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I rolled away and fired more explosives at the aliens. They in return shot more lasers. I heard Wally let out a strangled yell. I half turned my head and I really wished I hadn't. Wally fell back against the wall he had crashed into. Blood flowed from his shoulder and his face was scrunched up in unimaginable pain. I did that. I caused that. I led my friend to his death.
Three
I moved quickly out of the way and fired my last explosive at the alien hovering over Kid Flash. The alien exploded spraying the floor around it in electronics.
Two
Wally face scrunched up again in pain as a shadow of another alien fell across him. My vision went red as three lasers hit him. I could see an outline of his skeleton and then he was gone. I screamed and ran over to where he had disappeared. Angry, sorrowful tears were running down my face mingling with the sweat that had been present since we entered this hell hole. I wanted this nightmare to end. I wanted to wake up in my bed in Wayne Manor. I wanted Alfred and Bruce to make the pain stop or at least just go away for a while, just like they did when I first moved to the Manor.
With you near, remember the day cause this is what dreams should always be. I just want to stay...
A scream ripped itself out of my throat. I sat up in a panic. Confusion and fright coursed through my veins. This wasn't our trailer. Where were my parents? As soon as I thought it, the memories hit me like a ton of bricks. They were dead, both of them. My life had changed uncontrollably in a matter of days. And here I was, in a house I didn't know, surrounded by people I didn't know. The tears welled up in my eyes. Bruce sometimes said things that made it better, I would go find him.
I kicked at the sheets tangled around my body and sat up in the bed. I wriggled my way over to the side of the incredibly big bed. I hopped off the edge and put on the oversized slippers and dressing gown that Alfred gave me the day before.
I opened the door slowly. I winced slightly as it creaked loudly. I hurried down the hall in search of Bruce's bedroom.
I had made it halfway down the hall before a voice interrupted my sneaking. "May I help you, Master Dick," said the voice that could only be Alfred's. I turned around to face him. His face softened as he took in my tear and sweat stained face and crumpled pyjamas.
"I didn't mean to wake you but I had a nightmare and I wanted... em I wanted". I wanted to say my parents but I didn't. Bruce and Alfred had been so nice and caring to me. I didn't want them to feel unappreciated by the fact that I still wanted to go back home to the circus so badly.
"...somebody," I finished lamely.
Alfred made his way over to me slowly. He put his hand on my shoulder in a comforting way.
In the light of the hall he looked older then he did a few hours earlier.
"It's okay to miss them, master Dick. You have to move on slowly, and in your own time. Nobody rushes in this house". I looked up at him slightly confused. "It would scruff up the carpet so I do not allow it. Now how about we make our way slowly downstairs and fix ourselves a midnight snack." He smiled warmly at me.
"What about Bruce?" I asked looking around as if he would suddenly emerge from a nearby room.
"He has a very late meeting that must have run on extra late," explained the butler, his smile fading slightly. "So it looks like it will be just you and me for tonight. Do you mind terribly?" asked the butler.
I shook my head and took his outstretched hand.
I laughed softly as Alfred told me a story that involved a much younger Bruce, a Victorian chair and a medieval club. I heard a floorboard creaking behind us. I turned around sharply and watched Bruce emerged from the downstairs communal study. He walked slowly in to the kitchen.
"A midnight snack?" asked Bruce. "Is that a good idea?"
"Master Dick was unsettled," said Alfred stiffly.
"And now I'm super settled," I stated smiling. "Alfred had cookie dough that he made earlier, so the cookies were done in less than fifteen minutes and I had milk," I said as I held up the empty glass. "And look," I said holding up the cookie. "It's almost perfectly round. Alfred taught me". Bruce smiled down at me.
"That's great chum, but now its time to go to bed," said Bruce. I yawned at the mere mention of bed. I had already slid of the chair when I realised Bruce had held out his arms to lift me. He retracted his arms sheepishly.
"To old to be carried to bed?" he asked.
"No".
