CHAPT4

voices. I could hear voices. They were saying...something. Everything was a fog. It filled my brain, my mouth, my throat. Making it near impossible to breath, or think. The fog seemed to penetrate my heart, filling it with fear, anger, madness. Then, there was a new voice, It said "skyler." it was louder than the others, this voice. I tried to chase it. To capture it. but I couldn't. It controlled itself, it came, and it went. Sometimes it was loud, loud enough to give me a headache. Other times it was quiet, barley a whisper. But each time I heard it, the fog got a little thinner, the voices a little louder, the fear a little less penetrating. Bit by bit. Until I was able to make out exactly what each individual voice was saying, until the fear was gone completely, until I could think clearly again.

"skyler, skyler can you hear me?" I realized it was a mans voice. I opened one eye tentatively, before squeezing it shut again.

"gaaaaaaaa light" I moaned.

"Skyler please try to open your eyes" he commanded again. I shook my head, curling deeper into a ball. I heard the man sigh before pleading with me again

"please you might have a concussion if you would please just open your eyes for a little bit it will be over soon I promise" I paused before whimpering and uncurling a bit.

"that's it" he said encouragingly. I opened my eyes carefully, allowing them to water when he shined the bright flashlight into my retinas.

"well there is no sign of head trauma, and you don't appear to be in shock, so I think your okay to go home miss raine!" he stated cheerfully. I glared at him.

"well that's all fine and dandy, just one question. WHERE THE HELL AM I?" I yelled. Harsh yes. Did I care? Not really. I had a splitting headache, my throat felt like it had cotton in it, and worst of all I didn't have the faintest clue as to where I was. so basically all bits of politeness were thrown out the window

"you are at the Gotham general hospital" he smiled at me, obviously expecting me to be relieved. I wasn't. I stared at him incredulously.

"...huh?" I asked confused. he pursed his lips obviously losing his patience.

"please miss raine allow me to explain" I turned toward the familiar deep voice

"Mr Wayne?" I asked confused

"what are you doing here?" I added

"Skyler" he stated sitting next to me on the crisp, white, bed sheets

"if you'll excuse me, there are other patients I need to attend to." the chipper doctor stated before scuttling out the door. Smart guy.

"Not long after you lost conciseness, batman and robin showed up." I felt my breath catch in my throat. I couldn't breath for a minute.

"wait- what?" I asked obviously shocked to the core.

"batman and robin. They were there. They took out the scarecrow and his henchmen." he paused, I stared at him

"wh- what about two face?" I asked, terror obviously showing on my face. "he…escaped" I stared at him for a moment. Unable to believe what he was saying.

"he managed to steal a life boat and sailed away before they could stop him" I was silent. he stared at me, obviously gauging my reaction. When I didn't respond he said something, I am not sure what though, it sounded muffled and far away. All I could think was, my life is over I am doomed. There is nothing I can do. He is going to find me whether before or after they catch him, It doesn't matter, the outcome is going to be the same… the only difference will be how long it takes for him to find me. Even if they do catch him before he gets to me it wont change a thing. He WILL escape and he WILL find me and when he does he WILL kill me. The is no doubt about that.

It was at the end of these thoughts that a word suddenly popped out at me "safe house"

"wait-what" I asked suddenly, shocked to attention

"I said the police have agreed that you would be safer living under protection, at a sort of safe house if you would" he smiled at me like this would make all my problems disappear.

"And where exactly would this safe house be?" I asked venom lacing my words. I knew the answer before I asked it. I was going to be forced to stay with one of the police officers, a total stranger. "that's the best part. I have agreed to let you come and live with me for the time being" his smile got bigger, more welcoming if that was at all possible. I stared at him confused

"your place? Why?" he looked at me with the isn't-it-obvious, Stare that I had become so accustomed to from living with my mother.

"well for one I am rich. thus I have the best security system money can buy." I nodded. it did make sense after all.

" well okay then.. wait!" I gasped panic crossing my features.

"does my mother know about this?" I asked anxiously

"actually... we were hoping you could break the news to her." he responded with a careful chuckle. I stared at him. Is it possible? I asked my self. Could he really see through my moms facade enough to know she would go berserk once she heard the news? No there is no way. No one has ever suspected her before she dumped them! No, he probably just expected there to be tears and didn't want to have to console her... but still...

