Crimson X

Chapter 3: Bugged

                “Off with their wigs,” Shar giggled to herself as she threw off her blond hair and ran her hands through her more crimson locks. “Ah, much better. It’s nice to get the damn, itchy thing off of me. Oh well, it’s for you Mister Bane.” She blinked a couple of times, “Speaking of which I should get ready…”

                Her crimson hair flowed behind her as she ran to her bedroom, shedding of her Arkham uniform while doing so. A sleek leather outfit took its place as it hugged her skin. Her hands, now covered by black gloves, worked her hair into two pigtails, each held in with black bands. Then, she put on her domino mask to hide her identity. Looking in the mirror she frowned.

                “It’s missing something,” she mumbled as she dug through her closet. “Aha!”

                Shar pulled out a red cape - that used to be part of a costume - and a red skirt. She quickly put them on and nodded in approval. This helped get across the message of crimson, but not the x. She glanced at the makeup on her end table and walked over it. Picking up black eyeliner she drew an x on her left cheek.

                “There, Crimson X,” she smiled lightly before grabbing her wooden sword; that was now black with red x’s. “Let’s go kick some ass.” Her voice now rang with a British accent. “I’ll get some practice before I go pay Strange and Young a visit.”

                She walked over to her window and opened it. Glancing around, to make sure no one was currently looking out their nearby windows, she climbed down the fire escape. Once she was as low it would go, apparently fire safety isn’t that great of a concern, she jumped down. With a light thud she winced as pain shot through her feet.

                “Now where am I to find a crime happening?” Crimson X questioned looking around the ally way she was in.

                As if on cue, a shrill scream scraped the night’s sky. Her ears twitched as she located the source. Quickly, she ran to where the screamer was. Her golden hues widened as she saw a teenage girl corned against a wall as two men grew closer. Now doubt they were intending to rape her.

                “Hey!” Shar yelled and swung her wooden sword a few times. “Why don’t you boys go after someone who’s your age, hmm?”

                The two men turned around to see who was intruding on them. They glanced at each other and shrugged. One of them sprinted at Crimson X. With a quick side step, she avoided him and harshly hit him upside the head with her sword. He fell down, unconscious. The other one grimaced and charged yelling.

                “Oh no you don’t,” Crimson X leapt over his head and hooked her sword under his chin, sending him tumbling to the ground. She straddled him and pressed the sword on his neck, so the blood flow wouldn’t be allowed to reach his brain. “Nighty night.”

The man’s eyes fluttered closed. Getting up she walked over to the teenage girl. The girl’s face was streaked with eye makeup as she sobbed in panic. Crimson X knelt down to her and grabbed her chin. She noticed a small cut on her cheek.