Chapter 1
Recalling the Past
"Terry I cant help you if you won't let me." Said Dr.Colman as he looked at me with frustration.
How did I get myself into this? How did I wind up in this place? Oh yes. How could I forget? Thank you so much you bastard. The memories flooded my mind as I looked away from Dr. Colman and out the window.
It was almost a month ago. I had been walking down the streets after another horrible date with Dana. She had told me that I didn't care. That I was never there for her and that I could never keep my promises. Maybe she was right. I didn't know anymore. I let my feet guide me home as I found myself lost in my thoughts.
That is until someone grabbed me. They pulled me into the alley and held me against the wall. I couldn't move. They were so strong. I felt something cold and sharp against my neck. Oh god it was a knife. I could barely breathe from fear that I would be cut and left to bleed to death.
"Don't worry," he whispered "I'm not going to kill you. Not yet anyway. I think we should have a little fun before you die. Don't you think?"
My mind didn't register what was happening. All I could feel was the pain and then that's when everything went numb. I couldn't feel anything. Physically or emotionally.
For some reason the bastard let me live. Why couldn't he have killed me? So I didn't have to live with this secret. He had threatened everything I held dear if I told and said he would find me no matter what. I believed him. God did I believe him. I walked out of the ally my clothes in shambles and blood oozing from every cut he made.
What was I going to do? I couldn't go home like this. Mom would freak and I would never let Matt see me like this. Bruce. I could go to him. But what would I tell him? It didn't matter I had to get some place safe. I couldn't stay here. He might come back. I dialed Bruce on my cell phone and waited as it rang.
"Hello?"
"Help me." I whispered.
"Terry? What happened?"
"I.....I was attacked....by Jokers." I lied.
"Alright stay where you are. I'll come and get you."
He hung up.
Yes, Bruce would find me. He would track my cell phone and be here any minute. I didn't have to wait long. His black car came speeding along. Almost missing me. The car stopped and I stumbled towards it. Bruce got out and met me half way. Grabbing me as I almost fell.
"Jesus, Terry you're cold as ice." He said as he helped me to the car.
I was? I couldn't feel the cold. I was numb to it. We sat in silence as Alfred drove us back to the Manor. We didn't speak at all until after Bruce had taken me to the bat cave and bandaged all my injuries.
What happened Terry?" He asked as he sat in his chair at the computer.
I couldn't speak for a minute. My voice wouldn't come to me. I couldn't tell him the truth he would be hurt like everyone else. I decided to stick to what I had told him earlier. "I was walking home after my date with Dana and I was jumped by a group of jokers."
He didn't believe me. I could see it in his eyes. Thankfully he just sighed and let it go.
"You better get home." He said turning his back on me. "It's late. You've fallen asleep in class enough already."
I muttered an ok and then left. When I got home I found my mom asleep in the recliner. She must have been waiting up for me. Matt was no where to be seen. He must already be in bed. Walking over to her I picked her up and took her to her room. After I laid her in her bed and kissed her goodnight. I went to my own room and walked to my bed. I didn't even lie down before sleep took me.
I lived with my secret for about three weeks before things started to go down hill. I stopped eating, I blew off my friends and Dana, I started skipping class, and getting in fights with my mother. I worked out nonstop and was ruthless on my patrol.
Then it happened. I was out one night at a club with Dana and Max. One of the few times that I didn't ditch them. We were talking in line while waiting to get in. When someone came up behind me.
"Hello Terry." Said a man's voice behind me.
The blood ran cold in my veins. No it couldn't be him. I turned around to face who had spoken to me. My eyes widened with terror as I looked at the person before me. It was him!! An evil smirk played on his features. I started backing away through the crowd of people. I didn't care who I bumped into. I just had to get away.
"Terry? What's wrong aren't you happy to see me?" he said to me.
"No! Stay away from me! Don't touch me!" I screamed at him.
I ran from him. Ran from my fear. Ran from everything. I had to get away from him. I didn't want to be hurt, again. I kept running till my breath came in rasps. Till my legs could barely carry me anymore and even then I kept running. Even now I don't know how I made it to Bruce's Manor but I ran all the way across town to it.
