It was a crisp Tuesday morning in autumn and the air was cool, but she was locked away in her boudoir being primped and pampered. A total number of four people were working on Carmen Andrews; a hair stylist, two manicurist, and a make up artist. A fresh Chanel suit was being steamed in the corner and patented heels were being shined on the floor.
Carmen had an event to go to; she was cutting the ribbon to a new bank.
Ever since she had been introduced in society as the 'long time' live in girlfriend to Bruce Wayne, she had become a public figure. Magazines interviewed her, paparazzi stood at the gate to get a glimpse of her, and she was now not allowed out without running it by Bruce first. All of these changes had been a little overwhelming for Carmen, considering she had only been introduced to Gotham a week ago.
Holding up her newly painted nails to inspect them, Carmen let a sigh leave her lips. If she was completely honest, she would rather be outside reading by the manmade lake, or taking a slow walk around the grounds of the manor. She didn't feel like being a socialite today. Truthfully not ever.
Little diamond studs were placed on her ears and a matching pendant was clipped to her neck. She stood from her chair and her body was hurriedly dressed for her, the high waisted black skirt resting on her abdomen just far enough that only a sliver of skin was seen between it and her short yellow suit jacket with sailor buttons on the front. A shimmering crystal chain belt was buckled around her waist with the hanging initials of 'CC'. Sheer black stockings were under her mini skirt and she had to fight for that little amount of coverage. The whole outfit was already in her closet, a pre purchase before her accident, and though she loathed it, it was deemed perfect for the occasion. She slipped her feet in her canary yellow pumps and inspected her hair in the mirror.
It was straightened as always and teased high, a yellow headband holding it back from her face. Licking her fingers, the beauty tugged out two strands by her ears, twisting them around until they curled. She accepted her makeup look for the day as she looked like the woman on her license; cat eyes and red lips.
Not at all happy but very satisfied, Carmen thanked her helpers and walked out of the room. She padded down the stairs and found Alfred at the front door, holding her purse and her sunglasses. She took both from her only friend and smiled, sliding the shades over her eyes.
"How do I look?" Carmen questioned, a teasing smile on her face as she struck a pose.
"Lovely." Alfred replied and she laughed, cupping his cheek fondly.
"Thanks, Freddie." The beauty smiled once more as he opened the door for her. She waved, a dainty wiggle of her fingers, and slid into the towne car that was sent for her. The door shut as soon as she was inside and she put her hands in her lap, picking at the french tips and counting down the hours until she could be back in her sanctuary.
The car drove up to the bank at half past ten and the ceremony was to start at eleven. The door was opened for her and Carmen was immediately bombarded by camera's flashing. She gave her dainty wave to the press then walked up the steps to where the other guests of honor were sitting, which included the mayor, the chief of police and a few other unnamed faces.
Carmen handed her purse to her driver and smiled at the others but made no attempt at conversation as she took a seat in a chair with her name on it. An assistant handed her a bottled water with a straw and she took a sip, handing it back to the girl. She was one of Bruce's and she had seen her before.
The time passed quickly and before she knew it, she was standing up with the rest of the guests. She took of her glasses and handed them off to that nameless assistant, then stood in front of the bright red ribbon. A small crowd had gathered to see the ceremony and she stood by the mayor as she began speaking.
Despite all the preparation that she had for this event, she had no idea that was there because Bruce had bought the bank.
For most of the speech her mind was elsewhere but she had enough sense to smile politely when her name was mentioned. For the most part though, she kept her eyes on the back of the mayor's bobbed head.
Carmen's mind drifted again as she began to hear the distance sound of an ice cream truck. She licked her lips as she thought about getting her lips on a fudgesicle, a treat she unknowingly hadn't had in years. The dark brunette was brought out of her thoughts, however, when the nursery rhyme started getting louder. It was still far away, maybe a block, but it wasn't in her head anymore.
Clapping made her focus on the scene in front of her and she smiled smally as she was handed hilariously large scissors. She stood in front of the red ribbon and lifted the shears up, looking at the press and posing. She stood for a moment too long though, as the music increased in its volume. Shaking her head, Carmen smiled again and turned back to the ribbon snipping it in half. The crowd cheered and she turned back to them to wave, when a black SUV rolled up to the scene slowly, followed by the aforementioned ice cream truck, still blaring music. Everyone covered their ears and winced, the sound being too much.
Furrowing her brows, Carmen felt a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. She kept her smile on for the cameras but slightly glanced to her side at the police chief who had already began to talk into his walkie talkie.
Not even a minute later, the doors to the truck flew open and men dressed in suits started spraying bullets into the crowd. Screams began to flood out the nursery rhyme and Carmen froze, not even having the instinct to drop to the ground. Survivors of the attack began to run up the steps and past her into the armored bank. Thankfully, someone knocked into her and she was snapped out of her stupor, running with everyone else into the bank.
As utter chaos happened around her, Carmen took off her heels and ran into the very back, trying every door she could to find a place to hide. In the middle of her journey, she saw armed security guards running from a room and past her. Thinking quickly, she pushed her way into the now empty room, the glare of multiple television screens illuminating shining on her skin. Dropping her shoes, she slowly made her way to the monitors, a hand covering her mouth.
