This is my first story, and this is the first chapter! It's a little short, but first impressions should always be short and sweet, am I right?

"And here . . . we . . . go!"

Chapter 1- Bogyphobia

It's night in Gotham. Night is more reassuring here than in any other city. As you walk down the blackened streets, you can always feel protected. Unless you're a crook, then you'll feel something else altogether. Sure, walking down a lonely street at night still has its risks, but hey, I like risks.

I kick a piece of litter in can-form onto the road, and the sound cuts through the silence like a bone-saw. Before that, it was so quiet that it became a sound within itself, ringing in my ears, creating a surreal symphony with my soft footsteps. I sigh. It's relaxing to have some quiet time after working overtime at my crappy job at some mediocre boutique. But hey, it pays for my crappy apartment and mediocre clothes. See how they complement each other? If you were looking for an ideal example of mediocrity, I'd be the poster child.

Life in Gotham really isn't that bad, it's just my life. Take one of Gotham's most valued citizens Bruce Wayne for example. He has more money than I will ever see in my entire life, and has beauty and brains to boot. His life is good. In my opinion, Bruce is a lot like ice . . . Full of himself, but still pretty cool. I bet he has people to drive him places, and never has to walk. Unlike me. It's times like this when I wish I were a bird-human hybrid, but that would just be a little freakish.

It's quiet, really quiet. Except for my footsteps, which are a little reassuring, but not entirely.

I don't usually say this because I never feel it, but I feel like I'm being watched. I don't like it. I whip my head around, causing my long black hair to whip me in the face. No one's there. And now I have hair in my mouth. Ick.

I fix my hair and continue walking, just a little faster. I seriously don't feel like getting mugged tonight. And I definitely wouldn't want to run into that Joker guy who's plastered all over the news in a dark alleyway. But then again, who would you want to run into in a dark alleyway? Johnny Depp? Yes, that would be pretty awesome, unless he was dressed up as Edward Scissorhands, but still. I'll just stay away from the dark alleys, thank you very much.

It's just a few more blocks until I reach my apartment building, which relieves me greatly. I've had enough bogyphobia for one night. I smile and shake my head, I was just being paranoid. I go to kick another can, but see none (Damn people, why can't they be considerate and just litter?).

In my vain search for something to kick, I spot something else, and it chills me to the bone. I quickly snatch it up to get a closer look.

A joker card. A bloody joker card. Why-o-why me? Someone up there must really hate me. I spin around, heart racing, eyes darting in every direction, half-expecting a clown man to jump out and go, "muahahaha I am the Joker, and you are my new minion, the ace of spades!", or something ridiculous and totally unlikely like that.

I could be over exaggerating. I mean, this could just be the result of someone, uh, walking down the street, and deciding to randomly open up a pack of cards to, uh, play go-fish with themselves? Ya, and they like . . . dropped their joker card?

Well of course that's what happened! Silly me getting all freaked out about a piece of paper! Please! There's no one out there but Batman, and he's out there keeping the citizens of Gotham safe in all his batty goodness. Ha, ha . . . ha. In fact, I'm so not freaked that I'm just going to run as fast as I can to my apartment and not look back. There's nothing out to get me . . . right?

Well, that's all for now! I hope you continue reading my little brainchild. Now how about some reviews? :)