Chapter 5

Having decided that he's not going to find out anything tonight, Robin decides to head back home before Batman discovers that he is out. Driving back the way he came, Robin begins to slow down as he notices a car keeping pace with a young man who is walking.

Bring the Batcycle to a stop, Robin slides of the bike. Just as he steps away from the 'cycle, Robin notices a blinking light coming from behind him. Turning back to look at his bike, Robin notices that the homing beacon has been activated.

"So much for Batman not finding out," whispers Robin before turning away from the bike.

Entering the city street, Robin watches as the car continues to follow the young man. Noticing that the car is slowly gaining ground on the walker, Robin waits to see what is about to happen.

With a burst of speed, the car rushes forward the cuts off the young man walking. All the doors open and out step four men. Realizing that the young man has a problem, Robin decides to enter the scene.

As Robin moves in to help out, he realizes two things at once: the young man is younger than he looks and the men who sprang from the car are attempting to kidnap him. Robin jumps in just as the men are forcing the boy into the car.

"I don't think he wants to go with you," says Robin, just before he punches one of the men in the face.

Turning to face the intruder, the men realize within a moment whose attention they have drawn. Worried that where the junior partner is, the senior partner must not be far behind, the men quickly give up on the boy that they were attempting to kidnap.

Falling to the ground, the boy crawls away from the fighting, while Robin is left to fight with four adult men. Finding the odds in his favor, Robin quickly takes down one of the men with a leg sweep.

Accidentally placing his back to one of the men, Robin feels a heavy blow to the back of his head. Lights flash in his eyes, but Robin remains standing. Blinking his eyes for a moment, Robin reacts too slowly as one of the thugs punches him in the stomach. Dropping to his knees, Robin rolls away from the men. Gaining to his feet, Robin breathes in and out deeply, trying not to puke from the stomach blow.

"I think this would be considered child abuse," quips Robin, glancing at all the men.

"By the time we're done with ya brat, this will seem tame," replies one of the men.

Bracing for another attack, Robin jerks when he hears a noise from behind. Glancing over his shoulder, he notices that a fifth man has entered the fight and has grabbed the boy that Robin was trying to help.

"Where the hell did you come from?" demands Robin of the fifth man, while trying to keep his eyes on the other men.

"I'm the driver, you stupid shit," sneers the man.

"Decided to let the others do your dirty work?" asks Robin, glancing once more around him before turning his attention back to the man holding the boy. "Why didn't you come out to play earlier?"

"You think you're funny, don't ya?" says the driver, while jerking the boy closer to his body.

"Let the boy go," says Robin, taking a step toward the man.

"He's going to be our insurance," replies the man.

"Insurance for what?" demands Robin, though a sinking feeling in his stomach says he already knows.

"The man who hired us doesn't have any interest in this little twerp, so his life isn't worth spit to us," replies the man.

Sensing the men moving in behind him, Robin doesn't get a chance to move before two of the men grab his arms. Twisting his arms behind him, one of the men kicks Robin's legs out from under him. Forcing Robin to his knees, the two men hold him down. Tossing the boy aside, the driver walks toward Robin.

"But you on the other hand," whispers the driver, while taking a handful of Robin's hair and jerking his head back. "He's very interested in you."

Sliding his other hand behind his back, the driver pulls out of a gun. Raising the gun, the driver smashes it down on Robin's head. The lights go out and Robin slips into unconsciousness.