Chapter 5 : One Less Boring Night
Commissioner Jim Gordon stood next to the bolted down searchlight, both hands in his overcoats pockets. He had a look of worry written on his aging face.
Megan Heart, one of the youngest female detectives in the force, walked from the stairway door and moved closer to her boss. Her hair was tied back into a tight ponytail that showed a bit of fizzy around the ears. She had a small-structure and a skinny high cheekbone face. "Sir?" She inquired in a firm youthful voice that sounded like a 16-year old.
Gordon turned around and acknowledged the 5'4 detective. "Heart," He said. "I thought you had the night off?"
Megan shook her head. "I don't know how to relax in this city. It's not like home. That's not the reason I came up here. The autopsy report came in and I wanted to make sure you that you received them before I headed out onto patrol with Bullock..." She sighed, showing that riding in a squad car with an overweight detective that looked like an unmade bed was not something she look forward too.
"You sound not too thrilled about the idea." Gordon said smirking.
"Don't get my wrong sir," Megan replied in an earnest tone. "I respect Detective Bullock as a man of the law but not as a human being. He's too..." She trailed off, uncertain of a proper term.
"I know that Bullock is little rough on the edges. But he's a good cop; the best there is on the force. He has never let me down." Gordon affirmed.
Megan nodded and then she pulled out a small vial of blood from her pocket. "I almost forget to give you this." She handed the vial to Gordon. "It's all I could get on short notice for our shadowy friend."
Gordon looked at the vial. "Is it from the victim we found in the North-side alleyway 24 hours ago?" He asked.
"Yes. I must say it was sickening to see those black cats in plastic bags. I know seeing a dead human body is pretty nerve-racking but seeing three dead sleek black cats that didn't deserve to die... that is just inhumane. I mean what kind of a person who do such a thing like that sir?"
"I can't make any assumptions Heart. But all I know is that we're dealing with a whole different sort of madness."
Before Megan could reply, one of the detectives that worked in the Family Crisis Department, Bev Graceland, walked from the stairway and onto the cemented roof. "Sorry to bother you sir," She said looking at Gordon. "But we've just received a call from Mayor Gracia's wife stating that their 7 year old daughter Brianna went missing two hours ago.
She was supposed to be dropped off from dance school at 9 p.m. Mrs. Garcia claims that her daughter's dance teacher is missing too."
"How old in the teacher?" Gordon asked.
"18 years old. Name is Haley."
Gordon looked at both of his detectives. Get a unit down at the Mayor's penthouse and seal off the building. No one in or out until I get there." He instructed Heart. "Beverly I want you to go to Haley's home and tell her parents that she's missing. Find out if she has any friends that might be involved with drug related problems or gangs."
Beverly nodded. "I'm on it."
Megan looked at the commissioner. "Aren't you coming sir?"
"I'm waiting for some more backup." Gordon answered looking at the bat-signal. "Let me know if they are any changes with the investigation."
Megan nodded.
"And make sure you bring Bullock with you."
"Got it."
She left the roof and headed on the stairs.
Across down on the Narrows side Batman was carrying Mattie in his arms heading towards his parked Batpod when he noticed a slender figure sitting on the saddle with her arms crossed. "Selina," He quickly growled. "What are you doing here?' Looking at the dark haired woman he noticed that she was wearing not skin tight leather or the cowl.
Selina stood up revealing her leather jacket and leather pants. She still had on her sharp stilettos and her lipstick shade was still crimson . Batman sensed that there was something different up this woman. He knew her too well to see changes in her actions not to mention her bitter attitude towards the rules he lived by.
"Whose your little friend?" Selina asked looking at Mattie.
Batman narrowed his eyes down at the child resting in his arms that he knocked out with a sleeping gas. "Mattie. I found her in the alley. She told me that her sister was abducted and she lead me to the apartment ." He wanted to asked her about the cat object her found but instead he just left that assumption in the depths of his mind. "Care to explain why your sitting on my bike?'
