The Dreaded Cerberus

The car rumbled as we continued driving through the streets, a cautious reminder of where I was and who I was with. Wesley was next to me, speaking to the driver, Gregory, about something unimportant as I watched our surroundings. Buildings passed us by in blurry shapes and colors, an unusual difference from the everyday stagnant New York traffic. Everything was peaceful, exactly what father promised me would happen. Maybe he was right.

“He’s disappointed in his…contractors lately.”

I perked up at the body language and conversation shift between Wesley and the driver. The both of them had become tense and had started speaking in a way that I know was excluding me from the conversation.

“Who is it this time?”

I kept my head turned towards the window feigning disinterest, but caught the slight turn of Wesley's head towards me out of the corner of my eye.

“No one in particular. I believe we will be doing a reorganization of the company soon.”

“I understand.”

“Don’t fret, Gregory, you have shown your loyalty many times before.”

“Thank you, sir. We have arrived at the address you requested.”

Wesley leaned over and lightly tapped me on the arm.

“From here on you will act as my guard and do as I say. Is that clear?”

I nodded, straightening the jacket on my prepared uniform, a well-fitted black suit this time, and stepped out of the car onto the sidewalk. Wesley soon joined me at my side and I followed in step behind him as we walked through the nearest door. The hallways and subsequent stairways leading us up a few floors were quiet and devoid of people. Each door we passed by appeared to be an office of some sort. We finally stopped at a glass door with a folder taped to the front, the words Nelson and Murdock scribbled in black ink.

Wesley was the one to knock, and I quickly squared my shoulders and shifted my expression to look as intimidating as possible. Play the part, I told myself.

The door opened with a few exchanged hellos and I quickly moved to check the nearest windows and exits, before shifting my eyes to the occupants. What I saw surprised me, the two from last night stood in the office with another man, surprise on their faces.

“Do you do walk-ins?” 

Foggy was the first to speak up, his voice incredulous. “Y/N?”

Wesley slowly turned to look at me, his face hidden from the other occupants but very clearly displeased with me. I felt my heart rate speed up and the shame wash over me. “Do you know these people, Miss Wilson?”

“Yes sir, I met them last night.”

I tried not to visibly deflate at the look he shot my way, but I could feel the weight of his displeasure bearing on my shoulders and into my thoughts. I already knew what he would say, something about Sophie and my many mistakes when it comes to choosing friends. The car ride home would be incredibly unpleasant.

But they were different. These people felt different. Karen radiated kindness and Foggy was just a big ball of sunshine. Wesley turned around quickly, the calm and collected facade already shifting back into place. I felt instant relief.

“Could we possibly sit down for a meeting?”

The newest addition, what looked to be another lawyer, was the one to speak. 

“Of course. Our assistant can show you to the meeting room.”

I followed behind the rest of the group as they sat down at a conference table with their collection of notepads and recording devices. 

“Miss Wilson, if you would please stand outside.”

I quickly nodded. “Of course, sir.”

The meeting passed by fairly quickly, only a few words managing to make it through the walls that I could hear. Introductions, mentions of the company name, and a few quips here and there were all I could catch. Until they all began raising their voice. Something about a murder that had me tensing where I stood. Karen stormed out a few seconds later, face turned down and ignoring my existence. My heart clenched in my chest and I wanted to reach out and comfort her. The looming figure of Wesley somewhere behind me and possibly watching my every move keep my feet rooted to the spot and my hands tightly gripping each other in front of me.

The man himself emerges a few minutes later and motions for me to follow him, folder gripped tightly in his hands. He’s tense in his shoulders, a sign of both his irritation and the fight that’s to come once we reach the hallway and away from the prying eyes of the lawyers. When he speaks it's in a quiet anger, restrained.

“I thought the conversation we had before finally got through to you.”

I cross my arms, fiddling with the jewelry on my hand. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You were supposed to stop making friends with lowlifes.” He seethes. 

“Come on, they seem like good people.”

