I was thirteen when Bruce left, he had graduated college early and once morning he just…wasn't home. Four years he was gone, I was nearly seventeen in three months, he spent so much time with Rachel and I liked her, she was sweet if not a bit flaky. I had nosedived academically since my brother vanished, anxiety keeping me on the edge of malnutrition and I was thrown out of two private schools. A series of unfortunate events.
Bullshit.
My family was gone and Alfred had enough stress worrying over Bruce. I was too young to inherit the company and I was in my safe place today. Smoking a cigarette and laying on the roof of the manor, staring blindly into space overhead.
"Smoking's bad for you." I jolted up, that voice, leaning against the ladder down to the hatch that lead into the attic was my brother. He was leaner, like he buffed up and he looked…older. Last time he saw me I was flat chested and barely had any shape to my body. I was a woman now and I jumped into his arms, in my plaid green skirt and black sweater I had cut my hair short, I had an hour glass figure like mom did.
"Bruce!" He didn't stagger when he caught me and I clung to him, cigarette forgotten and he was laughing. "You're back…I thought you left me." Thank god for water proof mascara and I felt him rub my back setting me down quickly as he looked me over.
"You're not so little anymore, snowflake," That was daddy's nickname for me and he called me that I could only smile through the tears. "I would never leave you."