As she hummed a happy tune, Barbara spread the berry jam over the toast. Once she had finished, she lifted up the pan filled with scrambled eggs and placed them alongside the plate of toast.
"Barbara?" Her dad yawned. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Hm?" Barbara glanced over her shoulder. "I thought you might still be tired from last night, so I made breakfast for you."
"Well, thank you. This is quite a surprise." James took a seat at the table. "Speaking of last night, did you have fun? I saw you in the corner most of the time."
"Yes, I did," Barbara smiled to herself. "And yes, I was until I decided to go out on the observation deck."
"The observation deck? In the middle of December? Barbara, you could have caught an illness!"
"I quite like the cold." She answered, placing the plate before her father.
"What were you doing out there?" James asked, taking a bite of the toast.
"You know... just observing." Barbara wanted to laugh as she filled a mug with coffee.
"Barbara- Is there something you're not telling me?" James questioned.
"And why would you ask that?" Barbara raised an eyebrow, setting the mug down roughly.
"Because your mood- It seems different. You seem different," James looked at her suspiciously.
"Oh my God- I cannot win with you! For once, I feel much better and you get worried about that! Would you rather I be causing trouble?! Would you rather I be alone and sullen?!" Barbara demanded.
"Enough! Don't you speak to me like that again!" James scolded, leaping to his feet. "And what is this talk of being alone? You have me! You have Sarah-"
"I had nearly forgotten about her," Barbara scoffed. "I just wanted to do a nice thing for you and you have to interrogate me like a criminal. Well, now I see I won't ever do that again."
And what had started off as a cheerful and pleasant morning for Barbara turned into a grim and ruminating one now that the engagement had reentered her mind.
"Gotham men terrified of leaving homes," Barbara read the headline out loud. "City entering crisis as disappearances continue."
"In other news, the recent crime has soared, making Gotham City the most dangerous city in America," Barbara sighed, putting the newspaper down. "Great job, moving us here, dad."
With nothing else to do, she started to spin around in the swivel chair. There was nobody in the library and it was quite boring without anyone to talk to. A permanent librarian hadn't been hired yet and thus, Barbara was expected to dedicate all of her free time here.
The sudden memory of Mrs. Kringle and her kindness came over, and with it, shame.
However, she didn't have time to brood over this feeling as a man had just entered through the front door.
"Hello, how may I help you today?" Barbara welcomed.
"Hello," He returned her greeting. "I am looking for a certain book. Or well, category of books."
"Of course, sir. Which category would that be?" Barbara adjusted her glasses, recognizing the man immediately. "Excuse me, but I think I know you from somewhere."
The man seemed taken aback by this, but also seemed to recognize Barbara. "Yes... I saw you at the masquerade ball on Halloween."
"Mr. Langstrom," Barbara remembered. "The museum director. That evening is still one of the best nights of my life," She smiled up at him.
"I am glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. It was quite laborious to put together, but I think everything came together well."
"I couldn't agree more." She paused, deciding to change the subject. "So which category were you looking for?"
"Oh, it is going to be under Zoology. I am looking for any books on bats," He answered.
"Okay, I know where that's at. Please follow me." The girl stood up, smoothing out her skirt. She led him over to the correct shelf silently, unsure how to bring up a conversation about anything. She could ask about what he was researching specifically or why he wanted this book.
"Well, here it is," Barbara pointed to the section of books. "This is where all books relating to bats are. If you need anything, then just ask me."
"Thank you." He observed the books closely. "Yes, this should do."
"Good, then I'll be at the desk, waiting for you," She stated awkwardly before leaving the man to his own devices.
It didn't take long for the man to reappear with three books in hand. However, Barbara had forgotten he was in the library because of how quiet it had been.
"I completely forgot you were here," She laughed. "You didn't make a sound at all."
"Well, it is a library after all," Mr. Langstrom smirked.
"True." She took the books from him, circulating and stamping them with a return date. "Thank you, Mr. Langstrom. I hope you enjoy your readings."
"I believe I will," He smiled at her. "It was a pleasure seeing you again..."
"Barbara. Barbara Gordon," She finished for him.
