Meredith Storm: Drifters

by AvariceMoonMoon

Meredith Storm is the newest member of the Drifter gang of thieves with a mysterious origin. All five thieves have faced his or her own trials in life from Gotham to Metropolis. What was originally a stop on the road to riches and fame became the gang leader's vendetta of an unhealed grudge against the Joker. Will the madness and terrors of Gotham's most wanted consume the gang?

2. Chapter 2: The Key of Gotham City

Chapter Two: The Key to Gotham City

I was running through the sewers, unsure of what I was exactly running from.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my dear," said the Mad Hatter with his high voice as he flew by my ear. "The jaws that bite, the claws that snatch!" He was a little fairy-man riding in a teacup.

The fuck is going on in this dream?

Suddenly, Killer Croc popped out of the ground twenty feet in front of me. The twelve-foot-tall lizard man gnashed his sharp teeth, and glared with his bright yellow eyes. "Tick Tock! Tick Tock! Time to feed the Jabberwock!" Killer Croc hissed in that guttural voice.

Nope. Heart beating out of my chest, I turned around and ran away. Killer Croc chased me through the sewers. I breathed heavily as I got more and more tired of running through the winding sewers that never seemed to end. That beast wasn't losing any speed. He was getting closer and closer.

"I threw a rock at him!" said a girl's voice with a giggle.

What? Who-what?

Spotting a rock, I picked it up and turned around to throw it at him. He suddenly fell into the waste water, clutching his neck.

I stared at where he fell, shocked that it even worked.

Then, I felt hot, nasty breath on my neck before a man grabbed me from behind. He put a hand over my mouth and I couldn't move. I couldn't fight back. My strength seemed non-existent against his.

The man that held me licked my ear and whispered, "And through and through, the vorpal blade went snicker snack!" It was Dr. Giovanni's voice and my heart palpitated in panic.

Oh God! Please wake up!

"There issss no waking up," said Dr. Giovanni, his voice becoming more snake-like. His arms became large coils that were wrapped around me.

No. No. No!

"Only sssssnicker ssssnack." He licked my neck with a forked tongue.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I jerked awake with a groggy start. My heart was palpitating, and my skin felt burning hot. Everyone else was still fast asleep on their own couches. I paced my breath as I studied my friends.

Mark was snoring while lying on his stomach. His blue hair was flopped over his face. He was almost as loud as Lucyfer, who was lying on her back with her legs propped up on a couch arm. Her snores reminded me of a growling bear. Tim's breathing was relatively quiet as he slept on the couch by me. Lucyfer's laptop was on sleep mode.

I can't sleep after that nightmare. Just no. I gotta get up!

Quietly, I got up and used the bathroom. After I washed my face, I strode over to the kitchen to grab a water bottle and a protein bar. I headed up the stairs and opened the doors as soundlessly as possible.

Outside, it was a cloudy day break. The air was cool and calm the way I liked it. After I closed the doors behind me, I headed down a trail through the woods covered in morning dew. My mind was on auto-pilot, dazed and searching for clarity.

Goddamn, that was awful… The words were silly, but the sensations that came with them were absolutely horrifying. Those fears of being hunted by Killer Croc, snatched by Dr. Giovanni, a snake… mixed with Mad Hatter's Jabberwocky ramblings from last night…

I remembered my time in restrained isolation… the white room… that harsh bleach smell… can't move...

"I would've been gentle if you just took your medicine like a good girl," said Dr. Giovanni, running a hand down my leg.

Nonononono! I don't want to remember this! I don't want to-

"You thought you could scare me away."

I stopped walking, holding my sides as I remembered screaming in terror, anger, and pain.

He put a hand on my mouth. "Scream all you want. No one's coming to help you. No one cares at the end of the day."

I closed my eyes, trying to not remember.

PLEASE! PLEASE! MAKE IT STOP!... Let me die! I want to die! I never wanted to live Make it disappear! PLEASE!

"I love the way you cry for me."

Trembling, I covered my ears and felt my eyes watering. Every fiber of my being started to hurt. I felt my heart twisting in my chest. Agonized, I dug my short nails into the skin around my ears.

Breathe. Just breathe. I focused on my breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. He's gone. He's gone. It's just memories.

"He's dead," I whispered to myself. "He's dead!… When you killed him… he begged you for mercy." A few tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry. Don't be like me. Don't do this. I'll leave. I'll do whatever you want. I promise. Let me live!"

"He cried." Opening my eyes and gazing out, I slowly lowered my hands from my ears and hugged my sides.

Tears ran down his pathetic face. "Ohhh God, please! Stop! Don't!"

"He bled."

Blood gushed from the stumps that once connected to arms, legs, and genitals. I was drenched in his blood from the way it sprayed all over me and the others.

Gazing down at the ground, I felt the chilling sensation of adrenaline running through me like it did that night. My body trembled with a triumphant wrath.

I used Amadeus Arkham's old record player to play "A cenar teco m'invitasti" from Mozart's Don Giovanni in the background… It was too tempting and poetic to resist.

Don Giovanni sings:

"Da qual tremore insolito (Terrors unknown are freezing me.)

Sento assalir gli spiriti (Demons of doom are seizing me.)

Dond'escono quei vortici (Is hell let loose to torture me?)

Di forco pien d'orror?" (Or does it mock my sight?)

Then, the Chorus...

"Tutto a tue colpe e poco! (Torments eternal wait thee!)

Vieni, c'e un mal peggior!" (Burning in endless night!)

"And he screamed..." I murmured. Absentmindedly, I wiped the tears from my face.

Dr. Giovanni screamed as we moved to saw his head off.

The thought made me smile. "Questo e il fin di chi fa mal, e de' perfidi la morte alla vita e sempre ugual."

"Such is the end of the evildoer: the death of a sinner always reflects his life."

I sighed and strolled onward down the trail, feeling better, and yet I knew that some scars would never heal.

You could bathe in the blood of all your enemies to soothe the symptoms. With that, there sometimes comes a satisfying period of peace, but nothing can erase the scars. You might forget they are there in better times to come, but memory can only be so kind.

I destroyed Dr. Giovanni… and now I was an honorary member of the Drifter Gang… After the last heist, we'll all leave Gotham City and travel the world. We'll be safe from all the pure insanity that thrives here... Well, most of us I guess. I mean Ollie can't leave, but she's in the suburbs. She doesn't live smack dab in the city with all the danger it has to offer. The sooner we got away from here the better. I'm ready to find happier memories somewhere else. I'm ready to learn things I never knew. I... feel so optimistic I could probably make a sparkling unicorn gag.

But I can't get too optimistic... not until the job is done. So many people do that, but I know better. That's just a sure way to set yourself up for failure...

Is it so wrong to hope after the bleak times I've spent alone? The horrors I've faced?

Yes. Especially in Gotham and the way your life naturally flows. Whenever you get your hopes too high, it all falls apart. That naturally happens in Gotham City. If you ever think things are starting to look up, that's when things fall to shit hardcore. Every win has a price.

I groaned to myself and bit into my protein bar. This inner argument is getting nowhere. Let's just say whatever happens will happen and we will fight for the best.

The trail ended at a sudden drop off, washed away by the rain. It was ten feet wide. The drop was a steep slide that no doubt led to the bay.

Eh, I don't want to go swimming this morning. I'm still hurting a bit after that fight with Clayface.

Taking a drink of water, I turned around and started heading back.

Oh yeah. Why was Clayface out for us last night? He could've easily stolen the Dragon's Eye at the museum, disguising himself as a guard or even the Penguin. And why was he disguised as the Joker, dragging real clown thugs with him? It's so specific, it's as though... someone hired him to do it. But who would hire him? And why?

Well, it couldn't be the Joker. The Joker would've gone himself. I really doubt he's scared of us or sent Clayface because he couldn't be bothered to go in person. The Joker loves to mess with people, but he likes to do it in person to see their reaction... especially with a former victim like Lucyfer who lost so much because of him.

Who would know or want to intimidate Lucyfer with the Joker's image and steal the ruby? Everyone in town probably knows about the R.I.P. DREAMS Massacre... It has to be someone that has money, is manipulative, and might not want to handle Lucyfer in person... Black Mask? Penguin? Two-Face, if he flipped for it?

I don't know. I'll just ask Clayface the next time I see him.

I chuckled to myself. Like he'd tell me anything.

Man, I really hope Lucyfer doesn't spoil the next heist. I mean, challenges are fun and everything, but the gang was almost wiped out by Clayface's shenanigans... all because she was bar hopping or something… How Ollie mentioned it and Lucyfer just brushing it off kinda bothered me. It should probably be discussed for the future. I doubt anyone wants any repeats of that mess last night.

I returned to the burnt cabin and sat down on the porch, looking at Gotham Bay and Gotham City in the distance. The sun was starting to come up behind me. It was a decent view of the city from these woods.

"Pretty," said Tim, suddenly.

"Shit!" I said, startled. I saw him standing nearby with bags under his green eyes. He was looking at the city view, too, and wasn't wearing shoes. There was a five o'clock shadow around his silver-brown goatee.

"Sorry," Tim apologized, scratching his bald head wrapped in gauze. "I was wondering where you went. I did not hear you leave."

"It's okay," I said. "I didn't hear your footsteps either."

"I almost did not say anything. You looked so serene and deep in thought."

I shrugged. "Are the others up?"

Tim shook his head.

"Okay." I continued eating my protein bar and drank some water.

He sat down next to me.

"Oh! How's your head?" I asked, recalling that his head was wrapped from Clayface/Joker hitting him in the head with a handgun.

"Still tender," said Tim. "Thanks for moving me from explosion."

"No problem, Pal."

There was a quiet pause as we zoned out into our own little worlds.

Tim pulled out his little notepad to draw in it. Then,he paused as he put a pencil to the paper. Tim looked over to me, frowning. "Meredith?"

"Yeah?" I asked, looking at him.

"Last night, when I showed you all my drawings... I might be wrong, but you seemed to know this one." He flipped it to the one of Ra's al Ghul, but graciously covered the naked parts with his fingers for me. "My last master."

"Oh?" Shit. Should I lie quickly or just tell the truth?... Some semblance of truth?... Definitely not the whole truth. No one can be trusted with the whole truth. It's far too dangerous to share. I trust these guys, but it's better if they know nothing. If they know nothing, they don't have to lie to protect me.

He didn't like my hesitance. "Did you know him?" Tim pressed, his brow quickly furrowing with concern.

I stared at the drawing of Ra's al Ghul. "You know Wonder City, right? The city buried under Sheldon Park, the Bowery, and Park Row?"

"Yes, of course," he said.

"Have you been down there?"

"No, but I know it is a base… You saw him down there?!" His eyes were wide and his worry deepened in his face.

