyn, Vi grimaced, visibly cringing at Caitlyn’s quick display of humility, her own lack of restraint painfully obvious by comparison. “And you, Violet? Have anything to say?”
Forcing back an eye roll, Vi lazily glanced over at her teacher. “I’m sorry.” Caitlyn glared at her, unimpressed with the answer she gave.
“Is that it?”
Caitlyn nudged Vi with her foot, hoping to get the girl to say something else. Vi seemed to get the hint and sighed, “I’m sorry for disrupting the class when you said not to. I won’t do it again.”
Accepting the answer, Caitlyn stopped glaring at her and waited for Mrs. Medarda to respond. “Thank you for the apology, and I truly hope this will not happen again.” She looked between her students, her stare staying on Vi.
“It won’t, Mrs. Medarda. I promise.” Caitlyn replied, not missing a beat, as Vi grunted in agreement.
“Good. Now, for the third and final time, get back to work!”
A knock echoed from Heimerdinger’s office door. Glancing up from a stack of papers he’d been meticulously grading, the small professor adjusted his spectacles and waddled over. Standing on his tippy toes, he pulled the door open, his bushy eyebrows arching in surprise at the sight of a student.
“Ms. Vanderson! What a lovely surprise!” Heimerdinger exclaimed, his warm tone as vibrant as the tufts of his white fur. “What can I do for you?” He stepped aside, gesturing her into the cozy, cluttered space before leading the way to his desk.
Vi entered hesitantly, her backpack slung over one shoulder. She set it down on one of the student desks and began rummaging through it as Heimerdinger watched her patiently, hands clasped behind his back.
“I was wondering if you could help me with something,” Vi said, her voice slightly sheepish as she sifted through the contents of her bag.
“Of course!” Heimerdinger’s ears perked up with interest. “If I may ask, what is it for?”
“Well…” Vi finally found what she was looking for: a small vial tucked safely into an inner pocket. Pulling it out, she approached his desk. “It’s for an out-of-school experiment.”
“You’re doing science outside of school?” Heimerdinger’s face lit up, his smile growing wider as his bushy eyebrows rose. “How wonderful! I’ve always told you to embrace your potential. I’m so happy you’re finally doing it.” He gestured eagerly toward his side of the desk. “Bring it here.”
Vi handed him the vial, her fingers brushing against the cool glass. The shimmering substance inside swirled lazily, catching the light almost unnaturally. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, anxiously awaiting his reaction.
“I was wondering if you could determine its compounds or even if you’ve ever seen it before,” she explained, watching his expression closely.
“My oh my, this is a new one,” Heimerdinger murmured, donning his goggles with an excited gleam in his eyes. He tilted the vial carefully, inspecting the liquid inside. “Where did you find this?”
“Um…” Vi hesitated, scratching the back of her neck. “In the junkyard. I was hoping to use it to power something.”
“Interesting.” Heimerdinger’s voice was a blend of curiosity and intrigue as he observed the substance begin to bubble faintly under the light. “Let’s take a closer look at this in the back.”
He gestured to the far end of the classroom, where a large table was cluttered with microscopes, beakers, and an assortment of scientific instruments. The air was thick with the faint smell of chemicals and ink.
“This may be quite the discovery,” he said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as he led the way. “Science often thrives on the unexpected, Ms. Vanderson.”
Vi didn’t answer as she brought over a microscope, her thoughts tangled in a mix of worry and anticipation. Setting the device down on the crowded table, she watched Heimerdinger carefully uncap the vial of shimmering liquid, his small hands steady despite his obvious excitement.
“Fascinating,” he murmured as he extracted a single drop of the substance using a pipette and placed it on a clean slide. The liquid sparkled even under the harsh fluorescent lighting of the lab, its iridescent glow almost hypnotic. Heimerdinger adjusted the microscope with practiced precision before leaning in to observe.
Vi hovered nearby, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “What do you see?” she asked after a few moments, her voice quieter than usual.
Heimerdinger didn’t look up, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in concentration. “The molecular structure is… extraordinary. It’s highly volatile, yet oddly stable under specific conditions. Almost as if it’s designed to adapt.” He straightened, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “You said you found this in a junkyard?”
Vi nodded, her jaw tightening slightly. “Yeah, looked promising enough to see if I could use it.”
Heimerdinger’s gaze shifted to her, his sharp intellect catching the evasiveness in her tone. “Ms. Vanderson, this substance is unlike anything I’ve encountered in my years of study. It’s not something you should handle lightly.” His voice was gentle but firm.
“I figured as much,” Vi admitted, looking away. “That’s why I brought it to you.”
