Things have been getting worse in my city. Although I don't have the tragic loss that motivates our favorite character, I am none the less affected by the crime which surrounds me. For the past 3 years I have studied the city areas and streets where the crime is manifest. I have taken a personal inventory of my abilities and I lack nothing to take on this calling. I realize the need to appear like a specter to those I will now confront and I have the means to turn this city's fear against them.

I have seen over time all the suits we create and years ago thought I can either sculpt a suit or sculpt my body. How best would this time be spent? Thinking back, in the line of sculpting and shaping, I need to briefly go back in time. I must credit my father for handing me this mantle. My sister was kidnapped when she was 15 and I was 10. I watched what that did to my parents, the detectives that lived in our house for 3 months, the constant fear and sick wondering. I listened when they told my father what the kidnappers had done to her. I listened to my mother scream into empty space. I felt something turn inside me. You see, from then on things were different. He put me in training with a world ranked martial artist. Had me study Tai chi and other eastern arts, both combative and healing techniques. For 15 years I studied weapons and usage. All this was for my "protection". The "sculpting and shaping" has been going on for a while now.

So here I am today. My suit is ready, my skills are sharp. I have been in contact with the local police chief via a special gps pager unit/comm device. I have made him aware of my intent and we have struck a dangerous alliance. Tonight is my first night out....

I just received the page from Chief Harris so it looks like my night will start sooner than anticipated. The city has had many feeble attempts at crime control but the new Chief checks out and his initiatives are solid. My plan to strike out would have happened by now, regardless. But the timing is even better as his willingness to try me and his "Safe Street Sweeps" will start tonight.

I was thinking about you guys today and I want to share with you what I will be taking along tonight and the mode of transport I will use. My cowl contains a waffle membrane Kevlar and epoxy resin skull cap which I have of course tested and can take quite a blow. It's nice because it disperses the force of the impact evenly over the membrane. The cowl itself is custom latex and pulls over my head and cap. The suit I will wear tonight is a gray Nomex/Spandex one-piece with black chest insignia and black briefs. The cape is Nomex and satin and is lead weighted at the front tips and can be used as determent on close-in attacks. My belt will hold the following: 1 M-18 Advanced Taser, 2 Petzl Tibloc Ascenders, 2 Petzl Ascension Ascenders, 7/16 diameter heat and chem resistant line, 1 titanium 4" folding grapnel, 1(one) 6" High Coil mini crossbow for grapnel and line launch (tested), 4 (four) 2.5" diameter x 5" high micro smoke grenades (produces a volume of 30,000 ft @ 3/876m3 with 60 sec. burn duration), 2 kubotans, 8 mini'rangs and 25 steel core zip-ties for restraints. Boots are chem and oil resist soles with an aysm sling shoot heel for ascents, full leather lasts with armor front panels. Gloves are all leather gauntlets with 60 hardness resin fins.

Transport tonight is via a custom 1970 black Ford Torino GT with interior Opaque Ballistic Armor in floor, roof, doors, windows and trunk. It is rated NIJ Level IIIA protection. Powerplant is the 429 Thunder Jet V-8 supercharged engine.

As I suit up right now I remember an interview with Bale recently which said something about there is no way you can feel normal in this suit. That you change, become something feral..something primal. I feel that duality tonight (between who I am and what I am right now). I think about justice. My belt feels heavy but I'm not going to re-think it. I've test run this so many times I know it's right. Boots and gloves are on and I leave what remnant of myself behind and head downstairs to the garage. I think about who I will encounter tonight, about retribution. I think about dealing with the problem.

But mostly I think about my sister. I think she would understand.

See you in the morning, K.

It's 8:08 AM and my shoulders are on fire. Last night was as intense I as I thought it would be. I made it into the city by 10:30 PM for my 11:00 PM face to face (cowl) meeting with Chief Harris. I arrived early to check out the area in case the chief secretly held ideas about setting me up. I confirmed his location via the gps comm link I gave him and set up a roof top scanning area adjacent to his mark. Thermal scans showed nothing out of the ordinary and foot traffic was moving in acceptable patterns. So I waited for anything unusual to happen but nothing does. I set up my ascenders and fashion a zipline to his location. I launch and glide into the meeting.

