Unseen Threads

Matt enters a dimly lit church. The flickering candlelight casts long shadows across the rows of pews. He walks down the aisle, his footsteps echoing in the empty space. The Pastor, an older man with a kind yet weary face, is preparing to close for the night. He notices Matt approaching and offers a warm, understanding smile.

Pastor: (noticing Matt's presence) "Matt, it's good to see you again. It's been a while."

Matt: (sighs, taking a seat in one of the pews) "Yeah, it has. I… I've been busy."

Pastor: (nods knowingly) "Busy or burdened?"

Matt: (pauses, considering the question) "Maybe a little of both."

Pastor: (sits down beside Matt, his tone gentle) "You look troubled, my son. More so than usual."

Matt: (leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped together) "I saw something the other night. Something I should've stopped."

Pastor: (softly, with understanding) "You've seen many things you wish you could've stopped, Matt. But what's different about this one?"

Matt: (hesitates, his voice heavy with guilt) "It was a man. A father. I heard him cry out, begging for his life... for his family's sake. But the man who took it... he didn't care. He just... did it. Cold, without a second thought."

Pastor: (his expression darkens slightly, understanding the weight of Matt's words) "And you feel responsible for his death?"

Matt: (clenching his fists) "I was there. I could have stopped it. But I didn't. I froze. It was like... something about the man who did it, the way he spoke, it... it paralyzed me."

Pastor: (sensing the deeper turmoil in Matt's words) "There are forces in this world, Matt, that can weigh heavily on the soul. Sometimes, it's not just about physical strength. The darkness we fight can manifest in ways that go beyond what we're used to."

Matt: (frustrated, shaking his head) "But I'm supposed to be stronger than that. I'm supposed to protect people. If I can't even do that... what good am I?"

Pastor: (gently places a hand on Matt's shoulder) "You're only human, Matt. You may have the abilities to fight, but your heart, your conscience, those are what make you who you are. They're what keep you from becoming the very thing you fight against."

Matt: (quietly, almost to himself) "But what if I'm not enough? What if I'm just making things worse?"

Pastor: (firmly, but with compassion) "It's not about being enough, Matt. It's about doing what you can with the gifts you've been given. You can't save everyone, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. And when you fail, you learn, you grow, and you keep going."

Matt: (looks up, the pain in his eyes evident) "I heard his final words, Father. He called the man 'Mr. Lincoln'... and the killer just whispered his name in return. 'Tombstone.' Cold, like it was nothing."

Pastor: (a look of realization crosses his face, but he keeps his tone steady) "Names carry weight, Matt. They can be symbols of hope, or of fear. But remember, it's not the name that defines a man—it's his actions."

Matt: (nodding slowly, his resolve starting to return) "I won't let fear stop me again. Fisk, Tombstone... whoever they are, whatever they've done, I can't let them win."

Pastor: (offering a small, reassuring smile) "Then you know what you must do. But remember, Matt, you're not alone in this. You have friends, allies. Don't shut them out."

Matt: (rising to his feet, the weight on his shoulders slightly lifted) "I won't. Thank you, Father."

Pastor: (stands with him, watching as Matt turns to leave) "Remember, my door is always open, Matt. And so is your heart—to those who care about you."

Matt: (pauses at the door, looking back) "I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight, Father."

Matt exits the church, the night waiting for him outside. The Pastor watches him go, a silent prayer on his lips.

Meanwhile, at Nelson & Murdock, Karen Page sits at her desk, the light from the desk lamp shining on a sea of case files. She absently taps a pen against the table, her mind elsewhere. The name "Mr. Lincoln" echoes in her thoughts, refusing to be dismissed. She starts digging into the files, entering the flow state. Case after case she discovers nothing as the sun hits her face, she discovers a discrepancy in one of these files. Karen gasps as she sees that the building, Mr. Lincoln is the landlord of, isn't even his property.

Karen: [in her thoughts] "Wait... if this building isn't even his, what the hell is he doing? Who is this guy really working for? And why go to such lengths to force people out? This doesn't add up... There's something much bigger going on here, something dangerous. I need to be careful. Should I tell Foggy? No, not yet... I need more proof. But if I dig too deep... what if I'm putting us all in danger? Damn it, Matt was right... But I can't just let this go. I have to know the truth."

Karen searches up the names on the papers. It's a John Doe, but there's one name linked in the files, relating to the owner of the building named 'Brues Enterprise'. As she googles the establishment, she gets an anonymous call from a blocked number. Karen looks at her phone, deciding whether or not to take the call. She rubs her chin, fighting with her urge to take the call. Sweat runs down her forehead, her hand twitching. With heavy hands, she takes the call.

Anonymous: [with a voice changer, making his voice sound unnaturally deep] "Stop researching Ms. Page! It's for your own good. We don't want to hurt him."

Karen: [gasping, putting her hands on her mouth] "Who-"

The caller hangs up before Karen had the chance to answer. Karen is overrun by feelings, feeling helpless, fear but first and foremost curiosity. Then a realization hits her.

Karen: [in her thoughts] "Wait… 'We don't want to hurt him'. What does he mean. Who does he mean with… him. What if… Oh fuck… Foggy!"

At Josys Bar, Foggy tries to read the clock, but has trouble focusing on it.

Foggy: [slurring his words] "Hey Josy, *points at the clock*what time is it?

Josy: "Time to call it a night, Foggy! Don't want to add 'babysitter' to my job description tonight."

Foggy nods and tries to stand up but as he does, he stumbles and almost falls to the ground. Before he could, someone catches him.

Uknown deep voice: "You alright?"

The unknown person picks him up with ease. Foggy turns around, tip toing on his feet, to see who this man is.

Foggy: [mumbling] "And who is this tall, handsome man, with his mighty hands, extraordinary strength, *touches his arm* very strong muscles, and… a bulge you can't over see."

Alonzo: [laughing deeply] "I'm flattered young man; my name is Alonzo. Nice to meet you.

They shake hand, with Alonzo shaking his hand very tightly while Foggy struggling to keep his balance.

Foggy: [still slurring] "You've got some hands Alonzo!

Suddenly, Foggy falls on the ground, his eyes closing. Alonzo smirks and looks around, seeing everyone looking at him. He quickly gets serious again. The Bar patriots quickly run to Foggy, assuring themselves that he's alright.

Alonzo: [yelling out, almost sounding annoyed] "I'll bring him to a hospital. Don't worry."

Large Patron: [angrily] "Hey, watch it, buddy!"

Without missing a beat, the patron throws a punch, aiming for Alonzo's jaw. But Alonzo catches the man's fist mid-swing with alarming speed and twists his arm in one swift motion. A sickening crack echoes through the bar as the man's arm breaks. His scream pierces the air, and the bar falls silent, filled with horrified gasps.

Alonzo looks around the room, noticing the fear in the patriots' eyes. They all move away in an instant, all gasping for air.

Alonzo kneels to Foggy's body, smirking again, crossing his arms, leaning them on his knees and his eyes wide open

Alonzo: [softly, his voice transforming into a sinister whisper] "don't worry Mr. Nelson, I'll take care of you."

Josy looks in horror, as Alonzo leaves with Foggy on his back, holding him with only one hand, with his phone ringing, Karen calling.