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Chapter 8- Devils on the shoulders
Water poured down from the shower. Fisk stood under it, naked, unless the ankle monitor could be counted as an item of clothing, which it was not.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, remembering everything. Every single word. Every single gunshot. Every single moment.
'A magician never reveals his tricks, Mr. Fisk.'
So Chase was Prometheus. The man really was something, infiltrating the FBI like that. With him, the plan would be a little easier to execute.
He then remembered the explosions and the vehicle toppling. He remembered his panicked screams- 'Nadeem! Chase!'
He remembered using all his might to finally break the chain. His heart beat faster as he remembered the moment. The men with guns were killing the FBI. One of them barely dodged a grenade before crouching near him.
'Stay down', he remembered the FBI Agent saying before being killed.
He remembered the fear he felt, thinking this was the end. He had only thought of Vanessa and how he had let her down by losing his life.
'I am not someone you want to screw with.'
Then Chase had arrived to save him. But he also got an unexpected savior. The sharpshooting agent whose every shot was a headshot. Fisk had never thought that anyone could have that much accuracy except the Avenger called Hawkeye.
'Don't shoot. Don't shoot. We surrender.'
The two men had said that as they were trying to surrender to the agent.
'Do it. You want to and you like it.'
That's what Chase had said to him. And then he had shot them both. Fisk then remembered how he threw the empty gun and cartridge at two people's throats, killing them. Chase had also used a shuriken to kill a third.
'Convict! Don't move!'
The agent had said that to him after it was all over while pointing a gun at his face.
Next thing, he had been put in another vehicle and driven to a penthouse in a hotel. He had been lead out by Chase, Nadeem, the sharpshooter and other agents.
They had discussed the casualties amongst themselves. 2 agents were in surgery while 5 were dead. The sharpshooter kept referring to him as 'shitbag.'
His attorneys were there but the sharpshooter had prevented them from talking to him. Before being led away, he had told them that the Albanians were behind the attack and asked them to look after Vanessa.
He had then been put in the elevator and it had gone up. Nadeem had asked for a medic for himself. That's where Fisk had learnt that the sharpshooter was called 'Dex.'
But it didn't sound like a name. More like a shortened version of a name. But he was 'Dex' for now.
Nadeem and Chase had sent him to check in with the S.A.C.
He had then been led to the penthouse where the cuffs were taken out. Nadeem was angry at him for the death of the agents but Chase had calmed him down.
And now he was in the shower, reflecting all these events and what they meant.
"Mr. Fisk", he heard a familiar voice say.
Fisk new who this was.
"Mr. Chase", Fisk said.
Chase stood outside the bathroom, looking in the other direction.
"So I guess you're all right", Chase said.
"I am", Fisk said, "But I will teach those Albanians a lesson later. You were brave out there, trying to protect me. Thank you for that."
"I didn't protect you, Dex did", Chase said, "He has a special talent."
"The incredible accuracy", Fisk noted, impressed before coming to the point, "So you really are some kind of magician after all, Prometheus."
"Yes", Chase said, "Being an agent here is the best way for our partnership to continue. Matt is already suffering. He is missing right now while his home is in flames."
"That is good to know", Fisk said, "But to make him suffer, we need to attack the city he loves so much and then take it over, making him know that he failed to save it."
"Brilliant thinking there, Mr. Fisk", Chase noted, impressed, "Though I think his loved ones would be a good target too."
"They will", Fisk said, "But I think we should go after them at a certain time."
"I guess you're right", Chase said, "How do you plan on attacking the city?"
"Let's just say I have connections to the military", Fisk said, "Connections that you can track down."
"I can", Chase said, "Though I think the conversation has gone for too long."
Chase then went off into the camera room which had no one right now and switched the cameras back on.
Foggy had woken up after having a nightmare of Matt. His girlfriend, Marci Stahl had comforted him and advised him to see a therapist. He had refused, saying it wouldn't help him.
He had then got up to eat his pills and then picked up the phone too. What he saw on it made his blood run cold.
'Wilson Fisk out.'
What the hell?! The FBI was transporting him? Why?! Where?! Why the hell was the FBI even involved?
