Batman real life rpg sign-up thread

[Cats]

"No cots, no cots..." I mumble. I wanna be where all the action is. He's busy with his test tubes and syringes so I let him be... for a while. I gaze around at the massive cave we're in... how's that there can be caves as large as this in Gotham and I never knew about it? Plus I wonder how he got all this stuff into the cave without anyone getting suspicious. Some energy source is pumping electricity into all this equipment - I'm guessing he must own some property above the cave to route the wires in here. I sneak a glance at him - it's good that my thoughts are oblivious to him because I'm starting to regret not peeping under his mask while I had the chance. In the hurry to get him to Ms Thompkins the thought had not crossed my mind - but curiosity now settles within me. "Doesn't it get lonely here by yourself?" my voice cuts through the silence, and he pauses what he's doing for a second.

"Loneliness is inconsequential," comes the reply... somewhat lacking what I was looking for.

"Maybe there is a little lady waiting for you somewhere," I'm prodding now, but I can't help it.

His back is still towards me as he replies, "I don't have time for relationships."

"Oh..." a loner. How apt. "The crime in Gotham really isn't that bad, is it? You can't be busy 24/7."

His reply is abrupt, "Crime doesn't rest, and so shouldn't I."

"It sounds like you're taking every responsibility given to the Gotham police onto yourself. They are paid, ya know... whereas, I'm guessing you aren't."

"Not everything is about money."

"Well..." I look around at the high tech equipment he keeps and ponder. Not everything about money? This guy must be some rich dude. "Maybe not for you. Life isn't as easy for the rest of us."

He turns around suddenly, and I get nervous in case I've hit a bad spot, "So you resort to doing what you do?" I shrug somewhat weakly. Finally he says, "There is no excuse for crime." And turns around again... boy this guy is passionate about what he does.

I place a palm under my chin and decide to be quiet for a while. And before long I'm asleep once more.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I shake Catwoman awake gently. She shakes her head blearily and starts when she sees me.

"Sorry, but you are a little startling to someone who's just waking up," she says in a tired voice. She stretches slowly and stands to her feet.

"How long was I out?"

"A day," I reply, "that's why I woke you, I was worried that if I didn't you might not wake up."

She looks a little startled but nods, "thanks. So how's the virus coming?"

"I managed to replicate the struture of the genetic code of the virus, but I'm going to have to find a way to convert that into an antibacterial form...and..."

I'm cut off by her coughs, she double's over and almost looses her footing, I quickly move to her side to give her support.

"Sit back down," I reply gently, and for once she does.

"I brought some food," I say nodding over to a small table on my right, "and there are restrooms behind you if you follow this walkway."

I grab another one of the pills I gave her yesterday and toss it to her, "take another one of these."

As I sit back down at the lab equitment I rub the lenses that cover my aching eyes.

"Haven't you slept at all?" Catwoman asks.

"No," I reply, "I can't afford to if you want to live."

 

[Cats]

"Hey..." I'm really touched by what he's sacrificing for me - what would drive a man to do what he does? And for a stray like me... never thought someone would care enough. He turns around, appearing a tad groggy. "Could you take me to the food? I'm afraid I'm not able to stand at the moment. Sorry to take you from your work, I can see that you're busy..."

He looks at me, then at the food, and realises the problem. Then he puts down what he's holding and moves over to my side to pick me up. But what he doesn't realise is that it was all a scam. I don't need to eat, least not now. I lean over with my arms around his shoulders and plant a soft kiss on his lips. He stiffens in my grasp, holds me stationary for a moment as I move back and look into his 'eyes'. "Thank you..." it's little, but I hope it's enough.

 

[Infinity9999x]

That was definatley unexpected, but despite the surprise I find myself feeling something I have barley allowed myself to feel. Love....or if at least not that then a strong level of attraction. It's been so long since I've allowed myself that feeling, I pushed it all aside for the mission, my mission...but.....

but I can't. I can't allow myself to become involved, I barley know this woman, I can't trust her...and yet....

"thank you," I reply, then I carefully help her up, "but you do really need to eat." I help her gingerly over to the food and she flops down in the chair.

I return to my work, and for a while we sit in silence, then she speaks up.

"Why?"

"Why what?" I ask, still analying the data from my recent genetic test.

"Why do you do this?" she replies, "what drives a man to dress up in a costume and fight crime, to do what you do....why?"

I halt for a moment, I know exactly why. A memory...a memory of violence, of blood, of gunshots, of loss. A single moment that forever changed my life, that inexplicatley altered my existance in this world forever.

"A memory of pain," I reply simply, then I turn to her, "why do you do what you do? You're not exactly normal either."

 

[Cats]

"Me?" I allow a laugh to escape my lips, "Well I'm just your regular gal on the street fighting to make ends meet. Life hasn't exactly been a bed of roses for me." In fact I think I was forced into a life of purse picking. I blame my mother for leaving me to rot on the streets - sometimes I hope she's burning in hell. But I know that if she ever came back, it'll be a whole different picture.

"Regular people don't wear masks," he states rather simply, going back to his work. I see where this is going, he's trying to put me in that 'crazy-costumed-person' category as him.

"Everyone has something to hide," I purr, "I don't usually plan to get caught doing what I do."

He hesistates a moment, then suggests, "I could get you a well paying job if you promise to stop what you're doing."

"A job? As your assistant Bat-woman?" I tease. "I appreciate the thought, but no thank you. I think I can manage by my own means."

"The way you've managed so far?" his words strike me suddenly. It wipes the smile off my face. "I can only help you if you help yourself first."

A cluster of coughs keep me from my reply for a while, and I realise I'm not in a good mood to continue this conversation, "It's a little too late for that..." I pick up a spoon and dig into a bowl of beef stew. If the taste buds on my tongue weren't numb, I bet I'd actually enjoy it. I wonder how he had the time to cook while he was in here dealing with the microscope.

"You will get through this..." he promises, even while I linger doubts in my own mind. I know he's pretty sharp, but sharp doesn't exactly make a genius scientist. 3 days isn't a lot of time to develop an antibiotic for a brand new, unexplored disease.

"If... if I don't," I reply in fragmented sentences, "Just know... know that I appreciate what you've done. And... I wish we'd met under different circumstances." He remains silent, working hard at his test tubes like he hadn't heard what I'd said. But I suppose he did.

I return to my meal, but halfway through the bowl I can't take in any more because a searing pain has erupted in my lower intestines. I know the kidneys aren't doing well - probably wasn't a good idea to intake anything at all. I clutch my stomach to ease the pain, but it's overwhelming.

Two days now... two days more to live.

 

[Infinity9999x]

The last day. Catwoman's been getting worse by the hour, and now she's suffering dilliusions, I gave her some morphine to ease the pain, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. But there is hope, I have the antibiotic.

At least, I think I do.

