Chapter 2 - The Man in the Mask

I couldn't hide the relief on my features at Foggy's words. Matt hadn't seemed too sure of how to react, but hid it well on his impassive face. The lawyers had requested to keep the files overnight to skim through for further details, which I gladly allowed the trusted pair to do. Shortly after our meeting the sun started to set in the sky, but I still had other plans before I headed back to my apartment.

The stress of hiding from the masses of men under Fisk's control had finally caught up with me. My feet took themselves down the route which had become a regular occurrence over the last couple of weeks. The dim light of the bar greeted me as I stepped into the run-down building.

Not a single judgemental gaze was passed my way by the various other visitors who had also come to escape the realities of their lives. I felt ashamed that I wasn't strong enough to face my situation, but after months of hiding and living in fear, alcohol was the only release. I was an honest person, which is why I was honest with myself when I allowed the brave facade to drop that I used during the day.

The barmaid already had my drinks ready on the table that I had now claimed as my own. I sat alone as I stared at the wall facing me, downing the first scotch which had been laid out. The familiar buzz kicked in and calmed the edge of my nerves. I turned to the second glass before beginning to take a swig at it as well.

The reality was that I was going to die. If not tonight, then another night. The end was inevitable as soon as they realized the true importance of all of the paperwork I had not so discretely stolen. It started with the threats I had been messaged on my phone, but I had disposed of the device almost instantly after, in fear of being tracked. The phone could be replaced at least.

After the messages came the packages which were left outside of my apartment. At first they were just weapons, sent as a warning to keep quiet about what I knew. But then it got worse; explicit photos of what happened to those who had chosen to speak out against Wilson Fisk's empire. I had moved out shortly after, unable to handle the consistent threats.

The thoughts that creeped into my head were enough to encourage me into finishing the second glass. I could tell that the liquor was strong as I was already feeling lightheaded from its contents. No one paid me any attention as I poured more of the bottle into the glass, most of them already too drunk to notice. We were a room full of cowards.

I saw the darkness which had now fully took over the sky. The moon was already in view, but it failed to light up the sinister streets outside. I had never been afraid of the dark, yet it felt more menacing than ever as I glanced out of the window. Only the alcohol in my system was capable of dulling down my fear.

As one glass turned into five, I finally realized I had reached my limit once the room started to spin. I shaked the feeling away before gradually dragging myself to my feet. Drunk again. It only took me a few wobbly steps to leave the bar and embrace the cool air which greeted me outside.

It sent a chill down my spine and made me cling onto my jacket for warmth. My whole body shivered uncontrollably, missing the comforting heat of the bar. I checked the time on my phone and sighed; 12:00am. I would need to meet the lawyers again in the morning, but was still awake in the middle of the night and stone cold drunk.

The walk back home usually only took a mere 15 minutes, but in my unstable state it would have taken double the time. By now the fear and worry had all but disappeared as I carelessly stumbled through the streets. Wanting to get home as soon as possible, I walked down the pitch black alleyways in an attempt to use them as a shortcut.

So this is how Matt feels all the time, I foolishly thought to myself as I struggled to find my way through the unlit alleyways. I couldn't help but feel sympathy for the lawyer; the darkness was not a welcoming place. It was an incredible challenge to even walk 10 feet when I was completely blind like that

I thought back to the way he had reacted to the information I had given him. It confused me how his mood changed so drastically. Perhaps he wanted to avoid getting involved in the mess I had created. His partner had been much more understanding, but Matt had become withdrawn by the end of the appointment.

The alcohol took any anxiety I had away. I didn't care if it was dangerous by that point; I didn't care about the disapproving looks I had earned from a certain lawyer. I didn't even care when I heard a fast pair of footsteps echo towards me.

The sound only got louder, but instead of feeling frightened I was left irritated. After all this time and all this worry they finally chose to come for me when I was at my most vulnerable. The impact angered me further and filled me with rage as they wrapped their strong arms around my meager body. A hand clasped over my mouth, preventing me from yelling obscenities at the threatening man.

I thrashed against his hold, causing him to grip me even tighter as I struggled to break myself free. His harsh grip on my chest made it almost impossible for me to breathe. I attempted to bite the hand which was placed over my mouth, but he immediately moved it to deal a bitter slap to my cheek.

