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Footsteps Of An Angel

"Death Leaves a Heartache No One Can Heal, Love Leaves A Memory No One Can Steal"

Chapter 4: Midnight Massacre

Kory and Richard grew apart suddenly as she slid down against the wall, trying to calm down her ecstasy. Her legs were weak with excitement and her heart felt as if it was stuck in her throat. Looking up at him she saw he was panting, never once his eyes leaving hers.

Everyone was gathered around a point where the wall was splashed with red.

Blood?

"Somebody call 911!!!"

Kory slowly got up as Richard disappeared into the crowd. Two girls screamed and someone shoved past her back to the dance floor. She made her way through the crowd to the centre of the scene. Just one glance at it made her eyeballs fall out and the coppery smell of blood filled her nostrils. She felt like running away from it a million miles away but then she saw the familiar blue eyes.

The glass eyes stared up into nothingness as the face of the girl was the extreme of innocence. Perhaps the only clear part of the body was the face. The blonde hair was scattered in the growing pool of blood, half soaked in it. The body was slashed ruthlessly. The light blue dress was barely visible among the gushing blood.

Kory dropped down to her knees as she realized who it was.

"Tara…" she breathed out, "Oh, Tara"

Drawing her hand forward it shakily drew closer to her face. She pulled her hand back.. Not being able to stand it. She had seen dead bodies before, but this was… It was her friend… Her band mate, right in front of her eyes lying murdered mercilessly.

Eyes brimming with tears, she got up hurried as more people gathered around.

Making her way through the people Kory went out on the main road walking her way home through the pouring rain.


"Where were you?" Bruce Wayne was looking at his ward, his blue eyes narrowed and forehead creased with an angry frown.

Richard glared at him, not saying anything.

"Due to your carelessness a girl and not just anyone but Tara, one of your friends has been murdered. If you had acted upon my orders you could have saved her!" Bruce exclaimed quietly and firmly.

Richard stood up and slammed his fist on the wooden desk.

"You know what Bruce? I'm outta your shadow and I'm not taking any orders from you" he said heatedly, "I'm guilty enough for many things and you'll not throw salt into it. I know I made a mistake so just shut up the fuck up and let me do something about it!"

He stormed out as Bruce closed his eyes in frustration leaning back in his chair.

"Don't worry Bruce… I got it" Xavier said quietly as he went after his brother. Closing the door he went down the carpeted lobby, his footsteps muffled. The walls were adorned with paintings from god knew where and whom. Xavier had never been into this kind of 'artistic' thing since never. He was the 'bad' boy in high school, the player. While Richard was more like Bruce, witty in his own way. Though he had never seen a girl last more than two or three weeks on Richard's arm, Xavier knew Richard was into Kory.

Oh god, Kory. Ever since her death he was this complete whole new person, he refused to accept that he still missed her. He was broken due to her betrayal but he still yearned for her. Xavier slightly shook his head at his brother's fate, passing by Alfred, their butler, he asked him for a coffee in an hour. He turned towards the grand staircase that led up towards the first floor where all the bedrooms were.

He got to Richard's room and knocked before going inside.

"Usually after knocking people wait for a reply" Richard sarcastically commented as Xavier closed the door behind him.

"I'm not just anyone… I'm your brother" Xavier went to stand next to him in front of the window putting a hand on his shoulder, "What happened last night Dick?"

Richard was quiet for a while before turning to him and answering, "I don't remember… I got drunk badly after getting Bruce's message about a possible killing in the club, in fact I was half drunk when I got it"

"Then what?"

"Dunno… I just remember seeing some girl dancing in the crowd, there was something about her that… that made me wanna touch her… wanna feel her" he was staring distracted and stopped suddenly as Xavier cocked a brow.

"What does a girl has to do with this?"

"I remember Babs going to the bathroom and I walked up to that girl… But when I woke up it was Babs lying right next to me… It just doesn't make sense at all but I just can't stop thinking about that girl, who was she? Fuck, I don't even remember when I left the club with Babs"

Xavier was quietly listening, "What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing… You have an appointment with the doctor with Rachel, I think you should be with her through this" Richard managed to give a slight smile, "It might be good news after all"

"It can wait" Xavier said.

"It can but it shouldn't… Go with her, she needs you there today" Richard replied back softly.