I'm nearly ready to collapse myself, four days of no sleeping, if you count the whole warehouse affair. Four days, if we had more time I'd run tests...but we dont. Still, I'm nervous, if I made the smallest miscalculation, it will probably kill her almost instantly, probably within the hour.

I glance over at Catwoman. I moved one of the cots to the lab, because she insisted on staying by the work, but she's in bad shape. She's covered in sweat, and she regularly going into convulsions. The pain must be unbearable.

"Well...here it goes," I mutter to myself. I neal down next to her and lightly grab her arm, she tries to pull it away, murmering.

"No....Cash...no...no more...."

"It's alright," I whisper, "It's going to be all right."

I roll back her sleave and inject the serum. Now all we have to do is wait, the next hour will tell us everything...

 

[Cats]

I see familiar faces pass me by. Strange how life whizzes by so quickly, I can barely see their faces... even though I know they're people I'm acquainted with. I find myself in an alleyway. Cash is there with Larry, Curly and Moe - they're grinning grotesquely, coming towards me. But my feet are planted on the ground and I can't move. My throat feels like a desert, and the sky is reddening like the end of the world is coming. I feel cold and hot at the same time, it's odd... I don't quite understand it. But I know I have to get away from Cash. He has a syringe and is planning to inject me. However I can't move still... I'm planted... frozen where I stand. He grabs my hand and I try to pull it away. "No....Cash...no...no more...." I can't get away from him, and the needle presses into my flesh. I'm at his mercy now.

It's strange... his face begins to turn kind. "It's alright," he whispers, "It's going to be all right." How can it be alright? He's just injected me with something... I don't know what. I don't think it's good. But when I look up again Cash's face is changing.... changing into a woman's. Mother?

She looks beautiful, not like how I'd remembered her while she was a druggie and suicidal. Her dark hair is flowing in the wind, slim eyes gaze at me affectionately, her lips pressed in a smile. But didn't she die? I saw her corpse... I buried her. And yet such memories fade away as she beckons me to come closer. My feet take me there and I'm standing before her, silent and in awe. She's taller than I recall, and she pats my head like one would a kitten. "Selina, have you been a good girl?" she asks. Her voice is amazingly clear and well pronounced... it's the way I would've imagined it if she was sober. But I haven't been a good girl.

I bow my head low, "I'm sorry Mom... I had no choice." Then a streak of anger comes over me as I raise my voice to her, "You went and left me for dead! You who promised you'd stick by me." Her eyes are suddenly sad. Tears begin to fall and wet her cheeks as she stands very steadily, arms across her pretty yellow summer dress. As her tears drip down her body, it begins to change... her entire frame begins to shrink into its bones. She's leaving me again. "NOooooo!" I cry, "Don't go!" But she's already left... there's nothing but a heap of dust that used to be the woman who spawned me. Why did it have to be this way? Why?

I feel my own cheeks wet with tears... some material beneath me soaking wet. It's as if I've been swimming. But I know I'm asleep, and I hear the screeching again. Breaking through the darkness, I open my eyes... and there is a certain lightness... a certain brightness to my vision. Something is strangely missing. There is a throbbing in my head, and I put a hand to my temple to soothe it... but realise my fingers are touching skin. My goggles are gone!

I attempt to sit up, but a pain in my lower stomach prevents me from doing so, and I roll over to look. I see Batman standing a short distance away, his back is towards me. "You know who I am." I say, my voice somewhat hoarse and quiet. But loud enough to reach his ears.

"I think I always did..." he turns around slowly to face me with blazing eyes. "In the last few hours, you were close to death and experiencing mild pneumonia. The goggles were pressing against your nasal passage and had to be removed to clear the path for breathing."

But I can't help feeling betrayed, "I let you keep your secret, you said you'd let me keep mine."

He hesistates then turns coldly towards his machine, "While you would rather have death, I need you alive to swear in court against Rupert Thorne and his right hand man."

His words cut into me like daggers, I grip a fist in anger as I lean back into the cot, "So this was all about keeping your 'witness' alive? Is that all I am to you?"

Silence drags on till his answer comes in the form of one piercing word, "Yes."

"You are a bastard. To think I had cut you out for someone else..." I know I've hurt him, and after all he's done for me. But I'm not exactly in the right state of mind to be rationalizing what has happened. I don't understand it either. I'm alive, and I've made it through the illness, that's all that should matter now.

 

[Infinity9999x]

This is the price I must pay. To appear more then human, inhuman. Batman can't seem like a normal person, because then they'll know that I'm just a man, and no one can know that.

She has no idea how much it hurt me to betray her trust by removing her goggles, and how much more it hurt to say that one simple word.

"Yes."

It's the look in her eyes, that’s worse then the words she's throwing at me. Selina Kyle...I had suspected, but I wasn't sure. When she brought me to Leslie's...that's when I began to wonder...to put the pieces together. I did a quick background check on her while she was asleep. Her mother died when she was young, she hasn't had an easy life.

I avoid her gaze and grab a few more syringes and hand them to her,
"Take one of these for the next three days, you should be fine by then." She takes them without comment, the look in her eyes tell me all I need to know about where I stand in her personal opinion at the moment.

"If it is of any consolation...they won't know you're the catwoman. Just that you were a burglar. The court doesn't need to know that you've committed any more burglaries then ones he forced you to do."

She glares at me suspiciously, "But Cash will tell a different story...."

"No, no he won't," I reply, "You've never been caught on tape, and I doubt a jury is going to believe what he says. And I have...other ways of ensuring that his story will coincide with yours."

"How?"

"I've been told I'm very persuasive when I want to be."

Before she can say another word, I walk quickly towards her and inject her with the knock out poison. She'll awake safely inside Leslie's shelter. I wrap her costume in a package and tape a note to it.

"Hide this somewhere the authorities won't find it."

I just hope that one day she'll forgive me.

 

[Cats]

Bats... I think about bats. What is it about these furry critters that keep surrounding the thoughts in my head? I see a dark shadow in the distance of a deserted road. It scutters off when I notice it. But I know it's watching me... waiting. I hear its snarl, but I don't see it. And I think about bats again... screeching, and gathering in numbers.

"Selina?" The voice sounds friendly. Low, in a sorta feminine way. I know that voice. A hand touches mine, shakes it a little and I wake. Initially I'm a little disorentated... I don't remember much of what happened to me. It seems I paid a visit to the Batman? I shudder as to how that could've happened. But as I glance around and see Ms Thompkins, and me lying in the shelter, it dawns on me that it all really happened, and the Batman had put me here just as I had placed him here the other day. "There you are!" The elderly woman smiles at me warmly.

"M... Ms Thompkins?" My mouth feels raw... the result of too much medication? She nods, rubbing a hand of mine. I look down at myself and I see me in a loose green dress that I've never seen before. I don't recall putting it on, or where I got it from. "Where..."

"Doesn't matter Selina, the important thing is that you're well and you're safe," she swabs my brow with a cold wet cloth.

