Dick's POV
I yank the door open and sprint down the hallway to my room. My heart pounds out of my chest as I repeat one thought over and over in my head, I refuse to let anything hurt Damian!
I turn the corner into my room, keeping my momentum going before noticing that the room is actually... exactly as I left it, including Damian sleeping safe and sound on my bed. In my confusion, I struggle to stop myself and fling my legs into the air as I fall backwards onto the floor. Thankfully the bed covers make my landing a little less- wait, why are the covers on the floor?
I guess not everything is how I left it. I stand up and look around, nervously panting as I realize all the covers and pillows have been thrown off of my bed and scattered across the floor, except for the pillow beneath Damian's head. If I was still looking for logical explanations, I'd say maybe Damian threw them all off, but he's lying in the exact same position he was in before. I look around the room more thoroughly now, trying to make sure I don't miss anything this time. If someone or something is hiding in here, any mistake could be costly.
I wipe some sweat off my forehead as I come to the conclusion that the only thing affected was my bed. But with the window closed, I know that something else did this, I just don't know what. I gather the covers off of the floor and place them back over Damian, before carefully climbing back into bed myself. I switch off the paused movie, and gently bring Damian into my arms, cradling him as I close my eyes and try to get some sleep. I can work this all out with a fresh mind in the morning, I'm sure it-
CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
My entire body freezes. That sounded very similar to the noise I heard in Damian's room... I open my eyes a crack, checking to see if the door is still closed, which it is. Well, there is still a storm going on, I should expect some noise. As long as nothing's moved, we should be okay. I close my eyes again.
CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
I breathe a deep sigh as my chest starts to feel heavy, I'm getting sick of this. I open my eyes checking that the door is closed once again, then that the windows are closed, nothing has changed. It has to be the storm, or maybe I'm just hearing things, that would be completely understandable with what's happened tonight, but I have to get over it or I'm never going to get any sleep. I close my eyes.
CREEK! CREEK! CREEK! CREEK!
Or maybe I'm not hearing things, that's definitely footsteps-
CREEK! CREEK!
Yup, definitely footsteps! From the bottom of the bed and coming closer! Whatever this is, it's toying with me. I take a deep breath, I'm not going to be scared this time. Because now I have Damian with me, and I won't let anything touch him!
CREEK!
Now's my chance! As I hear the noise beside me I spring upwards, opening my eyes as I swiftly punch in the direction it came from. But as my fist fails to connect with anything, all I see is thin air... but I swear I heard-
And that's when I notice out of the corner of my eye, the door of the wardrobe at the bottom of my bed, it's wide open. I slowly turn my head, scanning the room for anyone hiding, before getting out of bed and turning on the light. I check that Damian is still asleep and safe, which he is, before examining the wardrobe.
Nothing seems to have moved inside, which would have to happen if someone was hiding in here. But I do spot something, a feather at the bottom of wardrobe. It definitely doesn't belong to any piece of clothing inside. I pick it up and look at it in the light. It's fairly large and has a thick striped pattern. I close the wardrobe and place the feather on the table next to my bed, before getting back in and turning off the light. Another clue, I yawn, hopefully I can make some sense out of all this tomorrow. I give the feather one last look before closing my eyes.
I wake up as the light shines on my face from the window. While my eyes adjust, the first thing I see is the feather, a reminder that last night wasn't just a dream, no matter how much I wish it was. I look back to the window, thankfully noticing that the storm has been replaced by a clear sky. At least Damian can be happy about that. I look at him, still fast asleep in my arms. I don't plan on letting him out of my sight again after the scare last night, not until I know what's going on. So I stay in bed until he wakes up.
When he does, he lifts his head to look at me groggily. I ruffle his hair.
"I thought you said you weren't tired last night?"
He gives me glare, "I never said I wasn't tired, Grayson," he yawns, "I said I didn't want to sleep."
"Well now that you have, are you feeling better?" I ask.
He looks out the window and gives that hint of a smile that even he can't hide sometimes, before laying back down.
