A/N: Introduction of new character. I have no idea if this would be how the legal system works so lets just pretend and use our imaginations…
Warnings: Mentions of blood and death. Kind of hoping to make people cry. Big time violence at the end and (obviously) cliff hanger ending. Enjoy! Please tell me what you think!
Alice made her way back to the motel, mind going over and over the practicalities of what she was trying to plan… It wasn’t just dangerous…legally it was life in prison if she got caught.
Alice wanted to just go and burn the bloody place down, she had done that before when she had had no other choice, but that had been different circumstances and only one vamp.
Fire, whilst fast acting, wasn’t sudden enough to catch a building full of vamps unawares. Also, their sense of smell was better then a humans, if she ran around the building dropping petrol everywhere they would smell it before she could get far, then they would either get her and kill her or spook and move somewhere else and Alice would have to start all over again.
Alice didn’t know what would be worse.
Alice stopped to get breakfast for her and the Bens, finally finding the nest and having a plan (or a start of a plan) had brought on an extreme appetite.
Strolling leisurely back from the diner, Alice couldn’t help but feel close to happy, almost free from this burden, a friendly face waiting at the motel, hot fresh cooked breakfast in the paper bag in her hand and the future stretching out before her…a future that still hopefully contained one James Buchanan Barnes…Alice was feeling good.
When Alice finally got back, the first thing she did was go to Bens room, she didn’t want the food to get cold.
Getting to his door she stopped dead. It was partially open and there was a smell coming from inside…coppery and thick.
Dropping the food, Alice crashed through.
And felt her partially healed heart break all over again.
“BEN!!! Ben…no, please please please…”
Alice was sobbing, she rushed over to way Ben lay broken on the floor. Blood was everywhere…her boots became painted red.
Alice knew straight away what had happened…that they had finally found her, and they had killed Ben instead.
Alice could hear people nearby, there was screaming and yelling. Eventually someone pulled her away, pointlessly put their fingers to Bens neck to look for a pulse…there was hardly any neck left.
Alice was being dragged away by the police when she spotted Ben Junior, torn apart by savage teeth and claws. Ben, the miracle dog who came to her rescue with his own teeth, butchered like some farm animal.
Alice let herself pass out, her last thought shamed her for the rest of her life…at least it wasn’t Bucky…
Waking up slowly, Alice found herself in the back of a police car. Making to move her hands, she found them bound in handcuffs, Alice immediately started panicking, being tied up was not something that she would ever be calm about.
“Hey calm down okay? You were kind of violent when we took you out, those cuffs were only put on to protect yourself. And us obviously.”
Alice looked up at the female officer talking to her “Please take these off…please I-I can’t h-handle…”
Curiously, the woman said “Yeah sure honey, you promise you’ll stay calm? We’re gonna have to bring you in as you found him but I have to think about everyone else as well as you, going into the station. Don’t try anything okay?”
Alice nodded her head as quickly as she could, logically she knew she could break out of these handcuffs but all her strength had deserted her.. shock had sapped it, the barrier between what was happening right now and what had happened in the past was paper thin.
Slowly the woman unlocked them, as soon as she did Alice breathed easier.
“Why are you taking me in? Obviously I didn’t do it, no normal person could do that.”
“It’s only procedure. You found that guy, we need to know who killed him and you might’ve seen something that can help the detectives find them.”
Not before I find them first, Alice thought darkly.
At the station, Alice waited. Staring into space, she let her mind go blank.
But she was never on her own anymore..especially in her head.
Ben is dead. Ripped to shreds. Your fault.
Not my fault.
He would’ve been better if you never met him. He should have just let you be-
Alice snapped back to awareness as the detective entered the room.
“Sooo. Jane Smith yes?”
“Yes.”
“It’s strange, Jane. We can’t seem to find you anywhere.”
Alice kept her eyes trained just over the guys shoulder “I’m right in front of you. How hard are you looking?”
The detective regarded her, he was quite young, maybe 35 or so and had the look of someone that took great care of their appearance and thought very highly of themselves.
Alice disliked him instantly. He reminded her of Simon.
“Ya know…I’ve met Brits before and I still can’t work out when you guys are deliberately tryin’ to joke or when you’re being serious.”