I wish you could have seen his face. What is it they say, "Life imitates art". Comic art in this case. He briefed me on the situations and most of this I knew from my prep work. The area up for "sweeps" tonight is called The Empire. It's a 6 square block area rappant with child prostitution, muggings and drugs. This will be an all out assault tonight; incapacitate any target encountered. Tonight they will learn to fear the Knight.

I set up my grid for surgical strikes by quadrant inside the car's computer and fired up the Torino. I made the first corner unto The Empire and I was not disappointed, looked like we were getting right down to business. Three punks who are wearing colors of "The Fifty Freaks" are intimidating two young girls. One of the creeps pulls a long knife from a leg sheath. I gunned the engine and they looked over their shoulders.

I pulled to the curb and flipped on the the car's security measures, opened the door and stepped out. I looked at them and the rage began to well up inside me. I took my M-18 taser out of its holder and toss it on the seat and shut the door. They stood there and looked at me and didn't know what to make of the situation. I worked the silence as I moved towards them. They started to laugh and began their intimidation game. Young people, no respect these days. So, I think, I will start schooling them on manners. They learned slow..public schools.

The creep with the knife moved in and threw a high arc over his head with his right to slash me, screaming something about "Bat STEW". I let him finish his attempt and come over his right arm with a punishing left strike to his deltoid. It'll be a week before he can raise that arm again. He made another attempt with his good arm and I buried a right paw knuckle strike to his jaw. One down.

The other two came in unison. They were yelling at me to say something but I am a silent teacher. They made their moves and I delivered a roundhouse with my right leg to one of them while knife-hand striking with my left to the other and this lesson is over. I zip-tied them and moved into the night.

I encountered twelve other situations last night and I felt my transformation solidify with each attack. I maintained the line of our favorite character and will never take a life. I think back to my training and want to share with you that "economy of movement" is key in hand to hand combat. Do the most damage with the minimum of strikes, conserves energy.

I also need to share that last night I have encountered a worthy foe. His name is James Pavone, "Little P". He runs The Empire and is smart and can fight. I tell him his professional demise will be historic. He tells me not to underestimate him. I haven't. This tumor will take work to remove...but there is time.

I headed back to the Torino to find six punks shocked into unconsciousness around her. I kicked the trash aside and disarmed the system and opened the door. A light rain started and I tilted my head back into the drops. It's cool on my face and I thought about my old private school..about holy water. It felt like a baptism, for me and this city.

On the drive back I took inventory and saw there was good use of my tools. Somewhere in the night's conflict someone shot some photos as I saw the flash. All they'll see is a blur.

Well that's it from last night. In the nights to follow more conflicts will come and you will be there with me. If articles surface or pictures are published, I'll share them.

The real-world Batman is born.

Looks like some reports came in from the trash I put out. Local news had some coverage of a masked man taking matters into his own hands but no pictures, that's good. The news anchor chalked it up to sensationalism due to the wave of hero movies out right now, that's good too. I need to maintain stealth. I'm certainly no media hound.

I received a text page from Harris tonight with encrypted codes to get into the state database of offenders. Nice thought. I can get this info on my own but I may check it out anyway on a secure T1. I will be suiting up tonight for recon only. Just sit and watch and see what moves. I'll be mostly on the south side first then make way to The Empire. I think I'll take the Grand Cherokee tonight, more survey equipment on board.

(Entry from on board computer in Jeep)
I'm on Lower Acker Drive right now and I wonder how far I will take this passion, how deep will this go into the city and how high up. Lots of corruption in this city. I wonder, but He says don't. Just do.

We both know why I'm here.

The last time we spoke I was doing recon in The Empire. I have reviewed what happened on that night and how it led me to Madison, Wisconsin this weekend. It's crazy how things work. I have encountered a partner from this "board". I was contacted by one who knew my city's location and had knowledge of the trouble we are having.

