WELCOME HOME
Darker Than Inque
Terry rages through the street heading away from Wayne manor. In his backpack contains the original Bat suit and utility belt. The sound of the engine is washed away by the memory that just transpired between Bruce and himself. He never expected for him to speak those words to him. It almost sent a cold chill down his spine.
Terry closes his eyes for but a moment as the that moment, that memory flashes through his mind.
"Thanks for letting me take the suit and car for a test run. Do you want me to put it back in the glass case?"
He asked him with a serious voice, expecting Bruce to agree with him by a simple nod. Only to be stunned by the words coming from his mentors mouth.
"Why would you offer me your suit Terry? You might need it at any time. By the way, you forgot a bunch of your tools that go with that suit. I'll get them for you so you don't forget them again. It's important to have these things."
Terry opens his eyes after hearing Bruce's voice in his memory once again.
"My suit... Funny how when you think about it... The original suit can still take down the new one. E.M.P. bombs. Stun grenades. Gas pellets. Flash bang marbles. The list keeps going. I get the feeling that Bruce has been waiting for me to ask for this thing for the last few years."
A strange sense of pride and fear washes over him. Knowing that tonight, he has taken his first steps into a much more darker, and serious world. A world of darkness and shadows. The world of THE BATMAN.
He grips the handlebar on the motorcycle and speeds up, accepting the fact that he has finally, at long last, passed Bruce's trials and tests. And finally become THE DARK KNIGHT.
Except he forgot one thing. Always expect the unexpected. That sentence has always served Bruce and his allies very well. And the fact that Terry has never really had to do that, is going to test him in a whole new way.
Up to this point he has always challenged his enemies more physically than mentally. Always ready to jump into battle punching and kicking due to the fact that he has never had to be tested as a detective. To think methodically and constructively. Always putting his faith into the suit more than anyone should.
One thing is for sure in this current stance in his life. Terry is no detective and has little skill when it comes to mind games. Always mind your surroundings isn't a lesson he has taken to heart just yet. But, what skill he has, it has served him well enough. But he has never faced someone... who is going through an identity crisis. Or going through with someone who has a change of heart. Or someone... blackmailing him.
Inque lies in Terry's room upon his bed. Looking up at the ceiling and thinking to herself as to what she should say to him after he enters his bedroom. A simple greeting isn't going to suffice. No, this is a bit more personal. Well... actually a lot more personal seeing as this is his home, and what's more, this is his bedroom.
His mother is in the kitchen right now preparing dinner and his younger brother is playing a video game on some sort of console. Maybe she should at least give him a heads up of some sort so he doesn't start swinging and fighting. After all, she wants to lower his guard as much as possible.
She's here to talk, not to fight. What happens after Terry comes is entirely up to him. But she will state the facts and she will get him to lower his guard. She's an infiltrator and has a high I.Q.
After all, she has survived in this form from countless attacks and methods of attempted destruction from more enemies than she cares to count. Terry has a rogues gallery. And so does she. They are in a sense... equals... but on different ends of the spectrum.
"Am I... his exact opposite?"
The saying... opposites attract comes to mind. Maybe she has been going about Batman... no... Terry... the wrong way for the past few years.
"Alright... It's time for me to make my move. Before he comes home to see me waiting for him in his bed."
Slowly she gets up and out of his bed and looks at the door. She can't just open it and walk about. No, she needs stealth... like always.
Thus she becomes fluid. A puddle, and glides right under the door and sticks to the shadows. Thankfully the lights are off in the hallway and Terry's younger brother is so focused on his game that he wouldn't even notice a stranger standing right behind him. She holds back a little laugh as she glides past his open room and makes her way to the real target. His mother, or more properly. Her purse, and the cell phone that's inside.
She can see that his mother is finishing up preparing dinner. That gives Inque maybe five or ten minutes. More than enough time for what she needs to do.
Inque glides through the living room and into another hall headed to the bedroom gliding under the door and into the master bedroom. Taking her true form of a beautiful woman, she glances around and spots the cell phone on charge. She smiles a little and walks to it, lifting it up and activating it. Thankfully it doesn't have a password requirement.
She goes into the contacts list and spots Terry's number right next to his name. And with that discovery, she presses on the contact, sending him a call, and places the phone next to her ear.
"Hey mom, what's up?"
His voice calm and collected. Filled with content and joy that his mother is calling. Or so he thought.
"Hello Terry. It's nice to hear your real voice, and not when you're trying to make it sound deeper. Like The Batman."
A cold chill runs down his spine causing him to break and stop driving the motorcycle. Thoughts of what has or could have happen to his mother and little brother run through his imagination. His mind working a million miles a minute.