A tear left her eyes but she couldn't turn away as she watched the men gundown person after person. Seemingly out of nowhere, it was silent. The only thing Carmen heard was her own heartbeat. Scrambling to the phone, she quickly dialed the police, her hands shaking. There was no answer. She let out a sob and thought desperately, before dialing Bruce's cell number.
"Hello?"
"Bruce!" Carmen croaked lowly, running a hand through her hair, tears were now streaming down her face.
"Carmen?" Bruce questioned worriedly, "What's wrong? Where are you?"
"Bruce I'm trapped in the bank and there are men with guns and-!" The sound of a gunshot interrupted her and she looked at the screens, one by one, they were being shot out. "Bruce they're coming for me!" She whispered, hopelessly staring as they got closer and closer.
"Where are you?" The Wayne asked more adamantly, the sound of rustling coming from his side of the line.
"I'm in the security room." Carmen hissed through her teeth, watching as only two monitors were left. "I tried to call the police but-!" The last monitor went out and she dropped the phone in shock. Her blood ran cold as the doorknob began to rattle and her eyes quickly glanced around the room for a place to hide. Seeing another door, she ran to it and opened it, seeing a supply closet. Tucking herself in, closed the door behind her.
Covering her mouth with both of her hands, she closed her eyes and waited. She jumped as she heard the other door kicked in and leaned further into the small closet. Carmen desperately tried to listen for footsteps and heard none, her heart beating too fast. The only sound she heard after what seemed like an eternity was the other door closing.
Carmen uncovered her mouth to let out a sigh but before she could the door to the closet opened and she was faced with an impossibly pale man with impossibly blue eyes.
The same eyes that she sees in her memories, only they're clear as day.
Carmen was frozen and she completely forgot where she was or why she was there as her gaze moved from the man's eyes to the tattoo on his forehead, then to his green hair, finally down to his mouth that spread to reveal gleaming silver grills. A shiver ran through her. She wanted to touch him but…
Her dark eyes fell to his milky chest that was exposed, little black ink calling out to her gaze. He was wearing a silky purple shirt that looked it would be soft under her fingers and it called to her senses. She returned her gaze to his to seem him watching her with a look that was oddly familiar.
"I…" Carmen breathed, struggling to find the words as his blue eyes shot to her lips, "Do… Do I know you?"
As if the spell was broken, the pale man's eyes narrowed and he raised a golden pistol to her forehead. Shrinking back, Carmen gasped.
"Now sweet pea," The man spoke for the first time, sending chills through her, "No need to play that game with me."
"I'm not…" The beauty stuttered, swallowing thickly, "I'm not… I was in an accident, mister, and I-!"
"Don't lie." The sudden raise of his voice made her jump and he took a step toward her, pressing her back into the shelves. "Don't lie." He repeated with a chuckle, "Don't. Lie."
"Please, sir." Carmen begged, seeing something flash in his eyes, "I'm not lying, I promise. I wish I could remember but I don't."
The pistol was pressed harder into her forehead for a moment before it was pulled away, instead the man pulled down her skirt. She gasped loudly and closed her eyes, afraid of what was to come. To her surprise, all that she felt was fingertips ghosting over her abdomen. Peeking an eye open, she furrowed her brows as she saw him tracing over her unexplained scar. She gasped once again as she was turned around and braced herself against the shelves. A hand buried itself into her hair and paused there for a moment before yanking it off of her neck. Again, fingertips ghosted against the back of her neck and traced another scar. Just as she closed her eyes at the sensation, she was yanked around again and she shrank away from the stranger.
"Sing." The pale man demanded, his eyes cold.
"W-w-what?" Carmen breathed out, black tears running down her cheeks.
"Pretty baby, even in your current, ah, state, you should already know. I asked ya once and I asked ya nice," The man huffed and pulled out his pistol again, clicking off the safety and pointing it at her. "But I won't ask ya twice."
"I was five and he was six," The beauty choked, before swallowing, "We rode on horses made of sticks." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, the words coming out easier, "He wore black and I wore white. He would always win the fight, bang bang. He shot me down, bang bang. I hit the ground, bang bang. That awful sound. Bang bang, my baby shot me down." The sound of the gun hitting the floor made her eyes fly open and she jumped as his both of his hands cupped her cheeks. Thumbs stroked at her skin softly and she almost sighed in content, but her guard was still up against this odd man and his many outbursts.
"Oh my pretty baby," The man whispered, so soft and sweet, "Who did this to you?"
Carmen's eyes furrowed and before she could question what he meant, he was pulled off of her by a dark figure and police swarmed into the room. Blinking confusedly, Carmen could only watch as the stranger was handcuffed on the ground. A large being blocked the scene in front of her from her eyes and she looked up to see the cloaked hero that she had heard so much about from the news. The man bent down to pick up her skirt from the ground and held it out for her to take, not saying a word.
Carmen muttered a word of thanks and slipped the skirt back on, not bothering to pick up the matching belt. As she craned her neck to see the stranger being led out by the police, the bat moved into her line of vision once again.
"Who is that?" Carmen found herself asking aloud, her gaze far off.
"None of you concern, Miss Andrews."
At the sound of the bat's voice, her eyes looked up at him. Her gaze wavered on his dark eyes, his lips, his chin and then finally the small mole that sat on his cheek. Furrowing her brows, she crossed her arms, before muttering, "Bruce?"
