Masks

Chapter 4

Evey awoke on the couch it was where she had fallen asleep, had the kitchen been just a dream? Slowly she began to take in her surroundings; her eyes began to flutter open, she could see a black figure in the distance humming softly to the jukebox, her nose could smell cooked food. Her eyes snapped open. That was not a dream. That figure in black was really here. But was he really her V? Did she not place his body on a train loaded with explosives? She could not help herself from thinking 'I've gone mad. Absolutely mad.' But this was certainly her V, even in her bleary state she could see the frills of his apron. Why would her mind include that detail, her previous dreams and delusions of V had all revolved around his final declaration of love. Not this particular memory of his lighter side.

He could hear her begin to stir. She had become much quieter in his absence but the sounds of human stirring were becoming more apparent. "Welcome to the world of the waking." He approached her on the couch; wincing a bit as he began crouching beside her leveling the eyes of his mask to her own.

She levered herself up on her elbow "Remove your gloves" she commanded. He acquiesced to her request, placing his gloves above her head. She could see his scarred hands placed on the couch cushions. She gingerly lifted one of his hands, tracing the patterns. She could feel the warmth coursing through his hands. She felt a sense of wonder "It is you." It was a statement of fact. He was here. Alive. Her face turned stormy; happy, sad, angry it was all there. She sat up the rest of the way. She dropped his hand like a hot rock. And promptly stood up and stomped to the kitchen.

She had been passed out on the couch for at least ten minutes. Those ten minutes were the last feeling of peace he would have for a while. She had demanded he show her his hands, 'how very sensible she had become.' He rose pulling his gloves back on. Her touch had ignited something; the electric current was still coursing through his veins. He followed her like a balloon on a string. She was banging around the kitchen. Finishing his table settings she sat down; with a simple gesture she compelled him to sit as well. The silence was positively deafening. She began to eat, probably hoping that he would remove his mask and join her, this is one request he would not respond to. While he had avoided looking in the mirrors at the hospital, he had not forgotten the monster that he was, he would not subject her to that horror yet not until he was certain. He allowed her to eat most of the food he had prepared for her, before tentatively speaking "I appreciate how well you've cared for the gallery Evey." She merely raised her eyebrows at him between bites. This silent treatment threw him for a loop "What, I really mean is Thank you. I could not imagine coming home to this place if it were empty and in utter disrepair." She nodded slowly as she stood.

"I am going to go shower, V. I'll be back in a little while" she said coldly as she took her plate to the sink. "Please eat; you need your strength" that she said with a bit more warmth. The electricity that had been pumping in his veins began to spark.

Evey methodically stripped down and scrubbed, she felt as though her body was shaking apart. She tried to remain calm and as the last of the soap suds ran down the drain that veneer ran down the drain with them. She felt herself slipping. She caught herself on the wall of the shower and cried until the hot water ran out and subsequently her tears. Feeling significantly clearer in the head she removed herself from the shower and dressed.

V finished eating. Cleaned the dishes and walked toward the garden. He could hear Evey, her sobs were heartbreaking. He felt himself sinking. His back was against the wall, he cradled his head in his hands. That was where Evey found him. The mental shield she had built in the shower imploded. He stood with a stagger and a wince. He would not let her see his pain but, oh she made him weak. He was not prepared for her accusatory line of thought. "Why did you not at least contact me? Why did you abandon me? How could you let me think you were dead!" He began to move toward her, he would do anything to stop the tears brimming in her eyes. "It has been so hard-without... you. I thought you were dead. Sometimes I wish it had been me instead of you, I wished that I had died down here. Instead of you! Or even with you... would have been better than this loneliness!" With that admission the angry tears began to flow again and Evey tried to retreat to her room.