This... this can't be happening right now. This is impossible. How could this have happen? When did she? Is this some kind of sick joke? This is... this cannot be!
"INQUE!"
His voice becomes deep and in a furious rage.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? I SWEAR IF YOU HURT MY FAMILY I'LL-"
"Calm down Terry. Your family is fine. I didn't do anything to them. I just wanted to let you know that I'm at your house. I've been waiting for you for the last couple of hours. When are you coming home? I promise not to even be seen by your mom and little brother. I know that if I hurt them I hurt you as well. You have my word that I'll not hurt them, or you when you arrive. I just want to talk."
Her voice is soft and gentle. It sounds almost as if she's... confessing something... what is this?
"Inque... I'm going to be home in about 15 minutes. Just please... keep your word. Don't hurt my family. I'll come home as soon as possible."
His voice... trembling and in fear. Scared that Inque is just playing a game with him... but something seems different. Something... isn't right here. She said that she knows if she hurts them, she hurts him. What was that about?
"Terry, I know you'll arrive soon. Thank you. But please don't speed. I don't want some cop chasing you when it's unnecessary. I'll be in your room. Waiting for you. I'll be a good girl tonight. Just relax, you don't need to be scared ok? I just really need to talk to you. It's important."
And with those last words, she hangs up the phone, places it back in its original position, and slithers back to his bedroom. Keeping her word, and waiting for his return. Finally, talking face to face, person to person. Woman to man.
She takes a seat on his bed and crosses her arms, and waits for him.
"Hopefully he accepts me. I'm getting a little tired of running around the city living in abandoned buildings and seeking shelter with criminals."
As promised, Terry arrives within an appropriate time. Trembling not from the cold, but from fear. Not knowing if Inque had kept her word. The sheer thought of contacting Bruce about this rocks him to his very core. He can't trouble him about this, he has to try and handle this alone. He has to. This is a family matter. It has nothing to do with his mentor.
But if she lied to him, and hurt them or taken them hostage, unlike Bruce, Terry would definitely be willing to cross that line. And take her out... once and for all. If necessary.
He quickly makes his way up the stairs and runs to the door, scared and worried about what he might see, but before he opens it, he tries to collect himself. He doesn't want to show how worried he is, just in case his mother and brother are alright. He can't show them that something is wrong. He can't do that. He can't worry his family right now. They have to be calm and relaxed. Notifying them that a criminal is inside there house right now... he can't do that.
Slowly he opens the door and follows his usual routine.
"Mom I'm home." He says in a relaxed voice, trying to hide the tremble and worry in his tone.
"Welcome home Terry. I'll have dinner at the table in just a moment."
She says with a slight joy in her voice. Since his father passed, Terry has been taking care of the bills and house payments. As well as allowing his mother to quit her job and letting her live a life of calm relaxation.
To be honest his home life has felt more like some sort of simulated family life. On more than one occasion his mother has asked him when he's going to get married and bring about grand children for her.
But how on earth is he supposed to explain that he can't? Sure he has a girlfriend but... he can't do a damned thing since that would cause more issues than he needs. That's why Dana... is even more frustrated with him. All these years... and he hasn't done a thing with her. That's why she feels... unfulfilled as a woman. Dating a guy for over a decade and still... nothing. It would make any female agitated and unwanted. Like she's the other woman.
"I just need to go to my room for a moment and change mom. Be right back."
His mother seems... confused. He's never been this short with her. Like something is bothering him.
"Uh... ok... sure..."
Reaching his door he pauses and takes a breath. Already knowing she's inside his room. Waiting for him. He already checked on his mother. She's alive and well. And max, his younger brother. Is in his room playing video games. Things are alright at home. Inque... was honest with him. That's what makes this so strange... what is she after?
She knows his secret identity. She knows he's the Batman. Is this what blackmail feels like? Is she about to tell him she wants something from him? Or is it... something else?
Slowly he opens his door, the darkness from the hallway covers his body creating a silhouette around his body. His gaze locked onto the woman sitting on his bed.
"Inque..."
He comes inside his room and shuts the door behind him, locking the room.
"What do you want? Why did you come here?"
She smiles a bit and stands up, walking over to him, face to face.
"Terry, I'm tired of running from criminals. I'm tired of running from deals I make going wrong. And... I'm tired... of running from you. Please... sit down next to me... and lets just talk for a moment... can we... do that? Please?"
He's shocked at how she's talking to him... no... she's not talking... this is begging.
"Terry... I'm not going to tell anyone that you're Batman. I... I want... I need... your help."