#comingbackfromahiatus

It's the first word that shows itself on my phone screen in bold lettering. I slowly looked up.. The city skyline looms in the far distance; and it proves to be harrowing. It's the weight of existence, and the burden of choices: of who to be, or what side to choose. From what I can recall, emergency services existed, but they all fell short by comparison to Batman. Concepts such as justice and evil reign supreme; and a democracy of people with powers and choices can co-exist. What did I wish to be in my other world? I watch cars go by me in blurs. The smell of gasoline, the asphalt beneath my shoes: they keep me moving. Repetition turning into a motion of necessity, no matter the blistering that may have occurred from how much I'd done it. I didn't have time to nurse wounds. Everything up until now felt like a blur, like some dream I can't remember. I hold out my thumb, as if it were something I'd done a thousand times before.

It wasn't. It was risky, and it was stupid. My heart pounded so loud in my ears, my consciousness was competing for its attention. I had to stay focused, I had to keep moving…but to where? Bruce Wayne? I nearly stopped my stride at the thought of it. Part of me wanted to argue that it was a bad idea, but maybe it's the only idea. How can you start a life when you don't exist? It's never stopped me from trying. But, the rules have changed: A world where villains and heroes exist, and death isn't inevitable.

“Stop..just..stop.”

There's no choice, The relentless voice in my ear persisted, You have to see Bruce Wayne. He's the only one that can help you. But how on Earth are you going to get him to believe you?

I felt tears pricking at my eyes, how dare they vy for my attention? Time is moving to a crawl, and the longer that I’m out here, the more my nerves start becoming a struggle to maintain. What if a car didn’t come? What then? Or what if- My thoughts slow when I hear the old rumblings of an engine approaching me at an agonizing creek. My whole body tensed, but as the vehicle creaked closer, I saw an old and battered car with no roof, a driver who was an aged farmer, a man that works in the sun day in and day out. Often, farmers valued tradition and familial values, I only hoped that this would turn in my favor.

"Where you headed, miss?”

“Gotham..sir.” I'm sure he was evaluating me, studying if he should let a stranger into his car.

But, I watched his gaze shift into a semblance of concern when he spoke again, "Gotham..eh? Can I ask why?"

“Because…I have a very special problem that only Batman can solve.” I spoke it with confidence I didn't have, but I was desperate to keep up the facade. Every second felt like an emergency, Gotham City was Pandora's Box.. and I was desperate for certainty.

The farmer’s eyes went from a concerned look to a quizzical expression. He seemed to wonder how serious I was. He let out a laugh as if it were the funniest thing in the world. He looked at me, a slow smile stretching across his aged face, and the amount of disbelief that crossed him made my heart pound. “You’re serious?” he chuckled. “You really think Batman would listen to you? No offense miss, but are you insane?”

I felt my stomach drop with dread. Not only did I realize that I really was in Gotham, but this stranger was a potential danger I didn't realize until too late.

I did everything I could to stay calm, but I felt my fear rising, goosebumps littering down my arms.. just saying Batman’s name might have put me in a danger I couldn't get out of. But, if I broke down from the pressure, he'd be asking me more questions that I wouldn't have answers for. I slowly forced a smile, fighting past my primal urge for panic. “Ha. Ha.” I said, forcing myself to gently place a hand on his arm. “I just ..had to test your buttons.”

The farmer chuckled and gave me a warm smile. “Eh kid, ya sure fooled me there.” He glanced at me, his eyes taking in my appearance, “I like ya. You got courage, eh…what’s yer name?”

“Malum.” I say softly, with just the right touch of a polite smile. “Call me Mal.”

—

I moved to sit in the passenger seat, with my heart racing. I watched him shift the vehicle into the third gear, and then to fifth.. When I look up at his rearview mirror, I see a photo dangling from it, him, surrounded by family with a proud grin. “You’re a family man.” I say fondly.

I heard a hearty rumbling of laughter.. I watched his gaze briefly look towards the photo that he hung up, with a smile spreading across his face. "That I am," he confirmed. “Got three kids and six grandkids. They keep me young, even when my bones feel like they're tellin’ a different story." He expertly maneuvered the vehicle, merging onto the main road that led into Gotham. "Gotham's a tough place for a young lady like you."

“I like to think I have a tough way of thinking.” I say, adjusting the fabric of my blouse. If I was in Gotham City, then, that also meant that some of my phone calls won’t go through. Hell, my phone number probably didn't work.

