Helloooo! Hopefully this chapter's okay--I'm sort of iffy about it. Then again, I'm iffy about everything. Hahaha. Read and Review! Please! I'm trying to get feedback so I know whether or not to continue writing...and if I don't know if you like it, then I don't know if I can write more! BUT ENJOY!!

Unwilling Assassin

Chapter 2

"—ensued when three more Gotham banks were robbed this week. The suspects stole more than twenty-five million dollars in these three heists, and ten people were killed, including six of their own. The suspects wear casual suits and what appear to be clown masks—"

Jess woke with a start in the lukewarm water—what time was it? She looked at the clock and breathed a sigh of relief. Four o'clock. She'd only been asleep for a half-hour.

"—leaves a joker playing card at the scene of the crime. No other evidence was—"

Jess jumped out of the tub. Why was the television on? She was a little paranoid about the lights earlier, but she knew the televisions didn't turn on automatically. She went out into the hallway, listening to the voice closely.

"—known as 'The Joker' is still missing. This man is considered armed and dangerous, and has malicious intent toward anyone that crosses his path."

There was more than one TV on. The televisions in her bedroom and the kitchen were on. Where was her cell phone? She walked cautiously into the kitchen, toward her purse. She was more and more frightened by the second.

"Shit," she muttered as she fumbled in her purse. Nothing. "Shit, shit…" She didn't know where the landline was, and even if she did, she never used it.

Jess let her fear take over and reached for the carving knife, dirty from last night's dinner, lying on the counter. Slowly, gradually, she made her way toward the living room, half-listening to what the people on the news were saying.

"—have pointed out that the city's so-called 'hero,' the Batman, hasn't come to the rescue in these past few weeks—"

Okay. Breathe. She could hear her heart beating faster, blood coursing through her veins with a surging power. A rush of adrenaline pumped through her, and she ran into the living room, brandishing the knife like a weapon.

No one.

"Reports from the Gotham Police Department are saying that Batman is not a hero, but a mere masked vigilante, corrupting our city's law enforcement and forcing officers out of their jobs. These reports have been circulating for some time, now. What do you think about this, Diane?"

Jess looked at the TV, which now displayed a pretty brunette. Why were they saying that Batman was a vigilante? That was ridiculous. He'd done nothing but help the city in its time of need.

"Well, John, I'm not quite sure how I feel about that matter. While I can understand how the Gotham PD feels threatened by this mysterious masked man, we have to remember that this is the…person…that saved Gotham when Dr. Jonathan Crane put fear toxin in the water system and set loose hundreds of mentally insane criminals."

Jess shivered at the mention of her old boss's name, but continued listening.

"No one can deny that he was a hero then, and that was what? Two months ago? So what I think is: who are we to judge the Batman's intentions? We'll just have to find out in due time exactly what he means for this city. The people I've talked to…"

What bullshit, thought Jess, and she leaned over and pressed the television's power button, not wanting to hear any more.

And suddenly…suddenly a horrible scratching noise permeated the air in surround sound. Jess fell to her knees and covered her ears; the knife clattered to the floor a few feet away. What the fuck was happening? The noise was getting worse, tearing at her brain and scratching at her eyes. She had to lean against the coffee table for support. She didn't think she could take it much longer. Kill me, kill me, just let me die—

"STOP!"

And just as soon as she had screamed, silence invaded her ears. Her shout seemed to echo through the room. Jess felt dizzy; she put her head in her hands and groaned.

Shit! Her head snapped back up and her eyes searched frantically for the knife.

There. On the ground, next to the television. She got to her feet, scrambling to get to it. Someone was in the house, but who? And why hadn't they come out yet?

Jess looked around anxiously, knife in hand. Maybe she could scare them. "I…I have a—a knife! So don't think about…pulling any more shit!" Really nice, job, Jess. The only thing you really accomplished was making yourself look like a douche bag.

Focus. Stay calm…

A soft buzzing met her ears through the speaker system, tickling her eardrums… and then it quickly faded into elegant classical music. Mozart. Lacrimosa, Jess thought. What the fuck does this person want? It was one of her favorite piece, epic and haunting and tragically beautiful. She'd always loved classical music, and ever since her parents' deaths, she used the music as a stress reliever. It's not like they could use it against her…

For just one moment, Jess closed her eyes and immersed herself in the splendor of the violins and choir. It was so…so beautiful; it touched everything in her. She was lost, and the music had found her…she saw her parents…

No. Damn it. Maybe the music could be used against her. Focusfocusfocus.

She gripped the dirty kitchen knife tighter, making her knuckles turn white, and turned toward the foyer. She would get out of the apartment, call the police, and stay at Amy's place for the night. Good idea. Okay.

She took a few cautious steps toward the foyer, making her way to the front door. So far, so good.

She swore she wasn't breathing as her hand gripped the doorknob a few steps later. It's okay. I'm gonna get out of here. Just open the fucking door.

Her whole body was shaking. Her heart stopped beating. Was she going to die? What if they chased her?

The music was still playing, blurring the edges of her frenzied thoughts with its melody. Why was she still standing there?

Careful not to make any sound, Jess opened the door and backed out very slowly, holding the knife in front of her. She'd kill anyone (or at least try) that followed her. The knot of fear in her stomach started to untie itself, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She turned around to the elevator.

Before she could register anything, she felt a pair of gloved hands twist her arms behind her back and slam her against the wall next to the doorway. Pain shattered through every bone in her body, but she couldn't even scream for shock.

A slightly high-pitched, terrifying voice hissed in her ear. A dangerous voice.

"Am I late for our date?"

And he let out a long, terrible laugh.

OHO! And so it begins. Tell me what you thought. Did you like it? Too fast? Too...anything? Constructive criticism is, as always, gladly accepted. Ask and you shall recieve, my little dumplings. Read, Review, and Fave. :)