Giant and very important a/n...
First of all, I would like to get something pretty major out of the way and let it be known. This entire story is completely inspired by Cartoonstar's series Sick Cycle Carousel.
I have internally debated on publishing this or not because I believed I downright copied her amazing story, but the reason why I even started writing was because of her. I finished reading her first book, became completely enthralled, and finished the second in less than a week. Finally I moved on to the third, only to be halted by the fact that it wasn't finished and hadn't been updated since 2016.
I fell in love with these characters. I hated seeing Kori, my favorite, so troubled and without a conclusion. I was left with many questions and I overall was very unhappy. Since 2016, I had been checking back on the author's profile to see any changes, but I had yet to find any.
My friend and I were speaking and I told her about this dilemma, and I offhandedly said I should finish the story, not to plagiarize or copy her art, but to have a conclusion for myself. She asked me "well, why not?" and I realized she was right. It wasn't illegal to try and get my own conclusion, and I didn't know what was stopping me.
The hurdles of not writing as well as Cartoonstar, not nailing the characters, and overall disappointing myself with it held me back. After writing up many 'one-shot' esque stories and dreaming up plotlines that I never wrote down, I decided I would try an ending.
I wrote a chapter after the book was incompleted, decided I hated it, so I scrapped it. This was repeated a hundred more times. I wondered why I couldn't pick right up after Cartoonstar left, and I realized it was because I hadn't spent so many years writing for the characters and falling in love with them the way she had. So I decided to start from the very beginning.
I won't be copying Cartoonstar word for word, I have a few of my own ideas and it's in my own writing, but many of the plots in here are from her.
If you haven't read the Sick Cycle Carousel series, I encourage you to go and support Cartoonstar, that series really made me get hooked on the Teen Titans in general.
Cartoonstar, if you're reading this somehow, know that this isn't a cry for you to update. Take your time in whatever you're going through, there's no rush. If you don't want to continue the story, that's also fine. As long as you're happy.
Okay, let me end this long rant. Midway through writing this I realized this is a… fanfiction of a fanfiction…?
Well, I don't own the characters, they belong to DC Comics. I also don't own most of the plots, they belong to Cartoonstar.
/
To say Gotham City wasn't for the faint of heart was an understatement. That would be akin to saying the Sahara Desert was a bit dry, or the sun was only a tad hot.
There were those that blended in perfectly with the dreary background of Gotham, with their grey business suits and black ties, or perfectly combed hair and women with heels that weren't too high but also not too low, and wrists with a touch of perfume that was fragrant but not too fragrant. The visible part of Gotham was sterile, anyway.
Then, there was the barrier hidden underneath the polished front, it could be seen by digging not too far beneath the rubble. Crime rates soared like bats in the night. Gangs, murder, and petty crime spread across the slums of Gotham like war paint, but it was only seen by those who looked long enough. Politicians and members of the 1% not included.
Finally there were those that stuck out like black ink being spilled into water. They clashed violently with black and white, a beaming rainbow against a blank portrait. The ones that stayed for a week and realized they would never fit in, so they left.
It was usually simple to pinpoint who belonged in which category merely by looking at downtown. Categorizing people underneath the shadows of brilliant skyscrapers was an easy task not only based on their outer appearance, but by the way they held themselves.
Gotham was fast paced, relentless, and chewed up everyone who came and spit them out without a second thought. It wasn't for the indifferent, it was for those who had goals and ideas and knew exactly what they were going into before they stepped near the area.
Which is exactly why Kori And'rs absolutely hated the damn city.
She watched down below as the slick, oil colored runway slowly became larger, fat raindrops sliding down the plane window. Kori's gaze focused away from the runway and to her slightly blurred reflection in the window. As she moved back a wavy tendril of her long hair that fell from her ponytail, she saw the murky cloudiness of Gotham surround her reflection, like she was looking into a grimy puddle on a street.
