Chapter 5
It had been three days since the Joker had kidnapped Barbara, and the remaining birds were frustrated and anxious. There had been no sign of the Joker in three days. Once again they had searched the entire city, coming up empty. Precious time was slipping away and it was driving Helena crazy.
She slammed the bowl of cereal on the table. Three days and they still had nothing. It aggravated her to no end. She was running out of options. Helena wasn't prepared for this; Barbara was the leader. She was the one that kept everything together. Without her, Helena wasn't sure how long she could keep going. She wasn't cut out for a leader role. Helena sighed. "Where are you Barbara," she muttered.
"Morning," a voice came from overhead. Dinah came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She looked at the bowls of soggy cereal and burnt Pop-tarts. "Uh Helena, where's Alfred?"
Helena closed the refrigerator door and walked over to the table carrying a carton of orange juice. "He said he had some stuff to do at the manor this morning, but that he would be in later in the afternoon."
"Oh okay," Dinah said softly, scooping up her cereal and dropping it back into the bowl.
"What?" Helena asked taking a bite of her Pop-tart.
"Nothing," Dinah paused, "I just didn't know you were making breakfast."
"I can make breakfast," Helena said defiantly.
"Sure, you can. Whatever you say," Dinah said picking up her burnt Pop-tart and taking a bite. She grimaced from the taste and by the look Helena gave her, she decided to change the subject. "So, I was thinking that since we scoured the entire city and found nothing, maybe we should start searching elsewhere. I mean, wasn't New Gotham built on top of the old city? We've been down there before, there is practically an entire city underground. So, I was thinking that maybe we should start searching there. It is just a suggestion."
Dinah didn't want to come right out and say that they needed to start searching the underground city. Since Barbara had been missing, Helena had assumed the role of leader and Dinah knew she was having problems with all the added stress. She didn't want to seem like she was trying to undermine Helena's authority.
Helena swallowed a bite of cereal. "I was thinking about that last night. According to what Barbara has told me about the Joker, some of his old hideouts were in the old part of the city which are now underground. Reese and I went over some of the underground maps last night. The place is huge. It is like an entire city with tunnels and hidden passages. A person could get lost down there for days. I would be the perfect place for the Joker to hide."
"So," Dinah said eagerly, "what's the game plan for today then. I mean I could start on some of the underground if you want to finish with the remaining warehouses."
Helena shook her head. "No, I had something different in mind. Today, you are going to school and I am going to work."
Dinah was shocked. What was she talking about, going to school when the Joker had Barbara. "You're kidding. We can't."
Helena interrupted her. "We can't keep going on like this Dinah. You have to go to school or you're going to flunk. I have to go to work or I'm going to get fired. Neglecting our duties will not help Barbara. You know how she is; she would want us to carry on. Now, when I get off work I'll start on the underground portions of the city and when you get off school you can join me. Don't try to argue with me, Dinah. I've made up my mind." Helena turned to carry her bowl to the sink.
Dinah couldn't believe what Helena was saying. They couldn't go about their lives like nothing had happened. This was crazy. Dinah stood up, her arms crossed in front of her. "You're giving up on her."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Dinah knew she shouldn't have said them. She should have kept her mouth shut. She had hurt Helena, she could tell. Helena stopped dead in her tracks. Dinah couldn't see her eyes, but she knew they were changing from their normal blue to their cat-like brown. Dinah knew she was in deep trouble.
"Helena, I-I didn't mean. I would never think.."
Helena held up her hand to stop her. Helena took a deep breath and turned around. "I would never give up on her, do you her me!" She was upset and trying hard to keep tears from her eyes. "I'm just trying to do what she would do. I'm not cut out for this, Dinah. I'm not. Barbara's always been the strong one and now she's gone and I can't." Helena paused, tears brimming in eyes, "I can't be her. I'm trying the best I can to do what she would do. But I would never give up on her. Never." Tears were now flowing freely down Helena's cheeks.
Dinah was shocked. She had never seen Helena like. She had never seen her so upset before. Helena always acted without motion and when she did show emotion it was usually anger. Dinah had never seen her friend cry. Dinah walked over and hugged Helena. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. You don't have to try so hard to be Barbara, Helena. You're doing a great job; she would be proud of you."
Helena hugged Dinah. "It's okay, I know you didn't mean it. We're all under a lot of stress; we just can't let it get to us. We're going to be okay." She pushed away and dried her eyes with the back of her hand. She gave a weak smile. "Now go upstairs and get ready. I'll drive you to school on my way to work."
"Okay," Dinah nodded. She headed off down the hall to her room to get ready for school.