My body still feels out of sorts. Dark spots fade in and out of my eyes, and my limbs feel especially heavy, I can barely lift my wrist without feeling tired. The pain has lessened, although it's enough to keep me laying down. My hair feels grimy... probably from all the sweating during recovery. "Wait... what day is this?"

"Thursday."

My thoughts drift to my work and I worry that they've already found a replacement for me, or have plans to let me go - seeing as I couldn't tell anyone about my disappearance. I lift my wrist with some effort, and try to lift myself off the bed, but the grogginess is overwhelming. "I need to be going..."

But Ms Thompkins stop me promptly. "You're not about to leave this room for the next few days. Whoever needs you can wait."

"No they can't!" I'm panting from exhaustion, I know I can't leave the bed and yet I still try.

"What happened Selina? Didn't I just tell you not to get into trouble?" Ms Thompkins isn't in a tolerating mood now. Where do I start?

"Trouble looked for me Ms Thompkins, swear to God. I didn't mean for... this," I motion weakly towards myself as I slump back onto the pillow, "to happen."

"Nobody means for anything bad to happen, it's what you set up for yourself to have that happen to you first." Well, she does make sense. But I'm glad that is over and done with anyway. I've survived, that's all that should matter. Hopefully Cash thinks I'm dead and stops pursuing me. Guess I'll be out of action for a while at least.

 

[Infinity9999x]

*Sorry for the long absence, I'm on spring break and I was off with some friends for a while*

I still haven't slept yet. Can't, not yet, not until I get one more task done. I leap over the rooftops of gotham, the lights of the city twinkling in the musty darkness like small yellow stars.

Finally I reach my destination. Gotham city police department. I need one man....Gordon. His office window is just below me, I marked it out a few weeks ago, planning ahead for a moment like this.

I hang over the edge of the building and peer into the window. Good, he's working late, hunched over his desk, doing some paperwork. He left the window cracked open, good, it makes it easier.

I silently slip inside and walk up behind him. I throw an envelope down in front of him.

"What..."

"It contains the whereabouts of a witness. A witness you can use against Johnny Cash."

Gordon freezes, I see his hand twitch. He's thinking about going for the gun.

"Don't bother," I reply, "If I wanted to hurt you, you would already be on the ground."

He hesitates, "Why are you helping me?"

"Just find the girl..."

"We don't know anything about you, if you just....just...."

Gordon turns around to an empty room. I'm already going back towards the mansion. I have to admit, I do love doing that to people.

 

[Infinity9999x]

*Sorry for the long absence, I'm on spring break and I was off with some friends for a while*

I still haven't slept yet. Can't, not yet, not until I get one more task done. I leap over the rooftops of gotham, the lights of the city twinkling in the musty darkness like small yellow stars.

Finally I reach my destination. Gotham city police department. I need one man....Gordon. His office window is just below me, I marked it out a few weeks ago, planning ahead for a moment like this.

I hang over the edge of the building and peer into the window. Good, he's working late, hunched over his desk, doing some paperwork. He left the window cracked open, good, it makes it easier.

I silently slip inside and walk up behind him. I throw an envelope down in front of him.

"What..."

"It contains the whereabouts of a witness. A witness you can use against Johnny Cash."

Gordon freezes, I see his hand twitch. He's thinking about going for the gun.

"Don't bother," I reply, "If I wanted to hurt you, you would already be on the ground."

He hesitates, "Why are you helping me?"

"Just find the girl..."

"We don't know anything about you, if you just....just...."

Gordon turns around to an empty room. I'm already going back towards the mansion. I have to admit, I do love doing that to people.

 

[Cats]

Is nobody playing Gordon?
__________________________________________

I lay on my side as I watch the ticking clock on the wall, every movement thumping with echoes within my brain. I know I have to get out of here. I don't like being helpless, and I am getting better - at least I feel that I am. Too many questions... I know Ms Thompkins is gonna get to the truth sooner or later. Probably not a good idea to see her for a while.

Wiggling my toes, I get hopeful and slip my left leg towards the ground. Moving my hands underneath my body, I push with all my might, and manage to lift my body up a certain distance. My right leg moves to the ground as well, but I'm tilting slowly, and even while I try to steady my body into a sitting pose, I entirely slip off the bed and land rather harshly onto the ground. Pain shoots up the length of my thigh where I land, and I can only grit my teeth to keep the moan from escaping.

All of a sudden, the door swings open and Ms Thompkins is there. She frowns at me, but defiantly I attempt to lever myself up again. She kneels by my side and touches my shoulder. "You're trying to leave again, aren't you?" her voice is calm, patient. More than I deserve.

"Things to do, people to meet, a busy life I lead..." I quip to break through the awkwardness, but it does little to perk her up.

"Selina..." I'm not listening, and am still attempting to prop myself onto my feet, not exactly succeeding. "SELINA!" she yells, and surprises me, freezing me in the position I am in. "Stop this nonsense! You're not going anywhere for the next few days, period. Nothing is going to be helped by aggravating your condition, in fact you might end up staying here even longer if you go on hurting yourself like this." She turns her back... I think I've hurt her, but instead she laughs... albeit somewhat of a pained laugh. "You've always been one of the cases I've never been able to break through to. And I think I've managed to break through to even the toughest gang member on this street."

"I'm not like them..." I say bitterly and realise the irony.

She turns to face me again, her eyes sad. "You're right when you say that. The difference is that you never listen, and you don't change. I know you've been stealing again."

A sigh escapes from me, I don't know how to explain things when she gets this way. "Well, the last few weren't initiated by me, I hope that makes it better to swallow for you," I notice the sacarsm in my words a little too late.

For a brief moment we do nothing but stare in silence, till she rises from the ground and calls in Buster, who was watching tv in the hall to lift me back onto the bed. "I'll let you go once you're better. I'm sure you know your way out." And she leaves... her words lingering with a sting. I sorta regret talking to her that way, she's worth a lot more.

Buster, a large-ish African American boy with shoulder-length curly hair enters and carries me like I weigh nothing. "Hey Selina..." he whispers in a bashful manner. I smile a little and wave with the tips of my fingers, embarassed about needing to be carried. "Hope you're feeling better."

I nod, "I am, I am. Will be up and on my feet in no time." Buster grins a wide grin, showing me his set of pearly whites as I'm placed on the bed once more.

"I'll let you rest. Seeya later Selina," he says, and I wave again as he leaves the room. I'm back laying on my side, watching the ticking clock on the wall, every movement thumping with echoes within my brain.

 

[Infinity9999x]

*the guy who was playing Gordon hasn't posted here for a while, since about the beggining of the RPG I think, I could send him a pm*

 

[Cats]

Weekend has arrived again, and I'm finally able to sit up. I hear from Buster that there's a new arrival. He's a little boy they call Wally - apparently from a broken family with an abusive father. The little tike peeped into the room last night... big brown eyes, mahogany hair. He shut the door when I wiggled my nose at him. I hear Ms Thompkin's attempting to get child services to settle the issue. Hopefully it'll be sorted out soon.

