Watchmen: Aim at the Moon

Chapter 8 ~ We're Hiding in Plain Sight

I woke up the sudden cold air hitting my face. I saw the silhouette of a man in the window. He must have assumed I was sleep. No one could really see me. It was way too dark. I could see his back turned towards me. He pulled off his hat, then his coat, his hands towards his mask. I shifted a little, which caused the bed to squeak. He stopped and turned to face me. I laid there stilling staring with my heart pounding. He let his hands drop. He walked over to a small recliner and sat down on it. I could hear it squeak and crack with the sudden weight change. I turned my body to face the wall. I closed my eyes and fell asleep again.

This time when I woke up, it was bride daylight. Stood up the bed still squeaking. I put my hands on my knees and pushed myself up. I stared at the ground to see a few of my clothes neatly folded. I grabbed them and quickly changed. I walked towards the window, then stopped. I saw a scrap piece of paper and a barely usable pen. I wrote on it and placed it on the desk by the typewriter. I wasn't thinking on my next move. I just opened the window and quietly slid down. My hands in my pockets. My mind was on autopilot, and I went straight home. There was police everywhere. A few stared at me but shrugged it off. I snuck towards the stables, I saw Nottingham roaming around gleefully. He had no care in the world.

I quickly jumped the fence and ran over to him. I jumped on his back and dug my heels in his side. He bucked then jumped the fence. I smirked as I saw the cops stare in disbelief. They called out to us, but didn't try to follow. I rode straight to Daniel's. Thankfully Nottingham was trained to stay when I needed him.

Daniel opened the door to see me standing on his front porch.

"Dan, I need my stuff." I put my hands on my hips.

"How much of it?" He asked confused.

"All of it." I smirked.

Daniel beckoned me to follow him, which I did, we made our way to his little workshop. He went over to a display case and pulled out all my Robin Hood stuff I had him tweak years ago.

"I still mess with it here and there." He chuckled nervously, "And fixed the saddle you wanted me to do for Nottingham years ago." He struggled to carry it over, but smirked to see that it looked better than before.

"Upgraded everything didn't ya?" I looked at him, drawing back the draw string on my bow.

"Yep, and modified your arrows. Still can't believe you know the physics to perfect aim." He pushed his glasses closer to his face.

"When your father is a world renowned archer, you learn a few things." I smirked.

"How's...?" Daniel was hesitant to ask.

"He was diagnosed with dementia. Adrian knows, he sent him to a rich nursing home. I just didn't ave the heart to face him.. since he can't remember me." I looked down still playing with the bow.

"He was one of the greatest Minutemen." Daniel tapped his knuckle to his work table.

"Because of John's death he hasn't been much a husband... let alone a father." I sighed.

"I still don't understand why Blake..." Daniel cut himself short.

"Why that son a bitch shot my brother. Daniel everyday I hear those words ringing, 'it took one shot' there's not a moment that goes by where I don't hear those words. Then try to decipher what they mean." I punched the fist lightly on the table...

"I heard what happened, where will you stay?" He asked.

"Surprisingly, Rorschach's." I calmly said...

"Wait..." Daniel stared in disbelief.

"I know, look Daniel. I have to go, thank you for everything." I walked upstairs and smiled back at Daniel.

I put the saddle and bridle on Nottingham and rode back to Rorschach's apartment. Thankful there was an abandoned garage, it was very clean surprisingly. I snuck Nottingham in there it was spacey. I smirked as I thought of way to make it into a stable. I decided to get things together first. I climbed the ladder the apartment and saw the back of Rorschach's body leaning against the door. I could hear yelling from inside.

" Kovacs you're late on rent!" I could hear a woman scream.

"Money is there!" I could hear Rorschach grunt. Pushing the door.

"It better be." The door slammed shut.

I climbed through the window, "Kovacs?" I asked crossing my arms. I saw the man jump and quickly put his mask back on.

"Don't do that!" He hissed.

"What if I feel like it." I walked over to him.

"Don't test me!" He grunted.

"You can't be Rorschach forever, sooner or later you have to be this Kovacs guy." I frowned.

"Not Kovacs! I am Rorschach!" He hissed through his mask.

"A mask doesn't make you Rorschach..." I was cut off.

"Kovacs is someone I disguise to be. Real me, Rorschach is real me." Rorschach looked like he was about to punch something. His fist going white, him not wearing his gloves.

"Whatever keeps you up at night." I rolled my eyes. I pulled my bow off my shoulder and laid down my quiver full of arrows, "Any news yet?" I asked as Rorschach turned away.

"No, not yet." Rorschach replied. He said that like we were supposed to wait for something, but what were we waiting for?