Adopted by the Devil - Matt Murdock (BOOK ONE)

Chapter 18

Almost every day, Jasper went to the support group after school and afterward walked with Mel to the office. He found her presence comforting. The session ended and they grabbed their things together.

"Wanna walk together again?" Jasper asked, turning to her as she pulled on her raincoat. She sighed and pouted slightly.

"Sorry, I've got therapy right after this. I literally have to book it in the next," she checked her watch and huffed. "Minute," she stated as she grabbed her bag. Jasper sighed and nodded.

"Okay," he mumbled, brushing his hair back before slipping his hat on. Mel smiled a bit and gently kissed his cheek.

"Oh relax big baby, I'll see you tomorrow," she said softly before running out. Jasper's eyes widened as he watched her leave. His cheeks turned a rosy pink as he brushed his fingers over where she made contact. He found himself smiling to himself as he walked out and into the pouring rain to make it to Matt and Foggy's office.

The heavy downpour thrummed against the streets and the brim of his hat as he walked down the street. Jasper pulled his soaked hood over his head and walked past people. He turned the corner and walked past an alley. The street uneven. He huffed before an arm reached out and yanked him into the side path. He gasped and stumbled. He spun around, his hand clenched into a fist but as he was about to swing; he froze. He lowered his hand, his breath stuck in his chest as he stared at the person in front of him.

"You look so much like your dad," the woman spoke, an umbrella covering her head from the rain. "Hi Jas," she said softly, smiling softly. Jasper furrowed his brows, everything in his thought process ramming into each other and clashing. He could barely get out his words.

"Mom?" he whispered, the droplets from his hat brim dripping down onto his face as he stood in the downpour. She smiled and nodded.

"It's been so long, I have so much to talk to you about-"

"Don't." Jasper managed to rip from his throat, tears forming.

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Jasper followed quickly after his mom, the mist covering the streets of the little caldicac that early morning. "Mom? Mom wait up, where are you going?" he asked, trailing behind her as she filled her car with a few bags. She turned, her hair wet from her quick but necessary shower. She sighed shakily, kneeling down to his level.

"My sweet boy," she whispered, cupping his cheek. He furrowed his brows, his small cheek discolored. "I need you to watch your baby sister, you're gonna have to," she stated. He nodded his head, watching her stand back to her full height.

"Why? Where are you going?" he asked again. She sighed.

"I'll see you soon," she whispered before climbing into her car and pulling out of the driveway. She stole one last glance at her son before driving into the mist.

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"You fucking left us." he snapped, glaring at the woman who stood before him. "You left us with him" he snarled. She sighed.

"And you got yourselves out from what I heard," she stated. "Let's get some coffee and I'll explain things" she stated. Jasper shook his head.

"I've got work," he stated, his hand shaking. He turned to leave but she grabbed his arm, slipping a business card into his palm. He spun his head back towards her and pulled his arm away.

"Call me when you want to reconnect." she simply stated before he scoffed, turning and leaving through the puddles.

He walked quickly through the sea of people near the train station as he wiped his eyes, rage and regret filling his bloodstream. He pushed through people and knocked his shoulder into someone's arm.

"Hey watch it!" Jasper froze, that voice ringing through his ears. "Oh hey, Cole" Jake smirked a bit, turning to face him.

"Sorry, I was just going," Jasper stated, his voice rumbling as he tried to slip away. Jake grabbed onto his arm with an iron grip.

"Wait, wait I wanna talk," he stated, pulling him aside into another alley.

Why the fuck does New York have so many alleys

Jasper clenched his fist, pulling against his arm before Jake pinned into the brick wall. "Watch it." Jasper snarled both of his fists clenched tightly.

"Oh calm down," Jake stated, looking down at him. His grip was tight but it didn't seem he wanted it to hurt. Jasper scoffed, his jaw locking as he glared at him.

"Calm down? Calm down! How about you don't drag me into an alley after the last time you fucking saw me, you fucking assaulted me!" He screamed in his face. Jake huffed, pushing him against the wall, his hands tightening around his arms.

"Keep your fucking mouth shut." Jake snarled, his voice low and close to Jasper's ear shell. Jasper's body erupted in goosebumps as his blood went cold. He could hear his heartbeat against his ears. His blood ran cold. "Your lucky I didn't share out the act," he whispered. Jasper looked up at him, his clenched fists now shaking.

"Wh-what.." he whispered, his voice cracking. Jake chuckled.

"Yeah, I filmed it," Jake said quietly, almost like he was ashamed that he did. "So, keep your voice down or I might as well send it out," he stated. Jasper sighed shakily, his eyes glossing over. Everything was becoming too much; his skin was on fire, and the feeling of his hands wrapped around his arms. Jasper shook his head, feeling his breath against him.

"Get. Off." Jasper snapped, ripping his one arm free and punching him across the face. Once he got his other arm free from Jake's grasp, he kept ramming his fists where ever they landed. What happened next was a blur, a blur of fists and blood on the pavement.

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Matt sighed, waiting in the office with his one light on. It had been almost an hour since Jasper was supposed to show up for work and no call, no text, nothing. He sighed, pulling his glasses off for a moment to rub the corner of his eyes before pulling them back on.

The door opened and he lifted his head. "Jasper? Is that you kid?" he asked as he got up and walked into the main room. Jasper closed the door behind him and sighed shakily, his breath slightly hollow. Matt furrowed his brows as he reached the door frame. "Jas?" he asked gently. Jasper turned around and sniffled, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"I uh... I fucked up again.." he muttered, his knuckles cracked and bleeding. "Do you have a first aid kit.." he whispered.

Matt sighed gently and nodded. "I have one back at my place, what happened?" he asked gently. Jasper gulped, feeling the iron taste take over his taste buds.

"Jake... the guy who... he.." he whispered. His emotions taking over. He didn't know why he felt so comfortable around Matt, he felt like he barely knew him yet, here he was breaking down in front of someone who couldn't see it. He sniffled, wiping his cheek.

"Can I stay at your place tonight... I don't wanna explain this all to Caroline.." he whispered, his eyes turning red. Matt nodded and walked over to him, wrapping his arms around him and hugging him in a gentle embrace. Jasper wrapped his arms around him and just enjoyed the hold as tears fell and his invisible mask he put out to the world fell and shattered.