-Are you sure? They're no different than the usual thugs. Are we sure we need this warehouse?
-Absolutely," Murdock said with a touch of irony and pathos, as if mocking me for daring to question him at all, "Kingpin's fighters are very different from the rest of us, and I can tell them apart at a glance.
This was the sixth subject today, and I'd heard the same thing from Matt each time. Ignoring our indignant glances, Daredevil continued his pathos, promising that the next warehouse would be the right one. And while I had nothing against thinning out the crime and disrupting their plans, morally we were all exhausted from the endless running and constant fighting.
-God. Okay. Tell me briefly what we should expect. What's the plan?
I probably should have waited for Iron Fist to go to the bathroom, but I was so tired and exhausted from the race that I wanted to finish it soon, even if Rand wasn't going to participate. And, judging by the silent agreement, Matt was feeling the same way.
-There's almost four dozen people inside, nothing complicated in principle. But if they come at us all at once, it's going to be a problem," Murdock said, answering my unspoken question with a patronising smile, "they've got a lot of heavy weapons.
-Okay, that's understandable. Then... ?
Suggesting that the blind lawyer who liked to show off should continue for me was exactly the reaction I'd hoped for.
-Okay, I have a plan. There are two machine-gun emplacements near the entrance, so going in head-on would be suicide. There are patrols walking around the building, or thugs sitting around playing cards or just minding their own business. Most are within sight of the others, and there's also primitive cameras, so it's worth it to get caught, and everyone's on their feet immediately.
As Murdoch spoke, he drew a diagram of the building on the ground, marking the location of the guards.-We'll use a few diversionary tactics, pulling the guards apart. You and your tentacles and Danny will have to smash through the walls, breaking right in. But don't linger there, as soon as you're spotted, get out and attack somewhere else, and I'll sneak in and knock out the camera operator and the coordinator of the whole orphanage.
The schematic drawing began to show a rough outline of our plan. Murdock made himself look like a devil's head, Fist like a clenched palm, and I looked like a drunken Squidward. In that despite the image, I was cheerful and winking.
-Asshole.
Another silent smile was my answer.
-Let's continue. After I knock out the command centre, we'll start free hunting, alternating and attacking in different places, preventing everyone from joining in. We'll take the machine guns last.
-Sounds good. The odds are very good, I think it's ninety to ninety-five per cent.
-Yeah, much better than usual.
-Great, guys, I'm back! Let's do it! GLEZEN-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-AC!
With a quick burst into action, Rand smashed through the door, knocking down one of the gunmen with a machine gun, then just ran on, shouting and cheering, knocking out anyone who got in his way.
-He just ran in there?
-Fuck. All right, let's go help him. We stick to the plan, just with a little more nuance.
Couple of minutes later.
Sitting on his knees, with his hands tied to his legs, with his shoulder bandaged, Danny exuded genuine sorrow and remorse, trying to show how sorry he was and how much he was repenting.
I didn't look any better myself. I was cradling one of the manipulators that had been hit by an underbarrel grenade launcher. The outer skin was crumpled and blackened, but the tentacle was still intact and functioning normally.
Murdoch, on the other hand, looked the worst. His suit had changed colour from pure red to black with flecks of scarlet. The blind lawyer's trademark stubble, which he used to pick up girls, was gone like a cow's tongue. And his left arm was broken, and now Matt could hardly restrain himself from breaking it in return.
-Well, we made it, didn't we?
Hesitantly lifting his head, Rand smiled ingratiatingly, looking into our kind faces.
-Come on, guys. Just having a little fun. I thought it would cheer everyone up!
We turned around and walked out of the industrial zone, leaving Danny behind us, shouting at us.
-Don't leave me here! Hey! Guys?!
***
Sitting down in the old armchair I'd snatched from the junkyard and worked on with Peter under Uncle Ben's watchful eye, I turned on the TV. Morally decomposing, staring into the zombie box and sipping cheap beer.
-A terrible accident has struck New York City once again. There's been another explosion tonight, again in the centre of the city.
The reportage took viewers to a rich Manhattan neighbourhood full of restaurants and other delights of the rich and tourists. Neat, not vulgar signs, expensive interior and a lot of establishments of various levels for a huge number of people. But today it was empty.
The fenced neighbourhood was packed with police, who could hardly hold back the people who demanded answers. And strangely enough, the police and journalists had answers.
