Chapter Three
"Hey Terry!"
"Terry, you made it!"
Terry grinned as he approached the line leading into Salita, one of the biggest clubs in Gotham. He could see Dana, Blade, Chelsea, and Max standing there, Jared and Nelson bringing up the back. Nelson didn't look particularly happy as Terry arrived.
"Of course," Terry said, wrapping his arms around Dana, "wouldn't give it up for anything." He looked at Max. "Hey Max, didn't think I'd see you around here."
Max shrugged. "Nothing else to do. Besides, Jared insisted." She looked up at Jared and he grinned. She was African American as well with short flaming pink hair. She was the smartest kid at Hamilton High and normally wouldn't be found around clubs with Dana and Terry. But tonight could be counted as an exception.
"Where's your permission slip, McGinnis?" Nelson asked, making a show of putting his arm around Blade.
"Don't need one anymore," Terry answered cynically, "where's yours?"
"The line's taking awhile," Dana said, noticing the tension. "But I'm sure it wouldn't be too long before we get in." She was grinning with anticipation.
"Can't wait either," Terry said, smiling down at her. He really liked her. She was one of the sweetest girls he knew and he was glad they were dating.
Nelson made a face behind him and tried to get closer to Blade, but she shoved him away. He looked at her in surprise, then shrugged and tried to put a move on Chelsea.
"So Terry," Jared said, "what are you going to do about the wrestling team?"
"Yeah," Max put in, "I heard it wasn't so good today."
"You're telling me," Terry said, "I think Coach expected me to apologize."
"Are you?" Dana asked.
He was about to say no, but he noticed the look in her eyes and changed the answer. "I might."
She smiled. "That's good."
A loud explosion rocked the ground suddenly, and everyone cried out as motorcycles roared through the street. Every looked to see a whole gang of teens arriving wearing loud outfits and make-up covering their faces. They were laughing maniacally, throwing things and running their bikes through the lines. People screamed and tried to get out of their way.
"Jokerz," Max yelled over the noise, "why'd they have to come now?"
Dana tugged on Terry's jacket. "We'd better get out of here."
They were just about to do so when one of the Jokerz spun his bike, coming to a stop right in front of them. He wore a purple suit with white make-up plastered across his face, his hair dyed green.
"Hey!" he yelled conversationally at them, "where's the party?"
More Jokerz continued to ransack the place, people running and screaming to get away. It was starting to get ugly.
Terry and Dana tried to get away, but the green-haired Joker was effectively blocking his way. And he was giving Dana the same look Terry despised whenever he saw it on Nelson's face.
"Hey baby," the Joker said, "come for a ride?" Another Joker rode his bike around them, laughing at the top of his lungs.
"Get away from here!" Terry yelled, stepping in front of her.
"Oooh!" The Joker said mockingly. "Like to see you try!"
Just then Dana screamed and Terry turned to see that the second Joker and gotten her purse. She had tried to hold on to it, but the force of the motorcycle had made her fall over, skinning her legs on the asphalt.
Angry, Terry attacked the closest Joker, pulling him off the motorcycle. The Jokerz were starting to clear the area and at first Terry couldn't understand why. Then he noticed the flashing lights of police cars and figured it out.
But they still had Dana's purse. And he had had enough of being pushed around that night.
He took off after them on the motorcycle, ignoring Dana's protests behind him. He knew how to use a motorcycle and he used it effectively, picking up speed as he tore down the street after them.
Ahead he could hear the Jokerz whooping and laughing, shouting rude comments at each other. One of them noticed him following and hollered it out to the rest. They looked back and Terry could feel all their eyes bearing down on him.
Trying to find a way to lose him, they took an unexpected turn. Terry continued after them, not willing to give up yet. It wasn't just the purse that was driving him. It was the urge to really beat someone up.
He rode for what seemed like fifteen minutes, dodging through oncoming cars to keep up with the gang. After awhile the traffic started to die down and the ground ascended, going up a small incline. He didn't know where they were going and he was starting to lose them. He didn't know where they were.