Selina placed her hands on the steel hand bars. "Look I just came to apologize for losing my temper." She smacked her lips together and moved closer to him. "I was just so angry with you handsome about your actions towards me."
Batman kept his guard him. If he said the wrong word she would kick him or knock him off his feet. He kept his dark hazel green eyes steady as she circled around him.
"I know that something is wrong with you. You're acting strange. Distracted ."
"I never get distracted." Batman answered in a spite growl defending himself at her comment. He knew her game , the first move Selina always did was place her hand on his armored chest and then move into closer until both off their torso's banged into each other. Finally the last move she did would be pressing her lips onto his m shaped curved lips to distract him. That was her tactic a cunning lustful game to get want she wanted which was either a passionate kiss on the roof tops or reclaiming her treasure that she stole from the wealthy.
This time Selina asked stood with her back against the wall and gave him a long hard look trying to confine her emotions towards the bat she carved each night .
"Yes ." Selina replied in a retort. "You always distracted by the least important things . Right now you probably don't even realize that the bat signal is shining above the city waiting for you to answer ."
Batman turned and pointed his head upward . He could see that signal in the clouds . He tensed his back and turned his gaze back towards her. " I need you to take Mattie to Leslie Tompkins."
"I'm no delivery girl ."
"Selina. Do it!" He demanded in sharp tone but then it turned soft. "For me."
Selina tighten her jaw . "Fine." She took the child from Batman and began to walked down the alley way. "Remember we have a lunch date tomorrow."
Batman shook his head and then fired his grappling hook.
"Women. Can't live with them and can't live without them."
He shot up to the roof and smacked his feet hard on the cement .
Selina turned and looked at the roof. She caught a glimpse of Batman's cape .
"Men." She grumbled as something caught her eye. Quickly she moved to the spot of the red cloth in a puddle of rain water and bent down . She picked up the cloth with her head and looked at the black hairs attached to the fabric. "Cat hair?' She questioned looking at black hairs. " A black cat's."
A sound of high heels echoed on the pavement. Selina turned around and saw a hour glass shaped woman wearing a black cat mask over her face.
"Who the hell are you?" Selina growled in a Catwoman tone. "Answer me!" She yelled after no reply.
"And here I thought Batman was the only one that needed anger management Miss Kyle." The woman said. " You may present me as Nuita"
"How do you know my name?" She inquired suspiciously.
"I know everything about you: How you lost her mother and father, your sister Maggie was murdered in an asylum. I know about your little teenage friend Holly Robinson but most importantly I know everything about what you care most."
She moved a plastic bag and threw it in front of Selina.
The 29-year old looked down at the clear bag and saw a black cat inclosed inside. Right away she felt sick to her stomach. "No," She said in deep distress gazing at the lifeless animal. "What did you do?" She was shaking angrily, ready to scratch the strangers eyes out.
"I'm not much of cat person. Their unpredictable and distrustful. I prefer the smaller lest powerless animals that can be so helpless when their trapped in cages."
Selina's eyes went wide as she thought about the time when she lured Batman into a trap. She locked into a grated cell off the sewers and watched in horror as the the Dark Knight fought for his life while Bane struck his body with thundering blows with his fists. That was the first time that she saw that Batman and Bruce Wayne were both the same men under the mask.
"What do you want with me?" Selina hissed.
"I just came to give you a warning. How much does the little bat mean to you?"
"None of your business... you sick..."
Nuita sneered underneath.
"Wither and die that's happens to those who cross my path." She moved closer to Selina who seemed to be frozen with thought and whispered in her ear. " You think that you can save him. When I'm done with your bat you will see just how nasty a witch like me can be Miss Kyle."
"You don't know me." Selina snapped. "I can be unpredictable."
"Yes, I know. The question is are you unpredictable with your motives or emotions? The bat's time is short. He's already under my power thanks to the broken statue. Soon he won't be able to defend himself or anyone he cherishes."
