By Black Garnet

Chapter 1 The first Adventure

      Sonora hated and loved her life at the same time. The bright side was that she had a wonderful mother. In spite of her age (early thirties) she looked no older than twenty four. Her beautiful honey brown hair fell in wavy curls past her shoulders, and her hazel brown eyes held a look of warmth. Sonora had always thought her mother was the beauty of London.

      Sonora looked much like her mother, same eyes and hair, and somewhat the same face. But there were other things about her that were drastically different. Sonora, being only ten, wasn’t into politics, or interested in what was going on around London like her mother. She preferred to know what was happening in book or at her school. One thing that she had that her mother didn’t was a love for art.

      Ever since she was four Sonora loved drawing pictures of anything you could think of. She drew faeries, unicorns, cartoon characters, princesses, Robin Hood and his men, and all kinds of people she’d met. Her favorite person to draw was a mysterious man who always wore black. She didn’t know what he looked like because his face was always covered by a Guy Fawkes mask. But he doesn’t come in until later, so we will let him slip aside for now.

      Aside from her pleasures, Sonora’s life was dreadful. Her mother not only paid attention to what was going on in London, she was a part of it. She worked with a small company that aided people who’d been hurt or needed help with depts. That drove her to her job most of the time, so Sonora was left alone. She hated being alone.

      Unlike her mother, Sonora was, in a word, a scaredy cat. She hated being alone in her house for too long for fear that someone would come and kidnap her. She was afraid of watching scary movies because they might give her nightmares. Sonora was ashamed of her fear. ‘Why can’t I be brave like Mummy?’ she often thought. But no matter what her fears wouldn’t go away.

      Her fears didn’t go unnoticed at school. Two boys named Peter and Lucas, the sons of the best friend of Sonora’s mother, enjoyed picking on her constantly. It was because of them that Sonora hated going to school at all.

      What she didn’t know was that because of their teasing and pranks, she would meet someone, someone wonderful. It happened on a cold October evening when Sonora had had a horrible nightmare, and decided to take a walk before going back to sleep…

~*~

      Sonora woke up gasping. She’d had a horrible nightmare about being locked in her house while a monster chased her. And when it caught her it showed her its grotesque face before swallowing her. Sonora wiped sweat from her face and cuddled her cat Mickey in her arms.

      Mickey was a fluffy Himalayan cat she’d gotten for her seventh birthday. The animal was convinced that Sonora was his mother.

      “I’m really scared, Mickey,” whispered Sonora. “What if I go back to sleep and that monster comes back?” She held the cat in front of her face. “What do you think I should do?”

      Mickey licked Sonora’s nose and meowed. She rolled her eyes. It was useless talking to a cat; they always gave the same answer. She glanced at the clock, it was ten till one.

      “Would it hurt if I took a walk around the neighborhood?” Sonora whispered. “It’s not that large of a neighborhood.” She hugged Mickey. “Then again there might be thieves or monsters out there ready to get me!” She sighed. “That’s silly. Monsters aren’t real.”

      Feeling a little jumpy but sure of herself, Sonora put on her jeans, a t-shirt, stockings and tennis shoes, and a jacket. She gave Mickey a quick hug.

      “Guard Mummy while I’m gone, alright?” whispered Sonora.

      Mickey purred and rolled over so that his furry belly was showing. Sonora smiled and stroked the cat before slipping out the window and into the street.

      Because of the late hour everyone was at home in bed. It was so quiet that Sonora’s footsteps were loud. ‘I guess this is what Mummy called the witching hour,’ she thought.

      She walked around the block three times, but she didn’t feel the least bit tired. She was still scared that the nightmare would come back to visit her. ‘Why am I so frightened of a dream?’ thought Sonora. ‘You can only have a dream once, and then you’ll never have it again!’

      With this thought she turned to go home, only to bump into two boys. Sonora jumped back and gasped. The boys were Peter and Lucas.

      Peter was twelve and Lucas was thirteen. But they looked like they were fourteen and fifteen. Each had dark brown hair, Lucas had grey eyes, and Peter had blue eyes. Sonora on the other hand was small for her age. At first glance one would have thought she was eight, and not ten. That was one of the many reasons Peter and Lucas loved picking on her so much. They smiled at her.

      “Well, well, look what we found?” said Lucas.

      “An escaped convict I reckon,” said Peter. “Running from your Mummy are you?”

      Sonora glared at them. “I was taking a walk, so if you’ll excuse me,” she moved to walk past them, but they stood in her way.

      “Not so fast,” said Peter. “We want to know the real reason you’re out, Sonny!”

