Fifteen

Fauna

Fauna sat at her desk, mostly waiting for her father to call her into his office, she knew it was only going to be a matter of time. Fifteen, she reminded herself. At least it would only be fifteen. Before, she had been thirty minutes late and he punished her by smacking her palms with a steel rod thirty times. She didn't have full use of her hands for a week, even after that it took a long while for the pain to go away.

She couldn't understand why he hated her so much, why he did the things he did. She didn't know him very well, he left her mother when she was a little girl. But working for him has taught her that he holds no value to human life. He did what he wanted in order to stay in control, have power, which often resulted in displays of cruelty.

She stared at the stacks of papers on her desk. She was supposed to be working her way through them. However, she was too tired and worried. Fauna spent the morning terrified. Last night proved a certain vigilante was dangerous and deadly whether he was dressed as a lawyer or masked in black. This morning she was actually thankful she made it to work. She was going to have to be extra careful on her way home. Perhaps I should sacrifice some of my food money for a taxi, she thought as a light knock sounded at her door.

The door cracked open, and a large figure slipped through. It was Ace. Her heart stopped beating for a moment. Was it time?

"Good afternoon, Fauna." He said, but without his usual slithering smirk.

"Is it?" She replied as perky as possible, shuffling papers to make herself seem busy. Though instead of walking around her desk, like he always did to try to intimidate her, he slid in the other chair that sat opposite of her. Fauna watched him move. He was smooth and graceful. Like a snake in water, she thought.

He stayed silent a moment, watching her. He took an audible breath.

"You were late last night." He said, "why?"

Fauna forced herself to keep her eyes down on the papers. Obviously she couldn't tell him the truth. She expected this and was prepared. She thought it wouldn't do any harm to give them some truth, knowing Ace and her father were pretty good at sniffing out liars. Just like Daredevil, she thought. Her blood boiled, what was happening was his fault. All of it actually. Everything hit the fan the moment she met him.

"Um, I accidentally ran into someone I used to know. They kinda...freaked out on me, because I kind of...disappeared. She grabbed me and wouldn't let go." She paused to look up at him. His face was unreadable. "She wanted an explanation."

"And what did you tell this person?"

"Nothing, of course."

"Your father isn't going to be happy no matter the excuse." He shifted. Fauna's eyes darted to him. Her heartbeat went from a normal fearful to pounding.

"I know." She said quietly.

Ace stood, straightening his suit. "You know, I could get you out of it... if you like."

"Thank you, no." She went back to her papers. She wanted to, but that would mean owing him a debt. She couldn't imagine what he'd want in return. Actually she could imagine, and it was things she couldn't bring herself to do. So she refused him. She heard his footsteps heading for the door.

"Exhale." He said.

Confused, she looked up at him. Half his massive body was hidden behind the door. He was looking at her. Fauna saw something flash in his eyes. She wasn't sure exactly what it was, but it was gone.

"What?" she asked.

"At the moment of impact, exhale. It takes the edge off."

Then he left and shut the door. Fauna threw the papers at the door. They scattered throughout the air and floated gingerly to the ground. He could help her regardless of refusing him, but he chooses not to.

An hour later she was walking toward her father's office. She looked out the window to her right as she walked, imagining life elsewhere. Her school, the rehearsals and performances, her friends, they all seemed like it was another life, another person. She knocked softly.

"Come in." Her father's voice was slightly muffled by the door.

The door clicked as it opened and she slid in, quickly making her way to the chair. Grayson was on the phone, but he wasn't talking.

"Ah, finally!" He said into the receiver. "Now, I need you to make sure there is no police anywhere near the docks tonight. Is that doable?"

Fauna listened intently. Something big was happening tonight if he needed the streets cleared. She wished he'd put some of these things down on paper, that way she could start collecting evidence to use for blackmailing. She pushed that thought aside, if Daredevil had his way, it wouldn't matter how much evidence she collected.

"Good, good." Grayson continued. "That's what I pay him for." Then he hung up the phone. His eyes fell on her. She quickly learned in her early days, men like him liked submission. She looked down at her hands.

"You were late last night." He said.

Fauna nodded, hearing the top drawer of his desk squeak open. She tried to draw in a deep calming breath, but it was cut short by the fear rising up. Just fifteen. She reminded herself.

"Why do you make me do this?" He asked, it was more of a rhetorical question, so she didn't answer. He considered the fact that he had to take time from his day to punish her, her fault. Nothing, no explanation or excuse she could give would make him care. He only cared if she submitted. This was for mom, she coached herself. Mom would have died, could still die if she wasn't here.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. He grabbed her wrist and roughly extended it out and twisted it over to expose the inside of her forearm. Fauna yelped at the sudden jerk. He slammed the small metal rod down on her tender skin.

Fauna cried out, but quickly snapped her lips closed and clenched her teeth so tightly she thought they would crack. Then another hard smack. She groaned and whimpered. She fought against the natural instinct to pull away. Her father held her firmly.

