*Peaks out from hiding place* Heeeey guys. I'm so so so sorry for not posting anything in FOREVER! Real life constantly got in the way, and I just lost inspiration to write anything. For those that have been following Dangerous Game, if you guys are still there, I promise I will get back to it eventually, I just don't know when. I'm super sorry! But moving on, I finally started writing again, and I got really inspired by the Netflix series Daredevil. Charlie Cox is my dream guy *heart eyes* The show and the main character himself gave me so many ideas and this one was just dying to come alive! I hope you enjoy this story, it's canon divergent, so you don't HAVE to have followed the show in order to know what's happening, but it helps to know the characters. This was also heavily inspired by the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, there will be dark themes of violence including spousal abuse, so please refrain from reading if this sort of thing isn't your cup of tea. Enough of my rambling, on with the story!

Chapter 1: A New Start

As my new landlord walked out of my apartment after handing me the keys, I took what felt like the first real breath I've had in a long time. I took a moment to truly observe the surroundings of my new apartment. It's surprisingly very spacious for the cheap rent I have to pay. Already furnished too. One less thing to worry about. I didn't even mind the mismatched second hand furniture. In fact, I found it appealing and refreshing after years of everything having to be in perfect, precise order.

He would hate this place.

No, Li- Iris. Don't think about him. You're thousands of miles away from him now. He has no idea. He can't control you anymore. He'll never find you here, you're safe.

I pushed the nagging thoughts aside as I explore my apartment. I can see the sun beginning to set, the lights from the billboard across the street becoming more prominent, no wonder the apartment is so cheap. I turned towards the doorway on my left leading to what I assume to be the bedroom.

Sure enough, in the center of the room lied a queen sized bed with a mattress that was passable, but had definitely seen better days. No sheets or bedspread. I didn't have to look in the bathroom behind me to know that there were no towels.

Looks like I'll have to go shopping.

The sudden rumbling of my stomach reminded me that I would need to get more than just linens on my shopping trip. Guess I can't put it off till tomorrow like I was planning on doing after all.

I entered the bathroom and checked myself in the mirror for the first time since I arrived in the city. The dark circles under my eyes were clear as day showing the exhaustion from the three day bus ride among other things. My blue eyes showing more years than my actual age, yet the dull lifelessness behind them is slowly but surely starting to fade away into the light glow they used to possess. The bruise at my temple and the cut on my bottom lip were still visible on my fair skin, but will soon fade away just like the others. Last thing I looked over was my hair that now sat above my shoulders. I've never had it this short before. I'm amazed at how straight I had managed to cut it considering how much of a rush I was in. I need to get some hair dye while I'm out, I thought to myself as I looked at my blonde locks. Can never be too careful.

With my mental shopping list in place, I walked out of the bathroom and made my way through the living room to grab the keys and backpack I had set on the counter. I took one more look at my new home and walked out the door.

It's a foreign feeling to call this strange new place my home now. Yet at the same time, it feels right. It's the first thing to truly call my own. The house I had lived in before was anything but Home. It was nothing but a gilded Cage; my own personal hell that I stayed trapped in long enough. My prison that I escaped.

I was too lost in my thoughts to pay attention to my surroundings, that I was too late to stop from bumping into what felt like a wall of pure muscle. I stumbled backing away from the stranger, nearly tripping over my own feet.

"Oh, excuse me," I started to say, only to stop dead in my tracks when I finally looked at the dark haired man wearing a grey suit, his back facing me as he's leaning down to pick up a white cane- oh fuck my life, he's blind!

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed as I rushed to pick up his cane for him. "I'm so so sorry, sir, that was all my fault! I wasn't watching where I was going. I didn't mean to steamroll into you and make you drop your cane, oh God I'm so going to Hell." I rambled like an idiot as I handed him his cane back.

The sound of his laughter stopped me from embarrassing myself even further with my rambling. I took a moment to finally see his face and my breath stuck in my throat.

To say he was gorgeous would be the understatement of the century. His height towered over my 5'2 frame, his dark hair looked so soft, my fingers tingled with the need to touch it. His eyes were covered by the dark red lenses of his sunglasses, I was curious to see what color they were. The most breathtaking thing of all was his smile that seemed to light up his entire face, causing my heart to practically beat out of my chest.

I quickly snapped out of my trance to listen to the words coming from his perfect full red lips, "It's perfectly alright, miss. I managed to survive unscathed." He joked. Oh God, his deep voice was rich and smooth like caramel. Focus, damn it!

"Well, all the same, I'm sorry. My brain was miles away." I replied in a nervous giggle. "Won't happen again, I promise."

"I'll have to have that in writing then. Knocking down a blind man is a very serious offense, and documented evidence holds up well in court." He stated with a dry tone and a smirk on his perfect face.

I had no idea how the hell to respond to that. I'm so embarrassed and on edge, I can't tell if he's joking or not.

He showed mercy upon me after I was rendered speechless for too long. "I'm kidding," he chuckled, "Sorry, my blind lawyer jokes tend to catch people off guard."

I let out a sigh of relief and allowed myself to laugh at the situation.

"A lawyer, huh? I guess I better stay on your good side or you will sue me." I replied jokingly.

He was quick to respond, "Actually for safety reasons, you should probably stay on your side to avoid a lawsuit."

Oh this guy was cheeky, I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, duly noted."

"You just moved in, right?" He asked me with interest.

"Yup, near the end of the hall." I gestured behind me.

He nodded in approval, "I guess that makes us neighbors then," he held his hand out towards me, "Matt Murdock, I live next door to you."

I reached out to his waiting hand, my pulse racing as his hand grasped mine in a firm yet gentle handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Murdock,"

"Please, call me Matt. 'Mr. Murdock' makes me feel old." He smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Matt." I replied.

"And do I get to know the name of my would-be assailant?" He asked in jest.

I let out a chuckles reply, "I guess so. My name's Li-"

No, you idiot!

I cleared my throat as my heart practically jumped in it. Matt tilted his head in either concern or suspicion, I couldn't tell which.

"Iris. My name's Iris."

Matt looked skeptical as he nodded and smiled, "Nice to meet you, Iris."

The slip up sobered me up instantly. Reminding me of my situation. Matt has me at ease so quickly and easily, I had let my guard down too much. I was too comfortable around this guy, and that'll make me too sloppy! What if I slip up again? I could accidentally give away some things that are meant to stay buried.

My palms were sweating, my heart racing for a whole other reason. I had to abort this conversation now.

"Well, I've taken up enough of your time, Matt. It was very nice to meet you, sorry again for bumping into you. Have a good night, gotta go, byeeee!" I spat out as I speed walked to the stairwell, not giving him a chance to speak.

Goddamnit. That could've gone better. How could I be so careless? I need to be on my guard at all times and not draw too much attention to myself, it's not safe enough to be this comfortable yet!

Stay focused Iris. You can't lose your head over the first guy you meet just because he's attractive and seems nice. You've put yourself through that before and look where it got you. Be smart.

With that mindset back in place, I exited the apartment building to take care of my shopping, hoping to keep Matt Murdock off my mind.

Hope you guys liked the first chapter! Until next time!

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