Author's Note: Alright! Some animosity against the story. But, dear readers, I ask you to give this story a chance. It's not going to be about V the pit pocket running around London stealing banknotes and eventually gains a sexy sidekick named Evey who will aid him in his quest to steal a giant jewel from Sutler's bank vault. There will be plot twists and turns and I PROMISE that this will be an interesting tale. Again, this is an AU (an alternate universe) so things are going to be different. If you don't like AU's, then, quite frankly, don't read. Thanks much for taking the time to read all this!
Disclaimer: Alan Moore (cranky old sod) owns this. He created it...but I twisted it for my own pleasure...mwhaha. Take that, Mr. Moore!
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An acute pain shot through Evey's skull as she regained her senses. Her head pulsated in complaint as she slowly lifted herself off of the linoleum floor.
God…my head…what happened?
It took some time for her to recover her bearings. She glanced over at the giant clock on the wall, and gasped. Putting her hand to her mouth she attempted to keep the disgusting taste down as it was rapidly rising in her throat. 1:30 in the morning, far after curfew. This was serious trouble…
"What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do. Oh God…it's 1:30…1:30…" Evey was now standing, and dizzy as she was she managed to pace around the store, voicing her concerns and fears. She twisted her fingers and occasionally touched her lips. Her eyes would widen, and then they would close as if she had a massive headache.
"I need to call the police…I need to call….somebody…"
Darting over to the phone at the counter she lifted the receiver up and swore when the automated response greeted her.
"It is now one thirty seven, exactly four hours and seven minutes after curfew. Please hang up your phone, now. This is for your protection."
Slamming down the phone, she cursed loudly. Impulse took over and she lifted the glass panel covering the emergency button and pressed it with her palm. The alarm blared, and Evey had to resist the urge to cover her ears. Soon the Fingermen would be arriving.
"So…let me make sure I understand this correctly, Miss…?"
"Hammond."
"Ah, Miss Hammond," the detective glanced at the young woman, with much scrutiny, as if she were a young child prone to telling fantastic stories. "Now, you're claiming that a strange man--"
"He was wearing a mask," she interjected.
"Wearing a mask," he repeated. "Came into the store at around nine pm?"
"Yes." She replied, nodding her head vigorously.
"And you did not find this at all suspicious?"
Evey paused for a moment, realizing the implication behind this query.
"I couldn't see that he was wearing a mask, he had his back turned away from me and the cameras."
The detective raised his eyebrows and frowned. "I thought you said he aimed a gun at you."
"He did," she insisted with force, "but he never turned around."
"So how did he know where to aim?"
"I don't know."
"And why didn't you push the emergency call button sooner?"
"He knew the moment I was about to push it." Evey wanted to scream in rage. She struggled to keep her voice steady and free from anger.
"Am I being investigated for this?"
The detective didn't answer, he only scribbled a few more notes into his notepad. He never made eye contact with her as he spoke his final words,
"If you can think of anything at all, please let myself or my partner know. Thank you for your cooperation—you are free to leave now. An escort will take you back to your home."
He turned away just then, and his presence was replaced by a Fingerman. Evey didn't like the sight of him, he was creepy looking, and her body involuntarily shuddered as she imagined herself walking home with this man.
He didn't so much as look at or speak a word to Evey, just grabbed her elbow and pulled her out of the store. Gulping slightly, Evey allowed herself to be tugged away. As she was forcibly pulled she glanced back at the many investigators, silently praying that one of the less menacing ones would accompany her as well. But no one so much as turned their heads in her direction. Within seconds she was being led down unfamiliar alleyways, forgetting that she had not yet told the Fingerman her address.
The few minutes they had been walking seemed more like hours to Evey. Everything was shrouded in darkness and her eyes had not yet become adjusted to the lack of fluorescent lighting that illuminated the convenience store. She searched for familiar landmarks or buildings, but ultimately failing in that endeavor. All the metal structures seemed to blend into one uniform building that existed everywhere, and Evey had not seen a street sign the entire time she'd been marched along.
"Where, exactly, are we going?" Evey asked, doing her best not to stumble or trip as she was led along, like a dog.
"I wouldn't ask questions if I were you," came the gruff reply, "just keep moving."
They walked a little further when Evey suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. She was almost yanked forward by the sheer strength of her leader, but she held her ground.
"I haven't even told you where I live…"
The Fingerman turned at that statement, obviously annoyed. "Now see, why'd you have to go and do that, question me? This could have been very easy, love. You just made it a whole lot worse."
Her eyes widening in horror, Eye attempted to break away from her captor. He quickly lunged for her, grabbing her around the waist and picking her up over her shoulder. Instantly her reflexes kicked in as she began to punch, kick, and scream for her life.
"See, if you had kept quiet, nobody woulda heard," the Fingerman scolded, mock apologetically. "You've probably woken up my friends now, and they're gonna want a fair turn, too."
Sure enough, Evey noticed another man approaching her, and in the far off distance an outline of someone else was heading towards her. She ceased screaming, and simply went limp with fear in the man's arms.
"Please, just let me go," she whimpered, panic building with each syllable. "I'll go straight home, I won't say a word to anyone. Please, just let me go."
Suddenly she was thrown against a brick wall, her back connecting with the cold stone. She shivered and struggled, but he had her completely pinned. His meaty hands had circled her wrists, and he held her there as his companions began to progressively move closer until they had surrounded her.
"What do you think, boys, should we go easy on her?" The one holding her laughed as if the idea was sheer absurdity. Everyone else gave appreciative chuckles too. Evey continued to spasm with fear. Though it would have been impossible to see their faces, she closed her eyes anyway.
"I think we should teach her a lesson, one she'll never forget." She turned her face away as she felt warm breath blow over her face.
"We best pound it into her."