Leslie... always so helpful. The world is a better place with her around. Picking up strays like me and feeding us, giving us a roof over our heads. I know she wants the best for me - I just feel that I'm not the person to give it to her.

I just got the news that the Joker fella has struck again. A hospital this time... has reportedly killed two. When will Gotham be free of these loonies?

 

[Infinity9999x]

*Sorry for the delay Cats, this past week has been so hectic you wouldn't believe, anyways...*

A flash of light momentarily blinds me, before I groan and pull the covers over my eyes.

"whuzzat?"

"I'm sorry sir, but I thought it best to wake you."

"Why?"

"Because you sleapt nearly all yesterday, and almost all through today. It's 4 o clock now."

I slowly push myself up into a sitting postition, "Well...I suppose you have a point there," I say with a yawn.

"You're going to want to cover those up," Alfred said poiting to the various bruises on my chest and arms.

"Makeup?"

"Won't it look a bit odd for billionare batchelor to be buying himself...makeup?"

"People still like Micheal Jackson and he turned himself into a girl," i reply in a grunt as I heave myself out of bed. Alfred just snorts and rolls his eyes.

"Did you check the computer?" I ask as I head towards the bathroom.

"Yes," Alfred responds,"nothing of notice."

"Gordon didn't pick anybody up?"

"Not that I saw."

"Hmm... that's odd," I reply, "I thought he would have picked her up by now..."

"Picked who up sir?"

"No one," I reply absent-mindedly, "oh and Alfred, can you ready the car?"

"Which car?"

"The public one."

"Right away sir, may I ask why?"

"I need to visit a friend, she's in recouperation."

 

[Cats]

It's fine Infinity, I've been somewhat busy myself
___________________________________________________

The voices outside are finally fading, I've been waiting for this moment. So why does it not sit right with me? The ache in my lower abdomen has eased to the point that I'm able to stand now... slowly. My feet touch the ground, lifting my weight cautiously onto my legs. It holds... I glance around for my stuff. Don't seem to be able to find it. Ms Thompkins must've put it in a cupboard for safekeeping. I begin opening drawers and cupboard doors, hearing the thump as they slam shut again... getting a tad frustrated, when I hear someone clearing the throat behind me. I spin around and see... Bruce Wayne? He's standing there casually watching me, hands in pockets. For a first I see him in semi-casual clothing; a turtle-neck sweater, and leather pants. I wonder what's he doing... Oh doh! It's weekend. He probably came to inquire about the progress of the expansion.

"Oh hey..." I straighten up, closing the cupboard behind me a little abashedly.

"Hey," he says, and I know he's seen me looking through the cupboards. "Lost something?"

I laugh a little uncomfortably, "Oh nah... it's nothing." I clear my throat and continue, "Hey... I'm sorry for bailing out on you at the Bronze Stallion, I had an early engagement and..."

He cuts me off mid-sentence with a hand held in front of him, "Don't have to apologise Selina. I'll admit that's a first for me, but there's a first for everything, isn't there?"

I look at him a little unbelievably, not able to decide whether to be repulsed by the smugness of his statement or thankful that I'm forgiven. In the end I just shrug.

As if he could read my thoughts, he proceeds to cover up the awkwardness, "I hope I had made your evening a better one though, and that you had a good sleep that evening."

A smile breaks through on my face, I have to admit I miss that hotel room. "Yeah, I had a great sleep. I'm very grateful... Bruce. I'm sorry if I'd been too busy to call you and tell you that sooner."

"Perfectly understandable Selina," he nods, "I've been busy with certain matters myself. I hope you're doing well."

I realise then he's not guessed that I've been sleeping in the medical bay, probably guessed I'm there to get something for the kids. I decide to play along. "Oh yeah I am, of course. But umm..." I point to the door behind him, "There's this new boy, 'ya see. He's not feeling so good so I decided to get some vitamins for him."

"Ah..."

"So what're you doing here today?"

"Well," he opens a door and peers inside, "I'm here to see Leslie... and apparently you." A charming smile graces his face, and though I'm not planning on falling for him anytime soon like any of the bimbos he has on his arm, it doesn't bother me as much. He slips his hand into the cupboard, and pulls out a sack... my sack! He gazes at it for a moment as I try to think of an excuse to get it from him, when he says, "Perhaps you might find vitamins in this bag?"

"Ehh.. yeah!" I grab it from him, "Thank you." He puts his hands back into his pockets and smile.

"You're welcome," and he takes a quick bow. "Well, I'll be seeing you then?"

I'm already preoccupied with opening the sack and checking that all my things are there, I nod and wish him goodbye so that he will leave quickly, and he does. I'm alone in the medical room... perfect time to make my escape.

As gently as I can, I turn the doorknob on the backdoor, and quickly slip out. The sun is setting outside, everything is dulled to the point of dark red. I slip my sack around my waist and begin down the street with certain pace. I hope they don't miss me too soon. As much as I'd like to stay, I can't. I have things to deal with... namely my home, my job...

I pass a cop, he turns to look at me. Makes me a little nervous. I try to quicken my pace, but I know he's following me. Another cop right in front of me now... I try to lower my head so he doesn't see me, but too late. He's approaching me, so I attempt to slip into an alleyway. I can hear them pulling out their weapons now. "Lady, stop," one of them says, but I don't. I continue walking, and they continue following. I wonder who pit the cops on me... least they should not guess that I'm affiliated to any crime... unless...

I quicken my footsteps that take me to another road. I can hear one of them speaking into a walkie talkie, I know I've gotta be fast now. I begin running, but the muscles in my abdomen stretch and a sharp pain shoots through my body... I bend over as my feet begin to shiver, and fall to my knees. I hear them approach me from behind, but I can't run... I can't run anymore.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I watch Selina exit the building from my car. She's one of the toughest women I know, I'll give her that. Just a few day's rest and she's always walking. It wasn't like she had a little flew bug. She tries to run from the police, but she doesn't get far, I suppose I'm not surprised. Cash is a dangerous ganster, and normally I wouldn't let the police take her in for fear for her safety, but she has extra protection.

"Did you talk to Ms. Thompkins?" Alfred aks, eying me through the rear veiw mirror.

"A little," I respond, "I met a friend and ended up talking to her longer."

"You know master Bruce, instead of trying to act like the swab debinair billionare type, you could try...oh I don't know....acting like yourself when you meet a woman you're romantically interested in."

"I...what....who said anything about being romantically interested in anyone? How do you know I was meeting a woman?"

Alfred raises his eyebrows, "Master Bruce, I've raised you since you were a boy. I've changed your diapers. Don't insult my intelligence by trying to pass your actions off for anything else then what they are."

