Night. The city is beautiful at night. It's also very dangerous. Muggers, rapists, murderers, the dregs of society seem to come out after sunset. Matt does what he can to save his city, but even he knows it's not enough. Tonight though…tonight it's not the city that needs to be saved, it's the love of his life, Karen Page.
Earlier she had been arrested on drug charges, not the first time they'd interfered in her life, but as she was put into the back of a police car, she screamed to Matt that she was innocent. Her heart never missed a beat; he knew she was telling the truth.
Once again, his life was spiraling out of control, and just like times past, he knew who was responsible. Kingpin. Wilson Fisk, the man behind every major criminal act in New York City, and often times the man behind the torments in Matt's life.
Usually, on his nightly prowl as Daredevil, the sounds of the city invaded Matt's brain, but not tonight. Tonight he only had one thing on his mind. Revenge. He sat on top of Fisk's high-rise, trying to calm himself before storming in and doing something drastic.
He had promised Karen.
His fingers slipped into an air conditioning grate, and he pulled it loose from its fixtures. He dropped into the ventilation system and listened for sounds. At first all he could make out were rats, but finally he picked up a pair of voices. Slowly he made his way towards them. He picked out Fisk's heartbeat, but didn't recognize the other.
As he neared their location, the other voice faded and a door shut. The heartbeat began to fade, and Matt knew Wilson was alone. He listened, waiting to see if anyone else would make his or her presence known. A few minutes passed and the Kingpin's voice broke the silence.
"You can come out, it's just you and I," he spoke.
"Damn," Matt muttered. He had hoped he wasn't expected.
The loud, metal clang of the grate hitting the floor rang into Daredevil's ears. He dropped into the room, instantly mapping it out with his senses. Wilson approached him, slowly.
"I guess you know why I'm here?" Matt asked.
"Yes," Fisk began. "I thought you'd be by tonight. In fact, I expected you when your case was thrown out. What kept you?"
"A promise."
"Promises were made to be broken."
"Don't push me Wilson."
"Threats from a blind man, how fantastic."
"This blind man is going to see you dead, Fisk."
"I doubt that very much Mr. Murdock. You see, if you even breathe on me, your precious Karen will die."
The man wasn't lying. He stopped his approach and laughed.
"Why are you doing this Fisk?"
"Why not?"
"She's innocent, I'll see to it that the charges are dropped."
"Wrong again. She is innocent, but the charges will not be dropped, I've made sure of that. I have witnesses who will swear that Ms. Page sold them narcotics. I have photographs of her making the exchanges. I even have wiretaps from your phone, proving that she made calls to those same people. I have my bases covered, the case will not be dropped."
It took every once of self-restraint Matt had not to beat Fisk to a bloody pulp. The Kingpin let out another hearty laugh.
"After all this time, Murdock, I've finally got you," he laughed again, "You can't win."
Without warning, Matt rushed the behemoth, but never touched him. He heard the air in Fisk's knuckles release as they found their way to his jaw. He felt pain shoot into his back as he hit the floor.
"That one was free…the next time Karen will die, and if you're lucky, so will you. I suggest you leave before I do something you'll regret."
Matt shook off the hurt, rose to his feet, and turned his back to the Kingpin.
"This isn't over, Wilson. As soon as Karen's safe, I'm taking you down, this time it will be permanent."
Wilson Fisk walked to the window of his office, listening to the defeated footsteps of Matt Murdock as he exited the room.
"We'll see," he smiled. "We'll see."
# # # # #
Morning came quickly, and Matt had spent most of the night atop an abandoned warehouse, contemplating the solutions to his and Karen's problem. She was innocent, of that he was sure, but how had Kingpin managed to forge that evidence? It was impossible…unless…but no, he couldn't be lying, Matt would've detected it. He needed sleep, his brain wasn't working, he couldn't think straight.
He stood to make his way back home, when a familiar heartbeat approached.
"What do you want Castle?" Matt asked.
"Same thing you do choir boy…I want him dead."
"I don't want~"
"Don't you? He put your girlfriend behind bars, killed your best friend, and has ruined your life time and again. What about what he's done to others? The law doesn't work Murdock, it's time the Kingpin was punished."
Matt sighed, "You're right…I hate to say it, but it's time we took him down once and for all."
The Punisher smiled.
"I knew you'd come around eventually."
