I forgot to mention this a while ago, but the reason for my title and the reason for my inspiration for this story comes from a song by the band Red. The song name is "Pieces." Go figure, right? It's a great song. The band is amazing. If you have a second, I would YouTube it.
Anyway… here is my update. Enjoy! Thank you so much for the support! I can't say it enough! It really does mean a lot to me.
Didn't read through this, because I hate doing it and I always change stuff when I do. I recently found out I have a bad habit of skipping words too, so – that doesn't help. - D
I ended up going to the party that night. Mainly because I was so tired of feeling so damn lonely. Not that being at a party helped much. Watching everyone just made me realize how lonely I really was. I sat in the middle of a huge open canopy, watching the people around me dance, twirl, and talk. Each one of them was so fucking happy. It made me feel sick. What in the hell is wrong with these people? Don't they know there is a psychopath on the loose? For the first time in my life I wanted to talk to someone. I fiddled with the bracelet on my wrist as a couple walked by me hand in hand, laughing. I tried to stifle the sadness. I was over crying. I was willing to do anything to stop it.
I was wearing a charcoal gray sheath with a sweetheart neckline, my black hair down and straight. My bruises were still pretty evident, but Selina helped me put concealer over them to make them less noticeable. I didn't socialize with anyone besides Blake or Gordon. Bruce tried a few times to bring me into a conversation, but failed. He was telling people that Liam had to go home to Ireland for a few weeks to take care of his mother and that I was upset about that. Yeah, that's totally what's going on. Just move along people, nothing here to see aside from a broken down woman all depressed because her boyfriend is in Ireland - whatever.
Blake sat down beside me and held out a flute of champagne. I gave him a tight lipped smile that he usually gave to other people and gulped it down. He laughed lightly, his eyes crinkled and his dimples came out from their hiding place. "Want something stronger?" he asked, pointing over to a small makeshift bar in the corner. I'll take the bottle if you got it. I'm not picky.
"Definitely," I breathed, following him to the bar. It was a small island with stools sat all around it, a loaded shelf of alcohol, bartender and – a very drunk Gordon? "Gordon?" I took a seat beside him and looked into his hazy eyes. He smiled and clapped an arm around my shoulder. He motioned to the bartender and took a big swig of the drink in his glass. Glad to see I'm not the only one stressed.
"Josh, this is the daughter I never had, Holly," he introduced me to the bartender in a slur. "Holly, meet Josh." I nodded in his direction and glanced over at Blake, who shrugged and sat down beside me. "Champagne not strong enough?" he asked, finishing off his drink. It was quickly refilled.
"No," I answered, confusedly watching him toss back half of the drink.
"Let's you get two something good then," Gordon laughed. He ordered Blake and I the same thing he was having, which was apparently a double shot of whiskey with barely anything added to it. A few drinks down, I found myself not really caring about the happy people around me, even if my new found happiness was totally created. "You know what?" Gordon asked, sloshing his drink as he talked with his hand.
"What Gordon?" Blake laughed, hunching over the counter to look at him.
"I think I'm going to retire and move to Vegas."
"Why Vegas?" I asked, curiously, taking another long drink. That's way too far for my taste, how will I ever see you?
"It's hot there, all the time, and there's women everywhere – and it's close to a beach." What a guy thing to say.
"We do have a beach," I told him, giving him a slight shove. He scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"I wouldn't exactly call what we have a beach. We don't have palm trees and hardly anyone goes to it unless it's a bunch of thug kids trying to get high." I stirred my drink with a small plastic stirring stick and stared at the small whirlpool. What would I do without Gordon, Jada, and Liam? The only people I had come to trust were slowing disappearing. "I just can't find it in myself to leave you though," he explained. "You're like my daughter, Holly." Aw, jesus, Gordon. I smiled and wiped the small tears brimming.
"I can always visit you." I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He laughed and squeezed back.
"I know," he sighed, twirling his glass around the top of the counter. I finished my fourth drink off with Blake and they were refilled almost immediately. We all turned to face the dancing crowd behind us as an upbeat song began to play - "Castle Rock" by Frank Sinatra. It was a cover of the small band that was playing, but it was decent. People were giggling, champagne flutes in hand as the drunkenly spun around each other.