"Okay, I'll go" Xavier replied after a moment's thought, "But what about you?"

"I'm gonna go to the club after work, snoop around a little"

"Okay… I'll see you later then" Xavier nodded and walked out before patting his back.

"Can you do me a favor, X?" Richard asked as Xavier was about to leave, "Do a little research on my new assistant, will you?"


Kory stared at the morning paper in her hands through bloodshot eyes.

International Rockstar Tara Dunst Is Found Dead!!!

She had not been able to sleep that night and passed the remainder of her night time crying in her bedroom. Emily and Gar had returned to find her locked up and unresponsive. They could her crying and decided it was best to leave her to herself.

Kory had left her room when she decided Emily had left. Making her way out she first checked on Trevor, he was sleeping peacefully in his room. She went inside and kissed his forehead and placed his blankets around him closer. Emily's friend had probably dropped him home later in the night.

She went down to pick up the newspaper from the doorstep. She was now in her kitchen drinking coffee and didn't have the heart to read the article, in vain, she couldn't contain herself.

Teenage sensation and UNICEF ambassador, twenty years old Tara Dunst is found murdered in the corridors of the infamous club Red Wine. Dunst was attending the reunion party given by Xavier Redd, member of the band Blood Dust and a ward to Bruce Wayne, at the club owned by a friend Rick Fraser, also member of Blood Dust.

It has been informed that Dunst's boyfriend, well-known celebrity Zac Crowe was planning on proposing to his three year girlfriend and is devastated by the death. In fact all the members of DisEnchanted and Blood Dust are obviously shocked and confounded, including Richard Grayson who was seen near the crime scene before the arrival of the police.

Upon inquiry it is known to us that minutes before the death Dunst had been seen by Rachel Roth, heiress to the Rothella Industries and member of DisEnchanted, dancing with her boyfriend. Crowe is saying that she went to the bathroom and never came back and only fifteen minutes later her body was found, slashed unmercifully.

Who is behind the murder of the young star? It is still unknown to us. Where was Batman when this happened? But the police vows to bring down the criminal and save Gotham from other possible murders.

Kory was forced to stop reading as she heard Trevor crying in his room. She rushed upstairs to see him, she found him sitting up and looking over at the ceiling. She went up to him and picked him up.

"What happened baby?" she asked him gently, "Did you have a bad dream?"

Instead of replying he still continued to look up following his gaze Kory looked up as well, "Why are you looking up, Trev?"

Now looking at his mother with fearful blue eyes he softly replied, "Thele… Thele was a spidal up thele mum… Big one"

"Oh honey there's nothing up there… Maybe darkness was playing a trick on you, you know Emily has medicine sprayed every week because of your fear of them"

"I'm not scared" he replied as indignantly as he could among his fear, "I just find them cleepy"

"Oh, alright, alright" Kory chuckled slightly at his cute stubbornness as she lightly kissed his cheek.

"But I'm telling you, thele was a spidal…" he said frowning.

"Hm, we'll see about that" she smiled, "Now who wants mom's world famous pancakes?"

Trevor considered it for awhile before replying, "With extla cleam and sylup?"

"Since you've been awake so early today I guess okay" Kory replied as she grinned at his excited squeal, "But just a little bit more, got it?"

He nodded as she set him down, "But first lets you get dressed and ready for the day"


It was eight thirty and Richard was still waiting for Vanessa to come up to his office with some of the files he wanted. He was getting more and more impatient as there was finally a knock.

"Yea? Come in"

Vanessa came into the office carrying a bunch of files and papers, "I'm sorry I'm late sir… I had to take care of some things at home"

Richard nodded his reply as gestured with his hand towards the seat in front of his desk. He just couldn't help noticing her resemblance to Kory… Yet he had seen the dead body himself in the morgue, it was badly burnt... Almost in ashes. Yet here was a replica, the very same face, voice.

Before he could venture more he had to snap out and take the files from Vanessa. Opening the file he carefully looked over at her, she was easy and comfortable looking at him questioningly. After having a go through through the papers he sighed.

"That will be okay for now Miss. Cole" he stated, "I'll call you if I need anything"

"Yes, but sir pardon me" she spoke pointedly yet softly, "Its Mrs. Cole, I took up my fiancé's name after his death"

Richard felt a smile creeping up his face though he didn't know why, "How about I call you Vanessa?"