-Hello, Kelly. I'm outside one of the city's most lucrative and fashionable restaurants. This place was once renowned for its cuisine and level of privacy. The cream of society from all over the northeast of the country used to gather here, wanting to taste incredible dishes, - taking a step to the side, literally leading the camera behind her, the pretty girl could hardly contain her emotions and it was unclear whether she was bursting with news or really hurt by the events that happened, - but tonight there was a terrible tragedy here. A massive explosion destroyed the third, elite and best floor, while damaging the second floor and injuring many visitors.
-Amy, what happened to the people on the third floor? Was anyone there? As far as I know, they don't get a lot of big company meetings up there, do they? Were a lot of people hurt?
-Unfortunately, yes, Kelly. There were almost three dozen people inside at the time of the explosion. It looks like it was a corporate meeting for some high-profile people. There's no way to identify the bodies without definitive forensics. So we don't know who was inside yet.
-Okay. Thank you, Amy. Please keep us posted!
-I will.
The screen flashed and the audience was back in the studio with the anchorwoman.
-We don't know exactly who is responsible for the attack, but many eyewitnesses say they heard a plane or some similar vehicle roaring when the explosion occurred....
-Hundred per cent it's the Goblin. -Hundred per cent. We should write to Pete. We can't keep dragging this out. If he can't catch him himself...
After texting Parker, I settled back in my chair. The curse of the skoof had caught up with me and now I didn't want to do anything at all, especially after such a long and tiring night.
I barely had the strength to crawl to the lab and take off my manipulators, because sleeping with them on was a lower-than-average pleasure.....
-Well, you could try sleeping in the air sometime... Or as a bat. Shit, I need to sleep.
The phone vibrated in my hand, eliciting a groan of pain and despair. With barely a struggle, I was able to bring the screen of the damned people slave and read through the list of messages I'd received.
A couple of occasional texts to Gwen with the standard questions about business and well-being. Pictures of cats from my mother and a request from my father to tell me that I was hanging out with him while Daddy himself was probably sitting with the older Parker in the latter's barn, drinking hard liquor, laughing at goats, and eating Aunt May's crops.
But it was the last message that interested me most of all, which at once invigorated and energised me. Like a tub of ice water and a cocktail of energy drink, coffee, coke and vodka. A shot of endorphin and adrenaline rushed through my body as I stared at a rather explicit picture of Felicia wearing her tight suit and taking selfies near the university.
I didn't notice that the minutes accelerated their run and, without waiting for an answer, the disgruntled girl called first, pleasing me with her eternal positivity and light flirtation.
-How are you, Mr Justice? Did you like what you saw?
-Oh, God. Please stop calling me that.
-No, it'll always be your best thing, no matter what you say," I could feel Hardy licking his plump lips, eyes glinting in the dark, "Listen, Sean. How about we go for a little walk? Run across the rooftops and stuff?
-Fuh," I wanted to agree, but just imagining having to pull on my stage costume again, get my arse out of my chair, and run after the playful Cat.... I could just physically feel the pain and the fatigue. I think I'll pass.
-Oh, Shawn. You can't say no to a girl who has the guts to ask you out.
-Fel, I'm sorry, I'm really tired, we've been--
-Oh, honey. Women don't care about your arguments, no matter how convincing they are," she was clearly mocking me and I guess she expected that response, because I couldn't hear any real hurt or disappointment in her voice, "you should have not responded to the messages at all, then the punishment wouldn't have been so harsh.
-It's a trap anyway! -What were you expecting?
-What did you expect? We don't have it easy.
-I should know.
-Yes, that's right. -Now you can hear the displeasure in her voice. The mere mention of Gwen had quickly ruined Cat's mood, and I regretted it. I shouldn't have snapped and thrown in the stilettos, but fatigue was taking its toll," "Well, okay. Since you're so tired.
-Fel, don't be mad. I promise we'll go out tomorrow as friends to apologise.
-Friendship?
And I made another mistake. I should have just shut up and let the girl pout, wait out the storm, so to speak. But I'm a hero, and real heroes are known for their authentic characteristics. They have to be straight guys. Straightforward in their beliefs. And dumb enough to ignore innuendo and obvious answers. Just like bass players.
-You know, Shawn. I'm not taking offence. If you don't want to go out with me, that's okay," her sweet, luscious voice sent a legion of goosebumps down my spine. I even stood up from my chair, secretly expecting a catch, and my intuition didn't fail," but I think.... I'm pretty sure. Rorschach will want to meet me.
-What?
My voice was a little hoarse, and my heart thumped faster in my chest.
