You Can Run, But You Can't Hide

Chapter 12

Regina was packing some clothes that she had gotten when she went to a thrift shop earlier in the week. Some of the police were kind enough to go to her apartment to get all of her belongings for her, which was basically all her clothes.

I'm not going back there, she thought to herself while she packed.

Too many bad memories, she thought.

With all that she went through, she was being escorted everywhere by a couple of Gotham Police officers until they knew she was safely out of the city.

Two weeks had passed since she had been in the hospital.

Her physical wounds were healing swiftly. Only time could heal her emotional wounds.

Thankfully she had found a small apartment in Metropolis and thanks to Commissioner Gordon, she had a job waiting for her.

Regina looked around the small room she was currently occupying.

"Do I have everything?" she asked herself.

She wandered into the bathroom and looked in all the drawers.

She took one last look at herself in the full length mirror that was hanging up.

Her red hair was down touching her lower back. Her black tank top plastered around her curves of her body while her ripped blue jeans swayed a little on the bottom.

She frowned and then smiled.

"Get a grip Regina, you are about to start a new life. Don't think of any of the horror movie that you lived through," she said to herself while putting her hands on her forehead.

She exited the bathroom and gathered up her luggage which was only one roller suitcase.

She left the building and into the sunlight cascading all over the city. She smiled as she went over to the police unit that was waiting for her.

They took her luggage from her and loaded it into the trunk of the car.

"Shouldn't I take a cab?" asked Regina.

"No. We have our orders, which is to take you right to your new home," said the male officer.

"Ok," said Regina.

She was about to get into the backseat of the police car when she sensed something behind her.

She looked over her shoulder and saw a piece of black fabric.

"I'll be right back," said Regina as she ran over to the place where she saw the fabric.

She turned a corner and sure enough, Batman was there waiting for her.

"Have you come to say good-bye to me?" she asked approaching him.

Batman looked at her.

"I want you to be careful. I've had my hands full saving you," he said.

"Sorry I was such a burden," said Regina hurtfully.

"You weren't. You saved yourself. You can take on anything now," said Batman.

"I'm going to miss you," said Regina.

Batman nodded his head.

"I'll see you soon, I hope. Only next time, I hope not to be the damsel in distress," said Regina as she smiled bright fully.

Batman grunted as he turned away.

Regina sighed as she too turned her back to go to her new life.

She turned once more to say good-bye to the Dark Knight, but he was gone.

"Good-bye and thank you!" shouted Regina in hopes that he would hear her.

Regina returned to the police car and smiled at them.

"Let's go," she said as she got in the backseat ready to put this city in her rearview mirror.

The police unit started up and soon they were on the highway to Metropolis.

Batman stood atop the highest building in Gotham watching Regina leave. His black cape was riding the wind.

Regina sat in the backseat starting to doze off. The two cops watched the road as they drove in silence.

It was almost an hour and a half before they reached their destination of Metropolis.

Regina was sound asleep in the backseat that she was actually shaken awake by one of the cops.

"Are we there?" she asked rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"We are," said the cop.

He helped her stand and then popped the trunk to get her bag out.

Regina stood outside her new apartment complex.

She looked at the cops that had escorted her.

"Thank you," she said then she hugged both of them.

She watched them retreat back to Gotham.

Regina went into the new building and met up with the landlord, who was a tall good looking man that looked like he was in his late 30s.

"Hello," she said while blushing a little bit.

"Are you the new tenant?" he asked her looking down at her.

"Yes," said Regina.

"May I see some photo I.D.?" he asked her.

Regina went into her bag and pulled out her school I.D. that she had while in Gotham. She handed it to him.

"Welcome Regina. I'm Tyler. Tyler Nomare," he said extending his hand for her to shake.

"It's nice to meet you," said Regina shaking his huge hand while his other hand held a clip board.

"So you're from Gotham, huh? I've been hearing a lot about that city on the news," he said.

"Yeah," she said looking downcast.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject for you," he said.

"It's ok," said Regina.

"That's one of the reasons why I moved here. To start a new life," said Regina with a smile on her face trying to look on the bright side.

"Well, follow me and I'll show you to your new apartment," said Tyler.

Regina lifted her suitcase up and followed Tyler.

They went up 4 flights of stairs until they reached apartment number 7.

"Here we are," said Tyler as he got the key from his jean pocket and unlocked the door.

He opened the door and allowed Regina access in.

Regina walked into the apartment and flung her suitcase down on the couch.

She looked around and found everything to be perfect.

"This will do quite nicely," said Regina.

"How much rent do I owe you for the months to come?" she asked.

"It's 200.00 a month," said Tyler.

"That's perfect," said Regina.

"I start work in 2 days," said Regina walking over to her suitcase to unpack.

"Really?" asked Tyler as he closed the door and locked it.

Regina lifted her head up slowly.

"Yes," she said turning to face him getting the feeling that something was very wrong.

Tyler's stance got defensive as he threw down his clipboard on the couch.

Regina started to back away slowly.

"You can leave now," said Regina pointing to the door.

"Sorry little missy. Bosses' orders," said Tyler as he took out a knife hidden in his back pocket.

He started to walk towards her.

Regina's eyes went wide as her hand reached behind her and grabbed a pillow from the couch.

"NO!" Regina screamed as she through the pillow at him.

Tyler sliced the pillow is one swoop of the knife.

Regina then grabbed her entire suitcase and threw that at him. While that was flying for him, Regina dashed for the door.

Tyler easily caught it and slammed it to the door.

Regina got her hands on the lock, but then the monstrous Tyler caught Regina in his arms.

He grabbed her by her hair and put his other around her fragile neck.

"Ah!" screamed Regina.

He held up the knife to her neck while Regina screamed again.

"NO!" she screamed.

But it was already too late.

After he had done what he came to do, Tyler got one of her tops and wiped down his knife and his handprints on the entire apartment which was now torn apart.

Everything was in disarray.

Tyler sighed as he looked down at Regina who laid unmoving on the floor.

Tyler scoffed as he flipped open his cell phone and speed dialed someone.

Someone picked up on the other line.

"It's me," said Tyler.

He nodded as the other voice spoke over the line.

"It's done," said Tyler.

The voice on the other line said something.

Tyler clicked the phone shut and left the room, not bothering to look back or take the key with him, or to lock the door.

All that was left in the room was Regina, sprawled out on the floor, her throat slit wide open with her blood surrounding her in a puddle beneath her body.

And on the wall, written in her blood, were the words

"You Can Run, But You Can't Hide."

THE END.