I was almost there when it started to rain. I nearly fell as I rounded the ledge. The rain beat down on me and the wind was like ice. I was soaked by the time I reached the gates but I didn't care all I wanted was to be away from him. When I got there I banged on the gates, screaming. "Bruce!! Let me in. Please god let me in! Bruce! Help me. Open the gates damn it."
The gates opened and I sprinted up to the door. The old man was waiting for me a terrified look on his face. I probably didn't look the greatest but this was the first time I had seen him really and truly scared. My vision started to blur and I couldn't breath. The ground came up to meet me and everything faded into black. I never made it to the door.
Everything was so bright. Damn, it was making my head throb. My eyes started to adjust to the light. As soon as I could see. I knew where I was. A hospital. What the hell am I doing in a hospital?
"Terry." Called someone softly to my right.
I looked to see that it was the old man sitting in a chair next to my bed. Everyone was there. Mom, Matt, Dana, Max, even Ace. I smiled and patted the bed for Ace to come here. He came to me and hopped easily on to the bed beside me. I petted his head gingerly as I stared at the ceiling.
"Terry. Can you look at me please?"
I looked to see a man standing beside Bruce that I hadn't noticed before. He was a tall man. His black hair was short and spiky. His face was chiseled which made his gray eyes stand out immensely. He had on a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and part of the front tucked into his worn jeans. He seemed like he should be on a ranch somewhere not here in the city.
"Terry my name is Dr. Colman. I need to ask you a few questions so we can help you heal faster."
I just nodded.
"Ok good. Now it's obvious by your build that you work out. How often and long do you work out?"
"Anytime I can."
"On average."
I think for a moment before responding. "Everyday for 6 hours."
"So you work out six hours total. How do you spilt it up?"
"I don't. I go six hours straight."
Dr. Colman frowned. "I see. That's not good for you Terry. When was the last time you ate?"
"Maybe three or four days ago."
Their was a sizable gasp from almost everyone in the room.
"Why?"
"I....I just wasn't hungry."
"That's very peculiar. We'll talk about that later. Now moving on. Where were you before you came to Mr. Wayne's two nights ago?"
So I had been out for a day and a half. "I was on 23rd street at that new club Frozen Fire with Dana and Max."
"And how did you get to Mr. Wayne's house?"
"I ran."
He was truly shocked at this. "What?! But that's all the way at the opposite side of town!"
"I don't know how I did it. I....just did."
"May I ask what made you run?"
I shook my head. I couldn't tell him. I couldn't tell anybody.
"Terry you have to work with me. I need you to help me so I can help you."
"No!" I all but screamed.
"Ok, ok." He turned to Dana and Max, "Did you see who he ran from?"
"No we didn't." said Dana.
"Be glad you didn't." I said.
"But that's just it Terry. There was no one there. There was no one behind us outside the club."
I stared at her in disbelief. How could that be? I saw him! I buried my head in my hands. This couldn't be happening! Was I going crazy? There was one way to find out. I sat up in bed much to the protest of everyone else in the room. I reached up and undid the buttons of the hospital gown I was wearing. The light cloth fell off of me and I heard every gasp, even Mr. Wayne. He had seen my scars unlike the rest of them but he hadn't seen the scar that I hoped wouldn't be there. That I hoped I had dreamed up. But no it was still there. It was right over my heart. He had made it deep so it would be seen clearly. I traced my fingers over the words. Your Mine. They would never fade. Just like the memory of what he did to me.
"Terry? Who did this to you?" asked my mother. Of all people it had to be her to ask me that.
My shoulders shook as I began to sob. I could feel the tears began to slide down my cheeks. Why me? Why did this have to happen to me? I already had so much to deal with. Dad being gone. Being Batman. Trying to keep my relationship with Dana which at the moment didn't exist. I can't take this much longer or I'm going to explode.
Someone was holding me. I didn't care. I just wanted for it to end. I just wanted to make all the pain go away. I cried for what seemed like an eternity. I cried till I had no more tears left to cry. I looked up after I had stopped crying to see who was holding me. To my surprise it was Bruce.
"Terry," I looked to see Dr. Colman talking to me. "I would like you to come to my ranch in Colorado. There are many boys and girls like you there who have gone through many trials just as you have. I know I can help you if you let me."
I nodded. It would be good to get away from everything. Maybe this guy could help me.
