The Invisible String: Matt Murdock/ Daredevil

16

He looked toward the window, his voice tightening.

"Then we go get them."

-

The dank, cold air of the basement seeped into Matt's bones as he slowly regained consciousness, the world around him blurring in and out of focus. The rough texture of concrete pressed against his back, and the weight of heavy chains bound his wrists and ankles, pinning him to an unforgiving chair.

His breathing was ragged, every inhale a struggle. He felt a familiar throb at the base of his skull, a dull ache that pulsed with the rhythm of his heartbeat. He turned his head slightly, trying to orient himself,  slight muffling sounds and scents.

Then he remembered, the warehouse, the electricity, Annalise.

"Annalise" He croaked her name, voice hoarse but filled with urgency. Panic flared in his chest as he strained against the chains, testing their strength. They held firm, but the anxiety of her unconscious state gnawed at him, sharp and relentless. He could here the slight clinging of chains around her wrist, continuing across her stomach as she was confined to the chair. Her heartbeat was steady but the dosage must have still been in her system. 

Footsteps echoed in the distance, heavy and deliberate. The door creaked open, flooding the room with light and airflow for a brief moment before it swung shut again, leaving him in oppressive, stale, silence once more.

"Ah, awake already?" The voice was low, taunting. Matt recognized it, one of Fisk's goons. "We have so much to discuss."

Matt's heart sank further as he tried to focus through the haze. "What's going on?" he demanded, forcing the words through gritted teeth.

"What do you think? Fisk wants you dead, and her. But first, let's have some fun."

A metallic clang echoed as the man approached, a cruel smile evident in his tone. "You think you're tough, huh? Let's see how tough you are when I'm done." His Italian accent ringing in Matts ears.

Matt barely had a moment to brace himself before the man swung a fist into his gut, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He crumpled slightly, his movement restricted as he hung, strung up by chains attached to the ceiling. gasping for breath, pain radiating through his body as he fought to maintain his focus.

"Just wait until I get started," the man sneered, delivering another blow, this time to Matt's jaw. Stars exploded behind his eyes, and he felt himself slipping.

With every ounce of strength, he pushed back against the rising tide of darkness, forcing himself to stay conscious. "You'll regret this," he spat, though the threat felt weak against the pain.

The man chuckled, unfazed. "Regret? Oh, this is just the beginning."

He pulled a small device from his pocket, a voltage generator, the kind that sent jolts of electricity through a person's body. "Let's see how well you handle this."

Matt's heart raced as he realized what was about to happen. The man pressed the device against Matt's stomach, and an intense surge of electricity coursed through him, igniting every nerve ending in his body. The pain was excruciating. He clenched his fists, teeth grinding against the agony. Writhing against the chains.

But through the haze of suffering, he caught a faint whisper of energy on the edges of his awareness. It was there, flickering like a candle in the dark — Annalise. She was awake, and though he couldn't see her, he felt her presence like a lifeline. Weak but conscious.

And then, a miracle. A soft, warm pulse surged through him, a wave of soothing energy that began to wash away the pain. Annalise stirred, her breath hitching as she woke, and in that instant, she reached out with her unique ability, pulling the hurt from him. 

The relief was immediate, and Matt's body responded instinctively. He drew on the strength she was giving him, his senses sharpening once more. He could feel the man's heartbeat quicken as he realized something had changed.

"What the hell?" the man cursed, confusion lacing his voice. 

With a surge of energy, Matt kicked out, his foot connecting solidly with the man's knee. The blow sent him crashing to the ground, a sharp cry escaping his lips as he crumpled in pain.

He glanced at the voltage generator, it was still on the ground, its red light blinking ominously. 

"Oh I see, she took away your pain." The man spoke, catching his breath and standing up. "Guess you'll have to be put down first."

The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the concrete walls as the faint hum of machinery buzzed in the background. Annalise was tied to a chair, her body trembling as the voltage generator began pulsing against her skin. Each jolt sent waves of electricity coursing through her, igniting every nerve ending. Panic filled her eyes as she gasped, struggling against her restraints.

"Just a little more for the show," the man sneered, relishing her pain. He adjusted the dial on the generator, increasing the intensity. Annalise let out a choked cry, her muscles spasming as the current surged through her.

"Get off her. Now." Matt growled, his voice hoarse as he fought against the chains that bound him to the chair. He had been pulling on them for what felt like an eternity, frustration and desperation building with each attempt.

"Don't worry, Murdock, I'll be done with her soon. Then it'll be your turn again." The man grinned wickedly, eyes glinting with malice.

Matt's heart raced as he turned his focus inward, pushing past the pain radiating from his wrists and shoulders. He could feel the energy in the room, a current of fear and tension that made his skin prickle. It was overwhelming, but he couldn't let it consume him.

Then, after a relentless struggle, he heard it — a faint click from above. It was barely audible, but the sound cut through the haze of chaos. The mechanism holding the chains had finally given way. With renewed determination, he yanked down hard one last time, and the chains snapped free.

Fueled by adrenaline, Matt surged forward, his body moving instinctively. He launched himself at the man, tackling him to the ground. The sudden weight of Matt's attack knocked the wind out of the goon, and they crashed against the cold concrete floor.

Matt's wrists were still bound by the chains, but he used them to his advantage. He wrapped the metal links around the man's throat, tightening his grip. The man gasped, hands clawing at Matt's arms as he struggled to breathe.

Annalise watched in a mix of horror and relief, her heart racing as she saw Matt take control. With each second, the man's struggles weakened, his face turning red as he fought for air.

"Don't you ever touch her again," Matt growled through gritted teeth, his resolve unwavering. He squeezed tighter, pouring every ounce of his anger into the chokehold.

Finally, with a last desperate gasp, the man went limp beneath him, consciousness slipping away. Matt released his grip, breathing heavily as he pushed himself off. He looked over at Annalise, who was still trembling but now watching him with wide, grateful eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked, rushing to her side.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice shaky but steadying. "Just... give me a second."

Matt quickly began untying her wrists, his fingers working quickly to free her. "We need to get out of here before he wakes up," he said, glancing back at the man sprawled on the floor.

As the last chain came undone, Annalise stood, her legs shaky but firm. "I'm with you," she said, determination in her voice.