"skyler? Are you okay? Do you want me to go get the doctor for you?" I was jerked out of my thoughts by Bruce's concerned expression.

"no no I am fine just.. thinking" I reassured carefully

"so where is she?" I added wanting to get this over with

"oh she is in the cafeteria I believe she wanted to get you something to eat when you woke up.." he trailed off before adding quickly

"ill just go get her now" walking out the door I growled under my breath when he had left. This was going to be fan-freaking-tastic. really great. I could picture her now, screaming, racing around to pick out all my best clothes, (or at least her version of my best clothes...) giving me every tip she could think of on winning over their affection, being the perfect guest, looking absolutely adorable, etc. etc. I was doomed.

"SKYLER" I looked in horror at the over happy blond standing in the doorway.

"mom" I responded tonelessly, she lunged towards me. Squishing the air out of me in a bone crushing bear hug.

"fallow my lead or face the consequences" she hissed so the others couldn't hear.

"oh sweet heart I am so glad you are okay!" she gushed, I grumbled incoherently. She began stroking my hair. Pulling at it painfully when I tried to shove her away.

"miss raine I believe skyler has some important news she needs to tell you." Mr Wayne said stiffly looking away.

"well what is it sweetie?" she asked in a voice that probably would sound concerned to the normal passerby. But I knew what she meant, I could see it in her eyes. What she had really meant to say was "what the heck did you do this time?"

"um well the police have talked to Mr Wayne and decided that..well that um..." she gave me a glare, and I knew she was mentally cursing for me to speed it up. "thatishouldstayatmrwaynesunt illtheyfindtwoface! For um...ya-know... safety"the words tumbled out before I could stop them. Mom paused for a moment, obviously trying to decipher my ramble. After about a minute, her eyes widened and her eyebrow twitched a few times. I stared back fear fully. Her grip on me turned vice-like, and I felt her pulling my hair as she stroked it. Her face split slowly into a malevolent smile. She turned towards Mr Wayne

"well okay if that's whats best" she stated

"that's good to know miss raine. if you would, I believe that skyler would like to get some clothes from her house. If you could take her back we would be happy to come pick her up as soon as possible" she smiled sweetly in response

"of course! Lets go now dear!" she laughed puling me up I stumbled, but fallowed after obediently. when we got out to the car we got in and buckled up. There was an awkward silence before she stated simply

"your not going." I stared at her for a moment

"mom there is no other option" I sighed leaning back

"NO! I WONT LET YOUR DISGRACEFULL BUTT AFFECT MY PLAN!" she screamed. I jumped in shock

"gees mom you have never been this over protective over your other boyfriends..." I trailed off, scanning her tense body with my eyes, trying to find some indication for the reason of her outburst. "he is more important than the others" it was barely a whisper. It took me a moment to circulate what she had said. I looked at her, confused

"what?" I asked, she wasn't making any sense. None at all.

"what? Oh nothing, I didn't say anything you must be hearing things skyler" she said coolly. she started the car and backed out of our parking spot and started driving out of the parking lot. When we reached the house, she opened the door with a sigh

"i guess your right there is no other choice" then she turned to me, a terrifying smile splitting her face in two. I knew what was coming next.

"besides now I get to pack your bags" she let out a girlish squeal before practically skipping to the door. I groaned. trudging after her irritably. When we got inside she pulled out my suitcase and began carefully picking skirts, tancktops, v-neck dresses, short shorts and accessories. I felt a headache coming on. She paused on about the 12th pair of shorts before turning towards me

"i have to go make a phone call. you stay here and clean this up" she gestured to the explosion of clothes surrounding her. when she left I stared at the mess. Yup defiantly feel a headache coming on. After folding and putting away about the 6th piece of clothing she came in and saw the mess the blonde glared irritated.

"whats taking so long?" she snapped

"if you think its so easy you do it!" I retorted. suddenly a loud ringing clanged throughout the house. They were here.

"ill get it! You finish up!" she stated walking with a flourish out of the room. Almost as soon as she was gone I began digging a hole. scooping out the short skirts and other various short things. Then, I sprinted to the small box in the very corner of my room. This was dubbed as Skylers corner. Inside the box was a variety of jeans and t-shirts. I emptied the whole thing into the small hole I had created. Shoving the stuff I had pulled out of the bag into the box, I zipped up the bag and began heading into the hallway.