“That’s the problem.”

I huffed, watching the faces of the people around us to make sure no one is listening. “What’s that supposed to mean? We’re supposed to be doing good. Isn’t being friends with good people then a good idea?”

Wesley sighs. “Drop it. He’s waiting for us in the car.”

I stop mid-step, feet rooting to the spot. “I’ll walk.”

“Y/N -”

“Miss Wilson.” I snap, “My friends call me Y/N.”

He sighs, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. I know I will probably get in trouble later with my father, but I turn around and begin walking the other direction, boots pounding on the cement. He needs to get the point that I’m not just some dog that will follow their every command. I want my own life. 

That’s never something I’ve wanted before.

The sight of a familiar striped cane and red glasses catches my eye. The blind lawyer from before, Mr. Murdock, had somehow followed us. Curious. I keep walking, falling into step behind him as he turns back towards their office. I cleared my throat, surprised at the lack of shock from him.

“I’m sorry.”

He tilted his head towards me, the only indication that I would probably get that he was listening to me. “Sorry for what? Embarrassing my assistant?”

I winced. “He’s… not the kindest man, but Karen didn’t deserve that. Please tell her I’m sorry for what he said.”

“Who are you?” He questions.

“My name is Y/N.”

“No, who are you to him?” He urges.

“I’m a bodyguard.”

“A bodyguard that he leaves outside of the room?”

I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. The irony of the blind lawyer being the only one to notice Wesley’s mistake was not lost on me. “Don’t go there, Mr. Murdock. Please just let it go.”

“I have a hard time letting go of things like this.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ve noticed.”

The crosswalk I need to take comes up on my left. I veer off from the lawyer and let him continue on his way silently. He seems to notice my departure and gives me a small smirk that tugs on the corners of my mouth. That lawyer knows and is up to something, and I can feel it. 

I fall into the crowds around me, trying to come up with a plan. I need to find out what my father is up to, before my new friends get hurt. And preferably before they get involved with any more of his cases.

-T-

“I have a bit of advice for you if you’re interested.”

I walked the last few steps to meet Foggy and Murdock in the middle, the staircase stretching both in front and behind us, its steps worn from everyday use. They both turned, their expressions marred by exasperation and irritation. They knew what had happened with this trial. What Wesley did. Even as shielded as I had come to realize my father and his allies kept me, I knew what happened, the clues blatant and borderline insulting.

Foggy rolled his eyes. “Is this coming from Y/N or your elusive boss?”

I flinched, lowering my voice to just a whisper, intent on not being heard by any ears that could come back to haunt me. I put every ounce of honesty and urgency in my voice. “Get out of your deal. Get as far away from him as you can.”

Foggy looked to me, incredulously. I could visibly see the anger building in his stature.

“Is that a threat?”

I pursed my lips trying to sound as placating and unassuming as I could. The last thing they needed to think was that I was an enemy or that I wanted to hurt them. I wanted these kind people to make it out of this without falling into my world.

“It’s a warning. He will hurt you without even lifting a finger and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop him. Not even me.”

“You sound like you’re being held against your will.” Murdock took a step forward. His shoulders were tense and body rigid. “Do you need help?”

I felt my chest warm at the implication of him caring enough to fight my father just because he thought I was trapped. The sweet blind lawyer. I had even more motivation to protect these good people. “Don’t worry about me, its not important. Just, please, run as far away from this as you can.”

I spotted Wesley coming closer out of the corner of my eye, heart rate increasing at the possibility that he could have been listening. I plastered on a fake smile and brought my voice back up to a normal volume.

“It was a pleasure working with you two. Hope we can do it again sometime.”

They both gave me a funny look, disbelief and irritation on their faces respectively.

“Y/N! It’s time to go.”

“Coming!”

With one last pleading look, I turned from them and walked briskly towards my companion. He was once again displeased by my choices, and I prayed that he couldn’t hear what I had said. That possibility opened up nothing but pain.