      Sonora stamped her foot. “The name is Sonora, not Sonny!” she snapped. “And I’m not lying; I’m taking a walk just like I said!”

      “Well, Sonny,” said Lucas. “Since you decided to lie we’re going to have to punish you!” He turned to his brother. “You got the ropes, Peter?”

      “Right here, Lucas!” said Peter.

      He pulled two ropes that were each five feet long from his pockets. Sonora took one look at them and ran. The boys chased after her. Before long they tackled Sonora and picked her up her arms. 

      “Since she ran where should we put her?” asked Peter.

      “Let’s take her to that old building by the alley!” said Lucas. “I heard that it’s close to the place where that terrorist used to live!”

      Sonora’s eyes nearly popped from her head. “No!” she shouted. “Don’t take me there! Let me go! Let me go!” She struggled but her captors held tightly. Sonora struggled and cried out, but no one came. She was trapped.

~*~

      Unknown to the boys, someone was watching them. High in the building that they were dragging Sonora stood a figure in black. The only thing about him that showed the slightest color was his face, which was covered by a white Guy Fawkes mask. 

      V watched the boys as they dragged the girl in the building. She struggled and thrashed but they wouldn’t let go. He didn’t know why he wasn’t helping her right away. Perhaps it was the fact that he didn’t want his presence known through out London. Or perhaps eleven years of solitude had turned his heart to stone. Either way V found himself just sitting there and watching the boys.

      He watched as they dragged the girl inside and then took out some ropes. They tied up her wrists and ankles around a rather large pillar. The girl struggled but the ropes wouldn’t come loose.

      “Sleep tight!” said the older boy.

      “Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” said the younger boy.

      V watched the boys leave and shook his head. “Children these days don’t know how to play together without getting one of them hurt,” he said. “Well, I suppose it’s up to me.” With a swish of his cloak he turned and began walking in the direction of the captive girl.

~*~

      Sonora tugged at the ropes. With each tug they held a little tighter to her wrists and ankles. The ropes became so tight that she could feel a little blood being shed. Tears spilled from her eyes like water.

      “Help!” shouted Sonora. “Peter! Lucas! You can’t be serious about leaving me here! Can you? Peter? Lucas? Come back!” She tugged harder. “Someone help me! Help! Please?” she sank to the floor. “Help me. I want to go home! Someone help me. Please?” Sonora began to sob uncontrollably. That was how V found her.

      “Well, what have we here?” said V. “A visitor, I haven’t had one of those in quite a long time.”

      Sonora looked up and gasped. Seeing V made her feel as though she’d gone mad. She slid around the pillar and out of sight.

      “Leave me alone!” cried Sonora.

      “Leave you alone?” asked V as he approached the pillar. “If I’m not mistaking, my dear, a minute ago you were crying for help. Do you not want it?”

      Sonora slid around, just out of V’s reach. “How do I know you aren’t a ghost come to kidnap me?” she asked.

      V slid around the pillar, not succeeding in catching her. “Ghosts are transparent and can go through walls,” he said, barely missing Sonora again. “Last time I checked I was flesh and blood.”

      “The only way I’d know if you were flesh and blood would be if you were bleeding!” said Sonora. “And to be honest, I’d rather not see that!” She barely slid out of V’s reach again.

      “Look, as much as I enjoyed ring-around-the-rosie when I was your age, I think this game needs to stop,” said V. “I have no intention of hurting you, so please cooperate.”

      Sonora refused to stop. “Please go away!” she cried with the tears falling harder. “I’m frightened! And you’re only making it worse! You really might be a ghost but you refuse to admit it!” V grabbed her arm and pulled her around so she was facing him.   Sonora struggled and cried harder. “Please let me go!” she sobbed. “I didn’t mean to come in here! Peter and Lucas dragged me! Please don’t hurt me!”

      V knelt in front of the girl wiped away her tears. “Shh, it’s alright,” he said. “There’s no need to be afraid.” Sonora looked at him in surprise. “Take a deep breath.” She did as she was told. “Now exhale slowly.” Sonora breathed out. “Very good, now do it again, only slower.” When she breathed in and out she felt much calmer.

      V stroked Sonora’s hair. “Do you feel better?” he asked.

      “Yes,” said Sonora.

      “Good,” said V. “Now listen to me, I’m going to cut the ropes. But I need you to stand still so you don’t get cut in the process. Do you understand?” Sonora nodded. “Good.” V reached into his cloak and pulled out a large knife. Sonora gasped. “It’s alright; it’s just for cutting the ropes.”

