Who: Ace and Simon Dark What: Ace isn't one to be scared away by urban legends...even ones that are real When: Saturday, late evening Where: A park in the Village in Gotham city with a playground Rating: PG
Ace was glad it hadn't been raining. Parks were a good place to spend her time without being bothered. In particular, she liked the swings, but at the moment, she was climbing on the jungle gym. She'd been here for hours so far. She considered it getting caught up on the childhood she'd been denied by the DEO.
Her quiet playtime was interrupted by the arrival of two young teenagers.
"...we can't make out with a kid here," said the girl. "I mean, I don't know what a kid that young is doing out here at this time, but..."
"No worries," said the boy. He was the one who approached with a little smile. "Hey there, it's kind of late, don't you think?"
"So?" asked Ace.
"Your parents are gonna get worried if you stay out late," he explained. "Shouldn't you go home and go to bed?"
"No," said Ace, continuing to play.
"Haven't you ever heard of Simon Dark, kid?" asked the teenage boy, looking slightly exasperated.
"No," said Ace again.
"Seriously? You new to the Village or something?"
"I just got here yesterday," said Ace. She'd been in Gotham for a few days now, but it was her first day in this neighborhood.
"Oh. Well, Simon Dark...he goes after bad kids who disobey their parents. The rhyme goes like this: Lurks in the shadows, hides in the park. Simon, Simon, Simon Dark. If you're good he'll stay away, if you're bad he'll make you pay. Lurks in the shadows, hides in the park. Simon, Simon, Simon Dark."
The boy spoke in an ominous sounding voice, as though he was telling a ghost story. Ace got the impression she was supposed to find this scary, but she couldn't fathom why she'd have to be worried. After all, she wasn't bad. She only took what she needed to survive and wasn't using her powers to hurt people.
"You'd better watch out," said the teenage girl, joining in. "I could have sworn I just saw him here the other night and you don't want him to get you, do you?"
"Why would I be afraid of him getting me?" asked Ace, blinking in confusion.
The bushes rustled and both teenagers jumped. Ace, however, just glanced over to see what had caused the noise.