Batgirl Reborn

Just a few weeks ago, she and her family had made what was to be their last performance. There was nothing to indicate that it would be any different from the other times. Her twin sister Silvia had kissed her cheek, squeezed her hand, and said, "Go get 'em Sis!" as she always did.. She remembered the look of pride and excitement on her face. This was one of her favorite parts, she skated out doing various twists, turns, flips, and twirls with such grace that she imagined would make Olympic figure skaters green with envy. She spun around and around until everything was blurry.

Chloe wiped her eyes and gazed upon the emptiness of the room. Never again would she feel that joy. Never again would she be joined with her family. For they too, were gone. Her parents had succumbed to the Clench moments before the cure was brought in. Escape artists to the end. This time they escaped their own lives. And Silvia, dear Silvia, had seen the fires burning, heard the screams of terror, and the cries of rage from the riotors as they destroyed the once beautiful city. Silvia had gone out to try to help the innocents trapped in burning buildings, never to return; slain by the enraged, panicking masses. In this dark hour, she tried to save lives, while others were trying to take them. A single brave soul; soon joined with the ranks of the dead. Gotham had always been their favorite city. Something about it was just so enthralling; The vibrant life that thrived in every corner, the crowded streets, and the excitement of daily activities. Now it was almost moribund. A dread silence had spread over the city, almost suffocating the last embers of prosperity.

Chloe glided to the exit where she removed her skates and took one final look around the arena. With a heavy sigh she headed out the door. She would have to go home and get ready for her job interview.

CHLOE'S APARTMENT:

Chloe searched frantically for her organizer. Upon finding it she let out a triumphant crow. She toyed with her long, red hair, trying to determine whether she should put it up or leave it down. Finally deciding, she put it up in a neat bun, grabbed her satchel and rushed out the door.

Chloe was dressed in a black knee-lenght skirt, a black dress jacket, and pine green undershirt. She walked through the door to "Gorf's Grill". There was ample space and the food smelled good. The walls were off-white with depictions of grilled food. There were numerous booths along the walls and a long counter with stools in the center. It didn't look so bad, she decided, walking up to the counter. "Excuse me," she said politely.

A middle-aged woman with thick glasses, wearing a pale mint-green waitress uniform, turned to her smiling pleasantly. "Can I help you, Honey?"

Chloe returned the smile, "Yes Ma'am. I'm here for the job opening--" "Oh! Of course!" The woman said excitedly, "George! Come out here!"

A plump middle-aged man, with receding hairline, wearing a pale mint-green apron, sauntered out. "What is it Ethyl?" he thundered in a deep voice.

"We have someone applying for the job! Isn't she just the prettiest young thing?"

George smiled approvingly, "She certainly is!"

Ethyl gestured to one of the stools, "Have a seat, dear." Chloe thanked her as she sat down, pulling her satchel onto her lap. Ethyl leaned across the counter while George twisted a tan drying rag in his hands.

"Now what's you're name, darlin'?" George inquired.

"Chloe," she answered,"Chloe Zharkov."

Ethyl patted her hand, "Such a pretty name, too! Now do you have any experience as a waitress?"

Chloe blushed, "No Ma'am, but I have been previously employed... let me show you my resume." She opened her satchel and pulled out a folder, setting it gently on the countertop.

LATER:

Chloe walked into her empty apartment and set her satchel on the coffee table. The interview had gone well. George and Ethyl had been impressed despite her lack of experience as a waitress. They had figured that if she had the coordination and intelligence to be in an ice-skating magic show, she could easily carry full trays and take orders. Of course, they also speculated that a girl with her looks would attract more customers. Being a waitress was hardly a glamorous job-- not nearly as exciting as performing "Mystical Ice", but it was a job. The extra money would help to get her through college. (Most of the money her family earned was tied up in stocks or tucked away in a trust fund that she couldn't touch until she turned 21).

She pulled out the hair band and gave her long strands a toss. Then loosened her bra and walked toward the bedroom. As she stepped, she heard the crinkling of paper underfoot. Looking down, she saw a paper bag, it's contents spilled on the floor.

"Must have knocked it over on the way out."

