The gunshot echoed, her pistol smoking. The bullet ricocheted off its face and shattered a pipe along one of the nearby buildings, releasing a violent hiss of steam.
The demonic creature stood completely unharmed. Its mouth, a row of jagged, lipless teeth, curved slightly open almost as if mocking her.
Jinx's breath hitched.
Those words, the low voice, something about it had shaken her subconscious, stirring fear and memories she didn't want to see. Instinct took over before reason could catch up. She gasped, then fired twice more. Both bullets ricocheted uselessly off it as distant explosions from the fires continued to rumble through the streets.
"It's too late now," the creature said, shaking its head. Its ominous gaze slid past her toward the dancing lights of the flames behind her.
"Don't steal the Hextech Gem, Powder."
Her eyes went wide.
"How— My name is Jinx!" she snapped, the word bursting out like a reflex and declaration.
When the creature took a slow step forward, she reacted on instinct and pulled a grenade from her belt, gripping it tight.
It stopped.
Jinx exhaled, her shoulders tense. Whatever it was, it seemed to understand what she held and it hesitated.
"Bedtime stories are supposed to be fake," she muttered under her breath, half hysterical and half trying to convince herself. She began carefully backing away, eyes darting between the monster and burning street behind her.
"Don't steal it," the creature repeated sinisterly. "I can help you free your sister. I can tell you how to find Vander."
"My sister's dead! Vander's dead!" Jinx shouted back, voice cracking with anger and panic.
It's lying! she thought, clutching the grenade tighter. It's trying to mess with me! Playing the trickster, the monster under my bed!
Her head throbbed, flashes of Mylo and Claggor's faces flickering in her mind. They were laughing and mocking her, voices overlapping like a broken record.
That's right, Jinx! You killed us!
You killed us all!
YOU KILLED US!
She screamed, clutching her head as if to shake their voices loose before breaking into a sprint toward the academy's portico.
If nothing else, she needed that gem. She had to prove she could still do something right, prove to Silco that she was useful. She was strong, she was wanted!
A quick glance back filled her with dread and anger. The figure, that thing dredging up everything she wanted to forget, was walking calmly after her.
Its gaze locked on her like a predator stalking prey, its mouth open just enough to show those sharp teeth, as if savoring every second.
It's lying! I knew it!
---------------
Xander rubbed the part of the mask where the bullets had impacted. There weren't any dents or damage. Truthfully, he'd been terrified the moment the gun fired. But after trailing her with his mouth open, wanting to say more, and seeing Caitlyn collapse with a terrified look, he figured it was better to simply catch up.
I don't know if it's the mask that protected me, he thought. I don't want to test the theory with a grenade just yet.
He watched her on the verge of throwing it before she bolted. Now she was scrambling at the door lock, working it in seconds and then darting inside.
Is it the mask or me that's bulletproof? he continued to wonder. I don't know… I can't risk taking it off with her ready to shoot or blow me up.
He knew Jayce and Viktor's office overlooked the square as he stepped inside. Two security guards groaned on the ground and another lay farther down near the stairs.
Sighing, he followed.
Another unconscious guard. Then another, as he climbed two flights and peered down a hallway toward a gilt door adorn in gold.
That must be it, he thought, remembering the large windows overlooking everything. As if to answer him, lights flickered beneath the decorated doors.
----------------
A way out. I need a way out.
Grabbing the Hextech gemstone, a round, shining blue orb, along with scattered research papers from the desk, she shoved everything into her satchel. Her objective had changed.
Jinx tore through the office, throwing papers, ripping books from shelves, rifling through drawers for any kind of secret exit. She vaulted onto the desk by the window to peer over but the drop to the street was straight down.
Panic rose in her chest. She crouched and scanned the floor, eyes darting for vents or a trapdoor.
Why did that ugly bastard have to show up now?! Everything would've gone perfect- none of this is my fault! None of it!
Lighting a small torch from her belt for a better view, her eyes caught the glint of metal grating just before the door. The white flames sparkled, illuminating the screws and lip of a manhole cover.
The problem was time and the creak of the door opening meant she was out of it.
The dark figure loomed in the doorway. It said nothing, only stared with those vengeful eyes before stepping inside and slamming the door shut.
Her breath hitched. She stepped back, fumbling at her belt again as it crouched and looked down at the grate and she grabbed the grenade.
"Wait!" the figure shouted, raising a hand to its face.
Jinx froze, fingers trembling on the pin. Her gaze flicked between the grenade and the manhole. The voice, distorted and layered, echoed through the room.
"It's a mask! A mask!"
Her expression shifted from surprise first to confusion. A shimmer rippled through the figure as he pulled what became a demonic-looking mask away from his face. His body slimmed, hands normal, human.
No jutting bone or glowing eyes. Just a normal, black haired young man.
"But… I shot you?" she blurted, disbelief mixing with suspicion.
"It's magic."
She blinked, caught off guard. "You're kidding, right? Magic?"
"Don't throw the grenade," he said calmly but kept the mask next to his face. "It'll alert every Enforcer in the square to our location."
"Why wouldn't I?!" she snapped, voice cracking between anger and panic.
"You followed me here! You've been lying and-" she gestured broadly at his face.
"This is one hell of a reverse freak show!"