Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2015 20:19:57 GMT -5
Archie Kidman knew that he had been blessed. Soon he and the woman of his dreams would celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Archie had the most wonderful job too. Being the butler of Bruce Wayne’s daughter had its perks. There was something different about Helena. She could take care of herself, but she didn’t show the slightest sign of rebellion when her parents insisted that she have a butler/guard at her Gotham City apartment. He was so thankful for the paid vacation the Waynes gave him when his baby daughter was born two weeks ago. Tonight was his first night back on the job. He wanted to make a good impression, so he had home baked croissants waiting with a nice pot of hot tea waiting for Miss Helena. Unfortunately, the lack of sleep that goes with being the parent of a newborn had taken its toll. Archie ruined his good impression by falling asleep on the job.
_______________________(-)_________________________
Titans of Justice: Classified
Proudly Presents
The HUNTRESS
In
The Night of the Hunters
_______________________(-)_________________________
2:30am
CRASH!!!!!
The sleeping guard was suddenly awakened. He could feel the adrenaline pumping throughout his body. The bedroom window had broken. Guilt consumed Archie as he entered the apartment and ran upstairs. He could never forgive himself if something happened to Miss Helena…and how could he ever face her parents?
Banging on her bedroom door he shouted, “Miss Helena! Are you alright?”
Opening the door she answered, “I’m fine. I just had a little accident. Look, Archie, I can board this window up myself. Why don’t you go on home and get some sleep?”
Archie blushed in shame. “But, Miss Helena…”
“I’ll make you a deal: You go home and give that pretty little sweet baby this gift...” she said handing him a very large package, “…and I won’t tell my parents that you fell asleep on the job.”
Archie had no choice. He needed the job. He graciously accepted the gift, thanked his boss, and left the apartment unaware that a man cloaked by a meta-human gift of invisibility was watching him. Archie would not have felt as secure in going home to his family if he knew that the silent watcher also had the ability to divide himself into multiple men for extended periods of time. Surely, Archie would not have even gone home if he knew that the stalker had decided to follow him.
Archie was no Alfred, but Helena appreciated him very much. She loved helping him and his family even more than she loved his delicious croissants. She sent him home so the Huntress could work freely. She quickly finished boarding her window and donned a black and dark purple and version of her uniform. “This has to be nipped in the bud,” she thought to herself. “I have to assume that he knows my identity. I have to find this creep and close this case before sunrise.”
_______________________(-)_________________________
Digger Andrew’s bedroom 2:40 am
Digger had had enough. He had tossed and turned for nearly two hours. He could have died earlier that evening, but that wasn’t what bothered him. Digger had always been an achiever. His academic record was impeccable, but it didn’t mean much to him because he had never had to study all that hard. Digger got up from the bed and looked intently at the various medals, ribbons, and certificates displayed on the wall. Digger had been very proud of these archery awards, and they were only the ones he had acquired since coming to the States nearly a year ago. He had worked hard in archery. But now his life seemed a little empty. If he had died tonight his greatest accomplishment would be a simple award. Digger wanted to really live…and he wanted his life to count for something. Looking out the window he noticed that the rain had stopped. He grabbed his bow and quiver and left his room. Before getting halfway downstairs he stopped, thought a moment and went back to his room. He laid his archery gear on the bed and picked up the crossbow the Huntress had given him. Digger wanted a purpose in life and he couldn’t think of a more fulfilling one than to help keep the good folks down under safe the same way the Huntress was fighting to protect Gotham. Somehow he knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
_______________________(-)_________________________
A beautiful mansion in Gotham’s Innwood District 2:49 am
Nicholas Martin couldn’t sleep. He had an unshakeable feeling that something was horribly wrong, but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what. He got up and put on a robe. Suddenly he felt a draft. Turning to the window he was startled to see the windows open and a dark figure seated on the sill. Martin’s eyes widened.
“There is a man stalking foreign athletes, Mr. Martin.” said the Huntress.
“Yes, I…was so sad about Kwami…” he said with a trembling voice.
“You must not watch the news, Mr. Martin...” interrupted the Huntress, “Amy Blumenfeld was also murdered earlier tonight.”
“What!?!” said the man in horror.
“There’s more: Digger Andrews was attacked a couple of hours ago. Don’t fret. He’s still alive. But I have a question for you, Mr. Martin: Why are the exchange students that you recruited being stalked and attacked?”
Nicholas Martin stared and slowly shook his head in disbelief.
“I need you to think, Mr. Martin,” questioned the Huntress, “Is there anyone that would want to kill these kids to get at you?”
While Nicholas silently pondered the query, the Huntress scanned the pictures on the walls of the study. Pointing to a prominent picture she asked, “Who is the lady?”
