The rain was coming down in relentless sheets, the sound of it drumming against the corrugated metal roof of the makeshift arena. Vi sat slumped in the corner, her head hanging low, the remnants of her latest opponent still fresh on her knuckles.

She barely registered the shouts and jeers of the crowd, their voices fading as she walked away— walking to the only place she knew other than the pit, the club. All she could focus on was the sickening twist of guilt in her gut, the memory of her betrayal, the way her friends had abandoned her.

Fuck it hurt-

Vi reached for the bottle of cheap whiskey beside her, her hand shaking as she brought it to her lips. The burn of the alcohol did little to numb the pain, but she welcomed it nonetheless.

She glanced up, she kept seeing the people who betrayed her into the crowd, yelling things at her. She knew they didn’t exist. But… it hurt.

Vi's vision blurred with tears, the whiskey and the pain of the past threatening to overwhelm her.

As their forms began to fade, Vi let out a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. She knew she needed to get out of here, to find someplace quiet where she could collect her thoughts. It had been happening more and more frequently lately, these hallucinations.

Vi tried to take another swig of whiskey, she welcomed the numbness it brought. It was better than feeling nothing at all then it stopped, a hand was on her bandaged wrist, pulling the drink from her hand. Vi glanced up, her eyes narrowing as she tried to recognize who put their hands on her. Her vision has hazy but she made out something in their gaze.

"What do you want?" Vi growled, her voice rough with exhaustion and alcohol. "I'm not in the mood for company." She knew it was a lie, even as the words left her mouth. The truth was, she was desperate for connection, for someone to ground her in the here and now.

She watched as they approached, their movements slow and cautious, as if they were afraid she might lash out at any moment. And maybe they were right to be wary.