Let's return to Oliver Queen and see how he's handling his vigilante life and his school life.
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At the CNRI, Laurel Lance was helping sort out some case files for her boss. Her attention was captured by the news channel on TV. They were talking about The Hood again.
"Adam Hunt. Martin Somers. Marcus Redman. Leo Mueller. Ted Gaynor. The Hood has killed or put away some of the worst of the worst of Silverstone City. Public approval rises every night as more citizens of Silverstone City begin to warm up to the green-hooded vigilante, no matter what the SCPD thinks..."
"I know that look."
Laurel's attention was caught by her boss, Ruth Anderson, who had just recently asked for an internship in the CNRI.
"You think he's a hero, don't you?" asked Ruth.
"I... well..." Laurel didn't know how to answer the question.
"Laurel, you want to be a lawyer, right?" asked Ruth.
"Of course, I do. More than anything," said Laurel.
"Then you shouldn't be fangirling over some guy in a green hood," said Ruth. "He's a mass murderer who breaks the law. Know your place in this city."
"I will," promised Laurel.
Ruth walks away, while Laurel looks back at the television. Ever since he saved her life, she couldn't stop thinking about him. All she wanted to do was thank him and maybe she'll move on.
The next day, at Silverstone High...
Oliver walks the halls and kept on overhearing some kids talking about The Hood.
"Crazy, isn't it?"
Oliver turns around and saw Tommy right behind him.
"Everybody's talking about The Hood," said Tommy.
"Well, he has put away some very bad people," said Oliver.
"Yeah, but he's still killing people to do it," said Tommy. "You don't actually approve of his actions, do you?"
"All I think is that he needs a better nickname," said Oliver.
"Like what? Robin Hood?" joked Tommy.
"Not exactly," said Oliver.
"Why not? He steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Seems accurate," joked Laurel, who just happened to be listening.
"Hey, Laurel," said Tommy. "Help me here. You don't think The Hood is a hero, do you?"
"Honestly, I have mixed feelings about him. Yes, he breaks the law, but he gets results," said Laurel. "And don't tell my boss I said that."
"Cross my heart," said Tommy, doing the "cross my heart" gesture.
"Hey, Laurel, I heard you're trying out for the women's basketball team," said Oliver.
"I figured I could try something new," said Laurel.
"Think you got what it takes?" asked Oliver.
"I know I do," said Laurel. "Besides, Helena has been training me."
"Helena... Bertinelli, right?" asked Oliver. "Hey, how is she, by the way? I heard about what happened to Michael."
"She's, well, she's been isolating herself from everyone," said Laurel. "Tommy and I have been trying to reach her, but she's hurt too much."
"So, we just gave her some space," said Tommy.
After the school day was over, Thea and two of her friends, Tiffany and Esther, were walking past through the streets on their way to Tiffany's place.
"So, how many girls has your brother dated since he came back?" asked Tiffany.
"Surprisingly, none," said Thea. "In fact, he's not showing any interest in anyone, or so Tommy says."
"One whole year on an island and he comes back just being normal?" questioned Esther.
"I know, it's strange. But who am I judge? I don't know what it's like to be alone for a year," said Thea.
Suddenly, a guy in a red hoodie snatches Thea's purse and runs away.
"Hey! Get back here! That's mine!" yelled Thea.
Thea chases Roy. Roy stops when he was blocked by a metal gate.
"Okay, buddy, just give me back my purse and I'll tell my friends not to call the police," said Thea.
Unexpectedly, Roy hoped on the wooden crates to his right and jumped over the gate. Thea was still angry at him, but deep down, she was impressed by how athletic he is. She saw a chain hanging from the fence and snatched it. It looked like a wallet chain.
"Wow, you just got robbed," said Tiffany.
"Tiff, give me your phone. I need to call," asked Thea.
During the night time at the Glades, Laurel Lance was walking back home after requesting for an early leave from CNRI. On her way home, she saw a woman getting mugged in an alley nearby. Due to her will to help others, Laurel runs towards the mugging and kicks the mugger in the back.
