All the thugs that this...creature took on were down in seconds. My jaw hung open as I watched. Taking out my camera, I threw on my hood and started snapping photos.
Finally, everything was quiet. The creature was gone. I looked around but didn't see him anymore. Quietly, I came out from my hiding spot and scurried to find him. A sharp crash of glass made me look ahead. The creature stood on top of a car, dragging Falcone through the top of it.
"I'm Batman," it said in a deep voice.
My lips mouthed 'wow' as I took another picture. Suddenly, the two men were thrust into the air and I gasped.
Clutching my camera, I backed away and sat down, digesting what I just witnessed.
"Holy crap," I whispered.
I got to my feet and hurried home. Dad's car was there and I prepared myself for a speech. My hand grasped the handle and I took a deep breath.
Dad was waiting for me with his arms folded. I removed my hood and clutched the strap of my backpack.
"Hey, Dad."
He was frowning. "Don't give me that. Do you have any idea what time it is?"
I closed my eyes and sighed. "It's nearly midnight, sir."
"And, what did I tell you about being out too late? It's dangerous out there, Barbara. Don't you see that?"
"Yes and I seem to be the only one that does!"
He grimaced. "I don't see that? You think I don't see that?"
I groaned. "Oh, here we go. I'm not saying you don't, Dad. I'm just saying your boss and half the cops in the GCPD don't. It's getting worse and worse here and nothing is getting done."
He opened his mouth to speak but held it back for a moment. "Don't talk like that, please. You sound like your mother, for God's sake."
I shrugged. "And? She was always right about this place. That's why she took-"
He raised his voice. "Don't bring her up in this house! You hear me? If you hate it here so much why didn't you go with her and the rest of the kids?"
I lowered my eyes and felt my chest cringe. "Because I wasn't going to leave you here alone. I...couldn't do it."
He breathed heavily and stared at the floor. We were there in silence for a few moments, until he shook his head.
"Just...go upstairs. It's late."
I obeyed and hurried upstairs. I jumped into bed and opened my backpack to get my camera. With eyes focused, I studied the images of the so-called 'Batman'.
"He was so fast."
Grabbing my laptop, I opened my blog that I never used and decided it was going to start getting interesting. I posted the pictures I found and typed like a maniac. My blog was anonymous so I wouldn't have to worry about offending anyone, which I seem to do often.
I hated my username so I knew I'd have to change it, but that wasn't a priority at the moment. Pleased with my post, I closed my laptop and laid down in bed, smiling.
The next day, I had to head down to one of the fancy courts in Gotham to pick up some files for my dad concerning Falcone's thugs. I had to pick them up from Dr. Crane. Brilliant guy. I had met him before at my college before he graduated. We both studied phobias until I lost interest and desired to study law and other things to be a cop.
Nice guy and pretty darn smart. I knocked on his door and he said I could come in. I stepped in and he gave a small gasp.
"I don't recall ordering any ginger with my lunch," he chuckled.
I smiled and shook my head. "How are things, Dr. Crane?"
He stood from his desk and held out his arms to hug me. "Jonathon is fine, Babs. I told you before. You don't have to be so formal."
"I do, actually. You went on to be a doctor. Something important. I just wanted to be a city cop," I shrugged and shook my head.
He chuckled. "I told you you would regret it. But, I meant that you're not like the other phonies that work with your dad. You're real and smarter than they are. Remember that, alright?"
"Phonies, indeed. I came to pick up some files. My dad said he had someone contact you about it."
Jonathon went to his desk and held up a folder. "Yes, yes. Right here. I told them the same thing I'm going to tell you. Falcone's thugs are not the issue here. There are bigger things going on out there, Babs."
I sighed as he handed me the folder. "No, see, that's what all the phonies say. That these criminals aren't a problem at all and we're all just blind or crazy."
"These thugs can become something much better. My asylum helps them become that."
"Your asylum gets them therapy not punishment . Sometimes there are people in this world that just want to watch it burn. Your asylum keeps them away from where they should be."
I could tell he was getting impatient. He looked around the room with a frown as he adjusted his glasses.
"Look, I get enough of things like this from people here, Babs. Don't let me have to hear it from an old friend, okay?"
With a sigh, I couldn't help but smile a bit. "Fine. But just this once, doc."
He laughed and put his hand on my shoulder. "Take care, Babs."
Suddenly, a young man entered the office. "They got him! Falcone's been arrested and he's in police custody!"
I side-smiled. "Who does Gotham have to thank?"
The young man shrugged. "Some bat character, but who cares? We got Falcons on the scene!"
He rushed out and I smiled at Crane. "I have a feeling things will be getting brighter in this town."
Jonathan grinned. "Careful, Babs. Too much hope can blind a person."
"In a town like this, hope just might be healing the blind. I have to get going. I'll see you around, alright?"
He took out a small card and handed it to me. "Give me a call sometime. I'd be happy to make an appointment."
I raised my eyebrows. "I'd have to be crazy do that."
Smiling, he replied, "It's fine. I have a whole asylum full of crazies."
He gave me a wink and I shook my head with a laugh. I left the office with the files in hand.
A/N: Well, sorry for not updating for so long! Hope you enjoy this chapter and more to come...
