Bitten
3.
Sorry for the late and short update. Thanks for the support guys, keep it coming! I own nothing!
The wind grew crisp. With her arms wrapped around her form, Max walked, the grass crunching underfoot. Why she chose to trek through the woods at night she'd never know. Perhaps it was simply because the forest had been the first thing she had laid eyes on. Maybe it seemed the perfect place to be for isolation; either way she was alone, what she really wanted, even if she was moronically and stupidly putting herself in harm's way.
Why the lonesome night? She simply needed it. It seemed the perfect time to think, sort through her thoughts with a walk and clear her head. She'd had no intentions of wandering into the forest, it just happened to be there. Some might even think it a serendipitous moment.
The forest appeared nothing like Hollywood portrayed it to be. There were no crazed murderers chasing and killing people, no mysterious creatures of the night lurking dangerously about. And once she'd grown used to the cries and calls of nature, she found it was quite peaceful.
She stopped at a rustle, fear creeping up her spine. She nervously looked around. What was that noise? From behind a bush a squirrel scurried out and up into a tree, an acorn in its mouth. Max chuckled in relief softly, shaking her head in embarrassment. "Keep it together Max."
A sudden cold chill slid up her back with goose bumps on her arms. Max shivered, "Should've brought a sweater." Her arms wrapped tighter around herself, rubbing to keep warm as her trek continued, heading deeper inside.
Pushing past brush led her into Gotham park, the very same where she had been attacked by the Jokerz and discovered Terry's secret. Max couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of ending her walk here as she approached the grand water fountain, sitting on the edge with a sigh as memories of her and Terry replayed in her mind. She glanced into the still water, catching the reflection of the full moon shining brightly in the pitch black sky.
"You are so stupid" she scolded at her reflection with a shake of her head, "So stupid." A quick splash of the water had her mirrored image in ripples. "How could you have said that? Argh, he almost found out!" She looked into the water again, continuously shaking her head, "Idiot!"
This had been the fourth time in one afternoon where Max had used this tactic to 'discipline' her. Why? She thought it a helpful method. "You're his best friend, his confidant. You shouldn't be in love with him."
She groaned. Why did she have to succumb to her feelings and almost reveal them after having gone through so much trouble not to do so? All that effort of not letting her guard down and even avoiding Terry and Dana was wasted.
Maybe it was best if she did. No longer having to hold onto them, keep pushing them down and repressing; hurting every day because of it. She'd become so doleful and pitiable and quite frankly she loathed it. But what if revealing the truth led to something worse? Giving a deep sigh, Max buried her face in her hands. What to do?
The roaring water above her drowned the steps of the new dark knight as he approached. "Max" he spoke in his smoky voice, spooking her into shooting up with a gasp. "Oh!" She chuckled in relief upon seeing him. "It's just you batman." She took a seat once having calmed. "What are you doing here?"
Underneath the cowl, Terry narrowed his eyes, unappreciative of her casualness. "I've been looking all over for you." He stopped before her, folding his arms over his chest. "What are you doing out here by yourself? It's fortunate I found you before something happened to you." His voice was stern, indicating he was clearly not happy or in a joyous mood.
Be aloof Max, she thought to herself, shrugging. "I'm fine. Just came out for a little night stroll." She exhaled and turned away, giving him her back as she glanced into the water. Terry studied her, taking that this was most unlike her. Why was she still being so distant? He sat down beside her and spoke in a softer tone of voice. "Max…. look at me."
Max refused to even lift her head, keeping her gaze set on the water. She couldn't comply for she feared doing so would result in her coming undone, something that simply couldn't almost happen again. Her breath caught in her throat as Terry's strong fingers cupped her chin, lifting her head up and to him, the leather of his skin tight suit cooling her heated skin. "Please talk to me Max. You haven't been yourself. I'm really worried. What's going on?"
Max stared into the white of the eyes from the mask, her heart racing. Worried? He was worried? Unable to repress it, she laughed suddenly catching the bat completely off guard. "You're worried?" She slid back and away from him. "No, you don't get to be worried. In fact, you don't get to ask what's wrong."
Terry was left speechless as Max continued, seemingly growing heated. "I've been in hiding for… weeks now after I realized how serious and real my feelings were, and you've only just noticed today! And that was only because I acted 'differently' according to your terms!" She gave a short exasperated laugh. "Do you know how tired I am? How tired I am of fighting it, of pretending?"
The bat raised a brow, growing more and more confused by the second. Why was she acting this way? This seemed a lot more serious than he thought. "Max, what are you talking about? What feelings?" Max shook her head. Was he ignorant or just plain dumb?
She sighed deeply, a wave of sadness flooding over her as she stood. Maybe it was best to just give up. "Forget it batman. It doesn't matter. It's not important. Just leave me alone." Terry shook his head and stood. "No. Don't shut down on me, not now. Just tell me what's bothering you."
This is what Max feared, making a fool of her and losing him. He would never understand. He only had eyes for Dana. His heart was hers. There was simply no point anymore, in any of it, but especially in keeping it secret. Why even try anymore?
At her silence Terry sighed, his head dropping as if defeated. "I thought we were closer than this. I wish you would trust me, at least enough for you to tell me what's bothering you." Trust? Was that really his biggest worry?
Max sighed, "I used to think I couldn't because I was afraid." At this Terry grew angry, his hands balling into fists. "Did someone hurt you? Threatened you?" His voice had taken on a hard edge, promising pain. Max chuckled lightly. "Easy. It's nothing like that."
She took a short breath as he voice took a sullen tone. "I was afraid of your reaction; I honestly don't know how you'd react. But you know what, if you're this oblivious, then I shouldn't even care anymore… frankly, I don't." She crossed her arms over her chest. "You want to know what's bothering me. Here it is. I'm in love you with you Terry, have been for some time. I just hid it really well from you."
She exhaled deeply. "I never meant for it to happen. I wish it hadn't. I never said anything because I was terrified of losing you." She paused a few short moments. "Just know it wasn't my intention to drop this on you like this. I'm sorry." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the bat still in shock.
What was Terry supposed to do now? She was in love with him? What could he say to that? He was prepared to face the worst of dangers and criminals, but this he never saw coming. What now? Coming to his senses, he shook himself clear and followed after Max who had reached the playground. "Wait, Max!"
She turned at her name. "What do you mean you're in love with me?" he queried as he approached, standing before her. A sudden sense of animosity overcame and settled in the pit of his stomach. It was something dark, something fierce and detrimental. His eyes narrowed as he looked about. "What is it?" Max questioned. "I don't know-" the dark knight was cut short as a grand force had them both suddenly on the ground.
A snarling growl sounded. Max, feeling a large weight come upon her, gave a shrill scream as she felt a piercing sharp pain rip through her flesh. "Terry!" Reacting, Terry moved, witnessing as Max was dragged off in a blur into the forest, her scream echoing. "Max!"
Sorry for the length but I couldn't think of a better place to end it. Want to keep in you in suspense. As always, leave feedback!