( sunday_reveries - Vigilante - a_carrion_crow )

[heaven_helps]

“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
-The Dark Knight

Helena Kyle
Batman (Nolan)
605 words

“You don’t have to be afraid, Helena.”

The seven-year-old girl stared at her mother. The hood and goggles were off, but the costume she had on was identifiable even in the dark. “Don’t go, Momma.”

Comments

[a_carrion_crow]

The door opened easily enough. He slipped inside, turned on the small monitor, then lay back on the makeshift bed to see if the news of his latest adventure had spread.

[heaven_helps]

Huntress tried to move slowly on top of the building, peering over the side at the ledge just below. She jumped down, landing as quietly as she could.

[a_carrion_crow]

No news yet - he closed his eyes, beginning to nod off.

[heaven_helps]

She found the door and opened it carefully, stepping into the room. Her eyes widened behind the goggles then narrowed. The smell-- and that quiet voice in the back of her head that told her to run-- made her sure she was in the right spot. It was too much like that first corpse.

[a_carrion_crow]

The air changed. That's what he noticed first. His eyes snapped open and he scanned the small room.

[heaven_helps]

For a moment, Huntress was silent. The look of this... person... forced her to admit what she'd known all along. She wasn't dealing with some nut or serial killer, not really. She was dealing with something... much more.

[a_carrion_crow]

She was staring, which offended him. "Can I help you?"

[heaven_helps]

"What-- Who are you?" she demanded.

[a_carrion_crow]

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied. "After all, you're the one coming in uninvited."

[heaven_helps]

"And you're the one killing people." She straightened, eyes narrow behind the goggles. "I am Huntress."

[a_carrion_crow]

"Is that supposed to mean something?" He leaned forward, a disquieting grin on his face. "And you've got no proof."

[heaven_helps]

"A vigilante can trust her instincts. She doesn't need proof."

[a_carrion_crow]

"Instinct? That's not admissible in any court." Drawing in a deep breath, he showed more teeth. "You can't even rely on your own senses." With that, he shrieked, an unearthly sound that seemed to shake the entire room, making the walls ripple.

[heaven_helps]

Huntress winced, covering her ears at the shriek. She couldn't help but wonder what she'd gotten herself into.

[a_carrion_crow]

He started towards her. "You can run, you know. I'll let you leave."

[heaven_helps]

"I don't run," she snapped, shaking her head to clear it. Her ears were still ringing, though.