Chapter 14: Deadly Debate

Jason's POV

I glared at the uneaten meatloaf on my plate. I hate meatloaf! But Dick likes it, so Alfred makes it. Looking up from my plate I glared at Dick and Bruce. They were talking about Dick's debate thingy. My brother is such an athletic nerd. He's president of the debate team, mock trial, something about people who love math, team captain of the soccer team, and a lot of other boring stuff. And Bruce always goes to his meetings or games or award ceremonies and blah, blah, blah.

Tomorrow, Dick would be competing in the final debate 'match' to see who would qualify to go to nationals. And him and Bruce were so excited. I thought it was boring and stupid. But Dick is perfect! He always gets whatever he wants!

"Can we stop talking about this!" I shouted loudly across the table.

They both stopped talking and Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Jason, Dick has worked very hard. And you will be present at tomorrow's match to support him. Do you understand?"

"Why do I have to go! Tomorrow's Saturday! It's gonna take like two hours to drive to the school!" I yelled.

"He doesn't have to go if he doesn't want to." Dick replied quietly.

Bruce's tone turned cold. "He's going. And he's going to be supportive and-"

"It's not fair! Dick gets everything he wants just cause you love him more!" I shouted.

Bruce stood up. "That is enough! Go to your room now!" he roared.

I stomped up the stairs and into my room.

********Break********

We were in the gym at Welshman Academy. Bruce was talking to some of the other parents, while Dick was talking to his teammates. I sighed and stamped my foot, while tugging at the stupid tie I had to wear. I had to look 'presentable.' This is so boring! But, I have to be 'supportive' of Dick's stupid clubs and stuff.

Making sure Bruce and Dick weren't watching, I slipped out of the gym and into the hallway. I had to find something to do. I stopped outside of a storage room when I heard someone mention Dick's name. I moved closer to the door, so I could eavesdrop easier.

"It's not fair! We weren't even supposed to debate against them! There's no way we're going to beat Grayson! We're going to lose the match today! If we lose today, we lose our only chance of going to nationals! And this is our senior year, our last year! That rich Daddy's boy is going to take everything from us! It's not fair! They get everything just because they have money!"

"Austin, calm down. We haven't even started debating yet."

"We can't lose today! We have to get rid of Grayson! We can beat them if he's gone, Jeremy!"

I gasped and backed away from the door slowly. I had to tell Bruce. Before I could go get help, a hand was slapped over my mouth and my arms were pinned behind my back as I was forced into the storage room.

"What are you doing?" one of the rival debaters asked while stepping towards me.

"You were practically screaming everyone almost heard you! But you're lucky, Austin. Looks like Grayson's only baby brother overheard."

His face grew pale, before the color returned and he bent down in front of me. "Matt, are you sure he's Grayson's brother?"

"Duh Austin, they're always in the papers and the news." The one holding me replied.

The boy kneeling in front of me smiled darkly. "Guys, I have an idea. All we have to do is give Grayson a letter saying that if he ever wants to see his only baby brother again, he'd better make sure he loses today."

I bit down on the hand covering my mouth. He quickly released me and gave a yelp of pain. I sprinted towards the door, only to have a new hand cover my mouth and yank me away from the door.

"Calm down, brat! Look, no one's going to get hurt. We're just going to keep you here for-"

"He bit me! The little brat bit me! I've probably got rabies or something now!" the one who had grabbed me first whispered savagely while wiping away blood from his hand that now held an impression of my teeth.

"Dude, shut up! Find me some rope or some tape or something." The one holding me ordered.

The third boy knelt in front of me and removed the tie from my suit. He knotted the middle, before shoving it in-between my teeth and fastening it firmly around my head.

I squirmed and fought against the one restraining me, but I couldn't get loose. The other boy returned with a role of tape in his hands. He smiled brutally. "Pay back for that little impression you left on hand." He growled while taping my hands and ankles together, tightly.

********Break********

Dick's POV

I saw a note sitting in my chair as I made my way towards my seat, before the match started. It had my name on it. I opened the letter and read the contents. Anger flooded my emotions. I allowed a cry of rage to escape my lips. Either I purposely lose today or someone was going to hurt Jason.

I glanced at where Bruce and Jay were supposed to be sitting, but they weren't there. Bruce was talking to my debate coach and Jason was nowhere to be seen.

Okay Dick, calm down. You saw him around ten minutes ago. Chances are, he's probably still in this school somewhere. Let's see, obviously someone from the other team has him. Looking at my watch, I had less than five minutes before it started. Looks like I won't be going to nationals. My little brother needs me.

I stepped out of the gym and into the hallway. "Jason!" I yelled while sprinting down the hallway.

I stopped abruptly when I heard a muffled response coming from a storage room. I grasped the door handle, only to find it to be locked. Slipping my 'emergency' credit card out of my wallet, I slid it through the space and jimmied the door until it opened. Jason was huddled in the corner of the overcrowded storage room. His knees were pulled into his chest and his arms were pinned behind his back. His tie had been used to silence him. He looked surprised to see me.

"You okay, Little Wing?" I asked as I reached out and gently pulled the gag from his teeth.

"Why are you here? What about your stupid match? What about nationals?" he asked me as I removed his restraints.

"Jay, you're more important to me. I'd never risk you; especially not for a stupid debate. I can always go to nationals next year, there's going to be other competitions. But, you're my only little brother. I'd give up anything for you." I replied while pulling him into a hug.

"I love you too, Big Bird. And I'm sorry I wasn't supportive and that I killed your chances of going to nationals." He replied while hugging me back.

"It's not your fault. Do you know who did this to you?" I questioned.

Jason smiled. "Yes. I left a big impression on one of them."

********Break*******

Bruce's POV

I was panicking. I couldn't find Jason and Dick wasn't in his seat! The worst scenarios flooded my mind. My heart pounded against my chest, threatening to escape. My heart rate slowed once the doors opened, revealing my boys. Jason tugged on Dick's jacket with one hand, while pointing with the other hand at some older boys from the opposite team. I saw Dick's eyes narrow.

I stepped in front of them. "Where have you been? Why didn't you tell me you were going somewhere? Dick, you missed your match. You two are in so much trouble!" I whispered savagely.

"Fine, next time I'll make sure and tell you when I get kidnapped!" Jason snapped at me, loudly enough for everyone to hear.

I was taken by surprise, as was everyone in the gym. "What?" I asked, confused.

Dick reached into his jacket pocket and handed me a letter. "After I got that, I went to look for Jay. I found him tied up in a storage room. Sorry Bruce, I should have told you first." He said somberly.

I read the letter and quickly turned to locate my target or targets. Three extremely guilt ridden debaters refused to meet my gaze and shamefully dropped their gaze.

First I'm going to take care of this matter. Second, Jason is getting a child leash. He is not going to leave my side again.