"oh of course ill come and visit! I'm going to miss skyler like crazy!" I heard he screeching voice. as I turned the corner I detected a faint buzzing noise and looked into the kitchen. There on the table was my moms cell phone. I looked back towards the living room where everyone was sitting. And began inching towards the phone. I couldn't help it, I was nosy. Looking at the screen I saw there was a text message. I clicked it open. My heart stopped at what it read. 'this isn't going to affect the plan is it?' OK maybe that isn't such an ominous sounding message but it was the one I read before it that really freaked me out. It was about me. 'bad news the girls going to be staying at the Wayne manor for a little while' I would've read more, but at that moment I could hear the conversation faltering, and decided it was my cue to go on. Placing the phone carefully on the counter I began dragging my bag to the living room. Every one stopped talking and stared at me.

"well your here" mom stated well no dip Sherlock I thought snarkily

"yeah I guess I'm ready to go" I stated, nodding my head awkwardly towards the door.

"well then I suppose we should be going" Mr Wayne stood up, heading towards the door.

"oh sweetie!" mom cried, strangling me in a bone crushing hug

"mom….cant…breath" I gasped. she let me go reluctantly.

"well ok be careful sweetie!" she shouted before closing the door behind us. I scowled back. "may I take your bags madam?" I leaped a foot in the air at the old British voice. Whipping around at light speed I saw a tall, balding, old man. I relaxed when I realized he was probably the butler.

"oh excuse me, im Alfred. you are ms raine I presume?" he stated with an apologetic smile "oh..ya um its fine…. And sure yeah" I mumbled awkwardly. I expected him to at least lean over slightly with the weight of the overnight bag but, much to my surprise, he carried it easily over to the trunk of the limo.

"Skyler is their a problem?" I was jerked away from my staring by Mr Waynes deep voice. "oh….uh nothing its fine" I smiled awkwardly

"well come on then" he gestured towards the automobile . I jogged the rest of the way to the open door of the limo. I tripped slightly on entry to the posh car. It took me a moment to realize I had stumbled into the lap of none other than Dick Grayson.

"we have to stop meeting like this" he chuckled I blushed stumbling over my words

"oh uh…yeah.. um.. oops… yeah sorry" I tripped to my seat. He chuckled behind me. I turned my burning face to look out the window. I wasn't surprised at the sight of the large mansion. My mother and I had driven by it multiple times to our way to school. Ugh that reminds me. Spring break ends in a week... I thought sullenly. I don't hate school, I just don't like it. I tolerate it. and like every other normal teen out their, the end of spring break, along with the beginning of a new semester, is dreaded and anticipated. I was pulled away from these thoughts by dicks voice

"skyler we are here" I slid out of the open door dick was holding.

"oh yeah um thanks" I mumbled fallowing silently to the front door. I barely held back my gasp of astonishment when I walked through the door. Yeah, I figured it would be fancy he was a millionaire after all. But it was pretty amazing. Marble floors, tall columns reaching the high ceiling, mahogany stairwell, and a beautiful chandelier in the middle of the foyer.

"nice huh?" I jerked spinning around to face the smirking Grayson.

"oh..uh yeah its great" I stated lamely. he frowned at me in a curious way. I stared back, Confused.

"Alfred if you could please escort skyler to her room" Bruce smiled my way.

"of course master Bruce" Alfred responded obediently, heading up the mahogany stairway. I fallowed, staring at everything, taking It all in, hoping I wouldn't get lost.

"here we are" he stated, opening the doors to a large guestroom. The style pretty much matched the rest of the house, elegant, large, gorgeous, but nothing different.

"i will leave you to freshen up. Dinner will be ready at 7" he stated walking out the door. It was then I realized I hadn't showered since the party... I was scared to look in the mirror. Forcing myself to glance in, I cringed back immediately. I was still in my dress from the cruise except it was torn, and caked in the dried blood of the man I had stabbed with mothers switchblade. My hair (if you'd even call it that at this point) was matted and greasy. My face had broken out into a fresh set of pimples. 3 on my forehead, 1 on my chin, and 2 on each cheek. Going to the bedside table I looked at the clock. 5:00 I had 2 hours. I headed to the bathroom to get to work. First I showered, then, wrapping myself in a towel, I attacked my hair with a brush. The battle was slow and ferocious, but in the end, I came out victorious and smiled at the thought of clean brushed-through hair. Grabbing a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt that read in simple white on black letters 'what doesnt kill me had better start running' I walked over to the vanity mirror, and got to work on my face. I was on about the 5th pimple when I heard a careful knock on the door.

