The Lone Knight (Under The Cowl Book #1)

CHAPTER 4

Nearly 3am and Stephanie climbed through her bedroom window like slug across the ledge before dropping onto the floor.

She wasn't looking for a graceful landing, she felt too battered after a hard night fighting crime and protecting the city of Gotham to fish for style points. The comfy cushion of a laid out comforter waiting to break her fall wasn't going to judge. And though she would've like for it to do more than massage the aches across her back, it didn't help her escape what she encountered tonight. The masked man she had a feeling had something to do with Batman's disappearance, who she felt she'll meet again in the future.

Four hours of sleep felt like four minutes. With only an hour before her class is set to start at Gotham University, Stephanie was grateful that it was at least walking distance.

She practically had to beg for an apartment without a roommate, couldn't risk having someone discover her secret persona and extracurricular activities conducted after climbing through her bedroom window almost every night.

The shower burned against her abrasions and throbbed against her bruises. Healing up should be what's on her mind, but instead it was still the masked man and where he was able to injure her.

Because odd enough it was somewhat familiar.

Putting down pretenders who seek profit or praise, was he implying the cops seeks profit and heroes like Batman seek praise? He clearly found the thought offensive. Did that mean he did something about that? I need to find out who he is.

Stephanie didn't care much for most of her Business courses at Gotham University. Not to say any of them were hard, most of it came easy. The idea before was to graduate high school while under Batman's tutelage, then get into college and work for Wayne Enterprises as an intern. The experience was supposed to earn her a day job there one day. But with the Billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne missing from the limelight and the shadows of the night, that plan was looking less likely to happen.

The rest of the day went by slow, not that Stephanie mind, it gave her the chance to hide her limp from her classmates and time to put on make-up so she could conceal the glaring red bruise on her jaw. It also gave her the chance to steer clear from one person in particular. Jessie Frank. Right away Stephanie could tell by the way Jessie looked at her while on her way to class that he wanted to get to know her. And it was not in a casual go for coffee sort of way. More like a go back to his dorm and spend time studying sort of way.

Stephanie felt little ashamed to admit she was attracted to his type in high school. It was before she smartened up and met Tim. She still found herself thinking about Tim from time to time. The adventures they went on, the fights they had with and without their masks on.

Before her return to Gotham she was afraid she might run into him. Not sure of what she'd say once they'd cross paths. At first she thought it would be for the best if the Spoiler and Robin were to meet first. How cool it would be if she were to save him at the last minute, what could top a reunion like that?

Reality.

"Hey Stef!"

Stephanie stopped and turned to find one of her classmates chasing her down.

Rachel Hart, another business major and the first person Stephanie met during orientation. A nice girl, Stephanie decided to keep her close and not push away like she initially planned. Rachel had connections to campus security given the fact that her older brother worked for the campus police.

So if ever caught sneaking in and out of her apartment after curfew, she'd know who to call.

After a while Rachel started to grow on her. Stephanie didn't quite know what the normal post-teenage life was like until she met Rachel. Hanging out, talking about boys, teachers, and tests. It was fun. Stephanie felt the lost identity of Stephanie Brown start to develop a life outside the hood and cape she wore when with Rachel.