Straight Venomous

TWO

That same night

Somewhere over Gotham stood the Batman in all his terrifying glory. Blending in seamlessly with the shadows around him, he took a moment to stare over the city he'd dedicated his life protecting. It seemed like for every threat he stopped four more sprung up, and he'd been playing this game long enough to tell when something big was coming, then again it always felt like that, like he was waiting for the next disaster.

He couldn't help but wonder if given the chance to permanently hang up the cowl, what he'd spend his nights doing.

Despite being in his mid-forties he'd never felt more in his element, when he'd first started he was eager to take the world on by himself, now he knew better. Rain began to fall in a familiar drum, and despite the urge to leap into whatever unfortunate situation sure to be happening below him, he left it to his youngest son and most stubborn Robin.

It was a few weeks after his nineteenth birthday and the foul attitude he gained at not being promoted (to what exactly Bruce still wasn't sure) had yet to dissipate. He patrolled on his own tonight, all too eager to be off the leash for a few hours.

There was something heavy sitting in the eldest Wayne's gut, call it a hunch or intuition but he knew this newest case wasn't ordinary. His eyes stared down at the small screen in his hand, grainy CCTV footage was dated two weeks ago, it showed a woman with (h/c) hair frantically stumbling through a set of double doors, her head snapped in all directions before she disappeared out of frame, seconds later two men took off after her, they were armed, only one returned.

Bruce had begun investigating the incident after a very reluctant Dick sent over the case files, it been a long time since he asked Bruce for help, a scientific research facility in Bludhaven had been robbed by a lower ranking group of thugs, once he'd apprehended them however the leads went cold, they didn't know who they were stealing for or what it even was, as the mystery woman made off with it in a matter of moments. All Bruce had to go on was the few seconds she was on screen, entering and leaving, she couldn't have been in there more than a minute before running out, the thugs swore up and down she wasn't with them only adding to the confusion. Bruce sighed through his nose, that gut feeling churned in him like a pile of hot coals, it been a long time since someone peaked his intrigue like this, he re-analyzed the clip frame by frame, the genuine expression of fear was clear even through the blurry image.

"Robin status report." He said pressing a finger against the com in his ear. A moment passed before his son's voice came through, his irritation clear.

"What's to report? I watched an idiot jaywalk into traffic which was somewhat entertaining."

"Robin-"

"He's still breathing if that's what you're asking."

"Anything else?"

"Found a couple of people with minor gunshot wounds, they were hog-tied rather sloppily, it would appear Todd is active again. Funnily enough the one not shot one looked the worst- can't say if he's still breathing."

"Tell me you called an ambulance?"

"I called an ambulance."

"......"

"......"

"I'll call an ambulance ."

"After you do return to base."

He heard him suck his teeth but received no further response. Hearing about Jason's escapades was usually enough to ruin his night but even that paired with Damian's usual antics couldn't dampen the dangerous spark of interest that been lit, Bruce would figure this mystery woman out, sooner than later that much he was sure of.