Disclaimer: This is for entertainment purposes only, the characters of Batman, Robin and the police commissioner are property of DC comics.

Author's note: This is my first Batman/ Robin story. I hope you like it. It's set roughly after the movie of Batman Forever, although there is no reference. Please read and review.

The Hatching of the Raven

The victim's screams split the tight silence enclosed in the large back room of the stylish apartment. The woman's voice died and the sound of dead weight falling was heard, soon followed by the mad cackling of a man's laugh. What had once been a peaceful, joyous birthday celebration was soon stained with the taint of death. It was the end of one life and the start of another.

Angelica had always loved birds, and her sister Clare knew that well. That was why on the birthday of the bird lover they had traveled the two hours to Gotham city to their unusual bird sanctuary; their main attraction, the birds of the night. Angelica took almost a full two hours gazing at the nearly invisible birds as they sat upon their dim perches, all calling out declaring the same territory theirs. All but one. The one silent bird flapped its inky wings and flew closer to the observer. It locked its golden eyes with the dark haired girl. A single croak sent a waterfall of chills down the girl's spine.

"Come one Angel, let's head home." Clare said as she tugged at her sister's arm. "We'll grab dinner on the way home."

"Okay Clare." Angelica said her mind still focused on the dark bird staring at her through the mesh fence. It seemed to be trying to warn her, of what she didn't know but she would soon find out.

As the sisters were leaving they ran into an unfortunate obstacle. Clare's ex boyfriend, the man was mad, he was clinically insane. He slandered closer to the girls eyeing both of them over, "Hey toots, why not ditch the kid and you and I can pick up where we left off?"

"No way, I told you a long time ago we are finished. Can't you understand that? I'm with Grant now. So leave me alone!" Clare almost shouted as she shoved her way passed the man.

"You're not his, you hear me? You're mine and will always be mine! Get it? You are mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!!" he was nearly throwing a tantrum as a three year old child would. The two girls left as he created his scene in the middle of the entrance/ exit to the sanctuary.

Hours later, walking down the narrow hallway of their apartment building, Angelica and Clare talked, joked and laughed. They were a family having fun. Clare's keys jangled together as she swung them towards the lock in the door. As soon as metal touched metal Angelica had the feeing of dread mixed with extreme fear course up and down her spine sending her into a fit of shivers.

"Clare?" her voice was soft and quiet. "Clare!" now more urgent as the door swung open to reveal a spacious apartment.

Clare seemed oblivious to her sister's calls. She walked confidently into their home and tossed her purse and keys onto a near by table. "I'm going to grab a shower okay Angel? Grant said he may call so take a message kay?"

Clare didn't wait for an answer from her frozen sister instead she continued down the hallway into her bedroom. She had been out of sight for no more then a few seconds when her screams sliced the silence. Her voice was suddenly cut off and the sound of a dead weight was heard falling and hitting the floor. A male voice was heard talking directly after, "You're not so pretty now are you my dear? I had always told you that you were mine, and now no other man will ever look at you again!" There was a horrid gleeful cackling laugh coming down the hall as the man made his exit.

He walked through the apartment as though he owned it was not at all alarmed at seeing the paralyzed Angelica standing in the doorway. Her figure outlined by the hall lights. He was wiping his hands and golden blade on a white blouse taken from the bedroom. He chuckled at the feared expression on the younger girl's face. "Well little birdie, time for me to fly the coop wouldn't you agree?" He walked right past her patting her on the head as he would a dog.

As soon as the door clicked closed Angelica's knees gave out from under her and she slid to the floor silent tears marring her face. In time the tears would led to sobbing, which would lead to out right screaming. The screams would bring the tenant from across the hall running in. He would see the hysterical Angelica and wander for Clare. It would be him, a man almost a stranger who finds her mangled body on the floor of her bedroom and calls the police.

The police came; sirens' wailing telling everyone in hearing range that a terrible feat was done. Those sirens would soon be joined by those of an ambulance. But upon reaching their destination they would be silenced. The cooling body of Clare was covered and removed from the apartment while paramedics and police try to figure out what happened. It wouldn't be until three days later that the only eye witness spoke of the murder. The law enforcement officers searched for the mad man for months with no leads bearing fruit. They gave up their search after exhausting every logical possibility. It was after two months Angelica left to attempt to restart her life. Or at least that is what everyone thought.

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