{Chapter 21 : Uneasy Adapting }
{Wayne Manor}
Faint glimmers of the dimming sun reflected off the walls of the main hall creating a melancholic atmosphere as two souls allowed the somber waves of oppression to cloak their bodies.
She sat motionless as her coffee-colored eyes gazed down at the black cat resting on her lap; he silently purred, showing contentment. Inwardly she cringed, trying to imagine the twelve pound animal as the man she loved. Her eyes became heavy as her pupils held restless thoughts that surged her memory. Her hand lightly patted onto the planes of fur.
Crimson blades parted as she released an audible sigh of disheartening emotions. She had many talents when it came to bottling up her true indention's of the heart. She was the mistress that performed acts of teasing and smiling only to get want she wanted from weak-willed prey; flirting and coaxing to wheeze her way through any obstacle with little effort. Seeing the man that tamed her shady heart trapped into the body of a feline visage was forcing her to expose fragile weakness.
Selina lessened her eyes. "This wasn't the storm I predicted." She whispered in a biting tone. "I never thought this could happen to us, handsome. We've always been survivors towards whatever obstacles that came our way, but now we're dealing with a nightmare."
Bruce opened his mouth trying to speak. "Selina..." His voice was strangling as soft vocalizations of a domestic cat broke through unlocking a lisp. He curled his sand paper tongue trying to force his remaining humanity out. Enraging thoughts stuck him, making sharp blood-drawing claws pop out. They dug into her black jean covered thigh
"Ah, Bruce cut that out!" She hissed, feeling a sting in her flesh. "My leg is not a scratching post."
Bruce's entrancing and unnerving eyes slammed shut as his jaw clenched. Claws retracted inward and his body stiffened. His long tail was lowered revealing his inner dolor by using body language to communicate. He was becoming irritable knowing that his city needed him.
This was agony of the body as his imprisoned soul was surging to escape the furry shell the high priestess of the Baset cult transformed him into by with her devilish potion. He turned out no different from the children she murdered and transformed into sickly black cats - draining their bodies to sate her own lust for spilled innocent blood. The children of this city were quickly becoming victims to an ancient curse forged by the calamitous teachings of a demon.
Black fur stood up on it's end. "Nine." He managed to produce with strain.
Selina arched an eyebrow. "Bruce?" she asked in a distressing tone.
"Nine is the number of children Vedette is planning to murder. She only needs five more to complete... the cleansing. Everything that we have endured these passed weeks is leading up to her plan to destroy all the children of Gotham." He spoke grimly. "She needed Batman to be removed because he was an obstacle to her agenda." His mind rephrased the vile words Vedette ejected before she poured the potion down his throat.
"It's more like freeing their lives from this hell hole of a prison you call home. It's what I was meant to do."
"She's a vindictive murdering sociopath living an illusion thinking she is cleansing the city of its sins, and saving the innocence by taking their lives before they become corrupted by injustice." He hissed feeling outraged as his voice was weakening. "She turned me into a black cat because it is symbol that represents death and misfortune."
Bruce cringed as his slender body jerked. "The longer I stay in this form..." He bowed his head. "I'll lose whatever humanity I have left trapped within this body. I know there is not much time." He turned and lifted his glaring diamond shaped eyes at Selina. "I'll be nothing but an average pampered house cat."
Selina mashed her teeth onto her bottom lip as her eyes hardened. She had to regain her composure. Closing her eyes and pacing her breath, she focused on the memories that she had concealed within the fathoms of her well-guarded thoughts. She was not going to let him fade away. There was always a shaft of hope hidden in the dark shadows.
Her mind grasped the image of Bruce's face in the white realm of memory lane.
The almond shaped hazel sincere eyes that displayed assurance and security as he would look onward, seeing the goodness and the darkness hidden behind the masks of the people he became involved with over the years. Sunlight beamed over his fleshy rose jagged cheeks showing the visible cluster of veins under his right eye, the wrinkles that were forged by heartache while enduring the long warpaths of the criminal mind.
