ANGLERFISH

5

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Later in the day
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I was now sitting in Bruce's living room watching movies, or to be more realistic to just have them in the background as I worked on my new paper.

I started to think, 'how much would I get if this paper did really well?', about 1250 dollars, or more, either way, a price that high helps me survive.

I looked behind me and gazed at the city Bruce and I called home, bright street lights, unbelievable amounts of cars, and tons of buildings for companies that hired assholes.

I got up, wrapped the blanket around my sore body and walked towards the glass and stood there, examining the people, cars, actions of criminals, to be more exact; avoiding the fact that I needed to write.

The Joker, agent of chaos, was filled with anger and needed to have some type of revenge placed on Gotham. The smirk he had when he was inches away from my face, was a smirk of a guy who lived with no point to be or do good; he liked the attention he received from doing such sick things.

The thing that showed his true colors, was when he shot one of his minions without even looking at him, someone, like me, who has lived in a criminal based city, has seen people get shot, but to see it happen with no emotion, no anger, no envy towards it—just shows how some find that as a normal thing.

A memory of the boy, returned again, where he would always comfort and remind me that my ability or 'superpower' was what made me unique, beautiful, and all the lovey-dovey words, when I was down and deep into my emotions. I remember this one time where I had gotten made fun of from some asshole while me and myster boy were at the park. I ran all the way back home, cried as well, just because some low-life and jackass like himself, made fun of me. But, my bestfriend was there to comfort and pick me up. I grabbed the chain and let a tear fall onto the blanket, I missed this forgotten boy, so much. But, he was long gone now.

Wait! This place wasn't my home! What was I talking about!? The boy of my dreams wasn't here anymore, to love and cherish me, my parents left, I was in danger 24/7, and I just didn't like it here; now I see this city's true colors. I needed a change of scenery—change for the better...What if I moved? Would Bruce be okay with it? Of course, he wouldn't! What am I thinking?

Bruce is like a little puppy—no—a big ass dog following behind me; that's how it's been since I moved out. Once I was out of his reach, he freaked out over everything. When I go out with friends, when I go to work, when I get out of work, it's a lot. Bruce is just there to warn me why I shouldn't be here, so why am I here?

"Alfred!" I yelled. "Yes, Miss Kiara?" He smiled as he came out of the kitchen. "What do you think Bruce would say if I moved?" I asked, still looking out the window and holding onto the necklace.

"—I don't know, but I sure know that he would support you in his own creative way." Alfred laughed. "That means no." I huffed. "What do you mean?" Alfred asked.

"When Bruce has to accept something, after a long time, or in his own way, as you say, it's because he didn't find a reason to in the first place." I turned around and looked at Alfred's reaction. "You truly know your cousin, Miss Kiara." Alfred chuckled and walked to the kitchen.

I walked behind him and sat upon the island, "—Alfred, I can read him like a book, more specifically a book you would give to a little kid." I began playing with my rings.

As soon as I said that Bruce walked in and placed a confused look on his face. "What exactly is the conversion in here about?" He let out a small laugh leading more towards a confused chuckle.

"Would you be mad if I moved?" I blurted out. "What, like out of your current apartment?" He placed his hands into his fancy little pants' pockets as he walked towards Alfred.

"Would you be mad if I left Gotham, and decided to live somewhere else?" I repeated myself and looked at him. "What's up with Gotham? Too much fun for ya?" He elbowed Alfred.

"I'm serious, Bruce—" I paused, "—you said it yourself, I must be safe in order for you to function. Well, the best way for me is not to live in a chaotic city." I looked at him.

"But—that w—would ruin the whole point of keeping you s—safe myself, I mean you have me, Alfred, some of your coworkers—what does any other place have to offer you other than family and great friends?" He tried so hard to convince me.

"Moving lets me know that I'll be in safe conditions, and I know that I won't bother you anymore." I gave him a forced smile. "—Besides, I won't have to use my powers to save others, my use of them will just—disappear." I got off and began walking back to the couch.

"Isn't that the point of the power, disappear—" Bruce interrupted me, "Oh! I know where you are going with this?" He laughed walking towards his liquor stand. "You do?" I wrinkled my eyebrows.

"—You're trying to move so I don't find out you'll use your powers!" He laughed as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

"Oh—You really want to have this conversation again, Bruce? This was a one-time thing and by the looks of it, the last! I just want to live with freedom and live without fear!" I stood up from the couch and walked towards him, "And you out of everyone, are supplying those feelings." I lowered my voice so only he could hear.

There was a long time of silence, both of us just standing in front of one another, until he hugged me, "When and where do you plan going?" He chuckled.

"Thank you! Thank you, Bruce." I laughed and began to cry into his shoulder. "That didn't answer my question." He chuckled as he began wiping at my tears.

"Metropolis and possibly—uh maybe like—4 months?" I tilted my head in indecisive thinking.

"Whoa! Okay, I now truly believe you'll be in good condition." He hugged me even harder, I just laughed. "Oh, Kiara, you know the dinner I just went to?" Bruce said, taking off his jacket.

"Sure." I chuckled, "Well, it was a dinner with Rachel and Harvey Dent—" Alfred interrupted Bruce by placing his hand on Bruce's shoulder, "—And the one and only Natascha Patrenko." Alfred grinned as he began folding my blankets for me.

"Thank you." I mouthed to him. "—Anyway, I offered to throw our District Attorney a party at my establishment, so I was wondering if you'd like to attend?" He smiled.

"Oh, um—I'd love to go, what do I wear?" I pulled on my shirt, symbolizing the clothes. "Uh, you know a dress with just a masquerade mask, nothing too fancy." He shrugged. "Oh, I have a mask—I think." I giggled as I slipped into my slippers.

"Well, I'm going to have to wake up early tomorrow, so I don't know about you two, but I'm tiredgoodnight," Bruce said as he began walking to his room.

"I don't want to seem like a complete bummer, but I don't think you know your cousin the way you explained today, after all." Alfred smiled as he placed my blanket in my arms.

"This is probably the first time I'm okay with being wrong, actually." I giggled as I began walking to my room.