Fear Subside || Open

[[ Rσσ ]]

It’d been a very humid day and so I had found myself removing my suit jacket and unbuttoning my collar. My tie hung loose from my neck and I propped my elbow on my desk to rest my forehead in my palm. I rarely looked so sloppy whilst at work however my two colleagues looked similar. I had placed a fan at the opposite side of the room and it faced in my direction in hopes that it’d cool me down before I had to leave…
Soon enough it was time to lock up and so I rose to my feet. With one clean movement I reached down and lifted a pair of glasses from the table which I then placed on to cover my eyes before I turned my attention to my top button on my shirt and tightened my tie once more. However, I decided not to wear my jacket still; it was far too warm and I didn’t want to sweat whilst walking down the street. I weaved my way out of the gap between my chair and my desk, lifted my stick from its position propped beside the door, and I held it close to me whilst my free hand brushed the door frame. I guided myself from the office and said my goodnights to my colleagues before disappearing out of the door…

Once I’d made my way onto the street I began to tap the stick against the ground on my left, then raised it and tapped to my right. I repeated this constantly, creating a quick rhythm of tapping on concrete as I walked. The stick made people aware even if I didn’t need it, and it helped when I wasn’t paying much attention to people around me. Most people moved out of my way when they saw me approaching to avoid awkward collisions or my stick batting the side of their shoe...
I found myself growing distant to those around me and I began to focus on events occurring much, much further away. A couple of blocks away, a woman dropped her groceries and cussed. A few meters from her, somebody slammed their car door and locked the vehicle before passing her by without offering to help. On another street a young girl was jogging with her dog, a small breed I’d assumed by the very light tippy-tapping of its claws on the sidewalk, and was hitting objects she’d passed with a thin stick from a nearby tree. Closer by, a man was arguing with his wife on his cell phone and was growing increasingly aggressive and-- The sound of a horn aside of me caught my attention and I turned my head in its direction; the driver inside yelled multiple insults at a person who’d ran across the road in front of him before accelerating off in a panicked rage.

Eventually I reached my own apartment and I began to focus on my neighbour’s music. I enjoyed music, however his was growing unbearable with my heightened hearing. It was all I could hear nightly as I tried to sleep… Fortunately, nowadays, I often came home and passed out instantly from either exhaustion or pain.
As I entered my poorly-lit apartment I put my stick down right beside the door and draped my suit jacket over the back of a small arm chair. I walked my way around my furniture without assistance from my hands as I knew the layout far too well. Making my way to the window, I stopped and placed my palm against the glass. The vibrations from multiple things outside aided with determining what was going on. For a man without vision, I could see so much. I finally moved away from the window with a concerned frown and decided, for tonight, I’d avoid getting into too much trouble… Until I heard a scream.

I raced to a cupboard as quickly as I could and opened it. I removed a top shelf, a collection of memories of my father, and pulled out the clothing that laid beneath. I began to undress and re-dress in my new outfit as quickly as I could. All the while I kept my focus on the events outside and then, faster than before, I shot out of my apartment building and darted down a side-street with a black bandana wrapped around my head. It covered my eyes and my nose for I was more than capable of navigating just as well as a person with crystal-clear vision with my other senses.
I had eventually made my way towards a rooftop and settled there, crouched with my head low, overlooking the scene that I’d raced to in such a panic. For the moment, I was unsure whether my help was needed. I focused on their heartbeats, determining the emotions of everybody there.
I had become fearless now. I'd assist anybody when they needed me. I aimed to make the city a safer place and that was why I was here, waiting, watching - fearless.

