Chapter 1

**WARNING **

Hello there thanks for stopping by. A little information before we get started. This fanfic is rated M for a reason. I do not wish to offend anyone so please do not read if you are uncomfortable with mature topics such as gore, violence and sex. All Batman/Dark Knight Rises creations and characters belong to their original owners. No copyright was intended.

With that being said, please read, review and enjoy!

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The cold bit at Lauren's cheeks as she left the warmth of the hospital behind her. Fighting against the raging wind she pulled her hood up. The promise of a warm bed fuelling her on as she made her way through the isolated streets.

It had been almost six weeks since the Batman had saved Gotham from the nuclear bomb intended to destroy them all. The City had been in a state of recovery since then and whilst many still hid in their homes Lauren had taken to the streets as soon as the city was declared free. Heading straight to the hospital in the hopes she would find her family.

Like the streets she walked upon, the hospital had also been caught up in the crossfire during the Battle of Gotham. Gun shots littered the walls where bullets had penetrated through the concrete. The empty casings still lying there on the floor. People were crammed in every inch of the reception, demanding to be seen and arguing amongst themselves whilst others sat in a silenced shock holding bloody limbs. It was clear the hospital was overwhelmed. Many of the staff had not returned since the war broke out and it was unlikely that any of them would be returning anytime soon - if they returned at all.

Making her way through the crammed bodies she had made for the back of the room where photos of the missing where plastered across the wall. Searching amongst the photos and desperate messages for anything that could indicate that her family was alive and well. She had lost contact with them shortly after the invasion and with power down and armed patrols at night it had been impossible for her to travel across town without being detected.

With no note nor admission of her family Lauren had just about given up but instead of leaving she decided to stay and help. With the hospital short of hands her help was both largely needed and appreciated and made it easier for her to keep an eye out for her family should they come looking for her. Set under one of Gotham's leading surgeon she learnt essential life saving techniques and assisted in procedures wherever she could. It wasn't easy by any means. With a constant stream of bodies to be seen there was no time for hesitation and barely time for instruction. It was do or die and she had learnt quickly.

With the hospital submerged into the darkness Lauren hurried on. Huddling further into her coat as she fought the impulse to look back over her shoulder. Since Gotham had been seized she had developed an unhealthy dose of paranoia. It seemed ridiculous even to her considering what the city had just been through but she still couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. It had all started when Robert Langley - the doctor she had been assigned under- had abruptly disappeared. Nobody knew what had become of him. One day he was at there and the next he was gone. The hospital staff had contacted the police but with hundreds of civilians already unaccounted for the doctors name was simply added to an ever growing list.

Lost in thought she turned the corner, eager to be home when she heard the roar of an engine. Squinting against the sudden harsh glare of headlights Lauren froze as a black van hurtled towards her. Not wanting to take any risks she picked up the pace. Her heart thudding in time of her quickened footsteps as she hurried down the street when the van suddenly mounted the curb and skidded to a stop, cutting her off. The back doors bursting open as two uniformed men sprang out and made a beeline straight towards her.

Dropping her bag she span on her heel, hoping they were just after cash and took off in the opposite direction when someone grabbed her from behind.

"No!" she screamed "Please I don't have anything! Let me go!"

Behind her a man huffed in effort as he tried to restrain her but Lauren fought back, thrashing furiously in his arms.

"Keep still!"

"Please!" she begged "Let me go!"

But her cries fell upon deaf ears. Dragging her towards the van Lauren screamed at the top of her lungs, praying someone would hear her when a hand suddenly clamped down on her mouth.

"Quiet." a foreign accent ordered.

Turning her head Lauren saw a man stood beside her. With dark thick hair and bright blue eyes he was dressed in a heavy looking bulletproof vest but the red scarf around his neck insinuated he was the man in charge.

"I'm going to remove my hand" he said, his voice quiet yet firm "When I do I want you to remain silent. Do you understand?"

Lauren nodded. Barely daring to breathe as he slowly removed his hand from her lips.

"Bring him."

Rooted by fear Lauren watched silently as two men returned to the van. Throwing open the back doors in perfect synchrony one of them disappeared inside only to return seconds later with an older, frailer man. Dragged from the truck as though he was a slab of meat the man did not resist as he was brought before the blue eyed stranger.

"Is this the one?"

"Please" The old man whispered "Don't do this."

"I asked you a question" the blue eyed man growled "Answer it."

"Please. I will help you but please leave the girl out of this." the old man pleaded.

Lauren froze. She knew that voice.

"Robert!"

Robert looked up at the sound of his name. His face crumpling at the sight of her

"Lauren?"

"Robert what did they do to you?! What's going on?"

"I am so sorry child. I did not mean to bring this upon you."

"Enough." The blue eyed man interrupted "Get her in the truck."

His words spurred Lauren into action. Trying to wrench herself free as she was hauled her towards the truck but she refused to give in and kicked out blindly.

"Robert! Robert Please help me!"

"Leave her alone!" Robert cried "Please she has nothing to do with this!"

"She does now."

Tossed into the back of the van Lauren landed hard. Rolling to her feet she lunged for the door when a hand appeared out of nowhere. Pain shot across her chest as she was shoved backwards the guard standing in front of the doors, blocking her exit where Robert now knelt before the blue eyed man.

"What's he doing?"

"Quiet girl."

"My employer wishes me to thank you for your hard work" the blue eyed man stated calmly reaching into his jacket and pulled out a gun. Slowly lifting his arm until the nozzle came to rest upon Robert's forehead "But I'm afraid your services are no longer required."

Bang.

It took a split second and then it was over. Lauren didn't have time to react before Roberts lifeless body fell to the ground. The pop of the gun ringing in her ears as the doors slammed shut. It took her a moment to realise the sharp gasping sounds were coming from inside her. Her body shaking uncontrollably as adrenaline pumped through her veins as her brain tried to process what happened. At first she tried screaming, then pounding on the van doors with her fists. She tried pleading. She tried begging but her efforts were in vain. She wasn't getting out of here.

Crawling to the furthest corner of the truck she curled into a ball, trying to hold herself together and sobbed silently into her hands.