He asked me if I had any needs. I specified in detail. He asked that we meet and I bring my computer info from my storage unit which contains data of specific tools we all use and offered to reproduce items for me. I had detailed specs on a new belt, 'rangs and prototype vehicle which he will mock up. This individual will go by the name "Truth" from here on out. In many ways he is an unwitting accomplice to this fight. He asked that we meet in Madison, Wi. on Saturday the 30th.

The coincidence of this meeting happening to take place in Madison is bizarre as I was heading there regardless on Friday the 29th after the intel I gathered on the 25th. It turns out most of the drug traffic that "Little P" is selling is shipping from Madison and a area called "The Bluff".

The drive to Madison was long. As I went through Chicago I can't tell you how tempting it was to stop and suit up and prowl that city's south side just to clean even a little garbage. But there was business to take care of and I was on a schedule to meet "Truth".

I made Madison by nightfall and checked into the Windsor Hotel. I set up my remote lab and walked out to the balcony. From my intel I knew a meeting was going to be held in the penthouse of this posh hotel, they were about to receive an uninvited guest.

I should tell you I needed to make some alterations to my suit for last night's assault. I shortened my cape by 4 inches to just above bottom of my calf and the cape that night was latex, 4 ply Kevlar and Nomex and still lead weighted at the tips. The fighting would be close quarters so the fuller cape would be a handicap. Also, I added a 4 layer epoxy resin and Kevlar chest piece under the suit and my new boots went up to mid-thigh for greater leg protection.

I suited up and went to the balcony. It was cool last night and I shut out any thoughts of the day but the facts and task at hand. I looked out over the city and its capital building and drew a ragged breath. The weight of this fight and why you know I must do this thing settled on me as it does every time before I don the cowl. I wonder how much crime is in this city tonight but I must focus on cleaning up my own backyard first.

I pulled on my cowl and my change was complete. Reaching back for my crossbow, I inserted a grapnel and line reel into the chamber. Then laser sited to my mark 5 floors up from my 35th floor suite. I got a return of 65 feet and adjust the crossbow's tension accordingly and shoot. I got a good purchase and ascended up the line. Peering over the balcony floor I surveyed who and how many pieces of waste are here. I let "him" take me over as always and he reminds me how these types of people hurt others, reminds me how they hurt those I loved. I think about discipline but I know this is more about punishment. The rest was easy.

I laid down a thick cover of gray smoke and vault over the railing. Several shots are fired but I am a phantom in the smoke. They missed and I take them out one and two at a time. I find my mark for the night, Markus Dupriee, and move him to the balcony through the smoke. My rage is measured and on a slow burn as I hold him by throat over the balcony. He begs for release and I say be careful for that which you ask, given his surroundings 40 floors up.

We discuss why he needs to shut down the supply to "Little P" and MY city. My helper Gravity makes it clear to him and tonight is wrapped up. But this war is just getting started.

Unhooking the grapnel from the railing I toss the line off the balcony. It's anchored to my balcony so I will retrieve it later. I drop Markus on his face throwing him into the penthouse but not before one of the thugs on the floor gets a knife in my leg. I bury a heel into his broken arm and turn to jump off the balcony and glide across the street and descend onto the grass of the capital building.

My glide is good but my rate of descent is faster than with the longer, fuller cape and I hit the grassy slope hard and roll with it. My leg is bleeding hard which slows my trip to my Jeep parked off the square of the capital building. I make it though, and change into the clothes I left and stow my suit in a compartment under the seat.

We need to stop here as My leg has started bleeding again and I must tend to it. I know you want to know about the meeting today with "Truth" but it will wait until tomorrow. Perhaps we will even talk about the physics how much a square yard of fabric will slow a falling body (as it relates to good cape construction)

Looks like the word is out. I recalled someone shooting pictures that Saturday and now the local news is airing reports of my exploits. I will post more info as it becomes available.

I'm tired today and I realize to keep up this pace I need to rest but there is no time. I was out again last night introducing myself and leaving my calling card. More on that later. I promised an update from my meeting with "Truth".