Recalling the Past
"Terry I cant help you if you won't let me." Said Dr.Colman as he looked at me with frustration.
How did I get myself into this? How did I wind up in this place? Oh yes. How could I forget? Thank you so much you bastard. The memories flooded my mind as I looked away from Dr. Colman and out the window.
It was almost a month ago. I had been walking down the streets after another horrible date with Dana. She had told me that I didn't care. That I was never there for her and that I could never keep my promises. Maybe she was right. I didn't know anymore. I let my feet guide me home as I found myself lost in my thoughts.
That is until someone grabbed me. They pulled me into the alley and held me against the wall. I couldn't move. They were so strong. I felt something cold and sharp against my neck. Oh god it was a knife. I could barely breathe from fear that I would be cut and left to bleed to death.
"Don't worry," he whispered "I'm not going to kill you. Not yet anyway. I think we should have a little fun before you die. Don't you think?"
My mind didn't register what was happening. All I could feel was the pain and then that's when everything went numb. I couldn't feel anything. Physically or emotionally.
For some reason the bastard let me live. Why couldn't he have killed me? So I didn't have to live with this secret. He had threatened everything I held dear if I told and said he would find me no matter what. I believed him. God did I believe him. I walked out of the ally my clothes in shambles and blood oozing from every cut he made.
What was I going to do? I couldn't go home like this. Mom would freak and I would never let Matt see me like this. Bruce. I could go to him. But what would I tell him? It didn't matter I had to get some place safe. I couldn't stay here. He might come back. I dialed Bruce on my cell phone and waited as it rang.
"Hello?"
"Help me." I whispered.
"Terry? What happened?"
"I.....I was attacked....by Jokers." I lied.
"Alright stay where you are. I'll come and get you."
He hung up.
Yes, Bruce would find me. He would track my cell phone and be here any minute. I didn't have to wait long. His black car came speeding along. Almost missing me. The car stopped and I stumbled towards it. Bruce got out and met me half way. Grabbing me as I almost fell.
"Jesus, Terry you're cold as ice." He said as he helped me to the car.
I was? I couldn't feel the cold. I was numb to it. We sat in silence as Alfred drove us back to the Manor. We didn't speak at all until after Bruce had taken me to the bat cave and bandaged all my injuries.
What happened Terry?" He asked as he sat in his chair at the computer.
I couldn't speak for a minute. My voice wouldn't come to me. I couldn't tell him the truth he would be hurt like everyone else. I decided to stick to what I had told him earlier. "I was walking home after my date with Dana and I was jumped by a group of jokers."
He didn't believe me. I could see it in his eyes. Thankfully he just sighed and let it go.
"You better get home." He said turning his back on me. "It's late. You've fallen asleep in class enough already."
I muttered an ok and then left. When I got home I found my mom asleep in the recliner. She must have been waiting up for me. Matt was no where to be seen. He must already be in bed. Walking over to her I picked her up and took her to her room. After I laid her in her bed and kissed her goodnight. I went to my own room and walked to my bed. I didn't even lie down before sleep took me.
I lived with my secret for about three weeks before things started to go down hill. I stopped eating, I blew off my friends and Dana, I started skipping class, and getting in fights with my mother. I worked out nonstop and was ruthless on my patrol.
Then it happened. I was out one night at a club with Dana and Max. One of the few times that I didn't ditch them. We were talking in line while waiting to get in. When someone came up behind me.
"Hello Terry." Said a man's voice behind me.
The blood ran cold in my veins. No it couldn't be him. I turned around to face who had spoken to me. My eyes widened with terror as I looked at the person before me. It was him!! An evil smirk played on his features. I started backing away through the crowd of people. I didn't care who I bumped into. I just had to get away.
"Terry? What's wrong aren't you happy to see me?" he said to me.
"No! Stay away from me! Don't touch me!" I screamed at him.
I ran from him. Ran from my fear. Ran from everything. I had to get away from him. I didn't want to be hurt, again. I kept running till my breath came in rasps. Till my legs could barely carry me anymore and even then I kept running. Even now I don't know how I made it to Bruce's Manor but I ran all the way across town to it.
