4. Meet Your Hero (1/2)
i could feel the warm sticky blood drying and staining my golden locks. i watched the city blur by as the mystery man continued to drive. the car was well furnished with leather seats and comfortable seating. i was positioned to where i could watch the man without moving. his outline revealed somewhat shaggy hair and a muscular build. like a statue he focused on the road ahead and the destination it led to. tired was an understatement of my current condition, i was utterly exhausted. i sunk into the cushy upholstery of my saviors backseat quickly slipping into a deep slumber.
awaking to
ight lights i hastily rose from my laying position. before having a chance to assess my new surroundings a surge of acute pain fired through me, forcing my body back down onto the bed i had been placed on. i turned my head to try and look once more. i was in someone's bedroom. the colors of the room made me feel cozy and warm. dark velvety reds pressed to a variation of
own tan colored the beautiful room. there were no windows but there was a closet and a bathroom.
building my stamina i was finally able to sit up on the bed. the mattress was soft but firm in all the right places. there must have been at least ten or twelve pillows stacked perfectly in a sort of stairway to the large mahogany head board that framed the bed elegantly. i lowered my self onto them as dizziness overtook me. keeping propped enough to see but low enough for my woozy state to subside my eyes roamed the room. feeling stable i swung my legs over the side of the tall bed sliding down the sheets slowly. my feet burned as the touched the icy wooden floor. it was odd for a wooden floor to be so frigid but by this point everything was odd or off in some way so i really didn't pay much attention. stumbling around and getting a closer look at everything i finally reached the bathroom and with a quick pull of a shiny silver knob i let myself in.
the tile floor was just as cool as the wooden one in the bedroom. i shut the door behind me after catching a glimpse of the full mirror that hung on the back of it. looking myself over i shuddered as i examined the clothes i was wearing. a large t-shirt and shorts. i remembered my original outfit, jeans and a blouse, this was far from it. i ran my hand along the granite vanity till they reached the sink. i looked up from the bowl seeing my reflection in another more rounded mirror. i was a mess. bloodied hair and beaten body, it wouldn't do. i flipped the silver knob that sent cool water flowing from the faucet.
after grooming as best i could i stepped out of the bathroom. i must have circled the room four times by this point, two for examination, one in admiration and the last in boredom. i sluggishly walked to the edge of the bed and plopped down, resting my hands on the wooden footboard at the end. i sighed, what was i supposed to do? must i wait or seek out the mystery man? i shook my head in frustration. as i looked up and towards the door i thought of just walking out then all the possibilities and probable consequences came to mind. i made up my mind and stood putting my plan to action. my fingers rested on the glinting knob preparing to grasp and pull. in the second of the action a small noise came from the other side of the door and in the next second my week pull was thrust in on me.
falling back onto the floor and began squirming backwards as a low maniacal cackle crept from the darkness outside the door. the thud of a heavy boot bounced off the walls. my back was now flat against the footboard. i wasn't so much scared as i was shocked, surprised. the man stepped forward into the light, my eyes widened. i stared thoughtlessly up at non other than gotham's 'clown prince of crime', as the papers always deemed him. he laughed at my expression then extended a hand towards me. slowly i accepted it and let him pull me up. it was strange seeing him in person, i had always seen him in the news whether on paper or television but he seemed so much more everything as he stood there. the ghostly pale skin, crimson lips and evergreen hair, it was all there. i caught myself somewhat marveling for a second.
"nice to have you with us, mrs. quinzel" his voice was gruff but fluent and steady.
the sound of my name rolled gently down towards my ears. i almost began to speak before i realized something. how did he know my name? he could tell by my face the question in my head then slowly pulled a slip of paper from his coat pocket. harleen and quinzel were separated by his gloved middle and index with which he held the long forgotten paper i had thrown in my bag last minute.
"we're honored to have you" he placed the paper back into his jacket then stepped forward with an open hand to help me from the floor
i was more than reluctant to take it but i couldn't overstep his kindness or the face front of it. i gently place my hand in his and with sheer strength was pulled to my feet just inches away from him. nervously i took a step back , not realizing the offense i stood completely still almost paralyzed. he laughed at my actions.