Dreams and Nightmares
Carlotta woke up early in the morning. The sky was still reddish and it was still cold outside. But there was the promise of a nice spring day. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She carefully touched her shoulder and winced. It was still sore, she couldn't see the bruise but she was sure it was there. She gathered her clothes from the ground and quickly got dressed. She didn't feel like taking a shower this morning. She tied her hair into a bun with a ribbon and quietly she walked down stairs. The house was still covered in a blanket of silence, not that it wasn't always quiet but the knowledge that everyone was still asleep made it even quieter in her mind. She silence Ace with a quick hiss. "No. Don't wake him up today dear one. How about a walk?" Instead of barking he wagged his tail and followed her to the door. She put on her coat carefully, not to use her shoulder too much. The battle the night before had been tiring and dangerous and considering everything she was lucky her shoulder was all that had been wounded. She dug in her pocket for her key and opened the door. She stepped outside and closed it behind her again. She glad that she had school vacation. No stress, no homework, or not much anyway, just nice days filled with peace. The only not so great thing was the fact that Terry was on a vacation with his mom and brother. Not only did she miss him but now she had to go out on her own every night. Luckily there wasn't some super evil lurking so there was little trouble for her. Still she missed someone to watch her back, her shoulder was prove of that. Ace ran past her, barking and scattered a flock of birds in front of her. She laughed. He was still very playful even though he was almost six years old.
After a walk of about an hour she returned to the house. Ace immediately ran to the kitchen in wait for his dinner. She smirked and hung up her coat, following him. Bruce was waiting for her in the kitchen. He held out a postcard to her. She took it from him and placed it on the table so that she could feed Ace before she read it. He eagerly started eating. She poured some coffee in a cup and she sat down in a chair and studied the postcard. It was a simple picture of Metropolis. She turned it around and started reading on the back.
Dear Car, Everything here is ok. Nothing unusual happening here. Just peace and quiet. It's driving me nuts to tell you the truth. And how are you? You still handling Bruce? Oops maybe I shouldn't have written that seeing as he'll probably read the card first.
Carlotta giggled and sipped her coffee.
Well that's really about it. My mum and Matt asked me to say hello so this is what I just did. I miss you and I can't wait to get back. Love Terry.
Underneath a little smile face was drawn. She smiled and placed it on the table, drinking the rest of her coffee. "Wasn't that the fifth postcard he sent you?" Bruce asked. She nodded. "Don't you think that a little over doing it?" "We just miss each other, that's all". "Carlotta, he's only been gone for four days". She chuckled. "I see your point". He sighed. "How is your shoulder doing?" he asked, changing the subject. "It's ok. It only hurts if I move" "And how about your other injuries?" "Could you stop saying it like that? I'm just not used to doing it all on my own anymore. Luckily Terry will be back in a few days". "I suppose. Get some rest today. You'll have to go out again tonight". "Right Boss!" she said and saluted him. He sighed and walked away. Ace looked up and her and she winked. "So that leaves me a whole day to myself! What should I do with it?" The day passed quicker then she had hoped it would. Before she knew it darkness had fallen and she was all suited up, ready to go. "Be careful out there," he told her. "And if you feel you can't go on anymore come back. Don't push yourself". "I never push myself Bruce". He glanced at her. "When you tell me not to!" she quickly added. He nodded. "All right. See ya in a few hours" and she took off.
It was very quiet out that evening so Carlotta decided to make a quick round and then go to bed. She was about to go home when she heard a scream coming from an alley behind her. She sighed. "Bruce?" she said "Yes?" his voice came through the com-link. "There is something going on in an alley my the shopping mall. I'm going to take a look". "All right be careful". "I will". She turned around and quickly went back to the alley. Silently she climbed up the wall and overlooked the alley from above. Beneath her there was a robbery going on. "Jokerz" she growled hatefully. Immediately Bruce's voice came through the com-link. "Watch out Carlotta. You get very fired up when you're facing Jokerz and this time Terry isn't there to back you up. Understand?" She took a deep breath. "Got it". She narrowed her eyes as she someone walking. She recognised the way the guy moved from somewhere. She jumped to the other side so she could she his front. She identified him as a guy from her class. "I know one of those guys" she informed Bruce. "He's from my class. His name his Kyle Patterson". "I'll look into it" he replied. She waited for a moment more until she was sure just how many there were. She saw only three of them. It shouldn't be anymore problem. "Here I go," she said. She ran to the edge of the roof and dived off, landing on the ground gracefully. "Don't you boys know it's wrong to steal" she said. "Hey look who we have here!?" one of the Jokerz she didn't know said. "Where did you put you pet-bat".
Carlotta growled and took one swing and him, knocking him into the wall and he landed on the ground, not getting up. "That's one down, two to go!" "Get her!" Kyle ordered the other one. He was clearly the leader of the 'gang'. The other Jokerz had a weapon, a six-foot long chain. He swung the chain at her quickly. Carlotta dodged as best as she could but because of her injuries she was slower then normal and it hit her on her knees. She hissed and felt a searing pain. Still she managed to keep standing. He swung it at her arm but this time she lifted her arms and the chain was twisted around her arms. She gave it a tuck and the Joker was pulled towards her. She trusted her knee in his stomach and he grunted in pain. She pulled the chain out of his hand and used it to tie him up. She gave him a hard kick in his side and he rolled over to his buddy, also remaining still. "Very good" Kyle said with a sarcastic applause. "Of course those two were nothing compared to me". "Why do Jokerz always think they are so great?" "I would know. I just know I'm good". She narrowed her eyes and studied him. She did remember something about Kyle. Wasn't he in the schools wrestling team? She had to be careful. He might just me stronger then she thought. Kyle saw that she was lost in though to he rushed forward and trusted his fist in her stomach. Carlotta was just in time to block it, not knowing it she should be irritated or amazed by his speed. She back of a few paces and prepared for another blast. However none was coming so she turned her defence in offence and lunged at him, the palm over her hand burring in his side. He quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her next to him. His fists hit her knees hard, remembering that the chain already hit them. Carlotta screamed in pain and fell down to the ground. Kyle quickly got on top of her and started slapping her across her face, until she passed out.