I somewhat bent the truth here and there. "Yeah, but I was hidden. No one saw me. I was scavenging, hiding out, before my Blackgate and Asylum days. Then, I saw him and those assassins passing through and realized that I should not come there ever again. But, I could never forget his face, especially with those bright green eyes. He had such an old world look about him if that makes sense… It was the way he talked and how formal he was… He also seemed weary with age like he had seen a lot of shit."

"You're sure they didn't see you."

"Pretty sure. I doubt they even know or care about my existence, especially when they think you're dead."

"Did you overhear anything?"

"They weren't exactly speaking English, but I remembered hearing one specific word. Lazarus."

"I see…" Tim paused before speaking again, rather cautious with his words. "What do you think that means?"

"I think just about everyone knows about the story of Lazarus. I know because Christian upbringing was shoved into my brain. Anyway, Jesus Christ raised a man called Lazarus from the dead. I'm guessing that's why your old master seems-well-old."

"That's fair to say… He is said to be over 600 years old."

"Well damn, he didn't look bad for 600 years!" I chuckled, trying to ease Tim's tension.

He nodded with a blank face, clearly thinking about something that weighed heavily on his mind.

"But wait, would he have been around when Wonder City was built?"

Tim nodded. "It was his brain-child as you Americans say."

"But wasn't Wonder City condemned because of the toxic liquid that powered it?"

"Yes, it was a failed brain-child that was abandoned."

"Poor brain-child."

Tim snorted. "Perhaps if cities were capable of having feelings... but you investigated the history?"

"Well, I was very curious. Wonder Tower and Wonder City are odd places in Gotham. They seem kinda alien compared to the rest of the city's general theme of Gothic architecture and American industrialization."

Tim gazed at me, concerned. "It's just that anything surrounding this former master is extremely dangerous, Meredith. If anyone catches on that you know or have seen anything you will be in deep trouble. I barely escaped with my life and can still feel the scars." Setting down his notepad, Tim pulled up his black shirt and I saw a long and deep scar that crossed over his fuzzy abdomen. He had a several smaller and older scars, too. "I was very lucky." Then, he pulled his black shirt back down. His notepad started to blow away.

Quickly, I caught the notepad before it could take off. "No, I definitely wouldn't say a word to anyone about that shit," I said, handing his notepad back.

Tim smiled softly and took his notepad back, putting it in his pocket.

"But isn't it dangerous to keep a drawing of him on you?" I asked.

"Yes, but only if I am caught. I am not caught unless hunted by professional, Who would hire professional to catch thief?"

"A rich man… or woman that is pissed off, has a lot of money to burn, and manages to hire a true professional?"

Tim chuckled and gazed off. "All overpaid mercenaries boast their talents but none can keep up with a League assassin that was trained for many years."

"Well, what about Deathstroke? I heard he's pretty damn good."

"Hmph," Tim wrinkled his nose. "Mutant mercenary couldn't beat the Batman in a fight and ended up in prison. I have never been captured by authorities."

I smirked with a chuckle. "And you could beat Batman?"

"Well, you have outwitted him before, haven't you?"

"Barely, and I seriously doubt I could best him in a fight, let alone Deathstroke."

"I could help you fix that," said Tim.

"You're that confident?" I asked, surprised. "I mean you were clocked over the head by a Clayface-Joker last night."

Tim shook his head, dismissing it. "He moved a faster than expected. Joker's movements as I have seen were never so fluid. Most people here can't fight well, so my abilities start rusting. If I start teaching, it could help me remaster what I know and help you improve. You have potential with the ferocity you've demonstrated thus far."

"Wow, uh, thanks."

"Welcome. You wish to start now?"

"Hey, early bitches," said Lucyfer, walking out in a robe with a cup of coffee that I could clearly smell. Lucyfer had just gotten out of the shower, judging by the wet blonde hair and her fresh moderate makeup. She definitely had different tones of color from the bruises, but they were mostly covered by makeup. "Whoever decided to make coffee is my new, best friend."

"You're welcome," said Tim.

"How's your head?"

"Tender."

"How about you, Meredith?"

"I'm okay," I said with a shrug. Sore all over.

"Well then, you're in the upper tier of people feeling good, Meredith. Mark is out like a light, and we need to run errands. We can take care of that duffle bag, too." She winked at me. "Tim, you stay with Mark and take care of yourself."

"Lucyfer?" Tim asked.

"Yeah?"

"What happened to this burned house?" He asked, pointing behind us.

"... A fire, I guess," said Lucyfer with a shrug. " It happened before I bought it for us. I didn't ask what happened officially. In fact, that's why we got it cheap. Government wouldn't let the last owner demolish and rebuild. They claimed it shouldn't have been built on this spot anyway. Pretty sure they were trying to squeeze the old dude out for the land because that's a prime view of Gotham City out in the secluded woods..." Lucyfer pointed towards the city. "Then again, it's also about 20 miles from an insane asylum." She pointed North. "By the way, did you go running through these woods, Mere? When you escaped?"

"I stole Dr. Giovanni's car," I said. "So no."

"Oh yeah, grand theft auto was on your rap sheet... Well, freshen up and throw on a hat, sunglasses-whatever keeps you cozy in the city. I'm fixing to leave in like twenty minutes." She sipped her coffee and headed back inside.

I followed her and paused to see Tim wasn't getting up. "You coming, Tim?" I asked.

"You go. We practice later."

"Okay." I walked back downstairs and headed to the armory for gear. Mark still snored on his belly on the couch. I pulled on some aviator sunglasses and couple of knives to stick in my boots. I also put a few smoke bombs in the lower pockets of my cargo pants.

"Hey, Mere," hissed Lucy, waving me over to the bathroom.

Curious, I walked over to her as she waited in the bathroom.

"Goddamn, I've been dying to do this." She grabbed some hair stuff and ran it through my hair, spiking it up.

I've always had at least one friend that did this, but I am okay with it.

"Have you been a pixie for a long time?" Lucyfer asked.

"No, just since my twenties," I said. "Got tired of doing nothing with my long hair." Most of the time I can roll out of bed, say "tah-dah!", and brush my teeth.

"Totally. I've done just about every hairstyle except pixie. Hell, I've even shaved half my head and dyed the rest green."

"Wow." That's dramatic… but I'm not too surprised. Sounds like something Lucyfer would do.

"Ever try a crazy color?" Lucyfer asked.

"Blue, but it was temporary," I said.

"You must love Mark's hair."

"Pretty awesome... " I kinda do love the color blue.

"And put this lip color on." Lucyfer handed me a lipstick.

I did so while looking in the mirror. It was a soft pink color, almost natural.

"Better," said Lucyfer. "Did you grab a gun with those knives?"

"No, I've never shot one with bullets."

Lucyfer gave me a raised eyebrow as she combed her hair. "Well, we're gonna have to shoot that cherry soon."

"Okay," I said with a shrug.

"But let's wait until the sharp-shooter gets up. Just grab the bag with the baseball bat sticking out of it for now." She started to french braid her wet hair.

I walked out to find the bag she mentioned. It was sitting over by the armory. I looked inside and found a softball, a softball glove, water, bubblegum, a couple of handguns, a box, and a clutch with some money and cards inside. Then, I walked over to the kitchen to wait for Lucyfer. Mark was still snoring away, unstirred by our movement.

Lucyfer came out wearing capris jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers. "This is what practicing softball-players wear, right?"

"You're pretty pale for a softball player that's been out in the sun all day," I commented.

"It's still spring and it's been cloudy," she said with a shrug. "Grab the duffel and let's go."

"K." I grabbed the duffle and she took the backpack. We headed upstairs and Tim looked at us, surprised.

"What?" Lucyfer asked.

"Going to baseball practice?" Tim asked.

"It's called softball, Tim. Jeez, you probably call soccer football."

"I know it's called soccer in America. Why softball?"

"I don't know," Lucyfer said, pulling out a softball for reference. "I mean it's not exactly soft. Do you know why, Meredith?"

"Maybe the pitch is softer?" I suggested with a shrug. "Otherwise, it could be a reference to femininity? I don't really know. Those things hurt."

"No," said Tim. "Why dressed to play softball? I remember you hate sports."

"Ohhhh," said Lucyfer. "I'm going incognito, just in case. I don't want some other freak of nature following us back to the safehouse. After this, we only have Ollie's place and trust me we don't want to resort to that. Now come on, Meredith, we're wasting daylight." We headed to the back where there was a vehicle tightly covered by a tarp.

Lucyfer and I loosened the tarp and pulled it off off to find a brown, rusty jeep with no top cover. There were only bars that made the frame for the top. It was probably older than both of us. The inside smelled pretty musty.

"Old guy threw this in with the place," said Lucyfer. "Shitty mileage and no top, but it's a vehicle," said Lucyfer as she tossed her bag in the back. She got into the driver's side and roared to life after a couple of tries.

I walked over to the other side and tried my door. It didn't open.

"Oh and the passenger door doesn't work," said Lucyfer.

"Okay." I grabbed the top frame and lifted my legs through the window. Then, I slid inside and sat down.

As I pulled on my seatbelt, she backed up and sped down a gravel road.

"So you played softball?" Lucyfer asked, over the blowing wind.

"Only for a few years when I was a kid," I replied with a shrug. "I wasn't extremely great and it definitely wasn't my favorite sport. The only thing you're missing are the sunflower seeds."

"...You know I don't think I've ever hit a ball with a bat," commented Lucy.

"Really?"

"Nope. I've hit just about everything else, mostly people."

"Wow."

We got onto a main road and started heading towards Gotham, taking the long way around the bay.

"So your parents never played sports with you?" I asked.

"I was always out playing with the other kids," said Lucyfer. "We'd shoot hoops sometimes, but we mostly played pool, video games, poker, chicken, roof tag, King Crab, and a lot of crazy stuff."

"Whoa, wait, what's King Crab?"

"Oh right, we made it up. It's like truth or dare, but it's specific to stealing. Instead of stealing we'd say pinch because that's the British slang according to Carl. And who pinches a lot? Crabs... So our parents wouldn't think anything of it. If you chickened out of the pinch or got caught, you were a red lobster. Red lobsters have to take the blame for any trouble the remaining players get in until someone becomes King Crab after the other players become lobsters. King Crab keeps all the loot and gets away scott-free. It started small at first like a handful of candy or a mom's bra, but eventually I won forever after stealing a very expensive, white, Rolls Royce from the Sionis garage."

"Damn," I said, surprised.

"I was only twelve, but I don't turn down dares," Lucyfer said proudly.

"What did your parents do?"

She chuckled and shrugged. "Grounded me, but whatever, I snuck out the window. The other parents made my friends stop hanging out with me. Bad influence. I just found other friends. No one stuck around until I found the guys that formed R.I.P. DREAMS with me..." Her smile faded and she sighed.

