Cat and Mouse

Chapter 3

The red and blue cop lights were almost blinding as I crouch on the roof parallel to GNB, where a blockade of police officers are surrounding the building. They barricaded the whole place in, squatting behind cop cars and road blocks with their guns raised.

But that's not what caused my eyes to widen.

No, I was quite used to scenes like this. Instead, the two shadowy figures talking to Commisioner Gordon is what caught my attention. A tall man dressed in all black was speaking quickly to the Commisioner while a teenaged boy in a red and black body suit and cape was situated behind the Caped Crusador, looking bored if anything.

Curious as to what they're talking about, I climb off the roof and hide in the shadows near where Gordon and the Batman are talking at the back of the police blockade.

"There's five men in there and about 30 hostages. They want the police to clear away in 30 minutes or they start shooting the hostages" Commissioner Gordon debriefed.

"Do that as a fallback, but we won't let it come to that" Batman said and I shook my head. I knew Batman was too cautious to risk hurting the hostages, so as quietly as I could, I snuck away from the scene and took a look at the clock resting above the glove on my wrist. it read 8 PM, meaning I had until 8:30 to clear the building. Setting a timer,  I scaled a nearby building and reached into my utility belt, pulling out a grappling hook inspired by Batman's. Let's just say without school, i have a lot of free time.

Aiming it at the roof of GNB, I shoot the hook and swing out, landing on the ledge of a window. Pulling out the glass cutter, I attach it to the window and pull it in a circular motion, removing the glass and carefully setting it against the ledge, Stepping over the cut glass, I hop off the ledge and into the second story of the GNB.

The lights are shut out, shrouding the second floor in darkness. Reaching into a pocket of my utility belt, I pull out a small flashlight and shine light on the abandoned floor of the bank. The teller windows are locked up and the vaults are untouched. It takes me a moment to realize I'm not the only one making these obversations.

"I don't think it's a good idea to rob a bank that's currently being robbed" a playful voice speaks from behind me. I jump and turn around, moving my hand to my utility belt like I practiced. My hand slightly relaxes as I see the figure is none other than the Boy Wonder, Robin.

I narrow my eyes at him "You'd be a fool to think I'm trying to rob a bank" I spit out. His black hair is tousled messily and a black mask covers his eyes, but I can tell he's smirking.

"then what are you doing dressed up like that in a closed up bank while police are outside" He challenges.

I look down at my outfit to see how it could be confused with that of a burglar's. It's an orange and black themed outfit, with furry orange shorts and top. Undeneath is a black spandex suit that covers everything but my stomach and neck, with orange gloves on my hands and orange combat boots keeping my feet hidden. A dark utility belt is slung tightly around my waist, an orange fox tail attached to the back. Hiding my face is a pointed black mask, my curly orange hair left untouched with nothing more than fox ears decorating them.

"Now do I really look like a criminal to you? i thought heroes were supposed to wear weird costumes?" I ask innocently. I pose dramatically to show off the costume and I can tell Robin is narrowing his eyes.

"Really? You're a hero? What's your name then?" He retorts.

I sigh dramatically "Well I was going to go for something original like Batgirl or Wonder Woman, but I decided to keep it simple since all the good names were taken. Call me Fox" I say with a wink.

"Generic, but acceptable" Robin states. I open my mouth to speak again, but a bang from downstairs sends both of us in alert. I slap my face to make up for my stupidity.

"Duh. I forgot about the burglary!" I exclaim. I look to Robin, who's just looking at me in an odd way "Well, are you gonna help me bring down these crooks?" I ask with a smile.

Robin recovers and nods. I aim my flashlight at the staircase and after remembering its location, I click off the flashlight and maneuver over to it. As my foot steps down the first step, I'm stopped by a gloved hand grabbing my arm.

"Shouldn't we have a plan?" Robin whispers to me.

"Yeah, don't get shot and don't get anybody killed" I say before shaking off Robin's hand and hopping down the stairs as quietly as I can.

One look at the scene on the bottom floor and I know all Hell's about to break loose.