Chapter 25: From Anger to Sadness
A/N: Taken from Batman: Gotham Knight, episode one. The animation sucks, but we just got the setting and the characters, btw, we're making names for them...because we're not sure what their names are.
Autumn's POV
I skate down the streets on my skateboard, wearing a long sleeved top, that's kind of loose, but not too loose. It's sea blue along the forearms and just below the shoulder blades, and the rest of my top is gray. My sleeves are rolled up until my elbows.
My pants are denim tattered jeans with a black belt tied around my hips. My shoes are gray comfortable Reebok shoes that hardly have any design.
I love my new board. The background is plain black, but it's got a fiery red orange design that covers half of my board.
My necklace swings as I skate down the road, as the sun starts to shine brightly in my eyes. Ugh, sun, why now? Stupid, blazing ball of fire. Why can't you just finally blow up and kill us all? Fine, sun, be that way. Take your time, and keep shinning.
I look down at the sidewalk as I continue to skate. Then I stop, right in front of a building, with graffiti on the walls, and shattered windows. The perfect place to practice skating. I don't know what this place used to be, but to me, it's one hell of a skate park.
I used to hide here, from the thugs that tried to kill me whenever I tried to steal something from them, or whenever I just plainly pissed them off. They'd go after me, and whenever I knew I couldn't fight back out of tiredness and malnutrition, no matter how angry I was, or how determined I was. I knew when to run away from a fight. I'm not that stupid.
I hid here and added some graffiti to the walls until the heat died down. I stayed here, ever since I moved in with mom here in Crime Alley, before she went on drugs, before she choked herself with a piece of rope...before she suddenly gave herself the right to take her own life.
I shake my head as I hold my board under my arm. Lights are on, someone could be inside.
I walk in through the doors with windows that are shattered.
I smirk tugs at my lips as I look around the place.
There's a huge place where I can skate right in the center of the small building, there are red railings and red benches at the sides of the room. There's a huge red propeller-like thingy at the end of the room, and well, the walls are covered in graffiti, partially because of me. But there is way more graffiti than there was before.
I turn my head, once I hear a sound. I look at one of the red benches and there are four kids sitting on them and talking.
One is a girl, wearing a yellow tank top and tattered jeans, she has dark auburn puffy hair, tied into really big and puffy round pigtails, she has dark skin and bored eyes.
The other one, is a bit chubby, he is wearing a dark red hoodie, his hair is blonde and is in some kind of mohawk style, he's wearing dark green cargo pants and he has white skin. He has those weird sunglasses hanging on his ears, he seems to be feeling cool.
The other dude, has longish dark hair, a white shirt with a red heart encircled in the middle of his shirt. He's wearing loose jeans and neon green rubber shoes.
The short kid, is wearing an orange beanie, a purple shirt with and a green shirt on the inside and some jeans.
They're all holding skateboards as they sit and talk to each other. They're kinda like streetkids, except they can afford not disgusting clothes, boards, and food.
"Nah, that ain't how Batman look like!" The girl says pointing at them, then sitting back.
"I'll tell ya how he look like!" Another kid says. I smirk.
"Yo, what's up?" I grab their attention. They stand up.
"Ya know, hangin' out." The short kid says.
"Cool, this is kinda where I hang out."
They start walking to me. "But, hey, it ain't finders keepers, right?"
I shrug, holding my board.
"You guys got room for one more?" I ask, holding my board.
The chubby kid points at me, kind of leaning back as he walk to me. "Yeah, sure, you got a name, kid?"
"Autumn."
"Cool name, the name's Gabe." The short kid introduces.
They all start to surround me and I smile. Street kids, fun.
Dick's POV
I'm driving my car, on my way home, while talking to Babs on the phone.
"So when do you plan on moving out?"
I smirk. "You excited for me to move to my own place?"
"Shut up."
"Well, uh Babs. There's been some change of plans."
"What is it? What happened?" She suddenly sounds more concerned.
"I don't wanna move out...not just yet."
"What? Why?"
"Here comes the news, Babs. I think it's finally safe to say this to you."
"What is it?"
"It's Jason." My voice emotionless, that isn't usual.
A quick silence, then a sigh. "Dick, what good news can you give me, when it comes to Jason?" I can hear the strain in her voice. She was like a sister to Jason...before, he…
She's only saying that because it's true.
The first news was when I told her was when Jason was twelve. The street kid who stole the tires of the BatMobile was taken in by Dad, then the street urchin took Robin away from me. Even if I was already NIghtwing.
The second news I gave her was that...that the kid that Barbara treated like a little brother when she was around…the cocky, arrogant, fearless, stupid kid...died. At the age of fifteen. Blown up in a warehouse by The Joker, fell into a trap, with his mom.
The last time I told her about Jason was a 'don't get your hopes up' kind of thing. I told her that Jason came back, all the way from the dead...he was back. Barbara didn't care how, or why, but when I gave her the news, she seemed...happy that her little brother came back. But before she could hug me, I looked down...and told her that there was a catch...our Jason had died…the Jason that came back, was different. I really wish I had never told her that….maybe she wouldn't have gotten hurt. But she was probably gonna find out in the end... There was no point on keeping it a secret from her.
I shake my head. But now it's different. Our Jason has really come back...well, I'm not sure about that cause he hardly talks to us anymore. He always seems serious everytime I see him walk down the hallway, like he's in deep thought.
"No, really! He's back home! For good! Our Jason's back!"
A stunned silence coming from the other line.
"I don't care why, or how you did it, Dick. But I'm on my way now."
"Wait! Babs!" I say before she can put down the phone. "Not...just yet."
"Are you trying to keep me away from that cocky arrogant kid? Dick, you're not gonna be jealous are you? I see Jason as a little brother."
I can feel the red hot blood rush up my cheeks. "What! No!" I can feel her smirking on the other line. "I know that!"
"It's just...there are a lot of changes, I don't know if Bruce will allow any visitors, just yet."
"Why not?"
"There's a new addition to the residents of the Manor. Her name's Autumn Cross."
"Who's that?"
"Phoenix." I growl that name.
"Dick, I suggest you all leave the manor now. And grab the nearest weapon and bonk Bruce on the head. Is Bruce out of his mind!? Phoenix is a twelve year old crime lord! She killed hundreds! She nearly killed you guys! She messed with your minds and nearly tore your family apart! How could Bruce let her stay there! She's friggin' crazy!"
"She's Red Hood's partner. Remember?"
"Yeah I know that. But why not just leave her in an orphanage?"
"Well, Jason doesn't want that. She's Jason's little sister."
"Jason has a sister?"
"Yeah, check her files. We just recently changed it. Her mom's Sheila Haywood."
"It does say that. Who's her dad? Ryan Cross?"
"Yeah, a mercenary. Apparently, that man would've matched up against Deathstroke."
