The heavy darkness blanketed the streets and alleys, the wet pavement reflecting the faltering glow of neon lights. At the end of the alley, a streetlamp flickered eerily a few times before finally going out.
Supporting Bucky, Miaomiao rose onto her tiptoes and looked toward the scattered shops still lit on either side of the street. She wanted to find somewhere open so she could borrow a phone to contact Uncle Nini, or buy some emergency medicine. Even asking where the nearest pharmacy was would help.
But the wariness and indifference of this neighborhood practically mirrored the survival rules etched into the bones of Gotham's residents.
Night had only just fallen, yet most of the shops on either side had already closed. There wasn't a single soul on the street.
She walked up to the first convenience store with its lights on and reached out to push the door open. But the jingle of the bell on the glass door seemed to act as a command. The shopkeeper, who had been dozing behind the counter, jerked his head up, his eyes going round in the dim light.
Before Miaomiao could speak, he lunged toward the entrance with astonishing speed. Before the two outside could react, he yanked down the metal shutter. With a piercing screech, the shop was locked shut.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Miaomiao knocked on the metal shutter and called out, "Hello? Could you help us? We just want to make a phone call..."
Before she could finish, even the faint yellow light showing through the gap beneath the shutter vanished.
Miaomiao fell silent for a few seconds, then turned toward the next shop in bewilderment. Luckily, although few shops were open, there were still five or six scattered along this street. If this one didn't welcome them,