"No, I'm sorry, Dami. But we've got to get up now," I gently shake him before he can try and go back to sleep.
"Why?" he asks, squinting at me.
Well because I have to get up to start investigating what happened and I can't leave you on your own. But I can't tell you that, so...
"Because Alfred's already made breakfast, and it will get cold if we don't eat it soon."
He grunts as he sits up. I put the feather from the table in my pocket before he can notice it, then start to get ready for the day. When I'm done, I follow Damian to his room so he can do the same before we go down to the kitchen for breakfast. Alfred is there finishing up our meals.
"Good morning, young sirs. I was just about to wake you up for breakfast."
"No need, you know us, always early risers," I joke.
Alfred gives a slight chuckle, "Let's agree that you're often awake at sunset," he says as we sit down before he places the food in front of us.
"Oh by the way, Alfred. I have something I need to discuss with you, if you don't mind," I gesture to the hallway.
"Of course."
"Just a sec, Dami," I look back to Damian, who rolls his eyes before digging into his breakfast.
"What is it that you wanted to discuss?" Alfred asks, "is it something about Master Damian?"
"Uh, not really," I don't want to say too much about last night yet, I'm going to look a little crazy as it is. I pull the feather out of my pocket, "can you find out what kind of bird this belongs to?"
Alfred raises an eyebrow at me, but takes the feather.
"I have a lot to do today, especially with making sure that nothing on the grounds was damaged by the storm, but I shall do my best to look into it. Are you going to tell me why you need this information?"
"I will as soon as I know myself," I place a hand on his shoulder, "but thanks for trusting me," I flash him a smile.
"That's what I'm here for, and to tell you when you're being foolish, which I will prepare for depending on how this goes. Now as I said, I have a lot to do, so I shall leave you to your breakfast."
He places the feather in his breast pocket as I turn around and rejoin Damian in the kitchen.
Damian's POV
Grayson's useless at being secretive, I'm sure he was just telling Pennyworth about whatever happened last night. Tension rises in my chest as he sits down opposite me, I wait to see if he'll mention anything, but he just starts eating his breakfast. I give him occasional looks, thinking he may bring up what happened when our eyes make contact. But instead he just looks around the room, is he humming something?
"Are you okay, Grayson?" I ask.
"I'm fine, are you?" he replies, with particular emphasis on my well-being.
I sigh, he just wants me to be the one to ask, "did you see anything in my room last night?"
"Well the window and door were open and the wind was very strong, so I can definitely see how it would swing open with enough force to knock you over, especially since you weren't expecting it. But no, I didn't see anything else, the rain didn't get anything too wet, there were no scratch marks on the window, everything was normal. There's nothing to worry about."
He gives me a comforting smile. Hmm, perhaps I've been overreacting, those are certainly plausible explanations for what happened in my bedroom. The events in the cave however, now that I think about it, still back up my theory that something is going on.
"Good, I trust your assessment," I reply, looking down at my food to hide the tension I am still carrying.
"So, what do you want to do today?" he asks.
Maybe if I take Grayson down to the cave, we can see if I truly was just overreacting.
"Perhaps we should do something actually useful, like training," I suggest.
"Sounds good to me."
We finish eating and start to make our way towards the cave, I can feel my heart beating a little faster as we get closer. I begin breathing in fast shallow breaths as I watch Grayson turn the handles of the clock. He walks onto the stairs, but I hesitate. He stops and turns back to look at me.
"Are you okay? Did you change your mind?" he asks.
Why am I so worried? I'm not alone this time, Grayson is here. Everything will be fine. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes before opening them with determination.
"Of course I'm fine, Grayson. Let's go," I say as we walk down the stairs to the cave, the entrance closing behind us.
As we reach the bottom, I take in the sights just as I did yesterday. Grayson heads for the training area to get some equipment ready. This doesn't feel like it did during the storm, it's just a normal day. That's it, just a normal day of training I tell myself before joining Grayson.