"You witch!" Selina placed Mattie gently on the ground and formed her body into a fighting stance.
Nuita looked at her almost coyly. "What do you want to have a cat fight me?" Selina didn't respond only waited for the witch to make her move.
"If you insist...
Selina made her hands into fists. She was ready to strike.
"What is the reward for the winner? The child perhaps?"
"What do you want with Mattie?"
"Simple. Her soul. I've already gotten her sister."
Selina's eyes went wide. "You're the one that kidnapped..."
"Indeed. Youth is wasted on the flesh of the innocence. I usually peel it off until there is nothing left but bone or drain the blood and take a wonderful bubble baths in to refresh my lovely form."
Selina's face turned ghost white, she felt like gagging in disgust.
"I know what you're thing. Where's Batman when you need him?"
Selina was backing up to the wall as the witch in the cat mask drew closer.
"Don't worry I'm not going to kill you Miss Kyle. You've done well in my image and that is why you will prevail until the mission is over."
"Mission? You mean taking children's souls and killing cats?"
"Silence. I thought you would be a lot stronger but I see you find your inner strength when the Bat's around. The only thing is Miss Kyle the bat isn't going to be around much longer."
Selina's face became crossed. Finally she had enough and threw a round house kick to the woman knocking her to the ground. "Shut and fight!" She hissed removing her whip tied to her belt. She cracked it onto the pavement. "Or are you all talk and no action?"
"Oh I can fight."
"Really?" Selina waved her over. "Then come on show me what you got."
Nuita removed a jewel in-crested dagger from the side of her belt. "Like thief? I thought you would. I've killed many worthless souls with this blade including a recent friend friend of yours."
"Blackstone."
"Sadly he only had one life to waste but you have nine." She mocked.
"So what are you going to talk me to death or are you going to fight?" She yelled impatiently
"There's one other thing that you should know about evil." She threw the blade, Selina jumped in the air grabbed the rung of the fire escape just before the blade went through her chest and pulled herself up. "It cheats."
Selina cracked her whip and grabbed Nutia's ankle and yanked her to the ground. Then she jumped down and raced to Mattie.
Nuita looked at the two of them. "You think you've won kitten. This is just a trial. The real challenge has yet to begin."
"Looking forward to it."
Selina bolted out of the alley and headed towards her parked ninja bike.
Nuita picked herself up off the ground and smiled while chuckling an eerie laugh.
"If I can't get you little cat I'll get through to you by your little bat."
She walked over to the the spot of where the plastic bag laid and took out a match book and lit the match. Then she dropped it onto the bag.
"I love the smell of charred feline in the evening."
Nuita turned at looked at Brianna Gracia trapped in one of her armored soldiers arms.
"Isn't that right Brianna?"
She looked at Syde.
"What do you want me to do with the brat mistress?" He asked looking at the dark haired child. "Do you to get remove her out of this worlds like all the other ones?"
Nuita pulled her mask off to reveal the face of Vedette Countess.
"No I have a different fate for this little girl."
A few minutes later Selina was walking up the stone steps of the Thomas Wayne Clinic that was opened for the general public. It offered free health care to those who couldn't afford to go to Gotham General.
She entered through the old white painted doors and stepped onto the tile. Inside were empty chairs and black and white prints of downtown Gotham from the late thirties.
"Doctor Leslie Thompkins?" The young woman called out, waiting for a reply. A older silver haired woman with blue eyes entered the waiting room area wearing a white coat, her hair was done in a bun.
"Selina Kyle." She said in pleasant but firm voice. "What brings you down here?"
"I have a little friend that needs to be looked after."
Leslie looked at the small frail child. "She looks very weak and dehydrated." She walked over to where Selina stood and checked the child's pulse. "Pulse is faint and from the color of your skin she's been fighting a fever for at least 48 hours. Where did you find her?"