I grin slyly. Alfred, he'll never change. But my smile is just as quickly replaced with melancholy.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to be my true "self" around her Alfred," I respond. How could I be? If she ever knew that I was the man that betrayed her trust......

"Anyways," I reply, "let's head back to the manor. Once night falls, I have some buisness to attend to."

"Why am I not surprised?" Alfred responds in a low voice as he turns the key in the ignition.

 

[Cats]

I figet with my handcuffs as I sit on a wooden bench while people past me by... street gang members, hookers, late night party crashers... cops. I could probably pick my way out of these contraptions, but it wouldn't be a good idea now in such a crowded environment. Plus I don't think I'd get far in my condition.

"Damn that Bat..." I whisper under my breath for like the tenth time in the night. He's stabbed me in the back, called the cops on me. It must've been him. Only he knew my connection and knew I was alive enough to get arrested. The sweat is dripping off my face and the room is spinning, but what can I do about it with the cuffs on, confined to this bench?

"Miss," a young officer walks over and calls to me, he seems pleasant. "The lieutanent will see you now." But on further observation of me looking like a wreck, he pauses.

"Now?" I emit a jolt of a laugh, "I'm afraid I'll have to go powder my nose first."

"Lady..." he seems concerned suddenly, "Are you feeling alright? You don't look too well."

Boy... this is the second time this week someone is telling me this. "If you're asking me if I need a dose of make up, I'd tell you to stuff it. But if you're asking if I can stand, yeah sure I can." And I stand, albeit awkwardly for him to see - I am so not myself now. "Take me to your leader," I joke to lighten the situation, and he holds onto my elbow and leads me to a small-ish room with one of those typical cheap lamps that's suspended from the ceiling.

A man with a moustache and glasses sits at the table. He has a trenchcoat draped over the chair he's sitting on. "Selina Kyle," he motions to the chair opposite him, "Come, sit." I walk over and slump into the chair...

"What's this about?" I ask, although I might already guess what he brought me here to talk about. The young officer leaves the room and closes the door behind him before the lieutanent goes on to introduce himself.

"My name is Gordon. Now I'm sure you know what this is about, and if you're willing to cooperate with me, I'll make your stay short and pleasant. Else... well judging from your previous record, you're no stranger to the system."

I frown when I hear this, I hate when people go poking through my past. There're somethings I just don't want to remember. Gordon sets a tape to record and calmly looks at me.

"State your name please."

I glare at the swirling tape, hesistating for a moment, then decide to cooperate, "Selina Kyle."

"Thank you. Do you swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you, God?"

"Yes."

He flips over a series of photos he's kept covered on the table, it's Cash. "Do you recognize this man?"

"...Yes."

"His name is Bill Orion... alias Johnny Cash, he made you steal two items for him. State what they were."

"Steal?" I realise my auto response is to deny the charges, but he glares at me, and I figure there's no easy way out of this. "A microchip from the military air base, and some drugs from the institute of medical health."

"State the names of the items. As much as you can recall."

I sigh and continue, "The chip... I don't entirely remember. But it was taken out of the server room in the basement. The name of the drug was Oricode21."

"What does this drug do?"

"I'm no science freak, but it's supposed to be a virus that is non transmittable, but works like cancer to liquidate a person's kidneys within a few days."

"How many days?"

I don't want to tell him that I actually experienced that whole ordeal, "Umm.. four, I guess."

"And you were a victim to this new strain of virus?" he asks, and I stare at him in aghast when I realise Batman must've told him the whole story. "Answer the question Ms Kyle."

"Ye... Yes."

"How is it that you are still alive if the drug was meant to kill you?"

"Well if you must know! I nearly died, but I was injected with some countering serum at the last moment, and scraped through... barely!"

"How did you come into a dealing with Bill... Cash?"

A couple of thoughts run through my head about how I should deal with this question, finally I say, "I was helping with the shelter in Crime Alley, run by a Ms Leslie Thompkins, when some of his men came to extort money from her... money donated by Mr Bruce Wayne for the expansion of a new wing. I threatened to tell the cops and they weren't happy about that, so they beat me up, wrecked my apartment and began blackmailing me, forcing me into the two counts of thievery."

"You say they beat you up and wrecked your apartment, why did you not approach the police then?"

"Buh.... Because they threatened to kill me if I did?" I know I'm getting sacarstic, but what the heck. I hate interrogations. I do remember some backing evidence I could use tho... "Oh but your boys found out about my house getting vandalized anyway. Check your records from a week back."

Lt. Gordon nods, "I will do that." And he flips open a few other pictures. Three of them I recognize as the three guys who visited Ms Thompkins, the rest I don't know. "Which of these men do you claim threatened the shelter."

I point to the three without hesistating. I'd remember their faces from anywhere. He nods again and flips the photos back. "Finally... Who was Bill Orion working for? Speak it clearly to the tape."

I shift over so my mouth is right over the microphone, I will say this name over and over again if I have to. "Rupert Thorne."

"Do you have evidence to back up your claim?"

"The man was there when I was pumped with the drug, and locked in a crate for dead... umm... Warehouse 7 at the Gotham Harbor, about 12am last Friday. Thorne and his men... about ten of them, together with Bill were there. He can't deny where he's been. The guy tried to off me, he..."

Gordon waves for me to calm down. "Alright, thank you Miss." He flips off the tape. "I think we have enough for now to bring up a case against him. I will have to detain you for the two items you stole. But I'm optimistic that having you as key witness, plus the fact that you were blackmailed into the crimes, will put you in a favorable light to be let off lightly."

I wrap my hands around myself as I consider what he's said. I guess I could deal with that... "Ok."

 

[Infinity9999x]

Gordon walks slowly back to his office. It's been a long day. He opens his door, and glances around the cluttered office, littered with his work. Before he can turn on the lights, he feels me tap his shoulder.

"Jesus!" Gordon hisses as he jumps forward. He turns, his dark face framed by his mustash and glasses.

"Don't you ever knock?"

"You're going to keep her in protective custody," I state it more as a fact then a question.

"Of course," Gordon replies, shuffling uneasily under the gaze of my flourescent eyes, "why are you so protective of her anyways?"

I ignore the question, "You're protection isn't going to be enough. You know the men she's accusing. She'll barley last a day in here. She's going to need more then police help."

"and....you're going to offer that?" Gordon asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes," I reply. I throw a small two way radio to him, "Keep that. I'll contact you through it. And don't bother trying to trace it to me, or finding out where I got the material to make it. You won't be able to."

Gordon looks at me suscpiciously, "Why are you doing all this?"

My eyes narrow, "This city is dying comminsioner. You know it, and I know it. It's too late for normal men to fix anything, these people need hope, they need someone who can do things men of the law can't. They need me. I came to you because you're one of the last good cops in this city. If we don't work together, neither of us will survive. I thought you would understand that."

