( 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.”

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[a_carrion_crow]

Like many of Gotham's skyscrapers, the Salvo Building was crowned with an ornamental spire. The time when it was used as a tether for dirigibles had long passed; now, not even the maintenance crews used the empty space. The workmans' ledge was still there, and the Carrion Crow swooped down to land on the small platform.

[heaven_helps]

The lone vigilante kept looking around, a few buildings off. From the ground, she wouldn't have been seen, just one more shadow. However, the sleek, modern buildings didn't hide her well from a higher level. She turned her head, sure she'd seen movement, and she tensed. She couldn't be certain, but she could be on her guard.

[a_carrion_crow]

He moved quickly, eager to get inside. The endorphins from causing a fear surge were wearing off, leaving him with a pleasant sense of intoxication. He planned to rest in the impromptu hideaway as he rode the sensations, then begin planning for his next fix.

[heaven_helps]

Huntress felt sure, a moment later, that she'd seen movement. She crossed the packed roofs easily and paused one building away from the Salvo Building.

If she wasn't positive of what she saw, she considered, charging in might attract attention and leave her vulnerable. She decided to wait, just for a moment or two more, to be sure.

[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.