Reunion

Chapter 20: The Cat

Darkness was an advantage to many in Gotham. When something is so abundant in such a bleak city, one has to adapt to their environment. Even the name of Selina's home city suggested dark themes.

Crouching in the shadows of a desolate building, Selina watched on as the rich Gothamites stumbled out from a world renowned club. Those with porous pockets could wine and dine in luxury whilst the less fortunate were starving on the streets. The unfairness of the world was something that always baffled Selina.

Selina waited for her newest target as a feline waits for a mouse's company. The creature's instincts dictate patience and accuracy. Something Selina could empathise to greatly, hence her alter ego's identity. Cat Woman strikes fear in the hearts of those that have shame in their fortune. Those that would rather see a great deal of names on a gravestone than allow the urchins of the street to have a decent life.

Selina's mind focused on the task at hand as a rather overweight man stumbled drunkenly out of the club's entrance. He appeared to be nervous about something as he anxiously looked around him, head double taking at almost everyone. Selina's lips curled into a smile. He'd already stewed himself up into a state. This was going to be easy.

The man started to depart away from the bustling money-pit, tentatively tip toeing down the arranged alleyway. Of course, said alleyway was as black as Selina's costume. She crept behind the man, making sure her light steps were completely silent.

"H-hello?" he certainly was terrified.

"I…I have the money…"

"Excellent." Selina purred, making the wannabe walrus spin on the spot. His face suggested he'd seen a ghost, not an attractive young woman.

She sauntered towards him, hips swaying like a metronome. The man noticed just how well the leather she wore clung to her body…

"Dr Lawrence I can see just how you got yourself into this little situation." Selina spoke seductively, making the old man squirm on the spot. He was a mixture of aroused and frightened.

"I have what you want, Cat." He spoke a little louder and clearer, finally finding his voice. "Now please, the tape."

"$5,000 dollars cash?"

Dr Lawrence nodded, retrieving a thick brown envelope from his breast pocket. Selina smiled charmingly at the sight.

"Good boy." She outstretched her gloved hand, inviting the doctor to pass her the small fortune.

"Wait, you need to give me the tape!" Lawrence pulled his envelope back suddenly, as if Selina had threatened to bite him.

"Oh yes, I did promise that didn't I…" His face fell, crestfallen as he realised she would not be providing what he needed.

"You make life unfair, so why shouldn't I do the same? Anyway, I lied about recording your…escapades." Selina walked closer to the man, edging forwards so slowly that he didn't register the change to move back. She stopped when their faces were tantalizingly close. He only had to lean forward…

Selina leaned in to his ear and whispered, "Maybe next time you beat up a prostitute, you should consider her connections."

Before he could react, Selina wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled herself around to land on his back. Her weight toppled the man, making him crash into the rough pavement. He tried to call out but the Cat quickly rolled the lummox onto his front and pressed her heeled boot into his throat. Dr Lawrence chocked idiotically, eyes bulging in surprise and face reddening from a lack of oxygen.

"How does it feel doctor? To be the scum on the bottom of my shoe?" She pressed down harder. A small squeak was all the doctor could manage. "Funny how it was obvious to everyone around you. But it actually took a physical demonstration for you to grasp what a piece of shit you are."

"Pl-eaa-see"

"What was that? You need to breath?" Selina seemed to consider her options and each second that ticked by felt like an eternity to Lawrence. His vision started to blur as tears begged to make an appearance.

"I'm not a murderer Dr Lawrence." She released her foot, allowing a huge rush of air to be gobbled up by the panting pig below her. He coughed and spluttered to her delight, and a lovely bruise would be making an appearance she was sure. He tried to crawl away from the Cat, but a familiar click made him halt.

"What? A lady can't wander the streets unarmed Dr Lawrence. What if men like you were to assault them?"

"You…you got…money" He panted

"And you wonder what else I want?" Selina held the gun to his leg. "Justice. Continue assaulting defenceless women on the streets and endangering the lives of prostitutes and both your legs will be fucked."

