I walked faster but just as I was about to walk out of the alleyway a man stepped in front of me with a knife. "Why is such a pretty lady out without an escort?" he asked in a patronizing tone. I was about to smart off, but then I saw his knife.

"What do you want?" I asked trying to keep my voice calm and confident. "Well you see, no one can just walk through our alley without a price," he had a smirk on his face. Crap, I didn't have my purse, or else I would have given it to him and ran.

"So," he continued, "you can either give us something valuable or," he walked closer towards me and ran his knife softly along my neck down my chest, "we can take you. Which will it be?" I took a deep breath trying not to panic. I didn't have any money, but I was wearing diamond earrings. My father gave them to me when I was in 5th grade. I don't want to give them away, but I don't want to die for them either…Tears welled up in my eyes as I started to take out the earrings, but he stopped me.

"Wait, I've changed my mind," he looked behind me. I could feel that there were more of his men behind me, "I think me and my boys would like you instead," this is when I started to panic. I kicked and screamed. All my self defense tricks that Tim taught me went out the window.

The man with the knife held it to my neck, "Shut up or I'll make it where you won't be able to make a sound ever again!" I lost it. I started sobbing. I didn't care about what they thought, or how I looked or anything. I just wanted to get away from here alive.

"Please! I'll give you my diamonds, please," I begged, "just don't do this," I was trying to get any sort of sympathy or maybe bribe them with my earrings.

"I said shut up!" and with that he slapped my face, leaving what I was sure would turn into a bruise. I fell backwards, but instead of hitting the ground I landed in the arms of creepy old men. While I struggled to get away from them, I heard huge crash and then what sounded like punches.

I looked up to see a man wearing all black, a mask, and a cape, who was beating the crap out of the leader of these creepy old men. I could only assume that the man in black was Batman. I was so confused; they said that Batman hasn't been sighted in almost two years. Why would he come back now? I didn't understand. Once he was done with the first guy he turned to face the men that were holding me now.

"Don't move or she gets it!" one of the men yelled while pushing another knife against my neck. Batman glared at them, "Let her go," he demanded. His voice was so deep, rough, and scratchy. "Why should we? There are more of us than you!" the guy screamed back, but his voice seemed shakier this time, like he was becoming frightened.

Before I knew what was going on there was a cloud of smoke around us, and I could feel someone grabbing me to pull me aside. Once out of the smoke I noticed that the person who grabbed me was indeed Batman. "Stay here," he told me as he gently pushed me into a crack between two buildings. I watched from my hiding spot as Batman took on all of the creepy men who were trying to rob me, without any hesitation. He was amazing; I don't think he got one scratch.

Once the men were unconscious, Batman tied them all up for the police. He walked over to me, "Its safe now," he told me. I slowly came out of my spot, still a little shaken up. "Are you ok?" he asked, seeming quiet sincere. I looked down at my dress, it was dirty and torn. I'm sure my makeup was all over my face from all the crying that happened, and I know my hair's a wreck.

"I'm fine now, thank you so much," I told him, while looking him in the eyes. He stared into mine, but then quickly looked away. "We need to get you home," he told me. Then I remembered my brother…and Bruce.

"But, my brother and my friend Bruce, they must be worried sick," I tried to explain. I looked up at him again and saw what I thought was a smile on Batman's face, but it quickly disappeared.

"I'll take you home, and inform your brother and your friend Bruce of your whereabouts," he told me. Before I had a chance to object, Batman pressed some button and out of nowhere a tank looking car came smashing thru a building. I screamed and wrapped my arms around Batman. I was still a little uneasy about everything, and I will admit that I was scared beyond all belief.

"Get in," he order. A door opened and I crawled in. He got in and soon we were speeding down the streets of Gotham City. While driving, I saw Batman playing with some buttons in his car. When he was done, he glanced over at me for a second, "You're brother and friend know you are ok now. I informed Commissioner Gordon and he will inform your brother," he told me then looked back at the road.

"Thank you," I whispered. He just nodded. We reached my building. How did he know what building I lived in? I heard that Batman knew almost everything in the city, but…how?

"Good-bye, Kristina," he said. I was amazed again. "How do you know who I am?"

"I get around," was the only response I got. "Thank you, again," and that time I was sure he smiled…well at least smirked.

"Try to be a little bit more careful, next time," he told me in a softer voice. I nodded and got out.

As soon as I got out, he was sped away.

Little did I know that that would only be my first encounter with Batman.