An Assassin's Guide to Family

Chapter 13: Present

------------------Percy's POV:------------------

It was strange to be alone after working with someone for a while.

I remember this feeling well after leaving camp. After working so closely with the seven. Our lives had practically been entangled, so when some of us didn't make it... well, it was like chucks of life had just been dissolved into nothing.

On this particular night Damien had been pulled out for some special training from Talia, and so here I was, stuck on patrol.

I wouldn't usually be so upset about this, but I'd grown attached to the midget, something about him was nice to have around. Maybe it was the company, maybe it was security in knowing someone else had your back, but I really couldn't put my finger on it.

I sighed as I stood up, allowing the swift breeze to blow past me. I was closer to the bay of Gotham now, the scent of the wind rolling off the water was strong in the air. It was cleaner than before, maybe a god was in the area. I didn't care to find out.

I cracked my knuckles as I turned to leave the ledge, turning away from the bright lights of the city and towards the darkness of the rooftop, it was peaceful up here, no need for havoc.

"So do you often stand here before you go out and kill people or is this just an off night?" I turned quickly spotting a man with a short brown jacket, the shoulders of the jacket carrying metal plates. Underneath the opened jacket was a black outfit, a massive red bat painted across his chest.

"Oh great, another one," I mumbled, stepping off the ledge of the building. "So do you often sneak up on girls menacingly or is this just an off night?" I asked, tilting my head as he kept his distance, not missing the gleam from the gun held in his hand. I could almost hear his anger rising.

Over the years I'd seen Jason, Tim, and Dick's flickering attendance. Of course, I didn't miss Jason's absence, he hasn't been on patrol since after the third month I'd left the manor. I was happy for him really, this life was a bit too much and I'd prefer one of us make it out.

The man's red helmet barely could be seen in this lighting, but his thicker metal-toed boots were obvious, not to mention the heavy utility belt hanging off his waist. He looked like he'd grabbed everything within arms length at hot topic.

"So what are you? The seventh robin now?" I asked, smirking as I watched his grip tighten around his weapons. I kept my hands near riptide for security.

"I'm not a robin, I'm Redhood, get it straight lady." Without warning he lifted his gun, my eyes barely seeing down the barrel before he shot, my instincts kicked in as I began running, not having much space I only bolted, doing zig zags and a couple of rolls as I dodged his barrage of shots. The loud shots rang through the air, carrying a heavy weight with each pop.

"Didn't your dad ever tell you it was rude to shoot at helpless ladies!" I yelled, dodging a final bullet as his gun clicked, empty now.

He placed the gun in a holster on his side, whipping out a new one as he pointed it toward me again. "Oh sorry, didn't know that a lady whose hands are probably registered weapons was helpless, let me just go tell that to your victims!" He yelled, a bullet scrapping my arm, cutting through my shirt as a sharp pain spread through my arm.

A sharp breath cut through my bared teeth but kept going, I had to wait till his bullets ran out, then I had a second or two to strike.

"They had it coming you know!" I called back, using a move Dick had taught me as I jumped back, landing in a handstand-ish position before pushing myself back into a standing position before dodging. "A bunch of cheating, murdering scumbags!" I yelled, watching as a sharp click rang through the air. Before he could even reach for anything I was on him, racing forwards.