His slope arrow shaped nose that was tipped hovered over the crease of pale rose indented m shape lips that created sharp edges at the tips of his mouth. The laugh lines, wrinkled on the left side of his lips. His rounded chin that defined the graphite cowl. His thick strands of dark chocolate tinged hair that sculpted over his ears. The smell his shapely well-defined body produced. The rich scent that burned into her nostrils as she breathed him in.
She recalled every detail about him. Every wrinkle on his forehead, the pointed canines that gave him an infectious welcoming smile. Mostly she remembered listening to his heartbeat pulsing through the walls of his thick chest. A heart that had endured lifelong pain. That was one thing in her grey shaded impermanent world she could never let go.
Selina bashed her mascara covered lashes as she became fully awakened from the engulfing thoughts and endless lapses to her memory and towards the touch of warmth rubbing against her chest. Bruce slid the side of his black furred face onto her plain black cashmere long sleeved sweater, and purred in a louder tone than before. She wrapped her arm around his body and lifted him to the level of her lips. She gave him a gentle kiss on the dome of his head.
"I'll find a way," she confessed feeling the gripping infuriating tug into her umbrage of sentiment as she held him securely against her chest.
The gloom of the bat cave made Alfred Pennyworth cringe every time he stepped away from the elevator. He never liked the cave. He found it dingy, cold and difficult to keep clean and a little depressing to anyone who was not attracted by the darkness. The scores of brown bats roosting on the cavern ceilings. The fluttering creatures squeaking in high pitched tones revealing that they were disturbed by human presence.
"Filthy diseased collecting creatures," Alfred thought. He descended onto the ramp of the slate bridge and cantered to the massive computer station. At first he thought his tired eyes were playing tricks on him as he peered harder at the small dark creature curled into a ball on the desk chair and soon realized that it was not an act of deception. Seven link flat-screen computers hummed silently as security footage, files and news casts displayed on the screens.
The cat's gaze was glued to them even as his claws retracted onto the leather seat. His tail swayed and his body tensed.
He did not shift his attention as Alfred came up to the area.
"Care to explain why you are down here?" The butler questioned.
"Just trying to get my mind off a few things," his furry employer replied. "I ran the files from the police database about the missing children Vedette murdered." He straightened himself up in the chair and placed his paws on the keyboards. He pressed a key and pulled up a document of teen's face. "This was the first victim. Grace." He paused, remembering the child in the Narrows named Mattie. "She was the older sister of a girl I found in an alley in the Narrows. Vedette killed Grace for a test run."
"With all due respect, Master Wayne... you're not Batman anymore."
"You reminded me that a hero can be anybody, Alfred. I cannot just sit here and allow the witch and that mass murdering psychopath to ravish Gotham. There is a lot of good people in this city." He paused swallowing the burning aftertaste that crept up his throat. If Vedette plans to "cleanse" the streets, then this city needs me." He moved the keys and scrolled down the bar on the screen to show more images. "Vedette needs nine children to complete the cleansing. The twin Bastet statue of the one I broke is a key to her scheme."
"What scheme?" Alfred asked.
"When I did my training with the League Shadows, I had teachings about thaumaturgy and occultism. I just was not focused enough to see the signs of the witch's sorcery. Now the children of Gotham are paying for it because I underestimated Countess." Bruce explained, with a hint of animosity in his voice. "This city is under her spell."
"That may be," Alfred conceded. "But you still have Miss Kyle and Jim Gordon to protect the children."
"No, Vedette is too powerful. Now that the Joker is part of her plan for reformation, it will be unpredictable for Selina and Jim Gordon." He pressed another key. "I cross-referenced the address of the next target Vedette is after. Lawyer's daughter named Kassie Devons. I need to get to the address before Countess and Joker do."
The cat leaped off the chair and started walking to the bridge.
"Where are you heading off too?" Alfred said gravely. "Outside?" The tone in the old man's voice caught Bruce's attention as he turned his head and faced Alfred with a confused glare.