"I'm sorry about what happened," I said.

"...Me too, but shit happens… I can't even imagine what's it like to be in your boots." She glanced over to me with her dark eyes. "Is it hard for you to be around guys after what happened with that Dr. Giovanni?"

"Sometimes... I just don't trust them as much as I do women."

"Fair enough… but you know Mark and Tim are good guys, right?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, I know."

"They're sad weirdos, but they're cool."

I chuckled.

"Do you like either of them? I know you get along pretty well with Mark. And Tim seems likes you."

"I don't think of them that way," I said.

"Oh, okay then."

"...Do you?

"Oh, me? I don't know... I kinda like Tim the most. The strong and silent type and he's got amazing, drawing skills. At the same time, he gets a little tragic after a while. Mark is cute and funny… tall, but occasionally overbearing. I feel like he'd slowly drive me insane the way he sometimes turns into a helicopter mom."

We were quiet for a while.

Ask about the barhopping... while you got her alone…

"Lucyfer. What did Ollie mean about you barhopping?" I asked.

Lucyfer frowned, remembering. "Oh... I just sometimes talk shit while I'm drinking in bars and clubs. It's good for hitting the rumor mill, but you can accidentally send out a few rumors of your own. You mad about that?"

"Not really, but it did almost get us killed by Clayface and a bunch of clown thugs. Mark and I were also nearly caught by Batman and Robin... I was pretty worried about being sent back to the asylum."

Lucyfer groaned and adjusted her cap. "Yeah, that was a dick move on my part. No more bar hopping while in Gotham, I promise."

"Great. Thanks... I just don't want us to get stuck here."

"Nah, I get it. I'm glad you talked to me instead of Ollie. Mark sometimes does that and it kinda pisses me off."

"You can be pretty intimidating to talk to," I said.

"Me? I'm scared of the quiet and cunning, little psycho here." Lucyfer smirked and ruffled my hair.

I snorted.

"You got some serious bite to you underneath all that fluff." She put her hand back on the steering wheel.

"Thanks," I said.

"You're goddamn welcome," Lucyfer said.

We continued our journey in quiet a while longer. Then, she turned on the radio to a metal station for the rest of the way into the city.

We stopped at the store for food supplies and groceries. Then, we stopped by the bank to deposit most of my money and transfer it to an offshore account. It was a courtesy of Great White Shark, our new fence, who had connections with a few people at the bank. Then, we lastly had business with Great White Shark's people down by the Amusement Mile docks. They gave us a heavy, rectangular crate in the backseat in exchange for a box with stacks of money.

Along the drive back, we stopped at a red light and waited for a good while. It turned green and Lucyfer didn't move. A car honked behind us.

I looked at Lucyfer to see what the hold-up was.

She was giving a nasty stare a group of clowns down an alley. They hadn't noticed her yet.

Uh-oh...

"Lucy, let's go," I said, nervously.

She pulled around the block and parked at a meter.

"Lucyfer what are you doing?"

Lucyfer reached across me for the glove compartment and picked out a small bomb with a long fuse and a lighter.

"Jesus Christ, Lucyfer!" I hissed.

"Now I'm gonna need you to light this sucker when I tell you to." She handed me the lighter while holding the bomb in her right hand. "Can you do that for me?"

"Is this really a good idea?" I asked, hesitant.

"It's an amazing idea. Now, are you going to let me fumble with the wheel and a bomb at the same time just because you're scared to light up some clowns in the broad daylight? No one will see shit if you work with me here."

Ugh, goddamnit. "...Okay. Let's just hurry up and do it."

"That's my girl." She got back into the street and went around the block. "Light it!" She said as we turned onto that street again.

I lit the fuse and Lucyfer threw it into the alley as we passed by. A few seconds later, we heard shouts of alarm.. As we turned right, we heard a loud bang and headed out of town. More screams followed with panic of pedestrians as I glanced back.

Lucyfer was smirking harder than I had ever seen her smirk.

Conspicuous much?

She noticed my frown. "What? I hate clowns."

"Aren't we supposed to be avoiding attention?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "I don't see any police cars following us... My week feels incomplete without mangling some clowns... just like you couldn't walk by the Mad Hatter."

Really? "He kidnapped an innocent girl," I protested. "You know what he does to them. Those thugs weren't doing anything."

"And now they never will..."

"I guess. Damn... If you hate clowns this much, why haven't you killed the Joker who actually caused that massacre?"

Lucyfer inhaled through her nose and exhaled. "Ollie made me promise not to try when we started our partnership... Kept saying it was suicide... She's probably right. I mean, how many other enemies has that stupid clown made? How many enemies worse than me? And none of them have ever killed him in the last several years. What the fuck is up with that?"

"Stupid luck and Batman."

"Batman?" Lucyfer looked over to me.

"If Joker falls out of a building on Batman's watch, Batman will catch him. I've seen it."

Lucyfer shook her head. "Useless goddamn freak in tights," she muttered.

I took out a piece of bubblegum and started chewing it. It's not always easy to be the Batman...

"I mean, am I right or am I right?" Lucyfer asked.

"You're right," I said with a nod. "Get us out of here. This crate in the back is kinda conspicuous."

"I forgot traffic is a bitch in the morning," said Lucyfer with a groan before she honked at a slow car in front of us. "YO! I got places to be!" She shouted.

"Like where? Softball practice with your girlfriend?" A guy said from his truck, mockingly.

What? Girlfriend?

"Yeah, and I'll bet you're going to the shop with that hunk of junk," said Lucyfer

"Hunk of junk?" The guy went on to tell Lucyfer about the engine, the lift kit, and other shit. Then, he pointed out the issues with our decrepit jeep.

I was still hung up on how he thought we were lesbian, softball players. Does he just think all softball players are lesbians or something? What in that dude's brain led him to this conclusion? I popped my gum. Is it because softball players throw bigger balls?... Nah, it's gotta be my hair and Lucyfer's aggressive behavior.

Then, I realized we had an open path ahead of us. "Hey, Lucy, let's go," I said as people started to honk behind us.

Lucyfer held up a hand to me and continued to argue with the guy.

Irritated, I picked up a softball from the backpack as the guy started shouting. Then, I chucked the softball into the guy's head, knocking him the fuck out.

Lucyfer turned back to me, surprised.

"Let's go," I said, leaning back.

"Yes, Ma'am," she said with a smirk before she continued driving. Lucyfer started giggling to herself.

"What?" I asked, unable to help but smile, too.

"Dude, you just nailed that guy with a softball!"

"You two wouldn't stop arguing."

"Yeah, but jeez!"

"It's not like I threw a bomb at him."

"Still, that guy is going to have a concussion at least."

"Maybe it will improve his brain activity," I said, shaking my head. "Lesbian, softball players."

"Well, there's nothing wrong with that."

"Oh absolutely. He was the one who said it in a negative connotation."

She looked at me, curious. "Are you...?"

"I'm bi or pan," I said. "But as you know, I'm very inactive."

"That's cool." She looked back to the road.

I looked over to her. "You?"

"Same, but more active."

"Cool."

"So, if you're pan, why haven't you tried hanging with women?"

"Dating feels like a waste of time. I'd rather have friends than a significant other."

"Well, dating is like hanging with friends, but just more exciting and interesting."

"In any case, I have never been comfortable in that arena. Don't push me. I'm not interested."

"Sure... I would not do that to you, not unless you asked me to. I really get that there's some things you can't push... like Ollie's agoraphobia... ughh…. found that out the hard way..." Lucyfer had a thoughtful look on her face as she frowned. "She didn't speak to me for a solid month."

We sat quietly for the most of the way home. Lucyfer turned on the radio after a while.

Probably can't handle long periods of silence…

Yawning, I gazed out my open window with tired eyes as we passed through the city traffic.

After all the errands and this driving around, I really want to take a nap. Usually, I would've slept in like Mark did, but the nightmare kinda ruined that for me.

We returned home while the sun was high in the sky. As we went downstairs, we saw Mark was still passed out on the couch. Tim was slicing up a bunch of apples in the kitchen.

After Lucyfer and I unloaded everything from the jeep, Lucyfer dropped her backpack by the armory and crept over to Mark.

Tim looked to me and indicated to the apple slices.

I think he's offering them up?

I picked up a few slices and watched Lucyfer mess with Mark.

She bent over the sleeping Mark and swept her hair across his face. Mark's face wrinkled and he rubbed his face.

"Hey," Lucyfer whispered in Mark's ear. "I'm gonna play some bass guitar. Is that cool?"

Mark grunted and buried his face in a pillow.

"Okay." She walked over to her bass guitar.

"She is so mean," Tim commented.

I shrugged. "I've seen worse ways to wake a person up, and this isn't just a Lucyfer thing. It's more common than you think. Last member of the party to wake up tends to get pranked. At drinking parties, you can get an eyebrow shaved off if you pass out early with your shoes on."

"Hmm," Tim said, shaking his head in disapproval

Lucyfer pulled on her bass and turned on the speaker. She chuckled as she looked over to us and then started playing softly. After a minute of Mark still not waking up, Lucyfer grinned and started shredding on her bass guitar very loudly.

It was loud enough for Tim and me to cover our ears in irritation. Mark jerked out of his sleep. He stood up on the couch and waved around before knocking the couch on it's back and hitting a wall.

"Oh shit," I said, covering my mouth.

Tim rushed over to him.

Lucyfer stopped jamming out and started laughing her head off.

Mark groaned and crawled out from the fallen couch. He looked horribly confused and wired. "Holy shit. What happened?"

Tim helped him up. "Lucyfer," he said simply.

"Lucyfer, what the fuck?!" Mark shouted.

Lucyfer was lying on the ground, giggling. "You flailed around like a fish!"

Mark waved at her dismissively in irritation. "Eh what would you know about fishing?... I was sleeping!"

"You can sleep when you're dead, Mark. My God, it's practically afternoon right now."

"Well, we stayed up pretty late last night." Tim helped Mark bring the couch back up. "And we had a hell of a fight since you were bar hopping or whatever."

"We all make mistakes," said Lucyfer dismissively. "Now get this, Meredith has never shot a gun."

Mark looked over to me. "You haven't?"

"No," I said with a shrug.

"Well, I'll show ya', as soon as I get coffee in my system." He flopped on the couch and groaned.

"I will make more," said Tim, walking over to the kitchen.

I brought Mark some apples as Tim dumped out the cold coffee.

"Thanks, Meredith," Mark said smiling at me. "At least, somebody is nice around here," he glared over to Lucyfer who smirked.

"Yep," I said before returning to the kitchen to get a bottled water. Tim reset the coffee pot and gave it a new filter.