"b-b-both?" BANG

Lawrence screamed in agony as the bullet shot right through his left leg. His ears rang and the blood felt boiling under his new wound. He shut up when Selina pressed her finger against her lips. He wouldn't risk disobeying this terrifying figure.

"I said I'm not a murderer. But I have friends who are." She sauntered up to the thrashing doctor. For a moment he thought she was going to help him. The hand that reached into his leg to extract the bullet proved him incorrect.

"If you tell them it was me, expect worse. Don't change your ways, expect worse. Try and contact Holly again…well… do I have to go on?" She suddenly jumped upwards and landed on the roof of a bus shelter. Before she melted in the night, she took one last glance back at the doctor.

"Oh, and it wouldn't kill you to donate to charity."

And with that, she vanished.

The bell for lunch indicated the end of lessons for the hungry and frankly bored students. Listening to Miss Rowling lecture for hours about her favourite author would make anyone jump out of their seats at the first opportunity. Bruce awkwardly looked over to Tim, wondering how to initiate contact. He saw his kid every day, why was it suddenly so hard to approach him?! Bruce mentally berated his nervousness, yet he still couldn't pluck up the courage to walk over to Tim.

Bruce shuffled his notes around the desk, trying to prolong the time it took for him to pack up so that him and Tim would be the last ones in the class. Tim had so many books it took him a while to pack them away. Bruce was surprised when a hand appeared on his desk. The rings, hot pink nails and slender fingers made him deduce it was a female. Well done Sherlock, his internal voice spoke.

"You're Danny, right?" Bruce looked up quickly, meeting the eyes of a rather attractive young lady. Charm meter increasing, Bruce smiled and nodded. She seemed to swoon on the spot.

"That's me, last time I checked. I didn't catch your name, miss-"

"Bella Brook." She extended her manicured hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Danny Williams."

Bruce wasn't stupid, this girl clearly wanted to be more than acquaintances with him. There was a time he would have considered the unspoken offer. But in this life, Bruce only needed to get close to Tim. He didn't want to waste time on such trivial things as relationships.

"So, do you need a tour guide? I bet you don't even know where the cafeteria is!" she giggled at her own flirting. Bruce nearly laughed at the attempt too, this girl definitely had too much confidence for her own good.

"No thank you, Bella, I already have a guide." Bruce turned to Tim, smiling. The young boy seemed to do a double take and blushed as he dropped one of his books. He mumbled an apology. Bella looked on with distaste.

"Drake? Drake is your guild?" she snorted. "You know the teachers just pair you up with random kids, you don't have to stick with them. Especially when they're as pathetic as him." She pointed one of her perfect fingers in Tim's direction, making his red cheeks deepen in color. A surge of emotion bubbled up in Bruce's chest. He was angry. Beyond angry. He was infuriated. But he kept the charming smile on his face, a mask well moulded.

However, Bella did detect a flash of something in "Danny's" eyes. It made her twitch uncomfortably in shame for what she had just said.

"She's right, Dan. You don't have to stick with me." Tim avoided eye contact completely and started to walk towards the door.

"Wait, Tim." He did. "I would rather hang out with you any day than this vulgar, offensive, fake young… I don't even think you deserve 'lady' to be honest."

Bella's jaw hung open, as did any other remaining pupils'. As soon as she registered what had just been said, (to her of all people!) her rage shook her body and her face changed to the same shade of pink as her nails.

"How dare you!" she spat. "I'll have you know I am extremely popular here and believe me, Williams, I will make sure you are as hated as that little freak." Again, Tim was on the receiving end of her pointer.

'Danny' gave her a doubting look, (had he given it to her a few moments ago, she would have melted) and raised an eye brow. "Good luck with that."

He walked over to Tim and picked up his fallen book, emphasising his side in this battle.

"Don't ever talk shit about my friend again." With that, 'Danny' left the room with a dazed Tim following behind.

Bruce thought he'd made a pretty good start. Tim thought all his Christmases had come at once.

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