I was almost there when it started to rain. I nearly fell as I rounded the ledge. The rain beat down on me and the wind was like ice. I was soaked by the time I reached the gates but I didn't care all I wanted was to be away from him. When I got there I banged on the gates, screaming. "Bruce!! Let me in. Please god let me in! Bruce! Help me. Open the gates damn it."
The gates opened and I sprinted up to the door. The old man was waiting for me a terrified look on his face. I probably didn't look the greatest but this was the first time I had seen him really and truly scared. My vision started to blur and I couldn't breath. The ground came up to meet me and everything faded into black. I never made it to the door.
Everything was so bright. Damn, it was making my head throb. My eyes started to adjust to the light. As soon as I could see. I knew where I was. A hospital. What the hell am I doing in a hospital?
"Terry." Called someone softly to my right.
I looked to see that it was the old man sitting in a chair next to my bed. Everyone was there. Mom, Matt, Dana, Max, even Ace. I smiled and patted the bed for Ace to come here. He came to me and hopped easily on to the bed beside me. I petted his head gingerly as I stared at the ceiling.
"Terry. Can you look at me please?"
I looked to see a man standing beside Bruce that I hadn't noticed before. He was a tall man. His black hair was short and spiky. His face was chiseled which made his gray eyes stand out immensely. He had on a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and part of the front tucked into his worn jeans. He seemed like he should be on a ranch somewhere not here in the city.
"Terry my name is Dr. Colman. I need to ask you a few questions so we can help you heal faster."
I just nodded.
"Ok good. Now it's obvious by your build that you work out. How often and long do you work out?"
"Anytime I can."
"On average."
I think for a moment before responding. "Everyday for 6 hours."
"So you work out six hours total. How do you spilt it up?"
"I don't. I go six hours straight."
Dr. Colman frowned. "I see. That's not good for you Terry. When was the last time you ate?"
"Maybe three or four days ago."
Their was a sizable gasp from almost everyone in the room.
"Why?"
"I....I just wasn't hungry."
"That's very peculiar. We'll talk about that later. Now moving on. Where were you before you came to Mr. Wayne's two nights ago?"
So I had been out for a day and a half. "I was on 23rd street at that new club Frozen Fire with Dana and Max."
"And how did you get to Mr. Wayne's house?"
"I ran."
He was truly shocked at this. "What?! But that's all the way at the opposite side of town!"
"I don't know how I did it. I....just did."
"May I ask what made you run?"
I shook my head. I couldn't tell him. I couldn't tell anybody.
"Terry you have to work with me. I need you to help me so I can help you."
"No!" I all but screamed.
"Ok, ok." He turned to Dana and Max, "Did you see who he ran from?"
"No we didn't." said Dana.
"Be glad you didn't." I said.
"But that's just it Terry. There was no one there. There was no one behind us outside the club."
I stared at her in disbelief. How could that be? I saw him! I buried my head in my hands. This couldn't be happening! Was I going crazy? There was one way to find out. I sat up in bed much to the protest of everyone else in the room. I reached up and undid the buttons of the hospital gown I was wearing. The light cloth fell off of me and I heard every gasp, even Mr. Wayne. He had seen my scars unlike the rest of them but he hadn't seen the scar that I hoped wouldn't be there. That I hoped I had dreamed up. But no it was still there. It was right over my heart. He had made it deep so it would be seen clearly. I traced my fingers over the words. Your Mine. They would never fade. Just like the memory of what he did to me.
"Terry? Who did this to you?" asked my mother. Of all people it had to be her to ask me that.
My shoulders shook as I began to sob. I could feel the tears began to slide down my cheeks. Why me? Why did this have to happen to me? I already had so much to deal with. Dad being gone. Being Batman. Trying to keep my relationship with Dana which at the moment didn't exist. I can't take this much longer or I'm going to explode.
Someone was holding me. I didn't care. I just wanted for it to end. I just wanted to make all the pain go away. I cried for what seemed like an eternity. I cried till I had no more tears left to cry. I looked up after I had stopped crying to see who was holding me. To my surprise it was Bruce.
"Terry," I looked to see Dr. Colman talking to me. "I would like you to come to my ranch in Colorado. There are many boys and girls like you there who have gone through many trials just as you have. I know I can help you if you let me."
I nodded. It would be good to get away from everything. Maybe this guy could help me.