Weeks had passed and there had been no news, no rescue. Dick had begun his time in the vampire's cave with feelings of despair but gradually his life here was settling into a routine. And with routine, came a feeling of calm that was uninvited.

Providing he was escorted by Christof; Dick was free to wander anywhere in the cave. The human man was silent most of the time, but the silence was not threatening or uncomfortable and Dick quickly learnt that the man would always answer if he directed a question to him. Dick wasn't sure why this human had associated himself with the undead, and it was a question he hadn't wanted to ask. Instead, he kept their conversation light and indirect, topics such as books, sports and other such random subjects. But always present was the threat of the man's gun, sheathed at his waist.

But as the days passed, Dick forgot about the weapon and its purpose. Or he was beginning not to care, he couldn't decide which. The knowledge of his mother's death and the implied death of Bruce had left him feeling very lost and alone. Even if somehow, he managed to escape, there was little for him on the outside world anymore. He had just about survived the death of one set of parents, he wasn't sure he would make it through the death of the second. Especially when one of those parents has promised him she would always be there. That's what she had said. Always. Suddenly he was facing a world and a life away from her and it left him feeling empty.

As the weeks ticked by, he could feel his vampire abilities growing stronger. His hearing, sense of smell and eyesight were all highly attuned. He was strong, strong enough to take on Christof if he really wanted to. But in truth, despite his silence, Christof felt like his one ally and he didn't much want to hurt the man or risk the vampires killing him if Dick managed to slip from his grasp.

Other than Christof, the only other person Dick had much contact with was Abraham Vanhelsing. The old vampire had shown great compassion in dealing with the young fledgeling. After the news of his mother's death, Vanhelsing had left the boy in his quarters to himself for several days to allow the sadness to overwhelm him. Each day the sound of his sobbing became quieter until finally, it was quiet. It was then that he opened the door to the boy's room, finding him sitting on the floor at the foot of his bed, legs brought up to his chest, eyes bloodshot and staring straight ahead. The bright blue orbs had flicked over to him, but the rest of his body did not flinch.

'Come.' Abraham had said, exiting the room and leaving the door open. After a few beats, the boy had followed. They walked in silence through the stone-carved corridors until they reached one of the larger sections of the cavern. Although it did not have as much high-tech equipment as the League, the Titans or the Batcave, it was clearly a gym and there were vampires scattered around. They all stopped their activity as the pair entered.

'Leave us.' Abraham's voice echoed through the room and the creatures immediately obeyed. 'I doubt our set up is as advanced as what you are used too. We, vampires, do not need to train our skills per-say. But it is good to let off steam and burn excess energy. As you are probably experiencing, a vampire does not do well being inactive.'

Dick felt it. He had always been pretty much incapable of staying still, Bruce had even had him tested for ADHD when he first went to live with him. But in the time, he had spent in his room mourning, his body had started to feel like a tightly pulled spring.

'What are we doing here?' Dick had said, his voice flat.

'You are angry, no?' said Abraham. 'You blame me for what happened?'

Dick didn't answer and instead hardened his glare.

'I will take that as a yes,' Abraham lead him towards an open space. 'So, fight me, hit me, take all that anger and focus it on me.'

Dick hadn't needed telling twice, he attacked the man and was surprised to find that his fledgeling protection did not activate. But he paid this fact no mind, instead, he focused on attacking, again and again, and again. He didn't hold back, releasing all of his new strength, his anger and pent up energy. They fought for hours until finally, Dick's knees were weak with exhaustion. He lowered himself down onto the floor, surprised by the calmness he felt. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see Abraham offering him a bottle of water. After only a moment's hesitation, Dick took it and drank down half.

They remained in silence for a while, and Dick went through his thoughts. The first being how he and Abraham had been able to fight when he should be protected from other vampires harming him. But as he thought over their fight, he realised the other man had not fought back, often not even defending himself. He had been able to get close to Dick because he had no intention of harming him.

'Why?' asked Dick.

'Why, what, Little Prince?'

'Why bring me here? Fight me?'

