Saturday I decided to wake up early and complete all the chores I'd put off the past couple of weeks. My apartment wasn't in terrible condition, but it definitely was in dire need of a deep clean. I put my headphones in, grabbed my pink rubber gloves and started cleaning the kitchen. My music was so loud that I almost missed the knock at the door. I took my headphones back out and let out a frustrated sigh before making my way in the direction of the sound. I looked through the peephole first, something my mother had always taught me to do. On the other side stood two individuals. To the right, an unfamiliar, middle-aged man dressed in a suit and tie. A neatly-trimmed, thick moustache sat above his lips, a pair of dark rimmed glasses balanced at the top of his nose. To the left, him. A tall man, dressed in all black, his upper face covered by a hard-looking mask. I recognised the get up from Halloween night. He was dressed exactly like Tom. It had to have been him. The Batman.
The Batman.
My heart fell into my stomach. An intense feeling of dread washed over me. I took a deep breath before opening the door.
"Miss (L/N)? I'm Lieutenant Gordon and this is-"
"Batman". I cut the man off.
The tall fellow dodged my gaze as I tried to make eye contact, desperate to recognise the man underneath the hard exterior.
"Yes, Miss. Do you mind if we come in for a word?" Gordon asked, peering behind me as to get a better look inside my apartment.
Why the fuck do they need to talk to me?
"Um... sure". I stuttered.
I moved my body to the side, giving the pair enough room to enter my home. The bat was so tall that he had to duck in order to fit under the doorframe. I realised in that moment that I was still wearing my rubber gloves. I was also dressed solely in an oversized t-shirt. No socks. No pants. Not exactly appropriate for having guests.
"Sorry... about the mess. I was just in the middle of cleaning". I spoke as I ripped off the gloves and tossed them in the sink.
"It's no problem at all". Gordon replied, his tone soft. Kind. Genuine.
"Can I... um... can I get you both a drink or... anything?" I stuttered again.
"Not for me, Miss. Thank you though". Gordon smiled.
I turned to the Bat. He shook his head.
"Please. Sit". I gestured to the couch. They both took a seat, though apprehensively.
"I'm afraid we come baring some bad news, Miss (L/N)".
Oh god, no...
"Please, Call me (Y/N)". I replied, forcing a sort of smile, my stomach doing somersaults on the inside.
"(Y/N)... your boss, William Johnson, was found dead this morning in his apartment". Gordon continued.
Oh fuck. This can't be happening...
"I- um... what?" Was all I could falter. Tears stared to form in my eyes, blurring my vision of the men sat right in front of me. I blinked them out.
"I'm really sorry, (Y/N). It seems as if he was bludgeoned over the head with some sort of heavy object. We won't know for certain until we get the results of his post-mortem".
I stood up from my couch and started to pace across my living room floor, in some sort of attempt to calm myself down. I felt my breathing start to quicken. My chest felt tight. My head fuzzy.
"No no. No! This can't be happening..." I sobbed.
In my state of panic, I hadn't noticed the Bat stand up. He walked over to me slowly before stopping me in my tracks and placing a large, gloved hand on my shoulder. It grounded me, slightly.
YOU ARE READING
What Once Was
RomanceYou move to Gotham for school and quickly take up a job in a local bar. Having stumbled into your work one evening, Gotham local, and forensic accountant, Edward Nashton becomes infatuated with you. The two of you eventually become close, but nothin...