* * *
The car ride to school was silent. Both girls were mulling over the morning's events and neither felt up to any idle chat. Dinah turned on the radio and stared out the passenger window, while Helena focused on driving. Their SUV had been repaired from the wreck and Helena had been amazed that the only damage was a shattered windshield and busted bumper. Barbara, however, was not going to be happy about their insurance increase when she got back. Helena pulled in the parking lot of New Gotham High and turned off the engine. She unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and waited for Dinah.
Dinah did not move from her seat. "Why are you getting out of the car? I can walk to class on my own; I don't need a body guard."
Helena laughed. "You know, it hasn't been that long since I was in school.
I'm not stupid. If I let you go on your own, you'll skip. So I'm going to walk you to class to make sure you don't get lost." Helena smiled, winking. She slammed the door shut.
Dinah gave and exasperated sigh and slammed the door shut. She stomped past Helena and walked towards the school. Helena followed. As they got closer to the school, Dinah slowed up. She turned to Helena. "I don't think I can do this," she said.
Helena didn't understand. "What do you mean. It's school."
Dinah looked worried. "It's been all over the news, Helena. They know she's missing. I don't think I can handle all the questions and those sympathetic stares. And I can't walk by her room, knowing she's not there."
Helena sighed, "Don't worry. It won't be like that. It is just another normal school day. Just think of it that way. Go in to class like you would on any normal day. Come on, you're going to be late."
Dinah sighed and entered the school, followed by Helena. They walked down the hall to Dinah's first class: history. Dinah stopped and turned towards Helena. "This is my stop." Dinah gave a half smile. "You can leave now."
Before Helena could say anything, a boy at the end of the hall yelled out.
"Hey Dinah!" He came jogging down the hall towards them. Helena noticed that he was about Dinah's age and pretty cute with close-cropped sandy- blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He was tall enough to be on the basketball team.
The boy ran up to Dinah, out of breath. "Hey, you're back. I was wondering when you would be coming back. I heard about Ms. Gordon on the news, I'm so sorry. I tried to call your house, but nobody answered. Are you okay?"
Dinah smiled up at the boy, "I'm fine Jeff, thanks for asking." Dinah heard a snort from behind Jeff and rolled her eyes as Jeff turned towards Helena. "Jeff this is my sister, Helena. Helena, Jeff Thompson. Jeff and I have science together."
Jeff extended his hand and Helena shook it. "Nice to meet you Jeff."
Jeff smiled. "Nice to meet you too." He turned back to Dinah looking at his watch. "Oh, crap I got to go, I'm going to be late for English. I'll see you at lunch though. Bye." Jeff turned and jogged back down the hallway.
Dinah watched him going then turned to a smirking Helena. "What?"
"I'm fine Jeff, thanks for asking," Helena smiled and fluttered her eyes. "Aren't you two just so cute."
"Shut up." Dinah shoved Helena's shoulder. "I got to get to class or I'm going to be late too."
"I'll pick you up in the parking lot at three. See you then." Helena watched as Dinah entered the class and found a seat. Once the girl was seated and Helena was sure that she wouldn't be skipping, Helena walked down the hall to the principal's office. She opened the door and walked in. The place was exactly how she remembered from her days at NGH. The same discolored brown tile and the same smell of greasy cafeteria food. As she entered the office she heard a loud booming voice, "Helena Kyle, I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?"
"Principal Lindel, I'm doing fine," Helena shook the man's hand. Principal Lindel had been there back in Helena's school days and besides the emerging gray hairs on his head; he hadn't changed a bit. He had the same warm smile that she remembered from the many visits to his office.
Lindel's expression grew serious. "I heard about Ms. Gordon on the news. The police came down the net day, asking questions. I told them that she is one of the best teachers at this school. I can't believe a maniac like the Joker got her. I mean, I thought that nut had died years ago." He looked at Helena, a serious look on his face. "How are you and Dinah doing?"
Helena sighed. "We're doing the best we can. Dinah's having a hard time, though. That's what I came to talk to you about. She's been having nightmares and she was a little nervous about coming today. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on her for me."
Lindel smiled. "Of course I'll keep an eye on her. You know Dinah has sure improved since she first came her. She was quiet, withdrawn, but she really seamed to be fitting in, had a lot of friends. I hope this doesn't change her."
"Me too," Helena said, "I'll be at work until 2:00 today, if you need to contact me. I believe the number is under Barbara's emergency contact. I need to get going or I'm going to be late. Thank Principal Lindel."
Helena shook the man's hand and walked out the door. The halls were empty since classes had started and there was an eerie silence. The only noises came from the clicking of Helena's shoes and this silence for some reason made Helena very nervous. She stopped and looked around, then laughed. Nobody was following her; she was just being paranoid. She shook her head and walked to the car, but all the way to work she couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
It had been three days since the Joker had kidnapped Barbara, and the remaining birds were frustrated and anxious. There had been no sign of the Joker in three days. Once again they had searched the entire city, coming up empty. Precious time was slipping away and it was driving Helena crazy.