[Deleted]

my flowing black dress fluttered behind me as my high heels clicked against the ground in a hurry. damn these things! i couldn't walk in high heels much less run, but i didn't have a choice. my daddy had found me, and told me that i needed to run, that things were about to get very messy. what could i do? i was an unwilling target when my father screwed up with the mafia. i couldn't believe he would even bargain with them. he had told me long ago that it was 'just good business', and that it had to be this way. that was before daddy kept screwing things up. you see, daddy had been in the hole 100,000 grand when he had had struck a deal with the devil. he got out of debt, and this had lead daddy to believe that the mafia were good people. but now they want something that daddy can't give them.

i had left the ball party as fast as i could in my high heels, and stumbled a few times. dammit! as i rushed through a crowd of people i looked up to see men grab my dad. i didn't see what happened next. the fool got whatever came to him, but i didn't ask for any of this! as i exited the glass doors i started to walk faster, and would have been flat out running if my heels didn't get in the way of that. i started to turn down an alley way, but saw two very large men walking in a slow determined line toward me. they had guns. to possibly alert others that i was here, and needed help i screamed at the top of my lungs, and the adrenaline seemed to make me forget that i couldn't run in high heels. i pumped my arms as i ran, my long raven hair streamlining behind me like a flag. my chest heaved after just a mile of fleeing. i knew those cigarettes would come back to bite me in the butt.

i suddenly was thrown to the ground when the heel to one of my shoes broke. i sprawled upon my knees, and the heels of my hands, the rough pavement biting into my flesh and drawing blood. i heard the approach of foot steps, and i fumbled for the broken heel i knew was near. my hand had just closed around it when one of the men hauled me to my feet by my arm. "sorry about this darlin', but your dear daddy knew what would happen to his family if they fucked up." the taller, and bulkier man shoved me against a wall, and began to undo his pants. what the hell? he grabbed me by the chin as another hand reached for the hem of my dress. "it's gotta be this way. i promise it'll be quick, and then we'll kill you so you feel no shame. but he will." a rueful smile crossed his ugly face. he began to lift my dress, and i sneered at him while swinging my hand with the spiked heel into his groin while hissing "fuck you!" the heel sliced through his member, and stuck out from his body like an over sized splinter. he screamed in horror as blood began to spurt from his groin, and dropped to his knees.

i took off running, slowed by my uneven shoes. as i ran down a dark alley, and began to fumble with my other shoe i heard the man that i stabbed scream "get that bitch!" i threw the shoe back at them as hard as i could, and grinned as i heard it thunk off of one of their thick skulls. the pavement tore at my panty hose, and my feet. i didn't have any other choice though. i felt them gaining on me, and suddenly i was ripped to a jolting stop when they grabbed my by my hair, and yanked me back. i screamed bloody murder as several areas of my hair were ripped from my skull, and i was thrown to the ground. a booted foot swung, and hit me in the mouth. another swung and hit me in the ribs. i lifted my arms to protect my face from further damage, but grunted, and cried out every time a hard boot struck my ribs and abdomen.

[[ Rσσ ]]

I'd feared the worst as I watched the man begin to unfasten his belt and I was just about to jump into action when I heard the man yell and the woman began running again, this time shoeless. My head turned and followed her as she moved and I quickly pursued on the rooftops. I moved quickly, quietly, and without hesitation. I could feel everything around me. When I heard the woman fall under attack once more, I made my move. I shot down one flight of stairs on the side of the apartment building I'd been surveying the situation from and I jumped the rest. I fell and landed, with a grunt, and rolled forwards. My hand shot down to the side of my leg where I withdrew two long, smooth, wooden sticks. I used one to knock the legs out from beneath her initial attacker and the second stick followed to strike him in the temple. He collapsed, dazed, and so I moved on to the next. I ducked down and under his punch that he threw in my direction and delivered a sharp jab into his sternum. I recovered from my crouched position and, as I'd been trained not to do, I took hold of the back of his head - sticks applying pressure to his skull with my grip as they remained settled between my fingers - and brought my knee upwards as quickly as I could to connect with his nose. My head twitched aside; I could hear the crunch of the cartilage in his nose as it broke and twisted against my leg. With one swift movement I threw him upwards and one of the sticks connected with his neck. It hit with such force that, as well as spitting blood away from his lips he then gasped and collapsed in an instant.