As soon as the wheels of the plane met the runway, she felt a hand graze her arm. Kori's head turned to view her mother, with her warm golden skin, deep brown eyes, and beaming white smile that brought out the bronziness of her cheeks. Behind her mother was her father, a burly, serious man, contrasting her mother greatly. Last was her older sister, who situated herself on the seat, her headphones in her ears, her deep set eyes scanning the plane's window and the everpresent scowl on her face.
Kori looked back to her mother, and if the pressure in her ears weren't so great, perhaps she would've been able to hear her mother's soft voice inform her they had arrived to their new home.
Zippers jangled and luggages dropped noisily from outside of the crowded Archie Goodwin International Airport, one the largest airports in the country. Men who had been unloading some of the And'rs' belongings were currently causing Kori's mother distress.
"Please be careful!" Kori's mother winced as the men moving their things nearly dropped another luggage.
"Relax, Luan." A deeper voice addressed, Kori's father stood behind his wife, wearing his usual suit and tie. Kori was baffled at how her parents could wear such uncomfortable clothes on a long, strenuous flight, but she supposed they had no choice but to look professional no matter where they went.
Her father had obsidian colored hair, light eyes that seemed to absorb everything put in front of him, neatly trimmed facial hair, and an astounding height of 6'6. Her mother was also rather tall, 6'0 out of heels and currently 6'4 with.
Luan tensed as they continued to move their things, "I'm sorry, I just do not enjoy our belongings being moved so… quickly." She mumbled to her husband, stepping backward to stand by his side.
"The trucks will come soon to get the rest of our things, the faster we move in, the quicker no one else will have to touch anything." He informed, earning a snort from both Kori and her sister regarding the wording. "And I assure you these men know what they're doing." He told her, ignoring the teenagers.
As soon as Kori's father finished his sentence, one of the workers dropped a black leather bag onto the ground and threw Luan an apologetic glance, but Luan couldn't help but cover her mouth and let out a small cry of pain over the item.
Kori's sister looked similar to her, they both were the same height of 5'11 and both had dark hair. However, Kori had her mother's mouth and upturned eyes while her sister shared her father's nose and sharp facial structure.
She heard her sister stretch, "Ugh, planes are so uncomfortable." She grumbled, pulling the white headphones that hadn't been playing music from her ears.
The moving trucks arrived and their father motioned them towards the car. "Kom, we flew first class, it doesn't get any more comfortable than that." He said, agitated as he opened the door to the front seat. Luan was more hesitant to leave the men as they finished unloading, but she caught up nonetheless.
Kom ignored her father's comment and opted to stick her headphones back in her ears, and soon Kori heard music being blasted from the tiny speakers. Kori opened the door to the black rental car and hopped inside, trying her best to suppress the feeling of overwhelming dread because there was no going back now. They really were moving across the world and to Gotham City, and no matter the change of scenery, her families' behavior would remain the same.
The reason for the move was simple, her parents were successful owners of a popular resort business that started in her home country of Tamaran, a small island near the Philippines. But the business grew into something much larger over the course of a few years. The business climate in Gotham was one of the fastest growing in the world, so, her mother and father, looking to expand, decided to extend to building luxury hotels and spas instead of only beach side resorts. After only a few months their newest addition in Gotham boomed and became their most expensive investment. So, naturally, their new headquarters would be in Gotham. And to be closer to the headquarters, they decided to abruptly move to the less than charming city.
Kori had repressed the urge to ask why they had to expand, the And'rs business was already large enough and had raked in more money than they could ever need in a lifetime. But she bit her tongue, unlike her older sister who was quite vocal on how the move disrupted their lives. Kom soon got over her complaints, though, easily removing herself from Tamaran due to her easy adaptability in America. She fit in like a glove.
The car began to move and the rain began to pour again. She felt as if she was in a hearse in a funeral line of moving trucks. Kori had been to America before, many times, but she had never stayed for anymore than a week. She had also never been to Gotham until now.