"No! No! No!"
"Lock Fisk up! Lock Fisk up! Lock Fisk up!"
That was what the people were chanting outside the penthouse when Matt arrived there. He could hear the anger in their voices. All of them knew what kind of person Fisk was.
He was a ruthless crime-lord who stopped at nothing to get what he wanted. So this riot outside the penthouse made sense. But it didn't make sense either.
Someone as high-profile as him should be locked up in a prison, never to see light of day again. So why the hell was he in a penthouse? That too a comfortable one! Fisk being here made no sense, so in a way, the riot taking place made no sense either.
"This doesn't make any sense", Matt voiced his thoughts.
"Of course it does. God is angry with you."
Matt's blood ran cold on hearing the voice. It was Fisk. Pacing calmly behind him. But Matt knew he was not real. But he still decided to engage him in a conversation nonetheless.
"What're you talking about?" Matt asked him.
"You don't think God knows you tried to kill yourself?" Fisk asked him.
"That has nothing to do with this", Matt protested.
"Don't delude yourself, Matthew."
Matt now got angrier on hearing this voice.
"Chase!" he said angrily.
"You know you wanted to kill yourself that night", Chase said, "And you almost did."
"God restored your hearing just in time to hear my name chanted by the crowds", Fisk said to him, "Just in time to learn, I won, you lost. Does that sound like God's forgiveness?"
After a sigh, Matt said, "No. It sounds like…. Hell."
"I told everyone that day, Matthew", Chase said, ""Burning now I bring you Hell." And now I'm bringing it. I'm wreaking my vengeance."
"Lock Fisk up! Lock Fisk up!"
Matt realized both of them were gone now.
Karen was making her way to the penthouse with Oliver, Slade and Roy.
"So the most ruthless crime-lord of New York has been released", Oliver said.
"Our tax dollars at work", Karen quipped.
"I wonder how high the FBI was when they decided to do this", Roy said in disgust.
"They must be stupid if they thought they could hide this from the public", Slade said, "And they must be a deluded lot if they think a man like him will help them."
"Desperate times, desperate measures must be their motto", Oliver said in disgust, "But this is not what they should do."
As they neared the place, they did not notice Matt walking out of there due to the riots and their conversation.
"Who's in charge here?" Karen asked a female cop.
"That's the genius who let him out", the cop told her, gesturing to an India FBI Agent, "Agent Nadeem."
"Thanks", Karen said gratefully and then walked towards Nadeem with Oliver, Slade and Roy flanking her.
"Agent Nadeem", she said but he gestured her to wait as he was on a call. After he was finished, Karen said, "Hi. Karen Page of the New York Bulletin."
"I'm not authorized to speak to the press", Nadeem said, "You need to find Special Agent in Charge Hattley. And who are these 3?"
"They are with me", Karen said, "And it is N-A-D-E-E-M right? And you're the agent who released Wilson Fisk?"
"Fisk has not been released", Nadeem protested, "That's fake news."
"Really?" Oliver asked, "Because this doesn't look like a prison."
"Fisk must be enjoying all the luxuries of life here", Roy said.
"And you're calling it fake news", Slade said.
"He's a cooperating witness", Nadeem said, "But he's still a prisoner. He is here for reasons I cannot disclose and in spite of this place looking luxurious, he is not getting much of it."
"This is a $20 million penthouse", Karen pointed out.
"Seized by the US Government from some Wall Street Prick convicted of fraud", Nadeem said.
"So he must be getting some really nice dinner", Oliver quipped, angering Nadeem.
"Is it the filet mignon or the line-caught halibut?" Karen asked.
"Press area's over there", Nadeem said, gesturing to an area before turning to the three men with her, "And if you're common folk, get out of here."
As he started walking away, Karen said, "One RICO count carries a 20-year sentence. Fisk was convicted on five. Want to explain to me how this is justice?"
"It's not", Slade said, "It is bullshit!"
"Bullshit, huh?" Nadeem said angrily as he walked closer before turning to Page, "Jennings, Garcia, Foster, Leighton, Torres. They lost their lives and they were good agents, good people. If not for my partner and Agent Poindexter, I would be dead too. Bullshit that, eyepatch guy. Why don't you write about that, Miss Page?"
