Batwoman: Victorious
Chapter Eleven; My Pain...My Path
"Do you really want to be doing this now?" Batwoman asked, her voice gruff and terrifying as ever. Before her, the red-masked young man stood with a handful of money in his clenched fist.
"Don't have a choice," the hooded thief answered. "Believe it or not, day-by-day payments are the only thing keeping someone alive." With that, the boy charged away, knocking over a shelf of novelty items to stop Batwoman. Despite this, the vigilante charged on, not even breaking a sweat. "Didn't think that'd work." Chucking a Batarang at the criminal's legs, Tori watched her opponent collapse on the floor. Gruffly grabbing the collar of the boy's shirt, Batwoman glared into his eyes.
"If you really thought you'd get away from me..." the girl began to threaten. Suddenly, the thief pulled out a pair sharpened wind-up teeth, and set them off on the girl's face, causing Tori to let out a grunt of pain, and drop the red-hooded criminal.
"Later, Bats," the young man called out, charging into the night with his stolen money. "Came prepared this time." Batwoman snapped the weaponized novelty toy in two, then wiped off the blood from her upper lip. Who is that kid? she asked herself, growing aggravated. Charging out of the store, Batwoman furiously looked around for the boy.
I don't get it, the girl thought to herself. I've taken down giant mutants, drug dealers, and mob bosses...what is it about this kid? Why can't I stop him? Suddenly, the vibration of the Bat-Wave broke Tori's concentration.
Meanwhile, Beck tore off a mask he was wearing, and counted over his money. "Okay," he whispered in between heavy breaths. Lately, the police reports had been extremely specific on crimes; every cent was counted. Because of this, Beck was forced to limit his payments to his beloved. Maybe larger sums would make up for it in the end. Tears burned in the young man's eyes, though they remained in place, glistening like a stilled, frosted-over ocean.
Jade lay in her bed, her eyes closed and her mind drifting within a scattered slumber. Her body weak, the teen saw vague images of herself with Beck. Eva gently held and rubbed her older sister's hand, wanting only to be close to her.
Standing on the ledge of a massive building, Batwoman watched the city; Squad cars hearing of her presence raced down the road, their sirens screeching like a drowning woman. Tightening her eyes, Tori felt the Bat-Wave generate energy. Break-in near the harbor, she read. Hopefully, it's the rest of Falcone's gang. Just then, the girl's cell phone rang. "Hello," she answered, her voice sweet as usual. "Oh, hey, Cat."
"Hey, Tori," the raven-haired girl replied, sitting on her bed. "What'cha up to?"
"Oh, you know, this and that," the brunette answered, taking in the night's sky for a moment. "What's up?"
"Well, you know how we got first place in the school's talent show?" Cat replied. "Some kids want us to perform at their birthday party...Won't that be fun?"
"Yeah," Victoria answered, a smile forming on her face. "Sounds great...when is it?...Okay. I can make that. Thanks, Kitten. Yeah...love you too. Night." Hanging up her phone, Batwoman hid it away in her utility belt, spread her wings, and dove down into the city. The wind flowing through her body, the vigilant glided forward, charging towards the scene of the crime.
"It's the Bat!" a police officer called out, pointing his fellow servicemen towards the menacing figure flying above them. Immediately, several of the men and women began to shoot at her. "Stop! We don't have orders," a young woman called out to the other police officers.
"Follow her!" an African-American officer screamed, leading two men and three women clad in bullet-proof armor after Batwoman.
No, Tori thought, glancing down at the officers. I've gotta lose these guys...Who knows what'll happen if they get to the warehouse too soon...I'm not letting any blood spill tonight. Tearing off to one side, Batwoman passed through some large buildings, and landed in an alley. Among the darkness, she was hidden. Breathing in scattered, silenced bursts, the girl searched for anyone near her. Seeing no one, not hearing anything, and positive her pursuers had lost her, the young woman charged out, headed straight for the warehouse.
Grappling onto the roof of the building, Batwoman stealthfully zipped into the air, landing atop the warehouse. Pressing her ear to the cool, rough cement, the young woman utilized her amplifonic earpiece; little movement, scattered footsteps, incoherent chatter; the criminals had no idea who was spying on them. Smiling to herself, Batwoman aimed carefully, and threw a metal orb through the window below her.
