Reluctantly, Dick grasped the hand in a solid shake, wincing slightly at the sudden movement. The jolt of pain was short, but clearly visible on his features seeming as Barbara caught on. "Oh sorry about that, just a little excited to see a new face!" came Barbara's words sputtering from her mouth, followed by the silent thought to herself 'A cute one at that'. Dick gave a half smile as an attempt to reassure her, though only ended up causing himself more harm than good, deciding to sit back down on the bench.
"Geez, you look like shit, what's your name?" Barbara's words flowed out of her mouth, a slight chuckle included.
"Richard Grayson, but call me Dick" the wary boy answered back.
"You're just asking for trouble 'Dick'" Barbara replied, emphasising his name.
Dick's eye's focused on nothing in particular as he thought to himself 'Definition of my life'.
Barbara watched with interest, studying the kid. Of course she knew who he was, she watched the news! It was just overwhelming to personally meet the infamous boy.
Barbara's words brought Dick out of his trance, "well how about you come back to mine and get yourself cleaned up? I know how the foster care system can be, and my dad won't mind."
Dick grinned widely and stood, "lead the way"
Inspecting the area they had walked to, Dick scanned over the house they were approaching. A small building with a few levels of apartments identical to the other surrounding buildings. Walking up the stairs, the building lacking in none, Dick and Barbara stopped in front of a plain door. Barbara stuck her hand in her pocket, a jingling sound resonating through the air, pulling out an old key. Upon opening and entering the apartment, Dick was greatest with the smell of scented candles mixed in with cigar smoke.
"Showers are down that hall, take as long as you need" the kind sounding voice of Barbara stated as she flopped onto the couch with an unusual sense of grace.
Dick nodded, watching the quiet attractive red head as she pulled out a book, turning down the hall. The small apartment was luxurious compared to his current house, and the bathroom was no different. Though he had yet to see his own house's bathroom, Dick already sensed that this was a 5-star hotel in comparison. Once Dick deemed the bathroom to be foggy enough, he stepped into the shower. Running his fingers through his drenched hair, Dick breathed out a heavy breathe, looking over himself and inspecting his many injuries.
'Few too many marks than what I'd prefer' came his dreaded thoughts floating through his mind.
Barbara continued reading her book, thinking how she had felt Dick's eyes glide over her. He looked like he had been hit by a truck. Her thoughts were broken off as she heard the lock of the front door click, a rush of air as the wooden slab was, most likely a bit more forcefully than anticipated, opened. Jim Gordon entered, greeting his daughter Barbara Gordon as he entered. Taking a drag from his cigar, he moved towards her, kissing her forehead. Barbara grinned up at him, though internally panicking at the thought of her father's reaction to seeing a boy here. She needn't waste time thinking it up, as Dick walked down the hall fully dressed and looking much better than earlier.
Jim turned at the sound of another pair of footsteps, giving a worried glance towards Barbara. He let out a startled shock at what greeted him: Dick Grayson, hair dripping wet having just exited his shower, a look similar to Jim's plastered on his face.
Dick stuttered for words looking between Barbara and her father, as he had just found out the hard way. He knew this certain police officer very well. Barbara just giggled at the men's reaction.
"Daddy this is my friend Dick Grayson, found him wandering through Gotham Central, though I'm sure you already know him" came Barbara's snide voice full of amusement.
Jim took the boy's silent as an opportunity to assess the boy. He looked a bit roughened up, no doubt from the faults of the foster care system. His eyes still held the same sorrow from before, though hiding behind a well maintained mask of happiness. Jim gave a nod to the boy.
Clearing his throat, Dick was next to speak "evening sir, I was just about to head out"
Hearing this, Barbara stood, walking over and standing next to the young boy, excitedly proclaiming, "You should stay for dinner! I'm sure you'd love a good homemade meal!"
Chancing a glance to Jim, Dick got the idea that he wasn't quiet at that relationship level with this small family. "Its fine Barbara, you've done so much already, I should really get going though."
Walking towards the exit, Dick gave a nod and a quick wave before heading out the door. Once safely outside Dick relaxed, having died a little inside, knowing Jim Gordon's intense stare was off his back.
Trudging back along the path Dick had mapped out in his head, a vibration sounded in his pocket. Confusion crossed his featured as he stuck his hand in his jeans, retrieving a phone.
'I don't own a phone' He thought, confusion clearly evident on his facial features. No closer to any answers, Dick picked up.
"You little punk! You get your fucking ass back to this house instantly you ungrateful little shit!" projected the voice of Jeff through the device.
There was Dick's answer. Jeff had most likely slipped it into his pocket before he left. Hanging up, he continued at a faster pace back to the house, dread growing in his stomach with each step.
Sprinting through the confusing streets, Dick only now realised just how far he had walked. The wind had picked up pushing the small boy around. Fighting the wind, he pushed his way through an alleyway, but misplaced his footing on a loosened stone, causing him to face plant. Groaning, Dick lifted his head, perfectly time so that a sheet of paper blew straight into his face getting stuck. Pulling it off in frustration, Dick scanned over it, the title having caught his eye. 'Wanted: Tony Zucco'
Tears streamed down Dick's face at the rush of memories. It had only been two weeks, how had he already forgotten?! No, not forgotten, ignored. Pushed the matter aside. The murder of his parents, murdered by a man named Tony Zucco. The man advertised in this exact flyer. He knew this for a fact, he had overhead this 'Tony Zucco' and his Pop Haley talking before the deadly performance. Crying out in anger, Dick shredded up the paper and stood, continuing the long run back to his house. He had yet to get revenge.
Dick's head spun as the blood rushed to his head. Eyes darting around crazily, he failed to orientate himself with his surroundings. Hanging upside down did make it increasingly difficult. His vision was still filled with black splotches, so he decided shutting his eyes would be for the best. His memory was fuzzy, but like a dream, were slowing coming back to him.
Dick's heartbeat unevenly increased as he approached his house, the dread in his stomach growing. He stopped in front of the flaking door, breathing in deeply, every possible scenario running through his head. As he went to put his sweaty palm on the doorknob, the door swung inwards, opening. An animal-like growl emitting from Jeff's throat, Dick yelped as he was roughly dragged inside.
Being dragged down the hall, his feet failing to keep up with the fast pace, Dick hair was gripped harshly by Jeff's hand. His head being swung into the wall, Dick's world went black.
Dick groaned as the sudden headache came on. 'That son of a bitch' he thought harshly, referring to Jeff. Re-opening his eyes at the sound of a deep chuckle, Dick found himself staring at Jeff's face.
Jeff grinned, feeling accomplished. He looked over his artwork, the young boy hung from some old rafters in what was left of a ceiling. He frowned a little at the blood running down the side of the kid's face from where he's smashed his head, before smirking to himself as he thought 'Adds a splash of colour at least'.
A raspy voice sounded from the upside down figure saying, "Why? I haven't done anything wrong"
Jeff grunted, his smirk turning into a displeased frown. "You embarrassed me in front of my wife this morning. She needs to know, in fact everyone needs to realise and learn, that I hold the power."
'Guy with an ego and an apparent reputation huh?' Dick thought to himself as he felt even dizzier from the effort of speaking. "How long?" was all Dick could manage to squeeze out.
"Until tomorrow morning" drawled Jeff's vicious words, that grin growing on his face again. "Don't make it longer now, kid."
Dick internally whined, knowing it was going to be a long night. That is, if he survived that long. 'At least it will give me time to think of a way to get my revenge on Zucco.'