"It was Bruce. He was at the Narrows working on a case when this child crossed his path. He asked me to bring her to you."
Leslie gave a small smile. "He's a lot like his father Thomas, God rest his soul. Both caring for a complete stranger's welfare."
Selina thought about Bruce's bodily changes that she noticed. He seemed to be pale in the face and sweating a lot.
"Speaking of Bruce, Leslie I need to tell you something."
"All right."
Selina gulped down. "I think Bruce is in danger." She spoke gravelly.
Leslie was perplexed but mostly confused. "What kind have danger are we talking about? Police chasing him down the streets again? Getting framed for murder?"
"No. His welfare is in danger. Tonight when I saw him in an alley at the Narrows he looked different. Like his body was slowly draining."
"This interesting Selina. Can you tell what other symptoms you picked up when you spoke to him."
"He just looked pale in the face, just like Mattie." Selina explained looking at the unconscious child in her arms. "Sweating a lot. But one change that I noticed right away was his personality."
"I can see that you're worried about him."
"He's my friend." Selina replied in a distraught tone.
Leslie shook her head. "No. It's something more than that."
"Well maybe there something Doctor Thompkins."
"That's all I'm saying on this subject. Can you move Mattie to the examination room I want to check her blood pressure and vitals."
Selina followed Leslie down the hall. She entered the room and placed Mattie on the medical table.
"Well I should go."
"Selina,"
Selina turned around and faced Leslie. "Yes?"
"I noticed a change in you my dear. I think Bruce's caring heart is starting to rub off on you."
"I haven't changed. I'm still have a bit of the cat left in me."
"Don't all women."
"Look if you love Bruce then tell him the truth." Leslie implored.
"I've tried." Selina looked away.
"I know. But I can tell you're a very determined young lady. So don't give up. The right time will come. I like you Selina. "
Selina smiled at Leslie. She needed to here that.
On the rooftop of Gotham's MCU building, Gordon was tired of waiting. He flicked off the searchlight and headed for the stairwell when he heard a fluttering from behind. The sound would usually make him nervous but as of now it was a welcomed relief. He turned his head and saw Batman standing next to the floodlight, his cape blowing behind him.
"I was beginning to wonder if you had taken the night off?" Gordon said.
"I never take a night off." Batman quickly stated.
"Good to know. Mayor Gracia's daughter Brianna went missing three hours ago along with her dance instructor."
Batman looked at Gordon with a brooding scowl, the news provoking him.
"The Mayor got a call stating that his daughter is somewhere at the Gotham Docks."
Batman moved to the edge of the roof. He turned and looked at Gordon with his eyes set to purpose.
"I'll find her. No one does that to a little girl." Batman growled turning his gaze at the city lights. "Innocence is important to this city. If you destroy innocence than you destroy the promising future that it holds."
He dropped down and glided into the night. Gordon sighed.
"Good. You're all the hope she has left my friend." Gordon said looking downward at the misty streets below.
Batman encountered traffic as he raced through the streets heading towards the East side that would lead him to the Gotham Docks, the same place where he made his first appearance as the Dark Knight nailing Falcone and his thugs.
His lips were tighened as the rapid wind, from the passing cars, was bit his face. He made a right turn and entered the loading dock area that was three miles away from Falcone's old hang out. He quickly made the Batpod halt by a fence. He climbed off and raced to the stacks of shipping crates.
Under the cowl Bruce was showed much concern for the child was he intended to save and hoped that she was unharmed. He found the shipping crate that had a smear of blood on the door. He pulled open the steal door with both hands and peered inside. "Brianna." He called sounding like Bruce Wayne. "Brianna Gracia..."
There was small whimper as he moved inside the darkness and bent his knees to where a small girl laid. He scooped her up with his arms. "Let's get you home."
The child nodded while trembling in fear. Batman guessed it wasn't because of him.