I spun, about to turn my attention to the woman on the ground when I heard racing footsteps approaching. My only action was to drop my stance and flip my whole frame backwards; my heels connected with the top of his skull and he collapsed beneath the force. I landed, on my feet, with my heart thudding in my chest and my breathing taking a short, fast pace. I stayed where I was for a few seconds and just listened; no more heartbeats, except for the woman's, and her heart was racing. I sheathed the sticks back against my thigh and made my way towards her. I offered a hand for her and, when it was taken, I aided her carefully to her feet and my free hand found her waist. My best efforts to disguise my blindness seemed to be working well; I didn't like people knowing that I couldn't see. Although my face was masked for the most part, I felt as though most assumed I could see through the fabric.
Fury had caused me to take such violent action to protect this woman; my first night I spent dressed alike to what I wore now was spent assaulting a man who sexually abused his daughter. I couldn't bare the thought of abuse or rape - it angered me more than I'd like to admit to anybody. I preferred to keep a passive appearance in front of others.

At first I was unsure whether I should talk to the woman as I was far too focused on our surroundings. My lips parted and I turned my head to the right towards some distant footsteps. I could taste the copper in the air from the man's open wounds and the blood of those who lay writhing on the floor around us... He was too far away for me to gain ground in time if he were armed and... And then I heard it. The gun; he cocked it, and I heard the brush of his sleeve against the body of his jacket. I ducked my body, covering the woman as quickly as I could. He opened fire and I shifted my shoulder. It grazed along the line of my shoulder blade and I grunted in reply to my splitting skin but it didn't distract me from my aim. I wrapped strong arms around her frame and lifted her from the ground. This was a first - I'd never carried a lady away from a battle ground before. I hastily made off down the alley and shot up a flight of stairs before I kicked open a door, slammed it shut behind us and then raced up the stairs inside. Once I made it to the roof I continued, taking the easiest route I could sense around us whilst the battered female lay in my arms.

I eventually found a rooftop quiet enough which placed enough distance between me, the woman and her attackers and that was where I laid her. I placed her against a wall and cupped her chin with my hand. I was silent for just a few more seconds before I finally spoke to her.     "Are you okay?" It was a ridiculous question. I knew that she wasn't; I could taste her blood in the air now I was positioned closely to her. I sat on one knee, my other leg bent and the sole of my foot pressed against the ground, and I was positioned over her legs. My head shifted as though I were glancing over her body to check for further injuries. Blind yet deceiving hands found her face again and I brushed just below her bottom lip which I found, due to the swelling, was split and I believed she was bleeding from inside her mouth. I'd assumed she'd bitten the side of her tongue in the conflict.     "Who were those men? Why're they attacking you?"

[Deleted]

I was dazed, to say the least. when they started to drop like fly's around me, and the sound of grunts, and pain filled the air i lay there in a daze. my head hurt, my ribs hurt, my jaw hurt. everything hurt, and when i went to inhale a sharp pain raked my side. i let out a groan of pain - which was all that i could manage without making it worse - and rolled over to try and stand up. i made it as far as my knees, and couldn't make it to my feet. i spat out blood, the dark liquid tainting the surface below me in dark red. i heard foot steps approaching, and when i looked up i saw my rescuer with his hand outstretched to me. i hesitated, but when i realized i didn't have much of a choice, i took his hand. his hand came quickly to my waist to steady me, and if it hadn't been for the circumstances i probably would have slapped him silly. however, i was feeling whoozy, and was even a little frightened that i may be bleeding some where internally.

i heard something click, but the man i was with seemed to anticipate it. he leaned over to cover his body with mine, and i nearly screamed. we were getting shot at?! i had been in my share of fights, and when it was hand to hand combat i could kick ass. guns though... i shiver at the thought. i had realized that we were on the ground again, but only for a moment. he wrapped his strong arms around my body, and began to run. my head was thrumming to the beat of his every stride. i felt like i was going to puke. i heard a distinct sound of a door slamming behind us, and then the stuffiness of indoors. then, we were plunged into the open air once more with the sound of the city all around us. he laid me down propped up against a wall, and cupped my chin so that he could have a better look at me. i had one hand pressed against my sides as every breath made my body scream at me in pain.