We met as planned in Madison and he was timely, I like that. We reviewed the three pieces of info (if you recall he is providing me with new mock ups of belt, 'rangs and vehicle) Everything checked out and he will proceed. "Truth" talked briefly about what I am doing and how this is needed in so many areas of our country. I want to say to you all, don't try this in your area. I possess unique "deficits" which predispose me to this type of behavior. That and my skills make for a mix many can't reproduce. I'll fight for us all.

So, "Truth" and I finished up and he will be in touch when the prototypes are done and I will share them with you. On the topic of sharing I thought now would be a good time to show you the car and an online image someone captured from my neighborhood "service calls".

I'm going to sleep now, busy nights coming as "Little P" is none to happy about my visit to Madison. Seems Markus told him something about a giant bat creature airing him out over a balcony. Man, the stories some people tell.....Goodnight Bros.

I have been spending time using the encrypted codes Harris gave me to search lien and warrant data. It has proved to be useful after all. I need to keep my blinders off and consider all valid sources of info to assemble this puzzle in The Empire. Pavone is connected very high up the ladder but the access to the states computer has given me an interesting edge.

I have run background checks off my intel of Pavone's contacts and have been able to track warrant history. It turns out I am able to access data nationwide off this lien site and poor Markus Dupriee has warrants outstanding in Illinois, California and Washington. All a concerned citizen has to do is pick up the phone. ("No, officer,I would like to remain anonymous. Yes, of course, you're welcome. Yes, I agree. More people like me") I can now augment my nightly forays with some daylight networking on my computer. Ah, the modern bat.

Now that I have put Dupriee out of commission. I will continue to turn the heat up on Pavone. Last night I staked out his home location and it seems he, too, must face his dual nature. For anyone just driving by this lovely home on any given day they will see what appears to be a happy family man tending to his wife, cutting the lawn. All very pedestrian.

But last night as I watched a party going within his home, watched him work the county councilmen, the city attorney, I know I have my work cut out for me. I watched as he moved to the terrace to get some air. His street sense is sharp and he perceived something and turned in my general direction. I stepped from my cover and we just stared at each other. I could take him right now, I want it. My shoulders tensed with fury over the charade this creep is putting up and I reach to my side pouch and withdraw a large 'rang. Yes, this would do nicely. A large 'rang tipped with neurotoxin to send him into a convulsive state. Give him a taste of what he is doing to others with his drug trafficking.

As I draw back to throw, a child runs from the house to the terrace and into his arms. He turns the hug my direction, his child's back to me, and smiles. Smiles at me, with his daughter as protection.

Like I said his demise will be historic. I nod and move away into the dark. I head back to the Torino and go on patrol. Time to release some of this rage or try to feel something good to knock off the filth I just encountered. I see a hold up in progress and pull over. We're fully lit as I hit the door and hold nothing back as the punk swings the barrel of the shotgun at me. I side step and use the energy of his swing to knock the weapon from his hands. I come straight vertical with a front kick to his jaw which cracks nicely. Hot soup and jello through a straw for the next 9 weeks for him. I ziptie him and press 911 on my cell for a pick up.

Yes, I feel better already.

It's been a long, hot weekend which started on Thursday night and a meeting with Chief Harris. We met on a municipal building roof top and poured over all the data I've collected from my trip to Madison and the intel I've gathered on Pavone's contacts in this city. Harris is impressed but something is not quite right with him. I figure he is under stress from the city's mayor to "bring me to justice". If the mayor was a little less PC he could see it's me bringing this city to justice. I have my own agenda.

Harris'and my info is spot on and he comments it's good that I am on the side of "good". He also comments it's good I have no jurisdiction to hold me, "Free Radical" he says. I like the usage and smile from under my cowl. He raises his dark eyebrows in mild surprise. I guess I'm not the most humorous image so the smile must look out of place. I don't smile much.

I have supplied pictures of Pavone's meeting with some of the city's organized crime members. Along with bank documentation that "Little P", though successful in business, has over $950.000 in a Madison bank of unverifiable income. That's never good. Harris is confident that the city prosecuting attorney will have enough now to open an investigation. Harris may have a hard time explaining all the info but will credit it to an "unnamed informant".