Kori was used to her home country, with a tropical warm breeze and brilliant green palm trees, no industrial skyscrapers or sidewalks, only lush plants and flowers and buildings that never exceeded the height of the tallest tree. There were no white sand beaches in Gotham, no salty air or blue skies.
And as much as she wanted to jump out of the car and into a plane back to Tamaran, she could do nothing but sink into her seat, close her eyes, and try and drown out the noise of her father's business call and Kom's overbearing music.
/ / /
A pale white hand glided over a stack of books, the thin paper creasing underneath her fingertips and interrupting the soothing quiet of Gotham City Public Library. A grand building with levels upon levels of books, scholars from around the world visited for the knowledge, as it contained some of the oldest and rarest books in the world. Architects came to marvel the construction of the building which borrowed elements from ancient Roman designs and themes.
As she grabbed the book she had been hunting, the scent of old paper lingered towards her nose upon discovery. Her eyes traced the spine, a worn black fabric with the words A Sicilian Romance etched neatly into the textured book.
Raven Roth tucked a piece of black hair behind her ear as she opened the book, the familiar sound of crinkling paper drawing her inside of the first page of the novel. Before she could turn to the next page, a quiet voice came from behind her.
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
She turned, looking at an older woman with who Raven assumed to be her granddaughter, a girl with white blonde hair and large blue eyes who looked to be 6 or 7 years old. The girl shook with excitement, eagerly looking at the towers of bookshelves and back to Raven like it was the most fascinating thing she had ever seen.
Raven was mostly confused as to why they were asking her. Many have told Raven she did not look like the most approachable person around, with her harsh features and searing angled eyes. Nonetheless, she answered. "Yes?" Raven asked, raising an eyebrow as her eyes darted away from the little girl.
"Could you tell me where the children's section is?" The woman asked kindly, gripping her excited granddaughter's shoulder in futile means to hold her still.
Raven blinked, "Sorry, I don't work here." She answered, her voice a level monotone.
The old woman's eyebrows shot up, "Really?" She inquired, "Everytime I come here, it seems you're here, too." She chuckled.
Raven swallowed as the granddaughter couldn't contain her excitement anymore and raced off, leaving her grandmother in the dust. The old woman laughed before she walked after her, "Ella, you need to slow down." She said in a tone that was desperately trying to be hushed.
"Wait!" Raven said in a voice that was louder than it was meant to be.
She turned, even her tiny granddaughter pausing in her rambunctious trek. "Yes?"
"The children's section is on the fourth floor, once you leave the elevator it's the second door on the right. Next to the bathrooms. You'll see it." Raven informed, curling her fingers around her book.
The old woman nodded her thanks and left Raven and her copy of A Sicilian Romance by themselves in peaceful, tranquil quiet. After a moment, Raven turned to leave the alley of bookshelves and to a comfy seat in the library, preferably the leather armchair she had sat in all summer that sank low and made a quiet paff sound everytime one left or sat in the chair.
Passing by the shelves of books and other quiet members of the library, Raven continued on the familiar trail from the gothic novel section to the chair.
However, upon arrival, annoyance struck her like a whip as her plans were ruined. Another person already sat in her seat. One that she stayed in for a month now, only leaving when it closed and to arrive again when the library opened. No one had even glanced at this seat for the longest time, a silent pact settling between everyone who stepped foot into the library that this seat was taken.
And better yet, taken by a teenage boy who looked to be Raven's age. A boy with olive skin, a maroon beanie, and forest green hair that stuck out of his beanie in tufts. He sat lazily in the chair, his arms slung across the arms and his feet, clad in dirty white converse, lay on the polished coffee table in front of him.
He stared off into space, only noticing Raven's disgruntled look after she made an unintentional huff of indignation. The young teenager raised his eyes and his expression brightened, a smile stretching across his face.
