Thank ya, for the kind words, friends.
Nineteen missed calls, a plethora of texts, and her parents had been up to check on her every hour. Tikki tried talking to her, but Marinette couldn't gather the strength to talk back. She lay on her chaise and stared at the ceiling. Three more bodies. Three! And the last one wasn't even dead when they found him.
She ran to the bathroom and threw up.
How could anyone do that?
A gentle tapping stirred her from her thoughts. She went back into her room and looked up at the trap door.
A messy, blonde haired boy with bright, green eyes looked down at her. He waved a gloved hand and asked, "Can I come in?"
Marinette nodded, telling him the door was unlocked. She watched him jump through the opening and land in a cat-like crouch. He was clearly trying to impress her, though he seemed just the least bit shy as well.
"What are you doing here, Chat Noir?" She glanced over her room to make sure Tikki was hidden.
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop in for a visit with my favorite purrincess."
"Uh-huh. Do you just pick random girls off the street and follow them home like a stray? We don't exactly know each other enough for you to just decide to visit me."
The boy's confidence deflated. "Ah, well… I really was in the neighborhood and I, uh, overheard some people talking about you and… how upset you were and, and…" The floor suddenly seemed very interesting. "I came by to apologize."
Marinette watched him, suddenly feeling very guilty. "Chat-"
"I messed up, Princess. I cut mine and Ladybug's patrol short because of the weather. If I had stayed out just a little longer, maybe I would have caught something and found whoever is doing these horrible things." He stepped closer to her. "I don't blame you for doubting me, but don't doubt Ladybug, okay? You can trust her and you can rest assured that she and I won't stop until we figure this out. We won't give up. We'll work harder than ever before to keep the people of Paris safe."
He winked at her and leaped back through the little door in her ceiling. "I promise."
Marinette stared at the ceiling.
"Chat Noir believes in you," Tikki said, flying to her side. "Don't give up, Marinette. Paris still needs its hero."
Marinette's demeanor changed. She felt a surge of confidence and determination. Chat was right, they didn't catch the bad guy, but they could change that. They could work harder and figure this out. They could still save Paris.
"Tikki, spots on."
He caught the butterfly on his finger, yellow eyes almost glowing at the pleasure it brought him. The desire for chaos that laced its wings made guttural chortles bubble up from the depths of his being.
He flicked it up into the sky and watched it catch the wind and soar.
He laughed the laugh of a madman as he began to chase the insect.
He opened his mouth and crooned his twisted rhymes, trusting that the butterfly would deliver his message.
Flitter, flutter, Butterfly. Fly up high.
Up! Up! Up! In the dull, grey sky.
Flicker and dip and flutter and float.
Your dark wings like a demon's dread boat.
Oh, quiver away through seas of troubled souls.
The Huntsman will follow, wherever you go.
He giggled at his words, feeling the insatiable need for spilled blood rising within him again.
"You'll help the old Huntsman, won't you little one?" he asked the butterfly. "You'll find me the power I need to satisfy my thirst and I'll deliver treasures unknown to your feet. Rubies and diamonds and bugs and kittens. How rich you'll feel when my thirst is quenched."
Far away, in the isolation of his tower, Hawk Moth grinned wickedly at the words he heard. "Of course I'll help you, Huntsman. Our partnership will be one of legend by the time this is over. Follow my Akuma and I will show you the way to your next meal."
The Huntsman watched the butterfly dance in the air. He knew that someone had heard his song and desire, thanks to the butterfly. He was so happy he almost caught the insect and crushed it in his fist. "The Huntsman will follow, wherever you go," he sang again. "And Benny boy will follow the Huntsman! Aha!" He cackled. "And the Huntsman will crush his snake!"
Tis short. Sorry. Next is longer.