He then angrily walked away.
"He is not at fault", Oliver said with a slightly guilty sigh, "He seems like a good man. Perhaps he truly believes Fisk will help the FBI."
"You're right", Roy said, "But I think if Fisk is helping them, he's got an agenda."
"And this agent is just their scapegoat", Slade said.
Matt walked ahead and realized a truck belonging to the hotel stood near the back door.
An employee got out of the truck, carrying some luggage. He typed in the 4-digit code and entered. Matt heard the buttons being pressed and memorized the code, "9-1-7-4."
He then realized no one was paying attention to him so he snuck into the still open truck. Inside it, many uniforms worn by the hotel employees were kept. Matt took one of them and worn it while taking off his glasses. He took out some luggage too.
Carrying it, he gave the FBI Agent near the door a friendly smile. He then typed the correct code- 9-1-7-4. As the door opened, he walked in, carrying the luggage with him, saying "Thanks" to the agent who closed the door behind him.
As he walked in, one of the employees on a ladder asked him, "Can you please hand me one of those BNCs?"
Matt picked it up and gave it to him while he said, "Thanks."
Matt then took off the jacket of the hotel staff he was wearing and walked into the main area of the hotel. People around him were going around, talking to each other, not paying attention to their surroundings that much.
Matt picked up a pamphlet and walked around. He heard a man arguing with the staff about his reservations.
He suddenly heard an FBI Agent walking in.
Surveying the area, he said, "North Entrance is green. West Entrance is green. Service Area is green. Lobby is green."
He then walked away, sensing no threat. Matt continued walking.
"So you're inside."
Matt gave an annoyed sigh at the voice.
"Now what?" Fisk asked him.
"Why would they let you out?" Matt muttered.
"Does it matter?" Fisk asked, "The real question is, when you find me, what are you prepared to do?"
"See, if the FBI are protecting you, that means you cut a deal", Matt said as he walked around.
"Yes, he did, Matthew", Adrian said, making Matt even more annoyed, "He is useful to this city like that."
"With everything I know about crime in this city, the FBI will be eating out of my hand", Fisk said.
"You'll manipulate them", Matt said.
"You honestly think you know that?" Chase asked with a smirk.
"I know him", Matt said.
"Maybe prison has changed me", Fisk said, making Matt laugh humorlessly.
"Maybe right this moment, I am giving the FBI information that will save lives", Fisk said, "While you're here doing what? Whatever this is."
"Isn't that something, Matthew?" Chase asked him.
"If I became more valuable to this city than you ever were", Fisk said.
Matt ignored both of them and walked downstairs.
Karen was now walking back to her own home with the Earth-1 trio.
"I know this might be a long shot", Roy said, "But what if Fisk being out has something to do with Chase?"
"What?" Oliver asked.
"You never know, kid", Slade said.
"Maybe", Karen said, "But if Chase had anything to do with it, I think Fisk would not be in any kind of custody."
"I don't know if Chase is involved or not", Oliver said, "But if he is, there is a point to everything he does. Maybe Fisk is here because Chase wants it."
"Or maybe Fisk himself wants it", Karen said.
"Still", Slade said, "The possibilities can't be ruled out."
"Chase is very smart", Roy said, "He might have planned something."
"Fisk is smart too", Karen said.
"Maybe Chase tracked down Fisk and they made an alliance", Oliver spoke the worst case scenario, "And this is a part of their plan."
"So what are we going to do then?" Karen asked.
At that moment, the four stopped at the place where the truck was. Another employee was going in. Oliver observed his fingers from a distance and memorized the code, "9-1-7-4."
"Go home, Karen", Oliver said to her, "There is something we need to do here."
"All right", Karen said, "If you find out something, tell me."
As she walked off, Oliver gestured to the truck and said, "I memorized the code and the truck is empty. No one's watching."
"Always a good thing, kid, always a good thing", Slade said as the three moved into the truck and changed into the uniforms of hotel employees. Picking up some luggage, they walked out.