"That decision is entirely your own" she replied, ever so slightly a small smile graced her perfect lips as she got up.

"Wait… What kept you being so late today?" he asked, trying to hide his desperate attempt to start a conversation with her, much to his own surprise. She looked hesitant and a bit surprised at the sudden question.

"I had something to buy for my son… He was quite desperate for it" she replied, a bit sheepishly he noticed.

"And what was that?" he asked again.

"I… Well… It was a signed CD of Beyonce" she replied as he chuckled.

"How old is your son again?" he inquired, quite amused at her answer.

"Three" she replied.

"And did you get it?"

"No" she smiled self guiltily, "I missed it unfortunately, much to his dismay"

"Very well then" he was feeling light headed and content all of a sudden, which was a bit unfamiliar, "I think you should get on with your work"

Vanessa nodded before saying, "I am very sorry for Tara… She was your friend"

"Yes" he nodded miserably and frowned, "About that… There is a funeral at my place a day after tomorrow, her grandparents will be coming over from Australia but I forgot to tell them the date, can you call them and arrange their tickets and all, I was supposed to do that but… I have something to care of today"

He was good at hiding his sadness about the death, Vanessa noted, "Don't worry about it sir, I've got it covered"

"Thanks" he nodded before replying, "And Vanessa?"

"Yes?"

"It's Richard by the way"

She smiled sweetly at his words, a smile that reminded him so much of Kory that he nearly shivered with ecstasy, "I'll see you later… Richard"

Walking out of his office she felt her cheeks flushing by saying his name to him.

"Richard…" she quietly whispered the name slowly, loving how it rolled of her tongue. Grinning to herself she made her way back to her office.


Richard was done with his work and was now deciding to go to the club for a little investigation of his own. He was deep in thought as he walked passed Vanessa's office; he peeked inside to find it empty.

"Must've gone home" he mumbled to himself as he looked at his Rolex, it said 8:00 PM, "Yup, definitely gone home"

She had informed him earlier that she was gonna take an early night off. Richard just couldn't stop thinking about her. It had been a while since Kory's death; the same time when Vanessa moved here to stay with Emily.

He wanted to believe what she said, but his heart just never agreed. Life had been… different after Kory. He was not into the band much either, he had written only a couple songs while he wrote most of them before. He had agreed with Bruce to join Wayne Enterprises, get his mind off things. He had to admit Bruce had always been there for him whenever need, and in return he never gave him what he should.

True, he had grown tired of staying in Batman's shadow in a little while, while Xavier had continued to save the city as Red X. After a lot of pondering he had left Gotham to live in Jump for a little while, a year or so, he had been Nightwing there, the mysterious hero everyone was desperate to see.

Later he had come back and become a member of the band which Xavier had persuaded him to join. Rick, Zack and Troy they all had been a part of his circle in high school. Gar was there too, but he had refused to join.

As much as he wanted not to admit it, his life with Kory had been blissful even though it wasn't much time. He moved out of the apartment after a week after her death because everywhere he looked it reminded him of her; the roof, the common room, their rooms, the beds, her clothes still hung in the closet, the smell of her sweet and sassy perfumes or shower gels still left in a trace in his shirts which she wore. The imprints of her lipstick on the often love notes under his pillow… He burnt them all. Everything, literally everything except her pictures, not being able to think how she must've burned to death in that hospital room… She might have said his name during her last moments.

Richard unlocked the main apartment door, the clanking of the keys very loud in the quiet apartment. He had to meet up with Bruce and had to cancel his date with Kory. She had been sweet and understanding about even though he refused to tell her the main reason for the once again last minute cancellation.

"Damn you Bruce" he silently cursed as he loosened his tie, grabbed a bottle of ice cold water from the fridge and made his way to his room.

Upon opening the door he found everything as it should have been, except that the bedside lamp was left on by possibly none other than Kory.

Smiling to himself he kicked off his shoes and took off his tie unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt, he slumped down on the bed and reached under his pillow but he couldn't find a note. Frowning he picked up the pillow and looked down, nothing.

