""You were a superhero before. Why did you stop?" I asked Jessica, biting into my sandwich.
"Look at me. Do I still look the part?" she replied.
"But you're taking risks by helping me, isn't that being heroic?"
"You know why I'm doing it. Plus, you've got a cute face," she said, trying to sound sensual.
"Can you stop that? It's really awkward. It doesn't fit with your hobo personality."
"Hey, a little respect. I'm older than you, you brat," she said, pointing her finger at me.
"That's yet to be proven," I laughed.
She laughed too, at our little exchange. However, I didn't continue. The way she dodged the question was proof enough that it was really hard for her.
"The reason I quit is that I still can't overcome all my traumas," she replied after a moment of silence.
"I totally understand," I replied succinctly, not wanting to be too intrusive.
"It all started with a man named Kilgrave. He was a stalker, sociopath, sadist, and rapist. He had mind control powers that I suffered from for months. He ruined my life for a long time. He killed many people I cared about or knew. Until I managed to snap his neck like a worthless twig," Jessica said coldly.
The hatred in her voice reminded me of my situation with Fisk. Our confrontation seemed to be getting bloodier. How long before one of us loses someone dear to them? For me, my loved ones boiled down to Jessica, Matt (even if he's a pain), and the nurse to a lesser extent.
"Having powers seems to lead us to crappier experiences than normal. Healing is even harder. Those without powers can't understand us. While those with powers all have their own wounds, more or less deep, to heal," I argued.
"To make things even harder, vicious bastards constantly use those we save to get to us," added Jessica.
"And if we can't save them, we wonder, and society wonders, isn't it our desire to play the savior that condemned them?"
"Yeah. Even if it's not the norm, it happens from time to time. And it's enough to break you forever. The world is unfair, ungrateful, and forgetful. Except in specific cases, heroism is just a chimera that tries to fight human nature," she told me.
"So, being a hero is changing human nature for the better," I said, a little depressed by the sad reality of this world.
At this last statement, a heavy silence fell over the room. Only the irritating tick-tock of the clock in the room made its presence felt.
"Idealists, huh," I said to myself. I had never thought so deeply about the concept of superheroes. Sure, it was a bit biased by my immediate situation. But one thing was becoming more and more evident to me. Patrolling all the dark alleys as an individual, looking for crimes, was just ridiculous. You can always help someone in need. Being a hero, or getting close to the ideal of a hero, is tackling things that involve the community or constitute a threat to common survival. It might change in the future. But for now, I will follow this line of thought after solving my problem.
"Hello," Jessica answered as her phone ringing pulled us out of our contemplation.
While she was talking on the phone, her mood seemed to improve by the second. My enhanced hearing had picked up Matt's voice on the other end.
"You're damn lucky, you know that," she said, hitting my shoulder like a brute.
"Tell me about it. I have the most charming brute all to myself, in a hideout in New York," I laughed.
"Mr. Charmer! Try your luck in another life. Daredevil, did you find a way out?" she said.
"He was pretty quick," I replied, genuinely impressed.
"He's an old hand at this, he knows what he's doing. We have a meeting with him tonight to discuss our action plan," she said.
"Perfect, just perfect," I said, rubbing my hands, genuinely relieved.
"Exactly!" Jessica continued, hitting my shoulder again.
"You're such a pain," I mentally complained.
Hell's Kitchen.
It was around one in the morning when we arrived at the meeting place.
It was an old abandoned warehouse on the edge of the city. It was really dark, which didn't really bother me.
"You weren't followed, I hope," Daredevil's voice echoed.
"Of course not! We jumped across rooftops to get here," Jessica replied.
"Good," said Daredevil, landing.
"We don't have much time, so listen carefully," he continued.
"Okay," I replied.
"I've been investigating Fisk's accountant for some time. Thanks to increased surveillance and a drug money laundering case, I was able to gather incriminating evidence against Fisk. He's in talks with a criminal organization called The Hand. I threatened to blow everything up by giving the files to them, or to his rivals or the authorities," he said.
"How did he react?" I asked.
"He threatened me, and I threatened him back. However, he eventually agreed to a deal."
"Which consists of what?" Jessica asked.
"He stops his manhunt against Alex, making your name disappear from the media and police files. You return all the documents in two phases. Then he compensates you with $50,000. And then you leave New York for good. If during your exile you talk to the police or return to New York, the truce is broken," Matt replied.
"That's a shitty deal," Jessica exploded.
"What did you want me to do? Let them burn the city down? Do you think we can stop them? One has too much power, the other is a weapon of destruction!" Matt snapped.
"And what about my dead friend?" she asked, still emotional.
"We're at an impasse. We can't pin him down for this murder, it's too complicated," Matt said, a bit calmer.
"He's right, Jessica. I can't move a foot in New York without cops, mercenaries, or some random citizen recognizing me. Even if I managed to leave the state, I would still be hunted. In the long run, a tragedy could happen," I replied.
"Whatever, it doesn't make me any happier," she replied.
"You could leave together," Matt suddenly suggested.
"I didn't know you were an asshole," Jessica hissed dangerously at Matt.
As Matt was about to retort, I suddenly pointed a finger at a specific corner of the building's roof.
"Gunslinger," I whispered, my grimoire coming to life.
I hadn't directly aimed at the presence I had detected. When the strike connected in an explosion, I heard him curse as he moved to escape.
"We're being watched," I told them, seeing their confused looks.
Not bothering to answer, I immediately jumped while shooting at the roof to create an exit hole.
I hadn't even emerged yet when I intercepted an arrow with a dangerously blinking red tip.
It reminded me of a scene I had seen a long time ago.
"Oh yeah, I remember now," I said as an explosion enveloped me.