Gordon remains silent for a moment, then he nods, "Hell, I suppose you're right. It was hard enough working my way up in this town being a black man.....," Gordon looks up and stares me in the eye, "I still don't trust you but...." He pauses and looks down at a picture on his desk. Looks like one of his family.

"but...the people in this city do need you...................you're gone again aren't you?"

Gordon turns around to see the small window of his office hanging open.

"swear to god next time I'll stare at that freaky bastard the entire time...."

 

[Cats]

That policeman from before ushers me from the interrogation room to the cell holding in the back of the police headquarters. He steals glimpses at me. I know... I can see it from the side of my eye.

I get the cell at the end of the room. It's dark... damp, like all cells are. And there's already another lady of a moderately large size sleeping in the upper bunker. I can't see much of her, just her feet.

The cop takes out a ring of keys and starts thumbing his way through them. He asks me this while he's searching for the right key, "If you don't mind me asking lady... what did you do to land yourself in here?"

I sigh, "Drugs, coupled with a bunch of dastardly individuals don't make good company." He smiles, and I do too. He finds his key and slots it into the keyhole making a rather loud click sound that echoes in the cheap iron gate.

It wakes the girl in the upper bunker who peers over with irritation written over her face - beady eyes, somewhat fair, plump, and with ruffled auburn hair. "Shut it, some people are trying to sleep here."

The cop replies, "Pipe down Eunice, you have a new roommate."

"Ohhh.. wonderfulll!" her words drip with sacarsm, then she flops back to sleep - the entire frame of the bed creaking with the movements.

I wince and whisper to the guard, "Do you think I could get a different room?" I clear my throat and point to the rusty metal frame, "I doubt that's gonna hold."

"Don't worry," he insists, "It will. Have a good sleep."

The rack creaks again as the woman turns in bed, and I grumble to the cop, "Yeah... easy for you to say. You're not the one having to sleep under a one ton heavyweight..."

 

[Infinity9999x]

Simion Tyrone. AKA, the mob hitman known as "The Fist." He's a big guy, and he's good at his job. Really good. He's been in jail for 5 known deaths, and of course let back out almost as fast. At least 20 more hits are attributed to him. Word on the street is, he's also one of Johnny Cash's favorite men to use. Funny how I find him strolling by the police station at this time of night.

Tyrone walks slowly towards the station, the orange glow of his cigarette like a tiny beakon in his mouth. A whistling sound cuts through the air and my one of my batarangs fly by his face, cutting off the top of his cigarette.

Tyrone hesitates, and stares at the bat shaped weapon for a moment,
"****," he curses. I see him pull out a gun, too bad it won't be of much use.

Another batarang hisses through the air and lodges itself in his forarm. With a yell, his gun falls to the ground. Before he can do anything else, my hand slams into his throat and throws him backwards into a brick wall. I slide him up the wall by his neck, his feet dangling inches above the ground.

"Hello Simon," I growl from the shadows, "Cash tell you to come out here to pick up some loose ends?"

"Don't....know...what...ack....you're talkin bout," Tyrone hisses back, struggling for breath.

"Stay away from Selina Kyle," I reply.

"I ain't scared a you freak."

"Really?" I say, leaning my face closer to his, "you should be." I slam his head into the brick wall again, knocking hin unconsious.

* * *
Tyrone awakes in a small cramped space, everything is pitch black.

"Jesus!"

"Finally awake Simon?" my muffled voice comes from above him.

"What the hell are you doing to me?"

"Have you ever seen those mobster movies where they bury people alive?" I reply. The sound of dirt hitting the top of the coffin greats Tyrone,

"Well, I'm sure you can figure the rest out from there."

"You can't be serious...."

I don't answer. The sound of more dirt hitting the coffin breaks the silence.

"oh god...," tyrone mutters, his voice taking a more histerical edge. He begins to try to move, only to find that he has barley an inch of space to either side of him.

"HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!" Tyrone yells, "you're crazy! Please...please god, I tell you anything!"

"Why were you by the police station?"

"To...to whack that chick, Cash...Cash has it out for her....oh god, please...please..."

"Stay away from the girl Tyrone."

"I will, I promise...please just get me outta here."

"Pass it along to Cash and anyone else who comes near Selina Kyle....the Batman is coming for them. And if anyone harms a hair on that woman's head...I'll come back for you, and I'll find you Tyrone....that's a promise."

The lid's thrown back and Tyrone leaps out of his prison, only to find that it was nothing more then a storage crate, and that he was in the middle of Gotham Park. He looks around wildly for me, but I'm already on top of a near by building, on my way to visit a few more men. If I can't find Cash myself, I can at least make sure all his men are too scared to do anything....

 

[Cats]

Darkness engulfs me, and I drift into a state of rest when I'm rudely awakened when I get whisked into the air. It startles me as my eyes fly open to see Eunice out from bed and standing tall, grab me by the scruff of my neck. My hands claw at her desperately as I wonder what might've made her so mad. "Wha... are you crazy?" I scream.

She glows with an evilish grin, "There's a big price on your head, ger... I'm about to claim it."

The muscles in my abdomen hurt because of the strain, but I manage to slip a foot above her guts and kick as hard as I can, causing the woman to release me and spiral towards the opposite wall and slam into it. I fall onto the floor, impacting my palms that cushion the fall and the room swims around as I attempt to gather my thoughts. Has Cash infiltrated every jail cell in Gotham now that I'm no longer safe, even in 'protective custody'?

"You think you can fight me?" Eunice is returning, and she sounds mad. But she's made one mistake, she spoke. And in an instant I locate her position by her voice, flinging my legs that touch hers, bringing the heavy woman down onto the ground. I swear the ground shakes with the impact.

"Guards!" I yell with all my might, pulling myself up against the bars with the hopes that my voice will carry further, "I have a psycho in the cell with me! Get me out of h...." But Eunice has a firm grip on my feet, and I slip onto the floor, my palms don't cushion me in time and a pain surges through my body as I curl into a ball. I can practically feel Eunice grinning with delight, even through closed eyes. She delivers a couple of rough kicks to my back, perhaps in retaliation from what I did to her a while ago. I'm dizzy, unable to react. I might've defeated her in prime condition, but not now.

I hear the faint sounds of a key turning in the lock, I hope the cops got the message. Eunice hears it too, and gets down to finishing me off instead of just toying. With two hands placed firmly around my throat, she squeezes hard as I lay on the floor. I attempt to put a foot underneath her gut once more, but this position makes it harder... gravity works against me. Funny that I think about it - this is the second time someone's tried to kill me by strangulation. I try to suck in air, but my airtubes are pressed flat. The door swings open, and the sounds of footfall enter the corridor. "Release the girl!" comes the voice of a male, as the clinging of keys tinkle as they're slotted into the lock.

But Eunice is keen on that money reward, and she doesn't give up. The room is darkening now as the gate finally swings open, and three cops tear the woman off me. I lay there, sorta dazed, and see Lieutanent Gordon squat over me. "Are you alright?" he asks, I sense genuine concern.

