"'Course, there were other girls rehearsing for tryouts but your mom was the only one who stood out among the judges."
Dick shook the bottle and squeezed a stream of gel into his palm. He rubbed his hands together just before massaging it into his scalp, working the sticky stuff in ever so carefully.
"And when your mom looked at me with that brilliant smile, well, there wasn't anything else I could do except grin back like a big idiot in love," John Grayson added.
Dick looked in the mirror with his father's reflection right behind him. He picked up a comb and started to attack his hair with it, raking the black strands back and forth until he had the right shape that pleased him.
"So what if I also start 'shark grinning' tonight, Dad?" he asked.
"Girls like it when you smile. But if anyone else bites, just bite back," John laughed warmly. "Say, why do you have to do that to your hair? Your mom says it'll be just fine if you keep the natural curls."
"Dad!" Dick whirled on his father. "This is all the rage now!" He gave the comb one final tug before putting it back on the dresser.
John shook his head and put his hands in his pockets. "Kids these days. I'll just never understand why you all do those things you do. An old fogey like me can't keep up with it."
"You're not that old, Dad," Dick said. "Even you can outrun Bruce Wayne in a race." He adjusted the collar of his tuxedo one last time. "Think I'll impress Kory tonight?"
"So long as you don't pull any detective tricks on her," his father joked. John tugged on his son's arm and playfully wrestled with Dick, trying to grind his knuckles into the boy's scalp.
"No! No!" he laughed, buckling and trying to slip out of a headlock. "Anything but the hair!"
"Honey!" his mother's voice called from the stairwell. "Bruce is here."
"Already?" John turned to Dick. "Hope you don't mind, son. Bruce wanted to talk over a few business plans tonight while you were out."
"Bruce is here?" The delighted teem drummed quickly down the steps and into the living room where Bruce was sitting on the couch.
"Someone's been invading my closet," said the billionaire. He stood up and shook the boy's hand. "It's good to see you, Dick. I hope you have a good time tonight."
"Dick, don't you look handsome tonight," his mother exclaimed. "Now take your jacket, its still cool outside," she tutted, handing her son his windbreaker.
"Mary, the boy's fifteen," John said. "He's got a good head on his shoulders."
"Nevertheless, I'm allowed to fuss over him," Mary insisted. No sooner had Dick gotten the jacket on then she started buttoning it up and when she was done, kissed him on his cheek. Mary stepped back and sighed, shaking her head with surprise.
"How are you getting to the dance?" she added.
Dick hesitated, suddenly realizing the impact of his obligations and limit of time. "Um, I thought I'd get a ride," he mumbled.
"I have a better idea," Bruce spoke up. "Check in the garage."
Dick ran to the door and opened it up. His jaw nearly dropped t to the floor to see the shiny red and silver chrome of a brand new motorcycle standing next to his bicycle. From the leather seat to the perfectly tuned motor to the spotless handlebars, it was his ideal set of wheels that had come descended from heaven and landed on earth.
"Wayne, you son of a gun," John whistled between his teeth. "Where on earth did you get this?"
"Don't think Wayne Enterprise just bores everyone with stocks and chips," Bruce said with a wag of his finger. "We're starting a new line of motor vehicles and I thought Dick might like to keep one as a sample test."
"But Bruce," his mother protested. "He's still very young."
"And very lucky."
"John!"
He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. "Come on, Mary. Let Dick ride for tonight's date, I'm sure he can handle a set of wheels like this."
Bruce looked at the Graysons, then back at Dick. "I trust Dick to be responsible tonight. That's why I'd like your permission, if he can have-"
"Dad, say 'yes'," Dick blurted out. His hands were already stroking the metal and roaming over the motorbike.
John chuckled to himself. "If I didn't know any better, Bruce. I'd say you're trying to win my son from me."
"Now if you don't think he deserves it, I'll take this pile of scrap metal back to the labs," Bruce said sarcastically as he shook his hands in defense. "But you'd better make up your minds before Dick goes into tears and falls in love with this girl and dumps the other one."
Mary finally drew out a long breath to relent. "All right, if you say so. But Dick you mustbe home by midnight," she stressed.
"Sure, Mom," he bobbed his head woodenly. Anything to ride this baby!
