Dick Grayson
CHAPTER 20
Safe!(6 of 10)
Outside stands Batman. He is holding Joker by the throat, scarecrow under the heels of his right boot and the ice man is on top of the Batmobile unconscious. The scarecrow drops his hand and now becomes unconscious as well from the pressure of Batman's weight.
"No way…."
That's all I could say as Barbara and I walk closer to the group. As he grew closer, Batman released Joker and threw him face first on the Batmobile door.
"Oh cmon bats. Cant you take joke? We were only curious about your newbie."
Says the clown as he passes out when Batman punches him square in the face.
"Robin. Lets go home."
I shake my head and snatch Barbara's hand to pull her with me to the Batmobile. Just as I was about to go inside with her, Batman yanks Barbara away from me.
"She stays."
Barbara pouts as she tries to get her arm back.
"what do you mean, I stay? I don't want to be stuck here with all these psychos. Plus if my dad sees me with my home made costume, he'll never let me go out again. Besides, I helped you guys tonight. I so did, so that should count for something! Cmon!"
Batman closes his eyes for a moment and releases Barbara.
"if anyone asks, you were kidnaped by these goons."
Batman placed his hand over her shoulder and with one pull, rips her bat blouse off. She stands there with only her blue jeans and a bra that's barely hanging. Out of shock she stands there for a brief moment before she wraps her breasts with her arms and lands on her knees. All the while, she has her eyes closed and her head pointed to the left.
"next time, don't wear dresses to a fight."
Says Batman as he pulls off his cape and placed it over her shoulders. He then jumps into the driver seat of the Batmobile. The engine starts and the doors begin to slide closed. I stare intensely at Barbara. I take as many mental images of this moment as I possibly can. I'm so distracted by a half naked girl that I did not notice all the police sirens that were heading our way.
"snap out of it Dick. This wont be the first time you see things like tonight."
The doors had shut tightly before he said anything. I lean back with my face feeling so warm again. Now all I can think of is Barbara. All the while, the police arrived and began racing towards the villains and Barbara.
"24….is it 24?"
I say as batman revs up the engine and we go I to a hyperdrive like motion.
"What does 24 have anything to do with what I just said?"
I shake my head and look at Batman who is fixated on the road.
"uhm….I don't know. I thought we were at school? Any case…I am very very tired."
The rest of the ride was in silence. We finally make it to the batcave. The doors open and Alfred quickly rushed to my side to help me out.
"my word, master Richard! Bruce told me you were hurt, but he didn't tell me you were this bad."
I see Alfred scowl at Bruce who was already heading to the Bat computer.
"its alright Alfred. The day was made up just before coming here…heh heh."
Alfred looks at me with a puzzled face as he helps me climb onto the medical table nearby.
"Well if you say so master Richards. But I do wish you would be more careful out there. Your not as old as master Bruce."
I nod in agreement and place my head on the table. I stare up at the cave ceiling as Alfred does his check up on me. I begin thinking of my crazy night. However, one thing from tonight stands out the most and that's the strange voice I remember hearing when Barbara was kissing me back to life.
"Say Alfred, have you ever like…you know, almost died before?"
He lets out a gasp and shakes his head.
"As a matter in fact, I have. It was a long time ago, when I was in her majesty royal army. My squad hit a dead end of a trap. Half of us were gunned down and the rest of us were taken as prisoners. I spent days in a cell with a gunshot on my side. As I lie there bleeding to death, I began to fade away and I was seeing all sorts of things."
My eyes widen and wince in pain as Alfred places alcohol on my cuts.
"Did you see loved ones or…hears things?"
Alfred raises an eye and places bandages on my face cuts an bruises.
"sorry master Richard…but I don't remember seeing any loved ones except for my life flash before my eyes I suppose."
Batman now stands over me. He places his hands on the table and stares down at me.
"You know Dick, tonight was a hard battle. This war of mine….ours is one that could have us killed some day. Your just a kid, but after tonight, you witnessed a glimpse on what is to come. Are you sure this is the life you want?"
Alfred stares at me and I close my eyes. I nod my head and use all my strength to sit up straight.
"Well tonight was hard…but I think this was what I needed. Clowns, popsicles and crow feeders are just the beginning. I have no one or anything left to do with my life. I want to finish this war someday. And you guys need all the help you can get. I swear I will get stronger."
I look at Bruce and my hallucination kicks in again because I can swear I see my father standing right beside him. I close my eyes and open them again and I only see Bruce again.
"Alright Dick. That's a good answer. Because when your on your feet again, we hit the streets to find out who set this whole thing up."
Batman turns away and walks toward the Bat computer.
"Alright….just give me another day or two. Because I could really use some sleep."
I jump off the table and start to head up the stairs. Alfred follows me closely and assists me to my room. Once I make it inside, I jump into bed.
"Thanks Alfred. You can leave me now. I think I can handle myself now."
"As you wish master Richards. Call me if you need anything."
With that said, he closes the door and walks away. I stare at the ceiling and let out a gasp of air.
"I failed…how can I ever hope to be like him…"
"Tsk tsk. Your such a whiner. All you do is complain."
Says a voice near the window. Before I have a chance to do anything, the intruder raises and arm and my body becomes paralyzed.
"nah ah ah. You don't need to get up. I'm not here to cause you any harm. I just wanted to see why he chose you."
A meow, followed by purring could be heard moments later as I try to move my head to look at the figure , but I couldn't.
"who are you? And what are you talking about?"
"My name doesn't concern you and I'm talking about the great one. The one who helped you see the light….The one who sees you worthy of intense power. A power I want…"
"You know, the way your talking…it sounds like I should worry about you."
The figure laughs and begins walking closer to my bed. As he grew closer, his shadow began to appear on the ceiling for some reason. All I saw was a set of devil like horns for a shadow, followed by a slender shape.
"Smart child. But a lass, I cannot physically be here at the moment. So no, don't worry for now…but I would worry in days to come. Because I am coming for you. This is just a warning. Leave the lightning alone or I will kill you. Remember that."
As soon as he finished speaking, his shadow disappeared and all feeling in my body returned.
How is it that any time I feel safe, something bad comes my way? Any case…Lightning? What does that even mean? Better yet, who on earth is the great one? Could he possibly be talking about that voice I heard? Bah…I don't care. There's no way I will let a wuss like him get to me. Astroprojection or vision or whatever it's called is a cowards way to threaten someone.
I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.
Goodnight dear world. Tomorrow will be a brand new day!
Authors note:
Thanks for reading. After one day, you guys ranked up 100 views! So without further a do, this chapter was for you guys. Ill keep writing chapters on my free time again. So hopefully ill have another one this week. Thanks again! =)
J.S.