The vampire took a deep sigh, 'believe it or not Little Prince, I am well versed in the path of grief. I know there is a time for sadness, a time for anger, a time for blame and time for acceptance.' He offered Dick a hand off the floor, but Dick got back on his feet without accepting his aid. 'You are free to go where you wish within our domain Richard. Christof will accompany you. Please do not take advantage of my hospitality, I would hate for Christof to have a need to use his weapon on you.'

That had been three weeks ago. Dick knew he was likely suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, feeling as though he were friends with one of his captors. But playing ignorant to this fact was a lot easier than facing the actual truth.

For the most part, the vampires left him alone. There were the occasional stares and whispers; it felt like he was back a Gotham High again. But they never approached him or even spoke to him. Apart from Lucy Westenra. The blonde beauty of a vampire took great joy in pushing the young fledgeling's patience. But Dick held his tongue, silently deciding that if by chance, he became a vampire, she was the first person he was going to kill. He reflected on this decision as said vampire made her way over to him.

'Do you know what today is, Orphan Brat?' she chirped. Dick didn't answer, barely looking up from the book he had borrowed from Abraham. 'Today marks the week count down of that pesky fledgeling protection of yours.' She waited for a response but when she didn't receive one, her posture changed from amused to somewhat irritated. 'One week left before I can finally finish my Grayson collection.'

'Is there something I can help you with?' Dick spat, finally putting down his book.

'Temper, temper little one,' Lucy's eyes sparkled as she spoke. 'Your mother had a temper too. That's why she was so easy to kill.' She grinned as Dick got up to walk away. 'I went back at nightfall, you know,' Said called after him. 'Both bodies were gone, but there was blood everywhere ... it wasn't all hers. It doesn't matter how much your family uphold their airs and graces, at the end of the day you're still animals. Your mother fed from the Batman to try and save herself. Alas, it wasn't enough and now they are both dead.'

Had it not been for the fledgeling protection, Dick was sure he would have killed her at that moment. As it was, his attack sent them both flying back in opposite directions. But this didn't stop him, he growled as he launched forward again, this time managing to hold his ground against the force which sent Lucy to the ground once again.

'Richard!' A strong hand pushed him back and two more grabbed his arms and held him in place. 'I told you to keep those eyes to yourself!' shouted Abraham.

'She started it.' Dick shouted back, realising he sounded like a child.

'Calm yourself,' Abraham said, calmer this time. He looked down into the youngers red eyes and held his gaze as he attempted to free himself from Christof's grasp. 'Do not waste your energy, Little Prince. Those gloves are made of Silver, you cannot fight them.' With effort, Dick forced his eyes away from Vanhelsing and looked down to the hands which were holding him. Indeed, Christof's hands were covered with shining chain metal gloves.

'Not even Dracula has surpassed the vampire weakness of blessed pure silver.' Christof's voice was calm but firm. 'Stop fighting.' His grip lessened as, reluctantly, Dick relaxed.

'Take him to the rock pools,' Abraham instructed. 'Let him cool off.' He hadn't failed to notice that despite his relaxed posture, Dick's eyes were still red and glaring. Christof nodded and pulled the young boy away. Abraham watched the pair as Dick fell into step with the human, he also noted how Christof's hand came to rest on the boy's shoulder as they walked away. Deciding this was a matter for another time, the old vampire turned to his companion. 'Care to explain what in God's name that all was about?'

'The boy has a short fuse, just like his mother.' Lucy shrugged, dusting her jeans down from the floor dust.

'I understand your hatred for Dracula, Lucy. Believe me, I more than anyone. But your hatred of the Grayson's is blinding you to the bigger picture.' Abraham lowered his voice, adding an almost gentle tone. 'I was willing to overlook your fight against Dracula's daughter, as it served a purpose. But it is not Dick's fault that Dracula took Mina from you.'

'Don't you dare mention Mina to me,' Lucy snarled. 'That bitch chose him; even after what he did to Jonathan, what he did to me!' She drew closer, raising a sharp fingernail close to Vanhelsing's face. 'I swore Dracula would see the end of everything he loved. You had better turn your little pet the moment he comes of age, Abraham. Because once that fledgeling protection is gone, he's mine.'

A/N I know it has been a while - but since I am currently in lockdown, I figured what better time to wrap up some of my old unfinished stories! How are you all doing? Hope everyone is staying safe out there! - Karin x