Past Me: Shouldn't be too hard to update once a week, right?

Me: *dies of laughter* *cries self to sleep* *regrets life decisions*

Why are these back alleyways always so dirty? I don't know if I'll even want my backpack. And that's if the damn thing made it through the portal.

Sheesh. When did my life become a sci-fi movie? That kind of stuff is great for film and just plain frightening in real life.

*squeak*

If that's a rat, I'm officially done. I could find a nice stranger who'd lend me their phone and- Who am I kidding? This city is too much like NYC for a nice stranger to let a homeless looking woman 'borrow' their cellphone. Add in the fact that I haven't seen any payphones and I'm starting to think my bag is my only hope.

I'm so focused on avoiding anything with claws that I almost miss the light. My eyes instinctively widen as I witness the opening of the very same thing that got me in this situation. It's like the very fabric of the universe is tearing as something forces its way through. Last time, the portal was sucking me in. This time, it seems like something is coming out. I dive behind a nearby garbage container to watch with fascination.

Ew, I really hope this is ketchup. I mean, it smells nothing like ketchup and it's dark red, but please. Let it be ketchup.

Squeezing my eyes shut and taking a quick breath, I try not to think of the implications. I huddle closer to the wall and try to focus on the unnatural event happening less than 3 feet away from me. For a few moments all I can see are the tendrils of light. After a moment, I hear a sound that I'm not really sure how describe and the light slowly fades.

I peek out from behind my only protection and there sits a backpack. My backpack, specifically.

"What the heck just happened?" I whisper. Why did it appear now? Did the portal just drop it here or did I miss it earlier? Dumb question, there was nothing in this alley but rats a few moments ago. My backpack got sucked in to the portal before I did, shouldn't it have already come out?

I'm guessing portals don't obey the rules of space and time, considering it did just pluck me from the street and teleport me. I glance around before grabbing my bag and darting out into the street. I'd rather not know if that area is a hotspot for people like the guy I met last night. Idling at the corner of some restaurant, I shove a hand inside my pack. A grin lights my face as I pull out my salvation- my cell phone. A quick click of the home button reveals that my battery is just as high as it'd been before my impromptu vacation. Tapping the googal icon, I immediately start typing.

'WHERE AM I?'

It's just now that I notice something that could a bit of an issue.

ZERO BARS..

Great. Just wonderful. I'll be home in no time, with the way things are going. Rubbing my forehead, I take a few calming breaths.

'Complementary Wifi' IS AVAILABLE. CONNECT?

Yes!

PASSWORD: _

Crap. Welp. Its official, the universe dislikes me and some higher power is probably laughing their ass off.

"You doing alright there?" I jump and spin. The speaker is a man with dark olive skin and black hair. He's tall with a strong jaw, wide nose, and full lips turned up in a grin. He's all lean muscle, sharp lines, and- he's starting to look worried.

I've been staring for at least a full minute. WHY, SELF, WHY? A light blush covers my cheeks as I start to answer him.

"I-I'm fine. You know what? No, I'm not fine. I've had a really confusing and sucky day. My last hope," I hold up my cell, "is useless. I don't have any service." A scowl settles on my face.

He whistles and his face turns sympathetic. Then he winks and his tone is light, "Bad days are worth only one thing." I raise an eyebrow.

"Good food." His smile is kind. "Come on in, it's on the house." He turns and walks back into the restaurant without checking to see if I'll follow. Listen to the possible serial killer for free food or stay out here and panic?

Eh, it's worth the risk. I haven't eaten anything since movie night and that was pure junk food. I doubt he'd try anything in the middle of a busy restaurant anyway. Shoving the useless hunk of metal that I once proudly called my phone into my bag, I step through the door.

And immediately fall in love with whatever is the source of that delicious scent.

My stomach chooses that moment to demonstrate its appreciation and I'm blushing again. A little boy looks up from his dinosaur drawing to investigate and I hurry to keep up with tall, dark, and yummy. Leading me to a booth in the back, he waves a hand to invite me to sit and smiles once again. Is he perpetually happy? How does one person smile so much?

"The name is Dante. What's yours?" For half a second I consider lying, but I doubt giving him my nick name could cause any real trouble.

"Jackie." He nods and makes his way to the kitchen. I take the seat he had offered and rest my head on the table. A minute or two later he slides into the seat opposite me with a plate of pasta. He places it and some cutlery before me and smiles.

"Jackie, you've stumbled upon the best Italian restaurant in Gotham City. I hope you appreciate the treasure that's was so freely bestowed upon you."

I can't help the snort, but the first bite has me moaning. This spaghetti is, by far, the best I've ever had.

"Wait, Gotham City?" My expression twists in confusion. The creep wasn't lying?

"Yep, welcome to the city of immigrants. Our fair city is rich with culture, gargoyles, food, gargoyles, and diversity. Did I mention the gargoyles? Those things are everywhere." I chuckle until I notice the look of curiosity on his face. It is kinda odd for a woman to not even know what city she's in. I tense up and keep my eyes on my plate.

How do I explain a portal without sounding insane?

A few moments pass and once he realizes he's not getting an answer, he opens his mouth to speak. Before he can utter a word, a passing redhead slaps a sheet of paper in front of him.

"D, we're low on meatballs. Do I need to explain how bad that is? Tsk, is this another one of your charity cases? Actually, I don't want to know. Just get those supplies!" The woman has one hand on the table and another on her hip. She's obviously a waiter, and an annoyed one at that. She gives him a dirty look before swishing towards to the kitchen. "And don't forget my twizzlers this time!"

With a roll of his eyes, Dante says, "You'd think she was the owner of this fine establishment. I gotta go, but you are gonna stay right there. I'll be back as soon as I can." I start to protest his instructions but, much like the red headed woman, he's gone in a blink. I could always finish my food and disappear regardless. Except this guy was nice enough to give me food just because I was having a bad day. I can't decide if he's naïve or really sweet. Either way, I'm grateful and just a little in his debt. I can stick around for a bit. When he gets back, I'll ask him for his phone and see if I can still remember dad's number.

For now, I've got nothing but time.

A/N

Oh. My. God.

My life has been a hectic mess since 2017 hit. Like Jacquie, I think some higher power is probably lmao-ing rn. EOI testing, social anxiety, and family drama (although honestly, I should be used to that shit by now), all have kinda sent me into this emotional hole. Depression, oh how I haven't missed you.

Btw, ended up naming the older lady Pearlie, because that's meh auntie's name. I could have just waited for you to find out through the story but I DO WHAT I WANT.

I updated Chapter 1, but that was just to clarify some things in the author's note. It's unimportant as far as the story goes.

P.S. This is probably going to be a crossover with one or more of the more recent DC TV series. (Take from that what you will. ;) So definitely straying from canon at some point. I will update the summary once any of the characters appear in this fic.

P.P.S. Do y'all know some Swedish surnames? I need some, for reasons…