EXAMINED

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— Yes, yes Master Dick, he is calm. No, he cannot speak now... — the butler looked around, looking for some excuse — ... he went to the bathroom. As soon as we have more news, I'll be back. Yes, be well too... — And, with a small smile that soon faded, Alfred ended the call. Now that he had told Richard that they had arrived at the clinic, it was time to help Bruce.

The butler walked down the halls and, as he approached the gastric lavage room, he could hear Damian's screams more perfectly. In short, he begged "Mr. Pennyworth" or his father to have the nurses leave him alone.

He stopped in front of the door.

Alfred, who since the beginning of that day, had been gathering strength, who knows where to be able to deal with everything, felt that he no longer had the spirit to endure that stressful situation any longer. He thought had reached the limit when Damian had a real panic attack, epilepsy and whatever else had left the child struggling unconsciously for so long — after seeing that he was on a boat, third crisis that morning.

He had made up some excuse to get out of that room and try to compose himself — evidently, he hadn't been able to re-establish the facade of tranquility yet.

— ENOUGH! — Bruce's deep voice came out of Damian's screams and the injured nurses' murmurs — If my son doesn't feel good about it, he won't do anything! — He said, being clearly heard in the silence that had been installed.

— But Mr. Wayne, the other exams need at least four hours fasting... — One of the doctor's assistants tried to convince him.

— We wait as long as it takes! — Wayne justified, leaving the room shortly afterwards with his son on his lap. Damian had his face hidden in his neck, apparently still shaking; at least it was due to nervousness this time — Alfred... — he said trying to look calm — How are things in Gotham?

— Everything in order! — the eldest replied, approaching and stroking Damian's hair — And what do we do now, Master Bruce?

— Let's wait until my son calms down... — he replied, trying to look really convinced that it would happen soon — Did you remember to bring his drawing material, to pass the time?

— I can go get it right now in the car if Master Damian wants it — the butler suggested.

— Son? — Bruce looked at him, waiting for an answer.

— ... ok — the youngest replied without really caring and hugged his father more. His face was still wet with tears, all he wanted to do was get out of that "bad" place; as he understood it.

— I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, Damian, you don't have to be like that… — The father hugged him a little more tightly, feeling guilty for having failed to protect his son so many times before.

— It is a very reasonable behavior for a boy in his condition, Mr. Wayne — the doctor, the neurology specialist, commented as he approached the two — Dr. Garner — He extended his hand — It is an immense pleasure, despite the unfortunate circumstances, Mr. Wayne — He held out his hand to Alfred when he finished greeting the millionaire — I assume you are Mr. Pennyworth, whom I spoke to on the phone.

— Exactly.

— And this boy must be Damian — He smiled, looking at the child who still kept his face hidden — Don't worry, we'll take good care of you here and find out what's wrong.

— ... I want to go home — the little one asked, completely ignoring the promises of his father and that doctor.

— Let's go when it's all over... — Bruce revealed.

— And the sooner you collaborate with the exams, better — Dr. Garner encouraged — Damian, you seem to be a very strong boy. Do you want to try gastric lavage? If you do, you won't have to wait so many hours before you can go home — He used the best tone he had to deal with children.

— ... No.

— In that case, why don't you stay with Mr. Pennyworth while I talk to your "daddy"?

— No! — This time little Wayne was agitated and almost slipped from his father's arms, managing to hold on in time — I want to go home!

— Damian...! — Bruce tried not to sound reproachful, but he didn't expect that kind of reaction — Son, you still have the splint. Avoid moving like that, okay? It can hurt more...

— Master Damian, please have manners — said Alfred.

— But, but...!

— As I said before, it is very reasonable behavior — The doctor intervened in favor of the child — He is just scared of everything. Let's leave "Daddy" looking after him in the beautiful room overlooking the garden while I talk to Mr. Pennyworth, is it okay for you? ...Damian?

— Dad, take me home? — Again the child completely ignored the doctor. The green eyes were already red from crying.