he asked if i was okay, and if i could have laughed at that statement i would have. i shook my crown in a serious answer however, and felt more blood dribble from my busted lip, and split gums. i ran my sore tongue over my teeth, and thank god that the were still all there. i then refocused on the male, and found my vision slowly beginning to become obscured. my right eye was swelling shut. i just wanted to lean into him, and forget about those men. but... they would never forget about me. i would forever be a target now. i gulped, and looked up at him with a wounded visage. "their...colleagues of my father. he pissed them off, and now their going make him pay. i'm his only family left, so their going to be coming after me." i gave a hopeless laugh, and shook my head at the pain. "guess i'm a dead woman after all. sorry you had to waste your time saving me."

[[ Rσσ ]]

My face twisted in response to the woman's words and I pursed thin lips into a line. I stayed silent as I listened around us for a couple of seconds and then I forced a tiny smile, "It was hardly a waste of my time," I corrected in the softest voice I could muster. The pain in my shoulder was becoming more noticeable and I could feel that the fabric of my shirt had split from the gunshot wound. I couldn't recall how many of these shirts I'd bought in the past few weeks. My body was decorated with scars from battles. "They're not coming after you - I'll make sure of that."
However, now I was lost as I didn't know what to do next. I wanted to patch this lady up, to clean her wounds and give her a safe and secure place to stay until I managed to find her father but that meant that I'd have to reveal myself to her and I really did not know if I could trust her to that extent.

I shifted my position above her and rose to my feet. I then stepped away, carefully raising my foot over her legs and walking to the edge of the roof where I stood and seemingly surveyed the surrounding city for a short while, "Do you have somewhere safe to go for tonight?" I questioned, again gently, but my voice wobbled as I moved my left arm. Each time my shoulder blade moved beneath the surface I found my wound gradually tearing wider. If I weren't so sensitive I was certain I wouldn't have noticed but I would've just had to endure the usual pain that normal people would suffer through. however, each time I moved, the tissue on my back seemed to click as though one strand at a time snapped apart. There were some downfalls to all of these crazily super-human senses.

"I don't want you heading anywhere alone and you can't go home," Finally, I turned back to face her, "They'll be looking for you there and at your friends' and family's houses." I really, really wanted to offer to take her back to my apartment but I was still very unsure, "And we need to get you patched up and stop your lip and eye from swelling even more. You're welcome to come with me if you have no place to go, or no place that they don't know of. I know they won't find you with me and... Well, if they do, I don't think they'll remember the next morning."
I forced a smile onto my features; the right corner of my mouth curved upwards and I kept my lips pursed together.

[Deleted]

he told me that it was hardly a waste of his time, but I didn't understand why. He then said that he wouldn't let them get me, and my light blue eyes squinted at him in disbelief. How could he just do that for some one he hardly knew? Selfless, I knew, but he was putting himself in the middle of some pretty fucked up guys. I could feel my face swelling, but tried to ignore the pain. "Who are you? Offering me help, and you don't even know my name."

He asked me if I had anywhere safe to go, and I stared at him blankly. Did he just ask me that? I was about to answer when he answered the question himself. I didn't care what we did, but my broken body was beginning to scream at me. I could manage a nod, and despite my better judgment, he was my best bet at staying alive. I inhaled and nearly choked on the air. The sharp pain that shuddered through my ribs made me want to cry. "I think I'm dying." I murmured, and began to close my eyes. I was sleepy now. Maybe I should sleep for a while.

[[ Rσσ ]]

I knew it was the worst idea I'd had in a long while but as I stood there and noticed her heart beat finally begin to settle I managed to convince myself that it was the best idea. She was safe with me, I knew that, but was I safe with her? No risks could be taken - I couldn't have my real identity out in the public. Matt Murdock, the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. The mysterious masked man who was constantly in newspapers and on television would suddenly turn into a young lawyer. No, I couldn't risk that. I'd be hunted down and murdered within minutes, I was certain of it... I re-focused on the woman as she mumbled; luckily I had very good hearing.
"You're not dying," I sighed with a smile evident in my tone as I approached her, "And I can't tell you my name but I'd like to know yours."

