Electra's Web

CHAPTER TWO: SURPRISE MEETING


BATMAN turned into the alley his face set into a grim scowl. It had been another fruitless night's hunting.
Two more high-profile bank robberies and a vicious assault on the city's District Attorney which had left him hospitalised had set Gotham even more on edge.
The newspapers and TV and radio stations were having a field day. Questions were also starting to be asked as to whether the famed Caped Crusader was up to the job anymore.
He wondered darkly whether any of those office-bound commentators criticising his efforts had ever spent a night on the dark side of town amongst the low life who they were so keen to see brought to book.
But still, part of him knew some of what they said was right. He was nowhere near capturing whoever was behind the current crimewave being unleashed on the city.
He was wrapped in such thoughts as he made his way towards the Batcar - passing under the steel poles threaded between the tenement blocks which were used to hold the awnings used every week for the area's famous street market.
So wrapped that he failed to hear the soft rustle from above him until it was too late.
Just as he was about to look up he felt a slight rush of air and the pair of legs descended onto his shoulders.
His assailant tightened their grip on the metal rod above them and then locked their ankles across Batman's chest.
Thighs began to squeeze viciously into the Caped Crusader's neck.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," he gasped as the air was sucked out of him.
His hands shot up and grabbed at the legs to try to loosen the grip but his attacker simply increased the pressure. Desperately Batman tried to wriggle free but whoever had him seemed to possess immense strength.
He thought he caught the sound of a faint, sneering laugh from above him but his senses were starting to blur now.
He could hardly breath and the pressure of the hold was constricting the blood supply to his brain.
His vision began to blur and his eyelids fluttered before he felt his legs go weak and almost collapse under him. Just as he was about to pass out the strangling grip grew loose and he slumped to the ground on all fours.
There was the thud of shoes on concrete as his attacker leapt down next to him. Next a brutal kick slammed into his face snapping his head backwards. Another followed into his midriff throwing him to one side so he rolled onto his back.
Before he could even try to fight back his legs had been contemptuously kicked apart and a foot sailed into his balls.
"Aaaaaaggggghhhhhhh," screamed the Dark Knight as he curled into a foetal position his hands instinctively grasping his aching scrotum.
Through his watering eyes he looked up to catch a glimpse of his tormentor.
The figure was dressed in a leather basque cut high at the thighs with black tights and gloves over their hands. Their feet were shod in evil-looking platform-soled stiletto shoes.
As they leant forward to speak with legs bent and a hand on one knee Batman could also make out the thick auburn-coloured hair cascading over the shoulders.
"Nice to meet you again Batman," drawled Electra. "That was fun. But I thought you'd put up more of a fight.
"Perhaps in future you should stay at home and leave the crimefighting to me. That way you won't get hurt."
The pain in Batman's groin was refusing to recede but his senses were slowly coming back. He looked at Electra gazing down at him with an almost animal snarl on her face.
"Why?" he asked.
"You should have accepted my proposal Batman. I'm used to people doing what I say.
"And in the end I always get my own way. Just remember that."
She flashed out her leg - the platform sole connecting with Batman's cheekbone with a sickening thud.
"And don't forget to mention me to Robin," she said more as a command than a request. "I'm aching for a little téte-a-téte with the sweetheart. Just the two of us."
She lashed out again - this time catching Batman's other cheek with the point of her stiletto heel.
He grimaced in pain as Electra strode over him back down the alley. Batman twisted his body to catch sight of her but to his astonishment the woman seemed to have completely disappeared.