CHAPTER 131

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[David Lance POV]

With the help of the information Harley had given me about the city and the regime's own information about the lockdown, I devised a plan to escape the city. It only required two things, irresponsible regime soldiers, some fake ids, and some disguises.

Thankfully with some research, I found them all. Turning our escape situation from an impossibility to a reality.

Now all that was left was the timing of it all.

"So, when are we leaving?" Harley asked as she chewed some bubble gum, looking up at me from where she was sprawled out on the floor of our hiding place.

I sighed, ~As soon as possible.~

~But what's the rush?~ Harley countered, popping her gum.

Was... was she really asking that?

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head, not wanting to get into a logical debate with her of all people. ~The sooner we get out of here, the better.~

"Fine, we'll do it your way," Harley said with a roll of her eyes.

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Later that night, after I had mapped out the soldiers' patrol paths, I found what I had been looking for. A few weaknesses in their formation, weak links we could exploit to escape, be it by their laziness, inexperience, or lack of good planning.

Now, all that was left was to put my plan into motion.

I looked over at Harley, who was sound asleep, her head pillowed on her arms.

Taking a deep breath, I poked her awake. ~Harley, it's time to go.~

"Five more minutes," Harley grumbled in response but slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

~Are you ready?~ I asked her as she stretched her arms above her head with a yawn.

Harley grinned, jumping to her feet. "Always ready for some Mayhem!"

Nodding at her enthusiasm, I put my plan into motion. Giving Harley her new set of clothes and ID as I changed clothes in a corner of the room.

"So, what's the plan?" Harley asked as she pulled on her new disguise.

~Soldiers 78 to 87 are about to reach our general location, so we'll wait for them to pass and then follow their path. I have studied their movements on the public surveillance thoroughly, and I have noticed there are some major gaps in their patrol, which we can exploit to make our escape,~ I explained.

"And that's the ID for?" Harley asked, looking at the ID.

~In case we are stopped and questioned. ~I said as I finished putting on my own disguise. The IDs were a last resort kind of thing, as first offenders of low-class crimes were not heavily punished, the IDs would serve to allow us some leniency in the case of capture.

"Got it," Harley said with a nod as she put on a pair of large sunglasses, hiding her bright blue eyes.

With our disguises on, we waited for a few minutes until the soldiers' patrol passed. Then we carefully followed their path, staying close to the shadows and out of sight as much as it was humanly possible.

The tailing lasted a tense few long minutes, but in the end, our patience paid up as we made it to the first recurrent gap in their patrol without incident. Now it was all a matter of walking a few miles north, and we would be out of the city in no time.

~Let's get out of here,~ I signed, giving Harley a look.

Harley nodded, winking at me.

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An hour later, as we walked away from the city, I couldn't help but look back at the place and feel a sense of relief washing over me. We had made it out alive and in one piece.

Harley grinned at me, her eyes shining brightly under the moonlight. "That was a heck of an escape."

~Now, it's your turn,~ I turned to her. ~Where is Batman?~ As I asked Harley this, I caught a glimpse of a movement in the shadows behind Harley, a few meters away from her, a movement that somehow felt familiar.

.....

It's Batman, isn't it?

Following my gaze, Harley turned around before a smile appeared on her face as she spoke, her voice laced with amusement. "Oh, look who decided to show up."

Just as I had called it, I watched Batman emerging from the darkness, his cape billowing in the night breeze. "I have been following you since you left the base. I wanted to confirm a few things."

That's Batman, alright.

"Jeez, I would've loved your help when handsome here was kicking my butt," Harley said, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she glared at Batman.

"His fighting style mostly relied on defense, and parries, showing a clear aversion to most lethal solutions," Batman replied matter-of-factly, his eyes on me on the last part. "However, the fact he wasn't used to the pill aggravated the situation beyond his control, leading to your now-solved situation."

Harley narrowed her eyes on Batman. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

"Now," Batman looked at me, his expression unreadable as he neared me. "Who are you?"

I took a step forward, looking directly into his eyes. ~You sent a reckless lunatic after me. You don't get to ask the questions.~

Rule number one of Batman, never trust anyone, not even him.

Batman's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "I see," he said after a few tense seconds, his voice laced with begrudging acceptance.

"Don't be too hard on him, Batsy," Harley said as she came to stand by my side, her arms still crossed in front of her chest. "He did risk his life to save me from the damage he caused... But it's like they say, the intention it's what it counts!"

Batman's gaze shifted from me to Harley. "Very well."

"So, can we go now?" Harley asked, bouncing on her heels as she looked at Batman expectantly.

"Yes," Batman replied with a nod, his eyes piercing into mine.

"Can he come?" Harley gestured towards me.

"I do not trust him," Batman replied, his tone final.

"Come on, Batsy, he saved my life!" Harley protested.

"No." Batman's reply was resolute.

Harley huffed, glaring at him. "Are you really gonna reject a possible ally? We are not in a situation to be picky."

Batman was silent for a few seconds as he looked at Harley, his expression thoughtful. Finally, he sighed and spoke. "It seems you are quite ardent about bringing him," he said as he turned his eyes to me. "Very well, you can come with us. But step out of line once, and you will regret it. Are we clear?"

~Crystal,~ I replied, not at all intimidated by his unspoken threat.