Chapter 51: Offers

I was now alone. In a motel room in the middle of Texas. Without Ace, without Patrick, without a job. Without a life, basically.

I had searched for nearly two hours, attempting to find any trace of my father - or anyone who worked for him, to say the least. But my search was stopped when the laptop - which I had found in the trunk and was not, for a fact, Ace's - died and the cord was completely out of sight.

Yawning, I closed the laptop, standing up from the uncomfortable seat by the desk, and stretching, throwing off most of my clothes and replacing them with a pair of really short shorts and a crop top that showed off a little more than just my belly button piercing. Sliding into the bed that was uncomfortable, yet home-like, I closed my eyes, breathing in a deep breath of air as if preparing for my descent into what I hoped to be a deep, relaxing sleep. But my hopes were crushed moments later when I heard a voice being cleared. My eyes shot open, glancing around the room and landing on the figure in the corner.

"You're slower than you used to be. Not that I care." His deep voice spoke. I swallowed, my back aching from my sudden jolt into an upright position.

"What the hell are you doing here? And how the hell did you find me?" He just stared at me - or I think he was staring at me through the white orbs of his costume. A small smiled played across his lips as if to mock me, and it was the first time I had ever, ever seen him smile. Even if it was for... bragging reasons.

"We're the good guys, Ms. Lawson. And believe it or not, we have more power than the government does. But we use it for good. Now Patrick is a good man. He's kind and caring, and every other emotions anyone can possibly think of, so its my job to protect him. And in return, he helps the Justice League. Our current case is you, Ms. Lawson. You escape from Belle Rev, we find you."

"So you basically offer my ex protection in return for tracking me? Wow. Never thought the Justice League would be so... low, when it came to some bitch they didn't even care for, let alone like?"

"Part, and I think we both know that Mr. Patrick Harper is a more than just a forgotten ex, wouldn't you say?" I didn't answer. "I'm not here to patronize you, Ms. Lawson. I'm merely here to succeed an outrageous offer."

"Like the one you gave to Patrick?"

"Not exactly. Two years ago, you went to court. You were believed to not only have killed an innocent man, but also to have kidnapped Mr. Roy Harper out of greed and potential fame."

"You don't have to remind me," I spoke sarcastically. He ignored me, and went on.

"You gave the court and jury the truth, and still decided to pay the price, five years in prison. Well, almost half of the time you have actually served so far, but we won't go there. Aside, you gave us more knowledge about your father than we have been able to figure out on our own. But we need more. Recently, The Phantom has been traveling. He's now out of the country on what we expect to be a business trip, so called. He's hit Brazil and Venezuela already, and our members down there are... out of reach, unfortunately. We need someone with skill and prior knowledge of the man to help us take him down. Or at least drive him away from his goal - to out our on ground Justice League headquarters in Argentina. So? Are you on or off?"

"You're kidding right? When I say 'yes' you're going to lock me up and torture me until you get what you want?" He didn't move. "Are you going to take me back to Belle Rev and lock me up in the basement and let me die? Are you going to put me on a plane and drop me in the middle of the Atlantic? 'Cause any of the ideas make a hell of a lot more sense than what you just said. Maybe, and probably, you want to destroy my father as much as I do. Maybe you don't have all the answers that I may in fact have. But tell me. Why is it that the great Batman comes all the way to Texas to tell some bitch, who has in fact killed dozens of people, has gone behind the Justice League's backs in crimes they have yet to be educated about, and has broken out of a high-security lock-down facility, that they need her help to take down her father? I may be that bitch, but I can't help you, so kill me now, or forever hold your peace."

"Ms. Lawson, as much as I may want you back in the prison cell you belong in, you are the only chance we have in taking down The Phantom. We can't let down an opportunity like this. He's done things to you that are unimaginable, so why not fight back - take back what's-"

"Maybe I don't want to!" I suddenly yelled, anger and horror flooding me in tidal waves. I breathed. "Maybe I don't want to fight back, maybe I don't want to be the only fucking chance you have in hell, maybe I don't want to remember and relive every God damn memory of everything God damn thing my father has done to me. Maybe I just want to forget. Just become numb to the pain and horror and hell I was put through all my life. Maybe I just want to pretend for once that I'm a normal person - that I have someone who cares for me and loves me and is safe from all potential harm that may come to someone like me. Maybe I just want to be invisible, like every regular person in this country. Maybe I just don't want to be me. What are you going to do about that?"

He was quiet, and for a moment, I was embarrassed. I had lost it all, and it wasn't in a good way. Batman stared at me for a second, face hard and emotionless. His expression lightened and his voice was a little softer than it had been.

"I can't help you with memories or nightmares or wishes. I can't do that. It's impossible..." A pain in my chest lit up and grew, the fire burning me from the inside, out. "But I know who can. And maybe if you help us, with taking down your father, we can help you. Memories, fears, nightmares, they can be erased, changed, killed. But this offer only lasts for the time I spend in this room, and it won't be long till I leave. So, tell me. Are you going to accept or decline?"

I thought. Erasing my memories? Fears? Nightmares? I could only imagine.. Yet, the thought of my deepest, darkest and most terrifying thoughts creeping in me, actually being released from my brain seemed like a relief, like a breath taking sigh. I had to accept, it was my only chance.

"I accept." I said simply. Batman nodded, his face hardening into his previous and signature style.

"Then get up, I have work to do." I raised a brow, practically asking for an explanation as to why 'I' was not 'We.' "You have some catching up to do. I have meeting to attend. Then we can go on with the mission."

With that, I grabbed my clothes, stuffing them in my bag, and finding Batman gone when I looked back. I shrugged and continued packing, shortly leaving the hotel room unnoticed and not checking out. I hoped into the car and drove, my memory being refreshed as to how I was supposed to go to the cave. I was nervous. Not to just see everyone again, but Roy in general. And Oliver and Dinah. And I could only imagine what hell I would be put through when I saw them all again.