Bruce handed Dick a helmet and the teen carefully placed it on over his head, trying not to ruin his hair. Throwing a leg over the other side of the motorcycle, his fingers wrapped around the handles and gripped them tightly.
A low growl was heard, and then a sputter of exhaust and fumes, and finally, an explosion that resulted in the pleasant humming motor of the vehicle. "What do you think?" Bruce called from over the noise.
"It's perfect!" Dick shouted over his shoulder. His feet pressed on the gas and the motorcycle smoothly drew itself out of the garage and down the well lit street.
A-A-A
He lifted his knuckles to the door and rapped a few times. TAP! TAP! TAP!
"Coming," he heard a slightly musical voice call behind the wood. Within the blink of an eye, the door swung open.
The sequins on Kory's pink gown winked softly as finely as her green eyes while the rich cashmere-like texture of the dress showed off her natural grace and beauty to her best advantage. Long arms in elbow length gloves gently cradled a white rose. Noticing how Dick was gawking at her, Kory's dainty hands came to her lips and she was apparently attempting to hide a tiny smile or gasp.
"Woah," was all he could manage to say for the moment. Then Dick got his wits together. "Um, are you ready to go?"
"Of course," Kory said. She followed him outside to where the motorcycle was parked and stared in awe. "Oh my! I've never been on one of these before!" She looked at Dick. "Is it…safe?"
"Don't you trust me?" he asked, handing her the second helmet. Kory nodded and carefully fit it onto her head, then lifted one leg carefully over the motorcycle so as not to tear her dress. Dick got on as well and made sure Kory had a grip on him.
"Hang on," Dick called over his shoulder. The engine awoke with an ever louder roar this time and with such liveliness, he was sure they'd fall off. But they didn't. Kory's hands, instead of merely touching his own shoulders, had clasped tightly around his waist in a firm embrace. The motorcycle zoomed down the street past the flooding streetlights and whizzing past trees in a blur of brown and green.
"Faster?" he called over his shoulder.
"YES!" Kory shouted in a laugh. He started to speed up but kept the motorcycle on its steady course, barely leaning back and forth as it wound its way around the corners and up the streets gracefully. He checked back to see the skirts of her dress fluttering along with her hair, but the constant ringing of laughter and shrieks of excitement indicated Kory's delight. Richard let out his own whooping sound of cheering to accompany her own and they sailed off.
Finally, the motorcycle slowed down right outside the school. Richard swiftly removed his helmet and extended his hand for Kory to step down. Pulling off the helmet, he noticed how the wind had brightened up the red in her cheeks and she was breathing very fast. "Are you all right?" he asked with somewhat concern. "You look alarmed."
"Alarmed and yet magnificent!" Kory exclaimed out loud, raising her hands above her head and jumping on the tips of her toes. "This was sensational."
Both teens had to catch their breaths and calm down a bit before they crossed the lawn and entered the school gym, arms linked to each other. However, breath was caught and they stood still once they saw the dance area.
Colorful balloon bunches were squeezed in wherever crepe paper couldn't crisscross itself yet another time across the entire room like winding twisting rainbows of delicate multicolored flowers. Confetti decorated the tables along with teddy bears, plushies, and punchbowls full of orange and pink drinks. The windows were halfway open allowing a cool breeze to drift in and the crepe paper to sway with the wind.
"Pretty awesome, isn't it?" a perky voice spoke up from behind them. Gar was there with his newly died green hair and a navy blue suit. He tugged on his scalp as he looked at Dick and asked in a frantic whisper, "This stuff isn't staining my suit, is it?"
"No."
"Whew!" Gar adjusted the lapels of his suit. "Good thing 'cuz I gotta make a good impression for Tara before she—"
Gar halted his speech because the lady of his dreams was being dragged into the gym.
"Come on, everyone's wearing them!" said the girl who was tugging on Tara's arm. In lieu of her trademark jeans and gloves, Tara was dressed in a blue summer dress and white sandals. Her hair was bright and glossy but she kept pursing up her lips as if the slightest touch of lipstick was irritating her skin.
"Rose, I can't wear this," Tara hissed frantically. "If I'm not wearing pants then I feel so-so"
"Naked?"
"Yes!" Tara squealed out. She would've made a beeline for the door but her friend's grip remained strong.
"We are not chickening out tonight, Ms. Merkov," Rose announced firmly. Tara continued to squirm right until Gar walked up to her like a moth to a candle.
