The alleys of Zaun twisted and turned like veins in a decaying body, the air thick with chemical fumes and the constant hum of industry. Vi led the way through the labyrinth, her jaw clenched, fists stuffed into her jacket pockets to keep herself from smashing them into the nearest wall. Caitlyn followed close behind, her rifle strapped securely to her back, her eyes flickering between Vi and the shadows around them.

"You sure this lead is solid?" Caitlyn asked, her voice steady but tinged with concern.

Vi didn’t look back. "It's Zaun. No lead's ever solid, but it’s all we’ve got."

The frustration in her voice wasn’t just about the lead—it rarely was these days. It had been bubbling beneath the surface since Caitlyn had mentioned Jinx again, dredging up memories Vi wasn’t ready to face. Not here. Not now.

They turned a corner, the dim neon light of a flickering sign illuminating the damp walls. Vi halted abruptly, her breath catching in her throat. Caitlyn nearly collided with her, stepping back in confusion as Vi stared ahead, her posture tense.

Slumped against the far wall, a figure sat in the shadows, shrouded in grime and exhaustion. At first glance, it could have been anyone—a stray junkie, another victim of Zaun’s unrelenting cruelty. But then the figure shifted, and Vi’s heart stopped.

Her older sister.

Vi blinked, half expecting the apparition to disappear. It had been so long since she’d thought of her—not because she’d forgotten, but because the pain of remembering was unbearable. Her sister looked different now, hollowed out by time and hardship.