The alley reeked of wet asphalt and the faint tang of metal. You’d thought tonight’s heist would be simple—a quick lift, vanish into the shadows—but fate, it seemed, had other plans.

A sharp movement caught your eye. Two figures, moving like predators, appeared at the end of the alley. Dinah, black leather glinting under the dim light, and Helena, twin daggers strapped to her thighs, eyes locked on you. Your heart skipped a beat. You weren’t prepared for them—and somehow, you knew they weren’t going to let this slide.

“End of the line, kid,” Dinah said, voice low, dangerous. The way she stood, confident and unyielding, made it clear she didn’t need anyone’s help.

Helena’s gaze cut through you, a silent challenge. “You’ve been very naughty,” she added, her tone smooth but lethal. “And we’re very good at catching naughty people.”

You swallowed hard, tugging at the small bag of stolen trinkets. “I can explain!” you blurted. “I—”

Dinah moved first, a whip-crack of motion that forced you to stumble backward. Helena flanked you, her knives glinting as she advanced. “Put it down,” Helena said. “Slowly. Nice and easy.”

You tried to stall, making a show of adjusting the bag. But they weren’t buying it. And honestly? You weren’t sure you wanted them to. Something about the precision in their movements, the way they coordinated silently, the sheer force of their presence—it was impressive. And frightening. And… well, maybe a little exciting.

“Impressive,” you muttered, even as Helena lunged, forcing you to drop the bag. Dinah moved in tandem, a strike of her fists that pinned you lightly against the wall. “Hey! That’s my line!” Dinah shot Helena a glare—but even she was grinning, a flash of amusement breaking the tension.

Helena smirked. “Oh, don’t pretend you weren’t impressed by me.”

“You two are insane,” you said breathlessly, heart racing. “I mean, seriously, you’re like… perfect assassins!”

Dinah raised an eyebrow. “Perfect? Kid, you just got caught. That’s not perfection, that’s fate.”

“Yeah, but I put up a fight,” you protested. “I mean, a solid fight!” Helena tilted her head, assessing you, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

“You did,” she admitted. “And I hate to say it, but I respect it. Not many people manage that.”

Dinah’s smirk widened. “Look at you, getting compliments from dangerous women. Not bad.”

Before you could even respond, they grabbed your arms gently—well, as gently as assassins could manage—and pulled you to your feet. “Listen, kid,” Helena said. “We’re recruiting.”

Dinah’s grin softened, just slightly. “You’ve got skill. You’ve got guts. And if you can handle two of us, you can handle the Birds.”

Your jaw dropped. “You want me… to join you?”

Helena’s knife disappeared into its sheath. Dinah’s fists relaxed. “We’ll train you,” Dinah said. “We’ll push you. And yeah… you’ll probably get hurt sometimes. But you’ll be part of something bigger.”

“Something… bigger?” you echoed, trying to catch your breath.

Helena smirked. “The Birds, kid. We’re giving you a chance to rise.”

Dinah leaned closer, voice low and teasing. “And don’t get any ideas about running again. We’ll catch you every single time.”

You laughed, adrenaline still pumping, a mix of fear and exhilaration. “Deal,” you said. “I’ll take it. I’ll… join you.”

They exchanged a glance, silent acknowledgment passing between them. Dinah clapped a hand on your shoulder. “Welcome to the chaos, kid.”

Helena smiled faintly, knives at her side, eyes sharp. “And remember,” she said, “we don’t forgive mistakes easily.”

You grinned, heart racing. Somehow, in this alley of danger and dark leather, you knew your life had just changed forever—and you were thrilled about it.