"Oh Scarlett, haven't you been causing a lot of trouble whilst you've been gone. You were so idiotic to think that you were hidden from us, whilst we have been watching your every move. Going to Nelson and Murdock though, that was just foolish. My boss wasn't too pleased when he heard about your little meeting. He requested you dead, but I'm sure I can keep you alive just a short while longer…" the stranger sadistically whispered into my ear.

The liquor in my system gave me the courage to kick my leg back, hitting him square in the ribs. His grip loosened and allowed me to free myself from his grasp. I stumbled and lacked any sense of balance, but still managed to turn around to face my attacker head on. The lack of light made it an extremely difficult task to make out any of his features, however the knife in his hand was now clearly visible.

A sickening growl left his lips before he lunged at me with the weapon. My slow reaction time hindered my efforts and I almost allowed the first blow to come into contact with my shoulder. I dropped to the ground to avoid the swing, but realized my mistake as the man towered over me. He straddled my hips before dealing multiple punches to my face.

The blood pouring from my nose was a sinister sensation whilst I continued to face his onslaught. As he leaned back to deal another blow, I spat in his face in disgust. I knew any attempts to fight back would now be hopeless in my state, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear. The action only angered him more, which gave me the hope that it would be over quickly.

Instead he turned his attention back onto the weapon in his hand. With one long swing he plunged the knife into my stomach before ripping it out again. I gasped at the pain that was now overwhelming me and pressed my hand to the wound on my abdomen. The attacker got back into a standing position, watching the bleeding with fascination.

My head felt hazy from the blood loss, which led me to believe that the dark figure approaching the man who had stabbed me was in fact a hallucination. I heard the collision of fists on flesh as the figure beat the attacker to the ground brutally. They both put up a decent fight, but the mysterious arrival was clearly more skilled.

The figure repeatedly slammed the head of my attacker onto the concrete. The harsh sound which was produced by the collision was enough to form bile in my mouth. He waited until the man was completely unconscious before he turned his attention to me. Definitely not a hallucination.

The first thing I noticed was his mask. It was crimson red and blended into the bloody environment, reminding me of the Devil. I also noticed his concern as he stared at my wound which was steadily bleeding out. I cringed at the pain which throbbed in my stomach, but tried my best to stay conscious as the man in the mask lifted my body and carried me in his arms.

"You're not going to die; I won't let that asshole get the satisfaction. I'm taking you straight to the nearest hospital, just hang on a while longer," he commanded. I found his smooth voice soothing, but struggled to comprehend his words as I remained barely awake.

"You're that guy...in the mask," I attempted to slur, "You saved me. Why?"

I heard him huff in reply, probably realizing how intoxicated I already was. His dark suit had become soaked with my blood, but he didn't seem to notice as he navigated his way through the complex of streets towards the ER. I felt a churning in my stomach, which was swiftly followed by vomit. It stuck to my bloody body, but I didn't have the effort to care at this point.

I recognized my hero from the local papers, all rushing to report on the vigilante which had began to clear the city of the criminals that roamed the streets at night. I had always questioned whether the stories were true, but now the undeniable evidence was right in front of me.

My brain felt like it was slowly starting to shut down. The feeling was almost euphoric as I stopped feeling the constant anxiety and fear which had overpowered me. I lazily watched the masked man as he relentlessly ran with me cradled in his arms. His mouth was curled into a look of disgust, probably from the drunken state I was in. I watched his figure slowly blur as my eyes began to defocus.

I could feel my body slowly going limp, causing the man carrying me to tense. His hold on me became stronger as he picked up his pace even more. He continued to sprint as he reached the bright lights of the hospital and the shocked looks of various nurses and doctors. The darkness slowly clawed at my vision as I was propped onto a stretcher.

I felt so tired of fighting. The pain had numbed my whole body and was now filling my brain as well. I didn't have the energy to struggle against it, despite my determination. Cursing my weakness, I let the black consume me as I gave in.

Author's Note

As promised, this chapter did include Daredevil kicking ass. For those who were wondering, this fic will be set post season 1 and before season 2. I'm still wondering how to write the season 2 storyline into it, but I hope that in the future I can introduce some of the newer characters (like the Punisher because he is an absolute boss).

Also a huge thank you to my followers! I know this fanfic is still very new, but I appreciate that you still support it :) As always, don't be afraid to leave a review (I reply to all of them).