Oliver typed in the correct code- 9-1-7-4. As the door opened, the three walked in while the FBI Agent closed it behind them.
They walked through the hallway and entered the main hall after taking off the hotel jackets. They spotted the FBI Agent walking around.
"Looking for threats I guess", Roy said.
"With Fisk out here, some people would probably want to kill him", Oliver said.
"Well, let's see if we can find out something", Slade said and the three started walking around.
Matt was sitting in the café after ordering a coffee. He was listening to conversations all around him, thinking he might get something.
"It's got the best view", Fisk's voice said from beside him.
With a sigh, Matt said, "You should be rotting in a cell."
"So you're gonna bring me back to prison?" Fisk asked, "But you know that won't work. There's only one way to stop me, but you're not gonna do it."
"Are you sure about that?" Matt asked as he put a toothpick in his mouth.
"Ohh", Chase said from his other side, "Are you implying what I think you are? So you no longer care about moral compass? Wow, never thought you could be that corrupted."
"In a way you're my accomplice", Fisk said, "Everything that's happened since you refused to kill me is on you. The bodies that I've stacked up. The ones to come."
"Perhaps one of us", Chase said with a smirk, "In that case, I am really looking forward to seeing your true colors, Matthew."
Matt then heard Fisk's lawyer, Benjamin Donovan, walk behind him, talking to someone on the phone.
"You can follow him right to me", Fisk said, "You know you want to."
"Let's see what you do when you are lead to your nemesis", Chase said.
Matt took the toothpick out of his mouth and started walking to where Donovan was walking.
"May I see your room key, sir?" an agent asked him.
"Yeah, I got it", Matt said as he put a hand to his pocket.
"No, I need to see it", the agent insisted. That was not something Matt had expected. He did not know that this agent was none other than Benjamin Poindexter.
"Oh sure", Matt said as he pretended to search for it.
"You can take him", Fisk said, "Grab his gun. And come for me. I am caged up. Unarmed."
"And then we will see how much morality is left in you", Chase said.
"Sir", Dex asked.
"They gave me like three of them", Matt said as he searched more while Dex gently fingered his gun, thinking this man was a threat.
"But you won't", Fisk said, "You can't kill me. You can't even kill yourself."
"You know what?" Matt said to Dex, "I must have left it in my car."
"Then I'm afraid I can't let you in", Dex said.
"Sure", Matt said, "I'll be right back."
He then walked away while Dex continued to eye him with suspicion.
"It looks like you can't kill anyone after all", Chase taunted him, "Disappointing."
Oliver, Slade and Roy arrived near the café as Matt walked off to another direction. Due to the many people and the fact that he was wearing a cap, the three failed to spot him.
They looked at a door guarded by an FBI Agent who stood there stiffly.
"I think coming here was a waste of time", Roy said.
"Don't be hasty, Harper", Slade said.
"Slade's right", Oliver said, "There might be a chance to find something."
"We can't go to Fisk", Roy said, "That agent won't let us."
"And right now, we don't have any means to carry out theatrics", Slade said.
"So we have to keep looking around", Oliver said, "Be aware of our surroundings."
The three continued to look around, trying to find any clue.
"Bon appetit, asshole", Agent Lim said to Fisk later as he put a tray in front of him. He walked away while Dex stood guard there. Chase was pacing around too.
Fisk looked at his food and after a deep breath spoke, "Its Special Agent Poindexter, isn't it?"
Dex turned his head towards him.
"You and Special Agent Chase saved my life last night", Fisk said gratefully.
"Yeah, we all make mistakes", Dex said.
"It's not a mistake if he helps us be 10 steps ahead of all the crime organizations", Chase said.
"I'm sorry for the loss of your fellow agents", Fisk said regretfully, "Losing them to protect someone like me must be difficult for their families and loved ones. I'd offer my condolences but I imagine it'd bring them greater comfort to hate me. Unless you feel otherwise. That my words bring any positive effect. If so, please share that, from what I witnessed, they were incredibly brave."
"Might wanna eat faster, convict", Dex said, trying to ignore Fisk's words, "Meal's over in five."
