First of all, let me just express how much your reviews have meant to me. A LOT. So I really wanted to get this out earlier. And I failed. I'm disappointed with myself, but stress and school have popped up again so it's been hard. Thank you for your patience with me.
Shoutouts to: KRDiva1 (who double-reviewed), Marissa, and Skatinggirl2011, and Addy for reviewing! Also, thank you to all those who alerted and favorited!
ON WITH THE SHOW!
KRYSTEN HALLOWELL
Nothing seemed clearer to Krysten. In her mind's eye, everything was more confusing. For most of the day, the men left the girls alone in the stone room. Their only job was to keep the fire ablaze throughout the day; it wasn't a challenging job. Hardly any words were uttered through the passing hours. Krysten tried to make some kind of contact, seeing as she still had some competence left in her. Every girl shut her down.
At noon, the men arrived in their usual floor-length robes and offered them the goblets to drink from. Trays of food were presented, but Krysten and the other girls always seemed to lack an appetite. They continued to sit in silence.
All was basic until the first night of Krysten's stay in the inner circle. When the men arrived, they had with them two torches and a robe colored gold. They walked in their shadowy group towards the line against the back wall, a faint murmur coming from the depths of the group. As they stopped, it was silent.
"Dearest daughters. Tonight one of you shall cross over and have this life burned out of you and new life whispered into your soul. Who deigns to change tonight?" The words were cooed, but had a sharp edge to them. The girls all remained silent, but passed a few silent looks between them. No one wanted to go. Though Krysten had not been in this group long enough to find out that no girl ever returned, she knew better than to volunteer.
"Not one of you is ready to leave this foul world of sin?" His words weren't cooed any longer. Now they were spat at them. A highly uncomfortable silence settled around the room for the next few minutes. The girls breathed as quietly as possible while the men stood there and sighed.
"We are offering you the chance to being anew. That's why you're here." His words were once again calm.
"I'm ready." A girl towards the beginning of the line stood up, shaky on her feet. Idly, Krysten wondered how long it hand been since she stood.
"My dear." The man embraced her and they led her away at a rapid pace. Two men stayed though, and passed the cup around as usual. When Krysten tasted the liquid though, it was extra strong. Almost immediately her eyelids drooped and she felt her whole body just go limp. She felt awfully tired.
The screaming started about an hour later. There were long drawn out screams and then just a few short high-pitched bursts. Then it was over. The other girls barely flinched, but Krysten was tormented. A little warning flashed through her mind telling her that she had to get out of here. It wasn't an option.
NICOLETTE ANDERSON
Nicolette was groggy when she woke up that morning. Her head felt even worse than it had the night before. Next to her bed a tray of food sat, waiting to be devoured by her. She tore into the toast, though it was cold, with immense fervor.
"It's nice to see you're awake Miss Anderson. I've come to inform you that you'll be returning home today." A young-looking doctor entered the room as she was swallowing her toast. Nicolette blushed in spite of herself; he was quite attractive. Dark blonde hair, striking green eyes, a doctor.
"Oh that's good then. I have a lot to do." She murmured.
"I've prescribed you some medication for the pain." He said as he gingerly checked her stitches. Nicolette relished the feeling of his tender fingers. "Just take it easy for a few days. I'll be in contact to set up an appointment to take these stitches out. That gash on your head was a good one."
"It sure was." She muttered, still angry that she had allowed that punch to connect. "But thank you Doctor." She smiled at him while he smiled at her.
"Take it easy." He shook her hand and exited the room. Nicolette returned to her breakfast, now taking time to slow down and eat, rather than inhale. She started making a checklist of things she'd have to do today.
First off, she needed to talk with Barb, since she'd missed yesterday's practice. Then of course she had to cancel class at the college. I hope missing yesterday won't affect my performance too much… She worried. In a few weeks the actual performance would be talking place and Nicolette was locked in for one of the main roles. I'd rather be punched a thousand times by that man than forfeit this opportunity. She sipped her bland orange juice while contemplating what to do next. Her clothes were in the chair next to her, flung there from Marina's rage; Nicolette was still recovering from her insane rant the night before.
