𝙵𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚜 (Under Heavy Editing)

𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚎𝚛

Nico's POV

My converses made no noise as I walked down the dark slightly dampened street. There was not a sign of life present as I weaved down alleyways and emerged on seemingly repeated scenery.

I felt a tug in my chest and I knew that my destination was close. As I continued walking my surroundings changed. Small houses and tall trees replaced the apartment buildings that once loomed over me. 

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck begin to stand on their engs but I decided to ignore the sensation. It was around eight at night and I was positively exhausted.

I knew I had arrived at my destination when I reached a tall sturdy fence that was chained closed. Looking around to ensure that I wasn't going to get caught doing anything sketchy I quickly climbed over the barrier.

I stood up from my place inside the maze of tombstones as I maneuvered towards a tree in the corner with a small grave standing in front of it. 

I placed my bag down at the base before cracking my back and climbing up the tree. Once I was finally at the top and in a comfortable position I felt someone's gaze begin to burn into the side of my face. 

Looking around I shrugged to myself and tilted my head back to look up at the sky and say Zoey's constellation. I twisted my skull ring in an act of nervousness as I leaned my head back against the tree.

I sighed and closed my eyes and allowed my mind to wander.

What am I going to do now?

I thought about staying in Gotham for a while but decided against it. I didn't have enough information about the city... And I didn't know anyone.

The only real solution I have is to head back to The Underworld and yet...

Shaking my head and re-opening my eyes I pulled my phone out of my pocket and unlocked it with my fingerprint. How Leo was able to program it without my fingerprint was beyond me.

There was only one number programmed into the messaging app. A contact labelled as 'Super-sized McShizzle', I smiled to myself and opened it before I started to type out a text.

A simple;

Nico: Hey Leo.

I waited a few minutes before I got a reply;

Super-sized McShizzle: Hey Deathbreath!

I smiled at the name and chuckled at the next notification that came up.

Super-sized McShizzle has changed Nico's name to Deathbreath.

Super-sized McShizzle: Everything okay? Where did you end up going?

Deathbreath: Yea everything is fine on my end. I ended up in a city called Gotham.

I raised an eyebrow at the next text that he sent;

Super-sized McShizzle: Ah the city of The Bat himself.

He followed it up almost immediately with;

Super-sized McShizzle: You know about The Bat right?

I raised my eyebrow but replied;

Deathbreath: No, what is The Bat?

Super-sized McShizzle: Well The Bat is really known as Batman. He is like a superhero in Gotham.

I read the text and tried to wrap my head around the information I had just received. Superheros are a thing now, I thought.

I chose my next question carefully not fearful of my life more so curious. 

Deathbreath: Gotham has Villians? Should I be worried? 

Super-sized McShizzle: Yea they have a few. More than most other places. I wouldn't be as concerned unless you come face-to-face with Joker then run the other way, please.

Super-sized McShizzle: Also I can't believe you didn't know any of this...

Deathbreath: Well they didn't have news in the casino.

Super-sized McShizzle: Yeah but still.

I stared at the phone as I felt a tingle go up my spine, I was being watched and I did not like it.

Deathbreath: Well, I am tuckered out. I'm going to head to sleep now.

Super-sized McShizzle: Goodnight Nico and be careful!

Deathbreath: When am I not?

Super-sized McShizzle: All the time Nico, all the fucking time.

I smiled and decided to download some games to pass the time instead of addressing the stalker that was currently staring at me from some vantage point. Being up in the tree alone gave me ample time to reflect on the day and plan out my next moves. 

I felt as if I was not fully prepared to be completely on my own. I was trying to stay strong, to pretend that everything was fine but every time I thought back to the... 'incident' I felt tears begin to prick at the corners of my eyes. 

Gods, I was just getting over Tartarus and this definitely isn't good for my state of well-being. 

I turned off my phone when the time hit ten, I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed down the tree grabbed my back and started walking back into the city. 

As I continued my trek I felt the person who was watching me continue to follow my route. I twisted and turned through the maze-like streets trying to lose whoever was stalking me but I was not able to shake whoever it was. 

I tried to stay close to the buildings hoping that the shadows would mostly conceal me.

I tried looking behind me as naturally as possible and I stopped in my place in the alley next to a small empty bakery. 

Heh???? I thought as turned to address my stalker directly.

"It's rude to follow and stalk people, also I think it's illegal." I said to who I assumed was 'Batman'. He just looked at me with a face I couldn't read... because he was wearing a mask.

It was silent until I spoke again.

"Shouldn't you be fighting crime? Not following a 'kid' down the street?"

"Shouldn't you be at home sleeping?" he asked and I assumed he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Touché," I responded with a slight nod of my head as I put one of my hands in the pocket of my aviator jacket. My other hand was holding my bag strap.

"I just want to help." He said in a gruff voice. 

I looked up at him and scoffed.

"Well, I don't want your help, I am perfectly fine alone," I said as I fiddled with a piece of string in my pocket. We just stood there staring at one another before I decided to back away slowly.

"Well, I'm going to go now soo... Yea bye." I said as I walked into a dark alley I shadow travelled away as quickly as possible.

I allowed the first destination to wash over me as the shadows mused in my whispered suggestion.

Take me to Hollywood. 

[Edited: 24/06/2023]