Shadowteer

Chapter 15

"Manon Chamack, how did it feel to be akumatised again?" Manon was frozen in place. She had no idea how to respond to the question. She had been akumatised for practically a week and there was her mother... it was too much. She glanced at Chris, feeling slightly jealous as he got another hug.

"Uh... why don't you ask Chris? He was akumatised too..."

"He needed some time with his family so we decided to come to you first." She felt herself slowly being drained of all her energy. She croaked out a plea, trying not to break down on national television.

"Mom? Can we talk for a moment?" Nadia shot her a death glare like she had done something wrong and turned back to the camera.

"Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with one of the victims. We'll be right back after these messages." She grabbed her daughter and pulled her away from her news crew. It wasn't exactly a loving gesture.

"Manon, I'm so glad you're okay honey! Why did you do that?! I was on air for goodness sake, we talked about this. Remember when you were eight and you came into the newsroom looking for me because you scraped your knee? I almost fired Marinette that day. Heck, I almost got fired that day. Why on earth would you embarrass your mother on live television like that?"

"Are you... do you..."

"Spit it out, I've got only a few minutes left."

"Do you even care? Your daughter just got akumatised for goodness sake. You didn't even-"

"Of course I care hon. But that doesn't excuse your behaviour. I think the best thing to do would be to ground you."

"Ground me?!"

"Yes. I warned you once, no need to do it again. I thought you were more grown up than this, honestly dear. You're not doing anything fun this week so if you've got anything planned, I suggest you reschedule it."

"And I thought Shadow was the most emotionless person on this planet."

"What was that dear?"

"I said, I thought Shadow was the most emotionless person on this planet. At least he actually cared enough to save that dying man. He has a heart. You're... You're completely heartless. You're a stone cold, robotic machine. I can't believe it took me so long to figure this out."

"Excuse me? I'm going to give you a chance and pretend I didn't hear a word you just said."

"Dont you get it mom? I want you to hear this. I need to... where do I start. Tell me honestly mother. If you were told to give a report on a dying man, what exactly would you do?"

"Give the report. What else?"

"You wouldn't... oh I don't know... call for medical help, give him first aid, take him to the hospital- you wouldn't do anything?"

"This is by far the most meaningless question I have ever heard. The work of a reporter like myself is to report. It's right in the name. I can't just put my personal opinion and urges in front of my duty."

"Like your daughter right?"

"I still don't understand what you are talking about."

"I... I was akumatised mother! I was freaking akumatised! Nino Lahiffe flew all the way here once he heard the news and stopped his world tour.  Alya Lahiffe took a break from reporting to be there for a boy who she wasn't even related to. Marinette, Adrien, they left fashion week in Sydney to be here- so many people dropped everything they were doing just to make sure he was alright. Nino is his only blood relation out of everyone hugging him over there!"

"What's your point?"

"If Alya could halt her career for a boy she wasn't even related to, how could you, my own mother... why would you just keep going to work like your daughter wasn't in deep trouble?!"

"Dont even think about comparing me to that Alya. She's too young to understand how easy it could be for someone else to fill her spot. You can't trust anyone in the news industry Manon. I needed to keep my spot or my substitute might have become my replacement. To think she just abandoned the whole thing. What kind of work ethic does that girl even have?"

"Thirty seconds Nadia! Wrap it up and get your head in the game." Nadia turned to her daughter. Manon took two steps back, too hurt to even look at her mother.

"Manon, I love you. You know that right?" She squeezed her eyes shut.

"You love me but you obviously love your career more."

"Manon! That accusation is-"

"Fifteen."

"All true. Go on. Go do your thing. I'll be home. Not like I can go anywhere else. I am grounded."

"I... I promise I'll make it up to you."

"Don't make promises you can't keep. I stopped believing you a long time ago."

"Oh Manon-"

"Hurry up Chamack, you're on in five..."

"I love you."

"Four..."

"You're an awful liar."

"Three..."

"Manon, please."

"Two..."

"Show time." She shot her a thumbs up with a smile so sorrow ridden it made Nadia cringe.

"One."

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, this is Nadia Chamack here live with..."

And with that, she ran.