“And you’re a detective…no wonder this city is overrun with animals butchering innocent people.”
Smirking the detective looked down at a slim file he had brought in with him “See? There, I can tell you’re as serious as cancer.”
Alice just sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
“So…Jane Smith. As I was sayin’ can’t find you anywhere on the system and you say you don’t have any ID with you?”
“No.”
“No passport?”
“It got stolen.”
“Driving license?”
“Didn’t need one.” Alice shrugged.
“What about living permits? Working permits?”
“Wasn’t planning on sticking around that long.”
Smiling openly now, he just shook his head “Well I think you oughta make those plans now sweetheart. You’re the only one who had any access to Ben and you were covered in his blood. You’re under arrest for his murder darlin’”
Alice blinked. That shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
“Well. I guess I need a lawyer don’t I?”
Alice waited another hour or more. Hunger gnawing at her stomach and her head starting to pound, Alice wanted to wake up. Just go back 6 months to when she had seen those 2 newspapers under her door. Every time she thought about what she had done in those ensuing minutes…she just couldn’t remember why she had done what she had done.
Alice would do anything to turn back the clock. Ben would still be alive…
“Jane Smith?”
Alice was lost in her thoughts, didn’t hear the deep quiet voice.
A pair or red spectacles on a face with brown hair and scruffy stubble was suddenly in her eye line from across the table. The man was reasonably tall, slightly built but Alice could sense a lot of strength under that suit. This must be her lawyer then.
“I’m sorry.” Alice shook her head, “I was a bit spaced. Yes, I’m Jane.”
“Matt Murdock, I’m your defence attorney.”
“Oh” Alice looked him over, Murdock had his head in her direction but she couldn’t feel him watching her…Alice looked a bit lower and spotted the cane. Oh. Right. “Well, I’m sure you hear this all the time but I didn’t do it.”
Smiling gently, Murdock gestured to the seat “Do you mind if I sit?”
“Yes please…umm do you need help…or…?”
Murdock’s smile froze in place “No.”
“Oh God, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to offend you. Please, accept my apology? I’m not at my best today I’m afraid.”
Smile slowly turning back into something genuine, Murdock shook his head as he sat down “I accept your apology. You’re hardly the first. Quite polite though so, there’s that.”
“My parents always taught me to be polite.”
Smile dropping ever so slightly, Alice’s new lawyer sat up straighter “Okay, so. First thing, you’re right, I do hear the whole “I didn’t do it all the time.” However, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t in fact innocent.”
“Well, if it helps, I’m going to give you the easiest job ever.”
Cocking his head to the side, the lawyer seemed to be trying not to laugh “Oh, I don’t doubt it. I genuinely don’t think you did this. The cops just saw you first.”
Snorting, Alice grumbled “Typical, the first time I ever get seen as dangerous is when someone is murdered.”
“What was that?”
“Oh. Nothing. So, how about I give you a list of all the places I have been overnight? At least some of those streets will have CCTV, I bet that it will prove that I was no where near that motel when Ben was…when he was…”
Alice took a shaking breath and tried to blink back the tears that had abruptly shown up. Ben was dead. Ben was DEAD. Alice had tried to keep that thought at bay until she was alone but, talking about how she was innocent…all the places to look for her. Alice was never going to see him again. Ben Junior would never try to comfort her after a nightmare again.
What did I do? Why have I arrived here? Poor Ben. He didn’t deserve to meet me, no matter what his past. I’m sorry Ben. I wish you had never met me.
“When he died.” Murdock finished quietly. “I uh…haven’t seen the pictures obviously but, well they tell me it was quite horrifying. Do you have idea who could have done that? Did Ben mention any enemies at all? Maybe the mob or something?”
The mob?! Ben should’ve been so lucky. Sniffing, Alice shook her head. When he silence dragged she remembered and blurted “No. No he never mentioned anything. He didn’t like talking about his past.”
“Well, it’s up to the cops to find out who killed him. It’s up to me to get you off.”
Matt went bright red, coughing he quickly continued “Get you off of those charges. Tell me where you’ve been overnight and then I’ll get them on it. You should be out within the next few hours.”