The old farmer chuckled once more, casting another glance in my direction. "Ah, confidence is a fine thing.” he replied, his accent thicker than ever. “But there's tough, and then there's Gotham tough.” He focused back on the road before continuing. "This city ain't like other places. It's got a unique rhythm, a dark pulse. You best be careful who you trust around here."

I opened my mouth to speak, casting him a nervous glance. “What do they call you?”

"Name’s Forest Graham, but most folks ‘round here call me ‘Old Man Graham.'" His eyes flicked between me and the road, a hint of pride in his voice. "Been growing crops out here in the countryside for nearly thirty years now. Longer than my kids have been alive."

"Thirty years, huh..." I echoed thoughtfully, my gaze drifting over the landscape. As the wind brushed through my waves of pink blonde, I realized that the stakes of Gotham City were real, but along with fear came an itch for my ambition. There was so much I could reach for, and the possibilities that stretched on excited me in the very same essence that they terrified me.

"Look, it might not be my place to say, but... Gotham City ain't a place for a young lady to be wandering about alone. You got somewhere safe to stay?"

“Haven’t thought that far ahead yet.” I said, my gaze never tearing away from my destination. I was too busy strategizing, and his concern, although appreciated: had interrupted my process. I cast a quick glance to him, before returning my gaze to the city. I had until nightfall, and if I could make do with the daylight that I have now, It'd be somewhat safer to traverse by foot. I already assumed that I had no money, no wallet. Trusting another stranger, other than Graham, came with its own set of risks that I didn't want to gamble.

Old Man Graham nodded, the vehicle rumbling beneath us. His calloused hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening with concern."That ain't good," he said bluntly, his voice holding a soft yet firm edge. "You're a stranger here, in a city that ain't too keen on strangers, especially young ladies walking alone. It's the kinda place that...well, it has its own set of challenges." He shot me a sidelong glance. "You got someone you know in Gotham? Someone who can look out for you?"

I looked at him, judging by his questions, and his concern, I shook my head. “No. My plan was to make it, see if someone can point me in the right direction..Some place like WayneTech.”

Old Man Graham raised a brow, his gaze flicking from the road back to me. He looked skeptical. "WayneTech, huh?" he repeated slowly. "That’s a big, corporate entity. You reckon you’ll just be able to waltz in and ask for directions?" His weathered face hardened, his eyes reflecting the wisdom of years spent under the sun. "And what happens when night falls, and the streets ain’t safe for a young lady alone?"

“What else is there *to* do?” I asked rhetorically. “Survive until daylight..then try again.” I said, unable to hide the conviction in my tone. I was afraid, but I refused to be paralyzed by it.

"There's a whole lot of dangerous folks in Gotham, kiddo. It ain’t gonna be that simple. You got a plan? Or are you just counting on plain ol’ luck to get you through this alive?”

“You’ve not met me before, but this *IS* me we’re talking about here. I always have a plan,and if I don’t,I promise I'll make one.”

His stern look softened considerably, his expression becoming almost fatherly. He took his eyes off the road for just a moment."You sure do have conviction, I’ll give you that," he said with an amused grunt. His rough, calloused fingers tapped a steady rhythm against the wheel. "Still, even the best plans can go sideways in Gotham.”

—-

The car rolled into Gotham City, and I could scarcely believe the giant structures surrounding me. The city was alive, and bustling, and the longer I spent in Graham’s car, the more I started to realize the actual danger of it. For a moment, I was frozen from the realization,my hand lingering by the door frame.

“I won’t stop you from tryin,” Old Man Graham spoke softly, and I held my breath as he reached for an old receipt in the compartment, and picked up a pencil. I watched him carefully write down a series of numbers, and then his name. “You find a phone, and you call this number.” He said, before handing it to me. “You tell me where you are, and I’ll come get you.”

This stranger..would do something like that for me? He seemed genuine, someone who cared; but, I was still in disbelief nonetheless. “You’d…you’d do that for me?”

Old Man Graham chuckled, his wrinkled face shifting into a small, amused smile. "It ain’t much, just some old geezer who grew too fond of a lost girl," he joked softly. His eyes met mine, the concern there evident. "This city isn’t kind to strangers. And you’re a pretty young lady, ain’t you? You might be a tough one, but sometimes being smart about things is better." He took one last look at me, his gaze lingering for a moment before he continued. "Promise me you’ll be smart."

“I’ll be smart.”

I took one last look at him, before I stepped out of the vehicle and shut the door.

–

((End of Chapter One