Authors Note: I do not own any characters from the Batman Franchise nor from Christopher Nolan's interpretation in both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. The only characters I own are those created by me such as Layla Moreaux.
Please enjoy.
TinkerbellXo
Chapter 7
And So It Begins . . .
Almost a week went by and nothing happened . . . absolutely nothing. There was the typical convenience store robbery and the defacing of public property that Layla had to cover for The Times, but other than those small incidents, there was no real news to report. Gotham had remained eerily quiet. And there had certainly been no word from the Joker. Layla was beginning to feel her efforts were in vain; that he was just going to ignore her offer and she'd be resigned to the life of yet another insignificant beat writer. Her editor had already dropped the rest of the idea for the story and although she had protested, he told her he would not support another attempt to get the Joker's attention, just as they had agreed upon.
Bruce Wayne. Now she had no romantic inclinations toward him and she was almost positive he felt the same, but there was a strange understanding between the two individuals. She knew he was hiding some kind of secret; what that was she had yet to find out. He was always sneaking off and he was very cagey about his late night activities. But it was more than just his suspicious behavior, there was confliction and pain behind his eyes and no matter how hard he attempted to play the carefree millionaire – or maybe billionaire, she wasn't sure – she could feel the truth looming in the dark corners of his soul, brimming underneath his lies. She knew what it felt like to put up a façade, fake the appearance of the happy girl who had nothing to worry about. Both of them were wearing a mask in their own way.
Though it had been an uneventful news week, it had been an action-packed time in Layla's social calendar and that was all thanks to Mr. Wayne. In the past 5 days, he had taken her to the theater, attended a lavish benefit for the local orphanage that Bruce had donated generously, gone to one or two of the more elite, five-star restaurants in town that Layla could never have afforded, and even taken his helicopter for an aerial tour of Gotham City. It wasn't that Layla didn't appreciate the attention and the opportunities that Bruce presented her with, but she knew that he wasn't truly interested in these exciting nights out. And she was someone who felt comfortable sitting at home watching movies and eating take out.
It was the last Saturday in March when Bruce's car pulled up out in front of Layla's apartment building after a night of swing dancing. Layla had to admit she had really enjoyed the upbeat sound of the big band and Bruce had been a really good partner. He was light on his feet and could keep rhythm well. He led with ease and was able to pick her slight body up gently to swing her up and down just like Layla had seen in the old movies of the 1940s. They had been the best couple on the floor, hands down.
There was an undeniable chemistry between the two of them, but during the time they weren't dancing, they acted very awkward towards each other, still not sure what they were doing together. That awkwardness had only increased in the somehow cramped confines of his limo. The two did not speak as Albert made his way around the car to open Layla's door – something she had grown accustomed to in the past few days. She exited the car and Bruce followed getting out his side. He walked her to her door and once again they stood in silence.
"Thank you for another lovely night. I really had a great time. I had no idea you were such a great dancer," she said with a slight smile playing on her nervous lips.
"A leader is only as good as his partner," he said as he reached down to grab her hand. He then bowed and kissed it gently.
"Now remember, please wave to me once you have gotten up to your apartment," he straightened up as he paused, "are you sure you don't want me to come up and check?"
Layla was unsure if he was merely concerned for her safety or was trying to make a move. She figured it was the former, since he had asked her the same question every night that week.
Besides, she thought, no man that rich and handsome could ever be interested in me.
She also thought he was a bit paranoid since it had been 6 days since her article and nothing had happened in the Joker department.
"No, thank you. I'm sure I will be fine. I will wave to you once I am safe and sound," she replied, now realizing how tired she was after a long day at work and a night full of dancing.
"Then I will see you Monday, for the game?" He asked.
She had almost forgotten they had box seats to the basketball game that night, "I will see you then."
She turned without another word and he watched her open the door and disappear up the stairs.
Bruce lingered on the pavement of the sidewalk for a few minutes, contemplating whether or not he should follow her up, but thought better of it and returned to the car. However, when he went to put his seatbelt on, he felt his hand brush up against something in the seat next to him. He looked down to find Layla's purse and turned back to see she was already waving and obviously had yet to realize what she was missing.
He held up the bag so that Albert could see it in the rearview mirror, "I'll be right back."
Albert nodded as Bruce slid across the leather seat and out of the car. The door to the apartment building was old and like tonight, it often got stuck on its hinges so there was no need to buzz Layla to let him in. He pulled it open and started toward the stairs, but as he took his first step onto the creaking surface, he heard a groan that sounded like it was coming from the hall to the side of the steps.
He backed down and rounded the corner to find the source of the mystery noise. It was dark and the hall only had one flickering bulb to illuminate his path. He came upon the first unit to his left; the door read "Mr. King, Landlord."
He contemplated knocking, thinking that was where the moan was coming from when he heard the noise again, only from behind him. He turned quickly to face the darkest corner of the hall. He could barely make out a figure as he made his way closer. It was when he was about a foot away that he realized the huddled figure was that of an old man. Bruce went to touch the man to see if he was alright but the man winced in fear. Bruce looked farther down to the floor where he saw a small pool of blood. The light flickered on and at the same moment, the man turned his face to look Bruce in the eyes.
Bruce stumbled back, shocked by what he saw. The man's face was completely covered in white makeup with black circles surrounding his wrinkled, bloodshot eyes. Whoever had launched this assault had carved his mouth so it was in a permanent smile and twice it's normal size. The blood from the injury had been used to paint the new mouth red.
"Joker," Bruce hissed through his teeth. This was his symbol; he had finally come to pay Layla a visit.
"Mr. King?" he asked as he stooped down towards the man.
The victim nodded feebly in reply.
He got back off his haunches and kicked down the door of the landlord's apartment. He picked up the phone and dialed 911. Trying his best to disguise his voice, he told the person on the end of the line what had happened. Usually Bruce would have taken care of the man on his own, but he wasn't Batman right now. He was still Bruce Wayne in a suit and tie. After he listed the address and was sure the aid had taken it down, he hung up and ran from the building. He made his way to the driver's side of the limo and opened Albert's door.
"The Joker's here and it looks like he's ready to take Layla up on her offer."
Without another word, Albert slid over to the other side of the front seat and let Bruce take the wheel. They sped off into the night with the sound of sirens on their heels.
A/N: Once again, I apologize to my faithful readers for having been so careless in updating this story. The good news is I got into grad school and now I'm just focusing on securing loans and scholarships to pay for it.
I hope you enjoy the seventh chapter of Truth in Darkness. I have decided that I am keeping the title the same for now. I had considered changing it but I think that once it's done, the title will fit the story perfectly. However, if I do decide to change it, the original title will be noted in the story summary.
And on a final note, the eighth chapter is already in progress so I promise it will not be two months before I update again.
Thanks for reading and please review!
-TinkerbellXo
