Chapter 6

Slowly down the Batmobile, Batman scans the streets. Not finding any sign of his partner, Batman pulls over to search on foot. Glancing once more at the tracking system located in the dash, Batman knows he's close to Robin and the Batcycle.

Peeking down alley after alley, Batman finally locates the Batcycle, but can find no trace of Robin. Stepping out of the alleyway where the bike is, Batman looks up and down the street until he notices a huddled form resting in a doorway.

Walking over to the form, Batman is only a few steps away when he realizes that he's looking at a small dark haired boy. Sensing the presence of someone leaning over them, the child looks up and stares at Batman. Whimpering quietly, the child tries to hide himself.

"You have nothing to fear from me," says the Batman gently, hoping to calm the frightened boy.

At a closer look, Batman realizes that the child is actually about the same age as Robin. Hoping that the boy might have some information, Batman kneels next to the boy.

"What is your name?" asks Batman, hoping to gain the child's trust.

"Bobby," replies the boy, glancing at the Dark Knight. "My name is Bobby."

"Bobby, can you help me?" asks Batman.

"Help you!" exclaims Bobby, uncurling his body. "How can I help you?"

"Robin was working in this area tonight," says Batman, noticing as the boy freezes upon hearing his partner's name. "Have you seen him?"

"I swear, I didn't mean for it to happen," cries the boy, shaking his head.

"What happened?" asks Batman, as a lump of fear coils tightly in his stomach.

"These men attacked me. They wanted to take me away," says Bobby. "Robin came in from out of no where and saved me."

"And?" asks Batman, waiting to hear what has happened to Robin.

"This other guy just showed up and grabbed me," says the boy. "Robin stopped fighting so I wouldn't get hurt."

"Then what?" asks Batman, after taking a deep breath. I have to stay calm. Getting angry will only upset the child.

"They took him," finishes Bobby.

"They took him?" asks Batman, hoping that he had misunderstood what the boy was saying.

"Yeah," replies Bobby, nodding his head. "The guy said someone was interested in him and they took him."

"Did the man say who was interested?" demands Batman.

"No," replies the boy, shaking his head.

Standing up over the child, Batman glances down once at the boy before turning to walk away. Forgetting about the boy, Batman walks toward the 'cycle and presses a button on it to send it home. Striding toward the Batmobile, Batman slips inside before closes the overhead door.

Putting the car into gear, Batman goes back to cruising the streets, now with a new mission in mind. Though he still needs to catch the child killer, finding Robin is more important.

Please remain safe, Batman silently prays.