The Familiar Darkness: part v

By: Corbin

**Notes** Just a friendly heads up, if the imaginary friend seems a bit out of character it's because he's a delusion. He's not real, not really there and therefore not really Batman, so he doesn't have to act like him. Other than that I hope you read and enjoy!

He had checked all the hospitals at least three times and found nothing. He wasn't ready to give up and start checking the morgues, that would have been giving up too early. There was one hospital he had hoped that he wouldn't have to check, still it was a better alternative then the morgue.

Arkham.

Batman typed the name into his computer and searched first for Dick Grayson. Nothing, so he searched for John Does. There were more then he wanted to think about, but only five within Robin's age group. Well, it was worth a try and if that brought up nothing he supposed he'd be forced to check the morgues.

With a look of determination Batman slipped his cowl over his head and jumped into the Batmobile.

"Hang on partner," he whispered to himself as the canopy slid shut and the car's engine came to life with a fierce rumble. "I won't give up on you."

* * * *

Robin knew as soon as he felt his pain beginning to lose its sharpness that the second hour had nearly come to a close. He closed his eyes to take in the few moments of receding agony. When he opened his eyes, Batman's image greeted him. 'Not again,' he thought to himself.

"It's good to see you again too," the image of Batman stated glancing around the room.

"I don't want to hear it, you're not even real," Robin grumbled at Batman.

The Batman gave the boy a smug grin. "Well, the way I see it, right now I'm the closet thing to a friend that you've got."

"What is it that you want?"

The Batman smiled once more. "What do I want? This isn't about me at all. This is all about you. I should be asking you the same question." The Bat closed in on the boy resting his palms on the edge of the table that Robin was strapped to.

"I want you to leave me alone," Robin muttered looking away from his imaginary partner.

"Oh, I don't think you really want me to leave." Robin turned back to Batman.

"Why do you say that? I know what I want and I don't want you here."

"If I leave, you'll be alone. You'll face all that remaining pain by yourself. You know the saying 'Misery loves company'. Besides, I know what you really want," Batman stated in a mocking, but almost gentle tone.

"Listen Batman, or whatever you are, I really don't want to hear it."

"Well, all I was going to say is why don't you just beg him to stop? Shed a few tears, maybe you'll get lucky and he'll let you just suffer through the pain you already have."

"I know that won't happen, so do you."

"Ahh, but you considered it at some point. I didn't just make that up. You thought of it before I suggested it to you."

"I've already explored all of my options. Begging is not an acceptable one."

"So you're giving up then? Just suffer through it? If that's even possible."

"Do I have any other choice?"

"Well, I suppose not. If you can't see it, neither can I."

* * * *

The two Arkham orderlies watched in complete silence as the boy talked aloud with himself. Perhaps it was a side effect from the drugs he'd been given. Maybe it was a defense mechanism to think on something other then the pain coursing through his body. Or maybe the boy had just gone off the deep end, maybe he really belonged in Arkham. Whatever the reason the orderlies watched him and said nothing. For some reason, it did not seem right to interrupt.

* * * *

"Hey," Batman's image said softly looking over his shoulder, "Here comes the good doctor now." Robin groaned out loud, the single hour had felt like an eternity, now he wished that it wouldn't end so soon.

"Last dose," Doc stated almost cheerfully as he filled the hypo.

"Is that supposed to make me happy?" Robin growled in a seething tone.

"I suppose, young man, it all depends on the way you look at things."

...TBC . . .