It Runs in the Family Ch. 35
It was quiet in the city of New York and nearly silent in its sewers. All was still and calm. Not even droplets of water could be heard, what could though was a faint and distant sound of typing. Following the sound leading to subway relay station that was converted into an underground place of living. Having all the amenities of such, an entrance that leads to Common Area right in the middle, adjacent to the kitchen. Behind the area to its left a garage/lab, right next to it down a seeming long hall, four rooms and to the common area's left across a sort of river and small bridge, the Dojo. It was there the typing sound was coming from. Behind its doors, using their son's laptop...Splinter. Typing away every thought his mind had, with a calming acceptance and plea. He had to stop a few times to focus his trembling fingers to continue. As they denied and fought back stubbornly.
Splinter kept going. His dark brown eyes read each word and sentence clearly. And each time his eyes became achingly heavier and heavier. But, he knew this to be his last resort. After so long, so many years of their encounter. To hear and follow their secret life of the shadows. A beam of pride managed to surface through the heavy fog in his eyes. Yes, Splinter could remember it as clear as a Spring day. The day arrived, to him, to his dojo...for his teaching.
A broken, angry bird searching for a way to control the pain. To find a focus on the path their dark eyes begin to pave. A path Splinter felt too dark for this young man. But, knew at the same time it was the right path...even for justice. Like any master, he strived to instill something in him. In hopes, it would stick and slowly grow; which he hoped now would surface for what he was sending them.
So long...Splinter sighs rather tried. How long he wasn't sure, but it was a significant amount of time. Having his own family himself, Splintered was able to count the years. Feeling his fingers and mind starting to slow, the mutant knew he was nearing his end with what he was typing. Glancing at his own reflection quickly, on the laptop's screen, his mind wondering if they'd be able to recognize him now? After the change.
Done.
His eyes search for the send and clicks. The zipping sound told the old rat it was done. Now, all that remained was a response. One he hoped his old student would listen to. A heavy and trembling swallow sigh escapes.
"We're back!"
Hearing the others, his sons and their friends returning from a night of patrol. Splinter quickly gathers himself and rids what was on the laptop, hiding it too, just as his the others entered.
"Welcome back."He greets them warmly. "My family."
Detective skills weren't the only thing Batman or any of his protégés knew. They knew much more, for instance...hacking into the traffic-cams and extracting a copy of the video footage on the day of the explosion. Nothing seem out of the ordinary so far; that is for a few seconds and then suddenly the blast came. Rewinding it again. Starting from the beginning, play it over and over a few times. Slowing down the footage, their eyes observing every single person. The bomber had to be in the crowd, they just had to be...right? Again the with the explosion. Bodies flew, lives both injured and lost. The surrounding area was nearly decimated.
Yet, no sign of the bomber.
Reaching out to the white mug next to them on the panel of the large computer, put it to their lips finding it empty. So they set it back down. Starting the video from the start, when they hear a finishing beeping. Breaking them away from the large monitor, go over as the results print out. Also popping up on the screen in a window. Breaking down the substance they discovered. Their eyes read each chemical found. Some identifying as unknown. While others familiar. But, that wasn't what caused their eyes to nearly pop out. Gasping silently upon this discovery, it just couldn't be true.
Re-reading it again. When another beeping needed their attention, another screen presents itself on the screen. This one identifying the rather strange image they managed to pull from the satellite over the city. It was what the bomb left behind. Nearly splattered in its radius. The computer managed to put it together and the result was...simple circle. That was it. Nothing else. Most wouldn't pay much attention, but, that was when one needed too.
This circle meant something. It was something they would find out...
"Geometry, Master Tim?"Alfred approaches with a new filled mug, sandwich, and chips for the young lad on a tray. Setting it down next to the young man. Switching out the empty mug. Tim wasn't sure what he meant by that comment."Why look at the circumference, surely you know this sir? You did the studying for such a test."
Tim looks back at the circle, what did he miss...staring at it for a few seconds when an incoming call pop on the Batcomputer's screen. "It seems Miss Cassie is calling,"Alfred notes. Looking at the young man, who was debating whether or not to take it.
"Hey Cass," He answers. To Alfred's relief and pleasure. Smiling.
"Tim. Hey."Her voice relieved and glad to hear his."Hey, I was wondering something..."