I'm confident this will push Pavone into the harsh light of day and expose him for what he is. It will also put him in question with his crime buddies as they are a paranoid and cowardly lot. They'll scatter like the rats they are. I bid Harris a good night knowing James "Little P" Pavone will soon be out of commission for a good while. Phase one of my plan is wrapped up.

The rest of the weekend I "participate" in another "sweeps" initiative which gives me the opportunity to cross off more quads on my attack grid. The gangs in this town really have a penchant for numbers. Over the weekend I encounter the "Thirty Thugs", more "Fifty Freaks", "T-Twenty Turks" and "Haze 420's". I like engaging multiple targets so when they see me emerge from the shadows from the ally off Buckingham Ave it is immediately "on". Looks like 7 of the "Turks", their turf as I am on Buckingham and they certainly know who I am. They just don't know what I am. I could tell them but instead I show them.

I take three out before they can take a third step with a 'rang for each of them. They hit each of them in non-lethal areas which happen to bleed a lot. They scream like little girls and think they are dying. Good. The other 4 are on me quickly and I go into a capoeira ginga (Angola Style, relatively new for me)then into a Spinning Handstand and take out two of them with my feet. Landing low, I switch to Wushu form and double strike the knees of one them come high with a strike to the jaw of the other.

I need to tell you that even though my suit is lightweight I was drenched in sweat. It's 97% humidity and 90o all weekend, even at night. This latex cowl is going to need some vents. Even though I took salt tablets for this I will need to add a water supply with electrolytes. Water bottles on the utility belt?? I think I'll use a back mounted hydration system with an ice core and run the tube through the cowl. Maybe it will give me dual benefits, a full cool suit is out of the question, bulky.

Although, after this weekend the bar has been raised and as I don't like bulk, body armor was not my first choice. I used some in Madison, a chest plate, but if I am going to live to see this through I may need more protection.

I hear him talk to me again tonight(really all the time now)and he says don't be concerned with this. The fear in other will protect you, insulate you. I start to answer but that would be crazy, wouldn't it?

Good Morning Brothers, Rough night again last. I took a week vacation from my day job and have spent time in meditation trying to work out the kinks in this body. At 42, I'm 16 older than our favorite character was when he started. It's true I'm in perfect shape for this task which life has handed me but what is it they say, "It's not the years, it's the mileage".

Last night was spent trying out some new equipment on the local drug trade. I moved quickly from one deal to the next using the alleys and rooftops to get around. My arms and shoulders have become incredibly strong using the crossbow, ascenders and line and the short muscle fibers which react for speed are now fine tuned. I notice the difference in speed and react time after these 3 weeks. For as prepared as I was to do this, the actual "doing" is paying dividends.

Let's talk about the new equipment. In the "hit and run" style I am using to suppress the drug traffic, I have found pulling a 'rang or shuriken from my pouch is not practical. I needed a faster means of delivery. HOLDER It is basically a titanium machined box with an interval spring-backed plate which can hold 12 'rangs (shurikens). I can quickly pull and throw them now without messing with a pouch flap. Again, economy of movement is essential in war. I can load and carry up to 4 cartridges a night for 48 strikes, very efficient. The other new addition is a mini flash pot which work well with the smoke when I need a quick exit. I can carry 12 as they are small, self-igniting capsules.

It seems quick escapes are what I need lately as the support from the local "serve and protect" is mixed. Some of these guys are hell-bent to bring me down while others are openly supporting my efforts. Each night out is more a trick bag than ever but they all know where I stand and if push comes to shove I hope they stay out of my way. Good idea.

It's funny, but the support from this forum has been as mixed as my welcome in the street. Most of you see what my life has done to me and understand why I have to do this, that ultimately I had no choice. Others of you have PM'ed me and fear for my safety, while some think I am totally nuts. I am, I know, but that's what this task is. It's not exactly a normal world when 14 year olds are put on the streets by their parents to sell drugs or a store clerk is killed for a quart of 20/20 or an innocent 15 year old girl is kidnapped and a younger brother sees the wreckage it causes and it turns him into something other than what either of them could have been.