# # # # #
"Bullseye," he laughed.
"What did you say," the orderly asked. The man was standing outside Bullseye's cell, delivering breakfast to the madman.
"Bullseye," he laughed again.
The orderly slid the tray through the small opening at the bottom of the door, stood, and looked through the triple-paned, wire reinforced window. There he saw the psycho known as Bullseye smiling, it was the smile of knowledge. For a second the man was confused, but then he looked at the killer's right hand.
Between his thumb and forefinger Bullseye held a small piece of glass. The orderly's eyes quickly focused on the window. It was hardly noticeable, but on the inside of the padded cell a small piece was missing. Before he had time to react, the shard made its way from Bulleye's hand, down to the tray of food, and then was deflected outside, finding its way into the man's throat, slicing it open.
He stumbled backwards, hitting the wall behind him and slowly sliding to the floor. His left hand shot to the wound, and for a moment it looked as if he were hiding a packet of ketchup behind his palm, and squeezing every drop of it out violently. The last sounds his ears would hear would be the approaching footsteps of the security guards and the maniacal laughter of the man who killed him.
There were two guards, one of them dropped to the ground, checking the pulse of the orderly.
"He's dead," the man exclaimed.
The second guard unsheathed his handgun, lifting it towards the pane of glass. Behind it Bullseye was still laughing, his voice echoing through the hallway.
"Get the keys," the second guard demanded. "I'm going to beat this guy to a pulp."
The first lifted the keys from the orderly's body; standing up, he approached the door slowly. Inside the cell, Bullseye began to back up, readying himself for the oncoming fight.
"Jesse, are you sure we should do this, he's crazy, and I've heard the stories of what he can do," the first guard questioned.
"Dammit Marty, just open the door," Frank responded. "For Christ sakes, I have a gun, he doesn't have anything."
Bullseye heard the almost inaudible click of the bolt as it fell out of place. The door began to open slowly, and the two idiots found their way into his domain. Both of them had their guns drawn now, nervously approaching him. His laughter had stopped, but the smile on his face was still there.
Before either knew what was going on, Bullseye had disarmed them with a swift roundhouse. Like the orderly, they didn't have time to react. In the blink of an eye Bullseye had slipped behind them, picked up the food tray, snapped it in half, and shoved the jagged edges into their spines.
Blood splattered all over the white pajamas Bullseye was wearing. He laughed to himself, wondering why the fools had left his hands free. More guards were approaching now, and the alarms had begun to sound. Bullseye picked up the two revolvers and stepped out into the hallway. He was really going to enjoy this.
# # # # #
The Punisher saw the look forming on Daredevil's brow, something was wrong.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Matt began. "Bullseye, I think."
"That super hearing comes in handy, huh? Pick it up on a police ban?"
"News report from the apartment below. All they said was someone was attempting escape from a maximum-security asylum. They've got the area shut off, no one can get near it"
"Well, we're not gonna let that stop us are we choir boy?"
"Looks like Kingpin will have to wait."
"My van is less than a block away."
"Too obvious, we do this my way."
Daredevil leapt from the roof of the building, smiling.
"Dammit, I'm too old for this shit."
# # # # #
Wilson Fisk was in his limousine when the news hit. He sent a swift fist into the shatterproof windows of the car. His plan had been going so perfectly and now Bullseye was going to send it straight into the gutter.
He calmly refocused his attention to the small television overhead, but nothing more was reported. He lowered the privacy glass between himself and his driver.
"The forty-second precinct, and be quick about it."
Once he'd raised the glass to it's original position, Fisk pulled a cell phone from his coat pocket. His thumb pressed the number two and the speed dial began. As soon as the other line answered Fisk spoke.
"There's been complications, time for the alternative."
# # # # #
The assassin known only as Bullseye looked at the death around him. He was pretty sure he'd killed the entire working staff of the hospital by now, but there were sirens in the distance.
He'd long since exhausted the stock of bullets in the guns and reverted to more brutal means, steak knives he'd picked up when he slaughtered the kitchen staff. Fortunately for those on the receiving end they were quite sharp. Eventually he found his way into the room housing the in-mates personal effects. His heart skipped a beat when he came upon his clothes.
They were still torn from his battle with Daredevil of course, but putting them on still made him feel whole. As he pulled the mask over his head, Bullseye heard the police bullhorn outside.