"Tara," he said softly. "I've never seen you like this before."
"Yeah. Awful, isn't it?" Tara said. "I can't walk in these heels. I'll be falling flat on my face."
"Then Gar will just have to chaperone you, wont he?" Rose smiled coyly. Tara shot a look at her but her friend's crystal blue eyes twinkled and she nudged Gar gently. Gar cleared his throat and gazed at Tara. "I'll stay close to you and make sure you don't fall tonight," he said gravely.
"Really? Thanks Gar! You're the best!" He was completely caught off guard when she threw her arms around him and gave him a large unexpected bear hug of gratitude.
Rose had now gone up to Richard and Kory, wiping her hands together with satisfaction. "Well, that takes care of that," she smiled proudly.
"You have done two friends a very good favor," Kory complimented her.
Rose beamed. Only now did Dick notice her hair, which was startlingly white as snow. Yet it looked fine with Rose's pale complexion and light blue eyes, but maybe that was because of the lighting in the gym. A pink flower, her namesake, was tucked behind Rose's right ear.
"Did you and Tara just come alone?" Dick asked her. Rose shook her head and pointed to the bandstand where musicians were just warming up. A lanky young man with thick blonde curls was tuning up a guitar.
"My brother, Joey. He's such a sweetie, Kind of protective, though," Rose added. "Not like I can't take care of myself."
Just then, the band had found the right tunes and music started to animate the students. Everyone was getting to the dance floor with their partners. Richard and Kory didn't need to ask, coax, or woo each other for further ideas. They grabbed hands and were on the floor ready to go.
The music was vibrant and had a great rhythm that he felt pulsing into every muscle of his body. Dick and Kory whirled around together, moving in and out of the flashing lights that popped from red to blue to hot pink to green. And then he had an idea. Dick quickly took off his jacket, threw it onto a spare chair, kicked off his shoes, and loosened his tie.
"Kory!" he called to her. "Loose the shoes!" She glanced down and lifted up the skirts of her dress. With a look of surprise, she stared at Dick who was coaxing her into doing a dance routine.
"Oh no, Dick. I-I couldn't," she started to stammer. He flicked his palms to her widely, blue eyes blazing with excitement.
"Trust me!"
Kory took a deep breath and kicked off her high heels. The girl lifted her hands above her head and began to twirl faster and faster. Spinning around in a blur of purple, she finally landed in Dick arms into a fast dip, nearly touching the ground.
"OOOOH!" the kids all shouted. Dick took the moment to help Kory to her feet and they began again, leaping and twisting all over the place. He recalled grabbing her by the waist and lifting Kory fully off the ground just before arms crossed and they were twisting back against each other. The acrobatic feats of long ago had been warming up for just tonight, it seemed. With back flips and summersaults, they continued to perform to their hearts' content until the song finally stopped and the lights flashed on.
Everyone burst into thundering applause and several people whistle through their teeth, Gar included. Dick gasped, realizing how he and Kory had just frozen from the music with their bodies literally pressed against each other and slightly damp with perspiration from the dance. Strands of red hair were stuck to Kory's forehead, a flushed look on her face.
"That-was-AWESOME!" Gar shouted the last word and jumping off his feet. Tara added with a waving fist in the air and a war whoop of delight. "You guys kick butt at this, big time," the blonde cheered.
"Thanks," Dick breathed out, wiping his sweaty forehead. "Maybe we should get a drink." He and Kory started out to the refreshment table long enough to cool off.
"Boo-yeah!" Vic said, slapping high fives with Richard. He handed them each a cup of punch and pulled out some chairs. "So once again, the Flying Grayson has done it."
"Where's Raven?" Richard asked.
"Ah, probably outside sulking and saying the party is a waste of time," Gar said. He and Tara were loading up their plates with food on the side. "Which is why she has got to come in and join the party."
"I don't think suggesting 'Stinkball' as a school game went with her," Vic commented. Gar's eyes widened at the comment and he started stacking brownies on his plate, three at a time.
"What? It's a great game and we don't have to worry about a month of dirty laundry in the lockers."
"EW! GAR!" everyone shouted at him.
"What?! It's a good idea," he defended himself, innocently shrugging his shoulders.