“Ms. Vanderson, does this have something to do with the bombing that happened two days ago?” Heimerdinger watched Vi carefully, wondering if her composure would change. “Those bombs…I’ve never seen anything like them. They were different—different from hextech—if there is something you know, please tell me.”
“No, sir.” Vi shook her head immediately. “I swear this has nothing to do with the bombing. I just happened to be in the junkyard, looking for scraps for Powder, and found it. That’s why I asked you. I knew it had something that could be used.”
Heimerdinger continued to watch her but didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. “If you insist,” Sighing, he handed back the vile. “But please notify me if you find anything about this substance. I would be intrigued by your findings.”
“Of course, Professor.” Vi gave him a grateful smile before exiting his class. On her way out, she caught Ekko and Mylo by their lockers, deep in a conversation. “Hey, losers!” She shouted, grabbing their attention. As they turned, a scowl was on their faces, but soon replaced by grins when they saw who it was.
They ran down the hall, shoving each other and laughing, seeing who could get to her first. “Why so slow, Mylo? You got a wedgie or something?” Ekko snickered as he leaned against the locker next to Vi.
Mylo was bent over with hands on his knees. “Fuck off, Ekko. I had a cinnamon roll from the vending machine, and you know how that goes down.”
“Thanks for that not needed information, Mylo.” Vi said, sarcasm laced in her voice as she looked over at Ekko, who was grimacing.
“Yeah, dude.” Ekko scoffed.
Mylo stood up straight and rolled his eyes. “Blah, blah, blah. All you guys do is complain.”
“Weren’t you the one-”
“Uh, uh, uh. Don’t complain, Ekko.” Mylo pointed a finger at him, giving him a stern look. Ekko pushed his finger away and scoffed again.
“Guys, let’s go. It's lunch, and I’m hungry enough. I don’t need your whining.” Pushing the boys forward, they began their walk to the cafeteria.
“I wasn’t-” Mylo saw the look on Vi’s face and stopped talking. Ekko snickered lowly as he watched Mylo’s face deflate.
“Check this out!” Jinx plopped down on the cafeteria’s bench and shoved her phone into her family’s faces.
“Dude-”
“Just watch!” Jinx interrupted Mylo and pressed play on the video.
The footage was shaky, filmed from a bystander’s phone amidst the chaos of the bombing. Smoke clouded the frame, fires casting an eerie orange glow over the wreckage. The audio was a mess of overlapping screams, distant sirens, and the crackling of flames.
The camera focused on the ruined stage, catching Spider-Man mid-swing as she shot a web toward the collapsing structure. Her crimson and black figure darted through the frame, moving with practiced agility despite the chaos around her. The perspective shifted abruptly, zooming in on the stage where a massive piece of debris teetered above a huddled group of people.
Spider-Man appeared again, the camera struggling to follow as she shot another web, pulling the debris away just before it collapsed. The crowd scattered, revealing Caitlyn Kiramman at the center of the frame. Covered in soot and shaken, she froze as Spider-Man landed in front of her, her mask turning toward the camera for a fleeting moment.
The footage jumped, zooming awkwardly as Spider-Man grabbed Caitlyn around the waist, shooting a web upward. The two figures swung out of frame just as another explosion rocked the background, sending embers and rubble into the air. When the camera finally caught up, Spider-Man was crouched on a piece of broken scaffolding, gently setting Caitlyn down before launching back into the fray.
“That’s definitely… something.” Claggor said, trying to find the right words, but came up short—too amazed by what he saw to form a real sentence.
“I know, right!” Jinx pulled the phone away and tucked it into her bag. “It’s been going viral. I mean, all last class, everyone played it on repeat.”
“Bro, I wish I was Spider-Man. Imagine all the women that would swoon over me.” Mylo wiggled his eyebrows before taking an obnoxiously large bite of pizza. “Imagine.”
Ekko scoffed. “You wish. That would never happen.”
“Hey!” Mylo shoved Ekko’s shoulder as everyone snickered at his childish behavior.
“Mylo, if you were Spider-Man, no one would be taking videos of cool stuff you did. It would just be compilations of you being stupid.” Jinx cackled, leaning onto Claggor’s shoulder. “Like, imagine: ten minutes of Spider-Man falling on his face.” Jinx held up her hands as if she was pitching a presentation.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.” Mylo mocked his sister and flicked Ekko on the shoulder, who was still laughing—almost as hard as Jinx.