“That’s Cindy. She’s my wife…she disappeared about fifteen years ago.” His voice grew softer. “I have been searching for her ever since.”
“Hold it. Did you say her name was Cindy? Could you turn on the lights for a minute?” asked the Huntress.
“Can’t.”
“This is important, Mr. Martin.” said the Huntress impatiently.
“There has been a black out for more than two hours now.” protested the man.
“I just arrived here ten minutes ago, Mr. Martin. That storm was a doosie, but the rest of Gotham has had power all night.” stated the Huntress.
“Then why don’t we have power?” pondered Nicholas.
“I don’t mean to alarm you, but maybe we should check on your daughter.” warned the Huntress.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to check on Chris, either.” He said as he rose from his chair.
“Chris?” asked the Huntress.
“My son.” replied the father.
The Huntress stopped in the hallway at a picture of a male adolescent. It was him. “Mr. Martin, is this Chris?” she asked.
“Why, yes.” he answered.
“May I ask what your wife’s maiden name was?” asked the heroine.
“Reynolds…Cynthia Reynolds” he answered.
“The GYPSY!?!” exclaimed the Huntress.
“Hunh?”
“She didn’t tell you? Your wife was a super-hero…a member of the Justice League!” explained the Huntress.
“What are you talking about?” demanded Nicholas Martin.
“You said she disappeared about fifteen years ago. That would explain a LOT! Look, Mr. Martin, I am sorry to have to be the one to tell you: Cindy Reynolds was the Gypsy…she gave her life trying to protect untold innocents during the Black Orchid massacre…about fifteen years ago…I’m sorry.” explained the Huntress.
Nicholas Martin did not know what to think. He was angry at the Huntress. At the same time what she said made some degree of sense. A solitary tear rolled down his cheek.
“There is more,” continued the Huntress, “She had powers of camouflage. She could appear invisible at will. I believer this night stalker that has been killing foreign athletes has both invisibility powers as well as the ability to duplicate himself. This man in the picture…Mr. Martin, I am sorry, but I saw him: He’s the killer.”
Nicholas Martin was enraged. “GET OUT!!!” he shouted.
"Creeeeeek" an opening door in the distance sounded.
“Who is that?" Whispered the Huntress on guard.
“That’s my daughter, Mary. She gets up pretty early to train for the Olympics. Now, I am afraid it’s really time for you to leave, Miss.” said Nicholas sternly.
The Huntress disappeared into the shadows.
_______________________(-)_________________________
The Swimming Pool at the Martin Home 3:06 am
Mary Martin switched the light on and off several times in vain. “Power’s out.” she mused. “Just as well. I need to practice the timing of my dives. Doing it in the dark will be a good test.” She started climbing the ladder to her diving board.
“Hold it!” shouted a female voice. Mary screamed in horror.
“Don’t jump!” warned the Huntress. She aimed her cross bow at the pool and fired. The arrow pierced a thin plastic film at the top of the pool and landed at the flooring revealing a completely drained pool. “Someone cut off the power and drained the pool and spread a plastic covering over it to make it look like it was still filled with water.”
Just then two men entered the poolroom. “Mary! Are you alright?” shouted her father.
“I’m fine, dad.” replied the young athlete, “thanks to this lady.”
Seeing the Huntress Nicholas warned, “I thought I told you…”
“He tried to kill her, Mr. Nichols.” interrupted the Huntress shining a flashlight on the face of the young man standing to his father’s side. With lightning speed a bat-line and batarang secured the stalker and knocked him down on the floor.
Christopher Martin wanted to turn invisible and run, but he was overwhelmed at the Huntress’ presence. He was sorely disappointed that his attempt to finish off his spoiled sister didn’t work out, but that wasn’t important now. Helena had found his home and came to visit him. If he cooperated with her now she might realize that they were truly meant for each other. “Mary…Dad…I–I’m sorry..” he said in calculated tones.
“Its TRUE!?!” his father exclaimed in disbelief.
“Mr. Nichols, I am sorry. We need to call the authorities now. Just be thankful that both your daughter and son are still alive."
_______________________(-)_________________________
A small home in the suburbs of Gotham City (3:00 am - 5:30 am)
An invisible man watched silently as Helena Wayne’s butler slept peacefully with his wife. Their baby daughter was cute. This Archie Kidman seemed to be happy with his family. He surely wouldn’t be interested in Helena. He wouldn’t have to be killed just yet.