"Hey, do you know where I can find…" He trailed off as his hand dipped behind him, raising his hips as he went through his back pocket. He pulled out a crumpled and slightly torn piece of white notebook paper, "Um, A Midsummer's Night Dream?" The boy read, casting an odd glance at the slanted writing.
Why does everyone think I work here all of the sudden? Raven thought, her eye nearly twitching. "It's A Midsummer Night's Dream." She corrected, crossing her arms over her book that she became itching to read. "And I don't work here." She repeated, this time her words coming out with a bite, as her grievance with this boy she didn't even know the name of was still prevalent.
"Oh, that sucks." He said, "Because I have to read this book for my summer reading project, but it's due in three days and I haven't even looked at the book."
Raven stiffened upon hearing that news, "What school do you go to?" She asked automatically.
"Gotham Prep." He shrugged, "Why?"
Raven's stomach twisted and she didn't answer. The green haired boy gasped in realization, "Wait, do you go to Gotham Prep, too?"
Her silence said it all as he grinned, "No way! I've never seen you before." He said in a voice too loud for the library. He stood from the leather chair, an almost silent paff sound passing between them as he grinned.
"A lot of people go there, i've never seen you either." She shook her head, internally wondering how she could've missed this boy with bright green locks. She stepped backward, trying to figure out the quickest way to the book check out desk from her spot. "I-"
"So, you're a Sophomore, too?" The boy quizzed, taking a step forward to counter her step backward, "Dude, give me the Sparknotes to this thing." He said, referring to the Shakespearean play they had to study.
"Just... look it up." Raven replied dully, stepping backward again, in which he stepped forward again.
His gaze dropped to the book in her hand, "Is that it?" He asked, pointing to the black novel nestled in between her arms.
"No, I finished our summer reading book ages ago." She said, rolling her eyes and earning another small laugh from the unique teenager.
Curiosity filled him, "What is it then?" He said and reached for the story, only for Raven to dodge his arm without hesitation.
Her mouth twitched downward into a frown, "It's just a book, alright?" She said harshly. "If I did tell you the name, you wouldn't have heard of it anyway." Raven insisted.
"Try me." He said, smug, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"A Sicilian Romance." She deadpanned.
His mouth made an odd sound as his tongue glided over his front teeth, "Heard of it."
"Really?" Raven narrowed her eyes.
"No." He snorted, "You like romance novels? I pegged you for a horror story kind of gal." He teased.
Raven bristled, "No, it's not- nevermind." She huffed, "I gotta go." She murmured, turning away and walking briskly away from the obnoxious boy, towards the door and the check out area.
Before the door behind her closed, she heard a bright and airy, "See you at school!" Followed by a chorus of shushes and annoyed grimaces.
/ / /
Their new home in their new neighborhood, surrounded by new neighbors could truly only be described using one word.
Clean.
On their way through the gated neighborhood, Kori was drawn out of her trance when Komi made a rather large shout and pointed outside their window. "No way." She said, her voice stricken with shock.
Kori looked outside her window and tried to see what Komi was looking at, "What is it?" Kori blinked. She saw a large, gothic looking manor up on a hill preceded by a weaving driveway. It was impressive, and easily the largest house in the neighborhood.
Komi whipped around, "You don't know whose house that is?" She questioned in disbelief.
Kori thought for a moment, "Should I?"
Her older sister let out a laugh, one that reminded Kori of the time she embarrassed herself in front of a group of ambassadors at a gala a few years ago. It was in New York City, Kori was thirteen and new to the English language as a whole, and when Kori was asked if she 'felt like a fish out of water in America', Kori then responded with, 'I'm a fish?'. That earned her quite a few laughs from the older men, and she excused herself with her cheeks burning with humiliation.
Kori's mother cast Komi a look of disappointment from the front seat before answering, "Kori, that house belongs to Bruce Wayne." She answered, "He owns a business called Wayne Enterprises-"
"And he's like, one of the richest men in the world." Komi continued, crossing her arms, "How did you not know about him?" She said in disbelief, shaking her head. Kori only cast her eyes downward and decided not to answer.