Dick took a deep gulp of his punch and the sharp icy coldness almost stung his throat. He and Kory of them decided to stay down and cool off while they watched the rest of the entertainment.
Several kids got on stage and did a mock school routine for humor, depicting Professor Prumbo going through a midlife crisis and teaming up with Dr. Brown to "re-educate" the students using booby trapped doors.
When the mock Dr. Brown got on stage wearing a bright red wig, Union Jack jacket, loud spectacles, and brandishing a cane, Dick snorted up his punch and was laughing too hard to even breath. Everyone was clapping and cheering to see the "students" being attacked by "Biting Books" and other torturous devices just before thwarting the teachers-gone-mad.
"Weeee," Mario and Miguel laughed together. The twin exchange students pulled off their costumes and ran, if not zipped, over to Richard.
"Did you like our performance?" Mario asked with a slight accent.
"Very much indeed," Kory said, clapping her hands together and looking at the short red headed boys with slightly toothless but very cheery smiles.
Miguel giggled and rubbed the top of his red hair. He whispered something into his brother's ear, but not too quietly.
"¿Ella es una chica hermosa, ella no es?"he asked Mario, pointing to Kory.
"Sí, y encantador como un subió."Mario nodded to Miguel in return.
"I heard that," Dick called from over his shoulder. The twins gulped uneasily.
"¡Arrepentido! Nosotros no supimos, Amigo!" they shouted, just before dashing off quickly.
"What did they say?"
"That you're very beautiful and as charming as a rose," Dick said.
Kory's eyebrows went up. "No, don't lie to me," she insisted.
"I'm telling the truth," he said quietly. They looked at each other, heads almost leaning into each other-
"Hello? Hello, is this thing on?" a female voice announced from the microphone. A squeal of static followed by a shrieking sound made everyone groan and cover their ears from the noise. The girl with the hair in two buns was tapping away at the microphone impatiently.
"I got, Karen," Vic called from behind the podium. He fused two wires together and flipped a switch. Karen blew into the microphone and and gave Vic the thumbs up.
"Testing, one two three, testing," she said into the microphone. "Hello, I'd like everyone's attention please," she announced. Everyone quieted down for a minute and advanced towards the center of the floor.
"First, I'd like to thank those that participated in tonight's dance and-"
"Kareeeeen, baby doll. Hey Kareeeeeen," someone interrupted. Two boys started hooting and howling from the back of the room.
"SHUT UP!" she yelled into the microphone. At once, they complied. A ripple of giggling ran through the room but Karen's eyes flashed once, good enough to silence them easily.
"On behalf of student council, I would like to thank everyone who participated in tonight's school event. Thanks goes to our fabulous musicians lead by Joey Wilson on the guitar," she pointed to the stage.
The blonde haired boy smiled shyly, green eyes glowing with pride as the kids all cheered for him, including Rose who was standing on a chair and waving with both arms.
"Thanks goes to the kitchen staff who made this night absolutely delicious, especially beloved Annie," Karen added. The kids clapped politely at this and the cook had stuck her head out of the kitchen long enough to nod at the appreciation given.
"I'd also like to give tremendous thanks to everyone who helped pull off this event and get the gym all ready," Karen added, rambling off a few names. She glanced down at her note cards and shrugged, then put them away. Karen was about to step back when Vic nudged his way forward, standing just in front of her.
"And may I add," Vic interrupted, leaning over to the microphone, "That we've got the best student council president this year. Lets hear it for Karen Beecher!"
Everyone was clapping louder and longer than before. Some kids got on chairs, but Gar had Dick and everyone cupping their hands to their mouths and chanting:"Karen, Karen Beecher!"
Karen's cheeks began to flush with color but she looked clearly pleased with the success and enthusiasm of the school. The young woman took the microphone into her hand and walked across the stage.
"Now we've come to the grand finale of the evening, our very last dance," she said. Aside from a few groans, the kids were excited. "May I ask Raven Roth, to please come up here?"
"RAVEN! RAVEN!" the chanting had now shifted and everyone was banging on the tables with clenched fists.
A remarkable shade of pink appeared against her gray skin. The girl's cupped hands covered her blushing cheeks. "No, I couldn't," she said flatly. "I just couldn't." Raven shook her head and remained in her seat.
Everyone else sighed reluctantly at her refusal, but Dick found himself leaning over the table and speaking to her very seriously.