My hands wandered her waist and settled upon the rib that was causing her so much pain. I knew I shouldn't have said it, but I did. I could feel her bone creaking beneath my palm, "It's just a hairline fracture. It'll hurt, but it'll heal." I assured in the softest tone I could muster, deciding to try to soothe the woman rather than concern her further over just who she was talking to. I hoped she wouldn't question me further on my identity as I didn't have many answers. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen was what people knew me by - the masked man running about the city trying to do nothing but destroy. Of course, like in most cases, the news was very, very, very wrong. I wanted the opposite. I wanted my home town protected and safe for everybody in it.

Finally, I moved an arm behind her back and I forced yet another smile as I hooked an arm under her knees. I pushed myself onto my feet with the girl in my arms and made my way back into the apartment building we'd escaped through. Eventually I was taking her in the opposite direction to the scene of the attack and, soon, I made my way up the stairs of my apartment building and opened my door, pushed it closed with my foot behind us, and carried her carefully through to my couch where I laid her. I turned, my leg nudging the table and I paused; with my lowered position I had to reach out with my hands, touch the edge and move on passed in silence. Disappearing into my bedroom, I rummaged silently for a small first aid kit that I kept before returning. This time I ensured I didn't bump into anything as to not raise suspicion.

[Deleted]

He told me that i wasn't dying, and i blinked my one eye that wasn't swollen shut. that may be so, but i damn well feel like i was. what caused me to blush a little bit under neath all the blood, and grim on my face was the smile that i could hear in his voice. he told me that i couldn't know his name, and i narrowed the gaze of the eye that still worked. "then what am i supposed to call you?" i paused for a moment, and then looked down at my fingers that were folded in my lap. "Gabriella. My name is Gabriella." i told him, but wasn't quite sure why i told him so easily. i eyed him the best i could half blind, and almost protested as i felt his hand upon my waist.

it drifted up, and i visibly tensed beneath his touch until i realized he was looking for the rib that was causing me so much grief. i tilted my head at him for a moment, and then he spoke me in the softest tones i had ever heard some one use with me. a hairline fracture, huh? i nodded, and felt my eyelids - or what was left of my swollen eye - begin to drift shut. i felt his arm beneath my knees, and one arm behind my back, and then i was aware of being cradled in his arms. my head slouched against his shoulder, and my eyes remained closed the entirety of the trip. the only thing rousing me from my sleep was the feeling of him putting me down on something. when i opened i eye i glanced around, and found myself to be in a living room setting.

i could hear his foot steps, and i turned my head to see him returning to me with something in his hand. i looked curiously to the kit in his hands, and then back to his face. i found my gaze drift from the pupiless mask he wore down to where his face could be seen. his chiseled chin, and mouth being the only thing for me to view. i was curious about him.

[[ Rσσ ]]

I sat quietly as I opened the box settled on my right knee. Before I began to search for what I needed I carefully removed the black gloves from my hands, "To answer your question, Gabriella," My voice was soft once again and I'd began to shift around items in the box in front of her, "You can call me whatever you'd like. Think of a name," And I was smiling now, knowing just how silly it sounded but until she caught me without my mask I'd keep whatever name she suggested to me. I took out a small cloth from the bottom - as it was larger than most first aid kids and looked like an antique due to its age, as my father had kept his kit in it for when he returned from boxing matches - and then placed a small amount of fluid onto it where my fingers settled beneath. "This isn't going to feel good..."

I turned towards her and reached for her face, luckily finding her cheek with me free hand to hold her still. Then my other hand moved forwards and I began to carefully clean a cut on her forehead and then I moved down to clean around the cut on her bottom lip. She didn't have many external injuries, luckily, but she was unlucky to have fractured a rib. Rising to my feet once more, I patted the items back into the box and closed the lid and placed it on the table. Then I was moving again and I found my way to my kitchen where I was more comfortable to act myself. Now my hands searched around me, touching surfaces and cabinets until I found the right one which I removed a glass from. I poured the woman a glass of water before returning to her.

