Poor and Unfortunate Part 3

Tuesday. Not my usual day. But since I lost my suit I'm pulling extra hours. The materials needed for my costume don't exactly come cheap.

My employer was hesitant to say the least. I told them I need the hours. It isn't too bad. Dance and get paid. I'm pretty well healed up. Much faster thanks to Hawks surprisingly enough.

I figured working wouldn't be an issue. I was in the middle of a lap dance though when I hear commotion in the main club. I about jumped out of my skin when the door swung open to the private room.

A robbery was my first thought. A bunch of thugs coming in like this it seems likely.

I hear him before I even see him. Hawks steps into the room looking agitated, "get out"

I move to leave but he glares, "Not you, him"

The man who I was dancing for scurried out like a bat out of hell.

"You think you can just dance for anyone?" He questioned

"Are you-"

"Leave us" he waved his goons out of the room. Once they left, he continued, "new rule. You only dance for me"

"I need the money-"

"This is for your own safety"

"I need to live"

He glared, "Fine. Tell me exactly where you live. I'll handle all your costs"

"Um no" I scoff

"Why not?" He scoffed back looking genuinely confused

"You know me as a dancer here. That's as far as this relationship goes" i cross my arms

He seemed to be agitated but in thought.

"Why are you so damn angry lately" I mutter to myself

He raised a brow at me but shook his head, "Whatever. I'll increase how much I pay. Though you are ONLY to have private rooms with me"

"This is controlling-"

"Im a villain. It's what I do" Hawks flared his wings.

I back off at that. Though take note. Something is off. When a villain starts to stir there is a problem.

The second half of that rule is you shouldn't interfere. Though when you try to be a hero you do. I learned that problem quickly.

A new villain had entered the scene. One I didn't even know about. One I couldn't beat. One that I didn't even get the chance to.

He was at that arms dealer meeting and recognized me. He ambushed me and I was left defenseless. At this point its frusterating. As a vigilante I have felt overwhelmingly...useless.

I can't seem to do anything right. I'm constantly playing on knifes edge.

The villain went through the steps. Evil evil, blah blah. Yadda yadda. Though I don't think he really gets it. I stare at him until he stops mid monolog

"What's that look for?"

I shrug, "I don't know. Not really sure why I'm here"

"You're the city hero right?"

I about snort, "City hero? I'm not high on that long totem pole"

He seemed to deflate looking confused, "Wait...are there multiple here?"

"This city has 8 subsections. You think a powerless vigilante can patrol them all?"

"Powerless?" He looked dumbfounded, "They said you fought those gun guys for hours??"

"Yeah. And I got shot for it" I scoff

He rubbed his forehead looking frusterated, "Do you know how many resources I wasted-"

"And I was going to cook tonight but now I have only the energy for take out" I roll my eyes

The villain seemed annoyed but laughed, "I don't think you're making it home for dinner"

I missed that Thursday. And the next.

Stuck in a dungeon. At first he tried to get information out of me. Though he realized I don't really know much. Honestly he tossed me down here and he may have even forgotten about me.

His goons haven't. They bring me food but they play sick games. I practically have to injure myself for each meal. Simple things like putting the food too far I need to struggle. Or putting sharp objects on the ground so I'd need to walk over them. They made it a hell.

My fingertips are bloody from them repeatedly heating the bars and forcing me to get through them to get my meals or heating the tray itself.

I heard a commotion though. Something was happening. It was loud. I felt a odd deja vu when the door to the prison block was forced open.

Familiar red feathers helped shoo out all the guards. Though a bit of panic settled in. Why would he save me. He's not here for me is he.

Yet he stopped at my cell looking disappointed, "You dont stop surprising me"

I felt frozen. Should I try to reason him to let me go?

"You're done playing hero. You missed 2 shifts. I broke into your apartment and I know. Youve been playing one hell of a game"

I shake my head my mouth run dry. He knows who I am?

"This is how it's gonna go. You escape and you better come straight to my estate" Every word was sharp. He was pissed.

"You're not going to save me??" I stand on shaking legs

"This is your fight. NOT mine. I'm a guest here and I'm not trying to burn my bridges"

"You don't think I've tried to escape?"

"Come here"

I walked up to him at the bars weary while adjusting my mask, "What?"