Guilt washed over me so I reached out and gave him a quick hug. Bruce was rather big and my arms wouldn't reach all the way around. Bruce gave me a slight squeeze as I let go.
"I'm heavier then I look. Thanks again Al, for the settling," I said as I walked out of the Kitchen. Bruce followed behind me, his right hand resting on my shoulder.
"You are welcome, Master Dick. Now to bed both of you, it is quite late. Also Master Dick, I do believe that even after those three cookies you ate Master Bruce will still be able to carry you to bed", said the butler smiling.
"He would have to catch me first," I said as I ran out of the kitchen and up the double barred staircase.
"No rushing Master Dick," yelled Alfred up after me. I slowed on the landing. I looked back as Bruce took the stairs two at a time. He rushed forward and bundled me up into his arms. I laughed breathlessly and wiggled slightly until I was squeezed against him more comfortably.
"Don't scruff the carpet," I said from my position half buried in his chest. He laughed to.
"Yes Alfred".
I don't remember much after that. I think I must have fallen asleep in Bruce's arms, before we even got to my bedroom. That was the first time the old manor ever felt like home. I have to admit, the first of many times. But no more, because I was never going to see home again.
One
My back hit the door as I did a back flip to avoid a particularly large blast of lasers. I groaned and slid down the door. I was cornered, with no way out and no places left to run. The aliens seemed to realise this. They started to form a parameter around me. They all directed their lasers towards me. This was the end. Neither Batman or Bruce were going to come dashing in at the last second to save me, like all the times before. Just like the first time, the most important time.
I would have died. I would have loved you all my life...
My back hit the radiator with a loud thud.
"Hey Grayson, aren't you going to get back up?" asked the boy who had pushed me down.
I looked up at him from my position on the floor. The boy's name was Tommy and he and Jack were my new roommates in New Gotham Orphanage. I was sorely tempted not to get up at all and I told him so. In response he aimed a kick at my head. I had to roll away quickly as his much larger foot hit the space where my head had been occupying.
"You think you are so funny!" yelled Tommy. "You think you are so special just because you came from a circus. I bet that you think everybody here is sorry for you cause your parents bit the dust. But guess what, they are not. You are just like everybody else here whose parents just don't care and left them here."
I had to roll away again as Jack now aimed a kick at me. I sprung to me feet as Tommy made another threatening step towards me.
"In fact you are lucky. You are free from your parents. They wont try to mess with you head again. We are not so lucky," continued Tommy.
"Shut up," I yelled back. Tommy's face turned a darker shade of red and his eyes bulged slightly. I knew I should take that as a sign to stop talking but I didn't.
"People can change. Your parents have the opportunity to change, mine don't have a chance to do anything anymore. Everybody has a reason for doing anything they do. You still have your relations and friends while I have nothing. I don't even have any of my stuff. So don't say I'm lucky because I don't see how my life could get much worse".
Tommy made an odd sound and him and Jack rushed at me. I had expected this so I ran towards the bed. I jumped on the bed using it as a spring board so I could grab the top edge of the curtain and use the momentum to swing myself above onto the curtain rail. I looked down at the two boys below. They had identical looks of shock and amazement which quickly turned to anger.
"Get down here you little circus rat," yelled Jack. Although the two boys were much older and taller then I, neither could reach the top of the tall window. I was safe until I saw Tommy take off his shoe.
Sometimes I really wish I thought things through.
"Here catch," yelled Tommy as he hurtled the shoe towards me. There was very limited space on the curtain rail. It was only a few feet in length and I already had to crouch to avoid hitting the ceiling. I avoided the shoe but Tommy picked up one of the many tattered school books decorating the room.
"Come on Grayson, lets see you fly," yelled Tommy as he and Jack started to throw more books. I avoided one but the other caught me on the shoulder. I wobbled wildly but managed to steady myself. Both boys grinned as they found more books to throw at me. Two more books came my way. I dodged them too but was distracted from the third book as the door burst open. The hardback book hit my ankle at an odd angle. I let out a short gasp as I fell towards the floor. I closed my eyes waiting for the impact that never came. Instead I felt a strong set of arms catch me. I opened my eyes to a stern business like face. Fear shot threw me.
