Author's Notes: I am in the midst of law school finals (fun times, let me tell you) so I don't know when the next post will come. I want to get at least 1-2 more out because, well, after finals I will be going to Prague for a month to study and, as much as I would love to post there, I am more than certain I will not have time.

So though it's still a few weeks away, I apologize in advance for the delay that will happen from (about) May 20th till June 22nd. But, till then, enjoy this newest post!

Straight Out of a Book

January:

Bruce was insane and possessed way too much trust in Tim's abilities, that was all there was to it. The teenager nervously tossed a bat-a-rang from hand to hand while shaking his head. Yes, he had been handling and throwing 'rangs for months now, but surely Bruce didn't think he was ready for… this.

Looking across the field, Tim saw Bruce standing against a tree with (the teenager mentally groaned) an apple resting on his head.

This is the most messed-up version of William Tell I've ever seen, the young man thought.

"I really don't think this is a good idea," Tim yelled.

"You will be throwing 'rangs at attackers and have to learn how to control them to do the least damage. More importantly, though, those 'rangs will be thrown in the vicinity of victims. A mistake is not allowed.

"You've been throwing for months now. I've seen your target practice and there's nothing more you can learn by throwing at inanimate objects. You need get learn how to throwing under pressure."

And throwing them at your head gives me just the right amount of pressure, the young man thought with a rolling of his eyes.

"You also have to get use to throwing them at people while under such pressure."

Sighing, Tim took his stance and got ready to throw knowing there was nothing he could say to get out of this. Aiming, he released the 'rang and instantly cringed knowing it was going to be too low. I'm going to kill Bruce with his own bat-a-rang, the teenager thought horrified.

There was nothing to worry about of course and as the 'rang came at Bruce the older man plucked the object out of the air before any damage could be done. Without a word, Bruce threw it back at Tim and it landed directly in front of the teenager.

"Don't waste my time," his mentor said in a voice just shy of a growl. Dejectedly, Tim bent and picked up the 'rang. Shifting his body and hold on the 'rang a bit, he threw it. Like the arrow in the story, Tim's 'rang landed solidly in the apple, slicing it neatly in two.

"Better," Bruce said and grabbed one of the slices from the ground. Holding one end in his hand, he extended his arm. "Now remove the apple from my hand."

Tim felt his mouth drop open. "I can hardly see it!" He exclaimed while squinting his eyes.

"You know where my hand is, adjust from that. The apple is now the butt of a gun. You have five seconds…"

Bruce began the count down.

"5"

Tim quickly grabbed a 'rang.

"4"

Setting his feet, Tim raised his shaking hand.

"3"

Adjusting and measuring quickly…

"2"

Tim released the 'rang. It flew just as Bruce was mouthing one, and hit the end of the apple causing the fruit to be sliced neatly out of Bruce's fingers.

"Good," his mentor said while Tim placed a hand to his chest and took a deep breath.

Bruce grabbed his bag of apples and moved back a good twenty feet. "Again."

…