-I'm taking the cash from the pawnshop right now. -What? I think you've got seven plus or minus one minute to stop me. Hurry up, Shawn, or I'm really gonna do it.
And I knew he would. A vicious little blackmailer. Though I'll admit, the first few seconds as I snickered at her suggestion, I even let out a sigh of admiration, because I definitely wouldn't be able to sleep now, knowing full well that I could have easily prevented the crime.
"Or maybe use the 'No negotiating with terrorists' tactic? No, that would be overkill, but it would be worth kicking that pain in the arse... Okay, that's where my mind went wrong.... Oh, fuck."
Swearing to myself, pulling on my jumper, trousers, and coat at the same time, I hopped on one foot and hurried to the door, intending to leave the dorm through the roof. Everyone was already long asleep, even the craziest partygoers had already fallen asleep in a drunken frenzy, so it was possible to take a risk and run across the floor....
-But, better to be safe.
I pressed my face against the door and peered carefully through the peephole, using my Qi and using all my senses to their full potential.
-I was already standing in the centre of the roof, and the first morning rays were already beginning to rise over the city," I hated sunrises. They don't fit my image at all. And it's a bit cheesy.
But there was nothing to do. I had to straighten the brains of the offended woman, which already sounded like an impossible quest. But I had to try. Otherwise, what kind of hero am I?
It wasn't hard to find the girl. She was waving at me, cheerfully and almost jumping on the spot. But as soon as I stepped onto the roof of the building, where Black Cat was waiting for me in all her glory, the girl took a step back, to the very edge.
-Ah, honey. You were in such a hurry to meet us that you arrived much sooner than I expected. Well, try and catch me.
Biting her index finger, Felicia arched teasingly, then sent me an air kiss, pushing herself off the roof and falling backwards into the abyss. A satisfied, playful smile flashed across her face. Her white hair swept up in the air currents, and Fel spread her arms out to the sides, taking a leap of faith.
I suppressed the first impulse to follow, because standing at the opposite end of the roof, I wouldn't have time to catch up with the girl. But I didn't slow down and just ran further along the edge, jumping from the perpendicular side, clinging to a neighbouring building with my hook, sending myself into a long flight.
For brief seconds we both hovered in the air, staring into each other's eyes, though mine were hidden by the mask, but I could feel Felicia gazing right into my soul.... And she must have liked what she saw.
And so began our chase. Under the light of the rising sun, curious glances of the first passers-by hurrying to work and looking out of the windows of houses.
Waking up New York witnessed our game, where the hero tried to catch the thief and keep his hands free, which was extremely difficult, and probably wrong.
It was like some kind of mating game, but I couldn't get that idea into my head, because just catching up with Felicia was so.... Relaxing. It was like I was resting my soul, though my body was really fucked up.
And after an hour of such races, moving between rooftops, walls, and dark alleys, we finally stopped, freezing in a rather ambiguous pose.
Wrapping my arms around the girl's waist, I held her in slightly bent arms. There was just one effort missing to pull Hardy close to me, but I didn't. Apparently picking up on something in my mood, the sly cat easily disentangled herself from my embrace, not showing an ounce of disappointment, but rather the opposite.
She was happy and, God, she was good! Flushed, breathing heavily and pushing back her suit to give her body some fresh air, as real as that expression was in New York.
-That was really cool, Sean. Thank you.
-Я...
-The first impulse was to accuse her of blackmail and try to deny it, but damn it, I'm not ten years old! - No problem. I'm excited myself, I guess I've been missing something like this.... Simple and easy. Thanks, Fel.
-I'm glad I could help," she invaded my personal space again and ran her claws down my cheek, slowly making her way down to the mask, and when I wanted to stop her, she yanked her hand away from my face as well as my gaze and left an innocent kiss on my cheek, "just a friendly kiss, tough guy.
Hardy shook her silvery mane, and then twisted in place, turning her back to me in an extremely impressive display.
-That was fun, Rorschach," she said with a wink, laughing a happy, clean laugh, obviously noticing where I was staring, "ha-ha. You're quite the prankster, aren't you?
I stood there, staring after the distant figure skittering between the buildings, trying to get my thoughts and libido together. It was hard, extremely hard, I'd even say that. But I overcame, pulled myself together, and was finally able to stop imagining Felicia's charms. But unfortunately, the scent of her hair and her heated body continued to waft through the air, clearly settling on my clothes, which didn't make it any easier.
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