"Hey, Mark, how do you like them apples?" Lucyfer asked with a chuckle. She peacefully played some bass while lying on the ground.

"You're gonna pay for that later," said Mark, frowning in annoyance.

"Mark, Mark, you make me so scaaaaared," said Lucyfer in a sarcastic sing-song voice.

Mark threw one of the slices at her and missed.

Lucyfer ate the fallen slice with a grin. "Mark the Marksman had a nice shooting gaaaame," she continued to sing. "But when he threw apples he was laaaaame." She giggled and had to stop playing.

I shook my head and drank my water.

"You suck, Lucyfer," said Mark, shaking his head.

"And you swalloooooow..." said Lucyfer in a sing-song voice.

"My missing genitals," muttered Tim.

OhmyGod! My eyes widened and the water went into my nose as I choked. I was absolutely shocked and awed by Tim's sudden snark. As I cleared my throat, I started snickering. Tears ran down my face. "Oh that's so bad." I wiped off my face with a paper towel.

"Wait what just happened?" Lucyfer asked, sitting up from the floor.

"Are you okay?" Tim asked me.

"I was not expecting you to say that," I said, touching my face with a sigh.

"What did he say?" Lucyfer asked.

I glanced to Tim and couldn't help but start laughing again.

"Oh nothing," said Tim with a shrug.

Lucyfer folded her arms. "Apparently you just laid out a sick burn over there and Meredith is dying. What did you say?"

Tim muttered in a language I didn't recognize.

"Meredith, what did he say?"

"I can't. I can't," I said, shaking my head as I tried to stop laughing.

"Goddammit," said Lucyfer. "She's broken."

I held my sides. "Oh it hurts." Giggling, I walked over to my couch and lied down. As I winded down, I started coughing and tried to relax.

"What did he say, Meredith?"

I waved her away as my face started hurting. "I can't even right now."

Then, Lucyfer's phone started ringing. "I will have answers." She answered the phone. "What?" Lucyfer sighed and shifted uncomfortably.

Must be her parents...

"Ugh, I'm kinda busy right now," continued Lucyfer. "… Yes, well I'm a busy girl so-… Look, Ma, I can't tell you. It's business. I only discuss with my partners… What?... Aw man, you're kidding me. How the hell?-... How's Papa?... Fucking shit… I figured you'd be fine. Sorry… Uhh, I don't know. Sometime before I leave town I guess. Not a word to anyone, Ma… Ma, that's weird... I mean if it was just me… I doubt they're interested." She groaned and looked to us.

"What's up?" Mark asked.

"Somebody's been harassing my parents about me. No one associates the name Lucyfer with them. I owe them and she wants me to visit before I leave town. She's wondering if you guys want to come. Just say no… Ma… No, I'm not gonna put you on speaker. These are my friends… Fine…" She clicked a button on her phone and Tim walked over from the kitchen.

"Hello!" An older and friendly female voice spoke from the phone's speaker. "I'm Angel's mom, but you can call me Helen!"

"Hi, Helen," Mark and I said, awkwardly.

"Hello!" Tim said quickly.

"So, my Angel says you all aren't interested in a nice, home-cooked dinner after your big job. My husband Roy makes amazing pork chops.

...Shit. It's been a long time since I've had one of those… that's pretty sad...

"Angel's just embarassed," said Mark. "We'd love to come over if you'd have us."

"Wonderful!" said Helen.

"Mark!" Lucyfer hissed, disapprovingly.

"Sorry, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed," he hissed back. "And you're lucky to still have parents."

"Goddammit, Mark."

"So, your name is Mark?" Helen asked.

"Yes, Ma'am," said Mark. "We also got Meredith and Tim here. They're kinda quiet, but they're pretty nice people."

"Is Ollie not there?"

"Ollie never leaves her house, Ma," said Lucyfer. "She's agoraphobic."

"Oh. Perhaps we can make an extra plate for you to take over to her."

"She'd probably like that, thank you," said Mark.

"It's our pleasure. When can we set up a date?"

"Lucyfer?" Mark asked Lucyfer who was scowling.

"Such a clever name. It was Angel's stage name back when she was in that rock band."

"It's metal, Ma," said Lucyfer. "It's more hardcore than rock… but let's say... three weeks from today around six."

"Wonderful. I look forward to seeing all of you."

"We do, too," said Mark.

"Great… Angel... is that Mark your boyfriend? He sounds charming."

I snorted and Mark grinned.

Lucyfer turned bright red and took the speaker off. "No, Ma, and you were still on speaker when you said that!…" She walked away to the armory with her back to us, speaking quietly.

"Prince Charming," said Tim, looking over to Mark.

We snickered.

Lucyfer chucked what I assumed was a gun clip at Tim.

Tim easily caught the clip with one hand and tossed it back over to her.

She missed the catch and flipped him off before she returned to her phone call.

Smirking, Tim returned to the kitchen and got Mark a cup of coffee.

"Yeah, yeah," said Lucyfer. "Bye… yeah… I love you, too," she muttered quietly before hanging up. Then, she turned to us to glare. "Seriously, fuck all you orphans!"

"What did I do?" I asked, confused.

Lucyfer pointed at me. "You laughed."

"What's wrong with a bunch of friends gathering up to have dinner?" Mark asked. "They must miss you with how many times they call your sorry ass."

She folded her arms. "Whatever. It's done. You're all gonna meet my parents, Prince Charming! And maybe I'll tell you about our last Gotham heist later."

"Oh, don't be sore. I owed you for blowing out my eardrums. What's the target?"

"Nope," Lucyfer said, firmly. "Now all of you give me my space, I need to do a private conference with Ollie for planning purposes." She picked up her laptop and set it up in the kitchen.

"What are we supposed to do?" Mark asked.

"I don't know. Go outside and play... Take whatever you need and go."

I shrugged.

"I'll fire up that grill in the back and cook us up some burgers," said Mark. "You guys could grab the condiments and chips."

We sat out on the porch eating burgers and enjoying the scenery around us. None of us could guess what Lucyfer's next target could possibly be, but it had to be big. Tim started to show me a few moves while Mark decided to go fishing at the dock.

Eventually, Lucyfer came out and called us all in.

Tim and I headed in while Mark lagged behind. He had to reel in his line.

"Okay, so any ideas what we're going to be doing for this last heist?" Lucyfer asked.

"Rob a rich person?" I asked with a shrug.

"Of course. Wait, where's Mark?"

"He'll be here soon," said Tim, glancing back at the doors.

"Well, take a look." Lucyfer was very excited as she held up a paper for us. It was a photo of an ornate-looking, black key with an article next to it. "Playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne puts city keys on display in gala for key of city recipient GCPD Commissioner James Gordon."

"We're gonna steal a key?" Tim asked, confused.

"What?" Mark asked in confusion as he came in.

"Not just any key," said Lucyfer, "but a ceremonial key to Gotham City that R.I.P. DREAMS almost got for our service to the city. After the massacre, no one wanted to be associated, so they just handed our key to that pansy-ass Bruce Wayne who just added it to his collection of philanthropist awards."

"Okay, so it's sentimental and you want to make a statement?" Mark asked, looking at the paper.

"Dude, it's as long as my arm and is worth 50 million," said Lucyfer. "It's made out of platinum, obsidian, diamonds, and a ruby."

"Jesus Christ, aren't keys to the city usually made of plastic or steel?" I asked.

"That key was commissioned by a rich benefactor that loved my band's work. I think her name was Clara, but she died in the massacre…"

"Holy shit," said Mark. "But we're going to steal this during a gala?"

"Uh-huh. Security is gonna be tight and there will be a lot of people." Lucyferwalked over to the laptop, which showed Ollie by her marker board. There were several red squares and many black circles.

"Go ahead, Ollie," said Lucyfer.

"It will be held at the Royal Hotel ballroom," said Ollie. "The squares are the security display cases which are a similar brand to the one Meredith saw at Pinkney Museum. One bump on the glass and a silent alarm will go off, sending security running. Meredith and Lucyfer will sneak in as roadies for the jazz band, setting up speakers around the room. The speaker by the black key will have trouble. I personally modified it for this event. Lucyfer can guide Meredith through the basics of set up. Since the equipment is old, the numbers will have gone away, but Lucyfer will leave specific markings for different phases of the plan. Meanwhile, Mark and Tim will infiltrate security and help with any security problems that come. While the band is on break and leaving Lucyfer as the DJ, Lucyfer will play a few songs. Meredith will mess with the master speaker by the black key, pretending to troubleshoot it. In truth, she will turn the knob to a marked point and turn it on. When that's done. Everyone will need to put in their ear plugs. Lucyfer will come out stage and start shredding her guitar, distracting everyone in the audience with the very loud noise. When she hits a certain point that I have discussed with her, the glass will break." Ollie scratched a red marker on the square. "Meredith will be able to grab the key and run off the balcony in a paraglider. Tim will run and cover her. Mark will chase down Lucyfer through the kitchen and escape together. Everyone else will be too bothered by the continued resonance to do anything except run and cover their ears in pain."

"So it's like how singers can break glass with a long, high note?" Mark asked.

"Exactly, but with more science put behind it," said Ollie. "You see, it's more about the intensity of a frequency than a specific note. Everything has a specific frequency. When you meet that frequency and hold it, the object vibrates until it breaks. Singers tend to focus on crystal glass. Their ability to break it via sound requires skill, talent, and luck. If the crystal glass in question has miniscule cracks or flaws as some tend to have, that can make it easier to break. After some painstaking experiments, I have the frequency to break the security glass, which is significantly stronger."

"Fucking exciting, right?" Lucyfer asked. "Gives me a little closure from this place by re-earning what the band deserved. Then, we go down in history for breaking security glass with a fucking bass and the trouble speaker."

"Yeah, that's pretty awesome," said Mark.

"Very impressive, but could sound break the key?" I asked.

"Different frequency, Meredith," said Ollie. "Also, want a demonstration?"

"Yeah!"

Ollie wiped away the board and clicked at the projector so it showed a video of the display case twenty feet away from the camera. A man out in the woods gave a thumbs up and set up a speaker. The video was muted and the security glass shattered twenty seconds later.

"Damn," I said.

Lucyfer spoke. "We'll have this down to a perfect science. In the meantime, I will be in and out practicing my riff and working Meredith and me into sound."

"One more thing," I interjected. "Is the frequency going to seriously hurt anyone in the room?"

"Well," said Ollie, considering that. "It might hurt them if they're close to the speaker and don't have the common sense to get away from it… Anyways, Tim and Mark, I will be getting you into security. I have a contact from school that's gonna slip you in. I'll order uniforms and work out IDs for everyone. Meredith and Lucyfer will need to grab some-ugh, what do you call them, Lucyfer?"