Suddenly the front tire of the motorcycle hit something he was flying, hitting the ground in front of him painfully and skidding his hands and knees. He rolled over onto his back, hitting his head painfully on the ground.
The motorcycle had flopped to the side, still running. But that wasn't what he was worried about.
Jokerz were stepping out from the shadows, looking down at him with wide grins. He blinked, getting to his feet. He couldn't tell if they were really grinning, or if it was the make-up. The purple suited Joker stepped forward, holding a mean looking club in his hand. Spikes stuck out and unruly angles.
"Look what we have here!" he said loudly. The rest of the gang snickered. Suddenly realizing the danger they had put him in Terry tried to back up. It was no use, they had completely surrounded him.
Oh slag it.
He noticed the Joker who had stolen Dana's purse. He held it now, draped over his shoulder like it was his own. Terry was going to get it back no matter what. And he was going to bash some heads in the process.
"Someone was following us," the purple suited Joker said, starting to circle Terry, patting the club into his hand. "How.funny because we're here, waiting for you."
Without warning he swung the club. Terry blocked it with his arms and tried to grab it from him. The spikes dug into his skin and he gritted his teeth, trying not to cry out. He fought back, sending the Joker staggering back, still holding the club in his hands. The rest of the Jokerz were getting angry.
Then Terry was attacked from behind. He didn't know by how many, but he was on the ground, trying to fight him off. The air filled with yelling as he fought them off, only to get attacked by more. Something hit his leg painfully and he stumbled, trying to regain balance.
Well. This was stupid.
He wasn't sure how long he would be able to hold himself when a blow came out of nowhere. He blinked at first, expecting pain, but he got none. Instead, the Jokerz around him fell off and he looked up to see a cane flying, hitting the Jokerz painfully away from him.
"Get him! Get the old man!"
Terry couldn't understand what was going on, and he looked around. From his angle he could see another person there in front of him, defending him from the Jokerz and his first impulse was to yell at him, tell him to get out of there.
Then he realized it was an old man. Old enough to be his grandfather if not older.
"Leave the boy alone!" the old man was saying, "and get off my property!"
Oh man, this guy's going to get himself killed!
Terry got to his feet and got to his side, trying to fight the Jokerz back. Instead the old man stepped in front of him, using his cane to effectively attack them. Terry noticed the strength behind the blows and instead of trying to defend him, fought beside him. Barking filled the air and he turned, realizing the black Great Dane standing to the side, barking furiously and attacking whatever Joker came near it.
It slowly dawned on the Jokerz that it wasn't a fight worth fighting, and they started to retreat. The purple suited leader looked at the old man in surprise, then grabbed the motorcycle Terry had fallen off.
"Go back!" he shouted at the others, glaring at Terry. "We'll deal with him later!"
They both stood there as the Jokerz ran off through the trees and away down the street. Terry couldn't help grinning. Then he remembered Dana's purse and glanced around. He saw it lying on the ground several feet and stooped to pick it up.
"Thanks," he said sheepishly, turning around to face the old man. "Wow, I didn't know someone like you could."
He trailed off, noticing that the old man was suddenly leaning heavily against the wall, breathing hard. The cane had fallen to the ground. The dog stood beside him, sniffing at his hand.
"Whoa, are you okay?" Terry reached forward to help him up, picking up the cane. The man was starting to wheeze. The dark noticed Terry approaching and started growling. It was a deep, throaty growl, and Terry stepped back.
"Ace," the old man said, and the dog stopped growling, stepping aside. Glancing warily at the dog Terry approached, careful not to get too close to him.
"Take me up to the house," he said weakly, taking the cane from Terry.
That's when Terry realized where he was. They were standing at the front gate and far ahead he could see the mansion in the distance, covered by the trees planted around the property. Then he saw the engraving on the side of the wall.
Wayne Manor.
Bruce Wayne? The Bruce Wayne? He had to own practically half of Gotham City! Terry was surprised to see him. No one saw Bruce Wayne in public, except maybe when you worked for him. This was something.
"Okay," Terry said. The man put one hand on his shoulder and they headed through the gate. The dog followed behind, still growling softly in its throat.
