Layla

I laid on my side, hugging my knees to my chest, curled into a ball on the ratty old couch in Ekko and I's bedroom. I don't know how long it's been since the explosion, but I haven't left the safety of this room since. Ekko has been coming and going, he likes to go on walks to look for new hideouts and parts he can find to build his gadgets.

Him and Powder always had so much in common, they were both truly gifted when it came to building and fixing things. He's been taking everything really well, much better than me, he keeps himself busy so he's not wallowing in his grief. He's out now, saying he was going to find me something to cheer me up. He always knows to bring a weapon when I'm not with him so I know he's fine since he knows how to defend himself. Plus he gets mad when I worry about him going around the city alone, so me not hovering is actually a blessing for him.

I know I'm an awful person for not cheering Ekko up and reassuring him everything will be okay, he's been doing it to me all this time when it should be the other way around. I just can't get myself up, I never grieved much after I lost all my memories because I didn't remember anything or anyone I loved. But mostly because I was surrounded by Benzo and everyone else, they helped me forget the things I couldn't remember and focus on making new memories. But now, it's controlling every part of me, I can't get out of bed but I haven't slept much because all I see is everyone lying on the ground after the building blew up. We took some food from Vanders bar and have been stealing some from Benzo's pantry downstairs, but I only eat when Ekko eats with me. Since my injuries no longer hurt every time I shift on the couch, my body is healing but my heart still sulks in misery.

I hate this, this isn't me. I'm not weak, I shake things off and get my shit together, it's how it's always been. But I feel empty, a huge piece of me is missing and I don't know how to fix it or move through it.

I've heard corruptions outside the building on the streets, some are joyous and others are angry and full of hatred. Silco has most likely taken over the Undercity now that Vander's gone, it doesn't seem like the people are taking it well. My boss, Dominique, at the club knows what happened and even though she loses money when I'm not there she wants me to take my time while getting through losing everyone. Or at least that's what Ekko said a week ago when he said he went to my job, there is no way I could gather up the strength to perform. I hum to myself before bed, the lullaby Powder and Vi taught me. It calms Ekko down and helps him fall asleep, it relaxes me the slightest bit and sometimes I'm able to hum myself to sleep, but it never lasts long.

Ekko burst into the room breathing heavily, making me jump slightly. I continued to stare at the same spot on the floor stained with dirt from Ekkos boots, but he crouched down in front of me invading my eyesight. I looked up, seeing excitement for the first time in a long time shining in his eyes.

He looked like he was going to shoot rainbows out of his ass when he screamed, "Layla I have to show you something, it's amazing and it will definitely cheer you up! Come on!"

He grabbed my arm and started pulling, making me sit upright, my head spun from the fast motion making me realize I hadn't eaten anything yet. When I didn't move to stand up he turned around and started gathering our important belongings in different bags.

"We can't stay here and you know it, I just need you to listen to me. I found a place that we can stay at that Silco won't take over, he's gonna come up here any day now and we can't be sitting ducks when that happens." He shoved both of our hammocks and belongings in three bags, hoisting one over his shoulder before coming back in front of me. He put my face in his hands before looking me in the eyes, he spoke softly as he said, "I know it hurts, I know you miss her, I do too. We're both grieving and it's gonna take a long time before the thought of them stops hurting. But I'm gonna be a pain in your ass and I'm gonna push you to get back to reality, now is that time La La. I am always with you, nothing is gonna change that, so believe me when I say I found something to motivate us. So grab a damn bag, get dressed and follow me to our next step."

I put my hands on his wrists, my eyes beginning to water as I laughed dryly, "When did you start being the adult?" My voice hoarse as I smiled sadly at him, he was right as always.

He pulled me to my feet before rolling his eyes, "You do know you're only a year older than me right? Plus you've been a couch potato for the past 3 weeks so, yeah, I'm adulting you."

I chuckled, shoving his shoulder away before grabbing my favorite jacket, with different colors from all the patches I used to cover the holes, and my leather leggings to get dressed. "Whatever, but I'm showering first."

~~~~~

"Come on it's down here!" Ekko said bouncing with excitement as he carried his bag, leading me to his surprise.

I'm glad he was happy, his happiness has always been so contagious just like his laugh. He's so brave and stubborn as hell, I'm glad I have him because without him I think I'd die of a broken heart. Now that I'm finally up and moving, I don't want to lay back down and do nothing. I want to kill the bastard for what he's done, I've never been a violent person when I didn't need to be.

But now I'm filled with so much anger that I'm gonna enjoy killing him slowly.

Ekko walked briskly ahead of me, going up to the end of the tunnel and starting to push at it. I was gonna ask what he was doing, but the door started to give and he pushed it the tiniest bit open. He crawled through and waved at me to follow, I didn't hesitate to crawl through the opening after him.

I was temporarily blinded from the bright light shining above, it took a minute for my eyes to adjust before they widened at the view before me.

A huge, healthy tree sat in the middle of the dome shaped room. Its fat trunk led up to green leaves covering the top of it, the area was big and open as it surrounded the tree. It was completely enclosed and must've been unknown to the other citizens of the Underground.

I dropped the two heavy bags on the dirt and gasped as I covered my mouth with my hands. I know trees exist up in Piltover, but I would've never imagined one this ginormous growing down here and living. I was mesmerized as I continued to stare up at it.

"SURPRISE!!" Ekko screamed as I tore my eyes off the tree to look at him. The little shit was standing there with his arms out in front of him, presenting the tree to me.

"Holy shit E, this is incredible! How did you find this?" I asked astonished, he chuckled lightly before looking down and kicking some of the dirt.

"Well ha, actually I was getting chased by these two guys this morning and stumbled across this tunnel. I ran down it and lost them, but I saw the wall at the end was a door and I opened it and then bam!" He said quickly as he saw my face grow annoyed that he hadn't told me some punks tried screwing with him. But I was too tired to argue with him, so he took my silence as a sign to continue.

"We can build a rebellion Lay, you know people from the club that need a home and I know people from the junkyard. We'll fight back, we're not gonna watch him ruin everything Vander built for us."

For the first time in weeks I felt hopeful and optimistic, he's right. "But first we have to plan how we're gonna make this work, I mean we don't have a lot of money E."

"What about the savings you've been keeping aside all these years for us?" Ekko asked as we stared at the huge tree looming over us, trying to figure out what to do next.

"I mean sure, but if we're starting a rebellion we need more than that. It'll last us a couple months, but not any longer. I mean this tree kind of helps us out a lot, the air in here smells really fresh and since it's healthy we can use the water it gives off." I said picturing tree houses we could build to house us and the people we take in.

"And we can use the money from your work to come up with food. It could work! But what would our name be?" Ekko asked thinking hard, I almost laughed at how serious he looked before I saw a green light out the corner of my eyes.

A little lightning bug landed on my outstretched hand and I smiled, "Firelights, our rebellion will be called the Firelights."

Ekko bounced with excitement as he pulled my arm, talking a mile a minute about what he was thinking of making for us.