La Pantera

Ch.17 The Night Panther

Song for Chapter: Pray for Me by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar

Stevie turned on the television later that evening, perking up when she noticed the headline Manhunt for Night Panther! She snickered , turning up the volume. "The Night Panther has been known to stalk around the New York and New Jersey areas, causing violence against the police departments there. Cause nothing but trouble!", the old reporter barked. "Typical boomer.", she giggled. "The police are offering a $20,000 reward to turn them in.", he continued. "Hmm....is that so?", Stevie crooned at the television. She turned to her closet and looked towards her suitcase. She opened a secret compartment, revealing a black mask that resembled a Panther. "Oh what would they do if they realized La Pantera was a woman.", she chuckled darkly.

October 1981

A month had passed after Martin's death..and the secret abortion. Having to wear pads for 2 more weeks sucked ass, but it was something she'd rather deal with than a baby at 15. Right now, Stevie had something else on her mind . Revenge. She had found the identity of the cop who had killed Martin, his police car, everything. So now, she was going to send a message. She chuckled in her throat as she finished making her costume. The body of the costume was black, made out of a thick material, and fit her just right so she could move with ease. There was padding in the back and chest so her internal organs were safe from bullets. Thick leather gloves came with it, including retractable claws.

She smiled darkly as she slipped it on, knowing that like this , no one would tell if she was a man or woman. She pulled the gloves on quickly, before slipping on boots that matched the glove design. The last piece was the mask. The mask that resembled the face of a panther. She slid it on, having tied her hair up so it would be easy to slip on. The mask allowed small holes for her nostrils to breathe, but otherwise covered her mouth and face. The eye openings were like slits, resembling the panther in the jungle. "This is for you Martin.", she said in the mirror. She grabbed her handgun and slid it in her belt before leaving.

The cop sat in his apartment, scratching his stomach like a pig and watching hockey. "Come on! Shoot the puck already!", he sneered. The lights all of a sudden turned off, making him perk up. "Hello?", he asked, standing up. Behind him a lamp turned on. He whirled around to see a tall figure wearing an outfit that looked like the Catwoman comic book design. "Who the hell are you?!", he yelled. She lunged at him and dragged him into the dining table , bashing his head in a few times. Blood faintly oozed at one point, his head having cracked from hitting the corner. His cries were ignored as she kept bashing his head in. She swiped at his skull with the claws like lightning, leaving scratch marks that let more blood ooze like icing from the tube. She then powerhouse kicked him to the floor before straddling his body. "Ya remember the name Martin Banks?", her low voice growled. His face paled when he realized the situation he was in. "Oh God I didn't mean-!", he pleaded. "Save it pig..... Now you can join him.", her voice was cold as she shot him in the face. Blood spurted out before steadily flowing from his face. She dipped two gloved fingers into the wound before writing out next to his corpse MARTIN BANKS.

Stevie  leapt from the window onto the fire escape, climbing down with ease before using the backstreet alleys to arrive at the police station. She easily snuck onto the property where the patrol cars were kept. She grabbed a nearby crowbar and swung at the windshield, yelling with rage as she bashed it in piece by piece . She took out the headlights and taillights, grunting loudly. Looking around to make sure she was safe, she took out spray paint, spraying the word MARTIN on the hood of the car. She then went to the side and sprayed ~NIGHT PANTHER. She breathed heavily, grinning darkly under her mask, her eyes flashing in the night. "Yous are in MY jungle...bring it on.", she growled.

She reflected on that night bittersweetly, sipping on her coffee as the news reported on how there had been no signs of this Night Panther in a while. "Too bad so sad.", she sang mockingly. She swallowed her coffee in satisfaction before falling asleep in her bed a few moments later.

The next morning Stevie woke up and headed to her suitcase, looking at the mask and suit. She grabbed her mask and slid it on for a moment looking at herself in the mirror. You gotta decide Steve....keep bein' this and wild and dangerous? Or go for your dream, and embrace more than what they want you to be? , she thought to herself. Determination was set in her face as she took her mask off and threw it on the ground. She grabbed the suit and looked around wondering what to do. She noticed the small fire place in her main room, and threw the outfit in there. "My jungle is in Hollywood, not in New Jersey.", she said firmly to herself. Having come to terms with this, she held her head high before going to get ready for another day in paradise.