The Way We Fall | Bruce Wayne

CHAPTER 5 - Night Shift

An email appeared as expected. A brief project proposal summary, with emphasis that it was not yet accepted. The message continued with details on a future meeting with the Wayne Enterprises board of directors. It concluded with a request to arrange an immediate meeting between the two parties associated with this stage of project development. Namely, Gotham Tech's vice president and Wayne Enterprise's majority stakeholder. It was signed off by a secretary.

Another meeting with Bruce Wayne was inevitable, regardless. But Sara was determined to have the advantage this time. She wrote back with a suggested date and time. The location specified being her own office.

A response came before the end of the day. It was agreed upon to meet in her office on the following Monday.

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Night shifts were usually short. Sara didn't get a new job until the weekend, but when she did, she was pleased at its simplicity. Grand theft of an automobile. The usual job she received were typically straightforward and simple. Oftentimes she wondered why anyone would bother to pay her for such tasks that any amateur thief could accomplish.

Her watch provided location details and the make and model of the car.

The air had a chill in Gotham that night. Her suit didn't provide any warmth, much less against wind. She picked up her pace across the rooftops until she arrived to her destination. A police impound lot - a tiny detail that had been left out of the memo. Sara sighed and paused to rethink her plan. There was more security to consider, and more possible complications.

She descended to the ground and briefly explored the perimeter from the shadows. Guards were stationed at the entrance only. At the slightest hint of trouble, they would call for backup. And there was only one way out. Sara scaled the chain link fence and used a light post for leverage over barbed wire.

She scanned the dark impound lot for the red sedan pictured in the job details.

Sara moved hastily among the dozens of cars. Some were practically totaled, while others were new, pristine, and clearly very expensive. The one she was after wasn't anything special. A simple four-door with a noticeable dent in the rear.

Finally, she laid eyes on the vehicle that was parked in between two rows.

With a final glance around, Sara emerged from behind cover and stood beside the car. She dropped to her knees, retrieved tools from her utility belt, and got to work at picking the driver's door lock.

She had just finished when she could've sworn she heard footsteps. She tossed her tools underneath the car and turned to hide. The silhouette of a figure standing before her made her heart stop.

Sara raised her hands above her head and she slowly stood. She squinted her eyes to see more clearly. The person was tall and bulky, but hard to distinguish in the darkness. It wasn't a guard. She would've heard shouting by now.

The figure stepped forward, coming just close enough for her to make out his features. Her stomach dropped.

Sara stood motionless before the Batman.