Panther

Chapter four: Emerald and the Waynes.

I woke up and did my normal routine. Then I went to work out and trained a little bit. Then I showered again. I put on my clothes. I wore a black vest, my jacket and dark blue jeans and combat boots. Time to find Artemis again. If I were a tough blonde in Gotham, where would I live. I have no idea. Well, there goes a good friendship. I guess I'll go hang out with Jason. Hey, we can pickpocket people together. I got out through my window and slid on the make shift raft that I put there so that I could reach the rooftop of our neighbors. I've never seen nor talked to any. I'm anti social like that.

I know that they have a son my age but I really don't like people looking into my eyes and asking me if I'm blind so, yeah, no thank you to talking to the neighbors. I began walking to Crime Alley. I decided to go to Gotham Cemetery and catch Emerald up on my recent life occurrences. I bought a bouquet of tulips because I know they were her favorite. Yeah she was five when she died but she knew her priorities, she knew that she wanted to be an astronaut and she'd marry the most handsome guy from Mars and then they'd have space babies. I used to laugh and tell her that it was silly but if she put her mind to it then she could do it.

I don't remember much of when I was below seven so I don't know if I had priorities or not. I know that I miss her terribly. I guess maybe that's why I so badly wanted to befriend Artemis. I want to know what it's like to have a sister again. I know it won't be what I had with Emerald but it could be better. I'll just have to wait it out and see. After all Artemis and I are going to the same school in about a week, and tomorrow's the day I go for a uniform fitting. I reached the cemetery and first stopped at Martha and Thomas Wayne's graves. These guys were a pretty big deal in Gotham City before they died.

Apparently there was little to no crime in Gotham when they were still alive and there weren't any dark alleyways during the day. They were fairly lit at night too. Hard to believe and imagine, but I wish that I was born in a Gotham like that. I gently put two tulips on Martha's grave. I put another two on Thomas's grave. I squatted down and said to them, "I heard that there was less crime and filth in Gotham when you two were alive. I really wish that you stayed alive. I also heard that you guys had left a son behind, I wouldn't be surprised if he was the Batman since that kind of childhood trauma causes people to do things they'd never do. Well, I'd rather it was Batman than the Joker, I'm rooting for the guy who wouldn't shoot my head off.

So, anyway, I assume your son's last name is Wayne. For all I know he could be famous around here but I really don't pay attention to Gotham's Socialites. I've never found flowers on your graves so I'm assuming he rarely visits you guys. But don't worry, the day I meet him, I'll tell you guys how he's doing. Well, it was nice talking to you, I just wish you were, you know not dead and stuff. I'll visit again when I remember to." I stood up and hung my head low so that the blood in my head and legs would settle and stuff. I turned around and saw that some guy who was covering his face and wearing gloves was standing right behind me but like less than 0.8 feet away.

He said, "I do visit them." I was slowly recognising him, he said, "I'm Bruce Wayne." I was uncertain on what to say and I said, "Erm, sorry for hogging your parents graves. I swear I'll never do it again, I'll just put my flowers next time and leave." I was slowly moving to the side so that I could make a run for it. He took of his face mask and hat and said, "It's okay." I nodded unsurely and said, "Erm okay." He came close to me and asked, "What's your name?" I replied, "My full name is Crystal but you can call me Crys. Spelt K-r-i-s." His eyes flashed in recognition. Then they went back to warm. Shit, he's the Batman, isn't he? How do I always manage to get myself in the worst possible situations?

He said while extending his hand for a handshake, I noticed that he was wearing gloves, "Nice to finally meet the person who's been leaving flowers on my parent's graves." I said as politelely as I could, "Nice to meet you too, can we do a fist bump instead?" He chuckled and folded his hand into a fist. We fist bumped. I swear my fist is so tiny compared to his. Like really small. But I'm a twelve year old so eh. I said, "Amma go talk to my little sister now. You gotta talk to your parents. See you later." He said, "Please come with us to a nearby restaurant after this." This is a bad idea, but, I get to make friends with the Batman. I smiled excitedly and asked, "Could it please be one with chinese take out?"

I realised my mistake and tried to cover it up. I said, "Erm, I mean, er." I scratched my head as I was trying to think of what to say. He chuckled and said, "Okay, we can get chinese takeout." I said while walking to Emerald's grave, "No kidnapping me, because if you do, I will either kick your teeth in or blow your brains out." I saw another boy talking to two graves. Me being my nice self, I went and put two flowers each on both those graves while he was still kneeling and had his head in his hands. I continued the journey to Emerald's grave. I put the remaining flowers on her grave and sat down on the dirty ground then began animatedly talking about Artemis and Catwoman. Telling her that our freakin' parents have gone on another four month business trip.

I told her that I missed her and I almost began crying there and then. I stood up and dusted myself off then said that I'd come back whenever. I said my bye and wiped away my almost tears.