"I don't hear you counting." He said calmly, as if he was holding a normal meeting. He slammed down again.

"Three." She said through tears. "Four, five." Her body began shaking. She forced herself to focus on her mother. Her sweet smile, her voice and the fact that she can still call her and perhaps see her soon. If she wasn't here right now, none of that would be possible.

Her armed throbbed, pain shot up spreading throughout the rest of her body. Then, Daredevil popped in her mind, and everything that has happened. Then she remembered Ace and the advice he had given her earlier. Why would he do that? She wondered. He had said to exhale. She wondered why he offered that small bit of help. He actually gave her advice to ease the pain. There wasn't a kind bone in that man's body.

She inhaled and exhaled as her father's arm came down again. "Thirteen." Did it work? It seemed the pain was not as bad, or it could be that her arm was going numb. She tried again, "Fourteen." Again it helped. She wished she'd done it from the beginning. Tears fell in a constant stream. She didn't want to cry, she didn't want to let Gryson see her cry, but it was impossible with the pain.

"Fifteen."

She doubled over as her father released her arm. She could barely move it. It was swollen red and bruises were already forming.

"Now, go home. I want you back here tonight. I have a job for you." He said, sitting back down into his chair. Again she wanted to ask why he hated her so much, why he didn't want to protect her like a father was supposed to do. Instead, she chickened out. Questioning him would only make it worse.

Fauna stood on shaking legs and focused on breathing through the pain as she made her exit, thankful that it was over.

She walked the street slowly. Holding her arm to her chest, protecting it. Grayson let her go a bit early, so there wasn't any need to rush home. She could enjoy the daylight for a little longer. But there was still the matter of Daredevil. He could pop out of nowhere.

She must have looked crazy to people she passed on the street. They were giving her funny looks. The way she held her arm at her chest, and kept looking around, even turning periodically to see who was behind her, but she didn't care. She didn't want to be caught off guard again. Once she made it into her apartment she breathed a sigh of relief. She placed a scarf in the freezer, then double checked the locks on the door and window.

She supposed that if a man like Daredevil wanted in, not much could stop him. A few measly locks would stand in his way, but checking them made her feel better. She undressed and looked over her face. The bruise on her cheek was fading. After showering she wrapped the cold scarf around her forearm. She usually hated cold things, but it provided a little relief. She put another garment in the freezer for later.

Fauna had a couple hours before she was due back at Graysons. She set her alarm to make sure if she fell asleep she'd be woken up in time. There wasn't much else to do, but sleep inside her apartment. She admitted with everything going on she could use the extra sleep.

She decided to check the locks one more time and grabbed the blanket from the bed and laid down on the couch. The throbbing in her arm subsided just a bit, the cold cloth was helping. She took some deep breaths and tried to clear her mind.

Just as she closed her eyes and began drifting off her door buzzer sounded. Her eyes flew open, almost in a panic.

"Was it time already?" She asked the empty room. Did her father send a car for her? She looked at the time. She had another hour. Confused, she stood and made her way to the apartment's intercom. No one ever buzzed her, unless it was someone from Grayson. Even then they were never early. Ace always made sure it was right on time. He was weird that way, very punctual.

She pressed the button and paused a moment before speaking. "Hello?"

"Oh um, Fauna? It's Foggy. Foggy Nelson."

Fauna's heart jumped. What?! Why was he here? And, he knew her name. She felt embarrassed for using Flora as a cover. She let go of the button and looked around. He was Daredevil's friend. Was it a trick to get to her? She somehow dismissed that. She figured he didn't need anyones help if he wanted to take her out. She went to her window and peered out. Careful not to get too close, just in case he was out there.

"Please, I need to talk to you about… a mutual friend."

She huffed, shook her head and quickly made her way back to the com. "He's your friend, not mine. Go away."

"Please. Could you give me a minute?"

"How's that?" Mrs. Carmichael buzzed in on the conversation.

Fauna rolled her eyes and sighed. "It's okay Mrs. Carmichael. It's for me."

"Is that a young man I hear?" It sounded as if she just woke up. "He sounds nice, Fauna. You should let him in."

"Oh no, no. Mrs. Carmich-" It was too late she hit her buzzer to open the door. She said a quick prayer that perhaps Foggy wouldn't take advantage.

A few minutes later a light knock sounded at her door.

"Fauna?"

She silently scolded Mrs. Carmichael. If anything he was persistent. She thought. Must be the lawyer in him. "Go away."

"Look, I know things aren't great right now."

"That's an understatement."

"Please? I would really like to talk to you." He begged. She looked through her peephole. He was dressed in a bargain barn suit and looked like a teddy bear. But more importantly, she couldn't see if he was alone.

"Is anyone else with you?"

"All by my lonesome. Scouts honor." He looked at the peephole and waved, giving a half-hearted smile. She remembered his kindness and concern for her when she visited their office and wanted to believe him. She understood why Daredevil wanted to keep him safe, he must be a very good friend, that lovely Karen too.