"Hey Terry!"
"Terry, you made it!"
Terry grinned as he approached the line leading into Salita, one of the biggest clubs in Gotham. He could see Dana, Blade, Chelsea, and Max standing there, Jared and Nelson bringing up the back. Nelson didn't look particularly happy as Terry arrived.
"Of course," Terry said, wrapping his arms around Dana, "wouldn't give it up for anything." He looked at Max. "Hey Max, didn't think I'd see you around here."
Max shrugged. "Nothing else to do. Besides, Jared insisted." She looked up at Jared and he grinned. She was African American as well with short flaming pink hair. She was the smartest kid at Hamilton High and normally wouldn't be found around clubs with Dana and Terry. But tonight could be counted as an exception.
"Where's your permission slip, McGinnis?" Nelson asked, making a show of putting his arm around Blade.
"Don't need one anymore," Terry answered cynically, "where's yours?"
"The line's taking awhile," Dana said, noticing the tension. "But I'm sure it wouldn't be too long before we get in." She was grinning with anticipation.
"Can't wait either," Terry said, smiling down at her. He really liked her. She was one of the sweetest girls he knew and he was glad they were dating.
Nelson made a face behind him and tried to get closer to Blade, but she shoved him away. He looked at her in surprise, then shrugged and tried to put a move on Chelsea.
"So Terry," Jared said, "what are you going to do about the wrestling team?"
"Yeah," Max put in, "I heard it wasn't so good today."
"You're telling me," Terry said, "I think Coach expected me to apologize."
"Are you?" Dana asked.
He was about to say no, but he noticed the look in her eyes and changed the answer. "I might."
She smiled. "That's good."
A loud explosion rocked the ground suddenly, and everyone cried out as motorcycles roared through the street. Every looked to see a whole gang of teens arriving wearing loud outfits and make-up covering their faces. They were laughing maniacally, throwing things and running their bikes through the lines. People screamed and tried to get out of their way.
"Jokerz," Max yelled over the noise, "why'd they have to come now?"
Dana tugged on Terry's jacket. "We'd better get out of here."
They were just about to do so when one of the Jokerz spun his bike, coming to a stop right in front of them. He wore a purple suit with white make-up plastered across his face, his hair dyed green.
"Hey!" he yelled conversationally at them, "where's the party?"
More Jokerz continued to ransack the place, people running and screaming to get away. It was starting to get ugly.
Terry and Dana tried to get away, but the green-haired Joker was effectively blocking his way. And he was giving Dana the same look Terry despised whenever he saw it on Nelson's face.
"Hey baby," the Joker said, "come for a ride?" Another Joker rode his bike around them, laughing at the top of his lungs.
"Get away from here!" Terry yelled, stepping in front of her.
"Oooh!" The Joker said mockingly. "Like to see you try!"
Just then Dana screamed and Terry turned to see that the second Joker and gotten her purse. She had tried to hold on to it, but the force of the motorcycle had made her fall over, skinning her legs on the asphalt.
Angry, Terry attacked the closest Joker, pulling him off the motorcycle. The Jokerz were starting to clear the area and at first Terry couldn't understand why. Then he noticed the flashing lights of police cars and figured it out.
But they still had Dana's purse. And he had had enough of being pushed around that night.
He took off after them on the motorcycle, ignoring Dana's protests behind him. He knew how to use a motorcycle and he used it effectively, picking up speed as he tore down the street after them.
Ahead he could hear the Jokerz whooping and laughing, shouting rude comments at each other. One of them noticed him following and hollered it out to the rest. They looked back and Terry could feel all their eyes bearing down on him.
Trying to find a way to lose him, they took an unexpected turn. Terry continued after them, not willing to give up yet. It wasn't just the purse that was driving him. It was the urge to really beat someone up.
He rode for what seemed like fifteen minutes, dodging through oncoming cars to keep up with the gang. After awhile the traffic started to die down and the ground ascended, going up a small incline. He didn't know where they were going and he was starting to lose them. He didn't know where they were.
