Chapter 25: Welcome to the Playground

Orion sat on the couch in the gang's hideout, bandaged and bruised, looking irritated at Vi. She sat on the armchair with her arms crossed defensively. A guilty expression, mixed with sadness, lingered on her face, but she neither spoke nor met his gaze.

Previously, Vander instructed Mylo and Claggor to support Orion, draping his arms over their shoulders as they made their way back to the Last Drop. He stayed behind to "clean up", offering no further explanation. 

Orion wasn't mad because of the Old Hungry incident anymore- he was frustrated because he couldn't find a moment to heal himself. His suffering persisted because the gang wouldn't give him a minute alone. Granted, after the adrenaline faded, none of the claw marks were very serious, aside from a few that received stitches from his kit.

"At least they care," Orion thought, sighing aloud as his gaze shifted up to the ceiling.

He caught a nervous side glance from Powder, who sat next to him. She was hunched over, quietly knitting rough patches into his jacket on her lap where the creature had torn through. Orion couldn't help but ruffle her hair again, though it did little to change her somber demeanor.

The sound of whispers and metallic clicks drew his attention to the boys across the table.

Contrary to the ladies, the boys were the complete opposite. Mylo held Orion's gun with both hands, the chamber open as the two stared into it.

"How did you get your hands on a real gun?" Claggor asked curiously, leaning forward to get a closer look.

"I'd tell you, but Vander would kill me." Orion chuckled weakly, his gaze flicking toward the gun with a pondering expression. He added, "Careful snapping it back- it hurts a lot more if your fingers get caught."

Upon hearing this, Mylo's eyes darted up to Orion innocently, then back to the gun.

Claggor, however, couldn't resist. He suddenly jerked his hand upward toward the gun's barrel, causing Mylo to panic and twist away with a startled yelp.

"Jerk!" Mylo snapped, glaring at Claggor as he slowly untwisted his body. Everyone collectively let out a small laugh except Vi, of course, who continued to sulk.

"I-I'm sorry everyone," Vi's broken voice finally emerged. "That was dangerous and stupid- I'm sorry."

"Are you kidding?" Mylo said, one eyebrow raised. He paused, his grip on the gun tightening briefly before flicking a glance at Orion. "Well- maybe a little. But there's always a risk, right?" He added hastily without remorse, "We scored a nice haul."

Claggor shoved Mylo's shoulder roughly, giving him a sharp glare. "Orion was hurt. If it wasn't for him, we could've died! Powder could've died!" 

Mylo softly rubbed his shoulder, a guilty glance flicking between Orion's bandaged figure and Powder seated beside him, before his voice dropped to a mutter. "Yeah... My bad."

A gloomy atmosphere settled back into the room before Orion, in a forced upbeat tone, exclaimed, "We made it back, that's all that counts." He rolled his head to rest his gaze on Vi again, "And we've learned, right?"

"Right," Vi muttered, her gaze cast downward in gloom. "I get it. I messed up. I should've listened to you." She hesitated before continuing, her tone firm but laced with regret. "I was trying to prove to myself- to all of you, to you... but I almost got everyone hurt."

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "It won't happen again."

"You're right, it won't."

A deep, rumbling voice rolled through the room like a boulder. Vander stood there again, arms crossed, and with an expression that blended disappointment with anger.

"Everyone else out." His gaze swept over the gang, flicking briefly to Orion who started to move. "You stay too."

Orion froze mid-motion, and after a momentary pause, apprehensively settled back into the couch. He heard the distinct clunk of his weapon being set down on the table, followed by the shuffling of feet as the boys and Powder quietly made their way out.

Powder didn't even glance back, he noted with a sinking feeling.

Without saying a word, Vi changed seats to the couch across from Orion. Vander remained silent as he went to sit in the armchair, the only noise being the door closing behind the kids.

"What were you trying to prove?" Vander demanded, his tone cold and firm.

"You said I needed to show myself as a leader!" Vi shot out, her jaw tight as she clenched her fists. "Then you put Orion in the group- how am I supposed to do that if he keeps butting in?"

"I shouldn't be hearing this..." Orion grimaced internally, noting her contrasting words to the group earlier and now. Vander's vision, living up to his reputation as the hound, caught Orion's expression and he growled, "You were supposed to help keep them out of trouble."

Orion returned a look of incredulity, gesturing at his injuries, "I did! And I tried! Sorry, am I supposed to die in the process too?" He spat venomously at the end.

"You're smart," Vander retorted, his tone sharp. "You knew it was dangerous before you stepped foot down there. BOTH OF YOU!" He roared at the end. Orion flinched, and Vi to cowered away, bringing her knees up like Powder, as if to shield herself.

A long silence hung in the room before Vander sighed deeply, leaning back into the armchair.

"Start from the beginning. Tell me everything, Vi."

Vi quietly told the story from her huddled posture, lacing it with regret at different points. The westside kids mocked them, calling them "Vander's puppies" and "too scared without him", the dangerous journey through the Black Lanes, and the Old Hungry. By the end Vander had his eyes shut with frustration, the deep wrinkles on his forehead showing his rising stress levels.

"How long will you be gone, Orion?" Vander suddenly asked, eyes still closed. "At your- new job."

Orion blinked, confused as to how he already knew about his gig topside. "There is no way he knows about 'C', right?" he pondered to himself briefly. When Vander's eyes slowly started to open, however, he quickly replied, "Two or three days at a time depending. Why?"

Orion spotted Vi's glance between them, a brief expression of annoyance crossed her face before shifting back down. Vander didn't break eye contact with Orion, however, and spoke in a steady tone. "You'll be in charge while you're here."

"What?!" Vi protested, bolting to her feet with discontent and anger plain on her face. "It was an accident! I know the gr-"

"How many 'accidents' will it take for you to avoid almost killing your friends? Your family? Powder?" Vander cut in sharply. Vi's protest was silenced, though her defiant posture remained before she slid back into her seat, her gaze no longer regretful but resentful.

"For a few weeks, until you learn control and patience, Orion will be in charge while he's around," Vander said in a concluding tone, standing up as if to cement it. "While he's gone, you'll be back in charge. Orion could still learn a thing or two from you too."

He smirked, giving Orion a knowing side glance. "Try and get along." Vander mused aloud before opening the door. Faint yelps and a squeak echoed from beyond the door before it closed behind him.

"Ah fuck." Orion cursed internally. Vi's glare snapped up to him instantly, her expression seething, looking ready to fight.

"We have a hideout south of here. Let's settle this there." Vi hissed through gritted teeth, her voice resentful. She violently pushed herself up from the couch, fists still clenched, completely ignoring the fact that Orion was still bandaged and bruised.

"Settle what?" Orion smirked, a wry smile curling on his face. "Do you think a fistfight will change Vander's decision?" He couldn't help but enjoy the moment, seeing Vi's feeling of helplessness, and knowing her turmoil from first hand experience.

Still, he knew it couldn't go on any longer and knowing Vi's personality, it would. With a heavy sigh, he slowly pushed himself from the couch, "Let's do it."

Brief shock flashed across Vi's face before she doubled down, her jaw tightening as she leaned in aggressively, locking eyes with Orion in defiance. 

Another wry smile as Orion's gaze shifted slowly back to the door and spotted the gang peeking through a crack with wide eyes. He hummed to himself, dismissing Vi's challenging gaze, and walked calmly toward the door.

"Welcome to the Playground."