"Please ..." She pleaded in small voice. "That woman is after me..."
"What woman?" Batman asked.
"A cat."
Bruce arched an eyebrow underneath as he peered at the cat-shaped object around the child's neck. It was the same make of the one he found in the apartment in the Narrows. He had to assume Selina was the prime suspect.
The next day, Selina Kyle was sitting at a window table in the Golden Swan Cafe; the oldest dining sensation. The food was spectacular: a fusion of French with decadent desserts dipped in caramel or white and dark chocolate.
She was accompanied by Holly, dressed a black sleeved-shirt and a pair of buck cut jeans.
"Are you sure that's appropriate?" Selina asked looking at the 18 year old.
Holly shook her head. "You should talk. This is coming from a woman that spends her nights dressed in a skin tight leather suit."
"Yes but I'm hidden from the public eye."
"I'm not a kid anymore Lina," Holly snapped. "I am a young woman and besides I wear a lot more revealing clothes for the work I have been bribed countless time to do."
"You don't have to work from him, Holly."
"Yes. I do." She said tersely.
Selina shrugged. "Why?"
"I want to move out and make a living on my own."
"You're still too young to make those kind of decisions."
"You're sounding like my mother." Holly huffed. "Acting too protective."
She looked around to see if there was any sign of the dashing billionaire but all she could see was the waitresses serving costumers.
"Let me guess he's not coming?"
"I planned this dinner two nights ago, but I guess he's too busy."
"With what? He doesn't work for that company he owns it."
Selina smirked. "He does other work outside Wayne Enterprises."
"So I guess his work is important to him?"
Selina nodded. "Its his life Holly. And he chose to spend it alone." She spat with bitterness in her voice.
The redheaded teen smirked as she looked over Selina's shoulder at Bruce Wayne who was entering with a tall dark haired woman on his arm.
"Who's his date?" Holly asked pointing at Bruce.
"What do you mean?" Selina asked.
"Turn around."
Selina turned around. Her deep brown eyes went wide as she looked at the attractive woman standing next to Bruce. "Vedette." She growled sounding like a cat. Her back tense and eyes became filled with rage. "Of all the sick..."
"Cool down, Lina," Holly said in a calm tone. "You're acting so out of character."
"Sorry Holly, it's just the cat in me." She gave Vedette an intense cat glare. "I can't believe he would actually go for her. Of all the woman he's ever been swooning with this is this worst."
"Do I sense jealousy? I thought the stuck up billionaire and you were just good friends." Holly quoted.
Selina tapped her polished fingernails on the table. "We are. But I'm beginning to think about changing that."
Bruce and Vedette walked to the table. "Selina," He said. "Sorry I'm late."
Selina took a deep breath and turned to look at Bruce. "We almost ordered without you. Who's your date?"
Bruce kissed Selina on the cheek. "May I present Vedette Countess." He said looking at the tall woman that was holding his hand.
"We met already." Selina said glaring at Vedette. "So is the new exhibit up yet?"
Vedette nodded. "Yes. I went up yesterday after Blackstone departed for Hawaii. For his long vacation away from the office."
"Really? Well I took the liberty of contacting Blackstone's daughter and she said that her father just came back from a trip."
"Well he left from Gotham Airport for another one." Vedette hissed.
"Selina," Bruce said. "Don't be rude."
"Sorry like I said to Holly 'it must be the cat in me.'"
Bruce pulled out a chair for Vedette.
"You're such a gentlemen Bruce." Vedette said grinning at Selina.
"Wait until you unmask the real Bruce Wayne honey." Selina mumbled. Bruce shot her a warning glare.
"Selina, can I talk to you outside."
"Why not?" She said indifferently. "I could use some air."
She arose from the table and marched down the isle of tables.
"We won't be long." Bruce said as he trailed behind her.
"Now what's wrong with those two?" Vedette asked Holly who was sipping a glass of water.
"Those two, you could write a book about them." Holly replied. "A very long book."