"Let's go back to the table and make fun of the drunken snobs," I whispered mischievously. It was a lot better than staring at the all too cocky Josh who was mixing drinks and flirting with anything that had a pulse. Blake and Gordon laughed and nodded in unison. We huddled up at the table, sitting like a bunch of gossiping teenage girls as we drank our loaded drinks, making small comments to each other every now and again. "How do these girls dance in heels like that with that much alcohol in their veins?" No way in hell I could do it. Gordon laughed hysterically. "What?" I asked, curiously. Blake made the same confused face, peering over my shoulder at Gordon.
"What's so funny?" Blake questioned.
"Ask Blake how to dance in high heels," Gordon breathed, red-faced. I raised an eyebrow at him and shifted to look at Blake. What?
"Something you need to tell me, Blake?" I folded my hands around my drink and stiffened my shoulders just as Jada used to. Blush slowly crept over his face. He opened his mouth and closed it a few times, running a hand through his hair.
"No, not really," he answered, pulling the collar away from his neck. Oh, don't lie. Now I'm totally intrigued.
"Blake had to cross-dress as a woman for an undercover assignment once," Gordon explained. I laughed loudly trying to imagine the conservative Blake teetering around in high heels, sashaying across the floor all done up with make-up and a big blonde wig on. I laughed even louder as I tried to imagine him seducing a guy like that. He was already socially awkward, so I'm sure that just compounded for him in that situation.
"Hey, those heels looked killer on me," Blake joked, smiling his dimple exposing grin.
"I bet," I teased, holding my stomach as I laughed. I felt free and open for the first time since Liam's hijacking. It made me feel guilty and nauseous to know that it alcohol to make me feel that way. On the path to becoming my father…tragedy occurs and my first instinct is to pick up a bottle…next thing I know I'll be - My smile dropped and I sat the glass down on the table behind me. No more drinking tonight. The world might seem like it's ending, but I'm not that desperate to feel better. "So why don't you have a girlfriend?" I asked, curiously. Blake seemed like a pretty stand-up guy and he wasn't ugly, in any aspect. He shrugged and lost his happy go lucky smile at the question.
"What makes you think I don't have one?" he asked with a slight smirk.
"Then tell me who she is and why you didn't bring her." He cheeks reddened again. "Is she able to be deflated? Waiting for you in your closet in your bedroom?" Maybe a little too harsh for innocent little Blake, but I was trying to enjoy myself. Gordon snorted and sat his glass down. Blake shook and hung his head. He finally laughed a few times and looked back up at me.
"I'm just no good when it comes to talking to girls," he told me with a shrug.
"You and me both," I breathed, adjusting the bracelet on my arm as a slow song began to play.
"You have problems talking to girls?" Blake quipped. It was my turn to blush. Gordon laughed again and shook my shoulders. Blake laughed, just as loud at my reaction.
"Okay, I deserved that," I admitted with a smile. Very true, I did. I rubbed my shoulder as I watched a couple kiss from across the canopy. Gordon and Blake sighed, releasing their giggle fit.
"I just know what it's like…" Blake trailed off, picking a random string off of his pants. Serious demeanor returning… Gordon patted my leg and took off to join Bruce who was calling for him to talk with the mayor or some other pompous asshole. "Everyone wants you to talk and you just want to forget. It's insane how people think that actually works. You try to keep yourself from getting hurt – but it ends up happening anyway." I stared at him for a while as he looked at his glass, not looking up.
"Tell me about it." He adjusted his shoulders and finally turned to look up. I felt a shift in the air. It seemed to get heavier, more dense, like a presence was in the room. I didn't turn to acknowledge it, because I figured it was from the alcohol.
"Holly –" he whispered as the music stopped "–I think you should go inside." His eyes became wide. Out of instinct I whipped my head around to see what had caused the silence of the party. When I locked eyes with the culprits, my entire face went white and my jaw went slack. What in the hell? Bane stood menacingly at the entrance of the canopy wearing a dress shirt and pants under his pack with Venus and Ivy on either side of him, wearing revealing, shimmering green mini-dresses. I grabbed a hold of Blake's leg and squeezed. I can't take this. I can't. I felt a warmth and that unsettling nauseous feeling rise.
"Bruce Wayne's throwing a party and we didn't even get an invitation!" Bane jeered, wrapping his arms around the women on either side of him. Venus smiled shyly and I thought I was going to come unglued.
"I'm disappointed, Bruce," Venus pouted, sending a wink in his direction. Everyone in the room turned to look at him. He had his arms protectively wrapped around Selina who had reverted back into the house cat I seen back in Arkham all those months ago. She puts on a good act. I knew she wasn't scared.