"Didn't you tell me that we should find fulfillment in life? That we can't let people down?" he asked her. "We're all counting on you to try."
Her head came up at once, purple tinted eyes wide and clearly moved from his words. Raven nodded. Slowly, she got to her feet and walked towards the stage.
The music began again; soft and lingering. Joey's fingers nimbly stroked the chords on his guitar as a breathtaking slow song that wound around the room.
Raven took the microphone, closed her eyes ,and opened her mouth. Her usual low voice was suddenly raised high like a bird taking flight in a sweet clear tone, clear as a bell. Everyone was captivated by her first flawless note that held out, just before she smoothly followed into the rest of her song.
"Um, Dick?" Kory asked softly. Her hand was already on top of his. "Would you like to…."
He opened up his arms and she simply fell into them as they glided across the dance floor. Dick felt his body move with Kory's into gentle swaying movements. His ears drank in the music, his senses savored the scent of her strawberry-scented hair, and his hand closed around her own warm one.
Now her eyes closed as she lightly rested her head against his shoulder, and let out a dreamy happy sigh of delight. He swallowed, realizing the top of her head just fit into the curve under his neck. Her skin felt soft and smooth as a rose's petal, her breath was gentle and lulling like a child.
After what seemed like just a few moments, Raven's song had ended and her lips sealed. The lights slowly came back on with the rippling sound of people clapping. Dick hardly noticed that they had come again to the center of attention.
He was with Kory and there was nothing else he would give up for this night.
A-A-A
"I'm glad I have a key," she whispered softly when Dick's motorcycle pulled up to Kory's house. "I don't want to wake anyone else up." Dick walked her to the door and they stood there, face to face, bathed in the yellow lights that flooded the porch.
"Well, I hope you, uh, had a good time," Dick said sheepishly. His feet were getting a funny tingling feeling in them.
"I had a sensational time, Dick," she smiled drowsily. Kory managed to smother a yawn, putting her gloved hand to her mouth. "Forgive me," she apologized. "But it was lovely, truly. Your friends are also so wonderful and kind."
"They're your friends too now, Kory," he said, taking a step closer to her. "From now on, you'll be with us. You'll have a place where you belong in Jump City."
There came a lingering moment when her eyes were taking on a rippling spiral flecked with gold. And he starred back, unable to break the silence and the caressing breeze that tugged the edge of her gown and ruffled his own hair.
Dick felt the tingling feeling rising up into the rest of his body. "K-K-Kory," he stuttered out awkwardly.
"Yes, Dick?" she asked.
"I-I don't know what to say," he stammered. Kory put one finger to his mouth, silencing him immediately. Her face was now very close to him when she stepped closer to him. Her red hair grazed against the side of his cheek, making him quiver all over.
"Sometimes, words do not need to be said," Kory's breathless voice whispered into his ear.
Soft sweet lips pressed against his own mouth and Dick was lost within the kiss, their arms wrapped up tightly around each other in the moment. Warmth rushed into every part of his body and sent his head swirling into the clouds and brimming with sunlight.
Kory pulled back from him reluctantly, but with a playful smile on her face. He watched her with a dreamy gaze when she carefully opened the door and stepped inside. Kory turned around one last time to look at Dick. "Goodnight, my brave prince," she bid time before closing the door softly behind her.
His parents were up watching T.V when he came home. Mary had fallen asleep on the couch with her head in her husband's lap, a blanket covering the both of them. John lifted his head up to see his son walk in-or rather, woozily drag himself in, cradling his red helmet almost lovingly in his arms.
"You're not drunk, are you?" John called from the couch.
"Dad, you'll have to pull me off the ceiling," Dick announced, placing his helmet on the counter. "Because I think I've followed an angel up to heavne."
"That good, huh?" John said.
"Even better," Dick insisted. He kicked off his shoes and headed up the stairs.
"G'night son," John called to the stairwell.
Feet quickly pattered back down much to the father's surprise. His son hugged him and then bent down to kiss his mother on her forehead.
"Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad."
Once upstairs, Dick flopped down his bed and let his eyelids close just before dissolving into cool tranquility for the night. In his dreams, he and Kory would be flying forever over the rooftops and into the rising sun.
A-A-A
BRRRRRRRIIIIINNG!