"How're you feeling?" I questioned now as I stopped beside her head and offered her the glass. In my other hand which I held towards her laid two small tablets, "They're just painkillers." It was a reassurance as, after all, they could've been anything. Of course I was telling the truth - I'd never drug somebody. My tongue snaked out from between my lips to wet them before they pursed together and I fell silent once more.

[Deleted]

i listened as he spoke while rummaging through the box, and told me to pick a name to call him. i stared at him for a moment wondering if he was serious. when he didn't tell me he was just joking i guessed i could count him as being serious. wow, okay. i tilted my head to the side in thought, and then said "okay, mike, i'll play your game. this is kinda silly though." i told him, and watched as he picked something up. he put some liquid on the cloth, and then told me that it wasn't going to feel good. i chewed on my bottom lip, and closed my eyes as the cloth and his hand passed over my forehead. the pain was bad, but not worse than what i was feeling in my ribs. i felt his hand trail down my cheek, and then begin to dab at the cut on my lip.

suddenly, he was standing again, and padding away from me into the kitchen to retrieve something. what could he possibly be getting? i waited for him to return, and widened my one good eye in surprise as he reached out with two pills in his palm. he asked me how i was feeling, and i looked up at him from beneath my eyelashes. "fine for just getting the shit kicked out of me." i replied with a shrug of my shoulders. i regretted the shrug after i did it as pain seared through my body. he told me that they were just pain killers, and i took them within my hand, and popped them into my mouth as i chased the pills with water.

i yawned, and leaned back against the cushions. "so mike... how did you learn to do all that? you know... kicking ass, and taking name. was it always a goal for you to save damsel's in distress?"

[[ Rσσ ]]

"Mike, huh?" I repeated as a smile spread across my face and I couldn't prevent my grin from showing, "I must look like a Mike... I, uh, don't usually save strangers and I'll admit, I've never carried a woman out of a fight and brought her back here." I allowed a small chuckle to escape my lips and I took a seat opposite her on an arm chair. I relaxed but, as I moved my arm I winced and froze; the wound in my shoulder was deeper than I thought but it'd have to wait. "As much as I'd like to say I have, I haven't." But this time my voice was deeper and I sounded as though I were swallowing back a choked groan of pain. However I finally managed to settle back in my seat and I held the arms of the seat. I distanced myself from everything in the room for a small moment to focus on any sounds outside but there was nothing. The whole building was silent apart from some quiet snoring from somebody upstairs and our quiet conversation.

"Do you want anything else? Some food, maybe? I'm quite a good chef," And my smile had returned onto my face once more... But I was beginning to grow uncomfortable with my face covered for so long. I raised a hand and fingered at the fabric to briefly lift it an inch away from my skin before allowing it to settle again - I never removed it as I was still unsure of whether to trust her or not. But, eventually, I'd have to undress. I felt as though I needed a shower despite having one the same morning and I definitely needed to clean the wound on my shoulder somehow - she'd have to see my face eventually... "You can have a bath if you'd like one. It might help with some of that swelling."
Maybe then I'd have time to undress and relax for a short while... No, I just had to do it. I couldn't hold this out much longer regardless - she was staying the night. Rising back to my feet I reached up and untied the black fabric from my head and removed it. My eyes were dark and vacant but seemed to aim roughly at what I was looking for. Instead of staying around to let her look at me for long enough I made my way back into the small kitchen (which was open plan from the lounge so she could still, although I tried to hide, see me) and opened the fridge. I reached in, searching for a moment and then I withdrew with a beer.

[Deleted]

he told me that he had never done something like this, and I would have raised a brow at him if I had the ability to. "Then why me if that's not what you do?" I asked, not angry but more curious than anything. I heard the groan in his voice, and triee to frown, but my lips refused to turn down at the corners due to the wound in the center of my lips. I was about to ask him if he was alright when he smiled and asked me if I was hungry. Not right now, no. "No thanks. I ate before I got the shit kicked out of me."

