The Man Behind The Black Mask

Jack Murdock

The hours go by as the devil of Hell's Kitchen stands on top of a water tower... Listening to the corruption of New York. It might be time for him to stop this madness for good.

The words Jessica told him left him thinking:

"I remember it all. I lied to father Paul, I remember every night. I count them all, every punch I landed, every punch I took to the face, the shoulder, the chest. That didn't stop me though.

It wasn't a week nor a month.

8 months of me running around Hell's Kitchen, searching for people who need help. I'm not an avenger, I just want to make this city a better place.
Those avengers are too busy handling high level threats, they barely see the little people.

I met an avenger once. Iron Man.

He called me street level...

I call myself people level.

I might've been wrong. This might come to an end...

I can't take anymore of those hits."

Matt slowly turns around to face Fogwell's gym.

"But then again, that's what my father was good at. Taking hits and getting back up." Matt said while smiling.

*Flashback begins*

"C'mon, Murdock. GET UP." The trainer said.

Jack Murdock (Matt Murdock's father) got up and analyzed his trainer movements.

Dodge. Dodge. Jab to lure 'em in, and then hit 'em with a right hook.

Always take a step forward whenever your reach is low.

Young Matt Murdock keeps staring at the movements his father does in the ring at Fogwell's gym. Since it was before the accident, Matt could actually SEE his father's techniques.

"Woah." Matt said after seeing his father.

When his father is resting between rounds, he inhales quickly and exhales slowly. This is a technique he uses to slow his heart rate.

Matt used it whenever he felt tired.

*Flashback ends*

Matt took off his black suit and entered Fogwell's gym.

He walks to the ring and touches the ropes.

"I miss you, battling Jack." he said.

Matt grabs his black suit and puts it in his father's locker next to his billy club.

"My father always wanted me to be smart person, someone who doesn't fight and gets himself in trouble. He wanted me to be a lawyer. Not someone who goes out to fight bad people the law couldn't punish, and then call it justice.
He knew what was gonna happen that night... He just wanted me to see him win once.

He made a deal with those guys to lose to his opponent. He broke that deal and won... For me. He's a scumbag.
They killed him with no hesitation. I wish I hadn't heard that gunshot with my senses, but I did.
A kid who lost his father to a foolish act right after he lost his sight to an accident that didn't have anything to do with little Matty.
I saw an old person who needed saving and I saved him. I lost my vision, yes, but the old guy is still alive.
I'm not gonna let another accident take away my life.

The devil of Hell's Kitchen is dead." Matt thought before he closed the locker.