Butterflies Don't Like Winter

1.

As night falls in Gotham city, crime climaxes. The big city never stops bustling. Lights on at every corner, this city was full of dangerous night owls. Gotham was the 3rd most populated city, yet it seemed almost half of it's residents were criminals. More pests kept flocking in each year, something suspicious was definitely going on in the underworld.

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My cellphone lits up with a notification. I take it out of my pocket to check, it was 1 text message. "Harley?" I was confused, she usually calls me.

'Sorry :( you were exposed. The bat will be coming for you soon. Hide!! ;O' It was her alright. Her sarcastic tone could be heard through the screen. If she gets me caught, I'm ditching her forever this time. She always slowed me down anyways. God.

I could feel my blood boiling. I wanted to go on a rampage right then and there but I had to run, I had to hide. Like a fucking coward. I am going to make her pay for this.

Crack.

"Fuck... I crushed my cellphone." Blood slowly drips from my hand. Fortunately it was just another burner. I throw away my cellphone, it hits the ground and smashes into pieces. "I need to calm down..." My head was already a mess, all my thoughts were scattered. This wasn't like me at all, I'm usually very cool headed.

I look at my hand. It was bleeding. I drop my briefcase and hear a thud. I quickly rip a piece of fabric from my shirt and bandage my hand. I clench my bandaged hand in a fist, injuries was something I had gotten used to. I've learnt how to hide the pain for the most part. I also learnt medical first aid through all my experience with wounds.

I bend to pick up my suitcase very slowly and lazily then lean against the brick wall and let out a deep sigh. I feel my legs go weak but I use the wall to stabilise myself. I just want to sit down and relax, I haven't slept in 2 days because of work. Being a villain was hard sometimes.

I try to rack my brain trying to think but it was hard, my eyes felt so heavy. My whole body did. It was obvious why.

Now where do I go? I need to leave this alley, It stinks full of garbage and I need to hide from the bat. I try to think of places but the stench kept distracting me. My cellphone would be really helpful right about now. I groan and kick the garbage bags but it causes the plastic to rip and things inside to spill and dirty my shoes. "FUCK!" I yell. Why is everything going wrong today?!

"God damn it, it's going to stain. These were fucking expensive limited edition too." Ugh, let's forget it. Forget it. I need to get going.

I leave the alley and I stealthily mix in with the crowd, trying not to gain any attention. I needed to be an extra at this moment, someone not worth glancing at.

I take the long route to avoid all cameras.
I knew Gotham city like the back of my hand, I was familiar with each crack and crevices though it never truly felt like home. I was always on edge. I had to be, I needed to protect myself. That's how you survive in this fucked up city.

Everyone who stepped foot into this city had something taken from them. For me that was everything. I think I've heard more gunshots than laughter on the streets. It's sad but what can I do? The only people with power, real power, were those rich bigwigs that sat at the top. 

I go through the automatic sliding doors and enter the mall. The brights lights blind me for a few seconds but my eyes adjust and I scan the inside of mall, it was so colourful, fake and cold.

It wasn't as crowded as it usually is. There were about 50 people in sight, the sun had set already so most had gone home.

I had to change out of my clothes, I had been wearing it for a week now and could smell the terrible odour coming off of it. I hadn't even had a chance to shower lately, I felt so sticky and gross, the worst part; it was summer too.

I was going to borrow a few things. I enter a random shop, grab a few clothes of the racks and head towards the changing rooms. "This shop has no fucking taste. Is this really the best they can do? A white shirt, black jumper, black leather high boots and a black leggings? I'm absolutely disgusted." I fake a gag. I had to wear this even If I didn't want to, I wanted, no, needed  to blend.

I took off the tags and changed. I left my old clothes in the changing room and made sure to check for cameras. I leave the store without any suspicion.

I have absolutely no fucking clue where to go. I pull a chair and sit down with a cold drink in my hand and my suitcase resting on my lap. The mall was an overstimulating place for an introvert; loud noises, big crowds, pushy perfume sellers and many choices. BUT thankfully I was a full extrovert, usually.

I thought of 2 places, no one would think to hide there. A motel or a club, I didn't like either option, they both sounded annoying or overwhelming and I'm already so tired.

I go with motel. People usually went with a partner to those kinds of places, I cringed at the idea but I need a someone to use as my shield to cover my tracks.

I scan the area, most of the people here were either younger or older than me. I gagged at the thought.
I notice a jet black haired man, he seemed to be around my age, It was hard to tell but I start approaching him. I gently tap on his arm. When he turns around to face me, I try to force a smile on my face.

TBC.