CHAPTER 8

The three girls returned to the clock tower. Helena's chest was very sore so she had to sit on a chair that Dinah got for her. Barbara turned from the computer to face the three of them. She took her glasses and rubbed her eyes, feeling the late hours creep upon her. "While you were gone, that grocery store incident was indeed David Crane. The police reports say that the cashiers that were working the late shift were rushed to the hospital, both severely beaten to a pulp. Four police officers who had rushed to the seen were all found dead. The police have no clues what happened, but from our experience, we know that he used that gas on the police officers and they killed each other in a shootout. He has stolen over a thousand dollars in the grocery stores. The local authorities are powerless to stop David Crane."

"That leaves it up to Helena and me," Dinah said, nodding.

"Helena, are you up to fighting David Crane? How's your chest doing?" Barbara asked.

"My chest still hurts. I rather take it easy for a couple days. I'm sure Dinah and Danielle can handle this without my help," Helena replied.

Barbara sighed. It had already begun. Before, Helena would have jumped at the opportunity to get revenge, no matter what her condition was. It appeared that her kick-ass attitude had already started melting away. "If the pain is very bad, you can take it easy tonight, but I rather would like to see all three of you take him on, just in case one of you get hit with the gas."

"Okay, I'll go," Helena conceded.

"Danielle here is a gas mask for you," Barbara handed her a small black flexible mask. "You two still have yours, right?"

"That's affirmative," Dinah said with a smile.

"I have mine," Helena replied.

"Good. I know it's getting late, but let's see if we can put an end to this crime wave of his," Barbara said.

* * * *

Helena, Dinah, and Danielle were on a roof top, looking down on the few blocks that were in their view. "I must say, I don't envy you two doing this every night," Danielle said.

"I am beginning to agree with you. This job kinda' sucks," Helena replied.

"You always loved being the Huntress. You told me that there was a thrill kicking the bad guy's ass." Dinah said looking at Helena in surprise.

"It used to be," Helena replied. Being the Huntress had always been very important to her, but right now, it seemed unimportant. There was something she wanted more than being the Huntress, and right now, that was where her heart was.

Dinah didn't understand what Helena was going through, and figured it would be best if she did not push the subject any further.

"How is your chest?" Danielle asked.

"I'll be fine, let's just get this over with and go home," Helena said agitatedly.

"How do we know that David Crane is not calling it quits for the night?" Dinah asked.

"I'm figuring David Crane to be intelligent," Barbara said through all of their ear pieces. "He knows that we will eventually find a way to free the Huntress from the delusions. My guess is he is going to try to take advantage of ever minute he can to steel as much as he can before the Huntress comes around. He doesn't know that we were already able to save her, so he'll probably strike again real soon."

"Sounds logical enough," Danielle admitted.

A clanging noise came from behind the three of them. They turned to see a small metal marble for a split second before it exploded in front of the three of them, releasing red gas that engulfed all three of them. Standing at the other end of the roof was David Crane who grinned with delight. "Now I have three of them at my disposal!"