I glanced around the old mansion for quite some time. I'd ask a سوال about a broken pot یا a portrait. Art still fascinates me today. I guess it got annoying, since Catwoman slapped me with the whip. "Stop pestering, Strike." She said. "Your room is at the سب, سب سے اوپر of the stairs. Come back down when you're done." She seemed pretty mad. This made me suspicious. I shrugged it off and went to the staircase.

Looking up, I could tell it was pretty tall. Tall, and dusty. I pulled out my inhaler and began the climb upwards. This mansion, I guessed, must've had three stories. I passed a middle level on the way up. The crimson walls were faded. It needed paint. "No lights?" I asked myself. I then shot a bolt at the lamp above. It lit up instantly. "Damn." I swore at myself. It hurt everytime I shot a bolt anywhere.

When I found my room, I decided to check out where exactly I was. My plan had always been, "Do what Catwoman wants, then leave." I'm not that kind of guy who's the team player. I look out for myself, and no one else. Besides, I wasn't a villain back then, and I never will be.

The room was dimly lit سے طرف کی a streetlamp outside. Dark portraits hung on the walls. A huge بستر covered with dusty furs had been shoved in the corner. I breathed in my inhaler. Too thick of dust. The window-frame lay cracked on the floor. "Who does her decorating?" I asked the air. A meow answered me.

I spun around and let out a bolt of lightning. It almost hit the innocent cat who had just happened to want company right then and there. I like cats. I swore very loudly for just barely missing her. "Why ME??!" I screamed. I didn't like my power one bit.

"Strike?" Catwoman stood in the doorway. "Comfortable?" She asked. "Good. I have a present for you." She walked over to me, using loads of hip. I know a flirt when I see one, but CATWOMAN??? She then grabbed my face. "Hold. Still." She then used one of her claws and dug deep into my cheek. It stung worse than the brick walls I had banged my fists against. "There, done." She let go of my face and walked out of my room. "When you're ready, your first assignment is almost here."

I just stood there. I went over to the gunky mirror to examine what she had done. A bleeding scratch in the shape of a lightning bolt showed up on my face like a sore thumb. My small gotee looked nice, but not this scar! It wouldn't heal correctly, so it would stay there like wine stains white tablecloths.

***

You are hereby invited to the Masked Ball in celebration of Gothem City's Tricentennial Anniversary.
Place: City Hall, the oldest building in Gothem City
Time: 5:30PM until after Midnight, New Moon of this month.
Please come in costume! The mayor will be attending as well.

***

"A party?" I raised an eyebrow. "Your big plan is to take me to a 'Masked Ball.' Yeah right."

"Don't take back, آپ naughty boy." Catwoman purred, amused. "You know as well as I do that آپ have unpredictable powers. All we need to do is get rid of the mayor, who is an animal abuser. I forgive آپ if you're not amused. While آپ create a diversion, I'll go for the mayor. Simple, right?"

I folded my arms across my chest. "This isn't going to work." I said. "After all, Batman's gonna be there."

"How are you so sure?" Catwoman hissed.

"Because he always is." I replied. "He always comes dressed as himself. Besides, I don't do murders. Killing isn't something I want to be a part of." Of course, the sight of dead bodies made me sick! Why else would I have reported myself when I had shocked that police officer?

Catwoman's eyes grew narrow. "Oh, we'll see if that stays, Strike." She کہا in an angry tone. "We'll just see."