Update: 1/2/2010
I haven't forgotten about this fic. Just... Distracted and slightly less interested in it than I used to be. I will return to it thought when I get time. Cheers!
Madelyn awoke with a jolt. What was that? She laid still, listening for any sounds beyond her own shaky breathing. The air was still and all was silent as she glanced wildly around the room, searching for the cause of her arousal. Something wasn't right. She could feel it. She stood silently and moved to her closed door. She listened, anticipating, praying for the sounds of little feet padding through the hallway. Then she heard it again: heavy footsteps outside her doorway, moving quietly down the hall to Lily's room. No!
She flung herself back to the bed, diving under her mattress for the loaded pistol that awaited her. Her heart pounded in hear ears, her breathing frantic and her fingers fumbling to switch off the safety. She never thought she would have to use this. In fact, Adrian had assured her that she never would. Not in this neighborhood. Not in his apartment complex. He had promised her. She swiped tears away from her face, furious and terrified that she once again found herself in a situation that she was completely without control, even behind the trigger of a gun.
She tiptoed towards her bedroom door and opened it slowly, thanking whatever gods existed that it didn't make a sound. Trying desperately to steady her trembling hands, she looked both ways down the hall. There was nothing but... Lily's bedroom door was open, which made her heart drop to her feet in fear. She felt her breath hitch in a silent sob as she inched her way down the hall. She listened intently for anything that would give away the intruder. She turned into Lily's room, swinging the gun around furiously, ready to fire into the shadows. But there was nothing. He, whoever he was, was gone... No, no he isn't, she told herself. She could still feel him, somewhere in the apartment.
Against her better judgment, she left Lily alone and went off to search the rest of the flat. She passed by the kitchen and then made her way to the living room, finding nothing. She stood in the dining room, helplessly fingering the rough grip of the pistol, trying to recount what she had heard. Had she dreamed it? She could hardly remember what she had been dreaming about now in her groggy state. Was it all in her head? More dimmed memories of harsher times cropping back up to haunt her? It was funny, she felt less secure now than she had then. She took a deep breath, the first one she had allowed herself in what seemed like hours, and let it out. It'll all be okay, her mind echoed, just as it had back then, back when--
A hand reached around from behind her and snatched the gun out of her loose grip. Her eyes grew wide, her scream silenced by the large rough hand that clamped over her mouth, pulling her hard against the chest that belonged to her assailant. She thrashed wildly, trying to break free but was quickly restrained by another firm arm, crushing the air right out of her. "Shhh!" a low voice growled in her ear. She screamed again, unheard, and the voice commanded a little bit softer, "It's me, Maddie. Shhh..." And then he let her go.
She whipped around to face her attacker, stumbling back into the kitchen, reaching for something else to use to defend herself with. His words didn't register as the only thing her mind could comprehend was, I have to protect Lily! I have to protect Lily! She nearly screamed bloody murder again when she saw him move back to the hallway, but when he reach out to turn on the light, she stopped, frozen to the spot. His form was silhouetted by the light behind him, illuminating his features just enough to be seen. Madelyn dropped the phone book that she had been about to hurl at him, recognizing him but not believing it. Tendrils of bright red hair framed a pale gaunt face that she knew all too well. His solemn blue eyes caught in the light as he glanced toward her.
"Oh, my god," she cried breathlessly. "Rorschach!" And without a moment's hesitation, she rushed into his open arms.