As we get to work, I try my best to focus on training, but I can't help but peak into the mirror whenever I have an opening. I don't see anything out of the ordinary, but the urge to check refuses to leave me. I think Grayson realizes this when he knocks me down to the mat after I take my eyes off him.
"How about some music?" he suggests as he helps me up, "It's too quiet down here."
He turns towards the speaker system, and that's when I feel it. That sensation on the back of my neck, like I'm being watched. My hands start to shake as I think about looking into the mirror one more time-
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!
I jump as the speakers start to blast that weird sound, what's Grayson doing? I start sweating now as I try to cover my ears. I look over to the speakers to see what's going on, but I pause as I spot something, in the corner of my eye. That figure in the mirror, it's back...
"Grayson..."
"I know, I'm trying to fix it!"
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!
"No, I meant-"
"How did I make it worse?"
He's not listening! I have to look, I- Oh no...
It feels like my heart stops as I look and realize, the figure, it's getting closer! Wait, not just closer, it's running straight at me!
"GRAYSON!" I scream as I turn as swiftly as I can and sprint towards the stairs. Don't look back, don't look back, don't-
"DAMIAN!" I hear Grayson yell, but I'm not stopping, all I can think about is getting out of this cave as fast as possible. I already feel out of breath as I reach the stairs, but I have to push further, I have no idea how close that thing-
I jump up the first few steps as I feel something breathing across my neck. It gets harder and harder to not look back as I realize I can hear three sets of feet running up the stairs. I know one is mine, I can only hope another is Grayson's, the third- No stop it, don't look back, keep your eyes on the entrance.
I hear the sound of glass shattering as the stairway starts to get darker, and darker. The darkness is creeping up behind me, I have to out run it, I have to-
"Ugh!" I yell as I feel someone grab my arm. The darkness passes over me, leaving just the light at the entrance ahead visible.
"I've got you!"
Oh god, it's got me! It's-
Wait, they're not trying to stop me, they're helping me forwards.
"Grayson?" I ask in shock.
"I've got you, Dami. It's fine, just keep running and don't look back!"
"I couldn't if I wanted tooo- OOOH! IT'S GOT ME!" I scream as I feel a hand wrap around my ankle, trying to pull me back.
"KICK IT, DAMIAN! KICK IT!" Grayson yells.
I take his advice and desperately try to kick backwards with my other leg as Grayson pulls me towards the manor. I can feel connection, so I start viciously kicking over and over again in one spot.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" I scream as I can feel the grip on my ankle loosening.
I hear Grayson open the door as I give one last kick with all my might. Light floods into the stairway as whatever grabbed me lets go, causing us to fly back into the manor from our momentum. The grandfather clock slams closed behind us.
We roll across the floor, before I end up lying on my back looking at the ceiling, unable to stop my rapid breathing. Grayson sits up and leans over me.
"Are you okay?" he asks, "did you get hurt?"
I close my eyes and shake my head, my sweaty hair flopping around as I do. I can feel him remove my sock and inspect my ankle, which I ignore as I try to calm down. Come on now, just take deep breaths, slow ones, we're safe now...
Grayson places my foot back on the ground and turns his head back to me, "So, Damian, there's something I should have told you."
I look at him.
"Remember when I said I didn't see anything last night? Well, that's not completely true..."
He lied to me. I start gritting my teeth as anger bubbles up, replacing the fear inside me. I sit up, thrusting my face into his.
"What did you see?" I growl.
As he explains what happened, I can feel all of the pent up emotions over the last two days rising to the surface. When he finishes, I yell directly into his face.
"WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT BEFORE?"
"Because I wanted to protect you-"
"WELL GOOD JOB, YOU FIXED EVERYTHING AND COMPLETELY PROTECTED ME. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WERE TOO BUSY DEALING WITH THAT STUPID NOISE, TO HELP ME WITH WHATEVER IT WAS THAT CHASED ME!"
I can feel tears building up as I sit there, staring into Grayson's eyes and struggling to control my breathing. He pulls me into a hug.
"I'm so sorry, Dami," he whispers into my ear, "I promise to be completely honest with you from here on. I won't let that thing touch you ever again."