"Blacks," said Lucyfer. "... all black attire... but the gala will want us to dress nice. No t-shirt and cargo pants." Lucyfer looked at me.

"No dresses either," I said, folding my arms and frowning. "If we're supposed to move and set up a bloody, sound system, I require pants."

"I don't know. If we gotta go with Plan B, I'm gonna need you to wear a pretty, black dress and sing loud enough to break the glass."

"No," I said. "I don't sing in front of people."

"Just in the shower when you think no one can hear you." She chuckled.

"Conversation over," I said, very uncomfortable. "What else needs to be done, Ollie?"

"That's about it," said Ollie. "Heal up and prepare yourselves for the heist as well as the usual cabin fever."

"Okay, thanks," I said.

"Man, you really cannot take a compliment sometimes," said Lucyfer, eyeing me.

"That was clearly a compliment with intent to tease," said Ollie. "Tends to come off a little less flattering than a straight-on compliment."

"Thank you," I said to Ollie.

"You're welcome."

"Can we really not discuss this?" Lucyfer asked. "I mean have you guys heard her sing?" She looked to Mark and Tim "I mean what did you think?"

"It was nice," said Tim.

"Yeah, it was very nice," said Mark. "But you seem to know very obscure songs that I've never heard before. Some of them would seem like one of the popular songs, but they're not."

"I... had a friend that gave me mix tapes of things he found and made," I lied with a shrug. "All I have now is memories since everything from my past life is gone."

"Well, maybe we could make a new mixtape sometime," said Mark. "Put together what you remember. Ollie and Lucyfer are really good at that stuff and Tim and I would love to help out."

"Absolutely," said Lucyfer.

"Yes," said Tim.

"Count me in as long as we're not in a ridiculous time crunch," said Ollie.

"Thanks, Guys," I said. "That's really nice of you to offer, but you don't have to."

"Nope, I just added it to my list of projects," said Ollie. "It's called Meredith Mixtape, by the Drifter Gang."

I smiled softly. That is supremely nice, but they might forget about it. I'll just see what happens. "I'll try to think of the ones I like and remember the most. Otherwise, I like the R.I.P. DREAMS albums."

"The best people do," said Lucyfer.

Mark snorted. "That's so pretentious."

Lucyfer pointed to Mark. "And you're pretentious for calling me pretentious."

Mark frowned. Likely questioning the logic of Lucyfer's statement.

She clapped her hands. "Okay, let's get drunk!"

We got that night and several nights after that. Tim and I stopped after the third day to focus on training. I got a little better at climbing and felt stronger over time. His speed was better, but I had occasional bouts of unpredictability.

Mark took me to the shooting range to practice. My ability was nowhere near as good as his, but he kept reassuring me that I could be better with practice. In the second week, he took Tim and me hunting in the woods on the West side. I aimed for a deer and I shot a bush instead. Mark and Tim managed to get one while I kept missing. I felt like such a loser. As we came over, Tim noticed a dead porcupine nearby. One of my bullets had nailed the poor guy right in the head. Shooting was exciting, but I preferred using my hands and knife to fight. Shooting made me nervous with how loud it was.

I picked up some black slacks with deep pockets; black, dress boots; and a nice, black shirt. Lucyfer also bought me a long-haired, black wig. The wig was for the sole purpose of seeing me with long hair and disguising me. I was going to be sweating to death on heist night.

On the day of the heist, Lucyfer and I set ourselves up at a temporary apartment. She helped me get the wig on perfectly so it would stay on. Lucyfer also gave me some natural makeup touches and braided the long, black wig.

"Okay, you're perfect," said Lucyfer

I got up from the chair and she sat down in front of the mirror. "Do me now."

"Me?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Do me like a roadie."

I snorted.

"Well… if you want to," she said, winking.

I shook my head and brushed her hair into a firm ponytail with a few bobby pins to secure loose hairs. Then, I did my best to do a natural makeup with soft pink lipstick to match her fading red streaks in her hair. It was not often that I did someone else's makeup.

"Hey, you're not too bad," she said, surprised. "How come you don't do makeup more often?"

"Makeup costed money I couldn't afford and a lot of the time I didn't have much patience for it. I mostly reserved it for special occasions."

"Well, nothing more special than receiving a ceremonial key," said Lucyfer, grinning up at me. "So you ready to go?"

"Whenever you are."

"Let's go!"

We headed over to pick up the equipment and set up over at the Royal Hotel's ballroom. A really buff security guard eye-balled us, practically daring us to steal the keys. He was also likely questioning our career paths as women, too. We set up the speakers, subwoofers, amps, microphones, and the mixer for the DJ desk. As we finished basic checks, the musicians eventually walked in for a rehearsal/sound check. It was an okay, jazz band, but I much preferred the blues. Lucyfer balanced out the sound with ease. I followed her around like a puppy that didn't really know what else to do. As the musicians took a break, we walked over to the speaker by the black key.

The security guard casually imposed his presence by standing closer to us.

Lucyfer rolled her eyes. We crouched down by the speaker.

"Okay, if this speaker gives us trouble, I want you to turn it up to here." She pointed to a red notch by a knob. "You got ear buds just in case?" She asked, popping a piece of gum in her mouth.

"Yep."

"Wonderful." She offered me some gum and I took it.

"Trouble with the equipment?" The guard asked us, stepping closer and towering over us.

We stood back up.

"Rented equipment can always be troublesome," said Lucyfer, dismissively. "But it's not like it's gonna blow up or something. It just might lose connection because it's temperamental." She blew a bubble. "But I doubt anyone would notice anyway. If it don't go well, I gotta report it to the rental and they're gonna scrap it."

"I see."

I noticed that his tag said "Bolton". He had to be in his late thirties or so.

"Do you have a problem, Sir?" Lucyfer asked, clearly getting a bit annoyed.

"Not sure I like your tone... Nancy," said Bolton, reading Lucyfer's name tag and folding his arms.

Wait a minute… as in Lyle Bolton?! Lock-Up Bolton? Super hot headed and extremely judgemental guard?!

"Not sure I like yours either... Bolton," said Lucyfer, reading his name tag.

"Guys, guys, we're all just trying to do our jobs here," I piped up. "Staff members get along better when they work together and trust that they know how to do their job. We got some more mixing to do and you probably have your own security rounds you gotta make. Remember, it's just a one-night gig."

Bolton gave me a look and then looked over to Lucyfer. "Stay out of trouble." He walked away.

Lucyfer popped her gum. "Prick," she muttered and we walked over to the DJ table to continue working. "Why do I feel like I know that name? Bolton?"

"I think he was a prison guard," I murmured. "Lock-up Lyle."

She chuckled. "Nice. Might have to tell security about him. That guy's trouble."

"Mmm-hmm."

Lucyfer pulled out her phone and started texting as we sat down at the DJ table. Catering started to show up to finish dressing up tables and roll out a pyramid of champagne as well as an swan, ice sculpture. The Jazz band warmed up and started playing as Bruce Wayne showed up. Bruce Wayne looked the place over. He had slicked-back dark hair, a strong chin, and was buff as a man could get. His tuxedo looked sharp on him.

Bruce Wayne gave the band a thumbs up and nodded to us with a smile.

Lucyfer nodded as well.

I pretended not notice him and acted like I was messing with controls.

"God, I want to hit him," Lucyfer murmured to me, smiling like she was saying something nice.

I covered my mouth and chuckled.

"Do you think he's cute?"

"He's built like a skyscraper," I said dryly.

"Or a sculpture... with that chin. He's walking over here."

"Great," I said sarcastically.

"I gotta piss," Lucyfer said, leaving me at the table.

"What? No!" I hissed.

Lucyfer headed away and winked at me.

Bruce Wayne walked up to me and held out his hand. "Hello there," he said with a deep charismatic voice. "Bruce Wayne."

"Hi," I said softly. Please do not recognize me… I shook his hand firmly and looked at his blue eyes despite my timidness.

"What's your name?"

"Oh, it's uh M-Mel Brooks, but call me Mel, Mr. Wayne."

"Nice to meet you, Mel. Call me Bruce. I've never seen you two with this band before."

"Well, we're filling in for the usual folks," I said, with a shrug. "Nancy who just left is the soundmaster, I'm still learning from her. I know how to hook things up and everything, but I'm still figuring out the mixer stuff."

"Well, you probably know more than me."

I shrugged. "It's not too hard the more you practice, but I suppose that could be said about anything."

"True… and I noticed that one speaker over there isn't working."

I sighed. "Yeah, it's been through some abuse over the years. Jesus Christ. We would've grabbed another one if we knew ahead of time. Between you and me were kind of hoping that no one would notice the issue and at least respect the symmetrical placement of the speakers. I mean if it really bothers you we can unplug it and pull out all the laid-down cable-"

"Oh no, it's all right. Just making sure you knew."

"Great. As Nancy would say, the day we don't notice is the day we go deaf."

He chuckled. "Where did she run off to?"

"The Ladies' room. Must be giving herself a little powder."

"Gotcha."

"Are all those keys over there yours?" I asked, pointing to the cases.

"Mine and a few family heirlooms as well. The Wayne's have long prided themselves on making Gotham City a better place."

"Wow."

"Bruce!" called a woman's voice

"Well, I better start greeting guests," said Bruce Wayne, "but it was good to talk with you, Mel."

"Thanks, Mr. Wayne-er-Bruce."

He walked over to met a woman and kissed her cheek.

I looked down at my feet.

Lucyfer eventually returned and sat down. "So, how'd it go?"

"It was fine if you think me stuttering and rambling is fine," I said, somewhat bitter. I hope he did not recognize us.

"What did you talk about?"

"He didn't recognize us as the regular sound people of this band, asked if I knew that "trouble" speaker wasn't working, and I asked him if all those keys were his."

"Hmm, very boring. You should've told him that he looks like a skyscraper."

I kept a straight face. "I am a professional… not a flirty, fan girl."

"The flirty, fan girl inside of you is screaming right now."

I snorted. "He just does a lot for the city if you ignore the playboy stuff he does."

"Like what?"

"Creates jobs, funds businesses and causes throughout town. He's not like Penguin who is always out to turn a profit. He genuinely cares about this city and its people. You can tell."

"Not enough to give me what was rightfully mine," Lucyfer murmured.

I sighed. "Yeah, I guess you have a point there."

We remained at the table for a long while and Lucyfer adjusted sound as needed. After a while, the jazz band took a break. Commissioner Gordon was awarded a key to the city by the Mayor. Then, Lucyfer started playing jazzy songs for the band's break. As the third song began, she nodded to me and I started walking across the gala floor towards the trouble speaker. I kept my head down and politely spoke when I needed to walk through people. Then, a man bumped into me, making me knock into Commissioner Gordon who spilled his drink on himself.

SHIT!