— Afterward... — The father hugged him a little more — If you'll excuse me... — he asked, already walking down the hall with his son in his arms. It wasn't just Damian who needed to get some rest.

Alfred continued to stare at Dr. Garner, scrutinizing him thoroughly. It was a rare procedure to have to take one of the children to be treated outside the Mansion, especially in such a "common" place, a center for neurological studies — with so many people knowing everything...

— I have some questions, but I believe it is better to talk in a more reserved place — the expert suggested, starting to walk — I imagine that taking care of one of the Wayne children requires the most absolute discretion.

— Evidently, Dr. Garner — The butler accompanied him.

— I had time to take a quick look at family histories. Although epilepsy is not hereditary, it can be a symptom of some other disease... — began the doctor, as soon as they entered his office.

— And found something, Dr.? — Alfred asked, sitting at the table.

— … yes.

— And what would it be? — The old man asked in a tired tone. He was without strength to deal with even more problems.

— That the two have an incredible ineptitude when it comes to skiing.

— ... Pardon?

— It is quite true, my dear Pennyworth — Garner began, indicating the papers on the table and some x-ray images on the monitor — Mr. Wayne has little cartilage on his knees, elbows and shoulders are almost nonexistent; residual injuries to various organs, scars... — He sighed — Little Damian, apparently, is going the same way: open fracture of the leg, broken fingers, a serious injury on the left side of his head... — The doctor sighed, clearly felt sorry for that child — ... all this skiing.

— Yes.

— ... Skiing?

— Exactly, it is a common activity of the two — Alfred said, standing firm.

— Heavens...! Can't they just play chess? — Despite the tone of grace, Garner was taking everything very seriously.

— Believe me, things can get much worse in a game of chess — The butler also allowed himself to speak lighter.

The doctor smiled, sat across from the older man and looked at him. Now he had serious features, as if he were a poker player in his bluffing moment:

— Believe me, Pennyworth. This is not the first case of a millionaire who can end my professional life with just one call, so feel like you can trust me. — At this point, Alfred regarded him almost certain that Batman and Robin had been discovered — Damian suffers abuse or neglect?

— ... Y-yes? I'm sorry, I didn't understand the question — The old man broke off, letting out a snicker — I believe the age is coming.

— I'll be even clearer: Bruce Wayne allowed his son to get hurt in some way? I'm not saying that it was exactly him who threw his son from the top of a snowy mountain, perhaps one of the older brothers...

— How can you think something like that!? — Alfred stood up, making it clear how surprised he was — Mr. Bruce loves that child more than anything! And Damian's brothers too!

— But it seems that...

— Dr. Garner! — the butler interrupted him — If you have doubts, investigate the Wayne public life and you will see: ineptitude is not just about skiing! Master Wayne tends to stumble down the stairs on gala evenings — He opened the door ready to go out and see his "children", but before: — A man, who lives for the sake of his children and the needy... a father who he will stay as long as he is here, with Damian, so that he does not feel even more nervous about medical procedures... Is this man you accuse of being negligent? An abuser!?

— I'm really sorry, Pennyworth — the doctor replied, his cheeks red with embarrassment, looking away at the sheets on the table.

The first alternative for everything was discarded.

It now remained to investigate further.

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NOTE

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For the diagnosis of epilepsy some tests are necessary, such as: magnetic resonance or computed tomography; laboratory blood and urine tests; electroencephalogram. Exams that need a few hours of fasting.

Since Damian had already eaten breakfast, Dr. Garner suggested a procedure called "gastric lavage" - not as bad as it sounds. I saw Dr. Nowzaradan once suggest this when one of the patients failed to fast before skin removal surgery (My 600-lb Life). If it doesn't fit this situation, let me know: I can replace it later!

Note to Note: Everything Dr. Garner said about Bruce I took from a comic strip with images from one of the Batman films, which I don't know what it is. I only know that he is one of whom Christian Bale played the bat.