"You're a stubborn boy. Can't you see the truth." The butler continued, "You are no longer Bruce Wayne, you cannot use your intellect and resources... not even your own body to defend Gotham." He paused. "You cannot risk your own life..." His pale winterly eyes downcast at the distraught cat. "I am sorry, sir, but you are staying put."
"You think I want to stay here, Alfred?" Bruce hissed. "This city needs me. I cannot remain here and do nothing while Gotham burns." He spoke quietly.
Alfred shook his head, "This city needs Batman, not a 12 pound cat with a stubborn attitude. I know I said that a hero can be anyone... but they have limits. You cannot defend yourself with Fox's gadgets on your body." His voice was strangling. "I will not stand here and allow you to roam the streets. I will not be part of your own demise. Cats do not survive long." He thought of all the dangers. Car tires running over the cat, rabid dogs and the city pound. "You need to understand that you are helpless in that body, Master Wayne."
Bruce gritted his teeth. "How dare you accuse of me of being helpless." He growled.
"Think about it, sir... how is a cat going to save a child?" Alfred asked. "I know that you are still not used to that body." He gazed down at Bruce sadly. "Because I am not used to seeing the man I raised from childhood, be deducted to an animal. I am sorry this happened to you."
"Sorry?" Bruce rasped. "My world is destroyed and all you can say is "sorry"." His fur started to stand up. "You do not know how I feel... I cannot even touch the woman I love. Save the good people in this city. All I can do is sit by the window and watch Gotham tear itself apart. I have chance to preserve innocence."
Alfred moved closer to the cat. "So this means that you are going back out there?"
"Yes."
"And how are you going to protect that child?" Alfred plainly asked.
The cat shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I'll have to improvise." He turned his gaze to the utility belt on the desk. "Batman can be anyone, Alfred. That is why I chose to where the mask." He moved to the table and looked at his reflection in the stainless steel. "I am still the Batman behind this mask." He felt a pull in his vocal cords.
The darkened sky displayed misty obscurity as cloud formations covered the crescent moon while platform heels clicked on the glazed pavement of Park Row. Hazel eyes were alert as one hand grasped a leather purse; pulse was elevating as a shroud of fear covered ashen features of a street youth.
Headlights of passing cars made the passageway she chose become lucid as she advanced towards a corner alley near a small convenience store that was opened until midnight. The red neon sign became captured into her widened pupils.
She progressed down the narrow alley - her shortcut home not realizing that two attackers were charging towards her position, hoods concealing their grimy features as chapped lips lusted for her pleasure. She felt a frosty chill trickle down her spine as shadows bounced off the brick wall. Hesitant, she gained speed as her body proceeded farther down the narrow space.
"Come here, beautiful." One of them blared out with a vulgar voice. "I don't bite."
The teen gulped down the knot forming in her throat as she felt her chest constricting with high anxiety. Her body quaked while her teeth chattered. "Get away from me!" Her rose colored lips released in a forceful plea. "Please..."
One of the attackers laughed. "What's wrong precious, not in mood to dance tonight?"
She backed into the wall feeling completely helpless as her eyes peered at the thugs unzipping their pants with a daring glint in each of their eyes. She screamed at the top of her lungs. "PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!"
A cold hand covered her lips as she smelt the stench of urban decay reeking from his pores. Teeth were stained with nicotine and cloths dingy and torn.
"Tonight's your lucky night, sweetheart. You get two dance partners." The tallest of the two spoke in a serpentine tone. "Double or nothing."
"Sorry to spoil your fun, boys." A low shady voice broke through the air from the umbra as a slender figure with infrared goggles resting on her dark strands, advanced closer to the two gangbangers - her hourglass hips swayed to the rhythm of her stilettos clicking on the glazed pavement. Selina's coffee-colored eyes glared at the hooded thugs showing no weakness to her poise.
"Didn't your mothers ever tell you that is no way to treat a lady." She coaxed in malevolence.
"Whose this bitch?" The youngest of the two asked his partner.
"I've been called many things but a bitch - that is just not my style." Selina spun and took a thug out with a high kick using her sharp edge heel as her weapon. She lunged at the second attacker with rapid speed as she attacked, twisting his right arm and then gave a forceful punch into his throat. "That's one way of releasing anger," she thought blissfully.