Upon arriving to their new home, Luan was shaking with excitement, her father was admiring the outside, and her sister looked slightly intrigued. It wasn't as big as Wayne Manor, but it was not much smaller. Still, Kori preferred their house compared to Wayne Manor's dark features, theirs was white with marble accents. The exterior had a large fence around their property, paired with perfectly trimmed, green grass. A fountain poured water from the center of their front yard, surrounded by a newly paved driveway.
Kori would admit, their new home was extremely nice. It had already been furnished, her parents had been working hard picking out furniture and getting it delivered, they even made frequent stops at the home in the past to make sure everything was going according to plan. Kori and Komi stayed at home, with Komi finishing her last year of highschool and Kori beginning her first year, they both didn't have time to leave their studies.
The moment Komi walked into their new home, she immediately asked where her new room was. Kori's mother made an attempt to ask her to stay, so she could give her a tour of the house, but Komi was quick to escape the confines of her family and isolate herself.
Kori, though, knew how hard her mother worked for the past months picking out and buying furniture and designing the home, and asked for a tour. Delighted, Luan grabbed her daughter's hand and guided her through the house, even though Kori would much rather be laying in bed after their flight.
Their house was much different than their one back in Tamaran. The newer one was much larger, and included much more space for each of them. Kori didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, due to Kori feeling like she never saw her parents in the first place.
The foyer was adorned in marble, as was most of the house. Kori suspected the theme was minimalist, and she was correct. White and black with the occasional muted nude colors were the key colors in the home. Everything from the kitchen to the bathrooms were 'simple yet lavish' as her mother described.
There were highlights, some parts of the house Kori could already tell would be her favorite. Such as the sauna located in their basement, or the theater room with comfy, plush seats. Though Kori did expect her bedroom to be her absolute favorite part of the tour.
Her bedroom was just like everything else in the home, simple and white. It was luxurious and pleasing to the eye, as it was large, with a white canopy bed and silk beige curtains hanging around the bed. There was a sitting area with a fireplace and a TV, a white vanity table and a desk where her laptop would go. Two doors with frosted glass decorated one wall, which Kori assumed would lead to her closet and bathroom. A double door on the opposite wall to them led outside to a grand balcony, and from the balcony gave a view of the entire neighborhood.
"I chose the bedroom with the balcony just for you." Kori heard Luan say from behind her as she stepped inside, and she could hear the grin through her mother's voice. Kori studied her new room, awestruck and blown away by the size alone.
It was very clean. Not a pillow out of place nor a picture frame tilted even slightly to the side. The bedroom was, like everything else, much different than hers used to be back in Tamaran. Her old one was bright and colorful, the walls were covered in posters and photos, one poster covering a rather large hole in the wall that was made during one of Kori and Komi's fights (Kom threw a hairbrush). It had personality. But Kori knew her new bedroom would gain her personality, in time.
"Do you love it?" Her mother asked expectantly.
Kori turned, a smile on her face. "It's amazing." She said, watching her mom's eyes light up with relief. "Thank you."
/ / /
Forks gently clinked against white china, glasses filled with ice were raised and put back down on the mahogany table with a dense thud, and the aura of tranquility surrounded the family at the large table.
"Damian, would you please pass the peas?" Asked a woman with a dainty pixie cut and lips painted a rich maroon that contrasted her porcelain skin. Her voice was smooth and cut through the white noise like a sharp knife.
Damian, the shortest at the table, didn't bother to look up from his plate of half eaten lamb as he lazily extended an arm and passed the bowl. His dark hair nearly fell into his plate of food as his bottle green, half lidded eyes continued to gaze at the food. His other hand was pressed into his olive toned cheek while his elbow lay on the table.