"Oh, the Commissioner's daughter? I should have known," He reached for her hand. "It is nice to officially meet you."
She shook his hand back. "Have a good night, Mr. Langstrom."
He nodded, taking his leave for the door. Just as he opened it, a red-headed woman walked in, making the man do a double-take. But upon seeing her face, he shook his head and exited with his head and shoulders hunched.
"Hi!" The woman waved cheerfully. "My name's Julie Madison. You must be Barbara Gordon, the other library volunteer."
"Y-Yes," Barbara looked at her strangely. "How do you know who-"
"Oh, I am the one who volunteers while you're at school. I have been wanting to meet you. Isn't it weird how the two volunteers are both red-heads?" Julie chuckled.
"It sure is," Barbara deadpanned. "I did not know anyone else volunteered. But it makes sense since I am not here all the time."
"Well, I actually might be here all the time. That's why I am here; to apply for the librarian position," She explained as if her presence was obvious. "So if you could just hand me a form-"
"I do not know where they are." Barbara threw her hands in the air.
"They are right there," Julie rolled her eyes, pointing to the drawer they were in. Barbara suddenly had the urge to grab the form and throw it in the annoying woman's face, but she kept her cool and politely handed it over.
"Best of luck," Barbara grinned stiffly.
As Barbara returned home from the library, she couldn't help but look at her arm. She ran her thumb over the bandage, wondering if the wound Richard left her still looked fresh.
"Well, this is just another thing I have to hide from dad," She told herself sardonically, rolling her sleeve back down as she entered the house.
The house was empty and quiet, which Barbara wasn't surprised to find. In fact, she was quite glad he wasn't here yet because it meant two things.
First, she did not want another lecture from him because of this morning's argument.
Second, and most importantly, Sarah Essen wouldn't be here.
"Oh, but she could still show up," Barbara reminded herself bitterly, climbing the stairs to her room.
As soon as she entered, she felt the chill of the night air. Her room was never this cold, so this immediately made her concerned.
"What the-" She flicked on the light, seeing that the window was opened. "I know I didn't leave this open."
She marched over to the window, slamming it down hard. "But then why would dad leave it open..."
"Ahem," A voice said from behind her. Barbara shrieked, balling up her fists as she turned to face whoever was there.
"Hey Barba-" Richard waved at her from the bed, giving her a toothy grin.
"Richard! Why would you do something like that?!" She demanded, interrupting him. "Just because your father snuck in here doesn't mean you have to be a creep!"
"Wait, what?" Richard rose off the bed, looking at her confusedly. "He- He came in here? When? And why?"
"The night I hit him," Barbara shuddered at the memory. "You didn't know?"
"No..." A dark look came over his features. "Why was he here?"
"He told me to stop with my research." Barbara noticed the change in his appearance. "Never humiliate him again. And never speak of that encounter... Because if I did, I would be taken to Arkham."
"And what else did he do?" Richard demanded, coming closer to her.
"He put his- his claw over my mouth. He pressed his teeth against my wound." She pointed to the nearly faded scar on her neck.
His eyes were now ablaze with a fury Barbara had never seen before. The passion and intensity burning within them startled her, but she did not back away.
"He had no business coming in here and threatening you like that. I promise he will never do that again," Richard scowled as his pupils started dilating.
"T-Thank you..." Barbara was unsure of what to say, but she trusted Richard's word. "So why did you come here?" She asked, wanting to find out the truth about his presence.
"I couldn't resist seeing you again." Richard grabbed her hand excitedly.
"I am glad you're here. I wanted to see you too," She smiled, placing her free hand over his own.
"Barbara, I need to ask you for something," Richard hesitated. "Your blood- I need more. I want more."
"How- How much more?" Barbara blinked.
"Just a taste. You will be able to recover it quickly," He assured.
"Okay... Then use my other arm." Barbara slowly responded, giving him the arm that had no scratch.
Richard hurriedly grabbed it, wasting no time in using his nail to cut her vein. To distract herself from the pain, Barbara began humming that same happy tune from earlier. She caught a glimpse of Richard's fangs, watching as they became stained red. She also saw how his pupils were still dilated, but now his iris had covered up the previous white in his eyes.