      Sonora stood like a statue as V cut the ropes. Once she was free from the pillar he gently eased what was left of the ropes off her ankles and wrists, both of which had rope burns and were bleeding.

      V clicked his tongue. “That does not look good,” he said while tossing away the ropes. “Tell me, my dear, what is your name?”

      Sonora leaned against the pillar, trying to gain her balance. “Sonora,” she said.

      “Sonora,” repeated V. “Beautiful name, a Spanish name meaning ‘sunshine’ is it not?”

      “Actually it’s a Spanish name meaning ‘pleasant sounding,’” corrected Sonora. She slid to the floor, unable to get up.

      V knelt once more. “Sonora,” he said. “Those burns of yours don’t look so good. If not treated right away they could get infected. Would you care if I took you to my place and patched you up?”

      Sonora looked frightened. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But it’s dangerous to go with strangers.”

      “But in this case if I left you here you could get hurt worse or even sick,” said V. “Everyone is at home and sleeping. I’m probably the only one awake for miles. I promise all I want to do is patch up your burns then take you home safely.”

      Sonora looked around. It was late, and her mother wouldn’t be happy about waking up and finding her not in her room. She sighed; even though she was frightened of V she had no choice. A few more tears escaped her eyes.

      “Very well,” said Sonora. “I’ll go with you.”

      “Can you walk?” asked V.

      Sonora tried to stand up but stumbled as the pain coursed through her legs. “No,” she moaned.

      “That’s alright,” said V. “I’ll carry you.”

      “Are you sure?” asked Sonora. “Won’t I be too heavy for you?”

      V laughed. “I assure you, Sonora,” he said. “To me you are light as a feather.”

      V knelt and lifted the little girl up, cradling her in his arms. “Alright, now put your arms around my neck,” he said. Sonora did as she was told. “Very good, off we go then.” With that V walked out of the building.

~*~

      The trip from the building to V’s home took five minutes. During that time Sonora sat in his arms and held tightly to his neck. She didn’t know whether to be frightened or relieved that she was being rescued. Either way, she couldn’t help the excitement she felt at seeing V’s home. Her mother had told her many stories about it, but it would mean more to see it for real.

      V walked down a secret staircase that eventually came to a tunnel. At the end of the tunnel there was a door. V opened the door and went inside. Sonora looked around in awe. She was in the Shadow Gallery.

      All around she could see old paintings, sculptures, and picture frames filled with the bodies of butterflies. She smiled when she noticed the juke box. ‘I wonder if ‘Cry me a River’ is still on there,’ she thought.

      V set Sonora on the sofa in the television room. “Wait here a moment and I’ll go get the medicine and bandages,” he said.

      Sonora nodded and continued to look around. Near the sofa she noticed a tall suit of armor. On the wall next to it was a variety of swords. Sonora grinned. She could already picture V sword fighting the armor as though it were a man.

      A few minutes later V returned. His hat and cloak had been removed and he had medicine and bandages just as he promised.

      “Now then,” said V. “We’ll start with your wrists, since they’re easier to get too. Remove your jacket for me, Sonora.” Sonora took off her jacket. Both wrists were steadily bleeding. She winced.

      “That’s gross,” said Sonora. “I never thought a few ropes could cause that kind of damage.”

      V dipped a cotton ball in some iodine. “Small things can cause big problems,” he said. He took Sonora’s right hand and pressed the cotton ball against her wrist.

      Sonora hissed. “Ouch! It stings!” she said.

      “The more it stings, the quicker it will heal you,” V said with a chuckle.

      Sonora winced again. “I wish it would heal without the stinging part,” she muttered.

      “Can’t win them all,” said V. “Tell me, Sonora, why were you wandering around with those boys?”

      “It wasn’t by choice!” protested Sonora. “I was taking a walk because I had a nightmare. They surprised me.” She glanced at her ankles; the blood could be seen through her stockings. “This is the worst thing they’ve done to me.”

      V stopped and looked up. “The worst?” he asked. “You mean they’ve done things like this to you before, Sonora?”

      “And it won’t be the last!” said Sonora. “They’ve been hurting me since I was little.”

      “Why would they hurt you?” asked V. “My guess is that you don’t do anything to them, although I could be wrong.”

      Sonora looked hurt. “I don’t!” she said. “The reason they hurt me is because I scream and cry and beg for mercy! That’s what they want! They think it’s funny to make me cry!”

      V sighed as he washed the last of the dirt from Sonora’s burn. “Haven’t you complained to your mother and father about them?” he asked.

