My Ghost

eleven

"Dead by the end of the week?! How the fuck does he expect me to get that done?!" Roman screams, throwing a glass across the room of his office as it shatters against the wall. A group of his top men stand in front of him, dressed nicely in suits. I nod and give a slight smile to Cole from my position next to Melanie beside Roman.

"By using the girl," Melanie states flatly.

"Don't you think I get that?" Roman snaps. "But she hasn't been out at night for nearly four months now!" I stand there silently, knowing that interjecting will only make things worse.

"Let her go tonight," Cole says, and I look up at him, shocked that he spoke. "It might be a good idea, sir. Give her a small mission to complete and send some men to go with her, just to see what she's capable of."

Black Mask struts over to Cole, standing directly in front of him, getting close to his face. "Don't interrupt me," he growls, punching him across the face. I watch Cole stumble before regaining his footing, straightening his back once again.

"It is a good idea, though," Roman continues, walking away from him. "It's the best one we've got."

"We can do some surveillance on the Red Hood," I offer, speaking for the first time since we left Luthor's office. "Maybe even interrogate some people that might know his location."

Roman turns to me and storms over, grabbing me by the collar of my shirt and pulling my face close to his. "You understand this isn't some sort of hero act, right? You're one of us now."

"Yes, sir."

"And you're going to do whatever the fuck we tell you to do," he demands.

"Yes, sir."

"And you're going to come back here before going home for the night."

"Yes, sir."

"Good," he says lightly, pushing me away from him, and I stumble backwards into the glass. "Then it's settled, the Shadow makes an appearance tonight."

..

I sit on the floor in my room, staring out the window. The sun was setting on the horizon, it was almost time for my return to the city. I pull my knees to my chest, enjoying the moment to myself- until I hear a knock at my door.

"Come in," I call, knowing who it is instantly.

Cole enters the room, closing the door quietly behind him. "What are you doing on the floor?" he asks, laughing slightly.

I shrug. "Thinking, I guess."

I listen to his footsteps as he crosses the room, quietly taking a seat next to me. I look at him and he's dressed in all black, with a tactical vest over his black hoodie. His hood is up, and his hair sticks out from beneath it at all sorts of angles.

"About what?"

"A lot of stuff," I tell him.

"Well," he says, leaning forward a little and raising his eyebrows. I stare at him, confused, and he chuckles. "Tell me."

I shake my head, turning away from him. "I'd rather not."

"Okay," he says simply, turning to look out the window as well. We look over Gotham in silence, taking in every shadow and ray of sunlight cast over the city. It was breathtaking- it was deadly.

"I died once," I say aloud, not even really realizing I said it. "I... died."

"I know," Cole says, pausing. "What was it like? You know, coming back?"