"ar...a..." I'm not getting the words out right, but the room is brightening.

"Call for a medic!" he yells to someone I don't see. Eunice is kicking and screaming like a spoilt child. I don't see the entire scene, but they do something to calm her and eventually she's quiet. My eyes just focus on Gordon's, watching me intently. "I'm sorry for the fiasco Ms Kyle, we'll get to the bottom of this... and we might need to move you to somewhere safer for now."

 

[Infinity9999x]

Two days. Two days of hitting various locations in the city, mostly bars where Cash's men like to visit, and I stopped two robberies, and three drug trafficers, all working for Cash. I gave everyone the same message.

"I'm coming for Cash. Stay away from Selina Kyle."

I don't know how many men I've hung over rooftops in the past 48 hours, but hopefully my message has gotten through. I need to put the squeze on Cash, so he feels it, and I need to scare them. Fear is my greatest weapon. This isn't going to be easy. If I'm going to bring Cash in, I'm going to have to keep Selina alive, and get a district attourney that could actually win against him, and get Cash to implicate Thorne.

Right now I have to ensure that my number one priority is doing alright. Selina. The comminsioner is working late again, I've noticed he does that a lot. He's simmilar to me that way....well as simmilar as a normal man can be to me. He left his window wide open this time, maybe he was expecting me.

When he turns to find me behind him, he doesn't jump quite as much.
"I thought you'd drop in again sometime."

"I heard about the incident two nights ago."

"That doesn't surprise me, we barley saved her."

"Where is she now?"

"In her own cell, 24 hour watch...."

"It's not enough."

The comminsioner removes his glases and rubs the area between his eyes, "There's not much more I can do. I mean we have limited resources, it's hard enough trying to find a decent cop who won't try to take a hit at her to begin with..."

"I know what you need. A message."

"I'm not quite sure I..."

"Where is the woman that attacked her?"

"Now wait a minute," Gordon says, pushing back his chair as he stands up, "I'm not gunna leat you go beat up..."

"Don't worry," I reply, "no one will be hurt, I'm just going to send them a message."

Gordon still looks hesistant, "I'll find out where she is anyways, you'll just save me the troubble."

Finally, he gives me a nod, then removes a file from his cabinent.

"Can't believe I'm doing this," he mutters as he flips through the papers, "must be insane...here I am doing buisness with a damned crazy man in a *****ing dracula costume..."

"here it is," he says, removing a sheet, "Eunice, cell number 5, first floor, I think that's all you'll need to know, don't know how'll you'll get past the guards but....dammit...you're gone again aren't you?"
* * *

It doesn't take me too long to get to the prison. The hardest part will be getting past the guards...I could gas them, and then slip by while they fumble with my smoke bombs...but that would cause too much of a commotion. Better to be cautious about this. I enter through a air duct on the roof. Luckily they make these things fairly big.

It takes me about twenty minutes to crawl my way to a vent opening. I quietly slip down from the ceiling and get my bearings about me. I'm on the second floor, but luckily the guard on night patroll is on the other side of the complex, it's not too hard for me to slip downstairs. From there all I have to do is follow the labels untill I see the cell marked 5.

I can honestly say the woman inhabiting this cell is one of the largest human beings I've ever encountered, and that's saying something coming from a man who's 6'5.

It takes me less then a minute to pick the lock and slip inside. Eunice is sleeping like a baby. I place my hand over her mouth, then yank her uncerimoniously out of her bunk. It takes all I have to support her weight so she doesn't hit the ground too hard and make too loud of a noise.

"Hello Eunice," I growl, my glowing eyes boring into her, "I've heard you haven't been a very good girl lately."

Eunice's eyes widen like an eight year old who just saw a childs play movie. She tries to struggle, but I hold tight.

"I'm giving you, and all you're friends a message. Stay away from Selina Kyle. Cash's time is over, he's mine, and so is anyone else that associates themselves with him. Now, I'd better hear that you, and everyone else in this fine facility behaves themselves, or else I'll come back to pay you another visit, and trust me, you really don't want that."

I headbutt the large woman quickly, not enough to cause any noticable damage, but enough to knock her unconcious. Taking out some of the rope I use in my grapple, I tie it to two batarangs, which I throw into two walls of the cell, opposite eachother. I tie Eunice to the rope, so her arms are spread wide, then I pick her sheet and arrange it so it resembles my cape, spreading it behind her. Stepping back I allow myself a slight smile,

that should send a very nice message.

 

[Cats]

I wonder if it's worth the effort... cooperating with the police and getting trashed in jail. Thoughts run through my head as to how I had coincidentally landed myself in the same cell as Eunice who'd heard about the money reward. I begin to think sabotage... it hasn't been the first time. In a town this bent, anything is possible. Someone in here wanted me dead. The worst thing I can be is locked up right now, a sitting duck for another 'accident'.

My throat is slightly raw, but I'm generally doing a lot better than before - thanks to the resident doctor who gave me some painkillers. I'm ready to fly the cage...

"Guard!" I call as I lie on the floor, pretending that I'm still hurting from the assault. He unlocks the door and dashes to my side.

"What's wrong?" He asks gently, tapping on my shoulder.

But the man is a fool - just takes me two secs to grab him by his shoulders and plummet him onto the ground, knocking the man out instantly as I flip over to my feet.

I move quickly now and put on his uniform while I dress him in mine, then exit quietly, locking the door behind me. I'm guessing nobody noticed the switch... always a good thing.

I stand there surveying the room for a while, and see a vent above me. But there's two cameras ahead that covers this area, and I should get rid of them before I slip into the vents. Getting rid of the cameras however, will just give me a few minutes to get into the vent before the guards come after me. I will have to be very quick.

Bracing myself, tearing a piece of my sleeve and wrapping it around my fist, I speed forward to get enough momentum to temporarily 'climb the wall' and punch out a camera, then do the same for the other camera at the other end of the hall. They fizzle and spark while I position myself under the vent, take two large leaps on either side of the narrow passage to prop myself upwards. Then flip upside down, kicking the cover of the vent off its hinges, and catching the side of the vent with my fingers before gravity gets a chance to pull me down.

It's then that alarms begin to ring, and guards begin to spill into the corridor. I carefully replace the cover to the vent and crawl forward. They would probably not expect someone to have slipped into the vents so quickly, and hopefully I muddle them into thinking I've vanished into thin air.

I wish I had the plans to this place, but I have no idea where I'm going, I'm just going away from where I was. I know I was in the basement, so I probably have to go upwards.

I look up, and eventually find a path leading up, so I cling to the sides as I drag myself upwards. My body is a little numb from the painkillers, but it works... It's good that I'm light and slim, it helps to give me greater ease at slipping through narrow tunnels like this one.