Alice was still trying to figure out what had caused him to blush and stammer, shrugging, Alice reeled off a comprehensive list along with times but warned Matt that the times were an estimate at best “I wasn’t planning on having to defend myself against murder charges after all.”
Smiling again, Matt Murdock stood up, “I’ll get them to move you to a cell in the meantime.”
Before he left, Matt turned to her “Why were you out all night? You went everywhere in one night, were you looking for something?”
Alice’s heart rate sped up, she couldn’t help it. Not that it mattered of course, it’s not like he would know.
“No, I’m an insomniac. One of the reasons why I came here, New York is the city that never sleeps or whatever. I was just exploring.”
“Dangerous thing. A woman exploring this city on her own at night.”
Tipping her chin up, Alice gave the smallest of smiles “Depends on your point of view I suppose.”
Frowning, Matt left the room.
Another 6 hours later, Alice marched her way out of the precinct. More than enough footage had been found to clear her. Walking out, Alice flipped the bird up at Detective Dick (turns out his name was Detective Richards. Alice couldn’t help it if it was so appropriate).
Alice wasn’t too surprised to see Matt Murdock waiting for her outside, carrying on towards him Alice stopped in front of him on the stair above him, it put them at nearly eye level and Alice was feeling too light headed to bother looking up at someone who couldn’t see her anyway.
“If you give me your card, I’ll make my way over to your office tomorrow to pay you. I don’t have the cash on me right now.”
“Wow. Don’t be too grateful that I cleared you of those charges.”
“I just offered to bloody pay you. What more do you want?”
“Your promise not to do something stupid. Like going looking for whoever killed your friend.”
Rolling her eyes, Alice murmured “Do I look stupid to you or something Matt?”
One raised eyebrow from him had Alice stammering “Oh for fucks sake…. I’m sorry. Again. Just for Gods sake, NO! I will not be going gallivanting off after a man who looks like he kills people by eating them. Not like that nutter vigilante. I don’t have a bloody death wish.”
After a pause, Matt reached into his jacket pocket, “Here is where our offices are. I expect to see you tomorrow.”
Alice was really starting to feel dodgy, “See me? How?”
“It’s a figure of speech Jane.”
“Whatever. I’ll be at your office tomorrow bright and early. Probably with doughnuts or something for when I remember how insufferably rude I’ve just been.”
“You could just apologise.”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” Alice was trying for joking but it came out much harsher than intended.
Shock crossed his face, before he broke out into a grin “No. I don’t think I would dare. Do you have an email? I’ll send you through the bill.”
Closing her eyes and pressing he hands to the lids, Alice shook her head “No. No email. It’s fine, I’ll just bring cash.”
“Hey, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m going back to the motel for sleep now. Bye.” Alice turned away and then shot back around “Also, thank you. Seriously. You’re a good lawyer to know.”
Alice walked away towards the subway before he could say anything else.
Alice looked down at her Scythe in her hands. It would make tonight so much easier, she knew that. Tonight shouldn’t be easy though, tonight needed to be hard. It needed to be painful.
Tonight….everything would finally end.
“Matt Murdock?”
“Yes? Who is this?”
Alice looked at the phone in her hand, she had him on speaker as she was getting ready.
“Hi Matt it’s Al- it’s Jane Smith.”
A pause. “Hello Jane. What can I do for you?”
“I fancy getting a lawyer on retainer. I thought of you.”
A longer pause. “Why? Are you in trouble?”
“No. Just…bad things can happen at any point right? I want to know that there is someone on my side when the dust settles. If, you know, it were to get kicked up.”
If a silence could be thoughtful, Alice would definitely class this one as such.
“Jane… if you put me on retainer, you know anything you say is confidential right?”
“Of course I do. I watch TV.”
“Well, you can tell me if you’re in trouble. I can help.”
“I’m not in trouble. Just want a lawyer because….because.”
“Jane-“
“My name is Alice for Gods sake. Just tell me the company bank details already.”
“I knew that Jane wasn’t your real name.”
“Yes very perceptive Matt. Details. Now please.”
“Ja-Alice…are you going to go after who killed your friend? The police don’t know anything, if you do you need to tell me now. I told you not to do anything stupid.”
“No, you asked me to promise not to do anything stupid. And I made no such promise.”
