12 A breakfast and sorrow

The following day Marie was awoken by a knock on her door. Determined to go with the plan she sat up and nicely answered "You may come in." Shadow Cat opened the door slowly "I brought breakfast" was all he said as he set the tray on the table picking up the old one and began to walk out of the room. "Wait" Marie called grabbing his attention.

"I would like to get out of this room please" she said softly. Shadow turned around to look at Marie. He wanted to let her out, he hated the idea of making her unhappy and leave her stuck here but a part of him knew there was no way she could have changed her mind about running away that soon that's why without another word he turned back around and keep walking.

"Please, I won't run, I will listen, I just want to get out of the room" Marie begged. Shadow Cat couldn't help himself, he did not want to see her suffer. All he ever wanted was her happiness, even if that meant taking a chance. He sighs "Promise?" he asks softly still with his back turned to her. "Yes. I promise" Marie replies in return.

Shadow Cat nods and walks out of the room leaving the door wide opened for her. Marie did not hesitate to grab her tray and following him out of the room and into the kitchen where are delicious aroma of bacon and eggs filled the air. Shadow takes his breakfast and eats quietly. Marie stood behind him for a second wondering if he would speak at all.

Knowing that answer to her question she decides to take a sit across him on the other side of the table. An awkward silence filled the air as Shadow Cat refused to speak of even make eye contact with the girl in front of him. Of course, he wanted nothing more than to look at her beautiful face, to hear her sweet caring voice, and to enjoy her company but he knew that she despised him and that hurt. He wasn't sure he could handle those words again.

Marie in the other hand hated the silence. She was not sure why but she wanted to hear his voice. But most importantly she wanted to hear the same words he said to her the night before when he thought she was asleep. Marie was confused on why she felt like this, she could not understand why his words made her feel cared for and safe but even then she was sure of one thing.

She missed her family, her school, job, and her freedom. Breaking the silence she decided to speak. "So, are you planning on keeping the mask on forever?" Shadow only nods as an answer. "Why?" Marie refused to be left in silence. "Safety."

"Safety" that was shadow's only word and reply. Marie was taken back by his answer. "Safety for who me? How does this relate to safety? Or does he mean his self? He thinks I would turn him in if I knew doesn't he? Why would he think that? He is the one that brought me here but now he doesn't trust me? Why am I so hurt by that thought?"

Marie thought but shakes it off and asks one more question. "Shadow why am I here?" She wanted to know, she needed to know? Marie wanted nothing more than his answer but instead Shadow responds by getting up and walking towards the living room.

-Shadow Cat's POV-

"Shadow, why am I here?" Marie asked me. For the first time in forever my nerves get the best of me. How do someone like me answer that question? If I tell her the truth she would probably think I am lying, laugh at me and hurt me some more.

How can I tell her that I have loved her in secrecy for years? That would probably lead to my identity and that can't happen. My identity must remain a secret. For both of our safety. I decided to not answer the question and simply walk away. Maybe some TV would distract us.

"Canadian police are still in search of the young girl who was taken hostage by none other than the Criminal assassin Shadow Cat. It was said that the notorious criminal used bumping into the young girl as an advantage to escape the police after ending the lives of the two man from the previous bank robbery and 5 officers.

The young girl has been identified as Marie Catherine Flores of age 17. It is believed she remains alive as nobody had been found. We are now standing by Marie's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Flores do you have any words for the criminal holding your daughter captive?" The reporter turns the microphone towards the family.

"Marie is the most amazing daughter in the world. She has done no harm to anyone. Whatever it is that you ask for please consider it done just give us back our little girl. Marie if you can hear this we love you b-" I couldn't hear it anymore I turned off the TV knowing if Marie heard all that it would only bring her more pain. Little did I know I was too late!

Sniffles came from behinds me making me turn around. There she was crying as she stared at what was now a dark screen. I know she won't understand. All I want is to make her happy how can I make her see that?

I get up to walk away so that she can have some space but I am stopped by the feel of her soft warm hand holding my arm. I am not sure what to do so I couldn't look her in the eyes it hurts to see her cry. "Why? Why are you keeping me here? Why can't you let me go? I promised I wouldn't talk so why keep me locked up here?" The pain in her voice destroyed me and I did what I tried so hard not to do all morning. I turned to look into her eyes.

The second our eyes met I was lost. She will never understand how much she means to me. She will never know how badly I am fighting the urge to hug her, to comfort her, to get lost in her lips and make love to her like I do in my dreams. I fight my urges and force myself to look away responding with "You wouldn't understand". As she loosens her grasp I walk out of the room.

-Marie's POV-

I stand behind him looking at my parents as they cry because of my disappearance. I can't help but cry as well I miss them so much it hurts. I was lost in their words when Shadow turns the TV off. I am not sure if he knew I had followed him out of the kitchen but I heard it all. He immediately begins to walk out but I grab unto his arm and ask him why.

He won't even look at me. This is so frustrating I just don't understand why he acts this way. I am not sure what he is thinking but how can I when he won't even look at me? "You wouldn't understand."

Me? I'm the one who doesn't understand? Can't he see that all he is doing is causing my family and me pain? Does he even have feelings at all? I was left confused in thought as he walks out the room avoiding me once again. I sat in the living room with nothing but my thoughts so I decided to turn the television back on but not to the news but to a movie.

If I am stuck here I might as well try to distract myself. After about an hour I hear the door unlock and I turned around to find him once again all dressed in black and about to leave. Are you kidding me? He is not even healed yet and he is going to put himself in danger again? Wait why do I care? But do I? Before I could stop myself I was already asking "where are you going?"

I can see he is surprised by my question but for some reason I couldn't help myself. "I have a job to do" he replies. I started feeling really upset not sure why the thought of him being out there hurt was getting to me. "What do you mean a job? No, are you crazy? You are still hurt!" Even though I tried to hide my worry I can tell it was still obvious.

He turns to look at me with guilt and confusion. I believe it was probably by my outburst but I couldn't stop I was no longer in control of my emotions and at that second all i felt was worry. "Why do you care? You hate me remember you said you wished you had left me there to die so then your wish is my command. Who knows and maybe you wish comes true." There was a hint of pain in his voice but I didn't have a chance to think about it since he was quick to slam the door leaving me locked inside full of worried. But he is right why do I care? Am I stupid, he is a criminal! But fine if he doesn't care then I won't either. Time to execute the plan.

Now that I am alone. Time to find a way out. You want to put yourself in danger after all I did for you fine. Your welcome home present would be an empty mansion. Bye Shadow Cat!