|Gotham, same place and time
"Fine. What does he want?" I asked bitterly. He knew I'd agree to this because he knows I can't say no to a job.
"He wants you to be a right hand with Deathstroke." He answered enthusiasticly. He was happy but something felt wrong about this.
"Klarion... You know I only take short term jobs." I said trying to hide the fact that I was concerned about all this. He looked disappointed. He looked down and took both my hands into his and started rubbing circles with his thumbs on on the back of them.
"Please princess, do it for me." He said rising his head to look me directly in the eyes. He still had to have his head bent forward a little bit since I was about three inches shorter than him but, it was still a really good move from his part. He was acting like a child, something that I can't resist to or say no to, and he knew it.
I rolled my eyes then nodded. " But, I want to be well payed and only until he finds someone permanent." He smiled and went in for a kiss. I wasn't prepared for that but luckily, when his lips were a few millimetres from mine, Teekl jumped up into my arms. I laughed and whispered in Teekl's ear a small thank you while an angry Klarion opened up a portal for the two of them.
"Tomorrow at 9pm on the docks. You'll need your weapons, clothes and bathroom essentials." He added before walking into his portal with Teekl following right behind him. Emediatly after that, I started asking myself if that was a good idea.
| Gotham , her old apartment
| 21:48
I got out of the apartment and locked the door. As I looked back at it, I recalled the promises between me and Jason. This place was my home and also kind of his too. It wasn't luxurious but we could've worked on it. I didn't need much, and neither did he. This was the place where I once wished would be where I could be with him forever, even in the darkest of times. I guess nothing really goes the way we plan them.
1hour and 17minutes ago...
I was walking back to where it all started. The place I grew up in. Where the police told me my dad died. Where my mom became a criminal for Two Face. Where she got arrested. Where Jason and I would hang out, hoping the police wouldn't find us. Where I started this line of work. This is the place I love the most even with all the memories I know I don't deserve.
I got in the apartment using the spare key that I hid under the dusty and old 'welcome' rug in front of the door. It was cliché but nobody would think to look there because of that. I stepped in and looked at my surroundings; just as I left it. The old crusty and disgusting couch was still in the middle of the small living space and the kitchenette was as empty as ever. Well, except for the few knives I forgot that were on the counter.
I walked to my room and went into it. I turned the lights on, sat on my bed and as I was sitting there, I remembered the pranks and little things that Jason and I once used to plan in here. I got up and literally jumped to my closet because it was that close to my bed. I looked trough it and found what I was looking for. It was a small but sharp blade with a tiny emerald incrusted on the handle. On the blade there was an inscription on it; To my favourite criminal, with a heart at the end. My mom gave me this right before she got taken away from me. My mom always used to tell me how I was her special little gem. It wasn't only because of my abilities but mostly because I was her daughter, and her only family. I went to see her once at the prison she's at, but that was the first and last time.
I walked back to the kitchen and got a small chill. I looked to my left and the window was opened. I turned around while reaching for one of the knives that were on the counter. I soon realized that they were gone and I was now facing a very broad and muscled chest with a bird insignia in the middle. I took a step back and I was cornered because of the counter.
He looked me right in the eyes and before I could say anything, he sighed and his expression went soft.
"Why are you back Emerald?" He asked in a loud whisper
"How did-" I didn't even get the time to finish my question that he cut me off. "Did you really think I didn't know about you? Where he would sneak off after patrol or on his free time? That he didn't tell me about you? Or, how after the accident you started following Batman?!" He said in a deep voice that was kind of... Scary.
"Wait you knew I was tracking him? Did he know? Why did you never tell me about what happened? Do you even know how I found out? I learned it from The Jocker! He didn't even tell me himself I just heard him brag about it!" I answered on the brink of tears. I was so mad at him and he didn't seem to care. He was just standing there, his face had a guilty look that almost made me cry for real.
"I'll ask you again. Why are you back Emerald?" I pulled myself up on the counter and sat on it. I then looked down at my hands that were on my lap and looked at the place where Klarion kissed it and hesitated to tell him about it.
"Two Face set me up. He kidnapped me and brought me here, back to Gotham, to kill me. It would have worked, you know, but his right hand didn't do his research properly and didn't know the extent to my abilities." I said still looking down to my hands.
"You're hiding something from me Emerald. Superboy said he saw you down in the sewers watching them." "That was an accident. I swear. I just got curious." I said bringing my hands up in defence. Nightwing sighed and stepped back.
"Fine, but when you're ready to talk about the rest-" he threw me an earpiece," just give me a call. It's frequence is hooked to mine so I'll be the only one to hear you." He added and then left by the window. 'So that's where Jason got that from, huh.'
|Gotham, Blackgate
|22:47
The last time I was in this prison was 2 years ago, when I was 13. It's just as it used to be. Cold and quiet. This is where mom told me to stop my 'escapades' as she would call them. Although I got mad at her for telling me to stop, I still need her advice today.
I got into the room with the speaking booths and sat at one. I waited for a few minutes thinking she wouldn't come and see me because she was done with me, but then the door opened.
"You have twenty minutes Ruby." Said the guard as she let her in first, closed the door and only let a small gap as she stayed on the other side. I thought it was weird until I remembered that one of the guards said she had special privileges since was a perfect inmate. I looked at her and just realized how right dad was when he used to say I looked liked her. Mom had mid-length dark red hair (although mine was long and brown) and we had the same hair line. She had green eyes and a small nose with full lips like mine.
"You look beautiful Em." Was the first thing she told me with a smile.
"I'm sorry mom. I- I overreacted the last time and then- and then he-he" I don't know why, but seeing her and hearing her voice just made me cry and I couldn't stop it. Seeing her reminded me of how alone I was without her and made me realize how much lonelier I got without Jason.
"I know honey, I know. I heard on the news. I'm guessing you skipped town?" I wasn't able to speak so I just nodded. "I'm also going to guess this isn't why you're here." She added. She looked at me with sad eyes as I tried to calm down and stop the tears.
" I-I don't know what to-what to do mom." I told her the whole story in codes that I knew she would understand because we made them.
"Emerald, if even you are hesitating on 'going out' and doing what he told you, then maybe you should talk it out with 'Nolan' and tell him everything thing about that." She looked at me asking with her eyes if I understood and I did. Nolan was Nightwing. We take the first letter of their hero or criminal name and make a normal one out of it.
"Look baby, just do what you think is right. No one can tell you what to do."
"Thanks mom" For the first time in three months I finally genuinely smiled.
|Gotham, Wayne Enterprises' rooftop
| 2:39 am
"Hey Nightwing? We need to talk"
Done. Ok, so it's been a while, but for my excuse; school is pretty hard. I was just trying to get my grades up and now that I did I'm gonna try and post more on here. I'll try posting chapter 4 this weekend but we'll see.
Dont hesitate to favorite and leave a review!
;)
