A motorbike pulled upside a parked lorry down an empty road. There were no street lamps, just the glow of the bikes headlights illuminating the corn field. The back door of the lorry slowly rolled open as Robin dismounted the bike. Normally, in Gotham, he could just drive home to Wayne manor through secret tunnels. But here in Metropolis different precautionary measures had to be taken. This location was to change out of his superhero costume. He hauled the bike into the lorry; pulled off the wig, mask and gloves; and then worked his way out of the body armour. It was always so heavy and hot, but it was safe. No one could shoot him, not like Garfield.
Next was a quick journey to a second location. Being followed wasn't an option, so Robin wore different clothes and used a different bike. Good, no one's following me. He thought as he joined the quiet main road. Maybe he could go straight to the motel, instead of stopping off at the rented garage? No. It was safer to follow the plan. At locker 55 of the short stay rent a garage, Robin changed into yet another outfit. This time he walked to the next location, counting the numbers as he went without meaning to.
55, 54, 53, 52, 2 35, 50 ... Wait... "2 35? Why does that sound familiar?" Robin turned and looked again, but it said 51. "I'm just tired."
20 minutes later he was at the storage lockers. Gar will be recovering by now. Maybe I should have stayed with him? It was tough, deciding whether to be Robin or Richard Grayson. He had gone to fire to help Gar. Dick wouldn't have been allowed in, so he had gone as Robin. But tomorrow he could be Dick. He could just be a friend visiting his friend.
The last part of his journey was a drive from the storage locker to the motel. Sure, he could have stopped in a fancy hotel, but being able to slip into a motel unseen was less conspicuous. The bedding wasn't pristine white, but patterned with indescribable shapes designed to hide stains. Naturally, the carpet was brown and the curtains matched; it was the perfect colour for camouflaging dried blood. Richard pull on some pyjamas and collapsed into the creaky bed. Once the covers were up, he began his meditation.
Focus. Focus on your toes. Feel your toes. Feel your toes falling to sleep. Good night toes... Now up the foot to the arch, and to the heel. They're falling asleep. And up to ankles. Thank you for work today feet, good night feet.
He carried on up his body, saying still and letting the tingling sensation consume him. Soon, he was up to his head.
And now the head. Thank you eyes for seeing, good job mouth and nose, and thank you ears. Good night head.
Lastly, the mind. The body will be could asleep. In ...
As he got to 1, everything inside his mind went dark. Nothing went through his brain as his thoughts stopped. He was tired, and ready to recharge for the morning.
I'm not supposed to be dreaming... where am I?
The room was large and white, with engraved stairs leading to somewhere else. He tried to move, but saw his wrists were in shackles engraved with mysterious markings. Chains went down to his thighs, and then to a peg in a runner carved out of the marble. This wasn't his body. It was small and weak.
What's happening?
I do not know, but we shall meet soon enough. All of us...
All of us? Who's ALL of us?
The room turned hazy and the walls became metallic. He could feel his eyes blinking through tears caused by a pain he couldn't describe. It made him feel sick.
This isn't my body... focus on your own body! Control your thoughts. You're in a motel. Wake up!
Dick suddenly felt himself falling and was staring up at a bright light. His arms were held down in leather straps and there was constant beeping.
This is a dream! Wake up, Richard!
WAKE UP!
Creepy voice? Please come back!
Hello.
Hay! Is this room where you are?
Yes...
They looked down from the white walls to their tiny hands.
Why... why are you in here?
I have always been here...
Always?
Yes...
The room started to fade into a somewhere a lot darker. A red light shone through the cheep curtain and crept in through the gaps. There was a lamp silhouetted on the bedside table next to a motorbike helmet.
The light started to become brighter and brighter. It was suddenly blinding as he found himself staring up at a massive overhead lamp. Intravenous drips hung beside him next to flashing monitors. A constant beep beep beep mixed in with a droning and whirring. His chest was heavy, breathing hurt, and he thought his heart would explode. Why? Why? WHY?! It all phased out to black as the pain became too much.
When he came to, the room was metal and cold. His was surrounded by masses of curly, auburn hair, warm tears tricking down his cheeks, a pain in his
Whatever drug train I'm on, I want off!
You know this is real.
But why?! Why is it real? Why are you suffering?
I think it is time you wake up, Victor.
WAKE UP!
"Oh, why do I hurt?" Gar said, holding his stomach. As he saw the auburn hair through blurred eyes, he thought about the white palace he had dreamt of earlier. "I don't know what's going on, but it's fucked up..."
Somehow, he knew that in the back of his mind different thoughts were forming. Distant memories, forever present, constantly waiting to replay. The feelings bleed into his own, fear, pain and confusion, followed by a terrifying lack of control.
"No, no, no. Please, not again."
You have gone through so much. Let me help you...
"Woah. I haven't heard you before..."
...We are alike, you and I...
"Are you, like, a new voice in my head or is this some crazy psychic shit?"
I shall explain later...
"Oh... OK..."
Garfield stared at the red haze round the cheep curtains. "I guess Dick's in a motel room..." He said, moving his gaze from the window, to the bike helmet, to hands by his head. "Yeah. These are his hands..." Gar inhaled deeply through his nose. "And that's his smell... he needs to shower..."
It was oddly comforting, but didn't last.
As he blinked the room became dark until he couldn't see. It smelt like blood, but also something else slightly familiar. "The key chain..." He realised. Gar couldn't stay here. It was about time to return to his own body. It was about to-
WAKE UP!
