𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭. 𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚖𝚊𝚗

00.09

     As soon as Lennox entered the club, her throat tightened. She was acutely aware of her surroundings and her senses were at their peak. Walking down the hallways to Falcone's office, Lennox was shaking. The gun in her bag was weighing her down, but rage and revenge pulsed through her veins. Her leather dress made her feel as though she was the one in charge, not Falcone.

     Turning a corner, Lennox faked tears and turned to the bodyguard. "I need to speak to Mr Falcone," she pleaded.

     "Mr Falcone isn't seeing anyone right now." The bodyguard crossed his arms as if finalising the statement.

     Lennox let fat, hot tears run down her cheeks. "Tell him it's about Annika." The man lifted a brow as if he was surprised at this, but ducked in the door. He promptly returned and held the door open for the woman.

     Entering the office, Lennox felt cold. Dread pleaded with her to leave and never return, but hatred won the battle. She paced down the hall, heels clicking slowly on the floor. Falcone and his men stood around leisurely, playing pool and drinking liquor. Upon her entrance, Falcone looked up and smiled.

     "Nela!" He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. "How are you, sweetheart?" Lennox's skin crawled at his touch, but she managed a small smile.

     "I've been better," she shrugged. "Actually, I'm here because I wanted to talk to you about Annika?" she phrased it like a question in fear he would snap at her. For all the bravery Lennox possessed, this man caused any courage to seep from her bones and flee the vicinity. He nodded and Lennox muttered, "Alone?"

     Falcone snapped his fingers and Lennox flinched. "You heard the lady. Leave," he ordered the men. They did as told, walking from the room and passing around a door. Falcone turned to Lennox. "Sit down, beautiful. What's bothering you?"

     Your very presence, Lennox wanted to spit, but she couldn't. "I'm worried about Annika," she started. "It's been nearly a week a-and I haven't heard from her. I-I'm just so w-worried," Lennox spluttered, letting tears fall freely. 

     "Don't you worry your pretty little head," Falcone said. "We'll find your friend."

     Lennox wanted to gut him here in the middle of his office. "Thank you, I hope she's okay." A fresh round of tears welled as she said, "I just hope she's not..." she trailed off in indication of what she meant.

     "No, no," Falcone cooed. "I'm sure she's just busy, sweetheart. No need to blow things out of the water." Lennox seethed at the ease with which he lied. "Do you want a tissue?" he asked.

     Lennox nodded and when he turned around she gripped the gun in her hand, nearly pulling it before a bodyguard burst in, "Boss, you're going to want to see this." Falcone yelled at the man before turning to face Lennox.

     "Sit tight, beautiful." And he ducked behind a doorframe.

      Carefully, Lennox stood and crept toward the doorway. She stood, listening to the news reporter talking about Annika's voicemail. "Warning, the contents of this message are disturbing." The woman on TV said.

     The voicemail played and at the sound of Annika's gut-wrenching screams, Lennox stepped out, gun ready. "Hey, Falcone," she started, "keep your hands to yourself next time." She pulled the trigger but missed when the lights cut out. She ducked behind the wall, taking a deep breath. She could hear Falcone's men enter the room, so she rushed to the pool table, ducking down.

     One man got too close so Lennox reached out with a pool stick and swiped his legs before swinging in down on his head, rendering him unconscious. Another heard the commotion and rushed toward the woman. She caught him off balance, shooting him and slamming his face into the edge of the pool table.

     She turned to see Falcone, who had her on the ground in an instant, pool stick crushing her trachea. "Pretty little thing you are, Nela." Her name was a curse on his tongue. "I'm going to enjoy choking you more than I enjoyed fucking you." She grabbed the knife from her shoulder and sliced an arc across his face. In his pain, Lennox snapped the stick, but Falcone was back on top, his hands now trapped her throat.

     Lennox didn't know how she'd escape this one. All her rage had been stomped out and all she wanted was to stop. Stop fighting, stop looking for an escape. She would welcome death as if an old friend. She would let him caress her cheek and take her away. But death had other plans.

     Falcone rolled off Lennox, unconscious, and she was met with Batman's stare. "You get out of here now." His voice was laced with fury, whether at her or Falcone, she wasn't sure. She stood and pressed a heated kiss to his lips.

    "I don't follow your orders, remember," She stood and headed to the window, looking at the hero before she jumped on the fire escape. She'd need to suit up, so she ducked down an alley and found her bike and suit. She pulled it on and ran back in through the window, hurrying through the club to the entrance. 

     A gunshot rang out as she exited. She was met with almost half of Gotham's first-responders. Batman stood over the body of Carmine Falcone, and officers smothered the Penguin. She looked to Batman who pointed at an empty window across the street and Lennox knew what he meant.

     The Riddler had killed Carmine Falcone and now Lennox would hunt him down. She would beat him within an inch of his life for even daring to take away the one victory wanted more than anything. If she found the Riddler first, she would kill him. 

03/22/22