It all started with a glass of beer. I was seated in an empty yet cosy bar, with only ten dollars with me.

I needed something to empty this shallow mind of mine. Tame the demons. And only a big glass full of intoxicating liquid can do the trick.

"Here you go." His voice was thick, alluring. I took the glass from him, drinking it all in gulps. He stood there, gazing at me. "Go away," I rasp, unable to fathom anything in my surroundings.

He sits down, deep blue eyes piercing at me. I stare at his beard, full and untrimmed.

"What do you want?" I ask, hoping he'll go away. He didn't. He smiled.

"Why are you here, at night? It's dangerous for a girl like you to be roaming in the streets of Gotham." He states, raising an eyebrow at me.

God, he's hot.

"My parents died. An imbecile shot them." I babble, my mind trying to stop all of this, but still unable to.

God, Ariana, just stop. Please stop.

"I know how you feel." He nods, a tinge of pain in his eyes. He presses his lips, hidden behind his beard.

"What's- what's your name?" I rasp out, and he replies calmly:

"I'm Cal. Cal Corcoran."

And that was the last thing I've heard before I blacked out.