He picked up the knives and started outside. As he stepped over one of the many bodies he saw a glint of metal. He turned to see a large set of keys lying on the bloodied tile floor. He picked them up and made his way outside.
# # # # #
Cory Wiegel was a rookie on the force, and when he and his partner got the call to come here he prayed it would over before the arrived. His prayers went unanswered. As he sat listening to the bullhorn call out whoever was responsible for this madness he began to reflect on his time in the academy.
He had fooled himself into thinking it's what he wanted, but all along his father had pushed him, it was a family tradition he supposed. Another yell from the horn brought him back into reality, and he wondered if his father or grandfather had ever been this scared.
He leaned onto the open door of the squad car and aimed his gun for the entranceway of the building. If he made it out of this he was going to quit, damn the family traditions.
Suddenly there was movement behind the door, and Cory's jitters worsened. He was a rookie, yes, but he recognized the costumed figure that slowly walked out of the structure.
During training all new recruits had to take a class on the 'costumes,' and this man was considered one of the most dangerous in New York. He was uncannily accurate with any weapon known to man, and he was known only as Bullseye.
The killer had his hands placed behind his head, and walked out into the open slowly. Unfortunately there wasn't many officers on the scene yet, just Cory and five others, including his partner, Dino Pollard.
The man on the bullhorn was David Wheatley, and he was screaming at Bullseye to drop to his keens slowly and place his hands firmly on the ground. Cory noticed something odd as Bullseye began to do as he was told. The man was laughing.
# # # # #
Bullseye fell to his knees and began to laugh. He knew there wouldn't be an army, but he had hoped for more than six cops. This was gong to be far too easy.
He leaned forward and began to do as he was asked. His hands moved slowly from behind his head and towards the ground. He stopped about halfway down and smiled. The idiots still hadn't seen the keys between his fingers, and now it was far too late.
Bullseye quickly rolled forward and launched the objects from his hands. The six officers died instantly, none of them knowing what happened. Bullseye stood to his feet and laughed once more. He turned around and picked up a few of more keys off the ground.
His escape successful, the madman decided to take one of the cruisers for a spin. He hopped behind the wheel of the only running car and shifted it into drive.
# # # # #
"We're too late," Frank mumbled. They were a few yards away but he could already make out the six dead bodies.
"No," Matt responded. "I still hear a heartbeat."
"Please tell me that son of a bitch is still around."
"It's him, and he's in a car."
Both of them ran towards the scene, the Punisher pulling out his gun, Daredevil his billy club. Frank fired as soon as he could make out which vehicle he was in.
"Don't hit him!"
"Don't worry, I just got the tires, he's not going anywhere."
# # # # #
"Damn!" Bullseye yelled, stepping back out of the vehicle. His look of disappointment became amusement when he saw the Punisher and Daredevil approaching. Finally someone who would fight back!
He jumped up on the hood of the vehicle and decided quickly that he was in no shape to take on the both of them. Killing took a lot out of him, and they were too much fun to dispose of so easily. The only problem was…which one did he want to kill today?
He placed one of the keys between his fingers and launched it into the air.
# # # # #
Matt dove towards Bullseye while Castle had stopped and was taking aim at the killer. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain shoot through his leg, which distracted him long enough for Bullseye to land a swift kick to his face.
Matt hit the ground hard, and when he heard the Punisher's gunfire he quickly tried to stand. His left knee gave way and he felt the dirt hit his face once again. He heard Frank approach him and he lifted his head.
Castle looked down at Daredevil and shook his head.
"Did you get him?" Matt asked.
"Nope, but I'm going to, don't get up."
With that Castle was gone, and Matt was left to help himself.
# # # # #
The trip home was a painful one, but once Matt pulled the key out of his leg it was much easier. He turned on the water and began to fill his tub. He opened his medicine cabinet and found his first aid kit. The wound was painful, but not very dangerous.
He cleaned it thoroughly and as soon as the tub was full he began to soak it. He wasn't sure how long he sat there, but it seemed like forever. Everything over the last few months began to shoot through his mind, and it all seemed so fast. He was engaged to a woman who was thought dead and was now in prison for dealing drugs. It never seemed to stop, one tragedy followed by another, followed by another.
He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't hear the click of his deadbolt, or the squeak of his apartment door as it opened. When the door shut he realized he had been daydreaming. He quickly pulled his leg out of the tub and hobbled into the living room.
