The Invisible String: Matt Murdock/ Daredevil

3

She sat quietly near the front, absorbing the surroundings. The flicker of candles she used to love, the faint draft rustling through metal pipes, the familiarity of it all overwhelmed her.

Then she felt it.

That warm presence.

Sister Margaret sat beside her.

"I don't know if I've seen you here before," she said with her familiar, motherly tone.

Annalise stared ahead, trying to ignore the knot forming in her stomach. She shrugged in response.

"You remind me of someone," Sister Margaret added. Her heartbeat quickened slightly, hesitant but steady. She was uncertain whether to continue. Annalise silently hoped she wouldn't. She didn't want to talk. She didn't want her to know she was back. The sting of betrayal still lingered—eight years of silence, eight years of powerlessness, and no one had fought for her.

"What's your name?"

"Anne. Yours?"

"Margaret. Sister Margaret."

Annalise nodded and stood up, heading toward the exit. Coming here had been a mistake. She didn't even know what she was hoping to find.

As she reached for the door, Sister Margaret's voice followed softly behind her.

"I'm glad you've returned, Annalise."

The words stopped her cold.

"You didn't seem so sad to let me go," she muttered before stepping outside.

Tears stung her eyes as she walked home. She shut her apartment door with a huff, the vibration from the slam crawling up her spine. She sighed and set out her uniform for her first shift in the morning.

Her alarm buzzed aggressively. She slammed it off with a groan, grateful that at least it wasn't loud. Just vibrations. She wondered how Matt had coped all these years. If she was irritated by other people's alarms through the walls, how had he handled it?

Dragging herself to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth while trying to ignore the harsh, clawing sensation of metal against her skin. Someone was on the fire escape again. Why was someone outside at this hour? Normal people wouldn't even notice, but of course, she could feel everything.

Finishing up, she got ready for work, still slightly irritated by the lingering feeling crawling over her skin.

"Hey, I'm Annalise. Here for my first shift."

The woman at the hospital front desk, with dark brown hair and warm eyes, offered a smile.

"Hey, I'm Claire."

They shook hands briefly. As their palms touched, Annalise felt the flood of Claire's energy—overwhelming stress, deeper than the usual hospital kind. She wanted to ask if everything was okay but held back. She couldn't exactly say she had felt it through a handshake.

"Just follow me, and we'll get your handover situated."

"Great, thanks, Claire."

She was introduced to her patients—many of whom gave off a deep, unsettling aura—and received her roster, pay details, and everything else needed. After a long seven-hour shift, she was finally free.

She stumbled into the nearest grocery store, exhausted. As she entered, she accidentally bumped shoulders with someone on his way out. He was a little taller than her, wearing a crisp suit, sandy hair slightly tousled.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going, that's my bad."

"Hey, no worries. Happens. It's hard to look this good while watching where I'm going anyway," he joked, straightening his tie and offering his hand.

She laughed and shook it.

"Love the suit. Very 'in charge' energy. Lawyer?"

"There is no way. I actually am."

She laughed again. She already knew. When they shook hands, his energy confirmed everything—the scent of paper, office air, coffee, and that smug pride only someone in legal work would wear like cologne.

"I like you already. What's your name?"

"I'm Annalise. You?"

"Foggy. Are you new here? Visiting?"

"No, more like returning. I grew up here. Things change though."

Foggy's smile softened.

"Tell me about it. I was only gone eight years and I barely recognize this place."

She nodded in agreement, glancing at the new buildings towering over familiar streets.

"I'd be happy to show you around sometime. It'd be my honor."

He bowed dramatically, hand over his heart. She laughed again. He was easy to like.

"That'd be great. I need new friends around here. I think I know, like, two people."

Maybe three, she thought, still unsure.

"Well hey, my girlfriend and I are going out tonight. You're welcome to join. Just casual. Get to know the area."

"I don't know..."

She didn't want to intrude.

"It's seriously casual. You don't have to, but honestly, we all need more friends in life."

His tone was gentle, sincere. It was hard to say no to people who meant it.

"Um, you know what? Sure, why not?"

"Great. I'll meet you at the bar just down there around seven. Looks rough, but I promise it's top tier."

He waved as he walked off, and she nodded, continuing her shopping—half-excited, half-regretful—but curious all the same.