It was the common knowledge of all students attending Gotham Academy that if one was caught out after curfew you'd be sure to receive a one-way ticket to the Headmaster's office; so heaven knows why Penny gave into Charlotte's pleas with that intellect hanging over her head. You see, Penny Chamberlin is a smart girl, not only does she have straight A's but the young woman is also the senior class president, a member of the FBLA and one of the very few students that have been formally invited by Bruce Wayne himself to attend his charity gala for education. Yes, Penny is quite intelligent (anyone would agree) and that is certainly due to Mister and Missus Chamberlin; a couple who is so certain that they know every little detail about their 'Dearest Darling Angel'. Well seeing how Penny is undergoing a secret fling with Charlotte Matthews is a clear debunker to her parent's beliefs-of course, Penny wasn't going to tell them about her and Charlotte anytime soon; nor would Penny ever get the chance to after the events that would take place this very night.

Coming back to the two girls Penny glanced about anxiously, grasping Charlotte's hand for dear life as Penny observed the various shadows cast by the dark clouds looming above them. "Lotte, are you sure―" Penny was cut off as Charlotte came to an abrupt stop; hand flying over Penny's mouth prior to gently backing her into the fogged windows of the greenhouse. "Quiet Pen!" Charlotte hushed as the security of the academy flashed his light around.

Charlotte Matthews seemed to be just the opposite of Penny so it was safe to say Penny's parents would hardly approve of the two. Charlotte had about a C average (a thing Mister Matthews must not be happy about according to the various bruises across her arms) was suspended once for breaking into the Headmaster's office and has at least thirty tardies; and counting! Though the two may be at odds it was really Penny's kind words of encouragement that brought the two together; along with Charlotte's punch to Kathie Ryan's nose for ever daring to bully Penny into a corner. Needless to say, the two complimented each other surprisingly well as polar opposites. Unfortunately for them, Kathie Ryan is not to be trusted and both Penny and Charlotte decided to keep things on the down-low for the time being less Kathie try to rat them out to either of their parents. But let it be known that both sets of parents would find out soon enough after tonight.

Charlotte smirked down at Penny, the blonde going a shade of red under her abrasive blue eyes. Neither moved until the security was well passed the greenhouse, afterward, Charlotte pushed off of the fogged windows and smiled cheekily at Penny. "Is that a blush I see, Miss Chamberlin?" Charlotte teased, her heart-swelling when seeing Penny go even redder and hide her face behind her straight golden locks. "Shut up!" Penny grinned much to her distaste at the action, "we're gonna get in trouble!" She complained quietly as Charlotte sat in the grass. "Oh Pen, I made a promise to loosen you up and I intend to keep it," Charlotte crossed her legs, "now c' mere!" Penny glanced at the redhead to see her arms extended outwards, making a grabbing motion at Penny as a child would to its mother. Penny could only snort in amusement at that and soon found herself being held in Charlotte's arms; the two girls proceeding to look up at the passing clouds and far beyond them to gaze at the glistening stars. Bringing her arms around Penny's shoulders Charlotte planted a swift kiss to her forehead before resting her chin atop Penny's head. Sighing in contempt, Penny held Charlotte's hands and watched the passing clouds. Both of them sat there for a bit, Penny occasionally humming a soft tune while Charlotte swayed; this continued for a second more before Penny jumped up in alarm, Charlotte pulling away hastily.

"Is it the guard―" Penny shushed Charlotte, chocolate eyes darting about the shadows. "I think...I think he might be coming!" Penny panicked, wasting no time to pull herself together and straighten out her uniform. Charlotte followed her actions. "Ah, shit!" Penny's breath picked up, "I can't be in trouble, my parents―" Charlotte seized Penny's hands. "Aren't going to find out! You go, I'll distract him!" Penny looked up at Charlotte with round, adoring eyes. "Are you sure―" Hushed by a peck to her lips Penny was then nudged towards the dorms.

"I'll be fine, Carlos loves me! Besides, I can't have my golden girl ruining her record." Charlotte grinned with feigned confidence but her heart-swelling once again that night as Penny's gaze softened. "Oh alright! But you better be at breakfast Lotte!" Penny whispered, sloppily planting a kiss to Charlotte's cheek before running a beeline to the girl's dorms. Charlotte made a lazy effort into Carlos's direction after Penny disappeared behind the North Hall building.