"She's here!" a middle-aged man cried out. Black smoke flooded the entire room, though the men came prepared. Their eyesight hued over red, the men and women vigorously glanced all around the room. Suddenly, several of them were hoisted into the air, shrieking in terror. However, some of the gangsters saw their attacker (most for the first time), and took aim.
"Ah!" Tori hollered, feeling the vicious, stinging, hot lead tear through weak points in her armor. Blood splattered out in vicious bursts. Clenching the wounds, which were still flowing with heat, Batwoman attempted to remain in her spot, if only to land a single strike.
"Nighty-night, Bat!" one of the men snarled as he aimed his gun at the teenager's head. Losing the strength in her arms, Victoria dropped from the pipe on the ceiling, throwing herself out the window.
"Surround the area!" one of the police officers cried, hearing the gunfire. "Form a perimeter! Yin, call in backup, we're taking this place down!"
Plummeting into the water, Batwoman felt the icy water start to dull the throbbing of her wounds. Moving quickly, the young woman threw off her cape, and began violently swimming towards the surface. Throwing herself out of the water, Tori took in a loud gasp of air, then swam towards a nearby storm drain; a haven to go on for. Feeling the water being tread through her soaked gloves, Batwoman carried herself onward, the stinging in her side constantly trying to hinder her. Finally, her heavy breaths growing more and more painful, the girl reached the drain, clinging on its thin bars for dear life. I've gotta make this, Victoria thought. It can't end here... Pulling the bars off the drain, the girl forced her weak, aching body upward, then lay down flat on her stomach in the damp tube, her breath so heavy. Shutting the gate behind her, the girl crawled forward, keeping her hand on the wound to drown out the agony of the bullets.
Finally daring to take pressure off the deep gashes, Tori weakly glanced at her abdomen, which was soaked in dark-red blood. "Ah," she cringed, feeling the stinging worsen. "...Gotta get these out of me." Pressing into the bleeding areas, the teen came to realize she had two bullets lodged around her stomach, neither one to the bone or rupturing organs. Despite her better judgment and medical knowledge, the girl decided to take action; carefully removing her outer suit, then unstrapping her bullet-proof vest, which had finally failed her. Down to only her bra and cowl, Tori pulled a heating pad from her utility belt, turned it on, then pressed a pair of pliers against it. Once the metal tool became hot to the touch, the girl took in a deep breath, and slowly, carefully stuck them into her cuts. Screaming in absolute agony, Tori felt her raw, inflamed flesh light up with white-hot, burning intensity. Finally, the girl pressed against the sides of the foreign object, and slowly pulled it out, being sure not to puncture anything. Tears starting to slip from her eyes, the vigilante winced, then dropped the blood-covered chunk of lead on the ground. Feeling hot, nearly-bubbling blood swell out of her gored skin, Tori pressed her gray suit tightly against it, serving as a temporary tourniquet. "One more," she exhaled, trying to control her trembling body. Trying to work fast, the brunette put the hot metal into her wound again, felt the bullet, then pulled it out, cutting her underskin slightly. "Ahh!" she screamed, sounding like a little girl, her teeth tightly clenched and her eyes shut with all her might. Knowing how ravaging an infection could be, Tori pressed the heating pad onto the wound, hearing her flesh sizzle. Hollering at the top of her lungs like a terrified child, the girl began to bleed heavily. Quickly, Batwoman tied her suit around both of the wounds, forming the gaws she needed.
So weak, so tired from the event, Victoria lay on her back, breathing in and out in such a vulnerable manor. For a second, everything went black, then she awoke back in the miserable hole she brought herself to. "Alfred," she said, pressing on her communicator. "Ah, I need your help...I'm in a sewer beneath the harbor...I'm really torn up...Lost alot of blood. Can you come down here, please? I'll meet you at the other end beneath the alley..."
"I will be there as soon as I possibly can, Miss Victoria," the Englishman answered. "Please, do be careful."