The other men snickered at the crude joke, and Evey felt the tears begin to trail down her cheeks. Her body convulsed with silent sobs and she braced herself for what was inevitably going to occur.
Let it be over quickly
"Might I ask just what is going on gentleman? I hope we are not mixing business with pleasure…for that always ends disastrously, let me assure you."
Evey opened one of her eyes cautiously, not sure if she was imagining the familiar voice—though she wasn't sure why it was so familiar…
"Eh, bugger off, you," one of the Fingermen shouted. "This ain't none of your business."
Evey screamed as a cold hand reached out to caress her face. Then there was a giant bang, the sound of a gun going off. She screamed again as she started to slide down the wall, the Fingerman's grip on her wrists loosening. A warm, sticky substance was oozing onto her, and soaking through the thin material of her shirt—it took her a few seconds to comprehend that it was blood.
"Hey! Do you know who we are…you're in a lotta-"
Another bang followed, cutting the man's sentence short. Evey watched in fascination and horror as her rescuer pivoted to aim at the third man. He stuttered a few mangled phrases out before running off in the opposite direction. Toying with the idea of killing him, the man cocked the gun and pointed it at the retreating figure, but dropped his arm down a few seconds later.
So enraptured with the fight, Evey had forgotten that she currently had a dead body pressed up against her. When she realized this she immediately kicked off the corpse, and shuddered as it fell away.
"I hope you're not hurt," the mysterious figure asked. He stepped towards Evey, offering his hand to aid her in standing. She was inches away from accepting when the wind picked up, sending away a cloud that had been concealing the moon. As her hero was bathed in light she stared up, hoping to catch a glimpse of his face. But it was not human flesh she had her eyes fixed upon…it was a mask. A mask she recalled seeing earlier this night…
"Wait," she drew back her hand instantly, falling backward and fumbling with her hands to find the support of the wall behind her. "You're the man in the store. You robbed me, and then knocked me out," she accused.
"Oh…well…this is rather awkward…" he suddenly recognized the girl, and his tone transformed into remorseful and embarrassed. Nevertheless, his intentions remained the same,
"I only mean to-"
"Get away from me!" She shrieked in terror as he extended his hand closer towards her. Cowering, she gazed up at him as if he were some sort of monster. He drew his hand back, and gave an aggravated sigh.
"My intention is only to help, not harm," he insisted.
"Yeah, well, you sure have a funny way of showing it. Pointing a gun at people, shooting in the air…"
Evey watched as he turned away, and began to walk back and forth in front of her. He seemed almost like an actor upon a stage, practicing his lines. Every so often he would turn on his heel, pause, and continue on with his words while walking in the opposite direction. Her eyes studied the peculiar man, taking in his Fedora hat, his shiny, polished boots, and most of all, the mask that covered his entire face completely.
"I will be the first to admit that I am a common criminal, a petty thief if you will. But, I am no cruel man who delights in torturing young women, as these men would have done, had I not intervened. Now, I only mean to assist you and accompany you to your home. If this does not please you than I shall continue on my way, and you may fend for yourself. The decision, is yours to make."
She bit her lip, deep in thought. Mulling over each possibility she eventually came to the conclusion that being alone this late at night would only arouse the suspicions of more strangers whose intentions for being out would not be honorable in the slightest. And since this man had just saved her, what harm could it do to trust him to take her to safety?
"Alright…I'll go with you."
"A wise choice," the man complimented her and again put out a gloved hand for her to grasp. This time she accepted, though hesitantly. As she raised herself to her feet she lowered her head.
"Who are you, anyway?"
This time it was the man's turn to be taken aback. He paused, as if unsure how to answer what was generally such a simply question.
"Hmm…I have been called many things. Vandal, Victim, Villain…my true name is of no consequence…but I suppose you could call me V." He paused, as if pleased by this choice. "Yes…V…"
"V? That's…different."
"And may I ask as to whom I am addressing?"
Evey hesitated. Was it really wise to reveal her identity to this man?
"I'm Evey," she mumbled, deciding to tell the truth.
"Well, Evey, if you don't mind I'd much rather be in my home than out in the cold. So, the sooner you begin walking, the sooner we may both return to the safety and comfort of familiarity."
Not having much choice, Evey followed his command, and began to retrace her steps back out of the alley. Within minutes she had spotted a street sign she recognized, and was on the correct path to her home. The entire time they walked—in complete silence—Evey could not help feeling a bit anxious. What if they were spotted out on the streets so late after curfew? What if the lone Fingerman had gotten reinforcements?
"Might I ask if we are getting any nearer to your home, Evey, or are we doomed to walk until dawn?" V's sarcasm irritated her. Perhaps a more mature person would have allowed the snide comment to pass without mentioning it, but Evey was a far cry from maturity.
"I'd think a criminal would be used to lurking in the shadows of night until dawn," she snipped back.
"Most people would not think it wise to provoke such a man." V countered. Evey wasn't clear as to whether the tone of his voice was jocular or threatening. She closed her mouth, attempting to quell her need to continue the banter.
Eventually she felt as though they were close enough in proximity to her apartment that there was no point in being escorted any further.
"Well," she turned and faced the stranger, V, and nodded, "I live just 'round the corner. I'm sure I'll be alright."
"Are you certain?"
"Positive."
"I don't blame you for your concern. You are more clever than our first encounter indicated. I hope you'll pardon me for the misjudgment?"
Unsure as to how to receive the compliment of sorts, Evey crossed her arms and shifted her gaze. "Yeah, sure…thanks."
"It would be a falsehood to declare this chance encounter a pleasure, Evey, but I will say that it hasn't been a complete disappointment. Adieu." He bowed, a low, sweeping gesture that nearly brought him to the ground. And before Evey could even utter a farewell, he had disappeared around another building's corner, and into the night.