Students flooded out of classrooms and into the corridors. Gar was struggling to keep up with strapping Vic and long-legged Kory.
"What do you call a cow with no legs?" Gar asked Kory. She put a finger to her temple in thought.
"I don't know. What?"
"Ground beef!"
Gar hooted all the way to the library, slapping his thighs with pleasure. Vic sighed and only shook his head. Kory still looked puzzled.
Richard was in the library copying some work down. He looked up to hear laughter and see his friends in the doorway.
"Dick, we're heading to the cafeteria," Vic said. "Wanna come?"
"I'll catch up in a few minutes," he said. Dick licked his index finger and turned a page. "This stuff is really interesting."
"That looks sooooo boring," Gar droned. "What's so great about the 'tangled up' problem?"
"It's called the quantum entanglement problem," Dick corrected him. "And it's a rule in physics."
Gar just moaned and put his hands on his head. "Careful, don't overload just yet," Vic said, patting his friend on the head. "We'll save you a burrito, Dick."
"Thanks."
Dick's friends headed off to lunch, leaving him to enjoy a few minutes of scientific experiments.
THNK!
Dick looked up from the textbook.
THNK! THNK!
He couldn't concentrate with that sound going on in the background—as if someone was making an impact into a wall. Puzzle at the sudden occurrence, he pushed his book aside and walked over to the window. He opened it up and stuck his head out to investigate.
A-A-A
Dick was startled, and maybe even a little scared at the encounter. He had just followed the sound to outside where in a corner of the school field where someone was preoccupied with target practice. The young man who had just fitted his bow with another arrow stopped long enough to look at Dick.
They were about the same height and had similar features but the newby had the start of a scruffy goatee on his chin that matched his short red hair. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up revealing the toned arms of a soldier in training.
Dick dug into his mind for the stranger's name—but it wasn't coming up. That might be what was making him uncomfortable inside. He suddenly wished he was back inside reading about physics or hanging out with his friends.
"Do I know you?" Dick asked slowly.
"Maybe," the teen shrugged. He raised the bow and took aim again. The arrow nearly screamed through the air with its speed just before landing in the perfect bull's-eye target.
Dick found himself clapping with enthusiasm even if he was the only one around. The young man uncorked a grin and stuck out a hand. "My name is Roy Harper."
"I'm Dick Grayson," he introduced himself. The handshake was warm and polite, but when they made contact, a streak of conscience flashed in the back of his mind, teasing it.
"You all right?" Roy asked.
"Um yeah, I'm fine," Dick said, trying to brush off the weird feeling. "You're really good at that, you know."
"Thanks, I try my best," Roy said, proudly pressing a thumb to his chest. "You also like archery?"
"I don't know, I never really tried," Dick admitted.
"Here, I'll show you," Roy offered. He handed the bow and arrow to Dick and positioned himself behind the black-haired teen.
"Now raise your arms like this-that's it- and keep both eyes open. You can't see well otherwise," Roy instructed. He tapped Dick on the back. "Good posture, too. Can't compete without good backbone, ya know?"
"Yeah, I know," Dick repeated. And the funny thing was, he didknow. Roy's words were fitting into his head like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle.
"No matter how fast the arrow goes, it has to be on aim," Roy added.
"Right. Eyes on the goal," Dick nodded, licking his lips. He took a deep breath and pulled back the arrow. Dick counted to three and released it.
THNK!
His arrow hit the outer circle. Dick frowned in frustration.
"Don't be so glum, that's great for a beginner," Roy assured. "Most kids don't even make the target, or they hit the teacher in the butt."
Dick managed a weak smile. "I know. But I always do the best I can."
"So do your best," Roy offered. "It's only a game."
Only a game? These words, along with another tingle of lightning in his head, had somehow made a in impression on Dick. The combination of suspicious and doubt was making his stomach start to knot up and his chest get hollow.
He tried to distract himself with some other items on the table where the arrows lay.
"What are these?" he asked, picking one up. It was a curved piece of metal no longer than the length of his hand, and painted red. Both ends had sharp tips and smooth curves like razor sharp knives.
"Those? Oh, they're batteranges," Roy informed him. "Most of the kids don't even touch them."
But the small weapon felt right when fitted into the curve of his hand. Instinctively, Dick drew his hand back in preparation to throw it.