"I owe those fallen agents a debt I can never repay", Fisk said, "But I also owe the two of you. I've known extraordinary people. But I've never seen a talent such as yours. May I ask where you acquired such a skill?"
"Okay", Dex said as he walked over to him, "You're done."
He made to take the tray away but Chase firmly grabbed his hand.
"Special Agent Poindexter", he said, "The man complimented you. So I think taking away his food is not really a good way to say 'Thanks.'"
Dex removed his hand as Chase said, "Be nice to those who are nice to you. But the rest of the world does not deserve any such kindness."
Dex left the room, a little unnerved by Chase's words.
"Brilliant, Agent Chase", Fisk said, "Lot of resources you must have gotten to do such a thing."
"Not really", Chase said, "But I'm getting them."
The person watching the camera was confused by this conversation totally.
"I saved him because it was my job", Dex later said to Dr. Myman, "What more do you want me to say, Doc?"
"Forget Fisk", Myman said, "Talk to me about the ambush."
With a sigh, Dex asked, "What about it?"
"Oh come on, Poindexter", Myman said, "We both know how this works. We have to talk so I can clear you for duty. It is what it is."
After a deep breath, Dex said, "I lost friends today."
"And you used lethal force against multiple subjects", Myman said.
"Yeah."
"And you're here on duty, even though you should be on administrative leave", Myman pointed out.
"I understand you're trying to do your job", Dex said with a hint of anger in his voice, "But if I was wearing a mask, the press would be calling me a hero. Instead, I'm sitting here with you trying to justify protecting myself."
"I am not the enemy. I'm just trying to", Myman paused for a minute, "Look, forget the psych bullshit for a minute. Just tell me, for real, how are you?"
"It's hard. It's really hard", Dex said after a sigh.
"This isn't the first time you've used lethal force", Myman reminded him.
"I'm FBI Swat, Doc", Dex pointed out with a smirk, "And by the way, the other agent with me, Adrian Chase, he also used lethal force to defend himself. And what do you think a sniper does?"
"Well, the thing is Dex, can I call you Dex?"
When he didn't respond, Myman continued, "The thing is, events like this exact a toll. Repeating traumatic experiences compound that toll, creating a pressure."
"Until one day, I go postal? Yeah, I get it", Dex interrupted.
"The point is, you have to process this stuff", Myman said.
"I process it", Dex said.
"You have a support system?" Myman asked.
"Well, I think she'd rather be called Julie", Dex said.
"Oh", the doctor realized what this Julie was in his life, "Tell me how does that work?"
"She's a bartender", Dex said after a sigh, "Professional listener, like you. She probably gets paid more."
Both Myman and Dex chuckled a little at that.
"Tell me about her", Myman said.
"We get dinner most nights", Dex said, "Today's Tuesday? It's pizza night. Julie gets broccoli with sausage, extra cheese. I tell her about my day. The good, the bad. I know it's not healthy to hold this stuff in, so I talk to her. I tell her everything. And-and she doesn't judge me or blame me. She's just there for me."
"She sounds like a good one", Myman commented.
Dex nodded with a smile and said, "Yeah. She is."
Myman looked at him and with a smile said, "All right. You are clear for duty."
He then signed some papers and said, "But I want you checking with me daily for a while? Okay."
"Yes sir", Dex said as he shook the doctor's hand.
"You, uh, you go see your girl", Myman said, "It'll do you good."
Dex nodded with a smile, picked up his coat and walked out.
Benjamin Donovan sat in his car, preparing to drive. Suddenly, a rope wrapped around his throat while the light was switched off.
"Why did Fisk flip on the Albanians?" the man sitting behind him asked.
It was Matt, wearing his black suit again.
"I don't know what you're talking about", Donovan said, "You've got the wrong person."
The rope around him tightened and he said, "Fisk hated prison. The FBI got him out."
"He could have turned on anyone. Why the Albanians?" Matt asked him.
"I'm just a lawyer", Donovan protested.
"What is Fisk really getting out of this? The Albanians' territory?" Matt asked.
"No."
"Is it money?"
"No."
"Why don't you let me know when you wanna breathe?" Matt said as he tightened the rope while Donovan struggled to breathe.