"I see it. He's deceased. Killed by The Joker. No wonder she and Jason get along. They have some kind of grudge against that maniac."
"Yeah...But Babs. Why would Bruce let our enemy...the very girl that tried to kill us all...into the manor! It's messed up! Or has Dad completely lost his mind?"
"Dick, I don't know a lot about what's going on. Since you don't tell me everything." There's no blame in her voice.
"Sorry about that."
"But…" She continues. "Keep in mind that this Autumn Cross is still just a kid. You guys don't know what she's been through. As much as I resent her, and as much as I hate to say this...try and give her a chance, people can change. Just look at your little brother. But if she hurts you guys, she's going down. I'll be the very person to throw her into Arkham."
Oh yeah, I wonder how her stay was at Arkham?
I sigh.
"So when are you coming back?" She suddenly asks. I don't take my eyes off the road. "Back to the Team, I mean. It just isn't the same without you Dick. I mean, I can handle leading missions. Tim is doing fine. Kaldur is handling the pressure. But…"
I clutch the wheel. "I don't know Babs. I don't think I can. Ever since Wally…" I just keep my eyes on the empty road. "I don't know Babs."
"Okay. LIsten, Dick, I have to go. See you tomorrow." I silence. "Love you." She says.
"Yeah, okay. Bye." I say, holding my phone with one hand and putting it down.
Me, Wally, Kaldur….we founded the Team; it just won't be the same without him around anymore…it won't ever be the same...now that he's gone for good.
Tim says that things have changed. There are new members since I left…and new holograms in the garden... Jason's hologram hasn't been taken down yet. Nobody knows that he's back at all.
I wonder how Conner and M'gann are. Are they back together? Now that La'gaan left...
How's Artemis holding up? Or Tigress?
What about Kaldur? How's he handling the pressure?
Well, one thing's for sure. They don't need me there.
For now, the only team I'm in is with my family. Then maybe I can move to Blüdhaven and go solo, handle my own city. I'm old enough after all.
I stare at the road. Then suddenly sparks of red and yellow flash on the road. Then they disappear. "Help me!" Something whispers in my ear.
****Break****
Autumn's POV
I casually walk through the doors of the manor, holding my board. Those kids were fun to talk to, I just wish they weren't talking about Batman. They think he's some kind of gigantic bat, or shadow, or a damn robot. But really Batman's just a man in a bat costume.
I start walking up the stairs. It's four o' clock. Like I said, I'd be home before dinner.
"Where did you go?" I stop on the fourth step.
I cringe but I don't turn around.
"Out."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Mr. Wayne's deep voice asks.
"Did I need to?"
"You're a twelve year old."
"So?"
"I'm sure you know the dangers of Gotham city."
"Of course, sir."
"Something could have happened to you. You shouldn't go out on your own."
"Ever heard of independence? Because I've been at it for a long, long time. Nothing's happened." Except for...stuff. "Besides, why do you care? I'm sure that if I died, you'd be the happiest man on earth. Sir." I run upstairs and avoid his glance.
I walk down the hallway, holding my skateboard.
Jason walks out of his room as I walk towards mine. "You got a new board huh?" Is the first thing he says. "Where'd you skate?"
"That abandoned skatepark."
"In Crime Alley?"
"Yeah. By the way, your dad chewed me out for leaving the house without permission. It's stupid to chew me out for something like that."
"Yeah, well, you go out on your own all the time. But you still need to be careful, I don't want my little sis getting kidnapped, again." I stiffen at the mention of that. But I chuckle lightly.
"Okay, man. That won't happen again, no worries."
I smirk and I start walking towards my room.
"Oh and Jase. Throw away that pack of cigars, please." I request, without turning back to look at him.
"Damnit." He mumbles.
"You shouldn't have bumped into me. Then there could have been a tiny chance that I wouldn't have noticed the box in your hand." I smirk.
I walk in and place my board down. People that don't skateboard suck. Especially if they're guys.
Skateboarding is like an alternative for jumping over rooftops and flipping over the midnight sky. But it isn't the same...not really.
I walk towards my desk and take my ipod from my bed and I play in loudspeaker.
I smile as I listen to Here I Am Alive by Yellowcard. It sounds kinda happy, but I'm in a pretty good mood right now.
I walk to one of my bags and pull out a comic. I flop on my bed listening to the song. Tina, also known as Tin (The girl with the puffy hair) suggested I listen to this song.
I read Homestuck. I have a grin on as I read.
After maybe thirty minutes. "MY SHIP DIED!" I scream. "NOOOOOO!" I wipe away the fake tear.
"That's sooo sad!" Why!?
"Now way!" I wipe away the other fake tear.
Then one of the awesome songs goes on. My sad face washes away. "OOH! I like this song!"
A/N: I Will Not Die by Three Days Grace
Tell me how you feel over and done with!
I grin. Ah, I like this song.
Wanna be a lost boy, last chance, a better reality!
I bounce my head and hum to the tune. I sit back down on my bed.
I love music. It gets my mind out of a lot of things, but sometimes...it reminds me of stuff.
The song switches. Ehhh, this song is okay.
I move to my ipod and change the song.
"On the ground, I lay! Motionless, in pain!" I pretend that I'm holding an electric guitar as I kneel on my bed.
"I can see my life, flashing before my eyes!" My eyes widen and I grin at the wall. "Dude! This reminds me of that one time! When I crashed! Cool!"
"Wake me up! I'm living a nightmare!" That reminds me of how I'm stuck in this manor.
"I will not die! I will survive! I will not die! I'll wait here for you! I feel alive!" I love this song! It either reminds me of me or maybe of my bro!
"In my time of dying!" Nah, this is sooo Jason. He's a complete zombie.
I lay down on the bed. "On this bed I lay! Losing everything! I can see my life, flashing before my eyes!" RED HOOD! THIS IS SOOO HIM!
"I can see my life, flashing before my eyes." Yeah...this is Jason...sooo sad. He died...how sad...
"Wake me up! I'm living a nightmare!" Jason should play this on his electric guitar! Then he should sing along! Hehe, yeah!
"I will not die! I'll wait here for you! I feel alive, when you're beside me!"
"In my time of dying!"
I pretend to play the guitar and the drums for the instrumental. Wow, this is loud.
"I will not die! I'll wait here for you!" I jump up and soften the volume. That was fun.
But now, I'm bored.
I run to my desk and look at my drawing. My drawing of a robin. "Cool." It looks kinda epic, with all the black and white effect and the texture. The wings are spread and the feet are hidden under those feathers.
It looks cool. But I scowl. "It's not perfect!" It has to be perfect! "Dad said, everything I do has to be perfect!"
I shrug. "Whatever. I'm not throwing this away. It took me a good thirty minutes and a lot of focus to draw this!"
And I hardly am able to focus, unless I'm on a mission or something. Unless, it's extremely important. Then I will make myself focus.