"Don't let us spoil the party," Ivy cheered, holding her arms up. I met Bane's eyes from across the crowd. Maybe if I just faint he'll leave me alone. He raised an eyebrow and I watched his eyes crinkle. That sick son of a bitch is smiling. I was going to vomit, I was sure of it. "Let's dance!" she ordered, releasing a purple powder up into the crowd. People coughed as they breathed it in, leaving Blake and I in a daze. He quickly stuffed his hand into his jacket pocket and retrieved the syringe packets.
"Damn it," I cursed, fumbling to pull my dress up to retrieve my syringes. My shots were attached to my thigh – Catwoman style. I pulled the correct one out of the strap and stabbed myself, pushing the plunger down immediately. The powder encompassed the room in a fog. Where in the hell did Gordon go? I squinted, staring off into the swirling purple haze to see if I could make out anything. Which, I couldn't. When the fog finally lifted, everyone was dancing. The band was playing enthusiastically, causing everyone to cheer and laugh. I pulled Blake up by his forearms and pulled him against me into a silly dance that everyone else was doing. We've got to get the fuck out of here. Blake stared straight faced out into the crowd. "Smile," I muttered, plastering on a fake grin of mine own. He smirked and gripped my hands a little tighter. I searched the room for Selina and Bruce, hoping to find Gordon, but instead, I found no one.
"Lucius is out," he whispered.
"What are we going to do about Liam?" I breathed, peering around for any sign of Venus or Ivy or – Bane. He sighed loudly. Fucking great, he doesn't have any plans either.
"One of us needs to close enough with that inhibitor."
"Yeah, that inhibitor will do next to nothing to that beast with that venom pack on." I looked hard to find Bruce's face again, but couldn't see him. I relaxed knowing he was probably out preparing to re-emerge as Batman.
"May I cut in?" asked a heavy, dark voice. My gut fell to the floor.
"Sure," answered Blake, handing me over without so much as another glance. I tried to steel myself, pulling my thoughts completely away from the man I once knew. Pretending to be confident was a bit, dancing with a boyfriend who was turned into a super villain, that doesn't remember two things about you? Talk about pressure.
"Who are you?" he asked, stepping in front of me. I stared around the room, not thinking I could handle it if we locked eyes. His hands were warm and inviting, just as I remembered. I felt myself falling on the inside. My jaw tightened. I can't do this.
"Holly Engel," I replied, possibly a little too quickly. He laughed, his eyes scrunched up.
"You're one of the ones they want dead," he laughed. Oh, nice. Thanks, asshole. You wouldn't feel that way if you knew who in the hell you were. I tried not to balk or scowl. "I had a feeling you were the one they wanted. Fear clouds all around you." You mistake that hate for fear. I'm not scared of any one of you. There's not much else you can take from me right now – Bane. I guarantee you that. "Something feels familiar about you though," he spoke in a voice that sounded far away. Blake returned behind Bane and cleared his throat loudly.
"May I have my woman back?" Blake asked drunkenly. I pursed my lips. Oh, no. Bane stopped dancing, and pivoted on his feet, then released me. Blake's hands found their ways into mine again. I gave him a tight squeeze and a firm look.
"What are you doing?" I hissed.
"We need to leave," he muttered.
"We can't now that – " A loud crash interrupted me. Only the two of us stopped dancing to search for the origin. Bruce popped up from the ground, his Batsuit on, Selina right behind him. He threw five grenades to the floor. People continued to dance through it, scattering away as the effect took place. A flurry of people took off in different directions, screaming, bolting for the exits. A large hand wrapped tightly around my upper arm. Bane. Blake pulled me towards Bruce and Selina. I grunted out loud and he yanked even harder. I'm about to get ripped in half.
"Blake! Stop!" I commanded. I could feel the new bruises forming as they pulled. He released me and I fell back against Bane's chest. It was like hitting the side of a tree.
"You're not going anywhere," he snarled. The smoke from Bruce's grenades faded and it was just Blake, me, and Bane in the same room together. "I have been given strict orders to hold you here until they come back to kill you or kill you myself. Whichever I choose." He tossed me to the floor like nothing. I slammed into the ground hard, on my right hip. I held onto it as I rolled onto my back. Well, that certainly fucking hurt. Blake pulled his gun out of his holster and aimed it Bane.