"Fisk's woman", Donovan suddenly blurted out, "The feds will drop all charges against her."
"No", Matt said, not believing him.
"I swear! He's doing it all for her", Donovan stated.
"And where is Vanessa?" Matt asked, realizing Donovan wasn't lying.
At that moment, Matt heard some heartbeats and approaching footsteps. Probably agents. He let Donovan go, opened the door and ran out while Donovan screamed, "Help! Help!"
Matt crouched between the cars and kept running. He then hid behind a pillar as an agent said to the others via earpiece, "There's an unidentified assailant in the parking garage. Consider him armed and dangerous."
One of the agents was on the other side of the pillar behind which Matt was hidden. He looked around on one side and started moving towards the other. That moment, Matt grabbed him from behind and punched him before putting him in a chokehold.
"Anyone got a visual on him?" an agent said over the earpiece nearby as Matt crouched down behind a car while the agent passed out in his grip.
Matt slowly started sneaking up on another agent. As soon as the agent looked back, Matt quietly rolled away and hid underneath a car.
That agent walked past the car. Matt then got up and grabbed him from behind before slamming his head on a pillar stuck to a wall, knocking him out. He then dragged the unconscious agent and hid on the other side of the pillar while a third one looked for him.
The agent tried to move but Matt elbowed him out. He then opened an exit door but heard many FBI Agents on the other side so he closed it and hid behind another pillar before crouching down to between it and a car, avoiding being spotted.
"We need backup on parking level three", an agent said, "Repeat. We need backup on parking level three."
The agent in the main area who was looking around for threats heard that message via earpiece and started walking to the parking area. Oliver, Slade and Roy noticed him and discreetly followed.
Matt got up and was about to run when an FBI Agent pointed a gun on his face.
"They have families, asshole", he said.
"Listen", Matt said, "I'm not here to-"
Matt suddenly grabbed both his hands and tried to snatch his gun. The agent managed to slam him on a car as other nearby agents arrived. The agent tried to punch Matt but he blocked, grabbed him by the back of the collar and slammed him on the car before punching him out.
Three other agents fired at him but he rolled away and hid between cars.
"Come out with your hands up", one of them said, "Now."
As they passed the cars, Matt jumped between two of them and grabbing the gun of the one on the back, he punched him and kicked the one in the front before moving the back one's hand to hit the front one with his gun.
The third one fired but Matt dodged before pushing the agent whose hand he had grabbed away and snatching his gun which he threw on the third one's face, making him hold his nose and cry out in pain.
Matt then grabbed his gun hand and twisted it behind his back before kicking him down. The one whose face he had smacked with another agent's gun leapt onto him and slammed him to the ground.
He tried to punch but Matt blocked and slammed his head on the car before throwing him away. As another got up, Matt punched him out. The first one got up and moved towards him but Matt swept his feet from under him and he was down. He tried to get up but Matt kicked him on the face and he was down.
As he tried to get up, the one whose gun he had snatched grabbed him and punched him on the chest before getting a punch on the jaw which knocked him down.
"Stay down, man", Matt said.
But he got up again and tried to punch. Matt blocked and punched him down again. He panted and started walking away.
But the agent was persistent and grabbed his leg. Now Matt was angered.
"That's it", Fisk said, "Let the Devil out."
"Do it, Matthew", Chase said, "Give in to your inner darkness."
Matt lifted up the agent by the back of his coat and punched him thrice before throwing him down. He then lifted him by the collar and punched him four times before panting in exhaustion.
"Felt good, didn't it?" Fisk asked, "Too bad you still can't get at me. Not with the FBI protecting me."
"But you can always take it out on someone, like this agent here", Chase taunted him.
"I'm going to kill everyone you love and there's nothing you can do about it", Fisk taunted.
"And this city you love so much will fall", Chase taunted.
And then they were gone.
Matt slowly got up and walked out.
The agent from the main area was still on his way to the parking area when he felt someone behind him. He brandished his gun and turned but Oliver grabbed his gun hand and elbowed him out.
"Nice job, kid", Slade commented as the three ran to the parking area.
They saw six agents, lying unconscious.