Suddenly the front tire of the motorcycle hit something he was flying, hitting the ground in front of him painfully and skidding his hands and knees. He rolled over onto his back, hitting his head painfully on the ground.
The motorcycle had flopped to the side, still running. But that wasn't what he was worried about.
Jokerz were stepping out from the shadows, looking down at him with wide grins. He blinked, getting to his feet. He couldn't tell if they were really grinning, or if it was the make-up. The purple suited Joker stepped forward, holding a mean looking club in his hand. Spikes stuck out and unruly angles.
"Look what we have here!" he said loudly. The rest of the gang snickered. Suddenly realizing the danger they had put him in Terry tried to back up. It was no use, they had completely surrounded him.
Oh slag it.
He noticed the Joker who had stolen Dana's purse. He held it now, draped over his shoulder like it was his own. Terry was going to get it back no matter what. And he was going to bash some heads in the process.
"Someone was following us," the purple suited Joker said, starting to circle Terry, patting the club into his hand. "How.funny because we're here, waiting for you."
Without warning he swung the club. Terry blocked it with his arms and tried to grab it from him. The spikes dug into his skin and he gritted his teeth, trying not to cry out. He fought back, sending the Joker staggering back, still holding the club in his hands. The rest of the Jokerz were getting angry.
Then Terry was attacked from behind. He didn't know by how many, but he was on the ground, trying to fight him off. The air filled with yelling as he fought them off, only to get attacked by more. Something hit his leg painfully and he stumbled, trying to regain balance.
Well. This was stupid.
He wasn't sure how long he would be able to hold himself when a blow came out of nowhere. He blinked at first, expecting pain, but he got none. Instead, the Jokerz around him fell off and he looked up to see a cane flying, hitting the Jokerz painfully away from him.
"Get him! Get the old man!"
Terry couldn't understand what was going on, and he looked around. From his angle he could see another person there in front of him, defending him from the Jokerz and his first impulse was to yell at him, tell him to get out of there.
Then he realized it was an old man. Old enough to be his grandfather if not older.
"Leave the boy alone!" the old man was saying, "and get off my property!"
Oh man, this guy's going to get himself killed!
Terry got to his feet and got to his side, trying to fight the Jokerz back. Instead the old man stepped in front of him, using his cane to effectively attack them. Terry noticed the strength behind the blows and instead of trying to defend him, fought beside him. Barking filled the air and he turned, realizing the black Great Dane standing to the side, barking furiously and attacking whatever Joker came near it.
It slowly dawned on the Jokerz that it wasn't a fight worth fighting, and they started to retreat. The purple suited leader looked at the old man in surprise, then grabbed the motorcycle Terry had fallen off.
"Go back!" he shouted at the others, glaring at Terry. "We'll deal with him later!"
They both stood there as the Jokerz ran off through the trees and away down the street. Terry couldn't help grinning. Then he remembered Dana's purse and glanced around. He saw it lying on the ground several feet and stooped to pick it up.
"Thanks," he said sheepishly, turning around to face the old man. "Wow, I didn't know someone like you could."
He trailed off, noticing that the old man was suddenly leaning heavily against the wall, breathing hard. The cane had fallen to the ground. The dog stood beside him, sniffing at his hand.
"Whoa, are you okay?" Terry reached forward to help him up, picking up the cane. The man was starting to wheeze. The dark noticed Terry approaching and started growling. It was a deep, throaty growl, and Terry stepped back.
"Ace," the old man said, and the dog stopped growling, stepping aside. Glancing warily at the dog Terry approached, careful not to get too close to him.
"Take me up to the house," he said weakly, taking the cane from Terry.
That's when Terry realized where he was. They were standing at the front gate and far ahead he could see the mansion in the distance, covered by the trees planted around the property. Then he saw the engraving on the side of the wall.
Wayne Manor.
Bruce Wayne? The Bruce Wayne? He had to own practically half of Gotham City! Terry was surprised to see him. No one saw Bruce Wayne in public, except maybe when you worked for him. This was something.
"Okay," Terry said. The man put one hand on his shoulder and they headed through the gate. The dog followed behind, still growling softly in its throat.