The Marksman

Chapter One-The Arrival

I click my apartment door closed and feel the winter breeze touch my cheeks. I turn around and sigh, why tonight why couldn't it have been tomorrow. Damn my father for summoning me to his office building well really to building in a military base. Which happens to be in New York somewhere in the country no where near Gotham City. I start to walk and head towards the stairs and grasp the icy metal bar and slowly and carefully climb down the stairs. I make it down the steps without snapping my neck. I let out a huge breath and continue to walk towards the metro. The street lights flicker and the snow falls ever so delicate. I touch my hair to make sure my hair isn't frozen from being in a wet sock bun. I continue to walk and pull the hoodie's hood over my head. I pull the hoodie collar up to my nose to keep warm. Too bad I don't have a scarf.

I feel someone stare at me or follow me. I've moved around so much being a military brat I know when I'm being followed or watched. I know people's body language to well. I trust my instincts. Don't you dare turn your head to look. If you do the person will know that you know, you're being followed. I take in a huge breath and let it out. Remain calm I tell myself. I place my hands deeper into the hoodie and feel a medium sized pocket knife.

Like this will do any good in Gotham City. I laugh mentally to myself. I keep walking and look into a car window and focus on the reflection and see me in my Marine hoodie and then scan behind me in the car window and see someone behind me but further away.

God bless America, this should be fun. I get to test my skills out now. I joke to myself. Now I sound crazy to myself. I quicken the pace towards the metro. Now I hear the footsteps begin to run towards me. My combat boots squash the snow faster. Good thing I tucked in the laces or I could have tripped. I quickly slide the knife in my hand and tuck it into my hoodie's sleeve. I hear the pace behind me quicken even more. Now sprinting towards me. I turn around and attempt to round house kick them. I succeed but my round house kick was bad. Oh who cares. Run! I turn around and sprint off towards the metro sign and quickly make a sharp right turn to head down in the metro trains station.

I slow my pace down and skip one step at a time going down the stairs and then running towards the gates. I leap over the gates not paying for my ticket but I'm sure they won't mind because someone is chasing after me. I keep running and stop and remove the hood from my head and then stop and catch my breath. I then began to pretend nothing ever happened so I wouldn't reveal myself. The metro train zooms by and slowly stops, the doors open and I walk on knowing which train this was going to take me.

-Time Skip-

I get off the last train and walk out to New York. Not New York City, I hate that place to many people I have to watch and always have to keep a hand on my wallet. I climb the steps and begin walking towards Old Sal's Diner. I pull out my phone and unlock it.

-hey dad I'm at the diner. Made it safely luckily. Send a driver to come fetch me.

-Sure thing. The driver should be there in 30 minutes.

I sigh in relief. I'm pretty damn lucky. My dad sends me a driver so I don't have to walk should I feel lucky. I grab a menu and began reading it. A waiter comes by and stands in front of the table I'm sitting in.

"What would you like?" He questions me.

"My usual." I tell him, looking up at him. His eyes widen and smiles deeply.

"Well if it isn't Annabelle. How's that father of yours?" George asks me.

"I really don't know. The old man summoned me and I have to be at the base tonight. I was really looking forward into finishing my painting." I complain.