Hellcat

Chapter 56

Karen was in her office at the Bulletin, looking over some papers. Her office was the only one with a light on, the rest of the building shrouded in darkness. I just watched her for a moment. She looked tired, yet focused. I could see in her eyes that something lingered at the back of her mind, weighing on her. I hoped against hope it wasn't me.

Matt reached out and turned on a small lamp on the desk next to him. The small click combined with the sudden light made Karen's head snap up. She could see Matt through the doorway, but I had spun, hiding out of sight as fear of her rage ate at me. She didn't speak as Matt stepped up to the threshold of her office, offering a tight smile.

"Hi," he greeted her softly. "Hey," she responded softly, surprise in her voice. "It's after midnight," she added, the rustling of papers letting me know that she had set them down. "Yeah. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't important," Matt told her softly. There was a short pause. "I'm gonna need a little more than that," she said with a chuckle, ignoring the word "we".

"It's the Hand. They came for you before, Karen. We can't let that happen again." There was that word again. But Karen didn't notice, instead scoffing. "I can't believe this," she grumbled. "I know. They're back in New York, and I –" Matt started when she cut him off. "No, no, it's not them. You," she said. I heard the wheels of her chair squeak, then the soft padding of her feet before she scoffed.

"This is how you tell me you're doing it again? Cause that's what you're saying. You're going out as him." The disappointment in her voice confused me. Why was she mad that he was Daredevil? "No, actually. Uh, well... not yet," he huffed. "All right, but you told me you didn't miss it," she started. "I know what I said, Karen. We don't have to have this conversation," Matt interrupted, but she kept going. "Of course not. Just talk to me. Please, Matt. Just... just tell me," she huffed out in frustration.

I had yet to gather the courage to step out of my hiding spot, but I was also intrigued by their conversation. "I'm doing it again. Because if I don't, people will die. Whatever the Hand is up to... New York is in its crosshairs. I have to do this," he explained to her. "I know," she said after a brief pause.

"But I don't. I don't need your protection, Matt. Whatever it is you're doing, or Daredevil is doing, I'm not a part of it anymore, so..." she trailed off. "That may be the case, yeah. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter if you're a part of Daredevil's world or not, because they may be coming after Matt Murdock's, too," he told her lowly. "I'm sorry, does that mean they know who you are?" she asked in disbelief. "Just can't take any chances," he replied. "Matt, that isn't your call. I –"

Karen cut herself off. There was a long pause, and Matt didn't fill it. "Did you say 'we wouldn't be here'?" she asked, voice low and full of mixed emotions. I sighed, leaning my head back against the wall as I gathered my courage. Taking a deep breath, I finally stepped into the office, mask stuffed in my jacket pocket. Karen was frozen as she stared at me with wide, disbelieving eyes. "Hey," I called out sheepishly.

Karen moved so fast that I thought she was going to attack me. She did – with a tight hug. Relief filled me as I wrapped my arms around her for dear life. After a moment, she pulled back, staring at me with those big blue eyes that were red with barely contained tears. "But, how? I saw you die. I-I mean, how is this even possible?" she stammered as she examined me. "I don't know, but I'm really glad you hugged me," I sniffled, feeling tears well in my eyes with the relief.

Karen let out a small laugh before pulling me in for another hug. This time, I was the one to pull back. "I know you have a lot of questions, and I'll answer them later. But, Karen, can you please come with us? Just lay low for a couple days?" I asked her. She bit the inside of her lip. I knew she didn't want to hide anymore, but the promise of answers was enough to get her to agree.