"What?"
"Well, actually wondering a few things. Like, if you could tutor me? And go with me to the movies?"
"Isn't May your tutor?"
Cassie groans."Yeah, she is. Not like I had much of a choice."
"Well then just call her."
He tells her, hearing her huff upset. His mind knew she was crossing her arms."I've tried and it's just going to voicemail. She's not even texting. Heck, I even asked the others, but, Blue said he hasn't heard from her. She hasn't even been at school for a couple days. So, that's why I'm asking you. What do you say? I could really use your help?"
Tim didn't respond, his attention was elsewhere. "Sorry Cass, but...I've got to go. We can try again some other time."Before Cassie could protest he ends the call and rushes out of the cave. To the manor above it, Alfred following behind.
It didn't take long for him to reach the hall in the left wing. Finding Cass's missing tutor up, walking and looking around a bit confused and lost in this unfamiliar setting. Hearing and feeling two extra presence you turn around finding Tim and an older man.
"Tim?"You look around again."Where am I?"
Steaming, hot water is poured into your cup. The gentle smell of delicate tea was sweet and crisp. Surely warmed you, even if you hadn't tasted it."I hope you like Black Leave teas."Alfred said, moving it over to you. While also setting some snacks down on the island in the kitchen."Master Tim, would you care for anything?"
"No thank you,"Tim tells him.
"Alright, please call if you need anyone."Alfred leaves, to stop suddenly."Oh, yes. I nearly forgot."He hands something to Tim. Who tucks it in his pocket.
Once Alfred left, you look at Tim who read your slight demanding questions."This is where I live. Wayne Manor."Not much for you to go on. He could see you figured out this was home. So he gets straight to it."You obviously know I brought you here. You passed out."
"Passed out?"That was a surprise to you. You try to remember but couldn't. "Last thing...The last thing I remember was assisting in the curing of those injured. From the attack on the city. After that...I went back to El Paso."
"No. You didn't."Tim breaks it."You never made it to El Paso."
Still shocked and confused."Then, if you say I passed out, why did you not just take me back to El Paso? But, instead brought me here? To your living quarters."Looking around trying to figure out the right words to call the manor.
Tim shuffles his words. Being careful."I just became worried."He said putting his hand on yours, to distract you from sensing his underlying reason. You look at him, locking eyes. His grip became tighter with each passing second.
"I suppose that is logical."You accept his answer, grateful."Thank you, Tim. Though I do not remember why I passed out. I am sure there is a reason why."
"You were tired," He fills it in."Used up more energy than you thought in healing the others. You did say you were a bit rusty in doing so."
That was true."Yes, I cannot remember really, the last time I had healed like that. Even back in Rome, that did take quite a toll. My body,"You look at your free hand."Must adjust. You are a good and kind."You squeeze his hand back. Smiling softly. He returns it. "Where than discoveries upon how and why the explosion happened? Was the one who did it caught?"
"No. They haven't been. The League is working it. There haven't been any results of the substance used in the bomb either. What is it?"He noticed the deepen looking you had. That your hand began to tremble slightly, that you squeeze his hand more without realizing it. Holding it for comfort.
"I am..I am not sure..." you confess. With your trembling words. And blankly in front of you. Shutting your eyes, remembering that strange substance upon some of those you healed. It was oddly familiar.
That it spooked you. Then angered you. Tim saw your eyes began to burn in a glow.
"May."He places his other hand on top of the hand he had. His voice broke you out. And you look to find him staring back sympathizing.
The way he looked, this strange feeling rushed through you. That caused your cheeks and eyes to suddenly become warm. And your heart begins to rapidly pump. Alarmed and scared you take your hand back and turn away. Getting up quickly from your seat. Your back to him.
"May? Are you okay?"He reaches out to touch you.
"I am fine!"You nearly yell, moving away from his touch."..."Holding your hand close and fly off without another word. Leaving a speechless and confused Tim.
Across the vast distance of space, there sat another speechless and confused individual. Which was more a shock from what they saw. Nearly caused them to spit what they had in their mouths on the information.
"What is this!?"They nearly holler upon this revelation. On the information presented before them. Fury and disgust etched on their face. Just looking at it was sicking.
Clenching and balling up their appendage. To slam it down with enraged strength. "I will not stand for this! Contact them!"