Chapter Forty

(Uptown 777 Grant Wood Road, Time: 12:53 Pm)

The day at the barbershop was proceeding as usual, with Jayden meticulously tending to the hair of his customers.

The hum of conversation filled the air as people shared stories and exchanged banter.

As the afternoon progressed, the familiar sound of the bell above the door signalled the arrival of a customer.

Jayden glanced up and immediately recognized the imposing figure of Viper, a member of the notorious Gotham Punks.

Viper's tall frame, covered in tattoos and sporting a leather jacket, emanated an air of toughness and rebellion.

"Hey, Viper! Good to see you again," Jayden greeted with a warm smile, motioning him to take a seat in his barber chair.

Viper grunted in response and took his place, the tough exterior still firmly in place. Jayden had come to know Viper over time and understood that beneath the hardened facade, there was a genuinely nice person.

"So, how have things been going? Any wild adventures with the Gotham Punks lately?" Jayden asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

Viper scoffed lightly, crossing his arms over his chest. "You know how it is, always causing a ruckus here and there. But it keeps life interesting, I suppose."

Jayden chuckled, knowing that Viper was much more than his tough guy persona.

As Jayden meticulously trimmed Viper's hair, they exchanged stories and caught up on each other's lives. The conversation flowed effortlessly.

Just as Viper was about to leave the barbershop, he paused at the entrance, his eyes fixed on Jayden.

A flicker of something unreadable danced across his face, a mixture of intensity and contemplation. The atmosphere in the room shifted, an unspoken tension hanging in the air.

Jayden met Viper's gaze, curiosity and concern mingling within. There was a silent exchange between them as if words were unnecessary to convey their thoughts and emotions.

At that moment, Jayden sensed that there was more to Viper's demeanour than met the eye. He couldn't help but wonder what lay behind that hard exterior.

But before either of them could break the silence, Viper opened the door and stepped outside, leaving Jayden with unanswered questions and a lingering sense of intrigue.

Jayden watched as Viper disappeared into the bustling streets of Gotham.

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Or so he thought...

Just as Jayden turned his attention back to his work, the door of the barbershop swung open with a resounding bang.

Startled, he spun around to find Viper standing there, his eyes filled with a mix of urgency and determination.

Without wasting a moment, Viper stepped forward and opened his mouth as if to speak.

However, the words seemed to escape him, and he hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze shifting between Jayden and the world outside.

Finally, Viper found his voice, his tone laced with a sense of uncertainty.

"Jayden, I need to tell you something. There have been some strange things happening in Gotham recently.

People have been going missing, and it's no ordinary disappearance. There's a new villain in town, he's calling himself the Architect."

Jayden's brows furrowed, his curiosity piqued. The name alone sent a chill down his spine, an ominous foreboding lingering in the air. He listened intently as Viper continued his tale.

"He's got his hands in a bunch of casinos and gambling dens, using them as a front for his operations.

A few nights ago, I was out with my gang when I spotted one of the regulars from your shop. He was hanging around with the Architect's goons, acting all afraid."

Jayden's mind raced, piecing together the fragments of information. The missing people, the enigmatic Architect, and now the connection to someone from his own clientele—it was all too troubling to ignore.

"What did this regular look like?" Jayden inquired, his voice steady yet filled with concern.

Viper took a moment to recall the details. "He had a nervous look on his face like he was constantly on edge. He was tall, with a shaved head, and had a distinctive tattoo on his neck—a serpent intertwining with flames."

As Viper described the regular, a jolt of recognition shot through Jayden.

He knew exactly who Viper was talking about—the man with the tattoo on his neck was none other than Michael, a customer who had frequented his barbershop for the past month and a half.

' Michael said he's always had a gambling problem and he was trying to fix it...I'll check up on him after I close the shop and see how he's doing.'

" Thanks, Viper, I owe you one." Jayden said.

"I know," Viper replied, his voice tinged with a hint of softness. "But you heard nothing from me, you got that!" Viper warned before slamming the door shut.

' I really need to teach that guy how to open and close doors respectfully.' Jayden thought in exasperation.

Left alone in the barbershop, Jayden took a moment to absorb everything he had just learned. The Architect, the missing people, and Michael's unexpected involvement...

" I should talk with Babs about this after as well, she may be investigating this new villain case, she has been acting grumpier as of late."

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(Uptown 777 Grant Wood Road, Time: 9:27 Pm)

With the barbershop closed for the day, Jayden donned his jacket and headed outside, the cool evening air brushing against his skin.

He made his way to the parking garage next door where his sleek black BMW S 1000 RR motorcycle awaited him, its powerful engine ready to carry him swiftly through the streets of Gotham.

As he revved the engine, Jayden's thoughts lingered on Michael, the troubled regular from his shop.

He needed to check up on him and see if he was alright and if he needed any assistance.

Jayden drove towards Midtown, where Michael's house was located.

The roar of the motorcycle filled the night as Jayden weaved through the city's bustling traffic, his mind focused on the task at hand.

It was during this ride that he decided to reach out to Barbara, his new friend and daughter of Commissioner Gordon.

Dialling her number, Jayden pressed the phone to his ear, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

After a few rings, Barbara's voice filled his ear, her tone curious yet composed.

"Hey, Barbara," Jayden greeted, his voice projecting over the wind rushing past him. "I've got some information about a new villain in Gotham. Thought your dad might be interested."

On the other end of the line, Barbara's brows furrowed.

She was well aware of her dual role as Batgirl, the vigilante defender of Gotham, and as Commissioner Gordon's daughter.

She had kept her secret identity hidden from Jayden, wanting to protect him from the dangers she faced.

"What kind of information, Jayden?" Barbara replied, her voice guarded yet attentive. "You know it can be dangerous to get involved."

Jayden nodded, even though Barbara couldn't see him. He understood the risks but believed that sharing his knowledge could contribute to the better.

"I know, Barbara, but I recently discovered that a regular customer from my shop, Michael, has been seen with this new villain called the Architect." Jayden explained. "I thought your dad might want to know, maybe pass it on to Batman or investigate further."

Silence hung in the air for a moment before Barbara's voice broke through the phone once again, filled with gratitude and concern. "Thank you for telling me, Jayden. I'll make sure my dad is aware of this. But please, promise me you won't get too deeply involved. Leave it to the Gcpd."

"I promise, Barbara. I'll leave the heroics to the heroes and your Gcpd," he replied earnestly. "But I can't stand by while someone I know might be in danger. I'm going to Michael's house to check up on him."

Barbara hesitated for a moment, her voice softening. "Alright, Jayden, just be careful. And if you need any assistance or find yourself in trouble, don't hesitate to reach out. Stay safe."

With those final words of caution, Jayden and Barbara ended their call. He continued his journey, the city lights illuminating the path before him.

Soon, he arrived at Michael's house. He parked his motorcycle before taking a deep breath.

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Note: Jayden isent being reckless, he's just checking up on someone he's been trying to help.

And this Architect is nothing like the architect you might be thinking about, he's a new villain I've come up with, he just has the same villain name.