I decided to come in the next day like I'd said I would, and Billy was there. He had to work on something not too long after I arrived, but he kissed me and watched me run through a set and tweak it a little.
After that I came back to my regular schedule. I saw Billy less, they were planning something big, but he'd always make time to come in and watch me for a while.
I had a couple days off so I came in one day, on a day I normally didn't since I'd be working, and found the place looking pretty empty.
After running through a few sets my curiosity got the best of me. That was my first mistake.
I started looking around the warehouse, looking at the weapons and blueprints they had scattered around. I noticed their masks were gone, and made a note of it before moving on.
I heard a noise downstairs, and decided to go down and take a look. That was my second mistake.
I saw movement and followed it, staying back a little in case it wasn't them. I'd never been in the basement, so I got lost pretty quickly, just following the dark shape of whoever was ahead of me. He ducked into a door, and I followed him in from a distance.
We were in a hallway, with doors at either end, and vents in the ceiling. He was already at the other end of the hall, moving through the closing door, and I saw a flash of the Punisher skull on his chest as he turned, right before the door closed.
"Wait-" I ran up to the door to find it locked. Confused, I went back and checked the other door. Also locked.
I ran back to the first door and rattled it a little, just as I noticed smoke starting to pour out of the vents.
When I started coughing I banged on the door. It had a window, and I saw the Punisher turn around and notice me, staring in confusion, probably wondering what the hell this random blonde was doing behind him.
"Help!" I banged on the door rapidly. When he didn't move I hit it harder. "Help! Punisher!" The smoke was getting thick now, and I was starting to seriously get scared.
He looked between the door ahead of him and back to me, and after a moment's hesitation he ran to my door, trying it from his side, only to find it still locked.
"Get down!" He yelled, aiming his gun at the window, and I ducked just as he started shooting. To my dismay, the bullets didn't break through, and I stood back up, starting to feel weak.
"Help, please!" I banged on the window again, though with much less energy. My eyes were starting to drift closed when I saw Billy come through the door on the other side of the glass.
His eyes were locked on the Punisher, and I gave it one last burst of effort.
"Billy! Billy help! Please!" I screamed, taking the last of my energy, and it wasn't much longer before I collapsed, conscious but fading out fast.
The door swung open and I was pulled out quickly, laid on the ground with Billy's arms around me.
"Breathe, you're okay. Breathe dammit." He tried coaxing me. I just didn't have the energy, and closed my eyes.
"God damn it, come on!" He yelled, and when that didn't get me to move I felt him start pushing air into my lungs, sucking out the smoke.
I coughed, convulsing a little, and he pulled me into his arms. "Stay right here. You're gonna be fine."
"Huh?" I mumbled as he lowered me back to the ground, looking between me and the Punisher, who for his part was looking between me and Billy.
They stared each other down long enough for me to pass out.