Vivamus, Moriendum est (Rorschach x oc)

21. If you leave me now

Walter's P.O.V.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't let her go. I knew I'd regret it later, but my desire to keep her safe overwhelmed me. After all, it was my fault she was out on the street rather than at home where she was meant to be. Safe, with Irene. Safe, happy, and well taken care of.

I at least owed it to her to help her get back home. I'd bring her back to the Maddox penthouse and I'd leave. No need to see Irene. No need to linger. It was just taking her home. It meant nothing. Just something a responsible and kind gentleman did for a lady. 

The old woman was still rambling on about some stupid wrap of fabric. I walked away from her.

"Young man!" She called angrily.

Picking up the intercom button I spoke over the meaningless chatter.

"Attention mindless turkeys, Garner's Garments is now closed." 

"What did he call us?"

"You can't do that!"

"Get out." I roared over the intercom.

There had been no shortage of dirty looks and threats of a revoking of business, nonetheless they all filed out. I rushed about the showroom turning off the lights. I found the keys behind the counter and rushed to the front of the store. I hustled out and frantically locked the door.

Maybe I could still catch up to her. Sure, enough luck was on my side today. Mary laid on the sidewalk curled against the wall.

"There he is!"

"Young man! That was very rude!"

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

The calls meant nothing. Just a typical background track custom to New York.

"Mary!" I called out.

Slowly, she picked her head up. But her eyes were wide with fear.

"Mary!" I heard. Heard? No, that wasn't right. Someone else was calling her.

Taking a glance behind me, two men in suits towered over the crowd of women from the store. They were staring at Mary. Spotting her and her recognition of them they began fighting their way through the crowd. Sensing danger I turned back around and shouted for Mary again.

But the beaten down figure against the wall was nowhere to be found. Redirecting my glance farther I saw her tearing off down the street. So, this would be a little more than just a walk home.

I broke into a run myself. Usually, I was faster than her. But she had gotten one hell of a head start. She must have taken a turn somewhere because I couldn't find her. I pushed myself as hard as ever, harder even. She should have been right ahead, yet she wasn't.

Out of lack of options I stopped in the sidewalk, trying to decide where she had gone. Then involuntarily I jerked backwards. Someone's fist closed around the back of my shirt.

"Where did she go?"

The men in suits had caught up. They were nearly identical. No sense in making a distinction. Two tall, bulky men with close cropped hair in suits and sunglasses. One stood behind me with a hard grip on the back of my shirt. The other stood in front of me, his glare prominent even behind the tinted lenses.

"Like I'd tell you." I sneered.

The man in front apparently did not have much patience. He struck his hand across my face.

"If you have any sense of self-preservation, you'll tell us."

"Why are you looking for her?" I challenged.