Lost Stars

Chapter Twenty

-Athena's POV-

Red Hood dropped down, his eyes meeting the stolen truck. He laughed and looked around. I stepped out of the shadows as his gaze shifted.

"I'm impressed," He smirked, "You managed to steal the cargo before I could. Now tell me, how did you manage that? I'm awfully curious." He stepped forward, but I drew my pistols and aimed them at him. He stopped in his tracks, raising his arms in the air mockingly.

"It's like you said. If I stop to listen, I can hear how loud you're being." I strode away from the wall and stood a few paces in front of him. 

His helmet tilted down as he glanced at my shoulders. "Look like you healed quite quickly. I bet Batman gives the best medical treatment available," Red Hood dropped his arms to his side. His fingers slowly inched towards his knife. I kept one gun pointed at his face as I pointed the other at his hand.

"I lost a lot of  blood on the drive home, you mother fucker. It's hard to perform a good stitch job when both of your shoulders are torn open." I glared daggers into his chest. He crossed his arms and tilted his head.

His voice got serious. "You didn't call for backup?"

I drew my eyebrows close together in anger. "I told you I don't work with Batman anymore." I pressed my teeth together. 

Almost forgetting his general surprise, he returned back to being cocky. "Well, you look peachy keen. So well, in fact, that you managed to set up this little trap for me."

"Wasn't a trap," this time I smirked, "I just took some drug cargo and you came after it. Finders keepers, losers weepers."

"Seems I have groupie now. How long have you been following me?"

"Since you stabbed me."

The tension grew as we both stared at each other. His smirk still hadn't gone away, but I just continued to sneer at him. My fingers twitched on the triggers as his inched toward his weapon. A nearby clock chimed and we both sprung into action. I fired two shots, but he dodged them. Mid-flight, he threw two knives at me, but I rolled out of the way.

I got to my feet as Red Hood jumped up above me. I rolled again to avoid his foot. He turned around and came towards me again. He threw a punch, but I grabbed it in my hands and tossed him to the side. His weight put a slight strain on my shoulders, making me cringe.

He combat rolled toward me, grabbing my leg. I was pulled to the ground and he took his advantage. Red Hood climbed on top of me, holding my arms down with his thighs. He punched me across the face while he reached for his knife.

As he reached around, I squirmed under him, but he was too muscular. I bent my legs and brought my knees straight up into his back. He fell forward, launching his thighs off of me and his chest onto my face. I scooted out from under him and prepared to attack. Before I could pin him down, he swept out my feet again as he stumbled to his. 

I got to my feet and we both charged forward. His knuckles met my ribs as I kneed him in stomach. He was wearing more body armor than I was, but I still managed to injure him slightly. He cracked me against the face again, making my nose bleed. I shrugged it off and kicked out his knees. He fell to one knee, but quickly stood up.

This time, he signature blade was in his hand. It was an exact copy of the one he had shoved into my shoulder. I had taken his knife as a souvenir of sorts. It sat on my work table in my safe house. 

He slashed at me, tearing a part of my suit on my abdomen. I hit Red Hood's shoulder blades with the butts of my guns, but he grabbed my wrists and tossed my guns from my hands. Without weapons in hand, Red Hood cut me on my arm and across my cheek.