Starships

Chapter 15

Days have gone by, and the Joker is not caught. Commissioner Gordon put Gotham on lock down, so no one can leave their homes. The only time we can leave is to go to school or work. It's all that people are talking about at school is the Joker. I guess he was caught years ago by Batman, and people weren't worried that he would break out. People, including Commissioner Gordon had a thought that the Joker was going to be in Arkham for this rest of his life. The police are still trying to figure out how Joker escaped in the first place. Even people at school have their theories.

I heard that Joker dug his way out. I heard that his had some inside help. I also heard that someone blew up the side of Arkham that he was imprisoned in and that is how he escaped. I did not which one to believe.

I sit at the lunch table trying to stomach my food down. The news reports kept replaying in my head of the Joker hurting people. Throughout the days there were more reporters showing what other awful things Joker has done to the city of Gotham. It makes me sick. He has been doing this for four days now. The three heroes keep going after him during those four days, but have not succeed.

I see Richard come into the lunch room, he skips the lunch line and makes his way to me. I can see the bags under his eyes. He looks exhausted.

"Hello Richard." I move over to make room for him.

"Hello Star." He sits next to me. He puts his arms on the table and puts his head down.

"How are you?" I ask him. I clean up my mess, I am no longer hungry.

"I am tired. Haven't been sleeping well." He yawns.

"I am sorry to hear." I tell him, and I mean it.

"It's not your fault." He pulls his head up and stretches his arms up above his head. I hear his body crack in different locations. I look down his body and see a nasty bruise peeking out from under his shirt.

"Richard. What is this?" I pull his shirt up a bit higher, revealing to him to what I see.

He grabs my hand and pulls it down, "It's nothing, just a bruise."

"Richard I have seen you bruised before, but this doesn't look..."

"You noticed my bruises?" Richard smirks at me, he's trying to change the subject.

I pull my hands away, "From you playing the football. Yes. Richard who hurt you?"

"Like I said Kori, it's nothing. Jason and I were messing around and I got this. Just brothers being brothers."

I did not like that answer. I knew he wasn't telling me the truth, but I do not want to pry anymore. I just leave it at that.

"Richard," I look in his tired eyes, "You would tell me if something is wrong right?"

"Of course. You are my best friend Star."

Those words caught my attention, "I'm your best friend?"

"Yes. I would say that we are. I know Babs and Wally are my best friends, but I have known them for years. But Star, I feel like I have known you forever too. I can trust you." Richard lays his head back down on the table, and closes his eyes. I can hear his little snores shortly after. It must be the tiredness talking.

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The weekend comes and we are still on lockdown. The school even canceled the football game due to the risk of Joker coming to ruin it. Richard texts me asking if I would like to go over to the Manor for that date. After asking my parents, they said yes and Richard is then on his way over.

I am in the kitchen with my mom. She has the TV on and is listening to the news. Nothing has changed. Joker is still on the loose. Batman and his team are trying to capture him. I know it hurts her listening to what is happening in Gotham as well. My dad just now completely avoids the news. Komi is minding her own business in college. She doesn't get as much media coverage about what is happening in Gotham as we do. My parents told her to stay at NYU and not to visit anymore, unless it's an emergency.