"You okay, kiddo?" asked the giant of a man. I nodded weakly feeling a bit more secure. The man didn't look so bad on second look. His dark eyes were filled with concern just like my dad's would be if I fell or injured myself.
"Glad to hear it," said the man as he put me down slowly, almost reluctantly.
"Now what is going on here?" asked the short lady who had accompanied the man inside the room.
"We were just playing, Mam," said Tommy staring angrily at me.
"I highly doubt that. But nevertheless, you Mr. Grayson are coming with us, this moment! Gather your stuff," ordered the lady. I grabbed the spare set of pyjamas and clothes, my teddy and my little box. They were the only things the police let me bring. Everything else was compounded until the investigation was over. When I turned towards the door, I could see Tommy and Jack glaring at me. So I stuck out my tongue at them.
I followed the tall man and the short woman down the hall. We stopped at the reception. I was quite curious as to what was going on.
"Am I going to a new room?" I asked hopefully. I seriously did not want to go back to that room with Tommy and Jack. The two adults shared a look. Then the tall man lowered himself down so he was closer to my eye level.
"Yes Richard, I was actually wondering if you would like to come live with me for a while. I have a nice big house with lots of space. I think you would really like it there," said the big man. It sounded like a really nice deal but if I learned anything in my life nothing was free.
"And why would you want to do that?" I asked. The lady went bright red and started splutters apologetic sounds. The man calmly held up his hand, silencing her. He faced me again, shifting slightly.
"Well Richard, I know how it feels to lose the people you hold dear. I can also see you are an intelligent young man. I want to give you the same opportunities I had. You still have a life to live even if you can't see that right now".
It did seem too good to be true but that didn't mean it wasn't so I nodded.
"Then I would like to live with you, mister," I said. He smiled as he straightened up.
"You can call me Bruce".
"And you can call me Dick". He held out his hand. It was very large and didn't look very soft. I still grabbed it. It felt warm and strong and for the first time since my parents had died I felt a little bit hopeful.
Even if I knew all those years ago that my life would end in this situation, I think I would still have taken Bruce's hand. I can't begin to imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn't. The friends I had made and the people I have helped have been worth it. It has all been worth it.
Zero
The timer beeped softly. An eerie calm settled over me.
"Eat dust!" I yelled at the aliens just before the whole mother-ship shook. I could feel the vibrations running through the floor. I felt the heat hit my face before I even realised the explosion had overcome me.
My last thought was that it was worth it. It was all worth it.
Cause this is the end, pretend that you want it. Don't react. The damage is done...
I woke with a gasp. I heard Miss Martian gasp near by too. Had she come back? I opened my eyes and saw the insides of the cave. I sat up quickly accessing the damage done to me. But there was none and where did my uniform go? I looked around and saw Wally, the rest of my team, Manhunter and ... Batman. Was Wally right all along? Was it a transporter?
"You are all alive?" yelled Megan joyously.
"What happened in there?" asked Batman seriously.
"The exercise," gasped Manhunter. "It all went wrong".
"Exercise?" I asked in shock.
"Try to remember", said Batman who was looking at me but addressing the entire team. As Manhunter explained what had taken place, my breathing calmed and my heart rate returned to normal.
It was all a training exercise. Nobody had died, it was all okay.
I looked around at my team. No it wasn't okay. I was their leader for only a short while and I would have sacrificed them all. I turned to look at Batman who was helping Manhunter stand. Who was I kidding, I was no leader, and I was no Batman. That realisation filled me with dread. Being Batman was all I ever wanted and now... and now... It felt like I had lost something that I didn't know was even precious to me. What was I going to do now?
The end. Thanks for reading and I would love to know what you think.