Mentally preparing herself for definite detention, Charlotte plastered on her famed Matthews smirk and sauntered towards the light of his flashlight. "Yo Carlos! Mi amigo, guess who snuck out again!" Charlotte rounded the corner, halting in her steps when her foot kicked the discarded flashlight across the gravel. Eyebrows knitting together, Charlotte crouched down to grab the flashlight; with further inspection, she felt a warm liquid at the tips of her fingers. Without hesitation, Charlotte shined the light onto her hand, horrified to find a thin coat of blood staining her fingers crimson. "Oh my God!" Charlotte whispered lowly, her heart rate rising as she stood up. "Carlos!" She cried as high as she dared. Charlotte turned the light to the ground; revealing a light trail of scarlet. Following without question Charlotte felt every siren in her head going off, her common sense being outweighed by fear as she continued the trail. Here she was, the trail only a few feet long as she stopped at the trimmed hedges in front of the main hall; only to notice that the landscaper's handiwork had been undone by Carlos Vega's body lying atop of them.

"Carlos!" Charlotte cried louder this time, sprinting at the man to check for any sign of life. As she pulled his limp body out of the bushes Charlotte went a ghostly pale seeing a gash in his head along with dried blood and fresh. It appeared someone had used Carlos's own flashlight against him. "Carlos! Oh my God!" Charlotte shook the man harshly and when no response seemed to be given she looked around in desperation; desperate prayers being answered when catching a glimpse of the other security guards flashlight just passed the trees out front. "Belinda!" Charlotte screamed, waving her arms as she kneeled at Carlos's side, gravel embedding itself into her shins. "Belinda!"

Belinda came running at Charlotte's panicked call, going into a full-on sprint when seeing Carlos on the gravel and Charlotte's hands covered in blood. Wasting no time Belinda crouched just on the other side of Carlos before checking him over as Charlotte began to cry. "I found him, he was in the bushes―he was―" Charlotte let out a sob as Belinda checked his pulse. "Oh dear, he's just out cold is all!" Belinda huffed, taking off her outer jacket to cover Carlos's head. "Did you see anything hun?" Belinda pressed as Charlotte choked on her sobs. "No! I swear! I just―" Charlotte yet again cut herself off with her hysterical blubbering.

"Honey this isn't gonna look good for you! You need to tell me what you're doing out here and think about if you heard anything! Anything at all Charlotte!" Belinda huffed as Charlotte sniffed and wailed, the woman grabbing her walkie talkie from her belt. "This is Belinda Swope! Carlos Vega has been struck across the head and is in need of immediate medical assistance outside the main hall! A student, Charlotte Matthews, is here with me and-" Belinda stopped as a sudden scream pierced the silenced veil of the night. Charlotte's sobs ceased as chills covered her skin as her tear-stained face turned horror-stricken. "Penny!" A desperate cry from Charlotte as Belinda looked to her. "Hold this now, apply pressure!" Belinda barked although Charlotte didn't reply, only cowering and howling uncontrollably as the flashlight fell from her hands and her mind flooded with absolute dread. "Hun! If you want me to save Penny I need you to apply pressure!" Charlotte did as asked now, applying pressure as tears blurred her vision. "Where was she heading?"

"The girl's dorm!" Charlotte choked hoarsely as she sniffled and blinked through her waterfall of tears.

With that Belinda pushed off the gravel, sprinting as fast as possible, flashlight in hand. More screams were heard, encouraging her to go faster; only these screams didn't belong to Penny anymore. Belinda rounded the corner and skidded across the loose rocks, heart falling at the sight of Penny Chamberlin's body laying atop the steps of the stairs to the girl's dorm. The screams that were heard after Penny's were the other female student's awoken by Penny's cries; they had looked out their windows at the sound of Penny's wails only to see Penny dead at the entrance, her blood cascading down the stairs at the result of a huge animalistic gash in her throat and stomach; her insides could be seen. Belinda choked out a sob now, turning away to vomit up her dinner as the screams of other girls woke more of the other girls residing in their dorms, some even coming from the other side of the dorm rooms to see what the commotion was about; all terrified as they stuck their heads out the windows and sobbed and screamed and multiple of these girls made calls to Gotham Police Department. Belinda whipped a sleeve across her mouth, grabbing her walkie talkie again. "This―" another choked sob as she glanced at Penny, "is Belinda Swope! Carlos Vega is in need of immediate medical attention and―" Belinda walked towards the stairs with heavy footing, "and there's been a murder!" She cried, not daring to ascend the first step at the sight of crimson staining the concrete.

This night was the remembrance of the first, the first murder that would take place as the school year followed. One of these murders including Y/n Dent, another student attending the prestigious boarding school of Gotham Academy. Y/n Dent, daughter to Harvey, and Gilda Dent, daughter to Two-Face, member of the Gotham Academy Mystery Solvers, first friend to Boy Wonder and first friend to Damian Wayne.