He was certain what his senses were telling him couldn't be true, but there she was, standing in front of the door.
"Karen…but…how did you get out?"
Earlier she had been arrested on drug charges, not the first time they'd interfered in her life, but as she was put into the back of a police car, she screamed to Matt that she was innocent. Her heart never missed a beat; he knew she was telling the truth.
Once again, his life was spiraling out of control, and just like times past, he knew who was responsible. Kingpin. Wilson Fisk, the man behind every major criminal act in New York City, and often times the man behind the torments in Matt's life.
Usually, on his nightly prowl as Daredevil, the sounds of the city invaded Matt's brain, but not tonight. Tonight he only had one thing on his mind. Revenge. He sat on top of Fisk's high-rise, trying to calm himself before storming in and doing something drastic.
He had promised Karen.
His fingers slipped into an air conditioning grate, and he pulled it loose from its fixtures. He dropped into the ventilation system and listened for sounds. At first all he could make out were rats, but finally he picked up a pair of voices. Slowly he made his way towards them. He picked out Fisk's heartbeat, but didn't recognize the other.
As he neared their location, the other voice faded and a door shut. The heartbeat began to fade, and Matt knew Wilson was alone. He listened, waiting to see if anyone else would make his or her presence known. A few minutes passed and the Kingpin's voice broke the silence.
"You can come out, it's just you and I," he spoke.
"Damn," Matt muttered. He had hoped he wasn't expected.
The loud, metal clang of the grate hitting the floor rang into Daredevil's ears. He dropped into the room, instantly mapping it out with his senses. Wilson approached him, slowly.
"I guess you know why I'm here?" Matt asked.
"Yes," Fisk began. "I thought you'd be by tonight. In fact, I expected you when your case was thrown out. What kept you?"
"A promise."
"Promises were made to be broken."
"Don't push me Wilson."
"Threats from a blind man, how fantastic."
"This blind man is going to see you dead, Fisk."
"I doubt that very much Mr. Murdock. You see, if you even breathe on me, your precious Karen will die."
The man wasn't lying. He stopped his approach and laughed.
"Why are you doing this Fisk?"
"Why not?"
"She's innocent, I'll see to it that the charges are dropped."
"Wrong again. She is innocent, but the charges will not be dropped, I've made sure of that. I have witnesses who will swear that Ms. Page sold them narcotics. I have photographs of her making the exchanges. I even have wiretaps from your phone, proving that she made calls to those same people. I have my bases covered, the case will not be dropped."
It took every once of self-restraint Matt had not to beat Fisk to a bloody pulp. The Kingpin let out another hearty laugh.
"After all this time, Murdock, I've finally got you," he laughed again, "You can't win."
Without warning, Matt rushed the behemoth, but never touched him. He heard the air in Fisk's knuckles release as they found their way to his jaw. He felt pain shoot into his back as he hit the floor.
"That one was free…the next time Karen will die, and if you're lucky, so will you. I suggest you leave before I do something you'll regret."
Matt shook off the hurt, rose to his feet, and turned his back to the Kingpin.
"This isn't over, Wilson. As soon as Karen's safe, I'm taking you down, this time it will be permanent."
Wilson Fisk walked to the window of his office, listening to the defeated footsteps of Matt Murdock as he exited the room.
"We'll see," he smiled. "We'll see."
# # # # #
Morning came quickly, and Matt had spent most of the night atop an abandoned warehouse, contemplating the solutions to his and Karen's problem. She was innocent, of that he was sure, but how had Kingpin managed to forge that evidence? It was impossible…unless…but no, he couldn't be lying, Matt would've detected it. He needed sleep, his brain wasn't working, he couldn't think straight.
He stood to make his way back home, when a familiar heartbeat approached.
"What do you want Castle?" Matt asked.
"Same thing you do choir boy…I want him dead."
"I don't want~"
"Don't you? He put your girlfriend behind bars, killed your best friend, and has ruined your life time and again. What about what he's done to others? The law doesn't work Murdock, it's time the Kingpin was punished."
Matt sighed, "You're right…I hate to say it, but it's time we took him down once and for all."
The Punisher smiled.
"I knew you'd come around eventually."
# # # # #
"Bullseye," he laughed.
"What did you say," the orderly asked. The man was standing outside Bullseye's cell, delivering breakfast to the madman.
