Catwoman paused in shock as she heard the loud crash, echoing from within the alley. Her body shook in disbelief. Harley joined her in the shocking silence.
"…Batman…" Catwoman's eyes widened as Harley stuttered in terror.
"I…I didn't mean…"
Catwoman's eyes were fixed directly on Harley.
"You…YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF TRASH!! I CAN'T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY PITIED YOU!!!"
She dug her claws into Harley's thighs.
"WE WERE TRYING TO HELP YOU, YOU PATHETIC, SELFISH…"
Catwoman became lost in rage. She tore into Harley's entire being.
"He saved your LIFE!!!" Sirens began approaching from the distance. Catwoman released the trembling girl from her vengeful grip.
Harley lay still on the ground, breathing heavily and covered in crimson claw marks. Catwoman looked down upon her in disgust.
"They are going to find you, Harley. You know they'll throw you in Arkham where you belong. Run while you still can." Catwoman turned her back on Harley.
"Catwoman…I-"
"Leave or I swear to God I'll claw your eyes out."
Catwoman continued to walk away from Harley, leaving her wounded and alone.
She climbed down the side of the building as quickly as she could. Batman's broken body was waiting for her at the bottom, beneath a pile of garbage cans. As soon as she reached the bottom, she violently threw the debris aside.
"Batman! God…please…" He extended his hand slightly and touched her face. She pressed his hand close to her flesh.
He closed his eyes as blood seeped through the crevices of his lips. She glanced down upon the bullet wounds to observe the extent of the damage; the first bullet had penetrated his leg, while the other had come dangerously close to his spine. Suddenly, she heard a voice clouded with static, echoing from within his mask.
"B-! B-! It's O! Your vital signs are dropping! What the hell is going on?? B-!!!
Although unsure of herself, Catwoman was in desperate need of help.
"Hello? Oracle??" The static continued.
"B? Who's there? H, is that you?" Catwoman was rarely involved with any of Batman's technology, but the situation was dire, it was time for her to adapt.
"H? …Huntress? No! This is Catwoman! Batman is hurt, badly. He was shot twice. Police are on their way, I need some help here." The crackling voice responded harshly.
"Catwoman?? What did you do??" The accusation angered Catwoman deeply. She screamed into the microphone.
"I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!" She sighed in frustration.
"It was Quinn; I think The Joker is down. Now send help, DAMN IT!!!"
A pause of silence passed through the air.
"Help is on the way."
Only minutes later, Catwoman heard a loud screech from down the street. The dark, ominous vehicle stopped in front of the opening of the alley. The door opened as a man stepped out.
"How bad is it." The man ran to her side.
"He's breathing, but…" Catwoman's eyes shifted nervously as she paused.
"…We have to get him out of here." Ashamed of being unable to have prevented the atrocity, she felt helpless in aiding Batman's injuries. The man nodded his head and put his middle and index fingers on Batman's neck. He felt the faint pulse.
"Who did this?" The man struggled to life Batman's body.
"Quinn…she…The Joker…" Catwoman suddenly lost her balance and collapsed. The man paused.
"You're wounded." The man observed her shoulder, wet with blood.
"I…I'll be fine. Just help him."
The man turned to her in disbelief.
"You should at least-" Frustrated because of her wounds, Catwoman interrupted him.
"Just help him."
The man steadily placed Batman in the vehicle.
"Come on." He opened the passenger door, inviting Catwoman.
"I'm taking you two to Leslie Thompkins. She isn't far from here, you know she'll take care of you."
Catwoman paused in distrust. She was tempted to run, but the wound was too deep. Knowing this was her only option; she gave in to the offer.
"Nightwing…" She stood up and smiled faintly as she sighed.
"Thank you."
-
Harley tugged at The Joker's shirt.
"C'mon Puddin'! Please wake up, the police'll be here any minute!"
She stood up and desperately tried to drag The Joker to safety.
"Please…" Numbness ran through her frozen body as she collapsed to the ground. Once again, the rain fell heavily from the dark sky. Her voice began to break.
"Puddin'…please…I can't do it anymore…I…" She let her body go limp as she lay beneath the clouds. The harsh rain pounded against her delicate face; there was no reason to hide anything anymore. The rarely seen sun had disappeared behind the blanket of dark clouds. She gently pulled The Joker's arm and wrapped it around her shivering body as she stroked his hair with her fingertips.
"It's okay, Puddin'. I'll make it better."
Welcoming death, she remained perfectly still beneath the black morning sky in his arms. The rain soaked her skin and washed away the blood and make-up from her face. She had become the shadow of a wounded, lost girl, staring up into the great abyss of darkness above her head. Up there, she could see no walls. No prison could hold her back anymore. She felt peace, she felt free.
"They're up here!" The police shouted from a distance. One by one they climbed to the roof, armed and prepared for anything. Or so they thought. One man spotted the two criminals through the mist, lying motionless on the cold ground.
"It's…it's The Joker! Quinn's with him, too! Both are down!"
"Careful men! This is The Joker we're dealing with!" The men cautiously moved forward. These situations were rarely dealt with without Batman by their side.
"Alright! They ain't movin', cuff em'!"
From within the white mist, the notoriously deadly yet beautiful green-skinned woman gracefully stepped out in front of The Joker and Harley. She placed her hands on hips and spoke with confidence as she smiled sweetly.
"Sorry boys, but I'll be taking it from here."