(BATGIRL)
Dawn - I watch the skyscrapers of the city begin to shadow as the sun rises behind them. The sky turns a bright red - orange and yellow rays of light piercing through the thick gray cover of clouds. A warm breeze blows through the air, foreboding the coming summer.
I stand a top a second story building, gazing out at the city as I watch the day slowly creep into existance. In Gotham, it's an easy thing to miss - the only thing that's harder to watch than dawn is dusk, where the dim atmosphere gets dimmer, until a cloak of darkness is cast over the city. All things considered, this morning's sunrise is something I haven't really seen in a while. Perhaps its an omen of what's to come?
Pushing the cape over my shoulder, I take off my backpack hidden beneath. As I drop it to the ground, I let out a sigh of relief - as if the cape wasn't restricting enough, try fifty pounds of books concealed underneath. Pulling up the sleeve on my suit, I look at the watch strapped tightly to my wrist. "Five fourty," I speak to myself. "Ninety minutes before homeroom."
Last year, I would've been partying all night until I passed out, only to wake up and cram as much information into my head as I could to prepare for the finals I'd have to take. This year? I was patroling the city for four hours before coming home and spending some "quality time" talking to a masked vigilante in my room. Oh, how things change.
Still, he did offer me something of value - a new addition to my arsenal, courtesy of Batman's armory. Reaching to my belt, I retrieve the device and hold it out in front of my face. "A Batarang," I say with a wide grin. "Or, at least that's what the Red Hood called it." I didn't sleep for the whole night; instead, I stayed up examining this thing - noting every possible detail I could. Based on my own research and the weapon's dubbed title, I've come to figure this thing is a boomerang of sorts. That's why I couldn't wait for this morning - test trial.
Slipping my finger over the center of the device, I flip a gear and cause the wings to move into a horizontal position. "Heh, cool." Based on the weight, the curvature of the wings and the minor grips, I believe I've figured out how to use this properly. Well, I hope I have, anyway...
Pulling my arm back, I dig my fingers in, holding the batarang securely, yet, with some slack. As I take in a deep breath, I follow it with a long exhale. "Okay," I assure myself. "This is it." Tensing the muscles in my arm, I thrust my arm forward, releasing the device at the peak of the throw. To my amazement, I watch the small black object spin in the air - twirling around in as it effortlessly flies a head.
"Wow," I say with a smirk, memorized by the batarang's flight. I keep my eyes on it as it moves, watching how smoothly it cuts through the air. Suddenly, the object begins to turn - sharply veering left and coming back toward me. "Haha, yes!" I shout, failing to care if anyone hears. "It is a boomerang!" I exclaim happily. "Good, good - I was a little worried this was a one shot, one use type deal."
As I continue to rejoice, I quickly remember the batarang is coming back, heading directly toward the point at which it was ejected. "Oh, crap - right. I've gotta catch this thing." Focusing quickly, I stare the device down - watching it like an eagle would its prey. I barely blink, breathing sparingly as it approaches. Swiftly, I throw my arm out, preparing to catch the batarang as easily as I threw it. As the gap between it and I lessens, I feel the light gust of wind it gives off brush against the skin of my cheek.
"Almost..." I say, tensing my arm once again. "GOT IT!" I shout, throwing my arm out and clenching my hand around the object's middle. As my fingers grasp it tightly, I take hold of it with precision. Unfortunately, grabbing it was the easy part. To my surprise, the momentum behind the small weapon was greater than I had expected.
As the object hits the palm of my hand, my arm is knocked back - sending my clenched fist directly into my eye. "AUUHH!" I shout, falling backward onto my back. I blink wildly as I stare at the sky, trying to keep myself from going unconscious. A strange aura fills my vision, and tiny dots of colors flash about randomly. "FFFFFUUUUU," I start, cutting myself off as a small trickle of blood exits my nose. "Oh jeez," I whine, putting my hand to the base of my nostrils to stop the flow of blood.
"Well," I begin, my voice mildly distorted as the blood seeps out from my face. As I try to get back to my feet I stumble drunkenly, hoping to scrounge what little bit of dignity I can. "That... could've gone better."
Flipping my finger across the batarang once more, I shift the gear in the opposite direction and allow the wings to fold up into a more compact form. Gently, I slip the device back onto my belt - locking it into place with care. As I raise my head back to level vision, my head aches and a dull pang shoots from the base of my left eye. "Okay," I begin, grunting in frustration as I rub my face gently with the tips of my fingers. "If I get a black eye from this, I'm going to officially quit life."
Awkwardly, I lean down and grab the strap of my backpack - slinging it over my shoulder and making my way to the fire escape at the farside of the rooftop. "If anyone asks ... I slipped and fell down the stairs." Yeah ... like that doesn't sound suspicious. "Alright, I knee-ed myself in the face during gymnastics." I stop for a moment, pondering the plausability of my story. "... Yep, I'd buy it."
As I make my decent down the fire escape, a bothersome thought suddenly enters my mind. "I really hope Red Hood didn't see that ... 'cause that'd be pretty embarassing ... and kinda creepy - on his part. Friggin' stalker..."
