The Hidden Lot – 54th & Smithinson
The city outside hummed with life, oblivious to what lay beyond the invisible veil. The abandoned lot, just an urban legend to the rest of the world, was anything but empty. Inside, the VVaywards’ stronghold breathed with movement, voices, and the quiet, steady pulse of those who lived there.
The warehouse stood like a steel giant, its structure a patchwork of old industry and new survival. Beside it, the main house stretched tall, holding the lives of those who found refuge within its walls. And above it all, up on the warehouse rooftop, sat a shack so broken it barely seemed like shelter, yet inside lived a man who wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The Warehouse – Where the Work Never Stops
Down in the vehicle shop, Rider leaned over his motorcycle, wiping grease from his gloves. The engine purred, the green-and-blue machine a blur of speed and power. Across from him, Knokout was wrapping her hands, getting ready for another round in the boxing room.
“Yo, Rider,” Knokout called, adjusting her gloves. “Race me after this?”
He smirked under his helmet, giving her a thumbs-up. “Only if you don’t cry when I win.”
The library was quiet, mostly. Matt sat near the back, flipping through an old book, the ruby emblem on his belt glowing faintly. He barely noticed Amanda enter, carrying a small satchel of herbs. She placed a vial on the table beside him.
“For the headaches,” she said softly, before disappearing toward her potion shop in the house.
Matt ironhand holloway didn’t say thanks… he just nodded. That was enough.
In the weapons inventory, Swytch inspected a set of throwing knives while Raye cleaned her gun.
“You ever get tired of bullets?” Swytch asked.
Raye smirked, loading her magazine. “Not when they get the job done.”
From the bunkrooms, the soft murmurs of children could be heard. Doc moved through the rows of beds, checking on the ones she had saved. Some were reading, some whispering about the VVaywards they admired most. She paused when she reached one little girl clutching a stuffed bear.
“You’re safe here,” Doc said, brushing the girl’s hair from her eyes.
The girl nodded, and Doc moved on.
The Main House – Where the VVaywards Live
The kitchen was chaos. Mike stood at the stove, flipping pancakes while Whisper tried to juggle a carton of eggs. Kyra leaned against the counter, sipping coffee, while Detective sat at the table, legs kicked up, reading an old case file.
“Whisper, if you drop those eggs, I swear—” Mike started.
They slipped. They cracked. Whisper gave him a sheepish grin.
Kyra snorted. “Yeah, that’s about right.”
The entertainment room was packed. Captain lounged on the couch, a glowing monocle casting eerie light across Her face. Suicyde King stood by the old jukebox, messing with the buttons until a song finally played, something rough, old, and loud. Logan sat in the corner, barely moving, his axe leaned against the wall.
Raye walked through, catching Will’s eyes.
“Rematch soon?” she teased.
Will grinned. “Depends. You gonna let me dodge this time?”
She only laughed before heading toward the stairs.
The Shack – Where the World is Watched
Up on the warehouse rooftop, in the cold night air, sat Will’s shack. It was a mess, cigarette butts scattered across the floor, beer cans kicked into corners, and fifteen different TVs, each playing a different VHS tape. Static, gunfights, old detective flicks, and horror movies flickered across the screens.
Will came up and sat on his busted couch, boots propped up, watching everything and nothing at the same time.
A pair of rollerblades clicked on the rooftop.
Whisper.
She plopped down beside him, pulling a blanket around her shoulders. The calico cat—her old cat, now Will’s—curled up between them.
“You ever gonna clean up in here?” she asked.
“Nah,” Will muttered. “Gives the place character.”
She shook her head but didn’t argue. Instead, she watched the TVs with him, comfortable in the quiet.
Down below, the VVaywards moved through their home. They laughed, fought, trained, and lived.
The world outside didn’t know about them.
But they were here.
And they weren’t going anywhere.