In Mourning
The nightmare wouldn't stop. How could this happen? It seemed like it was only yesterday that he and his family had been laughing together, preparing for their performance, in truth, three days had passed since that terror filled moment in time. Now, he sat numbly waiting. Waiting for someone to come and take him away, but no one had. The man that sat beside him kept him rooted to the spot with a hand on his shoulder. The day was growing cloudy. Soon the rain would pour down, just as it poured in his soul. He did his best not to show what he was feeling inside. If he let it out, he was afraid he would not be able to stop. He watched the proceedings with dry eyes, and yet, they burned with an anger that would not be quenched.
Time seemed to move slowly, as if he was walking in a dream, a nightmare for certain. But soon the mourners were gathering around him.
"We're really sorry for your loss."
"Your parents will be missed."
"We'll keep a spot open for you if you want to return."
"I've heard good things about Mr. Wayne. He'll take good care of you."
"It was kind of Mr. Wayne to provide this spot for them in their family cemetery. We would not be able to bury them the way they would have wished."
Soon the crowds were thinning out. He continued to stay by the gravesite, watching as dirt was poured over them.
The hand tried to guide him away, but he did not wish to go. He kept hearing the words in his head that Batman had him recite. He swore an oath in candlelight, deep in a cave that was as dark as his soul. This man that stood beside him understood, understood the pain far more clearly than anyone else.
"Are you coming?" Bruce Wayne asked.
"I want to be alone with them," Dick Grayson said.
"Everyone is waiting inside."
"I don't care."
"I'll stay with you then."
Both men stood together in front of the gravestone that marked the passing of Mary and John Grayson.
"I can't believe it's been ten years," Dick said. "I wonder if they know that the man who killed them was finally stopped, finally put away."
"I'm sure they do," Bruce said, standing with his hand on Dick's shoulder just as he had when he was a child of 10.
"I still miss them."
"As it should be. I miss my own parents as well."
"It feels like yesterday. I thought the hurt would be gone by now," Dick said.
"The hurt never fully goes away."
Dick bent down and placed the roses he had brought against the cold stone. Standing up, he turned toward his guardian and allowed Bruce's arms to circle him. The tears fell like twin streams trying to fill the emptiness he felt within. Dick pulled himself from Bruce's embrace, wiping away the tears.
"Thanks for being here."
"I will always be here when you need me," Bruce said.
Both men looked up to see the Bat Signal against the cloudy sky.
"I guess there is no more time for mourning," Dick said.
"I know one thing, your parents would be proud. I know I am."
"I guess it's time to go to work."
End.