【 Million Ways To See 】MATT MURDOCK

▶ Let Go

It all appeared as a blur to you. The pavement was under our sneakers as you walked down an empty sidewalk. Your shift ended and it was getting late, so the decision of taking the fast route was always your option. The plastic bag swung every time you took a step, but you kept caution to not ruin the sweet dessert you had in store for your friend. The last time you called Matt, he was still in the office and mentioned that he would probably stay at the office all night to complete his documents. You insisted in staying at his office to keep him company, but he abruptly rejected your offer- realizing his rude tone and apologized for the way he was acting.

He said he had a bad day, which influenced you to go grab something sweet for him. He always loved the sweets that were from the bakery you worked at, so it was a great chance to bring a smile on his face. However, you never expected to stumble across a heart-beating situation. In the corner of your eye, you noticed a van pulling up on the side and two men jumping out of the vehicle.

The grip on the bag tightened as your pace started picking up. The last thing you wanted to deal with was trouble, so avoiding it as your top priority. Then, someone gripped onto your wrist, forcing your body to turn around. Your eyes were on one of the men that owned the van. They laughed and dragged you towards their van while fighting off your struggles.

Then there you were, standing from afar watching a dark figure giving the two men a lesson. They had bloody faces within seconds and were lying on the ground unconscious. You watched him as he got a rope- that was found in the van- and tied their arms to a pole, restricting their freedom.

"You should get going," his voice snapped you into reality. You nodded, not being able to stutter a word. But then you noticed that your hands were free, causing you to look around frantically making the man question you. You ignored his questions and found the small cake smashed on the pavement with the box torn apart and frosting scrapped everywhere. Your feet made their way towards the cake as you stared at it in disappointment.

"Sorry about the cake," he said, voice becoming louder and clearer now that he was walking to you.

A sigh left your dried lips as you waved your hand at the masked man, "It's fine, I guess I'll visit my friend empty handed."

"It's late, you should head home," his voice sounded serious yet nervous. "Besides, your friend is probably not in his office at this hour."

"He doesn't get much sleep anyway because he's always doing work- wait," you paused, taking a step back while staring at the man with a confused look in your eyes. "I-I didn't mention anything about my friend working at his office... how did you-?"

You noticed how he looked the other way, avoiding eye contact. "Nevermind. Go home." He said, walking away down an alley way.

Your feet followed him from behind, "That voice. ...Matt? I-is that you?" you asked. Your body jerked to a stop once the man stopped in his tracks, fists clenched to his sides. He turned his head to the side with his mouth opened making you anxious. But no words left his mouth.

"M-Matt?" You said in a whisper. He turned around to face you when he hinted a crack in your voice, but just stood there without saying anything to you. Nevertheless, his silence was the answer to your question. Tears started welling up in your eyes causing Matt to clench his jaw.

"T-this whole time- you spent your nights doing this...putting yourself in danger," you said, staying still and not believing that your blind friend was the masked hero that was all over the media.

"And that's why you need to stay from me," his voice went an octave lower. "I have put people I know in danger and I can't let that happen to you [Name], I can't." There was a tone of desperation in his voice which broke your heart.

"Y-you think I'm scared for myself?" you asked, wanting to laugh. "Goodness sake, I'm scared for you! Y-you can get yourself killed if you continue doing this. I can't let that happen... You think I can just go home and not worry about your very own existence?"

"Yes," he replied coldly.

"Wh-what?"

"It's for your own safety," he pleaded. "I can't let anything happen to you."

Your hands dropped to your side as you gawked at him in disapproval. Matt listened to your groan of frustration and weak cries which made his chest feel heavy. He stood there under the dark listening as you stated that you wanted to throw a piece of cake at him, making the corner of his lip twitch.

"You know I can't do that," your voice shook. "You know as heck I can't. I care about you to not worry."

Matt turned around making his way to the steel stairs against the buildings. "Go home, [Name]." he softly said.

No words escaped your lips as you stood in the middle of the alley. Maybe if you stayed a little longer, he would come back and the two of you can try to make sense out of things. Seconds dreaded by until you realized that he wasn't going to return. Was he ever going to return?

Afterwards you gently wiped the tears away with the sleeve of your sweater and walked the opposite direction from Matt's office, not taking notice of the figure watching over you from a building.

Under the starless night, your heart wasn't the only one that felt damaged.