“Alice..” Huffing out a furious breath, Matt tried again “Why don’t you come and meet me? You can give me this retainer in person and I’ll buy you a drink.”
“I’m not getting a drink Matt. Just take my money and I’ll leave you alone.”
Sat on the bed, Alice waited. Technically, if tonight went to plan she doubted she would actually need a lawyer. Still… the cops here seemed to be deeply stupid, she might need a lawyer after all. Better safe than sorry.
“….Fine. I’ll give you the details. Don’t make me regret this Alice.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it Matt.”
Famous last words…
Alice had been busy the last 3 weeks. Losing Ben had almost made her give up. Who cared if vampires were living in New York? As evidenced by the news streams, Alice was hardly the only super strong person living here, eventually someone would pick up on what was going on and they would figure out how to kill them.
Alice was just…so tired. She had lived this way almost half her life, getting away and never looking back was a lovelier and lovelier picture the more she thought about it.
The life she really wanted though…she couldn’t honestly live it and live with herself if she didn’t at least try to finish this.
So she had researched and bought various things. During the nights she had been travelling back to Hells Kitchen and waiting until that church was empty. Then she had been planting what was necessary.
It was the only plan she could think of, Alice needed to do more than just kill them all. Alice needed to know what had brought them here in the first place, if there were more coming.
Thinking back over and over about the night she had “escaped”, the morning she had “left” Bucky, she was becoming more and more convinced that there was more going on than just vamps following her here.
Alice’s plan was simple. Get them to take her in the church, question them.
Then, come sunrise, regardless if she was still in there, blow the fuckers up.
Alice left the motel room and headed towards the subway. Alice had put her Scythe back under the floorboards after talking to Matt, if she made it out tonight then it would be there waiting for her. If not, it was because she was dead and well…when they knocked the place down in however many years someone would get a nice surprise.
Alice could feel the nervous tension screaming through her veins, it was barely sundown and she would have to wait until as close to sunrise as possible before heading to the church.
Alice put her hands in her pockets, she really hoped she ran into more than one vamp before the night was over. Alice was spoiling for a fight.
8 hours later and Alice had got her wish, sort of. Alice had met 4 vamps but none of them were especially skilled at fighting so it had been far too easy. Alice didn’t want to think of herself as a bully so when they couldn’t fight like she could she had just staked them.
It left her feeling especially antsy though, like ants crawling over her skin, you know, I heard that’s what it’s like if you have really bad sex…or no sex at all.
Oh thanks a lot. Just what I need to be thinking about before throwing myself to the lions.
Bucky looks like he would be really good at sex…
Oh…shut the fuck up for heavens sake.
Forcefully shoving any thoughts of Bucky out of her head, Alice began to make her way to Hells Kitchen.
Alice got there with just over an hour to spare before sunrise. Keeping back again, she waited a while for a vamp to make it’s way to the door.
When it got to 15 minutes before sunrise, Alice saw one go in. Adjusting the sleeves on her jacket, Alice got up and she quickly ran up to it from behind and shoved it face first into the room beyond.
Looking around, she could see just a few less vamps then she had counted before but she couldn’t spot Ethan anywhere.
All eyes were trained on her, moving back to the door, Alice closed it behind her, pulled the stake out of her pocket and softly said “I’m sorry I’m late, I’m here now though so come and have a go.”
About 4 rushed at her whilst more started to create a circle around her and bring her further into the room. Alice fought like the warrior she really was, some of them sucked at fighting and others definitely had some skill but Alice was nothing but rage now, everything that had happened to her in the last 3 years, all the people she had lost, Alice took it and used it to kick the ever loving shit out of all these vampires that kept on screwing with her life.
However, numbers don’t lie, Alice was outnumbered by a staggering amount and when one managed to kick her square in the chest and send her flying backwards into the wall, there was nothing Alice could do.
As she lay on the floor, all movement suddenly stopped around her and she could hear heavy footsteps heading her way.
A pair of ice blue eyes looked down at her “Well, well. The Slayer finally shows up.”
Ethan stood up and towered over Alice’s prone form. “Sorry Slayer. But finders keepers.”
Ethan’s boot crashed into Alice’s face and everything went dark.
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