"Bullseye," he laughed again.
The orderly slid the tray through the small opening at the bottom of the door, stood, and looked through the triple-paned, wire reinforced window. There he saw the psycho known as Bullseye smiling, it was the smile of knowledge. For a second the man was confused, but then he looked at the killer's right hand.
Between his thumb and forefinger Bullseye held a small piece of glass. The orderly's eyes quickly focused on the window. It was hardly noticeable, but on the inside of the padded cell a small piece was missing. Before he had time to react, the shard made its way from Bulleye's hand, down to the tray of food, and then was deflected outside, finding its way into the man's throat, slicing it open.
He stumbled backwards, hitting the wall behind him and slowly sliding to the floor. His left hand shot to the wound, and for a moment it looked as if he were hiding a packet of ketchup behind his palm, and squeezing every drop of it out violently. The last sounds his ears would hear would be the approaching footsteps of the security guards and the maniacal laughter of the man who killed him.
There were two guards, one of them dropped to the ground, checking the pulse of the orderly.
"He's dead," the man exclaimed.
The second guard unsheathed his handgun, lifting it towards the pane of glass. Behind it Bullseye was still laughing, his voice echoing through the hallway.
"Get the keys," the second guard demanded. "I'm going to beat this guy to a pulp."
The first lifted the keys from the orderly's body; standing up, he approached the door slowly. Inside the cell, Bullseye began to back up, readying himself for the oncoming fight.
"Jesse, are you sure we should do this, he's crazy, and I've heard the stories of what he can do," the first guard questioned.
"Dammit Marty, just open the door," Frank responded. "For Christ sakes, I have a gun, he doesn't have anything."
Bullseye heard the almost inaudible click of the bolt as it fell out of place. The door began to open slowly, and the two idiots found their way into his domain. Both of them had their guns drawn now, nervously approaching him. His laughter had stopped, but the smile on his face was still there.
Before either knew what was going on, Bullseye had disarmed them with a swift roundhouse. Like the orderly, they didn't have time to react. In the blink of an eye Bullseye had slipped behind them, picked up the food tray, snapped it in half, and shoved the jagged edges into their spines.
Blood splattered all over the white pajamas Bullseye was wearing. He laughed to himself, wondering why the fools had left his hands free. More guards were approaching now, and the alarms had begun to sound. Bullseye picked up the two revolvers and stepped out into the hallway. He was really going to enjoy this.
# # # # #
The Punisher saw the look forming on Daredevil's brow, something was wrong.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Matt began. "Bullseye, I think."
"That super hearing comes in handy, huh? Pick it up on a police ban?"
"News report from the apartment below. All they said was someone was attempting escape from a maximum-security asylum. They've got the area shut off, no one can get near it"
"Well, we're not gonna let that stop us are we choir boy?"
"Looks like Kingpin will have to wait."
"My van is less than a block away."
"Too obvious, we do this my way."
Daredevil leapt from the roof of the building, smiling.
"Dammit, I'm too old for this shit."
# # # # #
Wilson Fisk was in his limousine when the news hit. He sent a swift fist into the shatterproof windows of the car. His plan had been going so perfectly and now Bullseye was going to send it straight into the gutter.
He calmly refocused his attention to the small television overhead, but nothing more was reported. He lowered the privacy glass between himself and his driver.
"The forty-second precinct, and be quick about it."
Once he'd raised the glass to it's original position, Fisk pulled a cell phone from his coat pocket. His thumb pressed the number two and the speed dial began. As soon as the other line answered Fisk spoke.
"There's been complications, time for the alternative."
# # # # #
The assassin known only as Bullseye looked at the death around him. He was pretty sure he'd killed the entire working staff of the hospital by now, but there were sirens in the distance.
He'd long since exhausted the stock of bullets in the guns and reverted to more brutal means, steak knives he'd picked up when he slaughtered the kitchen staff. Fortunately for those on the receiving end they were quite sharp. Eventually he found his way into the room housing the in-mates personal effects. His heart skipped a beat when he came upon his clothes.
They were still torn from his battle with Daredevil of course, but putting them on still made him feel whole. As he pulled the mask over his head, Bullseye heard the police bullhorn outside.
He picked up the knives and started outside. As he stepped over one of the many bodies he saw a glint of metal. He turned to see a large set of keys lying on the bloodied tile floor. He picked them up and made his way outside.
