When it rains, it pours. Especially in Gotham City. The advantage is that the pounding rainfall is steadily washing the paint off my car, to reveal dents in its shell and miscellaneous scratches. I can be grateful the wrongdoers did not break the windows, probably out of fear that it would set off the alarm in my automobile.
I am driving on a deserted highway that should lead me to Ozum's Marvellous Circus, listening to the radio half-attentively.
"Come at 10."
The single message I received from Cheryl since I got the three around midnight, and when I answered positively, I got no response.
For no apparent or valid reason, I trust her and I cannot turn down a friend that needs help. I think I want to keep the only friend I have managed to gain, against all expectations. I did not realize that I missed experiencing this particular bond until I had it in my life once more. After years of solitude, circumstantial or self-imposed.
I took my car due to the importance of this outing, but also the isolation of our meeting spot. I searched it online and the lot where Ozum's Marvellous Circus stood was abandoned many years ago by the previous owner.
Although I am not confident that I won't get abducted or murdered today, here I am. Driving a low-battery electric car, surrounded by pouring rain, becoming the protagonist of an undoubtedly awful horror movie...
I have now veered off the concrete road and up a trail of flattened dirt and fine gravel, luckily for my tires. Inexplicably, I am more worried about her than about my already battered car.
When my GPS announces that my destination is ten minutes away, I heedfully slow down. Even on a completely empty and wonderfully straight path, I feel nervous to use my cellphone as I drive. I select Cheryl's profile in my contacts and press the 'Call' button.
I have considered two options: her phone might have been stolen or she might have been. Whether the gangster is held captive and her assailants are leading me - of all people - into a sinister trap is crucial to determine. I am willing to endanger myself to save my fellow Gothamites, but within the limits of reason. Factually, I cannot face a dozen armed thugs.
The unbearable, warped ringing rhythmically spreads into my automobile.
One, two, three, four... Five..?
A muffled click breaks the unpleasant melody, and I sigh breathily, relieved.
"Hi, Peanut! Are you having trouble finding the circus?"
There are barren lands on either side of the road, speckled with misshapen or remarkably skinny trees, dark shadows blurred into a thick fog that is nourished by the rain drops.
Glancing at the desolate view, I ask her, upfront: "Can we video call?"
No time to lose.
"If you wanna, no problem."
I accept her video call invitation, keeping my eyes on the road as best as I can, considering its lack of structure and the overall poor visibility in this area. From what I am able to tell, the young woman is propping her phone up. Once it stops wobbling and the focus is on her appealing face, I speak again.
"Are you alone?"
"Of course. I'm not asking you to a remote location to throw a party or something!" She rolls her eyes.
"Why are we here, then?"
"Wouldn't ya like to know..!" she playfully responds.
"I just want to make sure that you're good. You said this was important."
YOU ARE READING
Fascinating Villains
Action[ONGOING] "You're delusional. I should've seen it before..." ~~~~~~~ Tanza is an agender paramedic. They rely solely on themselves, and the last thing they need is for an incredibly attractive supervillain to disturb their (relatively) quiet existen...