She slammed the bowl of cereal on the table. Three days and they still had nothing. It aggravated her to no end. She was running out of options. Helena wasn't prepared for this; Barbara was the leader. She was the one that kept everything together. Without her, Helena wasn't sure how long she could keep going. She wasn't cut out for a leader role. Helena sighed. "Where are you Barbara," she muttered.
"Morning," a voice came from overhead. Dinah came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She looked at the bowls of soggy cereal and burnt Pop-tarts. "Uh Helena, where's Alfred?"
Helena closed the refrigerator door and walked over to the table carrying a carton of orange juice. "He said he had some stuff to do at the manor this morning, but that he would be in later in the afternoon."
"Oh okay," Dinah said softly, scooping up her cereal and dropping it back into the bowl.
"What?" Helena asked taking a bite of her Pop-tart.
"Nothing," Dinah paused, "I just didn't know you were making breakfast."
"I can make breakfast," Helena said defiantly.
"Sure, you can. Whatever you say," Dinah said picking up her burnt Pop-tart and taking a bite. She grimaced from the taste and by the look Helena gave her, she decided to change the subject. "So, I was thinking that since we scoured the entire city and found nothing, maybe we should start searching elsewhere. I mean, wasn't New Gotham built on top of the old city? We've been down there before, there is practically an entire city underground. So, I was thinking that maybe we should start searching there. It is just a suggestion."
Dinah didn't want to come right out and say that they needed to start searching the underground city. Since Barbara had been missing, Helena had assumed the role of leader and Dinah knew she was having problems with all the added stress. She didn't want to seem like she was trying to undermine Helena's authority.
Helena swallowed a bite of cereal. "I was thinking about that last night. According to what Barbara has told me about the Joker, some of his old hideouts were in the old part of the city which are now underground. Reese and I went over some of the underground maps last night. The place is huge. It is like an entire city with tunnels and hidden passages. A person could get lost down there for days. I would be the perfect place for the Joker to hide."
"So," Dinah said eagerly, "what's the game plan for today then. I mean I could start on some of the underground if you want to finish with the remaining warehouses."
Helena shook her head. "No, I had something different in mind. Today, you are going to school and I am going to work."
Dinah was shocked. What was she talking about, going to school when the Joker had Barbara. "You're kidding. We can't."
Helena interrupted her. "We can't keep going on like this Dinah. You have to go to school or you're going to flunk. I have to go to work or I'm going to get fired. Neglecting our duties will not help Barbara. You know how she is; she would want us to carry on. Now, when I get off work I'll start on the underground portions of the city and when you get off school you can join me. Don't try to argue with me, Dinah. I've made up my mind." Helena turned to carry her bowl to the sink.
Dinah couldn't believe what Helena was saying. They couldn't go about their lives like nothing had happened. This was crazy. Dinah stood up, her arms crossed in front of her. "You're giving up on her."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Dinah knew she shouldn't have said them. She should have kept her mouth shut. She had hurt Helena, she could tell. Helena stopped dead in her tracks. Dinah couldn't see her eyes, but she knew they were changing from their normal blue to their cat-like brown. Dinah knew she was in deep trouble.
"Helena, I-I didn't mean. I would never think.."
Helena held up her hand to stop her. Helena took a deep breath and turned around. "I would never give up on her, do you her me!" She was upset and trying hard to keep tears from her eyes. "I'm just trying to do what she would do. I'm not cut out for this, Dinah. I'm not. Barbara's always been the strong one and now she's gone and I can't." Helena paused, tears brimming in eyes, "I can't be her. I'm trying the best I can to do what she would do. But I would never give up on her. Never." Tears were now flowing freely down Helena's cheeks.
Dinah was shocked. She had never seen Helena like. She had never seen her so upset before. Helena always acted without motion and when she did show emotion it was usually anger. Dinah had never seen her friend cry. Dinah walked over and hugged Helena. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. You don't have to try so hard to be Barbara, Helena. You're doing a great job; she would be proud of you."
Helena hugged Dinah. "It's okay, I know you didn't mean it. We're all under a lot of stress; we just can't let it get to us. We're going to be okay." She pushed away and dried her eyes with the back of her hand. She gave a weak smile. "Now go upstairs and get ready. I'll drive you to school on my way to work."
"Okay," Dinah nodded. She headed off down the hall to her room to get ready for school.