He then began to untie his mask, and I was able to see his face. I wrinkled my nose, and sighed. "So I can see your face but not know your name?" He turned away from me, and strode once more into the kitchen. I could feel my blood drying on my skin, and it made me grimace. I watched as he withdrew a beer, and then i spoke up once more.

"A bath wouldn't be so bad." I spoke loud enough for him to hear me, and waited to see what he would say.

[[ Rσσ ]]

The raise in volume of her voice made me smile. At least she hadn't noticed my blindness just yet. "My name's Matt," I said simply after taking a deep breath and cracking the top from the beer with a bottle opener. I made my way back over towards her and placed my beer on the table, "Can you stand up?" I questioned lightly, taking a moment to glance in her direction but I, again, couldn't quite look directly at her. I struggled to make out too many facial features so I just hoped my aim was about right. "I'll go run a bath for you but," I paused for a moment and offered a tiny little smile; I could help her undress - I couldn't see anything. I'd had my colleague take her shirt off right in front of me and I didn't react whatsoever. To me, bodies were just shapes. I could see curves - the outline of frames - but nothing intimate. My senses offered me enough of a picture in my mind to help me navigate but nothing more. "Nevermind. If I have to help you, I will."

To avoid explaining I reached across and took hold of the stick I carried with me in the day time - white. That alone showed I was blind and I was hoping she knew that. I made my way back across the room and placed it beside my coat rack. I then returned and approached her, this time not focusing on the aim of my eyes, and I held a hand out for hers to assist her in standing up. I pulled a warming smile onto my face once more to encourage her to try and sit up, "I've got you."

[Deleted]

just the corners of my mouth turned up in a smile as soon as he told me his name. That was better. "Nice to meet you, matt." I said with a saucy grin on my face. He came back toward me, and I could clearly see his face. I leaned forward for a moment, and rested my chin on the heel of my hand. He was really handsome. Holy shit. His voice brought me out of my thoughts as he told me that he could draw me a bath, and then asked if I could stand. I hesitated for a momemt, and leaned forward as if to lift myself to my feet.

He suddenly told me he would help me, and reached for a white stick. I blinked as I realized its what the blind would use to navigate, and I looked up into his face and saw nothing in his eyes. My mouth fell slightly agape as I stared at him. Not in horror, but amazement. "If...you can't see, how do you do all those things?" I whispered, and carefully attempted to stand when he offered me his hand. My heart melted at that warm smile.

[[ Rσσ ]]

"It's a gift, really," I replied with my smile growing, "No, I, uh... When I was nine, I was blinded by chemicals and when my father died I was sent to an orphanage. A man named Stick found me there. He taught me how to control my heightened senses, to use them in my favour, and he taught me how to fight." My head turned towards her and my hand closed around hers. I stiffened my arm to allow her to put weight onto my palm and my free hand found her waist once more - just as it had done on the rooftop. I could feel her fractured rib shifting again but it wasn't getting any worse. Once she was standing I offered my arm for her to hold on to.
"I never thought I'd use all that training at first," I began again to keep the conversation going as I guided her into the bathroom. My hand occasionally touched walls and door frames to steady myself and keep myself walking the right path, "But one night I, uh... I overheard one of my neighbours. He--... He used to abuse his daughter whilst his wife was at work. Sexually. So I... I went out and I found him and... I promised I'd find him if he touched her again."

By this point I had carefully removed the woman from my arm and I was bending over to twist the faucets on. I dipped my hand under the water - something much, much easier for me to see - and tested the heat before straightening up. "Without sounding creepy," I began, walking across the room and reaching to open a cupboard, "I don't have the stuff you use, but, uh," I turned back and held a bottle towards her, "Is this alright?" It was a woman's shower gel - something I'd bought for my colleague which she'd left here and never asked for again - and I'd assumed my guest would prefer this to smelling like men. After all, from what I'd gathered by what her outfit consisted of, she was quite a girly woman. The dress, and the heels that she'd broken... I was just assuming, of course.
"I'm sorry, it's just, uh... All the things I picked up on. I figured you'd rather not smell like a man."