As Tom turned more to the dark side, so did his job choice. The bakery was a mere cover-up for what he really did within the flat. He was a drug dealer. This made Marienette sick to think of how many lives he had ruined other than her own.
Some nights her father would bring her with him, like some eye-candy. Mari would have to wear revealing clothes and stand out in the cold without a coat. Tom didn't care, people would approach him and he could sell more.
Tonight was one of those nights. A black crop top and short pencil skirt was thrown on her bed. Mari dressed accordingly and wore her hair down- Tom said she didn't look as ugly that way.
"Right bitch lets go," Tom growled, tugging her out of the apartment," We have got to go to some clubs- its a long night so you better be bloody ready,"
Marienette nodded and was dragged into a car. It had blacked out windows and midnight paint. An outdated model than ran roughly. It did the job and got them to places, it was enough for the girl.
A loud club was were they arrived. It had a red neon sign that read 'Blue Carpet'. A long line wrapped around the building as teens eagerly awaited to get in. The bouncer wore a stern and emotionless face.
They got out of the car and headed down an alleyway. Tom made sure not to grip Marienette too hard under the watchful eye of the bouncer. Well at least not until they were in the alley. He roughly shoved her into the dumpster, awaiting his client.
"Give him five min- Ahh Javier you are here," Tom said happily.
A man in a black hoodie and denim jeans stood in the front of the alley. He started staring at Marienette with a disturbing lust in his eyes. She felt uncomfortable and shifted under his gaze.
"How much for the girl?" Javier asked.
Tom crossed his arms and looked at Marienette," A thousand for a quickie round the alley,"
Mari felt her throat go dry. She couldn't speak as Javier advanced on her. His breath reeked of alcohol and his eyes were blood shot. High and drunk- great! He roughly grabbed Marienette and took her down a turning in the alley.
Fear wasn't an accurate word- nothing was. Javier pushed her against the wall and exammined her body with a revolting desire. She tried to run away but he was incredibly strong- his arms held her in place.
"You and me are gonna have some fun," Javier cooed into her ears, Mari gagged.
She felt him grab her skirt. Mari bit her tongue and closer her eyes, freezing up with the thought of what might happen. But nothing ever came, in fact she couldn't even feel him touching her.
Marienette opened her eyes to see a boy in a black cat-suit beating up her attacker. The 'hero' (she still didn't know if this guy was trustable) managed to knock Javier out cold. His emerald green eyes landed onto Mari, concern brewed in them.
He began to approached her, Mari sunk to the floor and her eyes went wide. She looked like a frightened rabbit, it was a strange sight. Surely someone isn't afraid of the hero who rescued them?
"There is no need to be scared- my name is Chat Noir," He explained," What is yours?"
Marienette was still, she felt like she couldn't speak," Mari...nette,"
Chat stepped closer to her, reaching out his arm to help her- she flinched," Please don't hurt me! I won't let it happen again,"
The cat-suit hero couldn't lie, his heart strangely tightened when she mumbled those words. This was the girl from his class- the one who left in a panic attack. Marienette this scared was something he never wanted to see again. Chat had a strange desire to protect the girl.
"Come on Little Lady-"
Marienette tensed at the name, memories of sleepless nights and harsh beatings surfaced," Please don't call me that- it brings back bad memories,"
Chat felt his tail droop, her turned his head to the side," Okay then Princess lets get you out of here,"
"How can I trust that you won't hurt me?" Mari asked," How do I know you won't do what they all do?"
The hero thought for a moment," Would you rather be with someone who can save you or a guy like the one who tried to attack you?"
Marienette got up a bit more, her hand was still stuck the wall alongside her back. It was progress, Char had to remind himself. Maybe the stress of the situation made her act like this- that is a good explanation.
"I guess I can trust you to walk me home," Mari reasoned, Chat nodded.
He went to take her hand but she trembled when trying to take it," Okay then- come on!"
She was off of the wall and following him. It was a mission well accomplished. Chat swayed his fake tail as the pair walked through the streets. Marienette tried her best to hide herself, the clothes were atrocious. Her discomfort to everything was concerning, to say the least.
"Here um... we are. Yeah," She awkwardly said, twiddling her thumbs," It is best if you don't come in. Thanks,"
A cold night chill whipped Chat as he watched his Princess timidly walk into her own home. She shouldn't act like that going home after a traumatising event! There should be a rush to get in to be held by loving arms. Granted, Chat's father wasn't the best but at least he would of cared.
Once she was safely inside, Chat felt his ring beep. He had to leave. With a quick glance to the building his Princess had just entered, he left.
—
Marienette told her mother about what happened. Sabine never really was one to show emotions, the girl couldn't tell if she cared or not. Her question was answered when Mari finished her story, her mother simply got up and walked to the sink. Tears stung the ravenette's eyes.
Before she could call her mother out on it, Mari heard a car door being slammed shut. Sabine dropped the cup she was holding into the sink. Both of the women wore pale white expression as angry footsteps came closer and closer. They glanced at each other as the door flew open.
It felt as though Mari was wearing something bright red, and had an angry bull chasing after her. Tom's face went a crimson colour in pure anger. He didn't hold back as he gripped his daughter and dragged her upstairs.
"The one way you could of successfully made me money!" Tom shouted, kicking her in the knees so she fell to the ground," Javier told me about your hero- he aint her now though is he?"
Tom proceeded to do what he did best, be a monster. Mari cradled herself to sleep on the blanketless bed. At least Tikki was there to comfort her. The little red kwami did her best to rub her chosen's back soothingly.
"You really should tell someone Marienette," Tikki suggested.
The girl sighed, turning to face her kwami," Tikki people see us as a big happy family- who will believe me? My dad always waves up some excuse if I forget to cover-up a certain bruise. He once said I got into a fight with someone at a club! The horrible thing is, it worked!"
"Okay Mari I get it- just be safe," Tikki sighed.
As the pair chatted a little dark butterfly flew into the room. Marienette spotted it instantly, defensively jumping into a combat pose. It made contact with her bracelet, however nothing happened. Tikki seemed panicked but relaxed slightly.
The butterfly flew back out of the item, pure white. It was as if the girl had cleansed it or something. Marienette did suddenly feel drained after that happened. She laid back on the bed and fell asleep.
Unknowingly to her, Tikki was shocked- a Ladybug hadn't been able to do that in the last three hundred years! It was a rare gift to cleanse akumas by merely giving one's energy to them. The red dot flew over to the white butterfly with a smug look.
"You are not getting her any time soon Hawkmoth," Tikki smiled triumphantly.