"Oh God, I'm so sorry, Commissioner Gordon," I said, covering my mouth. Please don't somehow recognize my face.

"Oh it's all right," he said. "I saw what happened." The commissioner eyed the guy who bumped into me. I looked too and the guy was rushing off somewhere.

I looked back at Commissioner Gordon and saw I spilled on his shirt.

He saw it too and pulled out a handkerchief, starting to dab at it.

"It might help take it out a bit if you dilute it with water in the restroom," I said. "Works for me on carpet. Just pour water on it while it's still wet and press it with a dry towel to absorb the liquid. Don't rub it."

"I think I'll try that. Thanks-" He looked at my nametag. "Mel."

"Welcome, Sir, and I'm sorry."

"It's fine. If you didn't do it, then I might've done it later." He started walking to the restroom and I approached the trouble speaker. Kneeling down, I pulled out my earplugs and jammed them into my ears. I felt myself shaking a bit as I adjusted a knob and turned it on. Here we go.

Then, I gave Lucyfer a thumbs up. She mess with some things on the mixer and hopped up on the stage with her bass. The music slowly faded out and she plugged her bass in. "Hello, Gotham City!" Lucyfer called out on the mic.

Everyone turned to her, surprised and confused.

"I got a number just for you."

I stepped away from the speaker casually.

Lucyfer started riffing on the bass hardcore. Everyone covered their ears. Some ran while others didn't know what to do. I did the same as the speaker started making the whole place rumble, or maybe it was just my skin crawling. What was in that speaker?

Then, Lucyfer hit that vibration frequency and the glass started cracking. I mentally prepared myself for the jump.

Then, the sound was suddenly interrupted by a gunshot and screams.

Lucyfer was suddenly holding her shoulder. Looking over, I saw the shooter was by the entrance. It was the Joker, who was backed by twenty or so thugs.

Oh no… this is very very bad...

Everyone started running back from him and I got against the wall. As several people stepped on my toes, I cursed and pushed them forward. I miss my steel toed boots...

The thugs started shooting and shouted for the screamers to shut up as they continued to back into me.

"Lucyfer from R.I.P. DREAMS everyone, give her a hand," said the Joker as he strolled up towards the stage. "She's gonna need one. Hahahahahahahahaha!"

"Suck off, you cunt-muffin!" said Lucyfer in the mic.

"Tsk tsk tsk, such rude language. Papa spank." Joker aimed his gun at Lucyfer.

Tim lunged from the crowd, and Joker shot at him. The other thugs followed suit, but it took several bullets before Tim fell at Joker's feet.

"Lucyfer!" I shouted in the back of the civilian herd, making heads turn and look at me. "Play your guitar!" I shouted.

Lucyfer blinked out of her glaring trance and started playing. The place started shaking again and everyone covered their ears.

I pushed my way forward in the crowd. When I reached the front, I saw Joker was ferociously beating Tim with a bat. It was like the extreme sound was hurting his ears to the point he was angry and lashing out.

Thugs started pointing their guns at Lucyfer and running to her. Mark started shooting them down.

I ran over to the Joker while his back was turned. Then, Joker saw me coming and took a swing, knocking me to the ground. My earplugs popped out, and my ears rang and hurt. Quickly, I covered my ears to protect them from the sound of the bass.

The sound of the bass guitar suddenly stopped. People sighed with relief. I had no idea what stopped it.

"Who do you think you are, sneaking up on Mr. J like that, Kiddo?" Joker asked with a chuckle.

Speechless, I crawled back as he came closer and closer with the bat. It's all gone wrong again. Why? Why does it have to go this wrong again?

"Nothing to say, eh? Sorry about your boyfriend, but sometimes we gotta resolve things like men."

"You're not a man," I said as I struggled to my feet.

"Ohoho, what am I then? A beast? A lunatic? I would really love to know!" He swung at me and I dodged.

"You're a pathetic, sick joke of a human being. A real man wouldn't do the shit you do."

He laughed at me. "Good lord. What do you think a real man is, Sweetie? A knight in shining armor that goes to work and comes home to his sweet family day after day only to get his face beaten in by some pathetic, sick joke while the family home is going up in flames?"

"Honestly, anyone that doesn't smack around his girlfriend and hurt innocent people like an uneducated and uncultured blockhead."

"Oh, this is rich coming from a thief."

"It's sad really."

"Sad as a thief getting her head bashed in?" Joker swung at me again. I caught the bat and kicked him in the nuts.

"Ooh feisty," he squeaked. "As he got back, thugs started running in and I started beating them with a bat. I took a few bullets from the ones wielding guns and managed to beat them to submission. Breathing heavily, I leaned against the broken, black key case. Joker was approaching me again and I groaned.

"Babycakes, you need to take it easy and smell the roses," said the Joker before he touched his flower, squeezing out acid.

I quickly ducked down and I felt burning on my shoulder. "FUCK!" I shouted. Then, I swept his legs out, knocking him down to the ground. Grabbing, his green hair, I smacked his face on the floor several times as hard as I could

He giggled between hits and on the fourth one he spoke. "Daddy, I didn't do it. Hehe."

I dropped him on the ground and got up to look at the black key. It was partially melted by the acid.

Goddamn it… Lucyfer is gonna be pissed.

I picked up the melted key with a handkerchief and put in my bag. As long as they know we took the key, I guess.

Then, Joker suddenly leapt up and stabbed me in the chest by my heart.

"MEREDITH!" I heard Mark shout.

My lips parted in surprise. I dropped the bag on the ground as Joker pinned me against the glass.

"You got heart, Kiddo. Maybe a little too much." He cackled. Blood and pain ran down my torso as he twisted the blade.

My eyes widened as the pain intensified. I reached for a piece of broken glass behind me as he continued to laugh. Then, I stabbed him with some sharp glass.

He stepped back, looking at the wound in his side. Then, he looked up to me. Before he could speak, a large dark shape tackled him to the ground.

I put my bag on my shoulders and sauntered to Mark who was had Tim over his shoulder. He waved his gun at the terrified crowd of rich people and public figures. "Stay back!"

Batman threw a batarang towards Mark. I attempted to catch it. Both my shoulders still hurt, so I only managed to deflect it from its intended path.

"Let's go!" I shouted, running to the balcony.

Mark followed with Tim over his shoulder and I looked back for Lucyfer.

Robin was trying to separate Lucyfer and thugs who were currently at each other's throats. Batman was running after Mark, Tim, and me. This is gonna hurt.

Stopping, I turned and held up one hand. Reaching my pocket with the other, I pulled a grenade pin.

He tackled me to the ground and I struggled with him. Since he was stronger and nowhere near as hurt as me, he pinned me easily.

"What's in my pocket?" I said softly.

He frowned.

The grenade went off in my pocket, blasting him back off me. My ears rang and I did not feel good. Oh… that was a bad idea… Fuck me...

Lucyfer ran over to me and I couldn't hear what she was saying, but she was upset and screaming at me. She pulled me to my feet and helped me hobble to the balcony even though I really did not want to. Mark was still waiting for us with Tim on his back. When Mark saw me, he looked absolutely horrified. Lucy threw smoke bombs down and pulled me over the ledge.

I hung onto her and we parachuted down to the streets below. Mark and Tim went down with us and we tumbled down through an alley to make our escape. We limped along and ducked into a factory and heard the squealing noise of a vehicle speeding off. If all went as planned, they would chase that vehicle instead of hunting for us. Granted, Batman might be in no shape to chase us right now.

We hid in the old office and sat quietly on the floor like we were in lockdown.

My hearing started to come back. I lied on the floor, bleeding heavily.

Mark started quickly working on patching Tim and me up. In the very least, he was stopping all the bleeding.

"Meredith?" Lucyfer asked, hovering over me. "Can you hear me?"

"Now I can," I said.

"What the fuck were you thinking?"

"I don't want to go to Arkham… but I sincerely regret it now."

"How the fuck are you still alive?!" Mark hissed. "Let alone conscious?"

"Well, it did mostly hit my leg… It was originally in my pocket. I don't know. Sometimes, I'm lucky."

"I guess. Holy shit."

"Shh," said Lucyfer. We all listened intently, hearing sirens of police cars coming.

"Can someone pull this wig off?" I asked, not wanting to move my arms.

"Yeah." Lucyfer started messing with my wig, pulling out bobby pins.

When we felt safe enough to move around, we started putting on mechanic jumpsuits over our clothes. Then, we hopped into our white, getaway van and Mark drove us off. Lucyfer was in the passenger seat and I lied in the back with Tim.

We traded out the van with the brown, safehouse jeep and headed on home.

Lucyfer helped me finish patch up as I sat on a chair while Mark patched up Tim on the medical cot. We all changed into clean summer clothes.

"Did anyone happen to get the key?" Lucyfer asked as she started calling Ollie on the laptop.

"I did," I said reluctantly as I finished putting gauze on my leg. "But it got some acid damage when the Joker sprayed his flower at me." I showed her the key.

Her face tensed and a vein started popping up in her forehead. She looked like she was about to explode. Lucyfer took the key and studied it as she waited for Ollie to answer.

After a long silence, Ollie finally answered the video call.

"Jesus," Ollie said, seeing me in front. "What happened?" She adjusted her glasses.

"Nothing good," I said sadly.

"ABSOLUTE-FUCKING-DISASTER!" Lucyfer shouted. Absolutely livid, she threw the key into a corner and paced around the room.

"What happened, Meredith?" Ollie asked me.

"Joker showed up, followed by Batman," I explained. "Had to run from the scene. Tim is seriously injured and I kinda am, too. I mean we're all hurting really." I popped some pain pills and drank some water.

Ollie sighed. "Goddammit."

"THIS IS THE LAST GODDAMN STRAW!" Lucy said, red in the face. "WE ARE GOING TO GET HIM AND WE ARE GOING TO GET HIM GOOD!"

"Lucyfer, no," said Ollie, firmly.

"What do you mean no?" Mark asked, with sparks of anger in his brown eyes.

"You promised, Lucyfer."

"Ollie, he deliberately fucked with our last heist in town!" Lucyfer shouted.

"How would he even know about the heist?!" Ollie asked, getting irritated.

"I don't fucking know, but I am so done! I want him and all his thugs dead! Who else is with me?" Lucyfer stopped and looked around the room.

"Me," said Mark, coldly.

They all looked to me.

I sighed. "I just want to get out of this psychotic town before something worse happens."

"Where's the fight in you, Meredith?" Lucyfer asked astonished. "You murdered a rapist in cold blood. Tore him limb from limb! But you run into a maniac that has murdered hundreds, nearly killed us all-Tim might be breathing his last breath over there- A misogynistic, sadistic, fucking clown! And you want to do is to turn tail and run like a fucking coward?"