Vi laughed along as her siblings continued to tease Mylo about his dreams of being Spider-Man when a strange, familiar feeling—a sharp prickle at the back of her neck—hit her. As Caitlyn walked by her table, tray in hand, a student with a bulky backpack stepped backward without looking, bumping into Caitlyn hard enough to jolt her off balance. Vi’s body moved faster than her mind, reaching out, one hand gripping Caitlyn’s waist to steady her, the other shooting out to catch the falling tray mid-air.
By the time Caitlyn regained her footing, her tray was once again perfectly intact, her lunch saved as if the entire mishap had never happened. She blinked, staring at Vi with a mix of confusion and disbelief, her breath catching as she processed what had just occurred.
Vi’s lips quirked into a smirk as she watched Caitlyn stare at her. “Look at that, I just saved you.” Caitlyn’s cheeks flushed red as she looked away from Vi, who chuckled, catching her flushed face. “I’m like Spider-Man, but better, of course.” Vi winked at Caitlyn, whose face turned a darker shade of red.
“Well, aren’t you amazing.” Caitlyn tried to play off her situation, but Vi saw right through her—the smirk on her face growing. The two stayed in the same position, Vi’s hand around Caitlyn’s waist as Caitlyn looked up at her, dazed. Vi was still holding Caitlyn’s tray but didn’t bother to mention it.
Jayce stormed over, shoving Vi back from Caitlyn, stepping firmly between them. “What the hell are you doing, freak?” he spat, his glare sharp. “Don’t you know your place?”
Vi barely flinched, her posture relaxed as she shrugged off his push. “Chill, Talis, I was just helping her,” she replied, her tone casual and calm, hoping he’d catch the hint and back off.
“Yeah, right,” Jayce scoffed, crossing his arms. “You people always have some motive.”
Caitlyn stepped in, her grip firm as she pulled Jayce back by his sleeve. “Jayce. Enough.” Her tone was clipped but controlled, as she turned his attention to her. “She was helping me. That’s it.” Her eyes softened as they met Vi’s, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.
Jayce grumbled, his shoulders tense. “Fine. But if she tries that shit again, I’m kicking her ass.” His glare darted back to Vi, who remained impassive, her expression unreadable.
“Got it. Don’t help girl from falling,” Vi deadpanned, pretending to jot down notes on her palm. She stepped closer, unfazed by the daggers he was shooting her way. “Now, can you move? You’re blocking my seat.” Jayce stepped aside begrudgingly, and Vi dropped back into her seat, nonchalantly picking up her fork. “Besides, I’d kick your ass,” she muttered just loud enough for her friends to hear, setting off quiet snickers at the table.
Jayce spun around, his face darkening. “What was that?”
Vi leaned back, tilting her head with mock innocence. “Nothing. I think you’re hearing things. Might wanna get that checked out.”
Before Jayce could fire back, Caitlyn pulled him by the arm, guiding him firmly toward their table. As she glanced back, her expression softened again, and she mouthed a silent “thank you” to Vi.
Vi gave a subtle nod in return, her smirk hidden behind the calm she worked so hard to maintain.
“You should’ve kicked his ass. I would’ve paid to see that shit.” Mylo nudged Vi’s shoulder as she laughed at her brother’s idea.
“I’m usually against fighting, but I’m with Mylo on this one.” Claggor chuckled in agreement.
Jinx shoved a bunch of Ekko’s fries in her mouth before responding, “I call referee!”
“Well, look who’s finally home on time.” Babette’s voice came from the couch, voices from the TV murmured in the background. “I thought this day would never come.”
“Very funny, Babs.” Vi finished tucking her mask into her back pocket and walked to the kitchen. “Ooh, banana bread.” Grabbing a knife, Vi cut into the loaf sitting on the counter. It was too delicious not to eat, and Vi was starving from a night on patrol. “This is amazing.” Vi said with a mouth full. “Holy shit-”
“Language, Vi.” Babette stood up from the couch and walked over to where Vi was standing—slicing off more banana bread. “I’ve been wondering what you’ve been doing these past few weeks.” Her voice was low before pressing her lips into a thin line. “You’re out late, and sometimes you come back with cuts and bruises. What could you possibly be doing?”
“It’s nothing to worry about, Babs. I promise.” Vi brushed her off and made a beeline out of the kitchen. “I better head off to bed—school tomorrow.”
“Violet, you come back to this kitchen right now.” Babette’s calm voice rose slightly. Her piercing gaze locked on Vi, who stopped in her tracks and turned around. “You don’t get to make an excuse and leave.” Her tone returned to calm as she watched Vi sit on a kitchen chair. “Please, tell me what you’ve been doing. I’m worried about you.”
Vi looked up from fiddling with her jeans pocket and saw Babette’s eyes soften. Sighing, Vi knew there wasn't a way out of this. “I don’t know…I guess I’ve just been out.”