"Oh boy!" Roy said, "Whoever did this is gone."
"You think it was Matt?" Slade asked Oliver.
"Maybe", Oliver said, "Perhaps he was here to gather info, just like us."
"Well, I hope he had better luck than us in that case", Slade said.
"I wish we had gotten here earlier", Oliver said, "Let's go."
The three then walked away from there.
Matt stood in front of the basin and washed his hand, soaked with the blood of that last agent. Matt now felt guilty for taking out his anger on that man who was just doing his job.
"Well, at least you're upright", Maggie quipped as she walked over to him.
Matt turned off the tap and tilted his head towards her, a grim expression on his face.
With a sigh, she asked, "Do I even wanna know?"
"Do you believe people can change?" Matt asked her.
"I'm still holding out hope", she said.
"I don't think we can", Matt said, "Not really. I think we come into this world who we are. And maybe we get a little nicer. Or a little angrier. But we can't change our fundamental nature."
"Well, you'd actually have to try to know", Maggie said as she walked over to a shelf.
"I was talking about Wilson Fisk", Matt corrected her.
Maggie turned around holding a jar, a surprised look on her face, "So your hearing's really back then?"
As Matt turned around, she said, "Well, what do you know? Maybe the boss did hear my prayers."
"Yeah, or my curses", Matt quipped.
"Please don't start with Job again", Maggie said as she lifted a cloth and dipped it in a bowl of clean water on a table.
"You gotta admit it's interesting, though, isn't it?" Matt asked as he walked over to her and put a towel on his shoulder, "I finally get my full hearing back, and the first thing I hear is that Wilson Fisk is out of prison."
"So you're suggesting that God set a dangerous mobster free just to spite you?" Maggie asked as she spread the cloth on the table.
"Nah", Matt said, "Probably just a coincidence."
She then started cleaning the wounds on Matt's knuckles with cotton dipped in another bowl of clean water and said, "Because that would be incredible narcissistic."
"Fisk claims to be helping the FBI", Matt said with his hands on the spread out cloth as Maggie continued cleaning the wounds, "But they don't know him like I do."
"Right", Maggie said, "And according to you, people can't change."
Matt gave a light chuckle and said, "Because he's claiming to have changed over a woman."
"I see", Maggie said, "Well, if there's anything that can redeem a lost soul, love would have to top the list."
"Oh, come on?" Matt said in an annoyed tone, "With me, it's different. But a monster like Fisk?"
"You're talking to a nun, kiddo", Maggie said, "So love and redemption are pretty much our sales pitch."
"You know", Matt said, "The man who injured me before I was brought here. He is a monster too. And he had a wife whom he loved. But when she tried to help him redeem himself, he murdered her."
On hearing that, Maggie looked at him in shock.
"So I'm not buying", he told her.
"What are you gonna do then?" she asked.
"Maybe I'll stop Fisk", Matt said, "And that other man too. For good this time."
Looking at him in concern, Maggie said, "Well, just be careful that you don't become the monster."
Dex sat in his car. Behind the car, a woman came out of the bar she worked in. She locked it up and started walking towards his car. But then she walked past it and towards a pizza place.
She was Julie. Dex watched her from within his car. She walked in to the pizza place. Dex picked up binoculars and watched her. She laughed and talked with the owner of the pizza place. Seeing that, Dex laughed too.
Julie picked up her pizza and ate it. It had broccoli with sausage and extra cheese. Dex had that pizza with him too, having bought it from there earlier. He picked it up and started eating it too. It had broccoli with sausage and extra cheese.
Dex now felt happy, eating pizza with Julie whom he loved so much. She was the love of his life. His North Star. And he was enjoying his pizza with her, just like he had told his doctor.
Foggy sat in a bar, drinking heavily. He was angry and depressed right now. Earlier that day, he had approached Blake Tower, thinking he could help in getting Fisk back in prison.
But Tower did not want to go against the wishes of the FBI and wanted to get re-elected so he had refused. So now Foggy was here in the bar, angry at him.
He saw a pamphlet nearby which said to re-elect Tower as District Attorney. Foggy angrily crushed it in his fists and threw it away.