She knew he wasn't human; she had suspected something was wrong with him for the longest time. She had said that whatever he was didn't matter, but seeing these features up close mystified her to no end. They made her realize the grave reality of what she was dealing with, producing the sensation that beneath the surface lied something truly terrifying.
What then was he?
What was his true nature?
His true appearance?
"Alright, you had enough." She gently pulled her arm away. However, Richard gripped onto her tightly, still trying to lick up every last drop.
"Richard, let go. I'm feeling dizzy." Her body was actually feeling dizzy from the chaos she was trying to comprehend, but that was far above her comprehension.
He sighed, finally letting her go. "Sorry... You should probably go bandage that." He eyed her hungrily.
"Yeah, and you should probably not have feasted on me two nights in a row." She quickly left the room. However, Richard followed her into the bathroom, looking at both of them in the mirror. His eyes were slowly turning back to normal and his fangs had already vanished.
"I am still hungry," He stated, watching as Barbara bandaged her arm.
"Unless you want me to pass out then I can't give you any more. Just how much blood do you have to drink?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Well, yesterday and today were like appetizers. Very tasty appetizers, I might add," He responded, causing her to cringe.
"That comparison wasn't needed," She groaned.
"Sorry," Richard laughed at her disgust. "But... I have to go hunting."
Barbara had finished bandaging herself and was currently looking at the boy curiously. "Can- Can I come along?"
Richard shifted on his feet uncomfortably. "I don't think you would find it very appealing."
"I want to know more about you. About what you are," She requested.
"I thought you said what I am doesn't-"
"I know what I said. And it doesn't. Maybe it's the curious side in me that always wants to learn. Or the irrational side that wants a little excitement and just wants to leave this house. But I really am interested in knowing more about you. You even said I should know more about you," Barbara explained.
"No," He refused firmly. It's too grisly... Too dangerous."
"Pamela has a helper. Two, in fact. Why can't I be yours?" Barbara cocked her head to the side.
"Because- Because if Bruce knew I took you with me-"
Barbara sighed audibly, rolling her eyes in disappointment. "Okay, I understand. My dad will be here any minute now, so it's best you just go."
"Barbara..." Richard looked at her regretfully as she walked past him into her room.
"You got what you came here for," She stated, not bothering to hide the coldness in her tone. "So what are you still doing here?'
"Alright," He finally gave in, continuing to follow her. "But you must do what I say." He looked at her deeply; his voice now deathly serious.
"I will, I will," She reassured him with a satisfied smile.
"Then, let's go." In a blink of an eye, Richard had already climbed out the window and dived down.
Barbara gasped, rushing over to the window. She gazed downwards, seeing that Richard was looking up at her smugly from the ground below; upright and safe.
"Jump down! I'll catch you!" He called to her, opening up his arms.
"Uh..." She backed away from the window skeptically.
"C'mon! Don't be boring!"
Not wanting Richard to think she was boring or cowardly, she decided to put her trust in him. She already had before, so why would now be any different?
"Besides, you trusted me with way more dangerous things," She told herself as she wiped her palms on her skirt. Giving one last look to the bedroom behind her, Barbara shut her eyes and leapt off. The free-fall didn't last long as a pair of arms had firmly wrapped around her and placed her gently down on her feet.
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed in disbelief. "Did I really just do that?"
"Yes!" Richard laughed at her reaction. "I told you I would catch you!"
"I should have never doubted you," She joined in his laughter, which abruptly stopped. "Richard? What's wrong?"
"I just thought of something. You said your dad would be here soon... So he is going to find you missing."
"Oh, yeah. I originally said that to get you to leave..." She frowned up at the window. "Ah, screw it. I am used to getting lectured and in trouble by now," She grinned mischievously, taking a hold of the boy's cold hand.
"Look at the city. Isn't it beautiful at night? " Richard gazed at the buildings in awe as the pair walked side-by-side.
"Yes, but seeing the city so empty does give it a weird atmosphere," Barbara said, observing how they were the only two people on the block. "The curfew really has affected the nightlife."