-She walked in silently, carrying a small duffel bag containing essential toiletries and some overnight clothes.
"Thanks Mar, I really appreciate it." Marina just dropped the bag on the chair and stood at the end of the bed, arms crossed. "Mar what is it?" Nicolette sat up, the smooth covers wrinkling as she did so.
"How could you not tell me 'Lette? It hurts- it really does."
"What? What haven't I told you?" What Marina proceeded to say was the farthest thing from Nicolette's mind.
"Why didn't you tell me you're going out on FRIDAY, with BRUCE, FREAKING, WAYNE!" Her naturally tan face took on a reddish hue.
"Shh, Mar, we're in a hospital." A moment of silence passed. "I'm sorry, ok, I didn't realize It was such a big deal. I haven't been thinking about it really."
"'Lette, do you even REALIZE who it is that's taking you? Bruce. Wayne. He isn't some 'average Joe.' You can't tell me you haven't been thinking about it."
"Well I have been-but I mean- it's not on the forefront of my mind."
'I'm assuming he's taking you somewhere fancy." Now Marina started pacing. Nicolette took this as the falling action of her spiel, so she fell back against the pillows. "What're you wearing?"
"Um… I don't know? I'll recycle my black dress I guess."
"No, no, no." Marina made a disgusted face. Nicolette sighed. "I have a dress. It's red, floor-length, and will hug you like a glove. It's perfect. I haven't even worn it yet."
"Maaaar." Nicolette whined.
"Nope, it's settled. You'll look stunning." "Fine." There was no point in fighting Marina's iron will. "Mar… how did you find out anyway?"
"Hm?" Marina paused in her pacing. "Oh, Bruce called."
"What? You… talked to BRUCE?"
"I was very polite, thank you." Marina laughed and finally sat down in the chair next to Nicolette's bed.
"How's the head?" She asked.
"Killing me, but that can't be helped."-
Now Nicolette found herself thinking of Friday night, of Bruce. She almost called him from the hospital after she learned he had called her, but she didn't have his number handy.
"Well, time to get going." Nicolette propped herself out of bed, grabbed her bag and shuffled into the bathroom. She felt gross without a shower, but she made herself presentable for human eyes. Marina had brought her jeans and a comfortable sweater, which she quickly changed into. Time to go face Barb.
An hour later Nicolette stood in front of that menacing brick building. It was Tuesday… or was it Wednesday? A quick recount assured Nicolette that it was, indeed, Wednesday.
"Let's get this over with." She pushed the doors open, walked past the receptionist, and into Barb's office.
"Barb, look I'm really sor-" Barbara turned around in her desk chair, away from the computer.
"Nicolette are you ok!" She gasped, her eyes immediately going to the stitches. She stood and scurried around the desk.
"Yeah, well. I got in an altercation on the train yesterday…. While I was headed here actually." Nicolette said with a sheepish grin.
"Why on earth were you headed here? Practice was cancelled hun."
"What?"
"I sent out a call… after I had talked to you previously. The weather just was too bad."
"I must've not received it… or maybe I was already gone."
"Our receptionist isn't very… on key." Barb remarked. She looked insanely guilty though. "Is your head alright? Will you be ok to practice?"
"Yeah yeah don't worry about me. I'll be in tip-top condition for performance day. I'm going to work extra hard to make up for yesterday."
"Don't run yourself too hard dear. You're already ahead of schedule. Don't worry about it." Nicolette nodded, but she was already headed for the studio.
It was a fairly decent day, yet it was still unnaturally chilly. Nicolette walked with a purpose, almost nervous about the upcoming train station.
"It's the middle of the day. I'm fine." She assured herself as she quickly climbed the stairs. Nicolette waited on the platform, comfortable with the various business men and women around her. The train arrived and they were on their way. Nicolette sat by the door and departed as soon as possible.