Outside in the back alley Selina had her back leaned against the restaurants wall with her arms crossed.
"Care to explain what that was all about?" Bruce asked walking up to her.
"I don't want to talk about it." She replied. "She's your date and it wasn't in my place to speak those words to her."
"I know you're lying to me Selina. I know you too well."
Selina rolled her eyes.
"So are you going to explain yourself?"
"What is there to explain handsome, I don't trust this woman Bruce. She's hiding something."
"You're jealous." Bruce smirked playfully.
"Jealous, me?" She asked. "Don't be obscured. Why would I be jealous of another woman that is dating a man that dresses up like a bat with pointy ears that doesn't even look like a bat. More cat."
Bruce was beginning to become offended.
Selina paused. "But the question is do you like this woman?"
"Yes..."
"I see. Than I guess I will not say anything more about this."
Bruce grabbed her by the arm.
"Hey hands off!" She yelled angrily.
Bruce removed the sharp silver cat-object from his pocket. "Care to explain this?'
Selina looked at the object. "So just because it's in the shape of a cat you're assuming that I know something about it?"
She shook her head with disposition. "That's your problem Bruce, you assume too much. Just like you assumed that you couldn't beat the Joker."
That was cold. But right now she wasn't in the mood for pity talking him. She needed to get way from him before they would become engaged into fight. She walked away from him.
"Selina!" He yelled out of anger. "Come back here."
"Sorry handsome..." Selina shouted. "I don't take orders from a man that is blind as a bat when it comes to his own heart. If you want me than you know where I live. Until then ..." She turned and blew him a kiss. "Something to remember me by. I hope Vedette gives you all that you need in life."
Bruce was not going to put with this game she was playing. He raced to her and grabbed her apprehensively as a cop would.
"Bruce let go of me!" She dug her nails into his arms.
"You know something don't you?" He questioned.
"Maybe I do... What's in it for me?"
"How about a night away from jail?"
She was shocked that he even said that word.
"I've been clean for nearly a month. Granted that I've been tempted; so very tempted. What do you want from me?"
"Your help with this investigation." Bruce said in his Batman voice. "If you care about me Selina then you will help solve this mystery."
Selina looked at his face. Under his eyes were dark circles .
"On one condition."
"Name it?"
"You don't mention Vedette's name to me anymore." She spoke, an angry gleam in her eyes.
"...Fine." He conceded.
She poked at his chest. "I mean it Bruce. Even the slightest mention of her name..."
"I get the idea." He replied. "Meet me at the Gotham Subway." He released her and stepped away.
"What time?"
"Midnight. Wear your equipment."
"You're lucky."
Bruce gave her a smirk.
Inside an abandon butcher shop located on the East side district, Vedette Countess entered the eerie space with a brief case in her hand. "Hello?" She called out.
"Why hello there beautiful," An eerie voice replied in the shadows. "I must say you are looking quite beautiful." The voice was like a cold draft of air.
"I'll take that has a compliant."
"And what brings you to here? Hmmm? Come here to share a few laughs?"
Vedette shook her head. As a sociopath she had no emotions. The prime skill that she harnessed was to fake your own emotions. Especially when she killed her victims slow and painfully without any remorse towards the fact that she took a human life.
"I've come here for a business proposition." She sneered looking into the shadows. "You can come out of your hiding place. I don't fear flesh and blood let alone the supernatural forces that I so love to play with."
"Is that so? Who are you lady?"
"Just a woman that has too much time on her hands. Now are you going to come out of your hiding place and speak to me like a normal person?"
There was a sound of maniacal laughter, if Vedette were a lesser woman it would have made her tremble. Instead it made her shrug her shoulders with annoyance. "I am anything but normal." The voice called. Vedette raised an eyebrow.
"I know. That's why I came here."
The figure stepped out from the shadows. His green hair reflecting from the dim ceiling lights.