The stalker could sense that his “other self” had been captured and imprisoned. That would be the perfect disguise for his next plan. No one would ever suspect that Chris Martin, the Nightstalker, could continue his work even though he was imprisoned. He just needed to come up with a way to get close to his Helena. Then he remembered a tribute he had seen on the news recently. Apparently, a member of that super-hero group, the Titans of Justice, had been killed in a recent mission. Perhaps they would be looking for a new member. He could get closer to the Huntress by applying. “If you can’t beat them…
…JOIN THEM!!!!” he said with a laugh.
TO BE CONTINUED...
…in the pages of the Titans of Justice!
_______________________(-)_________________________
Titans of Justice: Classified
Proudly Presents
The HUNTRESS
In
The Night of the Hunters
_______________________(-)_________________________
2:30am
CRASH!!!!!
The sleeping guard was suddenly awakened. He could feel the adrenaline pumping throughout his body. The bedroom window had broken. Guilt consumed Archie as he entered the apartment and ran upstairs. He could never forgive himself if something happened to Miss Helena…and how could he ever face her parents?
Banging on her bedroom door he shouted, “Miss Helena! Are you alright?”
Opening the door she answered, “I’m fine. I just had a little accident. Look, Archie, I can board this window up myself. Why don’t you go on home and get some sleep?”
Archie blushed in shame. “But, Miss Helena…”
“I’ll make you a deal: You go home and give that pretty little sweet baby this gift...” she said handing him a very large package, “…and I won’t tell my parents that you fell asleep on the job.”
Archie had no choice. He needed the job. He graciously accepted the gift, thanked his boss, and left the apartment unaware that a man cloaked by a meta-human gift of invisibility was watching him. Archie would not have felt as secure in going home to his family if he knew that the silent watcher also had the ability to divide himself into multiple men for extended periods of time. Surely, Archie would not have even gone home if he knew that the stalker had decided to follow him.
Archie was no Alfred, but Helena appreciated him very much. She loved helping him and his family even more than she loved his delicious croissants. She sent him home so the Huntress could work freely. She quickly finished boarding her window and donned a black and dark purple and version of her uniform. “This has to be nipped in the bud,” she thought to herself. “I have to assume that he knows my identity. I have to find this creep and close this case before sunrise.”
_______________________(-)_________________________
Digger Andrew’s bedroom 2:40 am
Digger had had enough. He had tossed and turned for nearly two hours. He could have died earlier that evening, but that wasn’t what bothered him. Digger had always been an achiever. His academic record was impeccable, but it didn’t mean much to him because he had never had to study all that hard. Digger got up from the bed and looked intently at the various medals, ribbons, and certificates displayed on the wall. Digger had been very proud of these archery awards, and they were only the ones he had acquired since coming to the States nearly a year ago. He had worked hard in archery. But now his life seemed a little empty. If he had died tonight his greatest accomplishment would be a simple award. Digger wanted to really live…and he wanted his life to count for something. Looking out the window he noticed that the rain had stopped. He grabbed his bow and quiver and left his room. Before getting halfway downstairs he stopped, thought a moment and went back to his room. He laid his archery gear on the bed and picked up the crossbow the Huntress had given him. Digger wanted a purpose in life and he couldn’t think of a more fulfilling one than to help keep the good folks down under safe the same way the Huntress was fighting to protect Gotham. Somehow he knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
_______________________(-)_________________________
A beautiful mansion in Gotham’s Innwood District 2:49 am
Nicholas Martin couldn’t sleep. He had an unshakeable feeling that something was horribly wrong, but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what. He got up and put on a robe. Suddenly he felt a draft. Turning to the window he was startled to see the windows open and a dark figure seated on the sill. Martin’s eyes widened.
“There is a man stalking foreign athletes, Mr. Martin.” said the Huntress.
“Yes, I…was so sad about Kwami…” he said with a trembling voice.
“You must not watch the news, Mr. Martin...” interrupted the Huntress, “Amy Blumenfeld was also murdered earlier tonight.”
“What!?!” said the man in horror.
“There’s more: Digger Andrews was attacked a couple of hours ago. Don’t fret. He’s still alive. But I have a question for you, Mr. Martin: Why are the exchange students that you recruited being stalked and attacked?”
Nicholas Martin stared and slowly shook his head in disbelief.
“I need you to think, Mr. Martin,” questioned the Huntress, “Is there anyone that would want to kill these kids to get at you?”
While Nicholas silently pondered the query, the Huntress scanned the pictures on the walls of the study. Pointing to a prominent picture she asked, “Who is the lady?”
“That’s Cindy. She’s my wife…she disappeared about fifteen years ago.” His voice grew softer. “I have been searching for her ever since.”
“Hold it. Did you say her name was Cindy? Could you turn on the lights for a minute?” asked the Huntress.
“Can’t.”
“This is important, Mr. Martin.” said the Huntress impatiently.