He then continued drinking.
"Foggy", a voice whispered behind him.
He then turned and looked at the one who had called him out.
What the hell? How was that possible? No, it couldn't be real. He was hallucinating.
"This isn't real", he said, not showing any sign of shock or surprise.
"It's real", Matt said to him with a nod.
Now Foggy ended up smiling happily. It was real! Matt was alive! He was back!
He jumped up from his seat and hugged Matt, who hugged him back.
"Hey Foggy", Matt said as he patted his back.
"How? Where?" Foggy said incoherently in his drunken state, "Your apartment. You went missing. We all thought you were dead."
He let go and looked at Matt with happiness.
"I'm sorry", Matt said.
"Does Karen know you're back yet?" Foggy asked.
"Take a seat", Matt said as he put a hand on Foggy's shoulder.
As they both sat, Matt said, "I'm-I'm not back."
"Well, I'm 75% sure I'm not hallucinating", Foggy joked, thinking Matt was trying to mess with him.
"I'm, uh, not back", Matt said again, "Matt Murdock isn't gonna be a part of me anymore. Um, I'm leaving him behind."
"What?" Foggy asked, confused.
"The only reason I'm here is to warn you that Fisk is out and that you're both in danger", Matt said, "And there is another enemy of mine out for me. He is the one who bombed my apartment. He will find you. So go into hiding."
"Dude-"
"I've had a rough time recently, Foggy", Matt said, "Questioning a lot of- the point of it all. And last night, everything became clear. I'm going after them, Foggy, and I'm going to find a way to bring them both down. But I can only do that if I know that you and Karen are safe. So please, go into hiding."
"Dude", Foggy said, "Slow down. I'm still processing the fact that you're even, like, sitting here."
"I know you're gonna want to get involved", Matt said, "You and Karen will try and fight Fisk and even my attacker in some way. I'm telling you, I need you to stay out of it and leave it to me."
"No", Foggy said in a confused expression.
"No?"
"No", Foggy repeated firmly, this time a hint of anger in his voice, "You don't get to show up like this and say something like that and expect me to be cool with it. You're my best friend, asshole."
"See, I was wrong to become your friend, Foggy", Matt said, stunning him into silence, "I-I put you in danger, and it was selfish of me. I can't change the past but I can stop making the same mistake."
With a sigh, Matt started getting up and said while hiding his emotions, "We're done buddy. It's uh, it's over."
As he started walking away, Foggy said angrily, "There's something seriously wrong with you."
"Yeah, I know", Matt said as he walked away, "Stay clear of Fisk and my attacker. Tell Karen to do the same. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell her that you saw me."
"Do you even hear yourself right now?" Foggy asked in stunned shock.
"Goodbye, Foggy", Matt said as he walked away.
"Matt! Matt!" Foggy called out but got no response as Matt walked out and disappeared.
Matt walked out of the bar. He then stopped and let out a very sad sigh. He might have talked emotionlessly with Foggy but he was crying inside over it.
But he had another purpose too. He took out a wallet from his pocket. It was not his, but Foggy's. He had swiped it off him while they were talking.
He ran his fingers over Foggy's cards. His identity card and bank number were all there. Matt then decided it was time for his next move.
"Was it him?" Fisk asked Donovan after listening to him narrate the incident.
"He took out 6 feds", Donovan said, "He wasn't in a red suit, but yeah, it was him."
Fisk took a deep breath and walked towards the window. Looking out at the city, he said, "So the Devil is back."
Outside the window, Prometheus stood, hanging on the side. He heard that and said, "So I guess you're back in the game, Mr. Murdock."
Damn it! Oliver, Slade and Roy have barely missed Matt thrice now. I am going to keep them separated a little longer.
Fisk and Chase have a really smart way of conversing with each other, don't they?
Poor Matt, having hallucinations of both the psychopaths, egging him on to fulfill his dark desires. Poor Foggy too, being cut off by his best friend like that.
Dex has an interesting way of spending time with his 'girlfriend.'
I think the words 'military' and 'connections' are a hint of something else entirely.
Please review. I always appreciate your feedback.