PERFECT TIME
Terry kneels down and investigates the couch by touch. Placing his hand upon it and feeling the temperature. Even though Inque is fluid, she still gives off body heat.
Inque holds back laughter as she observes Batman doing his detective work. What's funny is that she could have killed him over ten times right now. Dropping the roof or glass upon him. Stabbing him through the back or suffocating him. She could finish him off at any time, however, she has always enjoyed playing cat and mouse with him.
Suddenly his phone vibrates. His personal cell phone.
Not wanting to be distracted from the mission, he ignores it and allows it to go straight to voicemail. However, a second call comes in right away. This now gets his attention, thus he looks at the caller I.D. and spots that it's his girlfriend. Dana.
That's when it hits him. The reality that for the last few days, he hasn't gone home. He hasn't called any of his friends. He hasn't gone to school or even spoken to his mother. Yeah he already figured that his mother has put things together regarding his personal life. It's almost as if it's an unspoken understanding that he is batman... and his mother knows it, but just pretends that she doesn't. As if she is in denial.
But Dana, she is in the dark about all this. And a relationship requires attention and care. The two things he can't offer her like any other normal man. And he can't tell her who he is because that would only endanger her life. Visiting her in the dead of night in full costume is out of the question.
How many days has it been? He can't remember how many days have passed since he last spoke to her. Or sent a text message. Leaving him with only one option. He has to answer her call.
"Hey Dana. What's up?"
Acting casual as if nothing is going on. Already his focus is being taken away from the task at hand. Allowing Inque to get a little closer. She figures that this is his first time wearing the cape and cowl. Giving her the chance to slide up and onto his actual body. Little by little she inches her way up the cape. Onto the boots and up his back, covering his most dark places.
She alters her pigmentation and becomes one with his suit. This is a long and risky choice she has decided to take. However, this gives her the perfect chance to figure out who Batman is. Just exactly what is his name, and who he's talking to on the phone.
"Don't you dare, hey what's up, me Mcginnis. What's happening between us? You don't call or text for the last five days, you don't come to school and just ignore my text messages? Just tell me who you're seeing already so I don't have to keep on worrying about us! Who is it? Is it Chelsea or Max?"
Crap... this is exactly what he doesn't want. And this is the last thing he needs right now at this very moment. Why now of all times? Is it because of... no... no this is his fault for not paying attention to this girl. To not managing his time with his personal relationship.
"Dana I... Now really isn't a good time for this. I'll talk to you about it later tomorrow."
"What?... WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME TERRY? Tomorrow... oh no. Not for anything. You tell me right now. What's going on? Are you gay or cheating on me or something? I deserve answers."
This is really bad. He can't keep talking to her right now. Terry can tell that if he lets this keep going, this conversation between Dana and himself, this is a bad time. Inque can attack him at any given moment.
But unbeknownst to himself, Inque... has just gotten more information about him than she could have ever wanted. She got his name. And the name of his girlfriend.
"So... you're just a college boy playing as Batman with relationship problems? That's it?"
Inque slowly slithers off him, inch by inch. Silent and carefully moving away from him. Already she is starting to change her view of this young man.
"If that girl isn't allowed to know about you, and your little secret. Maybe I can interject myself into your life. Terry... it's a nice name."