gotham l.p.

47 Detective

Gotham City, City Streets
Tuesday Dec 29 10:45 p.m.

Caroline

It started raining. Louis got a call on his cell, he stood and started pacing on the sidewalk as I sat a few feet away from him. His vans splashed in the puddles as he spoke in a low sharp voice.

"You're sure it's time ?" I heard him ask and he bit his lip at the receivers answer. "Alright then. On our way." He motioned for me to stand up, but in the middle of the motion he flattened his hand in pause, so I kind of just stayed put in a half standing, half sitting position. "You know if the timing is off she could--" he faced his back to me and whispered what I assumed was 'die' into the receiver. My stomach felt sick. This whole thing feels unreal and sketchy.

Louis' expression revealed whoever he was communicating with hung up or the connection was lost. I stood up then, and asked a stupid question, "Who was that ?"

"Doesn't matter." He said, walking quickly and I jogged to catch up to him.
"Kinda does !" I said, tugging his shoulder. "Kinda has to do with my life or death !"

"Don't you trust me ? We've kind of been through a lot in the forty-five minutes we've known eachother."
"I think it's been longer than that." I said quietly.

He checked his watch. "No, I saved you at approximately 10 o'clock. Forty-five minutes."
"That's not what I mean. I think you've met me before."

He gave me a strange look. "Unless you visited London lately I don't think we've met before today."
"Really ? You seem a lot like the 'Gotham hero' to me."

He laughed. "Me ? Scrawny Louis Tomlinson me ? Have the ability to fly people out of buildings to their safety on the ground and rescue countless others from street gangs ?" He shook his head. "Keep looking, detective."

I bit my lip. Maybe he was right. But what's with the trust and saving thing ? Seemed awful familiar. It could be anyone in Gotham, maybe a hobo like the one who attacked me in the alley. Maybe it was someone I talked to every day. The possibilities were endless in this small, crowded city.

But no matter who he is, I think a part of me is in love with him. I can't help it. "If it's not you, who do you think it is ?" I asked dreamily.

"I dunno." He shrugged but it wasn't reassuring.

11:01 p.m.

Louis

"Oh my god." Caroline said, covering her mouth in shock. "Are they.."
I nodded. There on the wet concrete were two lifeless bodies, sprawled and bleeding.
Caroline knelt beside them, examining the scene. "Stab wounds on this one. Seven times." She moved the limp head of the other, "And his throat was slit. Left handed. Sign of struggle."
"Thanks for the detail, detective." I gulped and my palms were sweaty.
"Stop calling me that ! I just watch more CSI than the average person."
"Pay attention." I said, trying to be calm. Her mouth shut.
"We're gonna go in there." I directed my eyes to the black-bricked building in front of us that was exhaling pollution and had plenty of fire escapes. "And you're gonna do everything I say. If you make one mistake, you're dead."

Caroline

Well that sounds promising. He handed me something. "No." I said. "I can't... I'm not ready.."
"It's just in case you need it." I didn't even know where to put it so I didn't stab myself. I didn't have any pockets.
"Here take this." He put the evergreen colored jacket around me and I put the knife in one of the pockets. "You're lucky I'm little. It fits good."
I smiled a thank you. He must have been able to tell I was scared because he joked, "Try not to get any blood on it" as we entered the squeaky door.