"Thanks, Alfred," the girl replied, walking on through the deep, flowing trenches. The stench was revolting, as was the feeling of her soaked boots treading through those hideous liquids. Finally, the tube lead into the main sewage tunnel. Oh man...it's still another mile, Tori thought to herself, growing discouraged. Gotta get out of here. Trapped in the misery that bled into every aspect of reality, the teenager kept pushing herself forward, knowing everything would be better soon; Alfred would be able to help her, Cat would do that birthday party show with her, and everything would just be okay. "Here I am...once again," the brunette began to sing to herself, trying to lighten her spirit. "Feeling lost, but now and then..." Leaning against a cool, damp brick wall, feeling just how tired her body was growing Tori found herself as a child once again, walking with Mommy, Daddy, and Trina.
The air was cool that night, and every scene from that movie was buzzing in her little brain like a swarm of bees. Her father's hand was warm, and her mother's so soft. She could smell her perfume again, as if she were right next to her. Then, the image shattered, and her parents' lifeless bodies snapped her out of her daze. Snapping her head forward, Tori kept walking, feeling somewhat dizzy. "Come on," the girl whispered to herself, clenching her aching wounds.
"You remember how to deal with pain," Batwoman told herself as she carried herself further.
Beck lay on his bed inside his trailer home, gazing at the ceiling and musing ideas of the things he'd done. Rolling a bouncy ball in his palm, the young man saw himself robbing innocent people; it's not like he liked it. He wasn't doing it to hurt anyone...he was doing just the opposite. Jade needed him; needed the money. Those people didn't. "Jade," Beck whispered, feeling his throat start to ache.
There was no question that Jade and Beck loved one another (or so some believed). There was no question the two were important to one another. There was no question that they were happiest when they were together (when Beck wasn't obsessing over Tori, or just the feelings he had for her). Jadeyn West and Beck Oliver; the typical, natural high school couple. They were almost always together until the disease pulled them apart. They knew everything there was to know about one another (or so they thought). Had they slept together? So many guessed yes, but so few knew. No one knew. It had always been like this; no one knew how they got together, why they got together, or why they, out of all people, chose one another. So many go through their lives believing that getting married or getting a significant other is only a matter of time; "You'll find the right one when the time is right," they'd lie. Beck glared into the darkness, looking at how impossible everything he once believed in and counted on had become. It was as if it was all written in the stars for others; like every cookie jar had its lid. Was the universe that simple? Was everyone promised another? That person who lives for you and you for them? And at a moment's notice, the two of you would be eternally bonded by the invisible, unfathomable ties of a relationship? If that were so, why were things turning into this? It was wrong. It was all so wrong.
As the night carried on its drunken ritual, Beck began to think about him and Jade; would he ever be able to tell her what he had become? Would she even love him after what he had done? Would the fact that it was all for her make it any better? Was it even for her afterall? It's funny, the boy thought to himself, smiling even though his emotions were ravaging his body from the inside out. I don't think I get it anymore... So lost, so upset, so far from the solace he thought he could give himself, Beck began to chuckle, throwing his meaningless ball up and down in the air, only to catch it time and time again.
Forcing onward, Tori spat out a thick, half-clotted wad of blood, making her body tremble even more. "Come on," she whispered, tightening her eyes in an attempt to see the blurred-over land better. Her head swaying from side to side beyond her control, Batwoman found herself as a fourteen-year-old, walking down a dirt road just past dusk. Her hair was longer, less graceful. Her face darker from fear and worry. The air was different here. She could remember it so well; she was in India, still trying to find someone to help her...to take the pain away from her. Anger burned deep within her heart, but she kept it there.
"You've come a long way," a kind, calm voice declared, stopping Tori in her tracks. Standing under a wooden booth, an Indian woman stood meekly but with confidence. Clad in a long, yellow Sari that gently flowed over her thin, petite body, the woman's long, flawless black hair glistened in the weak moonlight. "What's your name?"
"...Tori Vega," the child answered, her voice weak. "What's your name?"
"That doesn't matter right now," the woman answered, sounding almost grave in her soft tone. "You came here for a reason...may I ask why?" The brunette stared at the ground, her heart starting to crack as she recalled the horrid memories. "You're lost, aren't you? Maybe not in the way you're used to, but in your heart and soul." Tori weakly nodded, sniffling back fresh tears. "Why did you come here? Please..."