Laurel looks at the woman and tells her, "Get out of here."
The woman runs away.
"You're pretty brave for a little girl," said the mugger.
"I'm no little girl," said Laurel.
"Guess I'll just have to settle for you," said the mugger.
"You don't want to mess with me. I'm not some fragile little lady. I'm the daughter of a cop," said Laurel.
"Then put your money where your mouth is," dared the mugger.
Laurel angrily attacks the mugger. She punched him in the face and kicks him in the stomach. The mugger's nose started to bleed.
"I must admit. You're good," said the mugger. He takes out his gun and aims it at her. "But not good enough."
"Wait," said Laurel. "How about I give you my wallet and you let me live?"
"Sounds fair," said the mugger.
Laurel slowly puts down her purse and opens it. In the blink of an eye, Laurel takes out a gun and points it at the mugger.
"My dad told me to keep a gun with me at all times in the Glades," said Laurel.
Laurel and the mugger just stared and waited for the other to make a move. Suddenly, The Hood comes down from above. He shoots an arrow in the mugger's leg and started beating him, pounding his face repeatedly. Laurel saw the situation she was in. She had the opportunity to shoot the vigilante and bring him to her father. However, for some reason, she decided against it. She just put the gun back in her purse.
"Stop!" she shouted.
The Hood stopped pounding on the mugger, who was unconscious with a bruise, bleeding face.
"You have a knack for getting into trouble, Ms. Lance," said The Hood.
"I saw an innocent person getting mugged in front of me. I'm not just gonna stand back," said Laurel.
"You're fierce and determined. I appreciate that," said The Hood. "Just stay out of trouble. I'm not always going to be there for you."
"I don't need a bodyguard," said Laurel.
"At this rate, you need one," replied The Hood.
The Hood walks away.
"Wait," called Laurel.
The Hood turns around.
"I... never got to say thank you," said Laurel. "You know, the first time you saved me."
"I don't need your gratitude," said The Hood.
"But I am grateful," said Laurel.
After a brief silence, Laurel asks a question.
"Why do you do all this?" she asked. "You're going after the richest scumbags in Silverstone City. Why?"
"Because I made a promise," answered The Hood.
"To who?" asked Laurel.
"You've heard enough," said The Hood.
"I want to help," said Laurel.
Not only was The Hood surprised, but Laurel was shocked at what she just said.
"You intern at the CNRI. Why would you be interested in vigilantism?" questioned The Hood.
"Because... because... I believe in what you're doing," said Laurel honestly.
"This life isn't for you, Ms. Lance," said The Hood. "Besides, you're a high school student."
"You operate only at night, so will I," said Laurel. "I don't have to be on the field with you. I can... provide you information from the CNRI."
"You're willing to sabotage your chances of becoming a lawyer for me?" asked The Hood.
"Yes," said Laurel. "Is there anything I can do to prove myself?"
"You really want this?" asked The Hood.
"As much as I hate to admit it, the legal system is flawed," said Laurel. "Men like Leo Muller and Cyrus Vanch are allowed to walk on these streets because they can buy the system. We need a new way to seek justice for this city."
The Hood takes time to think.
"Peter Declan," said The Hood. "He's about to executed in two days for murdering his wife, but I believe he's innocent. Declan's wife worked for Jason Brodeur. She was about to report him to the police for illegally dumping toxic waste. He had her killed and framed her husband. Prove he's innocent, and then we can talk."
"You can count on me," said Laurel.
The Hood was about to fire an arrow on top of a building, until Laurel spoke again.
"Wait! Can I get a ride home?" she asked.
The Hood fires an arrow at the top of a building and then extends his hand towards Laurel. Laurel grabs hold of the vigilante as he swings himself upwards. Laurel was petrified at first, but after a few more seconds, she started smiling, actually enjoying the ride.
Looks like Laurel and The Hood are about to become business partners.
For the next chapter, we'll be heading back to Barry Allen's part of the story.
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