I keep my drawing in my envelope that's full of drawings. As I pull out the envelope, I pull out pieces of papers. I get them, I don't remember packing this.
As I stare at it. The song switches to Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift.
They're pictures. I drop my stuff. I get the pictures.
I walk towards the desk, holding the pictures and staring at them. I set them on my desk and sit down.
They're pictures of me and my dad when I was just two. I was sitting on his shoulders, in the park of Gotham. I was waving my hands in the air.
In my mind, the picture moves, it turns into a memory.
I swayed my hands, as I giggled on top of my dad's back. That was one of the rarest times that I got to spend time with my dad, and not train.
I look at the next picture.
I was still just a toddler. Dad was dropping me off at Japan. I hugged him so tightly, I didn't want to leave. He tried to push me away but I couldn't let go. I didn't wanna leave my daddy.
The last picture was when I was nine. He brought me to the Gotham Zoo. Dad had a bird on his arm as he grinned at it, I tried to hide my face. I never liked animals.
I smile slightly at the pictures. I must have packed them absent mindedly.
I shake my head. I turn to the ipod and I shut it off.
"Miss you dad." I smile as I turn put my ipod on the desk. My face hardens. "But we all have to grow up at one point in our lives. You should know, you taught me that. I hope you can hear me as I say this. It was one hell of a mistake to teach me that, dad."
****Break****
Chris' POV
"Two Face just escaped." Batman says, not taking his eyes off of the large screen.
"Are we all going after him?" I turn to my big brother. Under his chin, on the upper part of his neck, the burn that Autumn gave him looks better than it did before. Autumn...why on earth is she living with us?! Bruce is going crazy...
"No. Damian and I will do patrol as usual. You, Tim, and Chris will comprehend Two Face. That means both you and Tim should watch out for Chris. Two Face can be dangerous."
I roll my eyes. I can watch out for myself.
"Shouldn't it be the other way around? You and Damian should be the ones going after Two Face." Tim states. Tim. Shut. Up. I want to do this! Dad's never let me go after a "high-class" villain without him babysitting me.
"No. I believe you can handle him." As he says that, he quickly glances at me. I let him see a small smile.
"You three can take the Batmobile. Robin and I will use our cycles. Nightwing, you can brief Red Robin and Nightingale on the way there."
We all nod. Damian heads for his motorcycle and Dick and Tim head for the Batmobile. I'm about to follow them when a strong grip on my shoulder holds me back.
"Be careful." His voice is serious, but I know that he's trying not to portray his worry.
"Okay. You don't have to worry about me."
"But if anything happens to you, your brothers will take the responsibility." His eyes narrow slightly.
"Don't blame Nightwing, or Red Robin in this manner. If something happens to me, the responsibility is mine." Then I give him a hug, because I know that he's really worried.
"Dad, you're freaking out over nothing. What could go wrong?"
****Break****
I'm sitting in the back of the Batmobile because Tim took the front seat. Dick's driving, obviously.
"Two Face and his accomplices are transporting illegal weapons from the docks to an unknown location. We will follow them from a safe distance, then strike once we know what's going on. Nightingale, Red Robin and I will take out his goons and the people he's selling to while you go after Two Face."
Why am I getting the job that involves Two Face directly? There's no way Nightwing would let me do this...yet. Maybe Batman told him to give me the riskier job. Well, Batman is letting me out of his sight for once. Maybe this is a test from Batman. Or maybe he's really just loosening his grip on me...nah that can't be it.
Once Nightwing's mini-briefing is over, I pull out my iPhone (I usually bring it just so I have something to do in the car) and put one earphone on. Then I start listening to my music. Angel with a Shotgun starts playing. Yes! I love this song!
Get out your guns. Battle's begun. Are you a saint or a sinner?
I shouldn't sing, so I just start humming the tune.
If love's a fight, then I shall die, with my heart on a trigger.
I start to move my head in time with the music.
They say before you start a war, you better know what you're fighting for. Well baby you are all that I adore. If love is what you need, a soldier I will be.
I start lipsinging, but I try not to make it obvious. In the background, I can hear Nightwing and Red Robin talking about something, but I'm not paying any attention. It doesn't sound important. Just boy stuff.
I'm an angel with a shotgun, fighting till the war's won. I don't care if heaven won't take me back. I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe. Don't you know you're everything I have? And I, wanna live not just survive, tonight.
"Nightingale, stop listening to music. We're about to start following the shipment." Nightwing's stern voice invades the lyrics of my song.
I stop the music, take out my earphone, and place them in a slot on the inside of the car.
I lean to the side and look through the windshield. The actual truck is far away, but the screen maximizes the large truck. We stay a safe distance from the truck for a good ten minutes until the truck stops in front of...an abandoned toy store? That's kinda creepy.
We stop the car and observe what's going on. The doors of the large truck open and Two Face and an accomplice of his step out. The accomplice moves to the back of the truck and opens the two wide doors. Five goons step out of the truck, each carrying a crate.
The goon who opened the doors closes them as Two Face yells at his other men.
"Hurry up and bring those crates inside! We don't want the Batman catching us! We'd better hurry!" He orders. All six of his men walk into the toy store and Two Face follows them.
"Let's go." Nightwing orders. The car opens up and we all hop out.
"Red Robin, scan the perimeter. Look for any openings for us to enter the building. Nightingale and I will observe what's going on inside through a window. We don't want to attract any attention when we enter the building." Red Robin nods and disappears into the night.
We head toward the building and move to every window, looking out for any more of Two Face's goons. We don't encounter anything when we find a window that allows us to view what's going on inside. There are some holes in the glass, allowing Nightwing to fit a small scoping device through one of the holes. A holographic image projects from his wrist computer, the feed from the device.
I can see the side of Two Face's face that isn't burned off. Behind him, one of his thugs is opening a crate. He pulls out a gun and hands it to Two Face, who examines it in his hands, then pushes it forward to an unknown buyer. The buyer's face is shielded by the shadows, but I can make out at least two other men with him.
"Fresh shipment. Take it or leave it." Two Face snarls.
The unknown man grabs it from his hands and examines the gun. From the holographic image, it looks like an AK-47.
"It'll do." A deep, rough voice replies. "What's your price?"
"$100,000. No negotiations."
"WHAT?! WHAT THE-" I stop paying attention and turn on my com link.
"Red Robin, what's your status? Looks like we need to be going in soon."
"I had to take down three men guarding the perimeter. They're all terrorists. Probably from Jump City."
I turn to Nightwing. "Two Face is selling to terrorists." He nods in response, still watching the feed.
"What about our way in?" I ask Red Robin.
"There's a back door that's already open since one of the guys came out of there right before I took him down."
"Ok we're on our way." I turn to Nightwing, who is now looking at me. "Red Robin found an entrance."