"come in" I called, wiping my face with a towel.

"miss raine dinner is ready" Alfred informed politely

"ok ill be there" I responded, beginning to lather my face with the pimple cream my mother had gotten me for Christmas. When I was done Alfred had left, and I wondered dully how to get to the dinning room. Walking into the hall way, I turned in a random direction and walked that way until I smelled food. Following the sweet scent I eventually found my way to the dinning hall.

"there she is!i was just about to send dick after you!" Bruce chuckled

"oh um yeah sorry.." I stuttered, rubbing the back of my neck self-concisely

"oh that's fine! sit down! Eat!" he gestured blithely to the seat across from dick. Silently I walked over and sat down

"thank you" I mumbled when Alfred put down the hot, steaming plate, of delicious smelling food in front of me. The rest of dinner was uneventful. Bruce talked about work, I nodded politely and said a comment here and there, but other than that, me and dick were quiet.

After dinner I walked over to the balcony and stood there, leaning precariously over the rail. "pretty night huh?" I held down my screech and only jerked a little bit at the unexpected voice behind me. An accomplishment for me.

"whats with you and sneaking up on people!?" I asked, my temper flaring. He chuckled leaning against the rail next to me.

"its fun" he responded simply. Taking deep breaths I stood next to him calmly.

"that was some show you put on the other day" he stated. It took me a moment to realize what he was talking about. When I did, flashbacks overtook me of the terrible ordeal. Screaming, crying, sliding slowly towards the water, drowning.

"hey are you okay?" I turned my face slowly towards him. I realized tears were streaking down my cheeks.

"oh um yeah..yeah im fine" I stated wiping away the moisture. He looked away sadly. There was silence for a minute before dick broke it.

"can I ask u a question?" he asked turning towards me.

"that was one but sure." I responded easily

"what did you see?" he asked me cautiously.

"that's personnel." I responded gruffly. Immediately, his face went beet red, and he started to stumble over his words

"oh um oops sorry..i didn't mean..i mean I didn't. I wasn't trying to..." my face softened, chuckling, I responded

"now you sound like me" he smiled in response. there was silence in which I started thinking, he is kinda sweet...stop it skyler! No crushing allowed! mother would go insane if she new you were crushing! but he is really cute...if a little annoying...

"why do you do that?" I jerked from my thoughts by his annoyed voice

"do what?" I responded confused

"that! Stare into space like that!" he waved his hands in emphasis

"why do you always ask me personnel questions?!" I shot back, putting my hands on my hips. He sighed, turning back to the rail.

"never-mind." he said in a defeated tone. I smiled to myself

"so that was pretty crazy wasn't it? Batman showing up and everything..." he trailed off "yeah...what was he like?" I asked, as a plan started in my mind. A slow, and dangerous thought. More like a parasite really. Worming its way into my brain, to feed on my curious thoughts and ways...

"oh I don't know... I was too busy hiding.." he stated carelessly, I nodded empathetical.

"how do you think he got away? I mean surly someone saw him..." he looked at me carefully, "i don't know. I mean it was dark... everyone was panicked... he could have slipped away in a helicopter or something..." he trailed off.

"yeah your probably right.." I responded, unconvinced. The subject was dropped, and we both went off to our respectable beds with a mumbled goodnight. The rest of the night, though, I couldn't keep the thoughts away, they were sprouting, multiplying, until I couldn't take anymore and I gave into the curiosity. I don't care what dick said. Batman, was a passenger on that cruise. And I wont rest until I find out who it is. What can I say? I'm nosy.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyy! im soooooooooooooo sorry about the wait! but with school and family and clubs... I just couldnt get it done! but here it is! and I cant find the super people... I think they hid when I ate that chocolate bar... soooo I own nothing! haha now im off to find my super buddies! *walks away with evil gleam in eyes*