Vi

I took a deep breath and clenched my shaky hands into fists before opening the door to the basement. I saw Mylo and Claggor sitting on the sofa wrapping their knuckles and grabbing weapons.

"Vi where've you been? Rumor has it the lanes are gonna fight!" Mylo said excitedly, ready to get a piece of the action.

I stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked towards my sister sitting on her bed, I don't see Layla. She must've taken Ekko home to Benzo after Vander and I left. I walked over and sat on her bed next to her, she looked at me smiling.

"Look, I made them for the Enforcers. These are smoke bombs, and those two are full of nails!" She handed me the smoke bombs and pointed at the others before chuckling and picking up another, "They're gonna work this time, I know it."

I set them down, scooting forward and putting a lock of hair behind her ear, "Me too." I handed her the toy bunny I told her about, on the roof a couple days ago. "You know, Powder, what makes you different makes you strong. Always remember that, okay?"

My voice cracked and she nodded her head as she looked down at the bunny. I got up and could feel her eyes on my back, confused as to why I was telling her this.

I wish I could tell her, but I don't want to worry her anymore.

~~~~~

I sat in a chair in Benzos shop, staring at the door waiting for them to come and get me. I sent the tube to the lady Enforcer, telling her my name and that she could collect me at Benzo's shop today. I tried to be quiet, I didn't know if Layla or Ekko was upstairs, so I made sure to be quiet since his shop is usually closed at this time.

I know she's gonna hate me. She's gonna be so angry that I didn't say goodbye, which is why I left her a note on Benzos counter. I know she'd understand and when I got out I'll explain everything and I'll kiss the life out of her until she forgives me.

I just hope she knows how much I love her.

I stood up, hearing footsteps from outside coming. This is it, for Vander. For Powder. For my Layla.

The door opened and my eyes widened, in walked Vander and Benzo. They're not supposed to be here. No, no.

"Vander, you shouldn't-" I started but he walked up to me cupping my face in both his large hands.

"You know I've always been proud of ya, right?" He asked his voice sincere and worrisome.

I swallowed, nodding once, "I'm sorry I... This is the only way to protect the others." I looked into his eyes, pleading him to try and understand.

"Vander." Benzo said as he looked out the window, Vander turned to him and then looked back at me as I put my hands on his wrists.

"You've got a good heart. Don't ever lose it. No matter how anyone else tries to break you. Take care of the family." He said as he picked me up and threw me in a dark open room and locked the door.

"What are you- No Vander please! Vander, this isn't right." I screamed as I threw all my body weight into the locked door. I faintly heard their argument and then the clatter of cuffs being put on Vander, as they walked out. I kept pleading to let me out, but stopped once I heard noises coming from outside the shop. There was a green and yellow window showing the lady enforcer yelling at someone, but as I got closer to the window blood covered the window blocking my vision. I gasped and yelled for Vander.

I heard voices coming from outside but I couldn't make out who or what they were saying. I saw Benzo walk towards someone with a pipe, ready to fight, but he was taken by an...animal. He was slaughtered just like the lady enforcer, I covered a hand over my mouth.

The animal then stalked towards Vander, his body covering Vanders, and all I saw was the animal raising his arm and striking Vander. I screamed and pounded on the window, tears streamed down my face as I realized I lost the only adult I had left in my life.

I cried and screamed and yelled and mourned, until I lost my voice and my heart shattered in my chest.

It should've been me.

~~~~~

Layla

I held a sobbing Ekko in my arms as I shielded him with my body, so he wouldn't see Benzo getting murdered out the window of our bedroom. The purple human like monster stalked towards Vander, hitting him and then dragging him away. They followed the man with one eye, his face wrinkles and his dark hair slicked back, I know him.

Silco.

Him and Vander used to be brothers, until they had a fight and it tore them apart.

I tried to fight back a sob as I lowered us both to the ground, Benzo's dead and Vander's gone. The two most important men in our lives were ripped away from us right before our eyes. God, what will the others say? Oh Vi- wait. Vi!

We saw her on the first floor before Vander threw her in the empty room, she's still there. I grabbed Ekkos hand, who was still a mess before running down the stairs to the main room in his shop. I threw open the locked door and saw a crumpled Vi sitting underneath the now bloody window.

My heart broke seeing her so disheveled, she picked her head up weakly as tears ran down her face. I held on to my brothers hand still as we walked over to Vi who stood up, meeting us halfway she pull us in for a group hug. She held the back of my head with her other arm around Ekko who cried into her shirt.

"Ben...Benzo he-," he couldn't finish his sentence because of his sobs. I gripped Vi as we held onto each other, reassuring one another that we weren't alone.

I can't believe he's gone.

"And Vander..?" Vi asked hesitantly, sounding like she already knew the answer to her question.

"They took him." I said watery, my lips quivered as I rested my head on the taller girls shoulder and turned my face towards hers. I saw a flash of hope shine in her eyes when she heard Vander was alive, she leaned her forehead against mine before asking where he was.