The tears I was trying desperately to hold back pour down my face, as Grayson slowly rocks me back and forth.
"To be honest, I didn't tell you everything either," I say before sniffling, "I saw that thing in the cave yesterday."
"Is that why you were so nervous last night?"
I nod my head against his shoulder as I start sobbing.
"Shhhh, it's okay, everything's okay."
We stay like that until the tears stop and I finally relax into steady breathing, at which point Grayson holds me out at arm's length and gives me a smile.
"So I know what do next, we're going to solve this once and for all," he says.
"How?"
"We tell Alfred everything, of course."
So that's what we do, we find Pennyworth and explain the situation.
"Did you get a good look at what grabbed you, Master Damian?" he asks.
"It was blurry in the mirror and then impossible to see when the lights went out on the stairs, but I know it was white, bright white."
"Did you see it, Master Dick?"
"I only saw it chasing Damian through the mirror, by the time I got to the stairs, the lights were already gone. But it was definitely there, Alfred."
"Oh don't worry, I believe you both. I know you would not come to me for something like this if you weren't serious. But I have one more question, since you haven't seen this thing, do you even have any theories for what it could be?"
"I do," I say, "I believe it to be a spirit."
"Ah, a poltergeist then?"
"I suppose so."
"And you, Master Dick?"
"I, uh, think Damian may be right about that."
"-tt- Of course I am, I was dead myself for some time, I know a bit about how these things work."
"That may be true, young sir. But if we are operating on the assumption that we are dealing with a poltergeist, I don't believe any of us to be very prepared. My advice would be to spend some time doing research on how to deal with these things. I for example, shall look into the feather that Master Dick gave me earlier."
"That sounds like a good idea, Alfred. I think I may have someone I can talk to, what about you, Damian?"
"I'm sure I can think of something," I reply.
"Well then, let's meet back here in a few hours, and see what everyone has come up with."
As the others go to do their research, I go to the library. After briefly looking for any books on the subject of spirits, I decide the best course of action is to meditate. I'm sure there is something useful I can get from my experiences with death, and hopefully this will help me unlock it.
I sit down and close my eyes, trying to empty my mind, focusing on my breathing and then nothi-
"Are you going to sit down and listen or not?"
What? Is that mother's voice?
"-tt- I don't see the point in listening to more useless tales of grandfather's past. It was sooo long ago, and it doesn't interest me."
A conversation I had with her...
"This is not about long ago, this is about now. The past is all around you, Damian. And even more so for your grandfather, once you have faced death, the lines between the past and present are blurred."
"What are you talking about?"
I think I remember this, interesting-
RRRRUUUUUUUUMBLE!
"Wah!" I jump as I open my eyes, it's dark outside, storming again...
"You okay, Dami?" Grayson asks as I spot him in the doorway.
"I'm fine."
He gives me a smile, "good, it's time to discuss what we've found with Alfred. Come on."
After we all sit down, Pennyworth starts with his findings.
"I looked into the feather, it didn't take long as my first guess turned out to be the correct one. It belongs to an owl. Which of course doesn't necessarily mean it's the most obvious option, but I do think it would be a good idea to consider that The Court of Owls may be involved."
Grayson sighs, "I feared that might be the case when I saw it, but at least that definitely gives us a lead. What about you, Dami? Did you find anything?"
"Uh, no, actually, not yet. I was close, but then you interrupted me."
"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I wanted to give us more time, but I had to make sure we'd discussed everything before my guest arrives."
"Guest?" asks Pennyworth.
"Yeah, a guy I had a couple experiences with as Nightwing. Works with this sort of poltergeist stuff. He actually owes Nightwing a favour, but of course I couldn't cash that in and then invite him here. So... I agreed a fairly large amount of cash, for him at least, to come here tonight."
"And what does this guest plan to do?"
"Well he suggested we try a séance, see what the spirit wants."
"Is that safe?"