As she hurried down the street, an odd occurrence became aware to Nicolette. There were more cars than there were pedestrians, which was unusual for this section of town.
"Strange." She mumbled to herself. The studio loomed before her, but she happily pushed open the door. From the office she heard Marina muttering to herself in Spanish.
"Mar?" She called, slowly opening the door.
"'Lette? What're you doing here? You should still be sleeping. It's only nine-thirty!"
"They let me out early." Nicolette dropped her stuff by her desk. Her head was really pounding now.
"Well go home! You need sleep for Friday."
"Pish-posh. I have some important phone calls to make." Definitely the pharmacy.
"Well," she sounded slightly nervous. "If you hurry, I'll give you a ride. Dan is coming to pick me up at ten."
"Oh I'm fine. I have to stop at the pharmacy anyway." Nicolette really didn't want to be stuck in a car between Marina and Dan. The still acted like teenagers in 'loooooooooooove.'
"'Lette, please, things are getting-" Marina gasped. "Wait, you don't know do you?"
"Know what, exactly?" Marina flung a newspaper at Nicolette, who caught it haphazardly.
"Read." She instructed.
Another body has been found. No identification has been made, other than the confirmation that it is, indeed, another teenage girl. Her charred remains were found in our own business district downtown.
Nicolette paused to read the address and was shocked that it wasn't far from the Studio.
Police are still looking for several missing girls, including last weeks disappearance of Krysten Hallowell. Lucy de Grigiano has been returned to her parents by her own will. No further details have yet to be released…
Nicolette pushed the paper away from her.
"What's going on in Gotham Mar?"
"I don't know anymore… Please, just let us drive you home." Nicolette nodded mutely. "We'll stop by the pharmacy. It's no trouble." Nicolette reached for the phone. One, to call the college to cancel class for today, and two to ring the pharmacy. She'd definitely be needing those pills.
BRUCE WAYNE
Bruce never left the cave after he returned from the night's work. He let another girl die. He failed to get there on time. The news provided assurance to these thoughts as he sat in the darkness, listening to the bats screeching high above his head.
The night had been a cold one, raining still after the sun had set. Batman had set off with a plan and an idea of where the Phoenix's compound had to be located. He was wrong. The Narrows held no answers for him for him last night. Not one suspicious person roamed the streets or alleyways in the dismal drizzle. No smoke rose from the various smokestacks. Batman just didn't know where to look. Neither did Bruce for that matter.
Only when he returned home, to his cave underneath the splendorous manor above, did he realize where he should've been looking. Downtown, in the business district. The images he saw sickened him to his core. Alfred tried to speak with him, but Bruce brushed him off. It felt like the same scene replaying day after day for Bruce, and he just didn't know what to do. He fell asleep at the computer desk in the early hours of the morning.
Bruce awoke by himself and a quick glance to the computer screen told him it was nearing noon. For some reason, Alfred hadn't even attempted to rouse him from his troubled slumber. Odd… Bruce pushed himself out of the cushiony desk chair and shivered. He'd stayed in the same wet clothes all night; not good.
"I can't afford to get sick now. I never get sick." He muttered to himself as the lift crawled upwards towards the study.
"Master Wayne?" Bruce found Alfred reading in a large armchair within the study.
"Alfred, you didn't get me up today." He murmured.
"I figured I'd leave you until you had fully rested. You seemed rather troubled when you came back this morning." Bruce only nodded in agreement. The graying man placed his book on the arm rest and looked at Bruce with worry.
"I'm just," Alfred's gaze shook Bruce for a moment. "I'm going to go take a hot shower. Would you be able to have my shake ready when I'm done?" Bruce almost felt bad for asking, but he knew that Alfred would have no qualms to his request.
"Of course." Almost immediately Alfred sprang up from his chair, leaving the book propped open.