She removed the chain and unlocked the door. She opened it but stepped far back, thinking someone or anyone could try to enter and grab her. Though it was a false sense of security.

"Hi." Foggy said, stepping inside.

He closed the door behind him. "Want me to lock it?" He pointed to the deadbolt.

Fauna shrugged, stepping further back. She guessed he either wanted to keep her from making a hasty exit or he was being very courteous toward knowing how scared he thought she must be from dealing with his partner.

Partner. Fauna reminded herself. This man was Daredevil's partner and couldn't be trusted. He held his jacket in one hand and his briefcase in the other. He looked a bit disheveled and honestly concerned.

"People are expecting me in less than an hour." She declared, just in case he was going to try anything.

"Oh, right. Just in case I try anything, right?" He gave a laugh, but it quickly faded. He cracked a joke. Fauna understood, he was trying to ease the tension. "Don't worry. I'm your average guy. Matt doesn't even know I'm here by the way. He'd probably protest. He hates it when his vigilante ways mix with his day life."

"Why are you here? How do you know where I live anyway."

"Matt told me."

"So… you know about his night life?"

"Yeah, and that's why I'm here." He sat his things down on the floor and slid his hands into his pockets. "I just wanted to come by and say that I'm really hoping we can all work this out."

"You're gonna threaten me to keep his secret, too?"

"Uh, no, no. I just…" He displayed his palms to her in submission and sighed. Fauna noticed his struggle and frustration on his face. He was concerned about his friend. "Look, Matt's a good guy. I mean good as in a decent human being. He's just trying to help people. This is the first time we're dealing with this kind of thing. You know someone finding out about him."

"Maybe he's a decent human being to you and the people he cares for. Not so much to others." She nodded.

His expression changed to disappointment. "He's just trying to keep people from getting hit by crossfire."

"I understand that." She said, and she did. Fauna understood the desire to hold on and protect the people you love.

"I know you two kind of-"

"There's no kind of about it." Fauna said, cutting him off. "I don't have any plans to sell his information, okay. I never did. You and Ms. Page were nice to me, I don't want you getting hurt, because of him. Too many do, I don't want to be the cause of it."

They shared a glance and a moment of silence.

"He heard you talking about accepting some deal?"

"It wasn't about him. My world doesn't revolve around him, you know. He could have just asked me about it. Use those lie detector skills or something."

"Yeah, he can be a hot head sometimes."

"Look, I need to get ready and go." Fauna maneuvered around Foggy and opened the door to encourage him to leave.

"Right, of course. Just please… he's just scared sometimes. We've lost people, he's lost people. All he wants to do is the right thing." Foggy turned and innocently reached for Fauna's covered arm to offer comfort and compassion.

Fauna gasped and winced, turning from him in pain. Foggy immediately released her. "Whoa, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"And all I want is to be left alone, please go."

Foggy backed out of the apartment, concern and fear spread across his face. Fauna slammed the door and locked it.

Matthew

Matthew watched as Foggy exited Fauna's apartment building. He was reaching in his pocket and brought out his phone. A moment later Matthew's phone rang out.

He didn't give his friend time to answer with a greeting. Foggy began talking as soon as he heard Matt pick up. "First of all, I'm sorry. I went to Fauna's to talk to her. Second, Matt, what the hell man. You said you didn't hurt her."

"First of all," Matthew replied. "I know, I just watched you leave. And second, I didn't hurt her."

"What?! You're there. Man, I told her I came alone. She won't believe me now." He paused a moment. "Why is she hurt, then? I barely touched her, she could have a broken arm."

"I didn't, Foggy."

"Are you sure, I mean maybe you got so freaked out you didn't realize it."

Matt knew that could be a possibility, but he was sure.

"Look, Matt." Foggy sighed. "You haven't really done a great job convincing her to keep your identity a secret. Perhaps you should just leave her alone for a while. She seemed like she was telling the truth to me. What did your superpower senses pick up?"

"As far as I can tell she's telling the truth."

"Then let's just leave her alone, like she wants."

"I can't do that, Foggy. If the Triad's involved we got big problems. I'm gonna stick around and to see what she's up to tonight."

Foggy sighed. "Uh, bigger problems than everyone finding out about you?!"

"I know it's not ideal. But what options do I have?"

"Oh man, just be careful and call me. And what about Fauna?"

"I'm going to try to keep her out of it as much as possible."

"Just don't hurt her anymore, I can't have this on my conscience, Matt."

"I didn't hurt her, not like that anyway. And Foggy…" Matthew waited.

"Yeah." He groaned.

"Can you and Karen look into this lawyer, Mr. Androle? From the look and smell of him he's high end."

"Sure thing." Foggy replied with low enthusiasm.

Matthew hung up and crouched down on the rooftop, waiting for Fauna to exit the building. He didn't have to wait long before her shimmering figure lit up the dark night.