Nightwing nods in response. He removes the scoping device and puts it back in his gauntlet. The two of us quietly move to the back of the building and see Red Robin waiting for us.
"We'd better get in there. They're about to start a gunfight." Nightwing enters the building first, then me, then Red Robin. Nightwing navigates us to the center of the toy store, where the deal is being carried out. As we get closer and closer, the yelling becomes louder.
"I AM NOT PAYING THAT MUCH FOR GUNS FROM YOU!" The terrorist.
"Well then it looks like you're at a loss. You won't get your guns. I'm not changing the price."
"YOU BASTARD! YOU SAID THAT WE WOULD GET OUR GUNS AT A REASONABLE PRICE!"
"A reasonable price for me. Since you don't want new guns, I guess I'd better decide whether you should live or die." As the two groups of men come into view, I can see Two Face holding his coin in his hand. Everyone has their guns out. Three of the terrorists have their guns aimed at Two Face, while the other two have theirs aimed at Two Face's men, who have their guns aimed back at them. Two Face has his handgun at his side.
The sound of the coin being flipped fills the quiet room. Two Face catches the coin and flips it onto the back of his hand. I can make out the dirty side of his coin.
Before Two Face can speak, the terrorist negotiating with him speaks up. "You don't get to decide if I live or die. It's gonna be the other way around." Everyone prepares to shoot each other.
In the corner of my eye, I see Red Robin throw a few smoke capsules into the middle of the two groups. The capsules engulf the room in smoke.
The three of us run into the chaos.
"Dammit! Batman's here!"
"Not exactly." I say as I punch a thug that's in my way.
All around me, I hear gunshots and groans. I'd love to go around punching every thug I see, but that's not my mission.
As the smoke begins to clear up a bit, I see Two Face shooting into the smoke.
"There you are." I run at him and do a flying kick to the face. He only sees me right before my foot comes into contact with his face.
Two Face falls to the floor, holding his face. "GET HER!"
I turn and see one of his men aiming his gun at me. I roll on the floor toward him as he shoots at me, and I throw a batarang at his gun. The gun explodes in his hand, and right after the light from the explosion dies down, I get up and punch him in the face. He stumbles backward and is about to run at me when Red Robin hits him in the stomach with his collapsible staff.
"I've got him. Just focus on Two Face!"
I nod and turn back to Two Face, who has gotten up and has his handgun pointed at my chest. In his other hand is that coin of his.
"Seriously? The 'leaving every decision I make up to chance' thing still? Jeez, I thought you would've outgrown that. I guess old habits do die hard." I start walking toward him.
"I'm not a child, unlike you. Let's see if Batman's little girl will survive this encounter." He's about to flip the coin.
"Not so fast...you need a nickname. It takes waaay to long to say Two Face. Would it be TF? Facey? Ugh no. I guess it's TF."
"Stop stalling little girl I'm losing my patience." Two Face's eyes narrow. Yes, he's getting angry. The Plan: get him angry so that I can use his anger against him.
"Hey! I am not little! I happen to be average size! It's Red over there who's little." I nod my head in his direction. When I do that, I notice one of Two Face's men trying to sneak up behind me. I do a roundhouse kick and end up kicking the guy in the neck. When I turn back around, Two Face has the coin on the back of his hand.
"Looks like today's your lucky day. The Bat won't lose his little girl."
In the corner of my eye, I see one of the terrorists coming up next to me. His gun is pointed at Two Face. I can't let him kill Two Face.
I swiftly turn around and push the gun up with my hand. Then I kick his stomach. He tries to kick my side, but I grab his fat leg and pull it up, causing him to lose his balance and fall.
I hear the flip of a coin.
I turn to my left. "Nightwing, take care of this punk for me please." He's right next to me fighting one of the other terrorists.
I don't wait for his answer (I doubt he was gonna anyway he looked busy) as I turn around to face Two Face, who took three steps closer to me.
"But that doesn't mean that Batman won't lose a different member of his family." He has a smirk on his messed up face. In his palm, the dirty side of his coin is facing up. His gun is aimed somewhere to my left. Dick.
Two Face pulls the trigger.
I could throw an explosive batarang. The force of the explosion could blow the bullet off course. Could. If it doesn't work, then that would be fruitless.
I can't think of anything else to do.
I can warn Dick, but the bullet's coming closer and closer to him. If I did warn him, he'd turn around just in time to see the bullet hit his chest. If he decides not to turn around and just moves out of the way, he'd still get hit right next to his shoulder blade. He can't roll because the goon he's fighting has him in a position that prevents him from doing so. He won't duck because that means the bullet would hit the terrorist.
There's still one thing I can do...
I can't lose a member of my family. I can't lose my brother. My biological brother.
But if I do this right, I can save him. I can spare the family a moment of grieving. I can spare Barbara the pain she will feel.
I jump in front of the bullet.
Dick's POV
I hear a shot behind me. Two Face is probably trying to shoot at Nightingale. He'll never get her.
Suddenly, I hear a grunt right behind me. I hear something hit the floor. I turn my head to the side so I can see what's going on in the corner of my eye. It's not something...it's someone...Christine.
Oh no...
My eyes widen.
"NIGHTINGALE!"
I'm suddenly filled with anger...but I have to control it. I can't express my anger.
I turn back to the terrorist, my eyes narrowed. I bring him closer to me and headbutt him. Then I do a roundhouse kick to his face and I send him flying.
"Let's go boys! We're done here!" Two Face yells. All of his men, who are conscious, get up and run out the door. I can't follow them. I have to get Christine back to the cave.
I crouch down and analyze my sister's gunshot wound. The Kevlar in her suit prevented the bullet from going too deep, but it still did damage. She was hit right below the ribcage.
Christine...OH MY GOD...please...please be alright...
In the background, I hear the terrorists running out the back door. Red Robin crouches on the other side of Christine.
"What happened?!"
"Not completely sure. Prevent her from losing too much blood."
Tim takes off only his cape and presses it against the bullet wound.
"Dick..." Chris gasps. My eyes dart to my sister's face.
"You'll be okay. We're bringing you back to the cave." I grasp her smaller hand in my hand.
"Sorry...miscalculated...think it hit some veins..." Her grip on my hand tightens.
"Red Robin. Help me take her to the Batmobile."
We carefully lift her up, Tim keeping pressure on Christine's wound.
"I got her. Just summon the Batmobile."
Tim nods and allows me to carry Christine in my arms.
"It's not your fault..." Then her eyes close and she blacks out.
What does she mean it's not my fault? Why would I think it's my fault?
I run out of the toy store, Tim at my side. When we burst through the doors, the Batmobile is waiting for us. We hop in. I place Chris in the back and I sit next to her, still applying pressure to her wound.
"Autopilot. Go home."
The car revs up and starts heading in the direction of the cave.
I look down at my sister's face. Christine...what happened?