Maybe we will talk sometime fully about the psychology of what all this means. About how a person can ignore only for so long what they are meant to be until the internal battle attempts to kill them. Or you try to kill yourself to shut up the screaming inside your head or make the self-loathing go away for waiting so long to act. Regardless of what anyone thinks, Kane had it right all those years ago when he created all this. I think he was probably out there actually doing it. I makes sense to me. Like I said brothers, we'll talk more about all this, it may help both of us.

By the way, thanks for reading. The war is heating up so more to follow....

It's been 10 days since we last spoke and things have busy. With the D.A. not authorizing the charges on Pavone I have had to take matter even more into my hands. Pavone will fall yet there is more to do in fighting this war. I'll fill you in later as I have suffered some serious injury on this recent foray,Pavone economy damage read August 17th front page

Hello Brothers,

I'm healed from the events in Aug, stitches are out and ribs are mended. I have lost some muscle strength from being down but that will quickly be fixed. I have received all the new gear from "Truth" and it will be much needed. Also, I have added more armor to the suit and gauntlets until I am back to 100%.

The last two weekends have been very random; just out taking it as it comes. It has mostly been petty crimes and assault which give me the opportunity to spread my message. I am here to stay. "He" continues to chide me for staying down so long when the fight is ever present. Especially now that the challengers are coming out of the woodwork. He and I are so close now I hardly answer him out loud when I hear him. Just a nod now and then as I take this fight nightly to the rundown areas and high rise skyscrapers of my city.

Chief Harris has paged and we have spoken of one challenger in particular. Remember what I said about escalation? Harris received a letter regarding my nightly activities from someone who asks what good is a bat without a little "Joke". Life does imitate art. Shall we dance....

If my presence is going to cause this type of response from the criminogenic mind, I need to re-think what I am doing.

The letter to Harris was signed J.Oakar and he has kidnapped the daughter of a local lottery winner. Her name is Lilly. His "little joke" is if I can assemble all the clues to her location then she will win the "life lottery" and I get the pleasure to return her unharmed to her parents. Kidnapped. My world folded back onto itself as I read the letter at the Chief's and mine rooftop meeting place. My demons know to much about me and plant seeds of discontent in those who would be my enemies. Is this only coincidence this new enemy chose to kidnap. This crime threatens to throw me off balance as it strikes at the heart of why I do this. Oakar can't possibly know anything about my past so logically it is just a kidnapping. Stay focused he says, the game is on and a life is at stake. Where did I think this would lead, he asks.

The first clue states the theme for this possible murder is "Reclamation":

"The sands of time move swift
Grass too little to hold them
A dune is lost"

Haiku. My adversary uses verse to test me. I have one week. Harris will do his part with his officers. I am at my computer now dissecting the pieces. This is a lake community, Lake Michigan..hundreds of miles of shoreline. "Reclamation..hmmm..keystroke DNR. See you soon Lilly.

Hello Brothers,

Before I head out tonight I had better update you on what happened with Lilly:

I had entered into the DNR website (Department of Natural Resources) and began my search for duneland reclamation sites. I knew wind erosion was a big deal around here a while back but thought that was old news. I found references to several locations which still had erosion due to grass loss. These areas were up for replanting to stop the dunes from blowing inland. Of the 50 spots I searched via the internet for 2 days I narrowed my search to 12 sites covering a 35 mile stretch of dune shoreline on the Michigan /Indiana border.

I rang Harris on the commlink and gave him the update. His men were working a similar angle but in the opposite direction from what the clues were telling me. He dispatched a compliment of men in the area I specified but kept some searching in the area his detectives thought would yield results. We had 4 days left at that point. The parents were turning up the heat and had little to work with in the way of patience. Lottery makes you rich but not smart and these folks were flaunting their winnings which made them an easy mark for Oaker. Now they were blaming everyone and making it very public. That made it hard for me to do actual location detective work as the press was everywhere, but I managed.

I worked mostly from 1:00AM to 6:00 AM in a quadrant grid looking for any out of the way piping sticking up from the sand as I was sure he had buried her alive. The time frame give by Oaker to me meant she had a way to breath. I was hoping he was not so smart and would have used good old white PVC pipe. Wishful thinking. I had the computer doing redundant searches of old DNR records referencing the words of the haiku Oaker left for us in the hopes for ..something, anything. We had two days left at that point.