I inhaled, getting irritated. "Okay, I just took a grenade so we could all escape from Batman! And I managed to get the goddamn key you wanted." I said, angry. "He probably wants you to do to strike back, Lucyfer. He wants you to come in, guns blazing and try to fuck with him. Fuck that clown's games! If we don't get out now, this place will rip us apart. That's what happens when you stay here."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"This place is not a place of happy endings, Lucyfer. Your whole life was destroyed when you came back home. All the worst things of my life happened in this place. I see it in the people around me, getting dragged down by the madness and sadness that's never gonna stop. If Joker goes down, he'll try to take us with him. Let's just get out while we still can."

"Thank you, Meredith," said Ollie. "At least someone has some goddamn sense..."

"You know what? Fuck you, Ollie," said Lucyfer. "You sit safely in the comfort of your home while we face all the danger because you're too chicken-shit to leave your own house."

"Whoa, wait, no," piped up Ollie. "Fuck you, Lucyfer! This chicken-shit has been a guide for every big heist you've ever done. Without me, you'd still be stealing cars out of garages. And fuck me if I don't want you all walking into a fucking shoot out. Meredith has a fucking point and you're too full of anger and hurt pride to recognize sense. Meredith and I were both in Arkham and we know that insanity all too well. He loves attention and doesn't stop for anything."

"So we should just let him do whatever he wants?!" Mark snarled. "Not even try to fight him back?! He is just a man!"

"He's an evil psychopath with a psychotic girlfriend and an army of thugs!" Ollie countered. "We are a small gang of thieves: two able-bodied hotheads, one that can barely walk, one bed-ridden, and an agoraphobic. You're ready to massacre all those people at the risk of losing everything, Mark?"

"Those aren't people, Ollie," said Lucyfer. "Those are a bunch of muscle-heads and psychotics that deserve to die for the shit they've done! Each of us are worth ten of them!"

I massaged my temples with my fingers. This can't keep going...

"You're willing to sacrifice everything over a heist gone wrong?!" Ollie retorted. The safety and well-being of this entire crew when you'd be better off leaving this miserable place for good? Do you know what they'll do to you if they catch you? They won't just shoot you. They will torture and butcher all of you! How badly do you want to die? Jesus Christ, Lucyfer!"

"The suffering won't stop until they're dead, Ollie," said Mark. "And by Meredith's logic, since you stay here, you run the risk of being attacked by the likes of them. Would you just want us to forget that? Just find someone else to replace you?"

"I don't live in the fucking city, you moron! I sit safely in the comfort of my own home, remember?"

"Moron?" Lucyfer asked, folding her arms. "At least, Mark has the balls to attack his enemy head on. You try to get away with mailing a nail bomb to the Scarecrow. What do you call that?"

"Tactical... smart, because I actually use my brain instead of just bouncing around blowing up on everything that makes me the slightest bit angry. I don't starve for attention to feed my over-inflated ego."

"Say that to my face, you quivering cunt!"

"That's enough," I said.

"But you can't," said Lucyfer, ignoring me. "Because you're too pathetic to leave your home. You have a fucking safety protocol that makes your entire house blow up if anyone tries to break in and get you. You're useless in a real fight. You can't kill the Scarecrow because you can't fight your own bullshit fears and get him yourself."

"How well did killing the Joker go for you last time?" Ollie asked, coldly. "While your band friends and fans were getting slaughtered? How many nights did you go to sleep with your pillow drenched in tears because you weren't strong enough to beat him and save them?"

"You take that back," said Lucyfer, darkly.

"It only hurts because it's true."

Lucyfer shook with rage and put on her coat. "I'm gonna make you blow up your fucking house."

"Whatever allows you release your angst like a teenage girl because you can't do shit about the source!"

I got up and grabbed Lucyfer's shoulder. "Lucyfer, don't!" I begged.

"Let go of me!" She shouted at me before shoving me away.

It's really come to this?

"I want her to come over!" Ollie said.

"I'm fucking coming!" Lucyfer kept walking away from me, towards the door.

"That's enough!" I shouted before I grabbed her arm and yanked her down on the floor.

"Fuck off, Meredith! Lucyfer snarled as she struggled to get up. "I'm murdering someone tonight!"

I stood between her and the door. "No, there's been enough of that, tonight."

She glared at me. "You think you can stop me? Fucking try!"

"Lucyfer..." said Mark, trying to calm her..

"Shut up, Mark." She charged at me.

Holding my ground, I hooked her across the face as hard as I could. The impact laid her out across the floor with a thump.

"Now, sit there, and listen," I said as firmly as I could, really feeling that punch in my shoulder.

"Why? Are you suddenly the leader now?" Lucyfer asked, rubbing her face before she leapt to her feet again. "Show me your bite, you bitch."

"What's happening, Mark?" Ollie asked, since the laptop was facing away from us.

Lucyfer attacked again, but this time she hit me really hard in my cheek. I hit her back and we started catfighting the shit out of each other. Neither of us were backing down even though we were both in a great deal of pain. She scratched my neck. I pulled her hair. She kicked my face. I socked her gut.

"Meredith, Lucyfer, stop!" said Mark, running up to us.

"No, this is happening right here right now!" Lucyfer shouted before kicking Mark in the balls.

He groaned and got back, holding his groin.

I took the opportunity to tackle her to the hard ground with an uff. The impact on her head left her dazed. Quickly, I grabbed her arms and held them down as I sat on top of her. I pinned her legs under mine.

She realized what was happening and spat blood at my face, attempting to distract me.

I winced as the spit ran down my face, but I held on. Her writhing, thin body was no match against the distribution of my weight and grip.

"Let go of me!" She shouted at me, breathing hard.

"I'll bet she went down like a bitch," said Ollie as Mark lied on the ground, still holding his groin.

"Shut the fuck up, Ollie! " I shouted breathlessly at the computer screen.

Ollie blinked, taken aback. "...Meredith, I'm on your side..."

"My side is the Drifter gang side, Ollie," I said, catching my breath. "We're all fucking angry as hell... but we're also scared." I looked down to Lucy. "I know how much you've suffered because of Joker. Ollie and I don't want anything else to happen because he's unpredictable as hell. Mark and you want to murder Joker so he never can hurt anyone again because he's still just a man. We all got our opinions, but we're missing one last vote here." I nodded over to Tim. "When Tim wakes up, we can reach a majority rule and work to the same goal. We all go after him with a strategy or we all leave this town. Can we all agree to that?" I looked up to Ollie and Mark.

Ollie sighed. "Yeah I guess."

"Yeah," said Mark with a tight voice.

I met Lucyfer's dark brown eyes that still glared up to me.

"I know Ollie said some pretty mean shit," I said. "But you did, too."

"What if Tim doesn't wake up?" Lucyfer sneered.

"We'll think of something else if it comes to that, but now we're done." I waited a moment and let go of Lucyfer's hands. Then, I wiped her bloody spit off my face.

She lied there for a moment and hit me one more time across the face.

I didn't hit back. Some people just need the last strike.

"Get off of me," said Lucyfer, relatively calm but still aggravated.

I got off of her and offered a hand up.

Lucyfer looked away from me, remaining still on the ground.

"Okay," I said, wiping my bloody knuckles on my pants. "I'm sorry for hitting you."

She wiped away the blood trickling from her mouth. "Whatever..."

I closed the laptop and walked over to Mark. "You need some ice?"

"Yep..." Mark said,breathlessly.

I walked over to the freezer and got him a bag of frozen peas. Mark held the frozen bag on his groin and closed his eyes.

Then, I approached Tim to see how he was doing on the medical cot. He still seemed to be unconscious after all our squabbling and fighting.

Get better soon ... please. We're at war with ourselves without you.

I touched his forehead. He seemed to be normal, temperature-wise, but I wasn't a doctor or nurse. Useless. Sighing, I limped towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Mark asked.

"Gonna get some air," I said, feeling fatigued. I walked outside. Everything was only lit by the moonlight and the nearby lights of the city across the bay. This time, I decided to walk all the way down to our dock. I pulled off my boots and socks, sticking my sweaty and aching feet in the cold water. It made me inhale a bit at first, but I settled into it as I relaxed my breathing. I gazed towards the bright city skyscrapers and listened to the sounds of the water, crickets, and frogs.

With Gotham nearby, I can't help but think of things that might lurk in the water... Killer Croc... snakes...

But after that fight, I almost wouldn't care if something tried to drag me under. It's been such a miserable night. This goddamn place and all its drama...

I lied down on the dock to stare at the moonlit sky. There weren't many stars because we were still close to the city.. It made me miss the countryside where you could see millions of stars... the grassy plains that waved in the wind for miles and miles, reminding me that nature was alive and breathing with me. Mindlessly, I gently waved my feet around in the water, letting my mind go to the serenity above me. My eyes slowly closed and relaxed. The pain I felt in all my wounds started hurting less.

Then, I felt someone touching my face, patting it gently.

Groggy, I opened my eyes and saw Harley Quinn looking down at me with no makeup. Her face was upside down from my perspective and her blonde hair was dangling in my face.

"What happened to you?" She asked me with her high, Jersey accent voice.

"Huh?" I said. She must not know I fought the Joker earlier.

"Harley, let's go," said a seductive, female voice. "They're coming."

I looked over to see Poison Ivy standing in the boat. Her radiant, red hair was almost black in the moonlight while her green skin looked gray. I felt my heart beat a little faster. Pheromones. It's just pheromones.

Then, I looked over to the woods and saw flashlights. There were dogs barking. Aw shit. No time to hide in the basement. "Oh no. No no no no," I groaned.

"Leave her," said Poison Ivy.

"Yeah," I agreed, weakly sitting up. "Row for 100 feet and then start the motor. Otherwise they'll hear you. I'm just gonna hide under the dock."

"But that water is cold," protested Harley.

"That's my problem."

"Wait, why are you hiding?" Poison Ivy asked.

"I escaped a year ago."

"See, Red," said Harley. "She's like us. Do you know the water pretty well, Missy?"

"I guess," I said with a weak shrug.

"Get in the boat. We'll row."

I sighed, not wanting to argue anymore, and stepped in the boat by the motor.

Harley sat next to Ivy.

I released the line holding the boat. "Start rowing southwest."

"Where?"

"That way," I said, pointing southwest.

"Well, why didn't you say so?" They started rowing together and I watched the flashlights in the trees. Please don't see us.

"You didn't answer her question earlier," said Poison Ivy.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Why are you injured?"

"Some clown thugs beat me up."

"Yeah, the boys are pretty rough," said Harley with a chuckle.

"Even so, I guarantee all those assholes will be feeling it tomorrow if they aren't already."

"Was Mr. J there?"

"Yeah, hit me with some acid and beat up my friend. Fucking dick."

"Yes, but he's my fucking dick."