Tim's POV
"Red Robin, what is it?" Batman's face pops up on the screen in the Batmobile. We're five minutes away from the cave. By the sound of his voice, I know that he can sense something is wrong.
"Two Face had planned to sell his weapons to terrorists from Jump City, but we dropped in on them. We don't know the details, but Nightingale was shot." I'm surprised at how calm I sound. This is how I sound every time I give a status report.
His eyes widen slightly, but then they quickly go back to normal. Then he lets out a small sigh.
"I'll meet you at the cave. Batman out." The screen closes.
He took that rather well.
I turn around and look at Chris. My black cape is turning blood red. Instead of her face looking peaceful, she looks...in pain.
Dick has a pained look on his face that's tinged with worry. He's muttering to himself.
What happened? All I know is that she was shot, probably by Two Face. The question is how. She's pretty good at eluding bullets. And Dick said that she was right behind him. Is that a coincidence? No...Batman said that there are no coincidences. Everything has to be connected.
So what exactly happened?
****Break****
Chris' POV
Why am I always the one getting hurt?
First, Autumn beat me to a pulp and Batman came right before I became unconscious. Then, just over the summer, I got a skull fracture. Now, here I am, knocked out again, because I got shot.
Isn't my life great?
I didn't expect my injury to be this bad. I only wanted to get shot in a place that would cause very little damage. Instead, I ended up miscalculating my jump and allowed the bullet to penetrate a few veins. I just hope I don't bleed to death.
Well, it's better than my brother dying on the spot.
At least I can get some help...right?
The last thing Two Face said to me...
But that doesn't mean that Batman won't lose a different member of his family.
Family...it all comes back to that word.
I jumped in front of that bullet because of family.
Because family is everything to me.
If I lost my family...didn't I already go over this?
Yea I think I did...huh...
Anyway, here I am, unconscious...
Just because I'm knocked out doesn't mean that my thoughts cease.
Well...I don't know what else to think about, so I'll continue thinking about family.
Who's more important in my family: me or Dick?
I think Dick is...well to Dad at least.
He has never lost his eldest son. Dick is a survivor. He was able to live this life. Bruce, and maybe even the entire family, would fall apart without him.
What about me? Yea I'm the only daughter, but I'm not that special. I don't even know why Dad allowed me to do this gig. He's overprotective, so why am I just all of a sudden allowed to be a hero when Tim had to go on a "journey to find himself?"
But you are important! Bruce is overprotective of you!
That's probably because I'm his daughter...and that's the only reason. Ya know, like father-daughter relationship...it's kinda like instinct, I guess...
Stop thinking that you aren't important to the family. You know that you are.
Okay, whatever. I don't even know why I'm thinking like this.
TOPIC CHANGE!
Sometimes to win, you've got to sin, don't mean I'm not a believer.
Haha this again.
And major Tom, will sing along. Yeah, they still say I'm a dreamer.
They say before you start a war, you better know what you're fighting for.
Well baby, you are all that I adore, if love is what you need, a soldier I will be.
I'm an angel with a shotgun, fighting 'til the war's won, I don't care if heaven won't take me back.
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe. Don't you know you're everything I have?
..and I, wanna live, not just survive, tonight.
This song kinda reminds me of my situation...
It also reminds me of the past...about the way I felt when my family was nearly out of my grasp...
When my family almost disappeared from my life.
Because...of...Autumn...
Everything comes back to her too, doesn't it?
Suddenly, things begin to flash in my head.
The sight of my entire family crippled on the ground as Autumn and Jason walk away.
My father, blood seeping out of his stomach, and my brother on top of Wayne Tower, Autumn standing over them.
My brother's burn wound...
Seeing Autumn's face when I walk out of my room...letting the fact that she lives with us sink in...
Family, it's just a word...it only exists for the people that have it...
Autumn, Autumn, Autumn...
AUTUMN HURT MY FAMILY! AUTUMN IS A DANGER TO US ALL!
Why the hell did Bruce invite her into our lovely, maniac-free home?...well that's not exactly true...
I HATE AUTUMN!
I think I'm sounding kinda obsessed like I'm gonna kill this girl...
But I'm not...
I just hate her guts.
Everything that reminds me of the evil things Autumn has done suddenly goes through my head all at once...if that's even possible.
Autumn has got to go...she's got to leave this family.
She was never a part of it in the first place.
****Break****
Bruce's POV
When Damian and I pull into the cave, the first thing I see is my daughter lying on a bed, Alfred standing over her. He's holding a cloth to her side, probably applying pressure to her wound.
Why is she the one who's always getting hurt?
I hop off of my motorcycle and walk over to Dick and Tim, who are leaning against the BatComputer, conversing.
"What. Happened." I narrow my eyes and harden my voice.
"We don't really know. All we really know is that she was shot by Two Face. No one knows the exact situation." Dick answers, his head bowed.
I let out a rough sigh.
I want to blame my sons for not watching out for their sister, like I told them to.
I want to blame myself. For letting her go on a mission without me at her side to watch over her.
For telling Dick to give her the hardest job.
Just because I wanted her to feel that I was loosening the reins a bit and that I trusted her.
I wanted her to know that I knew that she could handle being a superhero.
Instead, look where it got her.
But I can't blame anyone but her.
Don't blame Nightwing, or Red Robin in this manner. If something happens to me, the responsibility is mine.
If it weren't for her words, I'd be yelling in Dick's face. I'd be scolding Tim
But all I can do is look at my daughter and try not to blame myself, or anyone else other than her.
I swiftly turn and head over to where Christine is.
"Alfred, how is she?"
"She's lost a lot of blood, but she'll live. She's only unconscious. If it weren't for the Kevlar, she'd be dead. It seems that the bullet narrowly missed her rib and left kidney, but the bullet cut about four veins."
I shift my gaze from the bloody cloth to her face. Her domino mask was taken off, and it seems...unnatural...to see her without a smile or a twinkle in her medium blue eyes. Whenever she's around me, she always seems happy. Even as Nightingale, she adds a more positive air. Sometimes she has a different expression on, but I rarely see her actually looking like she's in pain.
Well that's what she looks like now...in pain.
Kinda worried...
A hint of anger...
Is that the expression she wore when she was shot, or is she thinking...
What are her thoughts?
I place her hand in mine. It feels so small in my large hand.
"I love you Christine." I whisper as I bend down and kiss her forehead.
****Break****
Chris' POV
Have you ever listened to a song that is obviously a love song, but took it differently?
Like Angel with a Shotgun. It's about someone who would die for the person they love. As in "soulmate love."
But how I interpret it, it could be seen as someone who would die for their family...for everyone they love.
It's kinda hard to explain.
There are so many different kinds of love, but every single song is about "love love."
Why can't "love love" be family love? Or friend love? It has to be boy/girl love...
Love, love, love...she's got a love like woe oh oh girl's got a love like woe...haha
How come last time I was unconscious, I didn't really think like this?