The teen eyed her with a wary look.
"Never roam the streets alone, kid." she asserted. "Next time you will not be so lucky."
The youth exhaled a breath of relief and stared at the mysterious female figure slipping into the shadows and vanishing out of plain sight.
Alfred Pennyworth opened the back door of the Rolls Royce as his wary eyes looked at the cat sitting in the back seat. "Tell me again, why you are not letting the police handle this?" He asked.
"The police don't know what the harm Vedette is capable of inflicting." Bruce responded in a low tone. He jumped off the seat and landed on the pavement. "I need to get to Kassie Devons away from the apartment. Text message Gordon and tell him to have one of his detectives wait at the corner of the alley." He paused. "I know that Vedette is planning not to go down without a fight. She has crossed the line. No one murders children and gets away with it - not in my city."
Without any thought, Bruce bolted into the shadows leaving his butler with a troubled look etched on his wrinkled features.
Bruce lifted his head and looked at the opened window, plastic covering was blowing in the wind. He jumped onto the dumpster and then in a swift move, capered on the steps of the fire escape in stealth. His black fur made him appear to be invisible as he quickly climbed through the opened window and landed on his paws. Some of the buildings hard-luck tenants eyed the Bombay cat as he stalked through the hallway counting the numbers on the doors. He was at 1352 and looked at the door knob.
"Great," he murmured in a strained voice as he analyzed the situation. Without any thought he stood on his back legs and allowed his front paws to turn the knob with all his strength. Needle point teeth gritted together as he finally got the leverage he needed and opened the door. He slowly entered, his narrowed pupils revealing inward anger. The reflective layer of his eyes called tapetum lucidum gave him the ability to reflect small amounts incoming light, giving him nocturnal vision.
His shiny golden orbs observed the apartment.
Bruce sniffed the air as he wrinkled his muzzle and lowered his chin, allowing his vomeronasal organ on the roof of his mouth to open a passage of air as his upper teeth became visible. He moved in the darkness, ears twitching as he heard a child's whimper coming from the bathroom. He entered the doorway and saw a little girl sitting on the floor, head tucked in-between her knees. "Kassie Devons." He spoke in a faint tone. He opened his mouth and meowed to gain her attention.
Kassie lifted her head and stared at the black cat. "Where did you come from?" She asked in a shaky voice, wiping the tears from her eyes.
The cat slowly crept towards her position with his tail held high displaying a friendly greeting as he rubbed against her leg. He purred, trying to calm her down. Her hand stroked his fur.
"I've never seen you around here before, kitty. You must be a stray from outside." She paused. "Mommy said for me to hide in here until she gets back. I'm scared."
Bruce sat down and faced her as the sound of men's voice echoed through the halls. He headed to the doorway and meowed, pointing to the direction of the balcony sliding door in the bedroom. "What? Out there?" She realized what he was trying to say.
"Okay." Kassie scooped the cat by the sides.
"Watch the ribs." He hissed. She held him close to her chest and cantered to the main bedroom. There was a balcony glass door near her mothers vanity. She slid opened the door and looked at the ground below. Bruce could feel her heart racing.
Kassie squashed a knot of fear forming in her throat. "Okay." She looked at the fire-escape latter. Her body quivered. "No. I can't do this. It's just too high."
Her teal eyes saw the tall forms in the doorway. She steadied her breath and swung her leg over the edge, hands grasped the handles of the ladder as Bruce curled himself on her shoulders. She took a deep breath and descended down. Eyes were focused on the metal steps as she climbed down until her feet touched the pavement.
"Good girl," Bruce replied as he leapt to the ground. He turned his head and saw Detective Megan Games waiting by an under-marked Honda. He slammed his eyes shut, feeling the final stages of his transformation staring to take affect. "It's going to be alright." He reassured under his breath, rubbing his body against her pant leg.
She crouched down and gave the cat a kiss on the head. "Can I keep you?" She asked as she pulled away only to find that the cat had disappeared, revealing no sign of his slender black body.