I was keeping in contact with Harris regularly after each grid search was finished. His men were not turning up anything and the Mayor was breathing down Harris' back. I was at a fever pitch thinking of Lilly and what had happened to my sister. My lack of sleep made my "psychosis" more pronounced and the Bat and I were speaking more than usual. I kept it together and on the night before Oaker's deadline the computer returned a result for an article written in a DNR press release from 1978. "Swiftsand Park Losing Dune Grass". Current records showed no park with that name on the "Parks and Recreation" site but a quick cross-ref yield one hit; "Palisades Nuclear Plant". Swiftsands was an abandoned dune playground which lost its name after the replanting took place and the nuclear facility was built. I notified Harris from the Grand Cherokee as I sped towards Palisades.

I arrived first and the old playground was at the trailhead which led down to the beach. The old "Swiftsands Park" sign still half stood by the swingset. I stood stock still in the twightlight and turned up my cowl audio for the obvious sounds. A cry, A whimper, please God, something. I heard the faintest, muffled pleading, barely audible as Harris and his men pulled into the parking lot. I lurked into the shadows knowing that if Harris' men did not quickly discover what I had heard I would need to reveal myself to save Lilly's life.

His men were quick to set up a parabolic dish and a dead calm fell over his group. They turned the dish in the direction I heard the pleading and softly but quickly they made their way to the playground slide. The sound was coming from one of the support pipes from which the stair railing was hung. His men set to digging at he base of the pipe. We were precious short on time.

The time passed as they dug, 45 minutes elapsed which felt like an eternity and they struck a hard object with a loud, hollow thud. I sank further into the shadows but closer to the slide area as the press came speeding into the parking lot with the Mayor and Lilly's parents in tow.

As the crush of reporters moved in, Harris' men fought them back. He got the detectives to hold back Lilly's parents as his patrolmen opened the coffin which held her. They pulled the pipe aside and opened the lid to reveal Lilly, covered in bugs and filth but alive. Alive. The scene was organized chaos from there on out. The Mayor rushed forward for photo ops with the parents and Chief Harris as the EMTs scooped up Lilly and attended to her needs.

As I stood there covered in the now pitch black away from that lit scene, Harris looked in my general direction and nodded. He knew I was close. But in that moment, as my cowl audio was still amplified, I heard a rustling far behind me and to the left. It was a cackle, menacing and high pitched. I heard nearly whispered, "Nice work, Bats" as it moved away into the night. I have tried over the past 2 weeks to assemble who J. Oaker might be, that work continues. You may have seen all the press on Lilly who is safe at home yet not safe in her mind

Which brings us to tonight. Harris has received another call and I have no details yet other than its from Oaker. Looks like its going to be a long Halloween. Take care Brothers

It has been over 3 months since our last communication. I have been in contact with someone who has been monitoring my entries here to all of you. She has revealed herself to be ORACLE, yes, the real Oracle. I have pulled her into this obsession of mine and she has agreed to me my muse and confidante. I have checked her out. She brings 10 + years of experience to monitoring the internet and is well versed in deployment tactics, gps tracking and detection. She is not unlike her fictional counterpart. I perceive no difference at all. I have made her aware of this board so you might see here around. She will have full access now to everything I have on Oaker as I will try to unravel his full intentions.

Now for the reason for the delay in my communication: J. Oaker has taken his mania to a twisted new level and taken a life. I hesitate on the details as they are too horrific to disclose. But I can tell you that carved into the back of the victim was details on the murder he plans to commit tonight. A "special Valentine's Day treat". His first murder occurred within 24 hours of New Year's Day. Now A planned Valentine's Day attack. Once again the clues lead to specific locations, (remember Lilly ?) if we are fast enough. A local store clerk has gone missing, Marcia Wells, I found a gag bag with chattering teeth by the check out in the store. This is his intended victim unless it is a ruse. Harris and my relationship is wearing thin lately as he feels my presence my be Oaker's stimulant, I'll pull Oracle in. We have until midnight. I'll write in the AM...