"Batterangs are lethal if you can't handle 'em right," Roy cautioned. "I call them dangerous toys myself. But some of the best masters use them-"
THUNK!
The batterang hit the target in the bull's eye.
Dick starred at the target and then back at his hand. Did he just do that?
"Who do you think you are?" Roy demanded.
"W-what?" Dick stuttered.
Roy repeated the question in a harsher tone. "I said, just who do you think you are?"
Dick didn't like his tone or the question. "I told you, I'm Dick Grayson," he stated flatly.
"Is that so?" Roy said, almost as a threat. "Brilliant. Dick Grayson knows how to throw a batterang like a professional. I wonder if he believes everything that's in front of his eyes."
"What are you babbling about?" Dick suddenly snapped at him. "Of course I believe what's in front of my eyes. What I see, I know is real!"
"So you'll just believe whatever people tell you and not ask questions," Roy replied dryly. "You'll just take orders from authority, is that it?"
"No, I didn't say that," Dick tried to defend himself. He found himself grabbing the lapels of Roy's shirt in anger. "Just what are you getting at, Roy? Tell me! Now!"
Roy was unfazed by the threat. "Finally. You're starting to think like you should."
Dick released his shirt. "I don't know what you're talking about," he retorted. "I can't be in the wrong place because I have everything I need right here."
"Everything you want? Or everything you need?" As if the day wasn't strange enough, Roy had produced Dick's textbook from out of nowhere and handed it to him, challenging Dick to look at him.
Dick took the book into his hands and opened it up. His eyes scanned the pages but suddenly narrowed in frustration. The words were a jumbled mess of random letters that he couldn't make heads or tails of. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and tried to read the words. Again, his eyes only met jibberish and scrawls.
"What the hell," he started to say. Dick flipped through more pages with annoyance, but the same nonsense flipped from page to page. He slammed the book shut and thrust it to the ground. Dick just jerked his head up to see Roy looking at the front of the school.
The letters running across the doorway: IWUEN GPEMCT UQPOIJB.
There was now no doubt that heart was racing up uncommonly fast. An almost painful beat was hammering into his mind. This couldn't be, could it? How could he have gone on this long without seeing words like this? Why couldn't he just read?
Unless, he thought, I've been taking all of the reading for granted.
Whenever he looked into a comic book, he was staring at the lavish colors on the page and not what the characters were saying. When he got a perfect score back on his paper, the words and ideas had just flown smoothly out of his head and onto his paper. But never did he have to actually think or even rack his brains to interpret the words.
Reading is a fundamental part of the right side of the brain but dreams come from the left side and-
Then it hit him like a powerful fist slamming into his chest.
It's impossible to read something in a dream.
As if on cue, the school intercom system blazed out loud and clear, "Richard Grayson, please report to the office. Richard Grayson, please report to the office."
The timing was the last thing Dick knew had to be warning of what was to come. And following that scary but strong feeling, he turned towards Roy with a look of concern.
Roy nodded to him. "Go on, get out of here. I'll cover for you," he assured Dick.
Seeing Dick hesitate, Roy gave him a hard shove to the shoulder. "You heard me, go! Do you want to make a run for it or not?" He pointed to the lawn where Dick could see Principal Wilson and Professor Prumbp coming closer towards the grounds.
"Once they find you, you'll be done for," Roy said, as if he was lifting thoughts directly from Dick's head. "This may be your only chance to get away."
"Okay." Dick grabbed a handful of the batterangs and slipped them into the pocket. He couldn't help but get one last look at the elusive redhead who, for all Dick knew, could have been his doppelganger.
"Who are you really?" Dick asked Roy.
"A friend," came the answer, followed by a last hard shove. "Now move!"
A-A-A
Dick could still hear the school paging for him as he got on his bike and pumped off, back home. Where was he supposed to go? What was he supposed to do? Roy didn't leave him any instructions. He'd have to device a plan, some kind of strategy, to find out what to do next.
Pulling into the driveway, Dick noticed two police cars parked outside. Not a good sign.
Instead of coming through the front, he leaned the bike against the wall and tiptoed around the back. Richard opened the back kitchen door just a tiny crack and put his ear to it, listening attentively.
"But Dick's a good student and son, he'd never just run away," he heard his mother say in a worried tone.
