Airport Madness (Part 2)
Airport Madness (Part 2)
Matt shook off the strangers grasps, and disappeared into the river of crowds, trying to find the nearest bathroom, either to throw up or cry. He couldn’t tell yet. Radar vision came in handy about now, he focused and found himself searching beyond walls, and eventually the perfect place to hideaway for the next fifteen minutes or so.
There was a bathroom hidden a bit from site, definitely poor architectural planning. But at this point in time, Matt had a flash of joy. He could regain his composure and take a moment to breathe.
Sure enough, once he reached it, the bathroom was empty. A miracle. Matt could also smell a heavy douse of ammonia, meaning that it had been thoroughly cleaned recently. Good news for his senses. He walked to the furthest stall, locking the door behind him. He sunk to the ground, placing down the bag and slumping against the wall.
Despite the joy of his momentary rest, his attention was snatched. There were footsteps approaching. Three pairs from the sound of it. Matt focused a little more, zoning in on the heartbeats. One was a mans, fit and strong. The other was a woman's, also fit, probably a body builder. The last was a young kids. Probably a boys, no older than fourteen.
‘No, no, no, no, go away,’ Matt repeated like a mantra, preparing himself to get up and leave.
Two of the steps stopped right outside the bathroom, but one continued onwards, and through the door.
Matt’s suspicions were confirmed at the kid entered. The kid was scrawny and scared. His hands were shaking and his heart rate was too high to be natural. Matt listened as the kid began checking each stall for people, and then arrived at Matt’s.
The kid nearly shouted from surprise but stopped himself.
“Please help me, please help,” he began begging as Matt opened the door. “I didn’t mean for- I didn’t want to go. Just please help me, don’t let them take me,” the kid began crying.
Matt pulled him into a gentle hug, making sure he was okay with it.
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now, don’t worry. I got you kid. Everything’s gonna be alright, but I need you to breathe alright?” Matt began taking dramatically slower breaths, waiting for the boy to follow. It worked sooner than expected.
The man from outside banged on the door three times, yelling “hurry up in there!”
“Okay, listen. I need you to trust me. You’re gonna stay right here, they wont take you. I’m gonna go talk to the two out there, but first you need to tell me, is there anyone else I need to worry about?” Matt asked, fist curling in preparation.
“There’s more out there- not here, but they’ll find me. You can’t save me, please,” the kid began hyperventilating again.
“No, no, I can. You’re safe now,” Matt repeated.
The kid stared in confusion, noting his dark glasses and cane leaning against the wall.
“Look, I can’t explain everything right now, but those two out there are gonna bust through that door in a few seconds. You need to hide in this stall, don’t come out until I get you,” Matt instructed the kid as he retrieved his billy clubs and mask. That would have to do.
Matt waited against the wall, swaying, shifting his waiting. He heard muffling, and then a countdown from outside. They really couldn't have made it easier. Well, if they’d discarded the makeshift knives beforehand, then perhaps.
They crashed through the door, hands hovering over their weapons.
“What the fuck, c’mon you bitch get over here,” the woman expressed. She was exasperated and stressed.
Matt yelled, drawing their attention as he kicked the man, sending him toppling on top of the women. He swung around, drawing his billy club towards their heads, but they dodged its trail of movement. The sound clanked against the ground, giving Matt an even brighter image of his surroundings.
The knives were out. It was no longer an easy fight, but Matt would manage. His head was protected. Those people might’ve been trained assassins or bodyguards or whatnot, but they weren’t Daredevil. They weren’t Matt Murdock.
Matt swept his leg, sending the woman towards the ground, as he smashed the mans kneecap. There was definitely a pop or crack sound. Neither was a good sign. He smashed the woman's head was a quick swing of his club, sending her into a concussion induced dream. The man was crying out in pain, grasping his leg, holding it. As if that’d make a difference. Matt wrapped his arm around the mans neck, hearing the sound of struggle, feeling the mans grip loosen. Until it stopped altogether. He felt for both pulses, just to make sure he hadn’t gone too far, despite the temptation.
“Kay… kid. C’mon out,” Matt’s voice came out hoarse and gravelly. His chest heaved upwards and downwards as he forced his head out of the helmet. His hair was messed up, it now stood in individual wisps, wild and indecisive.
The boy slowly walked out, as if in disbelief or false hope. He glanced at Matt, and then at the two on the floor.
“They aren’t… are they?” the kid asked, horrified. He cupped his mouth with his hand, staring at the bloodied and still bodies.
“No, they’ll wake up. Unfortunately.” Matt concluded.
“So. You’re him? Daredevil? How?” he questioned, watching Matt’s unfocused gaze.
“We can talk about that later, for now we gotta go” Matt responded, gathering his belongings before extending a hand. “We gotta get you somewhere safe. I need to know everything, okay? What happened?”
“Look, my parents screwed up with some bad people, and now I’m stuck with their mistakes,” the kid answered.
“I know a thing or two about that. Good news for you, I’d do anything to escape a plane flight. So, let’s have a proper introduction, I’m Matt”
“I’m Alex,” the kid smiled for a brief moment before looking down. “Weird question, but can I try on the mask later?”
Matt laughed, leading Alex down the hall. “Of course you can”