Smile In Your Sleep Chapter 1

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking, the plane should be arriving in Gotham soon, so please fasten your seatbelts" the captain annnounced on the intercom.

Proper introductions would probally be nice... Hi, my name is Danielle Thompson. I'm an average 25 year old girl. I just finished college and now my brother wants me to live with him in Gotham City, where we are originally from. Why don't I just live with my parents? Well that's simple, they're both dead. Long story made short, they both were murdered in front of my brother and I. But I'm past that, now onto the story.

The plane finally landed. I wasn't in a hurry to get up, because one, I need my head to calm down, two, I don't want to die from people rushing with their bags, and three, my brother said he was gonna be a little late so no hurry here. Once everyone was gone, I decided that meant it was my turn to get off. I got out and saw a tall male standing there with my luggage.

"Danni! Oh my gosh, it's been so long!" Patrick called, pulling me into a big embrace. I gladly returned the favor. "Hey Pat. It's only been 5 years." I replied. "Yeah I know, but it felt like forever to me" He pouted. Giggling at his face, I adjusted my carry on bag. "Shall we go?" Pat moved to the side while bowing. "Right this way my lady."

He escorted me to his red 2005 Cobalt. "Nice car" I commented. A smile in triumph was his response. Once we got in nothing was said. To be honest, I like the silence, it was awkard just nice. After what felt like hours we arrived at a nice small house. It was partly in a bad neighborhood so I probally had to watch it at night. "Welcome home little sis" my brother hugged me agian.

Unpacking was easy seeing as though I really didn't have anything. "Oh hey, I ran into some old friends of ours the other day." Patrick called from the kitchen. "Really? And who would that be?" I wasn't really paying attention, I was to busy organizing my room. "Rachel Dawes and Bruce Wayne" he answered. Stopping in my tracks, I remembered my old childhood friends.

Rachel Dawes, the only female friend I ever had. Normally, hanging with my brother so much, I became a little tomboyish. But with her, she always helped me stay in touch with my girly side. We would always have slumber parties and tell little secrets. She always had a crush on my older brother.

And Bruce Wayne, man, when Rachel wasn't around. It was Bruce time. We would always watch cartoons every saturday morning. Play pirates in my backyard. It wasn't until after his parents died that he changed. He became so distant and anti-social. Rachel and I felt kind of awkard around him at times. But sometimes he would open up to me.

Then the day came when my parents moved us all. Nobody stayed in contact anymore and we all went our seperate ways. I would always hope that one day we all see each other and things would be like how they used to, but I know that probally won't ever happen. A hand on my shoulder brought me out of my trance.

"Hey, are you okay?" Patrick asked me with concern in his voice. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine, just had some flashbacks is all" I faintly smiled, reasurring him. He smiled back. "Tommorow we should go see them. I know that some friends in your life will help alot." I knew exactly what he was talking about. My life has never been the same since the incident with our parents. It's tough when you watch that happen in front of you. I nodded my head in agreement. Who knows, maybe he's right. "Good, now I made dinner for us so come on." He guided me to the table where the food was sitting just waiting to be eaten.

The dinner was pleasant. I never knew that my brother could cook. After dinner we watched some movies. When the movies were done, the news came up.

"This just in, another victim yet again was discovered. Police say that culprit is The Joker. No reports are made on who the next victim's are, but police hope that Batman will help some...Now for todays weather.."

I shut the TV off and looked at my brother. "What's with the looks?" he asked. "You asked me to live with you when these things are happening?" I said upset. "Look, it's nothing to get all fussed up about Danni. I've been keeping an eye on this for a while, Batman will take care of this. And I promise that nothing will ever happen to you, got it?" His voice was so caring yet stern at the same time. When it came to this stuff, he's serious.

Like one time, when I was about 13 years old, I was bullied around because well, let's just say, I wasn't the prettiest girl...okay, I was a bit chunky but that's not the point. Anyways, I came home crying one day to my brother. "It's okay Danni, I promise that those kids will be taught a lesson and never bother you again okay?" Two days later, those kids came up to me with bruised up eyes. They appologized and ever since then, nobody made fun of me anymore. So I know my brother is good at keeping those promises.

I kissed his forhead. "Thanks Pattsi. Now if you don't mind, I think I'm going to go to sleep." He glared at me. "Pattsi? I'm not 14 anymore DT." I laughed. "Goodnight." With that I headed up the stairs. I heard a faint 'night' when I got to my room.

Changing into my overnight clothes I made myself comfortable in the bed. With a sigh I drifted off to sleep.

But unknown to me or to my brother, someone was watching me, lurking in the shadows.