Marinette

It's about dinner time when they both leave, homework done (sort of) and my ears red from embarrassment. I sneak out through my balcony once the sun has sunk below the horizon.The pitter patter of my feet along the rooftops settles into rhythm with my heart beat, the low clouds spraying me with mist as I run. I plop down eventually once my legs begin to ache from running and vaulting myself across the city.After an elapsed time passes, I check the time on my phone that is hidden inside my yo-yo. 9:30. Where is that cat? We planned to meet at 9:00. "Well, at least now I know where he lives," I encourage myself, swinging off into the direction of the Agreste mansion. 

When I land, I detransform, slipping to the oddly ajar gates, before knocking on the door. Gabriel himself, surprisingly enough, appears in the doorway. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng," He says casually, not even shocked as if seeing me standing there was an everyday occurrence. 

"Um, hi Mr. Agreste. I accidentally left some of my homework here from earlier today, and I was wondering if I could look for it,' I ask, adding an innocent smile to the end. He pulls the door wider, gesturing for me to come in. "Thank you, sir. I wont be long." He nods stiffly, and I shuffle past him, further into the massive home. It was quiet, eerie. The only noises were the ticking of a clock and the sounds of our exhales. I peer into his office to make it look as though I'm actually looking for my work sheets.  I feel his piercing eyes on me as they bore into my back, consuming my every movement, chills crawling across my body like a million tiny ants. I scamper up the stairs, my feet moving quickly, but not urgently. He doesn't follow me though, and I relax, being free from his patronizing stare. 

I check Adrien's room, hoping he's just studying or fell asleep.  I poke my head in quietly, not wanting to make too much noise. The Tv is on, the news channel illuminating the screen. His bed is empty, desk chair vacated.I shut the door behind me, my cheeks flushing. "Adrien!" I whisper shout. No response. "Adrien!" Nothing. Where in the world would he go at this time of day? That stupid cat. I scamper over to the window, peering out at the city streets below. I sigh, rubbing my temples exasperatedly . 

"Find what you're looking for?" a harsh voice blurts out, startling me. I whip around, leaning against the windows in fear. "Don't be afraid Marinette. It's not you I want."

"What do you want?" I spit back at him. 

He gives me a tight sneer before pursing his lips.  "Well, I do want you out of the way." 

"Out of the way of what?" Then my eyes widen in realization. Adrien. no. This was all a tap, a set up. And I walked right into it. "What did you do to him?! He's your son!" I yell, my eyes welling up. Don't Marinette. You can't cry. Not now.  

"Oh, don't you worry about him," Gabriel says, now pacing slowly around the room, using his hands as he speaks. "You know, he's quite the little actor don't you think?" 

"What are talking about?" I croak, my words lodging themselves in my throat. 

"A real well rounded son, don't you think? All A's, athletic, a model, but the way he played you, it was as if he were playing piano. Simple, easy, thoughtless. You are a very gullible girl. Fell in love with him, trusted him with your life. I'm surprised he stomached hanging out with you so much." 

"You're lying!" 

"Oh, but I'm not, Ladybug." How did he figure it out? He knew my identity. Why didn't he come for me sooner?  "He's been working for me the whole time." Gabriel adds.

"Stop it!" 

"You must feel so betrayed. Used."

"No! He wouldn't do that," my voice becomes small as I lose hope in him. I'd say I don't believe a single word says if it weren't for the fact that I had the same thought earlier today. My knees buckle under the new information. 

"All those times he showed he cared, saved you, he knew he wasn't really risking anything. it was a ploy to gain your trust quickly. Time breaker, Dark Cupid, Gamer, the umbrella."

"Stop. Please, stop," I whimper, feeling smaller and smaller, each word penetrating me like a thousand rusted needles, puncturing my skin over and over again. "It's not true," I whisper, but not even I would believe me.... and I'm hardly aware of the pillow case being slid over my head.