* * *
The car ride to school was silent. Both girls were mulling over the morning's events and neither felt up to any idle chat. Dinah turned on the radio and stared out the passenger window, while Helena focused on driving. Their SUV had been repaired from the wreck and Helena had been amazed that the only damage was a shattered windshield and busted bumper. Barbara, however, was not going to be happy about their insurance increase when she got back. Helena pulled in the parking lot of New Gotham High and turned off the engine. She unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and waited for Dinah.
Dinah did not move from her seat. "Why are you getting out of the car? I can walk to class on my own; I don't need a body guard."
Helena laughed. "You know, it hasn't been that long since I was in school.
I'm not stupid. If I let you go on your own, you'll skip. So I'm going to walk you to class to make sure you don't get lost." Helena smiled, winking. She slammed the door shut.
Dinah gave and exasperated sigh and slammed the door shut. She stomped past Helena and walked towards the school. Helena followed. As they got closer to the school, Dinah slowed up. She turned to Helena. "I don't think I can do this," she said.
Helena didn't understand. "What do you mean. It's school."
Dinah looked worried. "It's been all over the news, Helena. They know she's missing. I don't think I can handle all the questions and those sympathetic stares. And I can't walk by her room, knowing she's not there."
Helena sighed, "Don't worry. It won't be like that. It is just another normal school day. Just think of it that way. Go in to class like you would on any normal day. Come on, you're going to be late."
Dinah sighed and entered the school, followed by Helena. They walked down the hall to Dinah's first class: history. Dinah stopped and turned towards Helena. "This is my stop." Dinah gave a half smile. "You can leave now."
Before Helena could say anything, a boy at the end of the hall yelled out.
"Hey Dinah!" He came jogging down the hall towards them. Helena noticed that he was about Dinah's age and pretty cute with close-cropped sandy- blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He was tall enough to be on the basketball team.
The boy ran up to Dinah, out of breath. "Hey, you're back. I was wondering when you would be coming back. I heard about Ms. Gordon on the news, I'm so sorry. I tried to call your house, but nobody answered. Are you okay?"
Dinah smiled up at the boy, "I'm fine Jeff, thanks for asking." Dinah heard a snort from behind Jeff and rolled her eyes as Jeff turned towards Helena. "Jeff this is my sister, Helena. Helena, Jeff Thompson. Jeff and I have science together."
Jeff extended his hand and Helena shook it. "Nice to meet you Jeff."
Jeff smiled. "Nice to meet you too." He turned back to Dinah looking at his watch. "Oh, crap I got to go, I'm going to be late for English. I'll see you at lunch though. Bye." Jeff turned and jogged back down the hallway.
Dinah watched him going then turned to a smirking Helena. "What?"
"I'm fine Jeff, thanks for asking," Helena smiled and fluttered her eyes. "Aren't you two just so cute."
"Shut up." Dinah shoved Helena's shoulder. "I got to get to class or I'm going to be late too."
"I'll pick you up in the parking lot at three. See you then." Helena watched as Dinah entered the class and found a seat. Once the girl was seated and Helena was sure that she wouldn't be skipping, Helena walked down the hall to the principal's office. She opened the door and walked in. The place was exactly how she remembered from her days at NGH. The same discolored brown tile and the same smell of greasy cafeteria food. As she entered the office she heard a loud booming voice, "Helena Kyle, I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?"
"Principal Lindel, I'm doing fine," Helena shook the man's hand. Principal Lindel had been there back in Helena's school days and besides the emerging gray hairs on his head; he hadn't changed a bit. He had the same warm smile that she remembered from the many visits to his office.
Lindel's expression grew serious. "I heard about Ms. Gordon on the news. The police came down the net day, asking questions. I told them that she is one of the best teachers at this school. I can't believe a maniac like the Joker got her. I mean, I thought that nut had died years ago." He looked at Helena, a serious look on his face. "How are you and Dinah doing?"
Helena sighed. "We're doing the best we can. Dinah's having a hard time, though. That's what I came to talk to you about. She's been having nightmares and she was a little nervous about coming today. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on her for me."
Lindel smiled. "Of course I'll keep an eye on her. You know Dinah has sure improved since she first came her. She was quiet, withdrawn, but she really seamed to be fitting in, had a lot of friends. I hope this doesn't change her."
"Me too," Helena said, "I'll be at work until 2:00 today, if you need to contact me. I believe the number is under Barbara's emergency contact. I need to get going or I'm going to be late. Thank Principal Lindel."
Helena shook the man's hand and walked out the door. The halls were empty since classes had started and there was an eerie silence. The only noises came from the clicking of Helena's shoes and this silence for some reason made Helena very nervous. She stopped and looked around, then laughed. Nobody was following her; she was just being paranoid. She shook her head and walked to the car, but all the way to work she couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.