Penguin's Majesty

17. No Longer Her

So where do I go? And what do I do?

I'm no longer who I once was. That innocence is gone. I'm someone else now. Maybe I should change my name. But before I do, I need to reclaim what was once mine.

I got up and began to walk to my old mansion. I went in and under the crime tape.

I had a lockbox in a secret panel in my closet wall. It had $20,000 cash, all my important documents, a pair of keys, and a photo of me before Arkham.

I got a duffle bag and put some clothes and diamond jewelry. In case I run out of cash.

I was about to head back downstairs but I looked out the window and saw people coming towards the mansion.

One of them was a woman with blonde hair, another wore all black with curly brown hair and goggles, another was wearing green and had red hair. The last one was....

I squinted focusing on putting an ID to her. Ivy Pepper.

There was also another coming behind them. She had brown/tan skin, black hair in a high ponytail, and wore all black leather.

I got out my phone and was about to dial GCPD. But I thought the better of it. It would only call attention to me and my family home again.

I wondered what they were doing here. I hid my stuff in a side closet in the hallway. I decided I had to scare them away somehow.

I tried thinking of something fearsome. Something I knew would scare them. I couldn't turn into a dragon, Ivy already saw that. I definitely can't turn into a mythical creature. What would be smart in case they had weapons?

Hmm? Maybe a dragon is a good idea but a small one... no maybe a tiger? It's agility could help me dodge bullets. Or maybe a panther, it also has agility and it can blend in with the darkness. So good with stealth. Alright panther it is.

I looked at my paws and saw they were white. Did I turn into the right animal?!

'Well too late' I thought as I heard them enter the building. I looked and saw they didn't have any weapons in hand.

I jumped the rest of the way down the stairs. And roared at them. They all jumped back obviously not expecting me.

"Guys it's just Isabelle."

"Who?" The brunette said.

"Isabelle you know the girl who lived in this place?!"

"No that's not her, that's a panther?" Said the blonde.

"What the hell?!" Said the black haired woman. She went to grab something and I snarled.

I really wanted to say something but if I transformed back I'd be less of a threat.

I was a about to roar again. But instead words came out.

"Why are you here?!" I yelled.

They looked shocked.

"Okay so maybe it is the girl..." said the blonde.

"Hey were not here to hurt you Isabelle!" Said ivy.

"How can I be sure?"

"You can't" said the raven haired woman. "But I won't hurt you as long as you don't make a move toward us."

"Fine, don't be alarmed. I'm going to change back now." I said preparing myself for the change.

I could barely feel myself change back. But as soon as I did, ivy ran up to me and hugged me.

"For someone who looks like an adult, you act like a kid."

"That's cuz technically I am."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a long story."

"So what are you guys doing here?" I ask Ivy. Her being the only one I trust.

The blonde answers me instead. "We're looking for a place to crash."

"And why here?"

"Because it was the only place we knew that wouldn't be occupied." Said the brunette as if it were common knowledge. She crossed her arms, rolled her eyes, and huffed.

"Fine feel free to stay here, I'll call a cleaning crew. I'll have to pay them extra for the blood. But I'm not staying here. I can't. It's too much for me."

"Why aren't you the one who killed them?!" Said the raven haired woman.

"No I'm not! I NEVER KILLED THEM! THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES WHO CARED FOR ME!!!" I said feeling my eyes change somehow.

"Umm Isabelle your eyes are uh black...." Ivy said slightly scared.

"I'm sorry..." I calmed down. "But I didn't do it..." I said as I walked back up the stairs to the closet in the hallway. I got my duffle bag and strapped it around me. "Like I said your free to stay here. Just don't go down that corridor or up those stairs. I don't care about the other staircases or hallways... just not that one. Trust me I've set traps in my spare time. One wrong move and you're dead."

"Is that a threat?" Said the blonde.

"No it's a warning." I said. "Now I need names before I officially leave me home in your hands."

"I'm Tabitha Galavan." Said the raven haired piece of work.

"Barbara Kean" The blonde Barbie said.

"Selina Kyle" said the snide little brunette teen.

"You know me but I'm Ivy Pepper" Ivy said.