“There has been a black out for more than two hours now.” protested the man.
“I just arrived here ten minutes ago, Mr. Martin. That storm was a doosie, but the rest of Gotham has had power all night.” stated the Huntress.
“Then why don’t we have power?” pondered Nicholas.
“I don’t mean to alarm you, but maybe we should check on your daughter.” warned the Huntress.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to check on Chris, either.” He said as he rose from his chair.
“Chris?” asked the Huntress.
“My son.” replied the father.
The Huntress stopped in the hallway at a picture of a male adolescent. It was him. “Mr. Martin, is this Chris?” she asked.
“Why, yes.” he answered.
“May I ask what your wife’s maiden name was?” asked the heroine.
“Reynolds…Cynthia Reynolds” he answered.
“The GYPSY!?!” exclaimed the Huntress.
“Hunh?”
“She didn’t tell you? Your wife was a super-hero…a member of the Justice League!” explained the Huntress.
“What are you talking about?” demanded Nicholas Martin.
“You said she disappeared about fifteen years ago. That would explain a LOT! Look, Mr. Martin, I am sorry to have to be the one to tell you: Cindy Reynolds was the Gypsy…she gave her life trying to protect untold innocents during the Black Orchid massacre…about fifteen years ago…I’m sorry.” explained the Huntress.
Nicholas Martin did not know what to think. He was angry at the Huntress. At the same time what she said made some degree of sense. A solitary tear rolled down his cheek.
“There is more,” continued the Huntress, “She had powers of camouflage. She could appear invisible at will. I believer this night stalker that has been killing foreign athletes has both invisibility powers as well as the ability to duplicate himself. This man in the picture…Mr. Martin, I am sorry, but I saw him: He’s the killer.”
Nicholas Martin was enraged. “GET OUT!!!” he shouted.
"Creeeeeek" an opening door in the distance sounded.
“Who is that?" Whispered the Huntress on guard.
“That’s my daughter, Mary. She gets up pretty early to train for the Olympics. Now, I am afraid it’s really time for you to leave, Miss.” said Nicholas sternly.
The Huntress disappeared into the shadows.
_______________________(-)_________________________
The Swimming Pool at the Martin Home 3:06 am
Mary Martin switched the light on and off several times in vain. “Power’s out.” she mused. “Just as well. I need to practice the timing of my dives. Doing it in the dark will be a good test.” She started climbing the ladder to her diving board.
“Hold it!” shouted a female voice. Mary screamed in horror.
“Don’t jump!” warned the Huntress. She aimed her cross bow at the pool and fired. The arrow pierced a thin plastic film at the top of the pool and landed at the flooring revealing a completely drained pool. “Someone cut off the power and drained the pool and spread a plastic covering over it to make it look like it was still filled with water.”
Just then two men entered the poolroom. “Mary! Are you alright?” shouted her father.
“I’m fine, dad.” replied the young athlete, “thanks to this lady.”
Seeing the Huntress Nicholas warned, “I thought I told you…”
“He tried to kill her, Mr. Nichols.” interrupted the Huntress shining a flashlight on the face of the young man standing to his father’s side. With lightning speed a bat-line and batarang secured the stalker and knocked him down on the floor.
Christopher Martin wanted to turn invisible and run, but he was overwhelmed at the Huntress’ presence. He was sorely disappointed that his attempt to finish off his spoiled sister didn’t work out, but that wasn’t important now. Helena had found his home and came to visit him. If he cooperated with her now she might realize that they were truly meant for each other. “Mary…Dad…I–I’m sorry..” he said in calculated tones.
“Its TRUE!?!” his father exclaimed in disbelief.
“Mr. Nichols, I am sorry. We need to call the authorities now. Just be thankful that both your daughter and son are still alive."
_______________________(-)_________________________
A small home in the suburbs of Gotham City (3:00 am - 5:30 am)
An invisible man watched silently as Helena Wayne’s butler slept peacefully with his wife. Their baby daughter was cute. This Archie Kidman seemed to be happy with his family. He surely wouldn’t be interested in Helena. He wouldn’t have to be killed just yet.
The stalker could sense that his “other self” had been captured and imprisoned. That would be the perfect disguise for his next plan. No one would ever suspect that Chris Martin, the Nightstalker, could continue his work even though he was imprisoned. He just needed to come up with a way to get close to his Helena. Then he remembered a tribute he had seen on the news recently. Apparently, a member of that super-hero group, the Titans of Justice, had been killed in a recent mission. Perhaps they would be looking for a new member. He could get closer to the Huntress by applying. “If you can’t beat them…
…JOIN THEM!!!!” he said with a laugh.
TO BE CONTINUED...
…in the pages of the Titans of Justice!