"Hello Joker." Vedette smiled. "At last we meet."
The Joker licked his lips with interest as he looked over the woman, seeming surprised. "You've got guts lady, coming here to see me. Most women that come here are forced or already dead."
"I wanted to gaze upon that pale face badly."
The Joker peered at Vedette, he could see tiny smears of blood on her neck. Vedette had trouble reading the man, and it had little to do with makeup on his face. He could be thinking of anything be it his next question or how he intended to make a joke of her death. Instead he hissed lowly at the blood on her skin.
"I see that you've been a busy woman."
Vedette smeared the blood off with one of long fingers and then licked it. Slowly. Intimately. Maliciously. Joker raised an eyebrow.
"I love the taste of blood in the evening. Do you know that there are all types of flavors of blood out there? I prefer the youthful; it adds a bit more bite to the taste."
The Joker looked at her as if he found a soul mate. "What is your name sweetness?"
"Vedette Countess... but my enemies, well my alive ones, call my Nuita."
He moved closer and lifted her hand then kissed the back of it. "Charmed." Vedette allowed an evil smile to creep to her lips.
"Now about my business offer?"
"I'm listening, but make it fast." He leans back against a wall, arms crossed.
"I need to have a certain cat put down."
Joker looks up thoughtfully as if debating her request, but it became clear to Vedette he was being coy. "Hmmm well, I'm not one for harming animals, but what the heck I can add that onto my list of experience."
"You don't understand. I want the bat's little cat taken care of."
"Oh the Catwoman."
"Indeed."
He licked the inside of his cheek as if in deep thought. "Funny I was just planning that same idea a few days ago but then I got distracted and offed a few nurses on the west end. Although I must say they were fun to play with until I got bored."
"I will pay you what ever price you want."
"What about batsy?"
"Don't worry your pretty little head my mass murdering clown. He's being taken care have of."
The Joker smiled showing his yellow stained teeth.
"You know there is one way to break the bat. First you capture his favorite kitty, then when he comes to her rescue he'll only find a trap and that's when I'll unmasked his kitten right in front of him before I pull the final curtain on the cat; shooting her or slicing her whatever is easier." He babbled almost giddily as his sick fantasy seemed to be playing in his head.
Vedette watched him almost bemused. Joker chuckled deviously. "Then the real fun begins. But I'm a man that doesn't like to plan his nights in this city. I do things that come to mind." Vedette placed her hand on his chest. "What do you want to you know?"
"Something dangerous and messy." He grinned sickly.
"You're speaking my language." She returned the grin with equal wickedness.
Gotham Subway Tunnel
"What are we doing down here?" Catwoman asked looking at rats crawling on the ground. "You really sure know you to a lady a night out of town." Her sharp stilettos clicked on the cracked cement as she pasted a dead decaying body. A chill ran down her spine as her brown eyes looked at the frail yellowish form that showed the dark eye socket holes.
Batman could tell that she was tensed with the notion that they were surrounded by the decaying victims of the subway. Most of them were runways that hopped on trains to escape for a new life but it the end they found out how ugly Gotham was under the cement sidewalks.
"So tell why you had my tag along with you in this awful place?" Catwoman replied rubbing her arms together. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for you night with the Egyptian princess?"
Batman turned and looked at her.
"We have work to do."
Catwoman rolled her eyes as Batman removed a chemical light stick from his belt. He pointed the LD light to an area of tunnels.
"Playing hide and seek are we?"
"Stay here." He commanded moving inside a narrow tunnel. He looked around at the walls and found spray painted words written on the brick wall.
"Find anything?" Catwoman yelled outside the tunnel.
Batman poked his head out and pulled her inside.
"Cutting it a little to close are we handsome?"
He pointed to the writing on the wall. "Read it."
"Don't tell me what to do." Catwoman snarled in defense.
"Selina, this isn't a game. Now read it."