"Thank you Alfred." Bruce left the room, wanting nothing more than to be engulfed by the warm waters of his shower. His clothes were stuck to them and he felt horrible all over. After quickly peeling off the gritty underclothes that he wore with the Batsuit, Bruce examined himself in the mirror. He looked gaunt. Tired, scared, and frustrated. Dark bruises littered his skin, but he didn't even worry about those anymore. A small part of him asked why he had taken up this mantle? Why had he chosen this life for himself? I'm doing it for Gotham. For the people. The larger, stronger side of him chanted these words like a prayer. I need stop the Phoenix. Soon.
It didn't take long for Bruce to clean himself up, but he still felt grimy afterwards. He found Alfred in the massive, yet welcoming kitchen that he had grown up in. Although the mansion had been rebuilt, everything was the same, just as Alfred had said it would be. Some parts still haunted him, like his bedroom, or his parent's old one. The kitchen though, had always been a happy place full of laughs and stolen cookies and fond memories of- Rachel. A sigh escaped his lips that Alfred didn't miss.
"Your shake Sir." Bruce kindly accepted the beverage and sat down at the long island in the center.
"Have you ever felt completely hopeless Alfred? Hopeless, yet you know that you can't just quit?" He wished that his old friend would have some old anecdote that would bestow some wisdom upon him.
"I have Master Wayne. And it was right after your parent's died." Bruce inhaled sharply, but didn't say anything. "I didn't know what to do. I was still in a bit of shock from the deaths to be honest. And now here I was, in my mid sixties, left with a child whom I cared dearly for. But I had also lost my two closest friends. I didn't know what to do, and though you may not remember it quite clearly, I trudged on and raised you the best I could. And if I do say so myself, I think you turned out quite proper. And I know my struggle is considerably less than yours, it's very much the same." With that, Alfred took a sip of his tea and a small smirk grazed his face. Bruce nodded, Alfred's words having done a small miracle on him and he smiled.
"Thank you Alfred."
"Anytime Sir." And then the phone rang. Alfred moved to answer it, more of a reflex than anything else, but Bruce answered it in the end.
"Hello?" Internally he was hoping for a certain person to respond, and he could've just checked the caller I'd, but he'd prefer the surprise.
"Hello, Bruce?" Sure enough, Nicolette's slightly wary voice was on the other line.
"Nicolette? How are you are you-"
"Listen Bruce I'm really sorry for whatever Marina may have said to you. She's just really hotheaded and her censoring isn't that perfect."
"No, no, you don't have to apologize for anything!" He couldn't fathom why she thought she needed to apologize. "I'm actually really glad you called. I was worried about you."
"Oh," She sounded abashed and her pause showed it. "Thanks for your concern. I'm alright though. Just a few stitches on my forehead." Bruce released a silent breath of relief.
"If you want, we could reschedule for Friday."
"Actually no. I'm really looking forward to it." He wasn't quite sure, but he felt like he could actually feel her smile.
"Well I'm definitely not going to complain. And I mean, who knows when I'd get the chance again. With your crazy schedule and all."
"I'm a very busy woman, so you shouldn't complain. It's a rarity I'll make such allowances as I am now." She returned his playful jibe, which made him chuckle.
"Alright. I'll count my blessings. I'll see you on Friday."
"Good bye Bruce. See you then." She laughed once more and then they both hung up.
"I take it Miss Anderson is well?"
"Well enough to not cancel our plans." Bruce turned to Alfred with a smile.
"Quite good Sir. Now if you don't mind. I'll be returning to my book." Alfred smiled back at Bruce, a twinkle in his eye.
ALRIGHT! So that didn't completely suck did it? Once again, I'm sorry for how late this is and if I've let you guys down.
BUT. The next chapter will contain the ~super special~ Friday night date. And I've actually got a little bit written. So I'm crossing my fingers that I can get it out faster than...five months.
I know I don't deserve them, but please review!
Also leave any suggestions that you might have!
-K