Playing Hero

~ POV Laura ~

It's been almost an hour since Laura had started sticking up posters. She covered a lot of ground and was pretty carefree for someone who's on the run. Sometimes she got stopped by some old people who asked if she was okay and was even given a hat by a shopkeeper.

After walking through three neighbourhoods she dropped the last 50 in the trash and went shopping. After an hour of shopping, she held a bag filled to the brim with Subway sandwiches. On her way back to Thomas she heard a cry for help coming from ally ahead.

She didn't know why but she ran towards the sound. She witnessed a woman surrounded by 6 men.

"Help someone!"

"We just wanna talk"

"Let's get to know each other"

"Please call for help," said the woman noticing Laura

Laura clenched her fist ready to let the claws fly but stopped herself after remembering what Thomas said "And remember no claws"

Laura gently put her bag of subs down and just as she was about to spring into action a shadow-like figure brushed past.

It was a girl with waist-length ginger hair that was around 5.11ft wearing light blue jeans, white trainers and a white sweater.

She went in low and with a twist of her hips her right leg was launched like a whip at a thug's head. She jumped and let her body move with the momentum toppling the man to the side. While falling she executed a corkscrew spin before landing on her feet.

She dropped low once again and swept the leg of another thug when he fell on his ass the girl rolled forward and dropped an axe kick right on his chest. She rolled back onto her hands and kicked off into the air where another thug's chin.

Just as she landed and was ready to face the other three, the thug that she performed an axe kick on used the remainder of his strength to grab her ankles. The other three thugs were quick to act on the opportunity. A brave thug acts as a punching bag before grabbing her hands.

"Careful you nearly broke a nail" Mocked one thug while the rest laughed

As they laughed the girl saw Laura suddenly appear behind the three standing thugs and with one swift kick, she burst the man's gentiles.

"Augh blagh" The man hunched over and puked a mixture of food and blood

The thug that wasn't holding the redhead then threw a punch but missed as Laura dropped just beneath it while moving towards him. Laura then jumped with her palm up knocking the nose back. The thug stumbled back feeling his vision go blurry before feeling a soul-crushing force hit his crotch.

The two thugs that restrained the blond girl looked to of seen a ghost as they froze and went deathly pale.

"Police! Move away from the hostage and put your hands up" From the entrance of the alley a voice was heard

Standing at the entrance was a middle-aged man with brown hair swept to the side and rectangular glasses. The man held a silver revolver.

The thugs didn't even think twice as they threw their hands in the air. There was not a single thought of resistance as they looked back at their passed-out friends twitching in a puddle of their vomit and their hands hugging their crotch.

The man then pulled out zip ties and cuffed all the fugitives before two police cars parked up and took them into custody. The woman who called for help gave an overview of the situation to the cops.

The man with glasses turned to the redhead and spoke with a concerned tone "Barbara Gordon, you need to stop running towards the danger or at least wait for me."

"Come on Dad you know I can handle myself. After all, I'm the daughter of the great Commissioner Gordan"

"Sigh What have I said about moderation? Two of those guys couldn't even get up"

Laura tried to sneak off but Barbara spotted her "Hey kid. Dad, she's the one that broke those two guys"

"Are you trying to push the blame onto a kid"

"No dad seriously she's got some serious skill and that speed"

"Is it true, little lady"

Laura's eyes kept darting between the police cars and Jim before giving a wary nod.

"Fine please in future try not to cripple people"

"I understand"

"Stop it Dad if it wasn't for her I would have been the one on the ground. Don't forget she's a kid how else is she meant to fight adult men"

"So you didn't jump in to save her but instead you started a fight and got cornered causing this brave girl to save you?" Said, Jim

"Ur, Um" Barbara quick tried to change the subject. "what's your name kid, I'm Barbara Gordon "

"Lau cough Lane, Kayla Lane I'm staying with Uncle Scar"

"Scar? Wait your Thomas Blair niece"

"Yes"

"No wonder, did he teach you how to fight"

"Um yes"

"Another little monster in Park Row"

With a dangerous glint in her eyes Barbara as she whispered under her breath "Better than us tsk"

Despite whispering, Laura caught it.

"Can I go now" Asked Laura

"We were on our way there. I'm interested in this Internet shop"

"The poster said internet cafe dad. It wasn't really smart opening a shop on Park Row" Said Barbara

As they started walking to the shop Laura was curious and asked "What's Park Row's Little Monster"

"It's a title your uncle held. I remember it like it was yesterday, the kid has probably one of the biggest wrap sheets for fights. I probably shouldn't say anymore if Thomas hasn't said anything about it"

Barbara piped in with a mocking comment "So he was another thug picking fights?"

"Thomas isn't a thug. From what I know all of his fights were in self-defence. He was notorious for his brutality and skill. Most people don't even consider his fights as fights it was always a one-sided slaughter"

Jim started talking about Barbara as they walked with Laura kindly sharing her Subway sandwiches. Twenty minutes of walking later they reached the shop.

• • • • • •

~ Barbara Gordan ~

I looked around the shop thinking 'This guy fought ten armed men, killed 3 with pens and the rest shot down whilst dodging. Like dad said his wrap sheet is huge and legendary. But even so, there is no way I'm accepting a game developer is more skilled than me'

I look at the rows of computers, arcade machines and vending machines frankly the place was impressive but what really caught my eye was the courtyard with cabin homes. It felt almost magical all this tech surrounding an almost village-like fantasy.

I then hear a door and see Thomas Blair coming from the toilets fixing his clothes with his face covered. As he got closer I strained my neck to look up at him as he stood at 6.3ft. Everything about him gave me a wild and unrestrained animal feel.

I couldn't clearly see his face but felt a deep-seated need to punch his smug face.

His voice was deep but full of charisma "I really didn't think my first customer would be the Commissioner and. ."

"Barbara Gordan" I struggled to hide my malice as I chimed in

"Well, aren't you a delight? So what can I do for ya commissioner?"

"Well actually I just wanted to see what you were selling"

"Sc, Uncle Scar I bought sandwiches," Said Laura while showing him the bag

Thomas reached over excitedly "Nice one, princess"

"I'm selling a lot of things. A space to access the internet, play games and sleep quarters. As you can see not doing that well"

"I don't think I need to say why it's not doing well. So are you done making games?"

"Nah I'm still making games I bought this place on a whim then made an Internet Cafe"

Hearing his irresponsible reply I couldn't help but be more right in thinking 'There's no way this guy is better than us'

"Have a look around, play some games and check out the courtyard"

Before dad could refuse I replied "Okay"

I then sat myself down at a computer only to see that it was locked. Thomas then came over and gave me a plastic card with smokey font saying Smoke Screen. He swiped over a little scanner on the side unlocking the computer.

Thomas then went to escort dad around while Laura played on an arcade cabinet. Seeing no one watching I tried to hack into the security system but quickly saw no possible entry not even hacking the wifi was working. 'Oh my god, his uploads and downloads are in TB, 10dBm what broadband provider is he using to have these stats?'

'Forget about him being more skilled at fighting. His cyber security and wifi are leagues above mine and maybe even Bruce's. I have to know

I rummaged through my bag and found my small bug with live camera footage. It has a 45-hour battery capacity and captures decent audio and video. I turned it on and checked my phone to see if I was getting any feedback but just like with hacking I saw nothing.

Thinking that it might have a dead battery I tried another one and another one, after 5 bug tests I've come to a ridiculous conclusion 'Does he have a smart jammer? No, I'm giving him too much credit it could just be a laser attack'

Either way, the information Bruce has on him is outdated.

* * * * * * * * *

AN: GG