Selina sloshed her stiletto heels in the puddles as she made a sharp left turn to an enclosed area. She was on high alert and cursing under her breath. Her brown eyes stared towards the lurking shades behind her domino mask as she charged closer to the parked Batpod.
Advancing closer, she heard a rapid beeping noise. Her eyes widened. The bike detonated sending debris as structures died in a massive fireball. She tumbled to the ground as a spectral voice rattled her ears. "Hello there, beautiful. Brucie's tough little squeeze."
Selina quickly got on her heels. "Joker." She stared directly into his pitch dark hues. Her eyes were burning. She was last battered the last time he saw her but she still looked like Hell. "You've got a lot of nerve showing that ugly face of yours."
The Joker peered at her for a long moment. Daring her to make a move with his icy, murderous glare. He popped out a switchblade and swayed it into the brisk air. "We're going to have the fun tonight, kitty cat. That night we shared was just a preview."
He licked his blood stained lips as his words were serpentine. "Tonight is the main event." He continued. "This time Brucie is not going to save your nine lives because he is busy enjoying his." He laughed.
Selina clasped her teeth together and lunged at the Joker. "You son of a bitch." She bellowed. "I'm going to claw your body until every ounce of your blood spills out." She twisted her body and high kicked him, letting the blade of her heel dig into his cheek. "Another scar Joker?" she teased in a vinegary tone.
"You are a devil in the details aren't you." He wiped his cheek with a latex finger looking fascinated. Blood was gushing out. "Want to dance?"
"With you?" she scoffed. "I rather choke on my own blood."
"That's one option." He clicked his tongue, studying her curvy hips.
Selina rolled her eyes. "Look I don't care for talking to sociopaths so I'll get to the point." She grabbed him by the collar and threw him into a pile of trash bags as the stench of ash entered her lungs. "Where is Vedette Countess?" She snarled in a higher tone. "If you think that I'm going to fall for your tricks clown, you've got another thing coming." She kicked him in the face. "Tell where she is?"
The Joker gave a calm look. "You never follow the rules. That makes you unpredictable. Not like the Batman. He's got so many rules to save Gotham. That's why my sweetness had to get rid of him."
Selina bit her bottom lip. "You did not answer my question." She pulled out her pistol from her back and pointed the nose of the gun at his forehead. "This kitty has claws." One gloved finger was on the trigger. "Tell me where Vedette is hiding?"
"You would have to break the Batman's one rule to know the truth." He smiled. "Both of us live in a world without rules. So go ahead make my night. Pull the trigger. Finish me. I know how much you're craving to see the bullets fly..."
She narrowed her teary eyes at the gun. "No." She threw it at the wall. "It's what you want. It's what you crave. Killing you wouldn't make you suffer life in a cage." She spat.
Selina pulled away, and looked at the bloodied face of the Joker.
"I can see that your time spending with Bats has made you soft." He lunged at her and struck the knife into her collar bone. She gasped and curled her tongue, trying speak as the blade dug deep into tissue and muscle. "There's more than one way to skin a cat." He laughed as he pushed her to the ground and sat onto her chest . His tongue licked her lips as she tried to fight him off.
"Stop fighting Selina. We both know that woman are weak and powerless."
"I am not weak." She managed to say as her eyes were growing dim. "You will not win you sick pale bastard."
The Joker whipped out the knife and listened to her cry. He then moved the blade to her lips. "Once I am done with you kitten. I will give Batcat my own recipe for cat nip."
Selina felt her blood pulsing. She slashed her hand at his face and pushed him off.
The Joker laughed. "You still have feelings for him even though you can't touch him. Coming from a guy like me... that is sick." He teased.
She pressed a hand to her wounded shoulder and winced. Regaining her composure, she lifted herself of the ground and kicked her heel hard into the Joker's skull. "Something to remember me by." Before she could grasp any thought, her instincts lead her staggering down the alleyway.
"You cannot save him." He chimed. "Soon Brucie will belong to me. My own Cheshire cat."