Chapter 3
Alfred was sitting in the batcave, awaiting the return of Master Bruce from his nighttime activities. For years, Alfred had mended broken bones, stitched wounds, and provided emotional care for Bruce during trying times. Hearing the familiar rumble of the tumbler, Alfred stood up as he saw the tumbler crash through the waterfall and land on the parking pad. Alfred approached the vehicle as Batman jumped out. "You're home early, Master Bruce." Alfred said. Bruce gave Alfred a small smirk as he walked over to the computer. "I have a reason to be, Alfred." Bruce put in a small usb into the main computer, brining up pictures from his escapades earlier in the night.
Bruce brought up pictures from that night and the previous nights, pictures of the serial killer's victims from the past few weeks. "Tonight might have just been the crack in the case I needed, Alfred." He showed the pictures. "These victims all had their throats slashed and I noticed how they were made post mortem. Now, these pictures I took tonight show a different story." He pulled up the homeless woman he encountered that night. "I found this woman attacking this one earlier. I got there before she could finish her work." Bruce zoomed in on the picture, showing not a slashed throat but two small puncture wounds on the neck. "Small puncture wounds?" Alfred said looking at the pictures. "I bet all the other victims had those too before they had their throats slashed." Bruce said. "There was something else too. The woman who I stopped tonight had incredible speed and strength. No one her size should be able to do what I saw tonight." "What are you saying, sir?" Bruce looked at Alfred. "I rather not say yet until I'm sure, but what I'm thinking sounds crazy." Alfred nodded. "Should I prepare some late night supper, sir?" "That would be great, Alfred." Bruce said working on the computer. Once Alfred left, Bruce pulled up information pertaining to his theory-vampire lore.
A woman clad in purple ran through the dank sewers of Gotham, blood dripping from her mouth. She entered the main chamber and went over to a figure standing there, looking at a small TV. "Master, I have news." The figure turned around to face the woman. "And what news would that be?" He asked, his red eyes glaring at her. "When I was at the surface, I encountered a person unlike any I've seen, Master. He was clad in a black outfit. He looked like a bat!" The figure was looking back at the TV, but at the mention of bat he swiftly turned his head. "A bat?" He started walking down the chamber. "I've heard of these stories of a giant bat roaming the city, but I just assumed they were about me." The woman slowly approached him. "What should we do about him, master?" The figure smirked. "Nothing. I've heard the rumors of this city's Batman. If they are true, he'll come to us, and then we'll deal with him." The figure laughed a little before walking into the shadows.