The pounding on the door was loud enough to rattle the fra.
Joseph had been in the middle of reviewing Nova's stock market predictions, comparing them to real-ti trends. Better to perfect Nova's simulations before investing when he turned eighteen.
He sighed, rubbing his temples as he stood up.
More pounding. More shouting. The walls in this apartnt complex were paper-thin, but this was Gotham—people knew when to mind their business.
"Mary! Open the damn door!"
Mary. His mom's na.
His fingers clenched involuntarily. The voice was unfamiliar, but the tone wasn't. He'd heard it a hundred tis growing up—so thug thinking they were the biggest fish in the pond, throwing weight around like it ant sothing.
He exhaled and cracked open the door just enough to see them—two n, bulky, all muscle and leather jackets. One had a scar along his jaw, the other was missing a tooth. Both reeked of cheap cologne and stale cigarettes.
"Mary's dead," Joseph said flatly. "Been dead."
The one with the scar sneered. "That so? Funny, 'cause she still owes money. Dead or not, debts don't just disappear."
Joseph processed the words. His mother had borrowed money? Of course, she had. Where else would she have gotten the cash to send him to Gotham Academy? He should've realized it sooner.
He could feel the eyes of the building on him—neighbors peeking through blinds, ears pressed to doors. But no one was going to help. Not in Gotham.
"I'll pay," he said, voice even. "Just take to your boss."
Scar and Tooth exchanged a look before Tooth grabbed his arm. "Smart kid. Let's go."
Joseph let them lead him, feet dragging slightly as if reluctant. He wasn't. The last thing he needed was these guys making more noise at his place.
Joseph didn't see the door to Artemis' apartnt cracking open. A single eye, watching.
**
The backroom of the rundown bar slled like old whiskey and broken dreams. The man waiting for Joseph was exactly what he expected—overweight, gold rings, an expensive-looking suit. What was unexpected was that he was in a wheelchair.
"You got a hell of a nerve, kid," the loan shark drawled, leaning back. "Your whore of a mother thought she could skip out on paying . Turns out, she skipped out on breathing too."
Scar and Tooth chuckled at their boss's joke.
Joseph's jaw tensed, but he kept his expression neutral.
"I'll get your money," he said, voice steady. "Upfront. Give a week."
The loan shark's smile was full of rotten confidence. "A week?" he laughed. "Your mom hasn't paid in years. You get two days at most. And you better not be thinking of running. 'Cause if you do—"
//Warning: attacks incoming//
Scar and Tooth decided to reinforce the warning with their fists. It was all very theatrical—one grabbed his shirt, the other swung a punch to his gut. He let it happen, doubling over for effect.
Pain flared for a second, but Nova had already started repairs before he hit the floor.
"That's just a taste," the boss chuckled. "Pay up, or next ti, you won't be walking away."
Joseph said nothing as he pushed himself up, dusted off his clothes, and walked out.
**
By the ti he got back to his apartnt, his shirt was slightly wrinkled, but the bruises were gone. Nova had done its job well, as usual.
Artemis was waiting outside her door, arms crossed. "You good?"
"Yeah. It's nothing."
She looked at his clothes, the slight ruffle in his usually pristine appearance. "Didn't look like nothing."
Joseph exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's better if you don't get involved."
Artemis narrowed her eyes but didn't push. "Fine."
He walked inside, locking the door behind him.
Joseph sat on the edge of his bed, rolling his shoulders.
He was going to play along with them and pay the amount his mom borrowed, along with the exorbitant 'interest rate' they had tacked on.
He stood up, pulling open a drawer under his desk. The black balaclava and swimming goggles stared back at him. He really should upgrade his attire by now. The balaclava had noticeable holes with threads fraying at the edges. Later though.
Paying off the debt was just the start.
A dark look flashed across Joseph's face.
After that, he was going to crush them. No one talks about his mom like that.
**
Elsewhere, Boss Karoselle leaned back in his wheelchair, eyes glinting in the dimly lit office. Scar and Tooth stood nearby, looking smug.
"You really think that brat's gonna bring forty grand in a few days?" Tooth scoffed.
Karoselle let out a wheezing laugh. "Hell no."
Scar frowned. "Then why—"
"Because when he fails," Karoselle said smoothly, "I send him to Hugo Strange."
Scar and Tooth exchanged uneasy glances. They'd heard stories from their boss about what Strange did in secret. Human experints.
"That kid's got potential," Karoselle mused, swirling a glass of whiskey. "If Strange cracks him open, figures out what makes him tick, he'll be useful. And if not? Well, the doc always finds ways to make broken toys valuable."
He downed the drink in one gulp, eyes gleaming with sothing far darker than greed.
"Either way, once I've got enough power, I'll finally co out of hiding. Falcone's ti is up, and when I take over, I'm making sure Dent's corpse is cold before I sit on the throne."
Scar swallowed hard. Tooth's smirk faltered.
Boss Karoselle grinned. "One way or another, the kid's just a stepping stone."
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