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"I'll be right back. You two stay here while I go get Slade," Shan told the girls before walking off. Marinette and Tikki sat in the visiting area at an empty booth. The girls stayed silent, afraid of causing more problems and a disturbance.
The bowl of problems is already overflowing enough, spilling over the side a little. No one is willing to dump it out, fearing it will only be refilled again.
Yet, this cruel game is taking a toll on the two. No matter what, the topic will eventually be brought up and will need to be somehow resolved. They're only delaying the inevitable the more they avoid it. At least, the more Marinette wants to hold it off.
The bluenette is crazy tired and stressed out, not in the right mindset. She hopes once Tikki sees Slade that she might understand once they get talking. Tikki will realize that the story about her father's death was all a horrible lie.
Marinette didn't know how to tell the redhead without hurting her and thought it would be best to take her along at the last minute. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Sure, it isn't the way to reveal this kind of stuff, but Marinette isn't in the best place to be making good decisions.
Marinette stared down at her lap, falling deeper into her thoughts of what the outcomes of this visit will be. Surely not good if it was kept secret but the truth of why it was will be revealed.
Tikki kept looking around the room, seeing two other booths are being used. She wondered what kind of conversation it'd be like to have with a criminal. Obviously, they aren't making merry like talking about the news, trading Pokemon cards, or whatever.
She is honestly scared of what will happen, considering her sixth sense is going haywire. She's nearly tempted to run out the door. Tikki does not understand what's going on, many holes between the little details.
"Marinette, what's going on? Why won't you tell me anything?" Tikki questioned.
"You'll find out soon," is the only reply she received from the teen. Tikki isn't liking this one bit but doesn't get a chance to say anything else.
The door on the other side of the booths opens. Shan walks through first, accompanied by two officers guiding a man dressed in an orange jumpsuit. The handcuffs on the man's wrists clanked with his every movement. There is something about this guy that makes the girls uncomfortable.
The two officers forced the man to sit on the seat parallel to Marinette and Tikki. A glass partition separated them. Marinette and Tikki got a better look at the man. Yet, what stood out the most is his bluebell eyes. The exact color as Marinette's orbs but there's something that is unsettlingly off.
Although Marinette has the same eye color as this guy, a dull bitterness is seen in his. Tikki could almost see the sinister aurora radiating off the prisoner. She shrunk under his gaze, looking down at her shoes.
Slade glanced over at Marinette, who stiffened and clutched her knees. The man's face finally showed some types of emotions. A mixture of confusion and surprise wrinkled his features. He reached for the phone and held it to his ear. The bluenette quickly copied her father's movements, unsure of what else to do or say.
"Mei?" Slade questioned, quietly and making Marinette freeze, "Mei? H-How are you alive?"
"Do I really look that similar to mom?" She thought before frowning. She could feel her mouth dry up and her hands grow a bit shaky. She hates to be the baron of bad news but she isn't going to lie...unlike some people she knows.
"Uh...no," Marinette answered, guilty and felt her stomach churn, "I'm your daughter, Marinette."
For a hot minute, Marinette wonders if he even knows he has two daughters. Slade doesn't give much of a reaction until it all falls downhill. Disbelief and confusion morph into an eerie rage. His hand begins to turn white from clutching the phone too hard. A small vein pops out from his forehead.
Tikki trembles, having a hard time breathing and sits paralyzed in fear. Marinette didn't understand Slade's sudden change, a wavering feeling washing over her body. Marinette gasps a little when hearing a menacing voice speak into her ear.
"Little demon."
Slade suddenly stood up, pounding on the glass with the phone and startling the two girls. The man spat out cusses and shouted threats.
"I'm going to kill you! You hear me! Your dead, little demon! The next time I see you, I'll slit your throat and laugh while you choke!" Slade yelled, laughing like a psycho. Two policemen hurried over and dragged Slade away from the booth, kicking and screaming.
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It's so simple, so obvious. The real culprit who massacred his love and happiness. The one that cries in false remorse for its own selfish needs.
The little demon who took Mei.
Slade pushed past whoever was standing in front of him and marched out of the waiting room, making a dead straight beeline for his target. Anything blocking his path was merry an obstacle and nothing more, shoving past anything or anyone in his way.
Doctors and nurses were shoved into the wall or fell to the ground. Utility carts were knocked over. Papers and sterile tools flew during the chaos.
His only focus is getting to his destination.
"Security!" someone yelled just as Slade turned the corner and ran into another utility cart. He paused in his rampage when the shine of something caught his attention. Many surgical tools are laid out on the cart such as clamps, cautery, and needle holders.
The only tool that stood out the most is the scalpel.
Slade didn't hesitate to reach out and grasp the cool metal within his hand. He's hypnotized by the curve of the blade and intrigued by the dangerous feeling of holding the cold object against his skin. It's alluring and calling out to him to continue his mission as if some evil presence is whispering in his ear.
Slade's stoic face slowly turned into a sickening smile. A crazed look is swimming through the color of light blue and drowning out all sanity that was once there.
A hand grabbed Slade's forearm and instantly made him react.
"Hey, I need you to sto-AAAAHHH" the security guard screamed after Slade sank the scalpel's blade into the guard's shoulder. Blood began to rapidly ooze out and stain his yellow shirt with crimson. Slade twisted the tool, sending more shots of pain through the security guard's shoulder. Then, Slade swiftly kicked the security guard in the leg and sent him to the floor.