"...I want someone to make it stop," the girl answered, her voice breaking. "...Make the pain and anger go away...Can you help me?"
"Only if you allow me to," the woman answered.
Groaning in agony, Batwoman pressed her hand against the wall to support her weak body. Every memory was throbbing within her mind. Still, she carried on. Bleeding over the agony, that images of that kind woman glowed in its own way. "I hear you at night, Victoria," the young woman said, sorrow kissing her voice as she set a hot cup of tea on the breakfast table for her student. "You cry in your sleep when you think no one is listening."
The young brunette looked down at the soft wooden table, not able to face the woman.
"Why do you refuse to tell me?" the Indian woman asked, sitting down across from the girl. "It will do you no good to harbor these feelings inside yourself."
"...It's my mom and dad," Victoria answered, her voice hoarse and somewhat cracked. "They were shot right in front of my sister and I when we were kids...and I'm still upset."
As she walked over the hot coals, the teenager heard the sizzling of her toes. The pain was sharp, intense; too much. Jumping off the rocks, Tori curled her legs to her chest, clenching her throbbing feet, and trying to fight off tears.
"I think I know why you came to me," the woman said, dipping a clean rag into cool water, then placing it on Victoria's forehead. "You wanted help dealing with your pain...all of it."
"Thank you," Tori moaned, feeling the soothing coolness on her hot, fever-infected face.
"The pain you felt when your parents died...the pain your body must endure," the young woman continued. "And the pain you know you must face one day." Still, the girl lay still, her breath heavy.
"What is it that compels you, Tori?" the woman asked one day, looking at the drained girl staring out the window into the darkness of the night.
"I don't know," Victoria answered, her voice weak, and her eyes lacking in ambition or any trace of emotion.
"I can sense regret in you, Victoria," the woman replied, her voice laced with sorrow. "But even more, I sense anger...hatred...and a sorrow so deep it weighs on your soul..." The brunette's glossed-over eyes remained on the starless night, as they had for so many hours. "You fear using your anger...as you fear letting it go. Your sorrow is endless...as you cannot find what it is that weighs on you so."
The sun was setting over the horizon, painting the entire sky a dark yellow. Cool winds passed through the land, filling it with a devastating silence. "Why is it you choose to travel by night?" the woman asked her loved one, standing further back on the dirt trail.
"That way I don't have to see what I leave behind," Tori answered, looking on the horizon, her heart alittle stronger, but far from whole. "Thank you, Sonya."
Dropping her head, the woman refused to watch the poor child depart. "You shouldn't thank me, Victoria," she gravely replied, her heart shattering violently. "I failed you..." Tori kept on walking, no matter how much it hurt her. Her body was stronger; more numb to the pain, willing to take more than it could before. However, her soul was weighed down so much it was drowning in its anguish. Still moral as ever, her spirit cried in sorrow that it wouldn't let wash away; anger it wouldn't come to terms with...just as Tori knew, deep down, she wanted it. "I couldn't save you from the fate we all know is coming...the fate I know your little body thirsts for...No matter how much you fight it."
Smashing against the cold wall, Batwoman violently clenched her shoulder, which was throbbing along with the rest of her body. The impact of the fall was finally showing its scars. Moaning in pain, screaming in agony, Tori continued onward, swaying from side to side. I love you, Victoria...though I know it will never be enough to stop you...but maybe it's not love you want... "...Sonya," the girl finally managed to whisper, her voice trembling mercilessly.
Her body growing weaker with every step, the teenager felt her mind start to drift once again. Blood slid down her lips; expelling the last of her brief internal draining. The worst was finally over...all she had to do was make it out. It all seemed hopeless, though; just like what Batwoman was doing.
"Thanks for sitting up with me, Eva," Jade whispered, holding onto her little sister's hand. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Jadey," the child warmly replied.
"Here...come lay next to me," the dark-haired teen replied, helping her young sister onto her bed, then warmly wrapping her arms around her. "You're the best little sister I could ever hope for," Jade said with a smile, her eyes falling shut.