"I can't hand you it or they'll see" he covered his mouth with a yawn

"See what?"

He grabbed me by the top pulling me in close. His other hand lifted my mask just enough to press his lips to my own.

I about shoved him away when something was pressed to my lips. I awkwardly took the key in my mouth as he slipped my mask back down.

"They can't see you in the cell but they can see me in the hall. Keep that in mind when you leave. Don't be too late. I expect you at my doorstep TONIGHT"

He stormed out just as furiously as he came in.

Escape was a bit more of a scrap than I wanted but once out I made my way to his place.

He was waiting at the door it seemed. The moment I knocked the door swung open and he rushed me inside. A doctor accompanied him and I was quickly examined as we walked.

"Wh-"

"Don't speak" he shot me a glare

I glare back, "Why?"

He gave a long sigh, "Because I am not the happiest currently"

"Well I have questions"

He finally opened a door motioning me in, "We can talk in here"

I enter what appears to be his study as he sends the doctor off and shut the door.

He sat behind his desk pinching his brow, "Why do you do this?"

"Do what?" I huff

"Pick a lane. Hero or dancer"

"Hero doesn't pay" I scoff

"Then keep to the small fry!" He spat, "this is the second time I've bailed your ass out!"

"First time was an honest mistake. This last time I didn't have a choice!" I yelled back

"Get better then" he scowled, "Or quit it now"

"Some of us can't give up being a hero" I sneer

He peirced his lips but calmed down before speaking, "Some of us have hard choices to make"

"Hard choices? Like switching sides" I grumble

"You don't know anything"

"Ok Mr know it all then tell me"

"If you would stop being difficult then I will"

"How am I being difficult?"

He raised a brow not saying a thing

I cross my arms, "Fine. Explain"

"Heros are a competitive market. They have limited information because of that"

"We get info!"

"You get the info you can but everyone is fighting to be the best. Which means while you all scrap over tiny pieces the real villains know and share everything in a complex network"

"So... what you're saying is-?"

"Im a villain. Sure. But only cause I no longer play by the rules. On this side I know everything about everyone. Power is information" he smirked

"But you're not even helping" I scoff

He frowned and stood, "I help more than you know. Who do you think tips people off? Why do you think so many lower villains aren't on the streets anymore? I am taking care of the little things so now effort can go towards the big"

"That's the job of little heros like me!"

"You shouldn't exist!!" He slammed a hand on his desk.

I jumped and stumbled back slightly at the aggression. Though he seemed to notice and composed himself. It wasn't a second later my stomach growled loudly.

He looked me over before running a hand through his hair, "Food is in order"

"I don't need your food. I want to go home"

He shook his head, "While I was at your apartment I found out this isn't your first time being kidnapped. Your landlord said you had a history of just disappearing for weeks on end without paying your rent. He was ready for you to live on the street"

"I'll clear it up with him. I need my stuff" I scoff

"Well your stuff is already here. Like I said, he was ready for you to live on the street"

"Do you think you can just walk in and take over my life?"

"Well I'm a villain sweetheart. I can do anything I want frankly" he shrugged with a grin

"Why are you doing this to me!" I yelled

"Because, I like to keep my toys under my thumb. I thought I could leave you on the outskirts but you have proven time and time again that if I don't pin you like this then you're going to screw me over" he sneered

"And what are you going to do if I refuse?"

"I could kill you" he shrugged nonchalantly, "Though honestly I think that a waste. You're pretty and a good dancer. I could use you for other things. Entertaining my gatherings. Gather info for me. You have your uses...but that's only if you cooperate"

"And if I run?"

"You really want to play this game?" He crossed his arms with a smirk, "Where would you go?"

"The police"

"You're smarter than that" he scoffed

"I'd flee the country!"

"Would you now? I'd catch you within the hour"

"Fuck you!" I snarl grabbing the chair and throwing it

Feathers easily stopped it. Once they set it down I saw the scowl on his face.

"Looks like you'll be eating in your room then" he shrugged, "Security!!"

Men burst through the office door grabbing me. He ordered them to take me to my room. I tried to fight them but I couldn't twist away from their grip. I was tossed into a basic bedroom. The door locking behind me.

The window was locked and the room a few floors up. The door locked. I couldn't escape that way. I have very little choice. Trapped by the man who was once a hero.