She squatted down and began gathering up the contents. Old photographs. She smiled sadly as she looked at them. A lump formed in her throat. This was all she had left of her family. Photographs and memories. She sat on the floor and traced her fingers across the faces as if they could somehow reach back and wipe away the tears that had sprung forth from her dark brown eyes. She looked at each picture longingly. Wishing that some magical force could whisk her back in time to that moment so she could be with her family again. But this wasn't a fairy tale and there were no fairy god-mothers. There was only the cold reality of her seemingly meaningless existence. One lone heart beat in this room. A heart that was not accustomed to solitude. For all her life, Silvia's company had been a constant. They did almost everything together.

Chloe picked up another picture. In it, she and Silvia were cuddled close together, showing off their gifts on their 16th birthday. Chloe looked at her sister's face. In the past she had always found it difficult to figure out which one was her, in photographs. But for some strange reason, Silvia had always been able to tell. Silvia seemed to know almost everything. Chloe hadn't realized how much she had depended on her twin, until now. "Oh, Silvia," She whispered, "what am I going to do without you?" How could she ever fill the void? How could she make up for her inadequacies?

"What can I do to be worthy of your memory?" She stared at the photographs spread out on the floor, waiting for an answer. Suddenly, one of the photographs caught her eye. She blinked twice, then picked it up. Then closed her eyes and conjured up the memory:

It was Halloween. She and Silvia were dressed as female Batmen at a "haunted house". There were rubber masks, scarecrows, and candles everywhere. While other children screamed in terror, Silvia laughed with amusement and explained how each trick was done. This had a calming effect on Chloe. With Silvia there she had nothing to fear. The haunted house would have been pretty boring if Silvia hadn't kept cracking jokes. The comedy routine was suddenly interrupted by blood-curdling shrieks. Silvia frowned. Those weren't the shrieks of frightened children. Heavy smoke poured into the room and the shrieks were soon accompanied by a chorus of shouts. FIRE!!! A wall of flame burst behind them. Silvia grabbed Chloe's hand and dragged her away. This was no fun-house trick. This was real. They were the last ones left in the maze. Dashing towards the exit, they were stopped dead in their tracks by a flaming beam that came crashing down in front of them. Silvia quickly pulled Chloe to the floor, instructing her to pull her cape over her face. She started kicking the weakest looking wall and shouting "We're in here!" There was no answer. She and Chloe kept kicking in hopes of drawing assistance. The heat was almost blistering. Just when they thought they would be consumed by the inferno, something grabbed them and lifted them to safety. They took in large lungfulls of the fresh air and tried to clear their eyes.

"Are you alright?" a melodious feminine voice inquired. Coming into focus, Chloe saw a woman dressed in a Batman costume, only slightly different.

"You're not dressed up for Halloween," Silvia observed.

"No," the young woman replied, "I'm the real Batgirl."

"Batgirl!? Wow!" Silvia gasped.

"Chloe! Silvia!" a hysterical voice shouted. The twins looked up to see their father rushing over, "My little angels! Are you hurt? You must have been terrified! I know I was!" Tears of joy rolled down his cheeks.

Batgirl looked at him thoughtfully, "These two were very brave, Mister..."

"Zharkov," He stated, "Mortimer Thackary Zharkov."

"Mortimer the Magician!?" Batgirl asked in surprise.

"The one and only!" the twins said proudly.

Now it was Batgirl's turn to be impressed, "I've watched your show. I love it! I didn't know you had twins! Guess that explains how you do some of the tricks!"

Mortimer bowedslightly, "Guilty as charged. Just don't let the general public know."

Batgirl smiled brightly, "You guys are great! I'm honored to meet you!"

Mortimer shook his head, "I'm the one who should be honored. You just saved my girls!"

Just then Silvia piped in, "Since everyone's so honored, can we have our picture taken with you?"

"Sure!" Batgirl replied enthusiastically, "But only if I get to keep one of them. Deal?"

"Deal!" the twins responded in unison.

After the photos were taken Mortimer turned to Batgirl, handing one to her, "If there's anything I can do--"

Batgirl waved him off, "No thank you, Sir. Just being able to see all of you perform again is good enough for me." Within moments she was gone.

Silvia stared up into the midnight sky in amazement. "Someday I'm going to be just like her! Someday, I'm going to be a Batgirl!"

Tears trickled down Chloe's lips as she finally found her answer; She realized her true purpose in life. Poor Silvia. Now she would never have that chance. But she had once said that identical twins were almost like the exact same person. "I know what to do now, Silvia. I'm going to make you proud. I'm going to be what you wanted to be. I'm going to be, Batgirl!"

by: Suzanne E. R. Johnston

Back to my Greenhouse