"That just makes it all the more easy" He remarked; more to himself than to her.
"Are we close to-"
"Yes, let just make sure of something. Wait out here," He ordered, not giving Barbara a chance to respond as he had already rounded a corner and disappeared.
Barbara impatiently waited for his return, growing more uneasy as the seconds passed. The wind had suddenly shifted, giving off a low howl.
"What- What if he just abandoned me here?" She asked herself as the infuriating thought crossed her mind.
"I would never do that. " He reappeared it from the dark.
"Is that it? You finished?!" Barbara marched up to him.
"No, I was just making sure the guy was in there." He gestured to the building, which turned out to be an abandoned church. "And he is."
"Are you sure you want to see this?" Richard placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I do," Barbara nodded earnestly.
With Richard leading the way, they entered the church quietly. Immediately, Barbara felt the atmosphere change into something foreboding and eerie.
"He was upstairs when I looked in. And I can still hear him," Richard whispered. "I want you to wait here. In case things get out of hand, you can run out the door."
"But they won't," She told him firmly.
Richard said nothing, abandoning the girl once again in darkness. However, this darkness was only temporary. Once hidden by clouds, a ray of moonlight suddenly appeared from the outside. It passed through a broken stained glass window, providing a source of illumination on the inside.
Barbara looked up in wonder at the windows above her, seeing the colorful images clearly for the first time. She drew closer to the windows, trying to study what each one was of. She was captivated by the one that the beam of light shone through as it was the one with the most detail. Adam gazed at Eve in awe as he took the fruit while Eve looked at him reassuringly. In the background, the serpent was hardly visible due to the jagged and brokenness of the window.
A loud yell startled her, forcing her to turn around just in time to see a man running down the nearby stairs. He was suddenly knocked off his feet by an unseen force and tumbled down to the ground. The man hurriedly stood up, running alongside the rows of pews towards the pulpit. He gave several glances back, seeing that something was indeed chasing him on all fours.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?!" The man cried as he cowered behind the pulpit.
The silhouette gave no reply, only lunging at him and pinning him down.
"NO!" The man desperately squirmed; his hand brushing up the side of the pulpit. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" His hand gripped onto the wooden cross attached to the platform, pulling it free and swinging it wildly at the attacker.
The silhouette loosened its hold on the man, hissing as it saw how dangerously close the cross was to its chest. The man kicked the figure off him, not hesitating to get free of it.
Meanwhile, Barbara had stood rooted to the ground, watching the whole fight unfold. She saw Richard's blue eyes narrow in caution as the man tried to slash him with the cross; she saw as he took calculated steps backward.
Grabbing a discarded cruet off the floor, Barbara marched forward towards the pair. The man heard her approaching footsteps and turned to face her, expecting her to draw back in fear when he pointed the cross at her.
Barbara merely glowered at him, preparing to strike the man with the raised cruet. From behind the man, she saw Richard's fangs glistening as he opened his mouth.
"You really shouldn't have turned your back on me." Richard pounced on the man's back, sinking his teeth into his neck.
The man gave a strangled yelp, dropping the cross as Richard's claw cut a certain nerve in his arm. The cross slid across the floor, hitting Barbara's feet as it came to a stop. She stared down at it, trying to ignore the gasps and slurps coming from just a few feet away.
Was this what had happened to Mrs. Kringle and Officer Bard? To all those men?
Unable to ignore the sounds any longer, Barbara looked to see Richard finishing his feeding. He looked back at her with a softened expression as he tried to wipe his mouth.
"You should turn away for this part..." He warned, placing his hands around the dead man's head.
Barbara nodded, turning around slowly. Somehow by not seeing it, it was more horrific to imagine the sight that went along with the sounds of flesh tearing and bones snapping.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw blood trickling down a window.
It was of Cain killing Abel.
"You haven't said anything since we left... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you... It was too much," Richard lamented from the windowsill.
"I have just been thinking," Barbara sighed, lying down on the bed. "Thinking about everything... I don't really want to talk about it."