Catwoman looked at the strange images on the walls. "There paintings of black cat with what appears to be images of spirits around them."
"Take an image scan with your camera."
"My camera is used for things of my tastes not history lessons. But since you asked so... nicely I will do it as you wish stuck-up rodent with wings."
Batman gave her a scowl.
She quickly snapped a picture with her small camera . Something caught her attention a word under one of the silhouettes of a black cat. "Bruce," She said waving him over. "I think you should listen to this?"
Catwoman removed her cowl and began to speak the words .
"The blood of the innocent will drip in the gutters of this city once the black cats were nonexistent to the human eye for during that time many of the innocent will die."
Selina turned to Batman. "What is this suppose to mean?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know. You're the worlds greatest detective. What are they planning to do with the cats?"
Batman gave Selina a steady gaze." There's something that you should know."
Selina crossed her arms. "I'm listening."
"At one of the crime scenes three dead black cats were location in the same alley for the murdered victims. All three of the animals were wearing red collars with innocence written on them."
Selina knelt sick to her stomach. "I don't hear any more about it." Her hand formed into a fist. "Children and cats... ?"
"Children?" Batman asked looking insightful. "Selina tell me?"
"Last night when you left me in care of Mattie I ran into a woman that you probably would think she was part of nightmare. She had a black cat in a plastic bag. It was dead with a red collar around it's neck."
He crossed his arms.
"On the collar was the number two. Black cats. children and a witch. What is the connection Bruce?"
Batman searched in his mind. "Halloween."
"That night is not for another three weeks." Selina spat pulling on her cowl.
"The thirteen days of Halloween."
"I guess you would know a lot of Halloween since you dress up as a symbol of darkness."
Selina under the cowl excepted a intense death glare from those dark hazel green eyes that burned through the slits of the pointy eared cowl with a bit of dramatics such as shouting and then accusing. She loved playing this game of emotions with him. It made their relationship far more interesting than a normal couple that spent nights in hotel rooms or on park benches.
Batman gripped Catwoman's slender waist with his powerful gloved hands.
"What do you think you're doing?" Catwoman growled ready to break free from his grasp and give him a round house kick in the graphite grey midsection . "Get off of me!" She gritted her teeth. "You're a real piece of work."
Batman was almost in a trance as both of their chest rubbed together. His lips had captured hers. Catwoman tired to step back to break free from his grasp but she lifted her head and looked at his inviting lips. Heat was coming off of him as she ran her gloved fingers onto his armored chest. She pressed tightly against his bulky Kevlar body feeling the sensation of lust come over her. Then he lowered his pounced chiseled jaw and crashed his lips onto hers.
He kissed her ... like never before. It was full of passion, lust and desire. His mouth was warm as he angled her head to deepen the kiss further.
Batman placed his hand on her back and ran it up to her thick dark hair. It had been a while since he kissed her usually she was the one that made the move but this time it was his turn to take the lead.
Catwoman broke away gasping for air as he looked at her with his dark gaze that softened thoughtfully.
"I thought you were dating Vedette?"
"I'm ..." He trailed off with a grimace.
Catwoman crossed her arms. She caught him in the act.
He swallowed stiffly.
"You're what?" She pressed him suspiciously
"...she's not like you Selina."
"Well that's really reassuring."
Catwoman placed her hand on the side of his cowl. "Bruce is there something you wish to tell me? I know that your sick?"
He grabbed her hand and moved it away.
"I'm fine." He mumbled with his pride.
"You're always concerned about others around you when you should be more concerned with yourself."
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then walked out of the tunnel.
"See you around Dark Knight."
He stood there placing a finger on his lips as he thought about their kiss.
"I'm standing at the crossroads." He said under his breath. "Of my own heart."
As Batman was about to make his leave, there was a sharp pain in his side. It was still lingering like a scar. He winced trying to work through the pain as he made it outside the tunnel. Sweat beginning to pour out of him as he was walking towards the tracks.