"It's no more dangerous than going back into the cave without knowing what's down there. So if that's all we've got, we should start setting up for when he arrives. He suggested we do it where there has been some activity, and since the cave isn't an option, I suggest maybe we do it in your room, Damian?" he asks as he turns to me, "if you'd be okay with that."
My heart drops as he says those words.
"Does it have to be my room?"
"It would be the best place," he places his hand over mine, "I promise I'll be there the whole time, right beside you."
I take a deep breath.
"Okay, I'll do it, on one condition. If my room ends up haunted, then I get to have yours as a replacement."
He chuckles, "if that's what it takes, it's a deal."
We go to my room and set up a round table and four chairs next to the window, before Grayson arrives with his guest. A broad shouldered Asian man who appears to be in his fifties, he's wearing a long soaking trench coat, Pennyworth's expression in response to this briefly gives me some relief from the dread I've been feeling.
"Master Dick, did you not offer to take the man's coat downstairs?" he asks, shocked and confused.
"I'm afraid I insist," the guest pipes up, "I always wear this on the job, would hate to get rid of what could be a lucky charm on such a lucrative job. Of course, I am retired actually from this line of work, but I'm not going to say no to coming to Wayne Manor of all places."
"So..." Grayson jumps in awkwardly, "this is Mr Nagata. Mr Nagata, this is Damian, and this is Alfred."
"Right, let's get down to business. You said you have a feather that you believe to be linked to the activity?" he asks.
"Yes, indeed. Here," Pennyworth says as he pulls it from his pocket and hands it to the man.
"Okay, I'm going to place that in the center of the table there. Now, I want everyone to take a seat and lock hands."
As we do, I can feel the tension once again rising in my chest. Grayson gives me one last reassuring smile as he takes my hand, "it's going to be okay."
RRRRUUUUUUUUMBLE!
Yeah, sure...
"Evening spirit," Mr Nagata starts, "we've gathered here today as we wish to contact you. You've been making yourself known, and we'd like to know why. Please feel welcome in our little circle..."
I can't help but squeeze Grayson's hand in shock as I see the feather in the center of the table begin to levitate. He gives me a nod in reply.
"Well that's interesting," Nagata says, "haven't had that happen before. Anyway, as I was saying, please feel welcome in our circle, and feel free to join-"
Nagata stops as his eyes roll into the back of his head, leaving just the whites visible. I can feel my hands getting increasingly sweaty as we wait to see what happens.
"Uh, Mr Nagata?" Grayson asks.
"I'm not Mr Nagata..." he says, with a much lower voice than before. It doesn't actually feel like the voice is coming from him, more like it's all around us, even though his mouth is moving in time with the words.
"Then who am I speaking to?"
"We are The Court."
RRRRUUUUUUUUMBLE!
We look at each other in concern.
"The Court of Owls?"
"Yes."
"What, the entire court? Which generation of them? Because that doesn't make any sense. How many are you?" Grayson quizzes, his voice sounding progressively more panicked as he goes on.
"We are The Court and we want the Wayne boy."
I knew it, it's me they're after. My heart starts to beat out of my chest as my eyes open wide in panic.
"Well tough, you can't have him! Now leave!" Grayson yells in anger.
"WE. WANT. THE. WAYNE. BOY!"
"I SAID LEAVE, RIGHT NOW AND NEVER COME-"
RRRRUUUUUUUUMBLE!
Nagata cuts Grayson off as he breaks the circle and lunges at me from across the table, I'm too shocked to move as he pushes me to the floor and grabs around my throat. As he starts to squeeze, I try to grab at his face. He doesn't respond, so I try kicking him. Grayson grabs him from behind and desperately tries to pull him off, but it's no good, he's so strong. I can barely breathe, my lungs feel like they're on fire. All I can do is wheeze as I slowly lose the strength to move, tears pour down my face. I don't want to die, not again...
Thank you all sooo much for your reviews, favorites and follows! Your support is very much appreciated. I really hope you all enjoyed the direction this chapter went in, sorry if it got too dark for any of you. It's going to be a rollercoaster from here ;D