"Yes, talking about it will just make it more painful," Richard admitted; his voice as close as it could be to pitiful.
"I just want to sleep. Tomorrow, I'll have questions and I expect answers. But now, just lie here with me." She looked at him.
"Will you?"
"Bruce will be coming home and I have to be back before he arrives." Richard returned her look. "And I have to retrieve the body."
"Just for a little bit," The girl yawned, ignoring his statement.
It was Richard's turn to sigh. "But just until you fall asleep," He responded, moving to her bedside and awkwardly lying down.
"How could want me to be near you?" He asked suddenly, interrupting the quiet that fell between them.
But Barbara did not answer as she had already fallen asleep, taking comfort in his presence and lack of body heat.
The clock has just struck ten when James Gordon turned the doorknob and entered his house. He had expected Barbara to still be awake, but to his pleasant surprise, the house was silent and dark.
Then the unpleasant thought of his daughter sneaking out occurred to him.
In a matter of seconds, James was hurrying up the stairs and into his daughter's room to confirm his worst fear.
But another surprise awaited him.
Turning the hall light on, James peeked behind the half-closed door and into the bedroom. Inside, he saw Barbara's figure tucked in comfortably into the sheets.
She was here and she was safe.
The man couldn't help but smile to himself, believing that he hadn't given his daughter enough credit. What she had done in the past was over it seemed like.
It seemed like Sarah Essen's presence had influenced her for the better.
As he started to recede from the door, something within the room caught his eye. Another figure- a dark silhouette was leaning over the bed.
Its blue eyes leering down at Barbara.
James blinked, thinking he was seeing things. And he must have been because whatever that was had vanished.
"Of course, there's no one there," He tried reassuring himself, walking away from the room.
But in the back of his mind, a new fear had started to breed.
As did a newfound sense of horror.
Bruce knew that Richard could sense him approaching. Yet, he still walked towards him as soundlessly as possible.
Which was absolute quietness.
There were no words exchanged between them. Bruce merely watched as Richard continued his work in the darkness.
Until finally, the older man stated:
"You left the Manor tonight."
"Yes, I did," Richard admitted to the accusation, putting down the shovel.
"And where were you?"
"I went to feed." Richard gestured to the pile of dirt aloofly.
"Is that all?" Bruce narrowed his eyes.
"Yes. I fed upon the man- criminal- we discussed at the location I said he would be at."
"The abandoned cathedral?" Bruce's steely stare had not wavered.
Richard nodded, trying to match the man's intense gaze. After a long pause, Bruce turned away and started to head towards the Manor.
"Good work then," Bruce declared, leaving the boy in the surrounding woods.
"You are late, Master Bruce," Alfred acknowledged as he opened the door.
"I apologize, Alfred. But I got caught up in a robbery," Bruce answered, gesturing for the butler to follow him.
"A robbery, sir?" Alfred stopped abruptly in his tracks.
"Yes. With one of Ms. Isley's associates of all people. But it was just the opportunity I had hoped for."
"I am afraid I do not quite understand, sir."
"You will see in tomorrow's newspaper, Alfred," Bruce reassured, opening the office door for the both of them. Once Alfred had entered and closed the door, Bruce's true feelings erupted.
"He is lying to me," Bruce snarled. "I know he went to see her."
"We have already tried to correct this behavior, sir. But Master Richard is adamant on seeing the girl-"
"I will not stand to be lied to by my own son!" Bruce interrupted fiercely.
"Then what will you do about it, Master Bruce?"
"I have been thinking about that, Alfred. Tonight, I was able to ensure Selina Kyle was arrested and thus, show how serious I make myself to be. I did this without violence; I did it with the law." Bruce examined the different knick-knacks on his desk; the objects he had collected from various countries and cultures.
"I want you to make a phone call tomorrow morning Alfred." Bruce picked up one particular item, studying it closely.
"To whom, sir?"
"To the Gotham police," A smirk tugged at the man's lips as he put the cross back down.
A/N: That awkward moment when you realize this story is a "darker and more violent" Hotel Transylvania...
A vampire dad not wanting his vampire kid to date a human... I mean, even the color schemes for the characters match.