"No note today wonder boy" came a voice from over the loveseat on the right corner of his room. Richard smirked to himself before turning around to see Kory sitting on the sofa, her knees hugging her chest as he got a glorious view of her legs because she was clad in only his red silk dress shirt and black panties.

"I thought I'll just come over myself" she explained, getting up from her position to walk over to him.

"Good thought" he whispered as his throat went half dry at the sight of her; bare footed she slyly walked forward, the shirt unbuttoned a little just enough to give him a torturous view, her black hair left open and her red lips screamed to be kissed.

"So what's it gonna be tonight?" she purred as she leaned onto him, pushing him down against the pillows.

"Just you" he replied before reaching for her lips as she backed away grinning mischievously. He smirked as he pulled her against him and brushed his lips over her neck. Her hands grabbed his shoulders as she took a sharp breath. He ran his tongue on her smooth skin before leaving hot kisses up her jaw line.

"Oh god…" she murmured as his mouth worked wonders on her neck, "Don't stop"

By now she was straddling his lap, his hand reached for the water bottle and gently he rubbed it against her bare thighs, earning a throaty moan from her as her hands undid his buttons and pushed the shirt off of him. She traced his abs and muscles with her hands as he put both of his hands under her shirt around her waist with the ice cold bottle against her warm skin making her arch her back and fall into him bringing them both onto the mattress.

"Its cold!" she exclaimed as she slapped his shoulder and started to slip off him before he grabbed her again and brought her face close to his.

"Well you aren't kissing me" he whispered with a playful smirk on his mouth, "Those lips of yours are dying for mine"

"Oh, really?"

"Baby, I know you better than any one else" he smirked again as she rolled her eyes and brought her lips closer as if to kiss him.

"Then you might have guessed that my whole body is dying for you" she replied seductively, kissing his cheek.

"Something like that…" he replied back, as she kissed his neck and made her way to his chest.

Just then the door opened unexpectedly and they both looked up to see an embarrassed looking Rick standing there with a camera in his hands.

"Oh shit" he muttered.

"Haven't you heard of knocking before going into someone's room?" Richard glared at him.

"I'm 'so' sorry you guys, I wasn't really expecting to, uh, interrupt something" he began, "I was just gonna take Dick's picture for my photography course---"

"Well yeah, we get it so just leave" Richard groaned as Kory stopped Rick before he turned to leave.

"Hey, Rick!" she called after him, "How about a photo?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well… You know just take a photo of me and Richard here" she replied as it was a matter of fact.

"Uh, I don't think it's the ideal position and situation for a photo Kory" Richard protested as she put a finger on his lips.

"Shhh! C'mon Rick tell us what should I do" she looked over at the excited Rick.

"Well how about you both just look at each other…" he started to think.

"Oh you gotta be kidding me!" Richard groaned throwing his head back on the pillows.

"Or you could just kiss!" he exclaimed grinning wide.

"What?! For a picture?! No way in hell that's happening especially when we're both half naked!" Richard cried as Kory giggled.

"Well then okay just look at each other and how about getting into a wee bit steamy pose?" Rick suggested.

Richard rolled his eyes as Kory positioned one of his hands on her lower back with a little of her shirt hitched up, and intertwined their legs a little more.

"Hell, that's perfect!" Rick was saying, "Now just let me set my camera"

Kory put her one hand on his chest while the other hand got tangled up in his hair.

"Do we really have to?" Richard groaned.

"Well yeah, you might need this picture afterward when I'm not around" she grinned as a little smile crept up his lips.

"I'm still waiting for my kiss you know" he smirked.

Before she could reply Rick told them the pose was perfect so they froze for a little moment as the camera clicked.

Kory grinned before bringing her mouth onto his in a passionate kiss, he kissed back with the same fire in him as he parted her lips for better access.

"Hey, that's perfect!" they heard another click as Rick ran out hastily before they could say anything.

"You ass! I'll kill you if you give that one on the net" Richard broke the kiss to yell after him before kissing her again and turning them over so he was on top now.

Kory grinded her body against his as he unbuttoned some more buttons of her shirt.

"Why do you like to destroy my favorite shirts?" he asked as he broke the kiss, totally out of breath.

"It makes me feel sexy" she replied, her voice rasping.

"Fair enough" he smiled as she kissed his lips and they both fell back down on the bed.

