what they wouldn't do | DAREDEVIL

chapter two: choices

         IT WASN'T UNTIL HE HAD already invaded her space that she realized she wasn't alone. A large hand covered her mouth while another one settled on her throat, and she stared, wide-eyed and panicked, into the partially covered face of Daredevil.

         He slowly backed her up until she felt her spine press against the brick of her building. His mouth, the only visible part of his face, was set into a grim line as he held her firmly in place.

         "I'm going to take my hand off your mouth," he said in a low, even voice, "and it would be in your best interest not to scream. Do you understand?"

         Sarah hesitated, then nodded. She realized belatedly that he wouldn't be able to see it, but he must have felt the movement of her head, because he lifted his hand and rested it semi-threateningly on the wall a few inches from her face, ready to quiet her again if needed. His other hand remained on her throat, exerting just the slightest pressure, so that she could feel her heartbeat pulsing wildly against it.

         "I'm going to ask you some questions," he said, "If you answer truthfully, I won't hurt you. Believe me when I tell you that you don't want to lie, and that I will be able to tell the difference. Understood?" He paused, and Sarah nodded again before catching herself and answering verbally.

         "I got it."

         "What's your name?"

         "Sarah." She hoped he wouldn't demand a last name, and thankfully he didn't.

         "You live in this building, Sarah?"

         "Yes."

         "And you work for Orion Incorporated?"

         Sarah's eyes widened. So he did remember her from their first meeting.

         "Um, yes. But I'm...I'm just an secretary, I—I don't do anything important there." So please don't torture me for information, she added mentally.

         He nodded slowly. "Alright, Sarah. Now we're going to talk about me. Do you know who I am?"

         Sarah could feel her palms starting to sweat and she hoped she could play dumb long enough to get out of this.

         "You're Daredevil."

         "I think you know that's not what I'm asking." So much for playing dumb. "Do you know who I really am?"

         "I—I, um—"

         Sarah faltered, still not sure if telling the truth was her best option, despite his warning. What would he do once he confirmed that she knew his identity? Her stuttering hesitation gave her away. The vigilante pointedly increased his hold on her throat just slightly—not painful, but undeniably threatening—and growled quietly, "If you're thinking of lying, rethink it. Do you know who I am?"

         "Yes."

         The pressure on her throat lessened again, an immediate reward for a truthful answer. He didn't say anything for a long moment, and she wondered briefly if he would snap her neck here and now. Instead, he questioned her again in that same quietly intimidating tone.

         "What's my name?"

         "Matthew." She answered quickly this time. "Uh, M-Matthew Murdock."

         His jaw twitched with displeasure at her accurate answer, but the pressure of his hand remained steady—not lessening, but not increasing either.