“Out where?”
“Just out. Out everywhere.”
“Violet, this doesn’t work if you don’t tell me.” Babette’s voice was becoming more frustrated.
“That’s the thing, Babette. I am telling you.” As much as I can—Vi could never tell her—anyone—she had to protect her family. “I’ve just been out. Everywhere. I'm pretty sure I've seen all of Piltover and Zaun by now.” Vi chuckled, hoping to ease the tension that filled the small kitchen.
“Vi, I know you’re young. I know you want to get out and be free, but you have responsibilities. Have you seen the news lately? This world is going to hell in a handbasket, and what am I supposed to do when I’m at work, and no one’s here to watch your siblings?” A deep sigh left her mouth. “We need you here, Vi.”
Vi wanted to scream—to shout at Babette that she was the one keeping her siblings safe, the one shouldering the weight of the world alone. No one was helping her, no one offering a hand to lift even a fraction of the burden. Instead, they hunted her, tracked her down like she was the villain in their story. Why? Because she was actually doing something. She was protecting the people of her city, standing between them and chaos. But instead of gratitude, she was met with suspicion, scorn, and a police force that painted her as the root of all evil. No praise, no support—just a relentless reminder that in their eyes, she would always be the problem.
Instead of telling Babette how she truly felt, Vi nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll try harder to be here. I promise.”
Babette’s mouth lifted into a grateful smile. “Thank you, Violet. I know it’s been hard since Vander left us, but I see a lot of him in you. I know what type of person you are. You have a good heart.”
“You have a good heart. Don’t ever lose it.”
Vi closed her eyes, bracing herself against the surge of memories that broke through her defenses like a relentless storm. She tried to push them back, to keep the pain at bay, but the scene unfolded vividly in her mind.
“C’mon, Vander. I know a shortcut. You know how Powder gets when we’re late,” she had said, gesturing toward the dimly lit alley across from The Last Drop. Without hesitation, she grabbed Vander’s arm and pulled him along.
“That I do, kiddo,” Vander chuckled, ruffling her hair with a warmth that made the night feel safer than it was.
The darkness was oppressive as they left the familiar glow of the bar behind. The narrow and shadowed alley loomed ahead, and the faint sounds of rustling trash and the occasional drunken shout from the bar added an uneasy edge.
“Stay close,” Vander said, his hand firm on Vi’s shoulder as they stepped deeper into the gloom.
The air grew heavier as they rounded a corner, their steps hesitant. That’s when they saw him—a man leaning casually against the wall, idly striking and extinguishing a match. The faint flicker of the flame briefly illuminated his sharp, hollow eyes.
The man straightened, his movements deliberate, as he stepped into their path. “Hand your valuables over,” he demanded, his voice low but edged with menace. A gun glinted in his hand, its barrel pointed squarely at them.
Vander didn’t flinch. He stepped slightly ahead of Vi, his broad frame shielding her. His eyes met the man’s with a calm, unshakable resolve. “I don’t think I will,” he said evenly.
The air seemed to hold its breath.
What happened next was chaos—a violent, desperate blur. Vander surged forward, grappling for the gun as the man stumbled back. The clash of bodies echoed against the tight walls, and then the deafening crack of a gunshot tore through the night.
Vander’s body went rigid, his strength suddenly gone as he leaned against the man for support. The burglar grunted, shoving him off. Vander collapsed into a filthy puddle, the murky water soaking his clothes as it rippled from the impact.
“Vander!” Vi screamed, her voice breaking as she rushed to his side. Her trembling hands dragged him from the water, the damp grime clinging to his lifeless weight. She cradled him, desperately trying to support his back as his breaths came in ragged gasps.
“Vander…” she choked, tears blurring her vision. Her arms tightened around him, as though she could keep him anchored to her.
With the last of his strength, Vander raised a shaking hand, cupping her cheek. “You’ve got a good heart,” he rasped, his voice weak but filled with certainty. “Don’t ever lose it.”
His body sagged further, and Vi guided his head into her lap, her sobs mixing with the patter of rain against the pavement.
“Hey, kid…” Vander’s voice was barely a whisper as blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. “It’ll… It’ll be okay. Take care of Powder.”
His hand slipped from her cheek, falling limp at his side. The light in his eyes dimmed, leaving only the quiet, relentless sound of rain filling the silence that followed.
Vi got off the chair and turned away from Babette, hoping she hadn’t seen the tears that glistened in her eyes. “I’ll try.” She didn’t wait for Babette to respond, walking away and trying to hide her sniffling.
“It’s all my fault.”