"Damian." Another voice interrupted, one that wasn't nearly as soothing. It was stoic and intense, but held a distinguishable charm. It came from a man whose voice matched his appearance, with hair perfectly in place and clothes neatly pressed without any wrinkles, he looked like a true Gotham native.
He sighed and lifted his eyes, strands of his hair falling into his face. "Yes, Selina." Damian deadpanned, but by the look he received from the man, he corrected himself, "Yes, ma'am." He tried again.
"Bruce, it's fine." Selina said, putting her hand over his. "He can call me Selina." She said, a ghost of a smile on her face.
Damian sat up, "See, told you so." He crossed his arms, turning away from Bruce. Before Bruce could answer with a passive aggressive remark, Selina cut in.
"You know the house that was built last fall?" Selina asked, putting down her silverware and focusing her attention on Bruce. "The one down the street?"
Bruce nodded, "I heard it's finished being furnished now." He added.
"I would hope so, I think I saw them move in today." She quipped. "I believe it's a married couple about our age, I don't know if they have children." She added, looking towards Damian and the final young man sitting at the table across from her.
He looked to be no older than 12. He had devoured his food and his seconds in five minutes, and was currently hunting for thirds. Like Bruce, he had black hair, white skin, and light blue eyes, but with the slight chubbiness of his cheeks and large eyes gave him a childlike appearance. "It's probably an old couple with an annoying rat dog." He snorted.
"Tim, all dogs are good dogs." Damian scolded as an older man stepped out of the kitchen and into the large dining room. Before Tim could retaliate, he held up a plate of still steaming food.
"Would anyone like more lamb?" He asked, stepping between Damian and Tim. The older gentleman held himself with nothing but poise, with perfect posture and a calm voice that was riddled with a south London accent.
"I'll take some, Alfred." Answered Tim, suddenly distracted from his conversation with his younger brother. "And can I have Dick's food since he's not here?" He asked, pointing to the seat next to him.
Beside of Tim was an empty seat, with a plate of food that had become cold and a glass of water that stood untouched. The napkin with silverware still neatly placed on either side of the food, clearly indicating that whoever was to sit there had never come.
Bruce shook his head, a flare of annoyance at the mention of the name 'Dick'. "He'll be here soon." He answered curtly, though his face expressed agitation.
Tim shovelled a spoonful of peas into his mouth, "Yeah, right." He said, swallowing his food. "Dick's not gonna come."
As if it was planned, the doors to the large dining room opened and in came a teenage boy, speed walking towards his seat. His ebony hair was spiked upwards and he quickly took off his sunglasses to reveal his cerulean colored eyes. Though he also looked similar to Bruce, with their sharp jawlines and piercing gazes, there was something about him that didn't radiate Gotham.
"Sorry, i'm here!" Dick said, throwing his jacket across his chair and sitting down, attempting to sound casual.
"About time." Tim muttered, earning a jab in the side by his eldest brother, and causing him to nearly choke on a spoonful of peas.
Bruce looked at his adopted son with disdain, "And where have you been all day?"
Dick picked up his fork, "Roy invited me and Wally to go to his house to play videogames." He answered, cutting a piece of cold lamb.
"Really?" Bruce asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dick shifted, "Yes, you can ask Ollie." He remarked, refraining from becoming defensive.
Bruce shook his head, "You said you would be home by 7 for dinner." Bruce said coldly. "It may be Friday night, Dick, but you still made a commitment to this family."
Dick looked up, trying to salvage the moment with a smile, "I got held up in traffic. You know how bad it is downtown, don't you-"
"Don't." Bruce cut him off rudely, "It's almost 8, we waited for you for thirty minutes before we gave up on you, and this isn't the first time this has happened. Don't you know how immature that is, Dick? To come off as you think of your own needs before others?"
"I'm sorry, alright?" The smile slipped off Dick's face and was replaced by a sheepish, apologetic expression.
The table had fallen quiet as Bruce continued to lecture Dick, with Selina picking at her plate of food, Tim eating, and Damian watching curiously. Alfred opted to excuse himself to the kitchen, turning around and leaving the awkward room.
