Two Years Later...

I'm sitting there in silence, perched on of the many gargoyles that line buildings in this city. I sit there, watching the busy streets of Gotham in silence. I don't say anything, or even move. I can stay sitting like this for hours, just watching and waiting. I don't need any words as I gaze down from my perch in the sky.

I watch the crowds and cars from this great distance, comparing them to flashing little Christmas lights. It was a bit startling to think, that only two years ago, I had been nothing in Gotham. Nothing but a lowly little girl; innocent and untainted, afraid of this city.

How much has changed. I have seen how Gotham really is. Nothing more than a rotting city, filled with danger, crime, and death.

But I'm glad that it's a dying city.

It's taught me so much about life, about myself.

I'm no longer so sweet or pure.

I'm just as dangerous.

I'm not afraid.

It's taught me to grow up. And in two years, I have grown up. In more ways than one. No one underestimates me anymore.

I sigh very softly, but don't move.

I'm no longer so soft.

I'm a hunter now, Gotham and all that inhabit it are my prey.

Silent, deadly, and patient.

I've learned all of those things.

But I can no longer wait.

Standing up with silent grace, I stand on the head of the gargoyle. I look down on the city, feeling the faintest of all smiles curl on my lips. Silently, I reach for my hip, gripping the black whip butt and tugging; feeling the rough whip that I use as my belt slide from my waist.

'I am no longer Ashton Burrns. I am no longer fearful of you Gotham. But the question is, are you afraid of me?' I think, looking down at my feet.

'Yes. Yes you are. You are afraid of me, afraid that I will strip you of everything you have left. I can feel it, smell it. I can see it with my own eyes…The Cats Eyes.' I continue, gripping the whip tighter. I had given everything up, everything I loved. Everything that mattered to me, just for this new life.

And I don't regret it.

Turning my head, I spy another gargoyle several feet to my left and several feet down.

"I regret nothing," I whisper, pulling my arm back and feeling my muscles tighten. Letting my arm snap forward, I crack my whip and hear it snap in the air, hooking around the snout of the stone beast. Before I leave my current spot, I look back to Gotham; a faint wind ruffling my hair.

Then I look away, tightening my hold on the butt of the whip, coiling my muscles and jumping off my perch, swinging through the air to my new spot, releasing the whip to free fall through the air, only to snap my whip once more and be brought back up higher than before; my body sailing through the air as I travel from stone perch to perch.

I'm ready for this. I'm ready to steal everything Gotham can offer.

Can you handle me Gotham? Can you handle my past, my reputation, and me?

For your sake, I hope not.

Edited: 1/8/13

Thanks to a lovely review, I've edited my prologue and I hope you all enjoy it!