"Another body was found near Gotham General this morning. Police suspect that it is the same man suspected to have committed the past murders and are once again asking for the help of citizens -"

"- The fourth body in what is now known as the most grusome spree since The Joker killings over one year ago was found late last night by a downtown restaraunt -"

"- Police are once again asking for your help -"

" - The first ever sketch of the suspect has been released. Police ask that if you have seen or know anyone resembling this picture and description -"

It had been a few weeks since she had last seen Richard, and she was starting to feel much more comfortable about leaving her home at night. So, to celebrate, she and Joy had decided that they would go to the fair that was in town set up near the loading docks.

Charlie dug through he purse, her coat slung over her left arm and a phone wedged between her shoulder and ear as she spoke with Joy. The radio played on quietly in the background, and she was so distracted by her own discussion with her friend that she wasn't really paying attention to what was going on. She was never really interested in the news of Gotham City anyways. It was always depressing – talking about just how corrupt the city still was.

Well...never was a bit of an exaggeration. She listened the news every so often. Pretty much whenever they spoke of Batman. She was completely fascinated by the guy. Any man who is willing to risk his own life night after night to save thousands of people he doesn't even know is someone worth hearing about, in her opinion. And he does it all without getting the proper credit for his actions. It was absolutely amazing.

"I'm seriously stoked about some mini-donuts." Joy was saying.

Charlie chuckled, switching the phone to her other shoulder, "Me, too, now that you mention it – Ugh, I can't find my damn keys!"

"...did you check the fridge?"

"You watch too much TV."

"Between the couch cushions? In your coat pockets?"

She dug between the cushions, then pulled the coat off her arm and proceeded to dig through each and every pocket, "OH! Found 'em. Thanks."

"It's what I'm here for. Now hurry up – Mini-doughnuts await me."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll meet you there in twenty." She stated before hanging up and heading out.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The night was pleasantly uneventful. The pair mostly just strolled leisurely through the crowds of rowdy, over-excited teenagers and families just enjoying the cool night air and the sounds and smells of the fair. Charlie had always enjoyed environments like this. It was all so juvenile and innocent that it made her feel comfortable and completely at home – something she hadn't quite felt in a while. Joy had her mini-donuts – two bags full of them, if one were to be keeping track – and Charlie enjoyed a giant pretzel of her own. They rode the giant ferris wheel and a roller coaster or two, but they mostly just came for the food and the night out. Plus, there was a pretty decent band performing that night so they got a free show out of it as well. All in all: it was a good night so far.

Joy yawned, "I think I'm gunna head out – I'm exhausted. "

"Same here." Charlie nodded stopping their slow walk and facing her friend.

Joy hugged her briefly, "Drive safe. And be careful!"

She nodded once more, "Always. Same with you, alright?"

Joy winked, "You know me, safety is my middle name." She turned, heading in the opposite direction with a wave. "Later, Chuck."

Charlie groaned, grinning, "I hate when you call me that!" She called. She turned and began to walk to her where her own vehicle was parked. It was getting really dark, so Charlie picked up her pace, wanting to get to her car fast to avoid any problems – she didn't feel like being mugged tonight.

Looking around and seeing the crowd dissipate around her, Charlie decided that it might be best to cut accross the loading docks. She could see people going through there in small groups, so she figured she would be decently safe so long as she managed to stay close to the other groups. She waited for another small group to turn up and start through before entering the man-made, metal crate labrynth herself. It was starting to get a little chilly. Charlie pulled her coat tighter around her torso, shivering slightly. The once pleasantly cool evening was turning into a dark abyss of horrible possibilities. Funny how that always seemed to happen the instant that she is alone.

"You're being paranoid." She muttered to herself, shaking her head with a huff.

"Who is?"

This isn't happening...She thought maybe if she just ignored him he would just go away. Ugh, it had been so long. Everything was going so well! How did he know just exactly how to pop in just when she was starting to feel safe again?

"I hate it when you do that." He warned.

Piss off. I'm ignoring you. Please, just leave me alone...

Charlie did her best to maintain a calm exterior so as not to let on how absolutely terrified she was of Richard. That knowledge might trigger some deranged self-confidence that could end really badly for her. The man scared her.

"Chaaaarlie." He said in an eerie, sing song voice in her ear. She flinched and he grinned, "I'm getting really tired of this game, Charlie." He paused. "Look. At. Me."

Charlie held in a whimper, "Go away." To her humiliation, he voice shook when she spoke – showing her fear.

"I just wanna talk to you." He murmured, his warm breath on the back of her neck sending an unpleasant chill down her spine.

She gulped, trying to be couragious, "I'm not interesting in talking to you, Richard."

"Don't be like that. I hate it when we fight." He started playing with a few loose strands of her hair.

Panicking at the intimacy of the contact, Charlie swatted his hand away. He caught her by the wrist as she did so, twisting the wrist painfully, making her cry out in pain. She looked around desperately for anyone around that might help her. There was no one. She hadn't really been paying attention to where she was walking and must have strayed from the masses.

Joy's face flashed in her mind. The scars, the memories of seeing her in the hospital...

She needed to get away from him. With that in mind, Charlie swung her knee up, aiming for his groin. His grip on her sore wrist loosened when she made contact, giving her enough time to pull away from him and make a run for it. She ran aimlessly between the shipping crates, trying to get her bearings so that she could find her car. Veering to the left, she screamed when Richard's angry face popped up in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her waist when she collided with him, unable to stop herself in time. She struggled violently, kicking and screaming until his hand clamped down over her mouth. She bit down hard on his hand, tasting blood. He shoved her away from him, holding his hand against his chest in pain, growling murderously. Charlie was unable to keep her footing on shaky legs when she was pushed away and she fell to the ground, the back of her head colliding with the uneven pavement. She felt the sharp pain of the impact and saw white. Everything around her was spinning and she couldn't focus on anything. She saw a hand reaching down towards her – his hand – and closed her eyes tightly, waiting for him to strike her.

The pain never came, and the last thing she heard the sounds of a struggle and the padding of footsteps running away from where she lay before everything went black.

She awoke in a bright room on a very uncomfortable bed. Upon further investigation, she came to the conclusion that it wasn't so much a bed as it was a metal table. She groaned, keeping her eyes tightly shut. Her head was pounding and she was sure that the onslaught of the bright lighting would only cause her more pain.

Speaking of pain...Someone was touching her left wrist. Bandaging it, she was sure. Gloved hands worked carefully and quickly. She must have moved, because the person stopped. She heard the scraping of chair legs as her healer stood up, "How are you feeling?" The voice was deep and gravelly. Very dark and intimidating.

"Like I got hit by a truck." Charlie muttered, daring to open one eye. She was not prepared at all for the sight that greeted her.

A tall man stood over her, dressed in an entirely black suit, cape and a mask.

A Batman.