"That's what you said last time." Bruce dropped his fork, "If you were sorry, you would learn from your mistakes, but you continue to make them and not understand exactly why it's a mistake in the first place. You leave me no choice but to punish you, Dick."
"I'm sorry." Dick repeated for what felt like the millionth time in a span of two minutes. "What do you want me to do now?" He asked desperately.
"You could start by not apologizing unless it's sincere." Bruce's eyes flashed with anger, "I'm taking away your motorcycle-"
"What? No!" Dick interrupted this time, "Bruce, I just got that not even a month ago! How else am I supposed to get around?" He pleaded.
"Looks like you're going to have to find another ride." Bruce replied darkly, picking up his fork and looking back down at his plate.
"What about school? It starts Monday, I'll need it by then." Dick subtly pleaded. Not that he cared about school that much, he was only using it as a ploy to get his motorcycle back.
Bruce narrowed his eyes, "You should've thought about that before you caused this."
Dick grit his teeth and looked down at his food before dropping his fork on the wood. He stood from his seat, "I'm not hungry." He muttered.
Bruce's booming voice stopped him, "Richard Grayson, stop acting like a child and sit." He chastised, "You're going to stay here until everyone is finished."
Dick slowly sat back down, letting his anger simmer inside like a boiling pot. Bruce had always been strict, he had no idea why he thought arriving late again with slip by like it did last time. He had earned merely a warning, but now that he had a punishment, it seemed unfair and uncalled for.
Awkward silence backed by more forks and china. Dick looked cynically at his plate, Damian bored again, Selina and Bruce attempted to chat, and Tim continued to eat. As Dick drummed his fingers against the table and continued to pout like a child, Alfred brushed through the dining room doors and chimed in with, "Would anyone like dessert?"
"Me, me!" Tim said eagerly, standing up so quickly he nearly knocked over his seat.
/ / /
Night had fallen over Gotham like a black cloak. Kori's first Gotham night was quite unremarkable if she could say the least. It began with her touring her new bedroom, putting her toiletries inside the bathroom, hanging her clothes in her closet, and setting up photos of family she had left behind in Tamaran.
After putting the second frame of her grandfather and a younger version of herself on her dresser, Kori realized she couldn't do anymore renovating until the next morning unless she wanted to break down in tears. Gloom and dejection overwhelmed her at once, as if everything that had been building up over the past few weeks had finally risen to the top and she was going to burst at the seams.
Kori bit her lip and gently turned the photo of herself and her grandfather down, as if she felt shame for the paper copies of them to see her cry. Turning away, she walked towards her balcony, deciding she needed fresh air.
Opening the double white doors to the large balcony, she was immediately greeted by a cool night breeze and a cloudy, starless night. The combination of clouds and city lights was enough to drown them of their radiating light, which made Kori feel even more dejected. Gotham didn't even have stars.
Perhaps she felt so overwhelmed because she didn't get to properly say goodbye to Tamaran, the place she grew up and held the rest of her family and friends. Her parents sprung the move on her and her sister so suddenly, it felt like only days ago they told them to pack their things.
Why could she not let go of Tamaran and accept this new home? It wasn't like Tamaran was disappearing, she was the one who was disappearing. She could still visit, but it wasn't the same. Gotham was supposed to be her new home now.
Home. A word so foreign to her now. When she thought of home, she would think of a welcoming atmosphere. She would think of acceptance, of a place she felt she belonged to. A place she could always go back to if she needed guidance or assurance.
The tall teen felt a chilly wind graze past her bare legs as she gazed off into her new neighborhood. She clutched the balconies' railing as if her life depended on it, and Kori had no idea how she was to adapt a new home where she felt she didn't belong.
/
a/n
I'm working on making my chapters shorter (I wrote this a long time ago lol) and learning to break them up better. That seems to be a real challenge for me for some reason.