"Ma'am, we're doing everything we can," the voice of an office said, trying to soothe her. "And we just want to find your son and bring him home, that's all."
That's all? No way, not in my case.
"We have six squad cars on this side of town, and we'll be searching further north, in case he headed to Gotham City," added a different voice, presumably another cop. "Maybe he went to Mr. Wayne's house?"
"No, I've called Bruce," Mary sighed unhappily. "He's not there."
Dick decided to take this moment to make a run for it. His best shot-and his instincts-were telling him to go as far west as possible. But he'd be exhausting his legs and breath if he biked that far. Instead, Dick turned the knob of the garage, slowly rotating it and pressing the door open as softly as possible.
A slow creaking sound was heard, but that was all. Dick tiptoed into the garage, hoping that the policemen and his mother couldn't hear his heart pounding from the outside. His stomach was twisting itself over painfully, lest the slightest sound betray him.
He placed his hands on the motorcycle and began to nudge it towards the door. A slight scraping sound was heard from the tires on the pavement, but that was all.
RUNK!
The metal noisily scrapped against the side of his mother's car. Dick cursed between his teeth.
"Say, did you hear something?" he heard them talking from inside. Footsteps were getting louder and louder. Dick's mind raced for an explanation and attack plan. By the time the cops had opened up the door to the garage, he had armed himself with a hockey stick and was backing out towards the exit.
"Now just a minute, son," one of them called to him. "We just want you to step inside-"
"Get back," Dick growled. "Get back now!"
Both cops ignored him and ran into the boy. Dick whacked one on the head before delivering sidekick. He felt arms wrap around his chest, trying to grab him from behind. Richard drove his elbow hard into the second cop's stomach before smacking the hockey stick upward, injuring his jaw.
"Dick!" he heard his mother cry. She was standing in the doorway, a hand stretched out to him.
"Dick, please," she begged softly. "Please stop it, darling. You're hurting me."
Her words, so soft and tender, had an impact on Dick. The frenzy had become lifeless, the stick dropped out of his hand. Both cops nursed their injures and looked at Dick who had a glazed look on his face as he starred at his mother.
Mary stretched out her hands to him.
"Come here, Dick, it's all right," she said in a crooning soothing voice. He felt his mind start to melt and his feet take him closer to his mother. He wanted to be warm and safe again, not scared like a fugitive."
"Yes that's it," she coaxed him gently. "Come here, my little robin."
Her last word echoed into the darkest part of his mind, driving all the cozy feelings out him. Dick was filled with a sense of horror and fear, but tremendous strength as well. The memory was paiful but he held onto it, let it restore iron in his body and courage in his heart.
He made his fists tighten into clenched ones and shook his head. The young man took a step back away from Mary.
"I'm sorry," he said as firmly as he could. "But you're not my mother."
Giving each cop a hard shove in the stomach first, he grabbed the motorcycle's handlebars and forced himself to shove it out of the garage with superhuman strength. Richard nearly ground his grip off but he forced it to come to life like no other time before.
The motorcycle speed off like a bullet shot out of a gun. Dick could barely hear the woman crying out his name just before it died in the exhaust fumes and roaring engine.
The screaming sound of sirens was coming closer. Two police cars were already on the road and tailing him.
Richard fished into his backpack and took out a handful of batterangs. There were five of them, and eight tires. Perfect calculations clicked in his head and he didn't dare to question why. With perfect aim, he threw them towards the speeding cars.
The tiny pieces of metal hit the tires and made the cars swerve right and left. One car slammed into the other, making both cop vehicles skid to a halt.
"What in tarnation!" shouted one policeman to another. "You okay, Matt?"
"Yeah," his friend grumbled, struggling with his seatbelt. "How the hell did that kid get past us?"
They watched the spark of red that was Richard speed off and disappear over the asphalt road.
"I dunno," the first cop said. "That kid moves like Robin."
A-A-A
The sun was setting low on Jump City. Behind the snaking cars that drifted down the highway, a flaming ball of crimson was dipping down past clouds, painting the sky in shades of pink and purple.
He didn't have time to admire the view. Wind blew his hair into his eyes. He kept his teeth clenched together and his head low down. He was hungry, thirsty, and tired, but he didn't dare stop know. He was furious and fiercely determined to finish this tonight. Tonight he would find the answers.