Well I'm doing it now, and that's what matters.
What if I die? Like right now?
How would everything change? How would the people whose lives I affected change?
What would become of Bruce? Of Dick? Of Tim? Of Alfred? Of Damian?
How about Jason? And Autumn?
Damn you Autumn!
But still...what if I never saw them again?
No...I can't let that happen...c'mon body fix me up!
I have to see them again...I need them...I need Bruce...I miss Bruce
Making my way downtown. Walking fast, faces pass, and I'm home bound.
This song is about doing anything just to see the person you are in "love love" with...but not for me.
Staring blankly ahead. Just making my way, making my way through the crowd.
I have to go back. I have to go back home.
And I need you
I need my family...
And I miss you
I miss everyone...
And now I wonder...
If I could fall into the sky. Do you think time would pass me by. Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you. Tonight.
I just want to see my family.
In the back of my head, I'm thinking about Tim H. (well duh this is a "love love" song), but that's not who I'm really singing about.
It's always times like these when I think of you and I wonder if you ever think of me.
I know they're thinking of me...
Cause everything's so wrong and I don't belong living in your precious memory.
I can't become just a memory.
Cause I need you
I need you, Dad.
And I miss you
I miss you guys.
And now I wonder...
If I could fall into the sky. Do you think time would pass me by. Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you. Tonight.
I took the bullet so that I could see my brother again. I didn't expect that they might never see me again. I don't even know if I'll live...
And I, I don't want to let you know
I'm starting to gain back some of my feeling...
I, I drown in your memory
Someone's holding my hand...
I, I don't want to let this go
If I let go, I might leave this world and just become a memory. I grip the hand tighter, at least I think I do.
I, I don't...
My feeling is slowly coming back. The hand feels large...Bruce.
Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass and I'm home bound.
I'm almost home...I'm starting to gain back all the feeling in my body.
Staring blankly ahead, just making my way, making my way through the crowd.
My ears are working again. I can only hear heavy breathing.
And I still need you
I will always need you, Dad.
And I still miss you
I miss you Dad. Take me home.
And now I wonder...
If I could fall into the sky. Do you think time would pass us by.
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you...
If I could fall into the sky. Do you think time would pass me by. Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you...
I grip my dad's hand tighter, and I can feel something trickle down my cheek.
If I could just hold you.
Tonight.
I slowly open my eyes as another tear falls.
Bruce's POV
Did her hand just move?
I move my chair closer to where Christine's head is. I swear her hand moved a bit.
I lean closer to my my daughter. Christine...please...wake up...
I notice something on her cheek...a tear drop.
Her hand moves again.
I look at my daughter's face as medium blue becomes visible.
"Christine."
"D...Dad?" She looks at me, tears in her eyes.
Oh my poor girl.
"It's okay. It's okay. I'm here. You're okay." I lean in and hug her, and she hugs me back as best as she can.
"I...I'm home..."
I release her as she looks around. We're still in the cave, and I'm still in my work clothes. Everyone went upstairs and went to sleep. Everyone but me.
"Christine. What happened? How'd you get shot?"
She ignores my question. "What time is it?"
"Almost 4 a.m. You were out for a few hours. Now answer the question."
She doesn't say anything at first. She just looks at me. "It's not Dick's fault..."
"I know it's not. Just tell me what happened first."
"Two Face was gonna shoot Dick...and I didn't know what else to do." Her eyes wander to her bullet wound. Alfred bandaged it after the blood flow ceased a bit. "I'm sorry...I didn't want you to grieve over your son, especially since you just got one back."
"Making it okay to let us grieve over you?" I know I'm still in uniform, but Batman leaves as I talk to my daughter. The father under this mask comes out.
"It...It wasn't supposed to be this critical. Sorry."
I stare at my daughter. My poor daughter...
"No need to apologize. Why are you crying?" My daughter does that to me. I am Batman but I am still a father. The father side of me takes over whenever I see any of my sons or my daughter hurting.
Her eyes widen a bit as she feels her cheek. She quickly wipes away her tears.
"Didn't want to be a memory...couldn't lose Dick...couldn't lose my family...family...family..." Usually when she mutters, it doesn't make sense, so I'm only alarmed when her eyes widen.
"Can't lose you...can't lose my family...can't lose...to...AUTUMN!" She pushes herself up abruptly.
"What? Calm down!" She's trying to get off the bed, but I'm holding her arm back.
"Dad. Let. Go." She glares at me. What just happened?
"No. Why are you suddenly angry at Autumn?" I don't need to ask her to know what she's feeling.
"Are you gonna let go?" She sounds annoyed.
"No. What's going on with you?" I narrow my eyes slightly.
Her mouth tightens, and then suddenly something hits my face. She just punched me! I let go of her arm out of shock, and when I look up, she's already almost halfway up the stairs.
"Christine get back here!" I stand up and run after her, but she's already almost to the door.
"Autumn has to go!" She yells back at me right before she heads into the house.
Autumn's POV
The door to my room is wide open letting a little light flow in from the hallway.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark, listening to music. Playing with fire.
I sway my fingers above me, watching the unburning fire dance along with my fingers. My hands sway and play as I stare at the fire that isn't warm.
The fire in my hands feels like nothing, it doesn't feel like anything. But if I concentrate on my senses, the fire feels...cold. It would make every vein in my body tremble, it would make me shudder, and I would feel as if ice is crawling up my spine, to my nape and then to the tip of my fingernails. That's how the fire feels.
It's cold, it doesn't burn. But it so cold, that it burns my insides. It's difficult to explain.
Why do I continue to do this? Because right now, the fire in my hands is beautiful in my eyes.
The fire is dim, shadows consume the area, the darkness follows the dim light everywhere it moves. And to me, it looks different.
People would say that fire is beautiful because it shines brightly and brings light. People say it's a gift from the heavens because it brings warmth into the hearts of men.
But for me, fire is darkness. It's bright, but it can be dim. It can burn, yet it can be so cold.
It reminds me of the fact that, there cannot be light without darkness, and there cannot be darkness without light.
I stop playing with the light. I stare at my scarred hands.
I close my eyes and let my hands fall on the bed.
I sit on the fire escape in the night. Hugging myself. I shiver when the cold breeze of Gotham City blows at my frozen cheeks. I listen to Papa and Mama fighting, screaming, yelling at each other. I listen to the shattering of glass.
I know that Papa would kick me out later tonight. But I would just sneak back in at three later on, it's what I usually do.
Papa wouldn't notice, he would be at the bar by then. Sometimes Papa would leave the apartment and not come back 'till the next afternoon.
He wouldn't notice me sneak back in later on, once he kicks me out after they stop yelling at each other.
Why would Papa throw me out? He just does that...for no good because he hates me.
He hates me...but he's still here. He loves mama. I guess….
