Chapter Four: On The Road
Matt woke up to the smell of burning bacon. For a glorious second, that was all he was aware of. Then the injuries from the fight and the explosion hit him. It felt like all his muscles were on fire! I never should have followed that woman!
He groaned as he got up. Matt decided not to stretch; it was too risky. Slowly and calmly he got dressed. The suit was a little rumpled, but who's looking? As he got dressed he listened to Charlie swearing over a pan of eggs. It was quite amusing.
"Need some help?" Matt asked, coming into the kitchen a minute later.
Charlie jumped and turned around, almost spilling the kettle of hot water he was pouring into a teapot. "Cripes Matt! I didn't know you were up. You look terrible. Do you want me to find you an aspirin?"
"I could do with a couple of aspirins, thanks. The bruises come extra with the costume."
"Give me a moment. Would you do me a favor and pour the water into the pot? I'll be right back."
As Charlie went in search of the aspirins, Matt made the tea. When Charlie came back a few minutes later, he found Matt searching for the teacups. "Top left corner, next to the plates." He said, helpfully.
"Thanks, I thought I was getting close."
Charlie watched Matt find the cups and the milk. He's a little unnerving, he thought, he doesn't move like a blind man!
"Oh hey, here are the aspirins." He said, handing the aspirins to Matt. "Everything's ready, let's start."
An hour later they were on they're way to Matt's brownstone house in Hell's Kitchen. Matt settled himself in the front seat. Charlie's car made a comforting rattling noise, its engine almost dead. It had been a rough forty-eight hours, and Matt felt it all. He was so tired, he didn't even notice the car following them, or the familiar heartbeat he'd heard last night.
Charlie glanced over at Matt's sleeping form. He waited another hour, and then decided to wake Matt up. "Which way? Straight or left, Matt?"
Matt didn't answer. He sat up, turning his ear to the window. He'd heard something. "Someone's following us. I heard that car yesterday, and I think I recognize the driver's heartbeat. It's Angelica Demon." He stopped Charlie from looking.
"No, keep straight. Don't let her see you. We're close enough. Drop me off at the next apartment building, I call a cab. I don't want her to know where I live. You keep going. Drive for a little while longer, and then go home. Stay on the highways as much as possible, do you hear? "
Charlie was startled, but he did what Matt asked. At the next apartment building, he stopped. "Do you have money for the fare?
Matt thought for a moment. "No, could you do me a favor and lend me twenty dollars? I'll pay you back." Charlie handed Matt the money. "Thanks. If you ever need anything, you know whom to call. Here's my number." He gave Charlie his phone number, and unfolded his cane. "Good bye, then." He got out of the car.
Charlie watched him go. Then turned the ignition and was gone.
-DD-
Angelica watched as Charlie's car drove off. She turned to the blind man walking through the front doors of a building. Who is he and what was he doing in the car?. For a second a thought crossed her mind, is he Daredevil? But then she knew she was being paranoid. Daredevil's not blind.
She spent another few minutes watching the man through the large windows. He didn't do much, just walked slowly toward the elevators. He must live here. She put her car in reverse and left, quickly and silently.
-DD-
Matt heard Demon leave. He waited a few minutes more, then went outside and hailed a taxi. He gave the driver his address and sat back, listening for Demon's car or heartbeat. He heard nothing but the usual bustle of New York City.
When the cab arrived in front of Matt's brownstone, he sighed. "How much do I owe you?" he asked the driver. "Keep the change." He said, getting out of the car.
He walked slowly to the front door, listening intently. Ah, Mrs. Brently got another cat. And I should probably fix this creaking door. I'll call the carpenter someday. Matt thought, as he unlocked his door.
Matt went upstairs to his room as soon as he opened the door. He wanted a shower before heading to Nelson and Murdock to do some work. It felt good to stand in the hot water. He calmed as the steam relaxed his bruised muscles. He changed and searched for his wallet. Giving up, Matt left the house.
-DD-
Around the same time that Matt was leaving for his office, Charlie was almost home. But he didn't fell like going home. I am in huge trouble. Good job Charlie!
Charlie stopped at a red light. He was still thinking when a woman knocked on his window. He rolled it down, suddenly looking into startlingly cold eyes. In fact, everything about this woman was cold. She was wearing a white suit; underneath she had on a red shirt, and high heels of the same devilish color. When she smiled, Charlie saw that her teeth were an almost an unbelievable white, and somehow sharp, like a lioness. Her hair was long and straight, the color of fresh coal. He was instantly awed. "May I help you?"
"Yes, you may." Suddenly the voice changed from a sweet, girly sound to a sound that seemed to freeze the blood in his veins. "You can give Daredevil this message." She handed him a slip of paper, sealed, rather clichéd like, with a blood-red stamp.
"You must be mistaken, I don't know Daredevil. All I know about him is that he protects Hell's Kitchen." Charlie replied, his voice surprisingly calm.
"Oh, I think you know more than that." She said, stepping back to allow him to drive. People were honking at him to make him go. "Make sure Daredevil gets my message!" She called as Charlie drove off.
Charlie glanced in his rearview mirror at the woman. She was tall, taller than he had realized, and she was watching him. He felt as if her eyes were burning holes in the back of his neck. He had to get away, as far away as he could. But first, he had to give Matt the message.
He turned around at the next street. He was going to pay Matt a visit.