# # # # #
Cory Wiegel was a rookie on the force, and when he and his partner got the call to come here he prayed it would over before the arrived. His prayers went unanswered. As he sat listening to the bullhorn call out whoever was responsible for this madness he began to reflect on his time in the academy.
He had fooled himself into thinking it's what he wanted, but all along his father had pushed him, it was a family tradition he supposed. Another yell from the horn brought him back into reality, and he wondered if his father or grandfather had ever been this scared.
He leaned onto the open door of the squad car and aimed his gun for the entranceway of the building. If he made it out of this he was going to quit, damn the family traditions.
Suddenly there was movement behind the door, and Cory's jitters worsened. He was a rookie, yes, but he recognized the costumed figure that slowly walked out of the structure.
During training all new recruits had to take a class on the 'costumes,' and this man was considered one of the most dangerous in New York. He was uncannily accurate with any weapon known to man, and he was known only as Bullseye.
The killer had his hands placed behind his head, and walked out into the open slowly. Unfortunately there wasn't many officers on the scene yet, just Cory and five others, including his partner, Dino Pollard.
The man on the bullhorn was David Wheatley, and he was screaming at Bullseye to drop to his keens slowly and place his hands firmly on the ground. Cory noticed something odd as Bullseye began to do as he was told. The man was laughing.
# # # # #
Bullseye fell to his knees and began to laugh. He knew there wouldn't be an army, but he had hoped for more than six cops. This was gong to be far too easy.
He leaned forward and began to do as he was asked. His hands moved slowly from behind his head and towards the ground. He stopped about halfway down and smiled. The idiots still hadn't seen the keys between his fingers, and now it was far too late.
Bullseye quickly rolled forward and launched the objects from his hands. The six officers died instantly, none of them knowing what happened. Bullseye stood to his feet and laughed once more. He turned around and picked up a few of more keys off the ground.
His escape successful, the madman decided to take one of the cruisers for a spin. He hopped behind the wheel of the only running car and shifted it into drive.
# # # # #
"We're too late," Frank mumbled. They were a few yards away but he could already make out the six dead bodies.
"No," Matt responded. "I still hear a heartbeat."
"Please tell me that son of a bitch is still around."
"It's him, and he's in a car."
Both of them ran towards the scene, the Punisher pulling out his gun, Daredevil his billy club. Frank fired as soon as he could make out which vehicle he was in.
"Don't hit him!"
"Don't worry, I just got the tires, he's not going anywhere."
# # # # #
"Damn!" Bullseye yelled, stepping back out of the vehicle. His look of disappointment became amusement when he saw the Punisher and Daredevil approaching. Finally someone who would fight back!
He jumped up on the hood of the vehicle and decided quickly that he was in no shape to take on the both of them. Killing took a lot out of him, and they were too much fun to dispose of so easily. The only problem was…which one did he want to kill today?
He placed one of the keys between his fingers and launched it into the air.
# # # # #
Matt dove towards Bullseye while Castle had stopped and was taking aim at the killer. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain shoot through his leg, which distracted him long enough for Bullseye to land a swift kick to his face.
Matt hit the ground hard, and when he heard the Punisher's gunfire he quickly tried to stand. His left knee gave way and he felt the dirt hit his face once again. He heard Frank approach him and he lifted his head.
Castle looked down at Daredevil and shook his head.
"Did you get him?" Matt asked.
"Nope, but I'm going to, don't get up."
With that Castle was gone, and Matt was left to help himself.
# # # # #
The trip home was a painful one, but once Matt pulled the key out of his leg it was much easier. He turned on the water and began to fill his tub. He opened his medicine cabinet and found his first aid kit. The wound was painful, but not very dangerous.
He cleaned it thoroughly and as soon as the tub was full he began to soak it. He wasn't sure how long he sat there, but it seemed like forever. Everything over the last few months began to shoot through his mind, and it all seemed so fast. He was engaged to a woman who was thought dead and was now in prison for dealing drugs. It never seemed to stop, one tragedy followed by another, followed by another.
He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't hear the click of his deadbolt, or the squeak of his apartment door as it opened. When the door shut he realized he had been daydreaming. He quickly pulled his leg out of the tub and hobbled into the living room.
He was certain what his senses were telling him couldn't be true, but there she was, standing in front of the door.
"Karen…but…how did you get out?"