I would never fight back, even if I could kill him any time with one touch of my middle finger. That's what Mama told me to do...before my brother died….before mom started to let her life be under the control of drugs.
Why do I still keep this promise? In hopes that maybe one day. Mom would wake up from her endless sleep and realize that after all that happened, I still kept that promise. Maybe if I held onto her words...maybe she would open her sleepy eyes.
I would never disobey my mama.
I hug myself, listening to the crying wind and staring at the empty midnight sky.
The milky puddle in the center of the dark sky usually illuminating and bringing light to the night is partially covered by a heavy gray cloud.
I look at the one star flickering in the sky. Jeopardizing the hope that there's one bit of light in the sky.
I wish upon the star. "I wish….I wish…this would all end." I whisper as I stare at the tiny star in the sky. I know I'm just lying to myself. Stars are billion of miles away. But the light travels here, that star might not even be there anymore. The light from that star could go out any second.
I squeeze my eyes shut. "I miss…'before'"
Footsteps start to come up from behind me.
I hold myself as the large figure comes closer and closer to me.
"What's the matter LIttle Girl?" He says, but I know he's simply mocking my weakness. I say nothing to him and I keep my back turned.
Then he grabs my hair and pulls my head back. I clench my teeth, feeling the pain at the back of my neck.
I wince.
"What's the matter Little Girl? You scared of your Papa. Huh?" He pulls my hair harder.
"Mrk." I wince, holding my tattered jeans.
"Answer me!" He yells.
I can smell his breath, the stench of smoke with beer.
I remember the stench of smoke from my real dad. But the smoke around him felt more, calming. But the stench coming from Papa's breath, is a mixture of sourness and bitterness.
"N...NO Papa!" He violently pushes my head forward and lets go.
"Good. Now. Let's go."
"Where...where are we going?" I ask.
"I said now!" He says and I quickly stand up.
"Put on some socks and a jacket."
"Y...yes Papa."
I do as he says then I follow him as we walk out the door.
We walk down the streets of Gotham. "Put your hood up, cover your face. Do everything I tell you to, and I'll buy you some ice cream or whatever. You want ice cream?" He asks, counting money in his hand.
I nod. "Yes Papa."
"Then let's go."
We end up in an abandoned alley with a whole bunch of guys. "Who's this kid?" One of them points at me. "No worries, she'll disable the alarms. If she makes a mistake, the guard will head for her and we can get the grub while they're distracted by this little bastard." Papa smirks, thinking that I don't understand anything. How stupid does he think I am?
We head to a bank. A closed one. Papa signals me to enter through the docks. I do as he says.
I jump down once I see the security system and I disable the alarms as simple as that. The guard on the chair that's supposedly watching is asleep. I drug him to make sure he really doesn't wake up.
Not for good. Of course, this guy could have a family to get too. Too bad, that when we're done here, he'll be out of a job.
Oh well, life isn't perfect.
I watch through the security cameras as they steal the money and stuff them in a duffle bag, then they leave as quietly as possible.
I keep an emotionless face and I leave the same way I came in.
"Well that went better than I expected." One of Papa's friends says as we walk down the streets.
Papa is busy counting his money as he smirks.
"You did good kid, keep it up and I might just find a place for you." Papa tells me and I look down.
I really don't like what I just did...but if I don't do it, Papa will hurt me and I won't be able to do anything about it because of Mamma.
Papa gives me a few bucks for me and my mom and he pushes me forward. "Go home, and don't tell Tessa what you did. Well, it's not like she'll care."
I walk forward holding the little money he left us with. A couple of bucks that's hardly enough to pay for the electric bill.
I sigh and keep walking.
I walk towards the apartment and up the fire escape. Through the window.
I look around the living room and find Momma talking to some thugs outside the door, they exchange stuff. "No!" I grab the knife on the coffee table and point it at the dealers.
I move Mom behind me and stand in front of her. "You stay the hell away from her!" The dealers start moving back, "You understand! Don't come back!" I shut the door in their noses.
I turn back to my mom. She's glaring at me with a scowl on her face. I look at her, bruises on her face and her legs. Self harmed cuts on her arms and blood oozing out of her palms.
She's wearing short shorts and a sleeveless black top. Her hair is unusually messy and her eyes piercing through my body.
I clench the knife. "Give that to me. That's mine."
I shake my head. "No momma, you'll hurt yourself."
"GIVE IT TO ME!" She runs towards me. She holds the knife in my palm and she tries to take it from me.
"No! It's enough! Stop hurting yourself!"
She takes it out of my grasp. She holds the knife in one hand as she stares at me. She's getting worse. That nice doctor that owns a clinic here in Crime Alley said that mom has a mental disorder. I don't remember what caused it, but she wasn't born with it.
But along with the drugs, the depression and the anger, mom can get horribly violent. Because she doesn't remember who I am, she won't think twice about hurting me.
She holds me back and pins me to the wall. "Momma!" I cry. "I...I won't fight back!" I scream and let the tears flow down my cheeks.
I see shiny tears drop down her eyes and down her chin as she cries and clenches her teeth.
She stabs my wrist and pins it to the wall. She yells as she does this. I close my eyes feeling the blood oozing down my wrist.
Mom collapses on the ground, she faints. I can still see the tears streaming down her more calm face.
"Mom!" I take the knife out of my wrist, disregarding the pain. I hug her cold, unconscious body.
This happens, constantly. Mom lashes out all of a sudden, then she collapses.
"Sorry momma, it's not your fault. I know you were fighting." I hug her and gently carry her to the couch with all my strength.
Once I know that she's secured, I walk out of the apartment to see if that nice doctor could still possibly be awake at this time.
I look down at the blood oozing from my deep wound. It doesn't hurt, I lost the feeling of pain months ago, after my brother died. But I should still have it checked. I stare at it, sobbing and letting the burning tears fall to my bleeding wound, mixing with the blood and sweat on my arm.
Then I bump into someone. I look up. At first, I see his chest, then I look at his face. He's wearing a red mask, he has red short spiky hair and a small frown on his face as he looks down at me.
He's holding a bow and a bag of arrows on his back. "Red Arrow." I stare up at him and I close my mouth. AKA. ROY HARPER.
To his side is a guy, also with red hair, and freckles. "Kid Flash." Or Wally West.
Great. Heroes. Just what I needed.
Red Arrow looks down at me with Kid Flash at his side. "Hey kid, watch where you're-" He looks at the wound on my arm.
I hide it behind my back. "What are you two doing here? You two don't work in Gotham."
"We were in the neighborhood and heard there was a bank robbery to investigate. And also...we're kinda bored.." Kid Flash says.
A gust of wind passes by me, and before I know it, West is holding my arm. "Now, um...whatever your name is. You need to have this checked! Right now!"
I violently take my hand away from him and scowl. "What's it to ya? You stupid heroes! Why do you bastards even care!?" I suddenly lose my temper.