When I reach the top of this vent, I hear the sound of a fan. The fan might be my chance to get out... if I could somehow crawl around or through it. So I head towards the sound of the fan, quickly as I can. And when I reach the end, I peer out and see a dark alleyway. It must be the back of the station... might be able to scale my way up the wall and out of the place.

I check for items on this uniform, and find a baton that I jam through the fan so that I might crawl through it. There's a grating on the other side that I kick at a couple of times... it's fortunate for me that the metal is old and rusting. It gives way and I crawl out into the open air. FREEDOM!

Taking a deep breath of satisfaction, I stretch my legs comfortably, purring as I do. I bend down to touch my toes with my fingers, getting ready to scale the wall. But when I straighten up again, I leap backwards in fright!

"Where do you think you're going?" He stands in the darkness like the silhouette of a demon. How did I not know that he'd slipped in front of me while I was busy stretching? I think I have good ears... at least I used to think so.

"Where did you come from?" I ask, although it's probably of little consequence now.

He points to the vent at which I emerged. "They need you to testify in court."

"Ha!" I laugh cynically, "The cops are no better than Cash himself. They're all crooked... the whole lot of them. I don't know who's after my head, but I'm not waiting around to find out."

I turn my back to leave, but his hand shoots out to grab my elbow firmly. "You're not going anywhere."

I turn a menacing stare at him. Although his face is covered by a mask, I know he's surprised. "Haven't you done enough?" my words sting with hurt... hurt of being betrayed, delivered into the hands of the police. "You of all people should know how trustworthy these cops are... it would explain why you put on a mask and fight crime. To be out of their jurisdiction... So don't act all high and mighty now. What we do... is not that much different. Who gives you the right to judge me?" My words cut through the air with a pang.

His eyes glow in the dark as he watches me quietly...

 

[Infinity9999x]

If anyone else is reading, it would be great if anyone wanted to jump in as Dent or someone, just to get some more players

I wonder if it's worth the effort... cooperating with the police and getting trashed in jail. Thoughts run through my head as to how I had coincidentally landed myself in the same cell as Eunice who'd heard about the money reward. I begin to think sabotage... it hasn't been the first time. In a town this bent, anything is possible. Someone in here wanted me dead. The worst thing I can be is locked up right now, a sitting duck for another 'accident'.

My throat is slightly raw, but I'm generally doing a lot better than before - thanks to the resident doctor who gave me some painkillers. I'm ready to fly the cage...

"Guard!" I call as I lie on the floor, pretending that I'm still hurting from the assault. He unlocks the door and dashes to my side.

"What's wrong?" He asks gently, tapping on my shoulder.

But the man is a fool - just takes me two secs to grab him by his shoulders and plummet him onto the ground, knocking the man out instantly as I flip over to my feet.

I move quickly now and put on his uniform while I dress him in mine, then exit quietly, locking the door behind me. I'm guessing nobody noticed the switch... always a good thing.

I stand there surveying the room for a while, and see a vent above me. But there's two cameras ahead that covers this area, and I should get rid of them before I slip into the vents. Getting rid of the cameras however, will just give me a few minutes to get into the vent before the guards come after me. I will have to be very quick.

Bracing myself, tearing a piece of my sleeve and wrapping it around my fist, I speed forward to get enough momentum to temporarily 'climb the wall' and punch out a camera, then do the same for the other camera at the other end of the hall. They fizzle and spark while I position myself under the vent, take two large leaps on either side of the narrow passage to prop myself upwards. Then flip upside down, kicking the cover of the vent off its hinges, and catching the side of the vent with my fingers before gravity gets a chance to pull me down.

It's then that alarms begin to ring, and guards begin to spill into the corridor. I carefully replace the cover to the vent and crawl forward. They would probably not expect someone to have slipped into the vents so quickly, and hopefully I muddle them into thinking I've vanished into thin air.

I wish I had the plans to this place, but I have no idea where I'm going, I'm just going away from where I was. I know I was in the basement, so I probably have to go upwards.

I look up, and eventually find a path leading up, so I cling to the sides as I drag myself upwards. My body is a little numb from the painkillers, but it works... It's good that I'm light and slim, it helps to give me greater ease at slipping through narrow tunnels like this one.

When I reach the top of this vent, I hear the sound of a fan. The fan might be my chance to get out... if I could somehow crawl around or through it. So I head towards the sound of the fan, quickly as I can. And when I reach the end, I peer out and see a dark alleyway. It must be the back of the station... might be able to scale my way up the wall and out of the place.

I check for items on this uniform, and find a baton that I jam through the fan so that I might crawl through it. There's a grating on the other side that I kick at a couple of times... it's fortunate for me that the metal is old and rusting. It gives way and I crawl out into the open air. FREEDOM!

Taking a deep breath of satisfaction, I stretch my legs comfortably, purring as I do. I bend down to touch my toes with my fingers, getting ready to scale the wall. But when I straighten up again, I leap backwards in fright!

"Where do you think you're going?" He stands in the darkness like the silhouette of a demon. How did I not know that he'd slipped in front of me while I was busy stretching? I think I have good ears... at least I used to think so.

"Where did you come from?" I ask, although it's probably of little consequence now.

He points to the vent at which I emerged. "They need you to testify in court."

"Ha!" I laugh cynically, "The cops are no better than Cash himself. They're all crooked... the whole lot of them. I don't know who's after my head, but I'm not waiting around to find out."

I turn my back to leave, but his hand shoots out to grab my elbow firmly. "You're not going anywhere."

I turn a menacing stare at him. Although his face is covered by a mask, I know he's surprised. "Haven't you done enough?" my words sting with hurt... hurt of being betrayed, delivered into the hands of the police. "You of all people should know how trustworthy these cops are... it would explain why you put on a mask and fight crime. To be out of their jurisdiction... So don't act all high and mighty now. What we do... is not that much different. Who gives you the right to judge me?" My words cut through the air with a pang.

His eyes glow in the dark as he watches me quietly...

I have done enough. I've done too much. But I can't let my own personal feelings invade my better judgement.

"There are a few," I reply slowly, "a very small few select group of good cops left in this city. Gordon for one."

She rolls her eyes and gives me a snort of disgust, I probably would be doing the same thing in her situation.

"They can protect you....and so can I. I've been doing that. Besides, do you think you'd be any better out on the streets? It would be that much easier for someone to kill you then hide your body where we'll never find it. At least in here, you have some measure of protection, more then you may think. Just walk by your old roomate's cell if you want some proof."

"Besides, the trial's being rushed through. Thorne want's to push in it quickly, so the prosecution can't gather evidence. That's where I'm going to come in. I need to find that evidence. So if there's anyone you can point me too...accomplices of Cash that could testify against him that would help."

Still holding her elbow, I stare at her once more, "it will only be a few more days..."

I want to say more, but...well, Batman doesn't show emotion, he simply cuts to the point. She may hate me, but some things are more imp
ortant then my personal feelings.