"I love you, Richard"

The flashback ended as some people passed by him. Richard breathed out and shook his head.

"She was lying and nothing but a criminal" he thought angrily, "With whom I fell in love with"

He was about to head towards the elevator when he saw Vanessa's coat still hung in the office. He went inside and picked it up.

"Well I guess I finally have a reason to visit her" he thought before going on his way to his car.


Vanessa slammed shut the door of her car and went back around to take out the groceries out. There were four packets, not much.

"Fully loaded four packages" she corrected herself as she picked two in her right arm and two on her left. She tried to close the door but failed miserably as one of the packets slid out of her grip and spilled out the contents on the road.

"Shit!" she cursed under her breath, "I hate groceries"

Holding the remaining three she put them on the front step of the house and went back to clear up the mess. Bending down she started putting the tins and boxes of various things back into the paper bag. Almost done, she looked up to her right to see Trevor on the doorstep waving something at her and calling her.

"Coming Trev!" she called and got up walking towards her son, "Hey, honey, how's my little boy?"

She ruffled his black hair and kissed his head and went back to the groceries.

"Mom! Look what Mr. Grayson gave me!" he cried shoving a CD case of Beyonce in front of her face.

"Mr. Grayson?" she repeated in bewilderment as out of nowhere Richard came up behind Trevor, "Oh, my god Richard? Wh-What are you doing here?"

"Just dropping by to give your coat when I remembered I had a signed CD that your son wanted" he explained, his stare burning into hers, his voice completely emotionless, "So I thought why not giving it to him"

"Oh, but you didn't have to" she started, "I would've faked a signature for him he wouldn't have known" she added in a hushed voice as Trevor went back to his dancing.

"Now that would be lying to your own son" Richard managed a smile when she chuckled at his words.

"Oh, well thanks really" she smiled pleasantly, "That was really thoughtful of you"

"No prob" he replied, walking out past her.

"Would you like to stay for a cup of coffee or tea?" Vanessa offered, hopefully.

"No, thanks I have to go" he replied curtly, "Nice to meet Trevor, he's a good kid"

"Oh, um, thanks" she said a bit taken back by his tone of voice, "So I'll see you at work then"

Richard nodded before saying, "Bye".

He walked back briskly to his car which Kory had not noticed before and got in, driving off.

"Bye" she mumbled to herself before pulling the packets inside and closing the door behind her.

It was two hours later that Trevor was playing in his room as Kory, Gar and Emily sat in the living room, discussing Tara's murder.

"Who do you think was it?" Emily asked the same question for the fiftieth time.

"I can't guess who" Kory replied sighed defeated, "I can't imagine her being murdered the same time when I was with Richard"

"You should be thankful he was drunk and doesn't remember anything or else he must've figured it by now that you're not Vanessa" Emily looked at her through narrowed eyes.

"You guys I'm sorry, okay?" she groaned frustrated, "It won't happen again"

"It shouldn't… Do you know what they've discovered about Tara's body?" Gar said as Kory shook her head.

"They were investigating her body for clues and what they found was something written on the back of her neck" he explained in a low and serious voice.

"You mean carved onto her skin when you written?" she asked, dreading the answer.

Gar nodded, "A small word was written and it said K.A."

"What the fuck?!" Kory cried out, "You're not serious!"

"Its true… Xavier himself told me, it stands for Kory Anders they've figured it out" he confirmed, "He was thinking how to break the news to Richard"

"Oh, god" she slumped back on the sofa, "This is getting worse"

"Here's the kicker" he continued, leaning forward on his chair, "No one… I mean no one except my dad, everyone in the band, Bruce and James Gordon know that Kory was working with Slade"

"You mean to say that whoever that person is, is somehow connected with Slade and Roy?" Emily said.

"Yeah, but they captured literally everyone concerning the two" Gar replied, frowning, "Even Joker's still in jail"

"But there was someone left…" Kory said softly, "Someone about whom no one ever got to. Someone who got away"

Gar and Emily looked at her as she worked up something in her mind.

"Someone who knows I'm alive"


Okay guys I'm really sorry for this chapter, I'm really busy nowadays and didn't have time to think over it… Anyways please review and I'll try to make the next chapter a lot more interesting and quick.

Plz review!!!

RainWalker104