Kid Flash lets go and steps back.
"Hey, kid. We're heroes, to help people like you."
"Oh sure, cause throwing the scum in jail is so gonna help street kids like me who are gonna end up like the thugs that you're gonna fight some day. Yeah, you guys are totally helping people like me." I say sarcastically.
Red Arrow shakes his head and takes my wrist. "Who did this to you?" He says, looking behind me at the trail of blood I left behind.
"Why do you give a damn?"
"Just tell us. We might be able to do something about this."
I cross my arms despite my injury. "I doubt that."
I look up and scowl. "Leave me alone! And just go already! GO CATCH THE BAD GUY THAT STOLE THE MONEY!"
"Maybe we can help you. Who is abusing you?"
"There's nothing you can do about it!" I roughen my voice.
"You're a stubborn kid." Red Arrow points out. "Tell us who did this." Red Arrow kneels down to my height and he starts to wrap my arm in a bandage. I let him.
"C'mon tell us. We won't tell anybody else." Kid Flash smirks.
"What am I, five?"
"Well, actually you look more like seven cause of your size, but okay, five will do too."
"We won't leave until you tell us who did that." Harper says concentrating on stopping the blood from flowing.
I take a deep breath. "Listen, I know about the bank robbery, I can tell you who did it. Then leave me alone."
"Cool, but that isn't exactly what we asked you to do for us. Tell us who did that, then tell us about the bank robbery."
Red Arrow stands up and crosses his arms. I hold my wrist. "Fine. The person that did this to me is my mom. She's sick, okay! It's not her fault!"
Red Arrow lets his arms fall.
They take a tiny step back. "The person that you're looking for is my Papa. He's at the bar just five miles down this street, turn left. He's the guy with a baseball bat and well, a lot of money. He's got blonde hair. Trust me, when you see him, you'll know it's him."
"How do you know about the robbery?"
"I was there. I saw it." Red Arrow narrows his eyes, trying to find out if I'm telling the truth, then he nods.
"Kid, take this girl to Leslie's. I'll handle her 'Papa'. I'll talk to her later."
"Okay." He picks me up and smiles. "Hey!" But before I say anything else, he brings me to the clinic I was heading to anyways.
I open my eyes, loud noises bring me into reality. "Autumn has to go!" Christine's voice. Closing in on my room.
Then, she barges in my room, through my door.
Chris' POV
You look like a psychopath you know.
Shut up other part of my brain.
But seriously. Autumn seriously needs to go.
She shouldn't be living under this roof!
She nearly killed all of us!
I barge into her room, still ignoring the pain in my side.
"Why the hell are you still here? You know you don't belong in this house. In this family. Remember what you said to me that night? Family. It's just a word. It only exists for the people that have it. Well it doesn't exist for you! You're going to kill all of us eventually! Why is Bruce trying to lessen the days we all get to live in this world!?" I hear Bruce's footsteps closing in on the room, but I don't care. I stand over Autumn, who is just sitting on her bed, staring at me with that stupid emotionless expression she wears.
"YOU ALMOST KILLED MY FAMILY! You're really selfish, you know that? You don't have a family, and you feel that you have the right to take away mine!? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
She's still just staring at me. It's really pissing me off.
"AREN'T YOU GONNA SAY SOMETHING?! ANYTHING AT ALL YOU SICK-TWISTED BASTARD?!" Wow, I've resorted to sick-twisted bastard.
"But I know why you have no family! Because you don't care about anyone but yourself! I don't know how Jason has come to care about you! But you're crazy and insane and no one will ever accept you into any kind of family! You'll just be forever alone! Isn't that what you want? To be alone forever? That's why you killed people and let your own dad die!?"
Nothing. No response at all. No movement. She's just sitting still. Doing absolutely nothing. GODDAMMIT THAT'S ANNOYING!
"Why do you still stay here? Bruce says it's just because of Jason...but I don't think so. I think there's some other reason, I just can't put my finger on it...maybe it's because if you didn't, you'd be a pathetic, desperate orphan with nowhere to go! But I'm not one for sympathy. Especially to those who haven't shown any mercy." I cross my arms, since I was flailing them around while I was yelling at her. But now I've calmed down a bit and I'm acting like "Batman," including the stance and the glare.
"I want you out. Out of this house. Out of this family. I don't want to see your damn face ever again, you evil bastard."
For a moment we just stare at each other. I'm just waiting for Bruce to come in, because storming out "without invitation" just isn't my style.
Seven seconds pass until Bruce finally decides to intervene.
"Chris. Go to your room. Now." He's glaring at me.
I glare at Autumn, then at Bruce. I take a few steps when I hear something.
"Bastard…" She mumbles.
Oh that son of a-
I swiftly turn around "YOU ARE A-" Bruce violently grabs my arm before I can advance on the b****.
She suddenly stands up as Bruce tries to hold me back. "Okay! I get it! I am a bastard! I have no family! No one cares for me! I'm a maniac! An evil little b****! A good for nothing little bastard who only seems to make other people's lives miserable! My dad, my Papa called me that! And if you wanna call me that, then fine! I never tried to take this family away from you! But sometimes…" She looks down. "I can't always control the other me."
"I never expected to stay for long anyways! I never stay long in the houses that I live in! I was planning to leave soon anyways! Because...with every family I stayed with, they always ended up dead or broken, or even lost! I NEVER WANTED TO DO THAT TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS FAMILY!"
"I know, I should have never been born, you don't need to tell me that! Because everyone that I ever cared about told me that! You know what they all said? They said that I was stupid, worthless, extremely flawed! Insignificant! Weak! Insane…"
"I get it, okay! I have no one to go to, because I'll be alone forever and without a family! Because that's how I am!" Tears start to flow down her eyes as she says this.
"All the people I cared for...died! Every single one of them. It's all my fault! They left me, because I left them! Because I wasn't good enough! Maybe, if I died. Then maybe, none of them would have died. You and your family would have never broke! And maybe, I wouldn't be yelling at you right now and feeling all this pain!" She screams as she shuts her eyes, letting the tears fall.
"Why not just kill me!? Right now!? What harm will it do? You can all keep it a secret. I have no one to run to in my life anyways. But if I die, I don't need to run anymore!"
She falls back down on her bed and just stares at me with bloodshot eyes. The tears falling. I never knew Autumn could even cry.
But I'm not the most sympathetic person in the world.
Let her cry. Let her suffer. She deserves it.
"Because I'm not a killer, unlike you."
I jerk my arms away from Bruce's grip and I walk out of the room, leaving behind the awkward and tense air behind me.
A/N: Sorry if we updated this one a little late. With school starting again, it gets harder to find time to write. So please be patient with us. Thanks for all the great reviews!
Also, if you haven't seen it yet, we posted a poll onto our profile page (sorry for all the random stuff on there) relating to this story. Please cast your votes!