Slade looked down at the man then the bloody scalpel in his hand. Without a second thought, Slade turned on his feet and continued to walk down the hallway, leaving the bleeding security guard on the floor.
A commotion began behind Slade, doctors and nurses tending to the injured man.
"The police are on their way!"
"Someone needs to stop him!"
"What's going on—oh God!"
Slade tuned them out, arriving at the room he was searching for.
The Maternity Ward.
He shoved the door open, scaring two nurses and many babies inside. The nurses barely had time to process what was going on before Slade quickly made his way through the room. His sight narrowed to tunnel vision, focusing on one specific baby.
A couple of the cribs are pushed to the side, making a pathway until arriving at a baby girl's crib. The little one is crying, tiny hands clamped into fists and feet slightly kicking. Slade blankly looked down at the infant before raising the scalpel.
"You took the love of my life away so I'll repay the favor by taking yours too," Slade sneered, "little demon."
"Sir, what are you doing?" one nurse asked, grabbing ahold of the arm Slade tightly gripped the scalpel in while the other nurse's arms circled his waist pulled him back. Slade shook the two women off, losing the scalpel in the process.
"The police are here!" someone in the hall shouted. Slade growled, glancing towards the little demon before making a run for it out the door.
"Someday..." he thought, malevolently, "I'll get my revenge."
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Neither Marinette nor Tikki spoke a word, both a little bit traumatized and scared. They sat in Shan's office alone while the officer talks with Sabine over the phone outside the room. The girls don't know how long they've been sitting there nor cared too much.
Marinette has a lot on her mind, replaying the events and wondering how someone who is supposed to be her father could be so...cruel. What kind of father threatens to kill his own daughter? What did she ever do to him? Marinette just found out yesterday that her father is actually her uncle and the real one is in jail.
There is a lot to think about but Marinette just wants to go home. Yet, she doesn't want to deal with Celine or Sabine once returning to Paris.
"Marinette..." Tikki broke the silence, "...c-can we go home...p-please?"
Marinette growled in frustration, trying to make sense of everything. It all seemed so wrong. So twisted and broken. How did her life become so...messed up? So, haggard?
"Marinette-"
"Tikki! Can you just shut u-" the bluenette immediately shut her mouth, eyes widening once really seeing her relative for the first time in a while. Tear tracks stained her face, droplets still falling from her swollen eyes. Fear traced every aspect of her features. Her body trembled and every breath is uneven.
Marinette's soul cracked in two, regret biting at her very being. The teen sighed, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugged them. She doesn't mean any of what she's been saying to Tikki. It's like all of Marinette's emotions have been flooding her better judgment. The simplest plea setting her off.
"I'm sorry..." Marinette quietly apologized, heart throbbing painfully in her chest and drops of water rolling down her cheeks, "I'm so sorry, Tikki. This was a bad idea. I feel so stupid and hurt and—ugh! I don't even know anymore!"
A sob escaped the bluenette, hiding her shame within her fetal position. Marinette felt so alone and confused. Almost nothing made sense and coming here felt like an excuse to hide. She's a coward and wasn't able to face her relative. She isn't even able to refer Tikki as anything closer or farther than a relative!
"I thought coming here would bring more answers but it only brought more suffering. I kept getting mad at you for being afraid. Who does that?" Marinette said, voice wavering in and out, "You were right, Tikki. We should've just gone home. I'm the absolute worst."
Marinette nearly jumped, a warmth gently wrapped around her stomach. Tikki's head is buried into Marinette's left side, sniffling.
"It's okay, Marinette," Tikki whispered, nuzzling her head under Marinette's armpit, "I forgive you. I understand you probably weren't well but don't do something this stupid again."
Marinette let out a watery chuckle, tightly returning the embrace, "Yeah...okay."
Marinette isn't completely better but she'll continue to learn and grow stronger. Especially, when she has a special seven-year-old to keep her steadier on her feet. Marinette and Tikki will hold each other up and cross the finish line together.
"You promise, cousin?" The redhead added, hope brimming within her tone. The bluenette pursed her lips for a moment before replying.
"I promise, sis."
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Adrien finally managed to break into the mansion's premises without causing a scene. The sun had set about an hour ago, giving him the needed coverage from any lingering eyes.
Adrien had to wait until Nathalie checked up on him one last time before heading to bed herself. He felt guilty for sneaking out without telling his guardian. Yet, he should hopefully be back in time before she wakes up. What Nathalie doesn't know won't kill her.
The blonde made his way over to a back hidden door that was used for emergencies. He never really had to use it when he lived in the mansion. This will be his first time. He hopes it's unlocked, considering that the security system is probably still on. A precaution in case the villain returns to his origins of evil.
Though, the police will be skeptical of why Hawkmoth's son is breaking into his father's lair again. Much to his luck, there isn't any security at the back door. It's best to keep this operation under wraps. Not only for his well-being but to find some answers without anyone keeping any major details hidden.
The teen arrived at the back door, grabbing the handle and pushed it down. Adrien grinned in triumph, pulling the unlocked door open and revealing a hallway shrouded in darkness. A chill ran down Adrien's spine, starting to regret coming here and getting the urge to turn back.
Taking in a deep breath, the blonde rummaged through the small bag he brought and pulled out a flashlight.
Hesitating, he entered the building.
The door closed behind him, mockingly clicking shut as a way to remind him of how much of a bad idea this is. Adrien turned on the flashlight and pointed it down the hallway. He took one unsure step, beginning the long tread through the eerie, one-way path.
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