"And you're the best big sister..." Eva replied, her sentence interrupted with a weak yawn. "Anyone could ever want...Love you." Finding peace, the sisters fell into an innocent, peaceful slumber. Seeing her beloved daughters together, Mrs. West slowly tiptoed into the room, and gently tucked the two into bed. "Goodnight, angels," she whispered, her heart warmed.
Beck lay awake in his bed, not able to shake off those emotions that were trying to swallow him. He didn't have a choice; Jade needed him. A hot tear welled up in the inner corner of his eye, but he chose to keep it hidden in the darkness. Cat found herself awake in the dead of night, worrying about Tori; maybe their friendship was dying. Tori was getting so far away. It was all so sad. Trina, on the other hand, was peacefully asleep; blissfully unaware of everything her sister was doing. Locked in a deep slumber, his subconscious terrified over what his friends were going through, Andre' clenched his pillow in his right hand, and began to tighten his eye lids.
Collapsing on the damp, brick floor of the sewer, Batwoman took in breath after heavy breath, her wounded body wrapped in agony. I love you, Tori, a warm, comforting voice whispered in the teenager's ear. "Mom," Victoria whispered, a smile forming on her blood-stained face. Her mother's warm embrace flowing through her entire body, the girl grew weaker.
Finding herself a child again, Victoria let Martha wrap her arms around her little body, feeling her long, smooth hair fall over her face. She could feel her love again. "I love you, angel," she whispered, her voice so caring and so loving.
"I love you, too, Mommy," the five-year-old Tori replied, her eyes closed in a heartwarming smile as she put her arm around her beloved mother's back. Warmth and protection imitated throughout the entire area. "And I love Daddy and Trina..."
"We're so proud of you, Tori," Thomas said, his strong voice so calm and loving. The child smiled, letting her heart flow over with her parents' love and eternal protection.
Her face pressed into the hard ground, Batwoman's breath slowed, the trickle of blood still present. Everything was fading now; and she was so tired. It would be so easy to let everything go; let it all disappear. "And the bunny said to the kitten...what?" Martha read to her daughter, so happy and so caring.
"I'll never let you disappear," the little girl read, warmed in her mother's embrace.
"And the two lived happily ever after...ever though they were so far apart," Martha concluded, showing her daughter the last picture in the old book, then slowly closing it. Giving her youngest child a kiss, the woman lifted her up, and gently tucked her into bed. Trina had outgrown story time, and was already fast asleep. "Goodnight, my love," the woman sang, stroking her daughter's long brown locks down around her little face. The two looked so much alike; they shared the same love, the same peaceful nature, the same shining brown hair. "Never wake to sorrow...never sleep in fear...Always know...you're always loved here." Smiling at her kind mom, Victoria soon drifted into slumber.
"I can't give up," Batwoman whispered, dredging her torn body upward, and staggering onward. That gunshot fired in her ears, shattering any happy dillusion the girl had with her now. The light of the world shined just ahead of her. I couldn't save you from the fate we all know is coming...the fate I know your little body thirsts for...No matter how much you fight it. Unable to walk without an agonized sway, Victoria tried to focus her eyes to make the blur stop. Never wake to sorrow...never sleep in fear. "You know I love you, Tori," Katrina once told her sister. "But I hate what you keep doing to yourself..." Deep, burning tears welled up over the girl's eyes, blinding her. Still, Batwoman continued walking. I failed you... "Sonya," Tori whispered, her voice weaker than a whisper and cracking with absolute sorrow. Her parents remained still on the floor, not able to love her or Trina ever again.
"Miss Victoria," Alfred called, knowing no one else was around to hear him. Crouching down to his knees, the Englishman held his hand out for his beloved charge. "Take my hand."
Staring down at her trembling, weakened, bloodstained hands, Batwoman clenched her face into a sorrowful form. Looking up at her father-figure, Victoria's jaw dropped in saddened helplessness. Alfred looked closer at his friend, confused and slightly uneasy. You fear using your anger...as you fear letting it go. Your sorrow is endless...as you cannot find what it is that weighs on you so. Even when she chose to use her anger, though, it weighed her down. It was unbearable. "I...I can't," Victoria answered, her voice laced with pure sorrow under the dying light of the moon.