"Leave her alone," Blake ordered, I peered up at him. His stance was firm, both hands holding the gun steady. Bane laughed loudly, sarcastically. He stomped over to Blake. "I'll shoot you." He laughed again. "I mean it," he snapped. Bane pulled his hand back and busted him straight across the mouth with the back of his hand. There was a loud crack from the impact.
"Blake!" I cried out as he stumbled into the ground. Bane turned towards me slowly. His eyes crinkled in the most wicked way.
"Where were we?" he asked, putting his hands onto the straps of his pack. I tried scrambling to my feet, but failed - my hip hurt too bad. No use. I swallowed hard.
"I feel familiar to you, because before this, I meant something to you," I sputtered, grasping the grass and dirt with my hands as I lay on my stomach.
"You're not Talia," he spat. He stared down at me. I knew he was studying me. I had that feeling. "You look nothing like her."
"It was just a few weeks ago." He laughed and I felt tears rim my eyes. Please, don't let me cry in front of this fucking monster. He will use it against me in ways I don't even know. "You can feel it," I breathed. "Why else would you still be talking to me, Liam?" He laughed even harder, throwing his head back.
"I only give you the satisfaction, because hope is just as lethal as fear. You hope I will remember. You hope I'll suddenly stop wanting to kill you. Hope all you want, dear. It'll be that much more fun for me to break you." I buckled as he stomped closer to me, his eyes blazing and churning.
"I know you're in there somewhere, Liam," I hollered, desperate for him to come out of the fog. Tears rolled down my face.
"That's it," he urged, stepping even closer. I tried to stand up and fell once again. What's the fucking point? He's being controlled and I'm talking to nothing. Blake's unconscious. I have no idea where the fuck help is. My home is destroyed. My boyfriend gone. I'm lost. There's nothing left to give, but my life. And what kind of life do I really have? I slumped against the ground and welcomed it. There's nothing left for me here.
"And to think I loved you," I sobbed, holding my hands beside me. The pain in my chest and throat was searing. I felt like I was dying. My nose became stuffy from the crying and the ball that had lodged itself in my throat made it even harder to breathe.
"Get up," he ordered. "You're pathetic." I shook my head and squinted through the wall of tears to look at a stirring Blake. He blinked at me a few times and winced. I closed my eyes.
"There you are," purred a voice. I felt my body clench up. Venus was back.
"Yes," Bane answered, dropping to one knee. And I'm pathetic? Please.
"I see you've held our prisoners well."
"Yes."
"Good." She stopped walking in front of me, her heels glimmering just like her dress. "Pick her up and let me kill her the proper way. With medicine," she breathed, fumbling with something. Bane reached down and held me up before him. Finally, just end this bullshit. No men to kill me with this time? She smiled at me with a sick smile. Blake fumbled with his gun and she kicked it out of his reach. I remember the gun that Selina had placed into the holster with the syringes. My mind toyed with the idea as she strolled back over, holding a syringe up in her hand. "I finally have you all to myself. I can't wait to make you one of mine. I think you'll make a great addition to my team." I rolled my eyes. I'm not going to live my life as a fucking insect. "Any last words?"
"I have some," Blake quipped. We all turned to look at him as he aimed another gun at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but the gun went off before she could talk. She squealed and dropped the syringe, the bullet blazing just to the right of her. Bane released me to grab Blake, I found the gun in my holster and switched the safety off, aiming it straight for the middle of her chest. She held her hands up high. That's what I fucking thought, cunt.
"Let's talk about this," she murmured. There was another loud crack. I shifted my gaze to see a very unconscious Blake on the floor again, Bane standing over him. Damn it.
"Let's not," I cursed, firing the gun. Her body fell to the ground, blood oozing out of her chest. Bane screamed and launched himself at me. I didn't have the heart to shoot him. "Do your worst," I stated. "There's not much more you could do hurt me." We laid on the grass, him on top of me. He wrapped one hand around my neck and pulled up into the air. I sputtered and gasped for air, I grunted and struggled to bring my hands up. Just do it. Come on. I ripped the mask off and stared at his face. He gasped for air and snarled, tightening his grip. There was an audible crunch of my neck. Well, there goes my trachea. No time to waste. I gagged and bite the cap off of the syringe with my teeth before stabbing the syringe into his neck. I pushed the plunger down and felt the blackness take over. The darkness was here again.