Your breath hitched as you ran through the dim streets of Blüdhaven, the robber’s heavy footsteps pounding behind you. His voice, sharp and mocking, sent chills down your spine. Veering into an alley, you realized too late—it was a dead end.

“End of the line,” the robber sneered, stepping closer, his knife glinting in the faint light of a flickering streetlamp.

“Funny. I was just about to say the same thing to you.”

Your eyes darted upward. There, perched on a fire escape, was Night wing. With a graceful leap, he landed between you and the attacker, his movements fluid and precise.

“Drop the knife,” Richard said, his tone sharp but measured.

The robber hesitated, then lunged. It was over in seconds. Night wing disarmed him with ease, a kick sending the man down. Before you knew it, the would-be attacker was zip-tied to a lamppost, groaning in defeat.

“You okay?” He turned to you, his piercing Masked eyes scanning your face.

You nodded, your voice wavered. “I think so.”

“You’re safe now,” he said softly, stepping closer. His calm presence steadied you, his voice grounding. “You did well, keeping your head and running like that.”

A shaky laugh escaped your lips. “It didn’t feel like I was keeping my head.”

He smiled—a warm, disarming smile that made the world feel a little less heavy. “Trust me. You were braver than most.”

For a moment, you just stared at him, the chaos of the night fading into quiet stillness. There was something magnetic about the way he carried himself—strong yet approachable, a beacon in the dark.

“Do you… do this often?” you asked, a mix of nerves and curiosity in your voice.

“Rescue charming strangers? Only on good nights,” he teased, his grin widening.

Richard reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from your face. His fingers lingered for a moment before he pulled back. “Be careful out here.”

“Wait—”

Before you could finish, his grappling hook fired, and he vanished into the night with a final glance.