I guess… I shook my head. "Doesn't he… abuse you?"

"All the time," said Poison Ivy, grimacing.

"Not all the time," said Harley, defensive. "And it's just tough love. I can take it."

"It's not a question of if you can, Harl. It's a question if you should. That's the only reason I let you out tonight. You promised you wouldn't run back to him again."

"I know. I'm not. I'm just- I can't drop him like he's nothin', Red. It's hard."

"Like an addiction?" I suggested.

"Yeah, she gets it." Harley gestured to me.

"I just don't see how anything about the Joker could be pleasurable," said Poison Ivy. "I mean look at her," she pointed to me. "Look what he did."

"She's not me."

"I've seen you looking worse with a bunch of broken ribs."

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm gonna turn on the motor," I said, getting tired of the argument. Then, I turned on the motor and sped off to the south end of the city. We went by Blackgate and approached a beach south of the city on the mainland.

I turned the motor off and let the momentum keep us moving forward toward the beach.

"Where are we?" Harley asked.

"South of Gotham City on the mainland," I said. "It's safer than the docks."

"Thank you kindly, Stranger," said Poison Ivy.

"What's your name anyway?" Harley asked.

"Meredith," I said. We pulled up to shore, hopped out, and pulled the boat in. I stepped on something sharp. "Ow!"

I sat in the grass, holding my foot as it had a piece of glass sticking out of it. Carefully, I pulled it out. The bleeding was slowing rather quickly and I covered my foot with my hand, sighing. I wish this would work a little faster with everything else I'm feeling.

"Humanity loves to litter," said Poison Ivy bitterly.

Sighing, I got up and I started pushing the boat back out.

"Whoa where are you goin'?" Harley asked.

"I'm just gonna chill on the boat. I've had enough trouble in the city for tonight." I got in the boat with a grunt. My muscles were so sore and tender. I had to lie down for a moment.

"Before you go," said Poison Ivy. "What were you in for at Arkham?"

"Suicide, severe depression," I said as I gazed up to the sky while lying on my back.. "I attempted while I was in Blackgate for theft so they sent me to Arkham. I've gotten better since I left."

"Hmm."

"Wait a minute, I remember!" Harley exclaimed.

I sat up, concerned. "What?" Poison Ivy and I asked.

"You're the one that killed that creep Dr. Giovanni, aren't you? Meredith Storm?"

"Um, yeah?" I answered, cautiously.

"They love you over in the female ward. After I asked about your name being written wall on several walls, a bunch of 'em would not shut up after I asked. You're like a goddess of vengeance to them."

"Oh." I smiled softly. Aww… "Well, it was a group effort, really, but I did orchestrate it."

"Who's Dr. Giovanni?" Poison Ivy asked.

"He liked to drug up the women and rape them in the female ward," I explained.

"She got a bunch of girls together and cut him to pieces while playing some opera in the background," said Harley.

"Mozart's Don Giovanni from Amadeus Arkham's record collection," I said with a smirk. "Too tempting to ignore."

Poison Ivy smirked. "Nice," she said.

"I thought so, too."

"But why did you cut him to pieces?"

"I wanted to leave a bloody mess and make him feel the agony we felt. The sensation of falling apart piece by piece by feelings you cannot silence."

"You're a real poet," said Harley. "They miss ya'."

"I hear the care has gotten a bit better since I left," I said.

"Eh, somewhat. Mostly more security. Some doctors are good, but can't get better if you don't wanna."

I nodded.

"Kill anyone else since?"

Eh… "Mostly random thugs that attack and try to mug me. My reputation is probably nothing compared to you two. I'm just a thief."

"Maybe compared to my reputation," said Poison Ivy, "but apparently you beat Harley's in the female ward."

"I guess… Damn."

There was a long pause. No one seemed to know what to say.

"Well, we all better part ways," said Poison Ivy after a while. "Best of luck, Meredith."

"To you both as well," I said. "Don't let the man get ya' down." I winked.

They chuckled.

"Never," said Poison Ivy.

"See ya' around," said Harley, waving.

I waved back and I turned the motor back on. As they headed off, I sped on back to the dock past Blackgate prison. As I approached the other side of the bay, I scanned for those men with flashlights and dogs. There wasn't anyone out in the woods that I could see or hear. It took me a little to find the dock, but I eventually found it. Lucyfer was sitting at the dock, possibly waiting for me. She was all wet and shivering next to my boots that also looked wet.

I turned off the motor and tied up the boat.

"I kicked your boots into the water because you had me worried," Lucyfer said without looking at me. "Then, I felt bad so I got in, and pulled them out. That water is fucking freezing by the way."

"Okay," I said as I climbed onto the dock. So damn tired.

"Where the hell did you go?" She asked, not getting up. "There were authorities searching through the woods with dogs."

"Yeah, I left so I wouldn't get spotted." I stood on the dock, needing to stand for a bit after sitting for so long.

"Did you see who they were looking for?"

"Poison Ivy," I said, not exactly lying. "Ferried her across the bay."

"Oh," she said. "Who the hell is that?"

"Due to a freak accident, she can manipulate plants and has a poison kiss. Also, emits pheromones that will manipulate men and some women. Loves plants more than people. Radiant red hair and green eyes."

"Huh. Are you asylum buddies?"

"No. I never saw the high security people."

Lucyfer nodded. "Right. You said that before... can you sit down? You just standing there is freaking me out."

"Yeah." I sat down next to her, sticking my feet in the water. "You want my jacket? You look like you're about to freeze to death."

She looked at my feet in the water and back to me. "Yes, I would love the remnants of your ridiculous, body heat."

Smirking, I took off my jacket and held it out to her.

Lucyfer quickly took off her wet jacket and huddled in my jacket. "How can you act so nice to me after that fight?"

"Fresh air helps a lot," I said with a shrug.

"I guess. Jeez. You're making me feel even more like shit."

"Would you feel better if I pushed you in the water?"

"Don't even joke about that shit, Meredith."

I snickered.

We sat in silence for a good while. I gazed at the water waving my feet back and forth. "How's Mark?" I asked after a bit.

"Worrying his head off. Kept nagging me to go after you. Telling me that I was a fucking bitch and should kiss and make up with Ollie, too... I mostly got out of that basement so I didn't have to listen to him piss and moan anymore.

"Sure," I said with a shrug.

"I just had a fucking cat fight with you and I feel so much better with you than him right now. I mean aren't you mad?"

"During the fight I was angry, but I'm mostly scared that this whole thing will rip us apart. I'm afraid of sinking into dark depression I lived in before I met you guys... Hating myself for not fighting for the well-being of this group when I had the chance. I'm scared we'll get stuck here and never leave, going mad or dying horrible deaths."

"How can you be so sure that would happen after we massacre the Joker gang?"

"You grew up in this city, Lucyfer. Surely you've seen your fair share of lives gone wrong."

"Well why can't things go wrong for the Joker?"

"They do all the time."

"How?"

"Well whatever happened to him that made him into who he was for example? Batman shows up and ruins his evil plans all the time, beats the living hell out of him. I mean granted he loves the attention, but it's pretty shitty when you can't run around willy-nilly. His girlfriend sometimes leaves him and makes him jealous... I'm pretty damn sure he's going to get himself killed on his own terms."

"How can you be sure if he's so unpredictable?"

Should I tell her?... I groaned. "This is going nowhere. What matters is that we wait for Tim's vote and we don't pressure him."

"Fine."

I sighed and we sat quietly in bitter silence, not looking at each other.

"...I'm sorry I turned into a bitch earlier... I really like you, Kid. Maybe if I knew you when I was growing up, I wouldn't be such a shitty person."

I shook my head. "No. I was a bit of a snob when I was a kid. I liked books more than I liked people because people didn't like how quiet I was."

"Dude, I've always hated people. You sound awesome."

"You would've thought I was a prude."

"Well, you'd be my prude." Lucyfer bumped her arm against mine.

I shook my head and smirked, rubbing my eyes.

"What are you thinking?" She asked, looking at me.

"I'm tired as fuck and I hurt all over."

"I'm all that and kinda cold. Maybe Mark will quit being butthurt if we walk in together."

"One could only hope." I lifted my feet out of the water and got up.

She got up and picked up her jacket.

I pulled out the wet socks in my boots and put on the boots. The soles made squishing noises as I put my feet in. I didn't bother lacing them up and started walking up the steps with Lucyfer, one squishing step at a time. Her shoes were also squeaking with each step.

"Ugh, I almost want to rip out my eardrums right now," said Lucyfer, annoyed with the squeaks.

"Yep," I agreed.

We reached the top and walked over to the basement doors to get inside. I immediately kicked off my shoes and saw Mark sitting by Tim who had his eyes open.

Lucyfer kicked off her shoes and saw Tim, too. "Motherfucking Tim," she said, smirking.

"Did you apologize?" Mark patronizingly asked Lucyfer.

"Yeah, Dad. Get off my fucking case. The patient is awake."

Lucyfer and I walked over to Tim and Mark.

"Did she apologize?" Mark asked me.

"Yeah," I said with a shrug. "How are you doing, Tim?"

"Not great," said Tim. "I never had my arm broken before. Mark says everyone was fighting while I sleep. I hate that."

"We all do, Pal," I said with a nod.

"He also say that I am to decide what we do."

"We're divided between striking back at the Joker or just leaving Gotham so we don't have to deal with him any more."

"Why would we just leave?" Tim asked, confused.

"Because Meredith and Ollie are scared that the Joker will turn the tables on us," said Lucyfer, looking sideways at me.

"We're not the only enemies he's made," I said, focusing on Tim. "Worse people than us wanted him dead and have failed. I don't want to give him another opportunity to hurt us."

"Hmm," said Tim, considering this.

"Hell, maybe we could recruit some people into helping us," said Lucyfer with a shrug. "But I'm tired of that clown's shit and he almost killed you, Tim. He could've done so much worse."

"Whatever you decide is fine, Tim," I said, putting my hands up. "We've been arguing about this all night, but it can be resolved with majority rule."

We waited in silence as he lied there, thinking. "With all the things I have heard of this clown prince, I know beyond any doubt that he deserve to die. Let the Joker die."

I sighed.

"Looks like we're going to war, Meredith," said Lucyfer.

I looked at her, frowning deeply. "We're not fucking around with this. I want this planned to a T. No final words. No taunts. Just set up, set off, and we're gone. Professional and brutal. You got that?"

She chuckled and folded her arms. "I wouldn't have it any other way... Boss."

I blinked and felt my face get warm. "I'm not the boss."

"Okay, break it up you two," said Mark. "Pissing match is over. Last vote is in and I want to keep my testicles."

"Yeah, yeah, keep your balls on," said Lucyfer. "I'm just giving her shit since she says I can't give the Joker any."