      “I’ve never told Mummy about them,” said Sonora. “They’re mother is Mummy’s best friend, so whenever they’re around they act like perfect angels. So if I did try to say anything they would think I was lying!”

      V sighed. “I see,” he said as he wrapped a bandage around Sonora’s wrist. “Who is your mother?”

      “Evey Hammond,” said Sonora.

      V dropped the bandage and stared at Sonora in shock. Evey Hammond? Evey Hammond?! It couldn’t be!

      “What’s wrong?” asked Sonora. “Are you alright?”

      V caught his breath. “Evey Hammond is your mother?” he asked.

      “Yes,” said Sonora. “And you’re V, the ‘terrorist’ who blew up all sorts of buildings, including the parliament.”

      V felt shaky as he started tending to her other wrist. “Yes, that would be me,” he said. “What did Evey tell you about me?”

      “Everything,” said Sonora. “How you rescued her on numerous occasions, kept her prisoner here because the police were after her.” Her face grew grave. “The torture, and how you died.”

      V looked up. “Died?” he asked.

      “Yes, died,” said Sonora. “That’s why I was so frightened when I saw you. I honestly thought you were a ghost.”

      V’s heart pounded. “Sonora, who is your father?” he asked.

      “I don’t know,” said Sonora. “He died before I was born. Mummy never talks about him, it’s almost like he never existed.”

      V trembled as he bandaged her wrist. “Why did Evey think I was dead?” he asked.

      “You were shot to death weren’t you?” asked Sonora as she removed her stockings and shoes. “You said goodbye to Mummy and then passed away. She saw it herself.” She set her legs on the sofa. Blood red rings were on both ankles. “Pardon me for asking, V, but how did you survive?”

      V drowned another cotton ball in iodine and explained. “When the train was halfway to parliament I woke up. I don’t know why but I had no desire to die. It took some effort, but I got up and dragged myself off the train. I was barely in time. After that I dragged myself back here and slowly recovered. It took a long time, a few years in fact, but I managed to doctor myself back to full health.”

      Sonora looked at V in awe as he wrapped bandages around her ankles. “That’s amazing,” she said. “You really are as tough as Mummy said.” She put her stockings and shoes back on.

      “Sonora?” said V.

      “Yes?” said Sonora.

      “This might sound a little strange but, after hearing all that, what is your opinion of me?” asked V.

      Sonora smiled and took his hand. “If my father were still alive, I wish you were him,” she said.

      V felt touched. He reached out and ran his fingers through Sonora’s honey brown hair. He couldn’t feel it through his gloves, but he knew that if he could it would feel soft.

      “You look just like her,” said V. “Eyes and everything.”

      Sonora smiled. “That’s what everyone says,” she said.

      At the other end of the room a grandfather clock chimed. It was two o’clock in the morning.

      V stood up. “As interesting of an experience as this has been, Sonora, I believe I should get you home,” he said. “You are starting to look a little sleepy.”

      Sonora yawned. “Yes, I think I better,” she said.

      V put on his hat and cloak while Sonora put on her jacket and followed him out the door. They walked through the dark neighborhoods in silence. Sonora walked without fear. As long as V was by her side no one would harm her.

      When they were a block away from Sonora’s house V stopped. “Can you find your way home from here, Sonora?” he asked.

      “Yes,” said Sonora. “My house is that little blue and green one at the end.” She pointed to it. “V, one more thing. Should I tell Mummy I met you, or are you not ready for that?”

      V shook his head. “As much as I want to see Evey again, I don’t think either of us is ready,” he said sadly.

      Sonora smiled and patted his arm. “I understand,” she said.

      V tipped his hat to her. “It was an honor meeting you, Sonora,” he said.

      “It was a pleasure meeting you too, V,” said Sonora.

      She offered her hand to him, which he hesitantly shook. He was about to leave when Sonora stopped him.

      “V,” said Sonora. “By any chance, will there be a time when I can see you again?”

      V was surprised. “You want too?” he asked. 

      “Yes,” said Sonora. “It’s not every night I get to make a friend like you.”

      V was surprised but nodded. “Yes, I would love it if you visited me,” he said. “But not right away. If you go to me too much people might start getting suspicious.”

      “How will I know when it’s okay to see you?” asked Sonora.

      “You will know because I will send you a note that will have a rose in full bloom attached to it,” said V.

      Sonora smiled. “Thank you, V,” she said.

      V tipped his hat. “Good night, Sonora,” he said.

      “Good night, V!” said Sonora.

      With that they parted ways and returned to their homes. Sonora fell asleep thinking how wonderful he was. ‘I wish he was my father,’ she thought.