Chapter 123: Don't Forget to Remember Me

Damian's POV

I looked at Mia, AJ, and Jon. The three of them sat in happy silence as they swallowed Pennyworth's cookies. I upturned my lip in disgust. How can they eat so many without breathing? Looking at the time on my phone, I frowned. Where the hell is Colin? He should have been here by now.

Oh well. It's his own fault he's late. And if he cannot be present on time then we'll start without him.

"Let's go ahead with the meeting. I have called all of you here today to-"

"We can't start without Colin!" Mia snapped.

I coldly replied, "He knew about this. It isn't my fault he didn't respond to my texts or show up."

"Did you try calling him?" Mia asked.

Actually, I really hadn't. I hadn't spoken to Colin in weeks. Come to think of it, he hadn't been in school in the past two weeks. I never bothered to even check on him. I assumed he was sick.

"Mia, if Colin chose to miss the Young Justice meeting then it is his fault. I'll inform him of what he's missed later. Now we start. We are here to induct Jon into our league."

********Break********

I dialed Colin's number and frowned as it went straight to voicemail. Clearing my throat, I responded to the machine, "Colin, it's Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne. It's been a week after our last meeting and you have failed to respond. If you do not reply before the end of the week, then I shall be forced to take action and remove you from our league. Farewell."

I ended the call and frowned. Perhaps, he is ill? Even then, he should have texted me back. Something is wrong. He wouldn't ignore me like this.

"Grayson!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I waited for him to appear as only a second had passed. He threw open my door with wide eyes.

He urged, "Damian, what is it! What happened!"

"I require you to drive me to Grey Manor. Now."

He blinked rapidly before scowling. "Damian, I thought you were being murdered for a second. Would it have killed you to have asked nicely?"

I growled before finally relenting, "Please."

"Okay, why do you want me to drive you there?"

I explained how Colin refused to communicate with me. Therefore, something was wrong. Grayson listened patiently before agreeing to drive me. Twenty minutes later, I was sitting in his car. Several miles later, he pulled into Colin's driveway before braking hard as we stared at the sign on the edge of the property.

I stared at the sign listing the property for sale. It cannot be. The Greys moved? But why? Why hasn't Colin said anything? Why won't he answer my calls? I don't understand.

"Take me to Father's office," I commanded before catching his eye. "Please."

"Dami, he's working. We'll look into this after-"

I yelled, "Grayson! This is Colin we're talking about! I have to know! Now!"

He sighed before agreeing.

********Break******

Throwing open the door to Father's office, I shouted, "Father! Colin Wilkes is missing! The Grey property has been listed for sale! I demand you do something!"

He laid down the file he'd been looking at as I came to stand before him. Grayson walked in and took the empty seat across from Father.

Father sighed before replying, "Damian, what's wrong? What are you talking about?"

I quickly explained to him how Colin had been absent and not answering his phone. I also included how the Greys had listed their property for sale.

"I knew Warren was having trouble with his company financially but I didn't expect it to be that bad," Father muttered. "Don't worry, Damian. I'll look into this matter."

********Break********

Ii had barely climbed into bed before Father opened the door. He silently approached me and quietly tucked me in. he sighed before softly saying, "Warren Grey lost his company. He took his wife and daughter and moved to Maine to stay with a family member… Colin was placed in St. Aden's Orphanage two weeks ago."

"T-they gave him back?" I asked in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Damian. I'll take you to the orphanage tomorrow so you can visit with your friend."

I nodded numbly before looking up at him. "They took him back… Why?"

"I don't know Damian. Get some sleep. I'll take you in the morning during their visiting hours," Father replied before moving towards the door.

"Father," I called.

He turned around to face me as I asked, "What if you lost your fortune? What would become of Grayson, Todd, and Drake?"

"Damian, I'd never leave you or your brothers. Never. Get some sleep," he responded before shutting the door behind him.

I laid there quietly for a few minutes before getting out of bed. Like hell I'm going to wait until the morning.

********Break*******

Hoisting myself onto the ledge, I peered through the twelfth window I came to at St. Aden's Orphanage. Tt. Only females in that room. I climbed up to the next window and nearly sighed with relief. Colin was alone in the tiny room sitting on a small bed cradling his stupid stuffed bear in his arm.

I knocked on his window. Colin looked up with eyes full of tears. He locked eyes with me and gasped before leaping out of the bed. Still cradling his stupid bear, he rushed over to the window and opened it. I slipped inside.

I could now tell that he'd been crying. he just stood there in shock as I crossed my arms.

"Stop bawling, Colin. It's unbecoming."

"Damian, h-how did you find me?" he sniffled as he wiped his tears and nose along his pajama sleeve.

"I'm the son of Batman," I replied before turning back to the window. "Come along. I am freeing you from this wretched place."

"I can't just leave."

I stopped and turned around. Raising an eyebrow skeptically, I asked, "And why not?"

He looked like a kicked puppy as he squeezed that stupid bear tighter. I could make out a few more tears slipping down his face. "I don't have anywhere else to go."

"I'll have Father adopt you."

"And will he take me back here once he decides he doesn't want me anymore?"

"Colin, don't be ridiculous. Father isn't like that."

"My parents and the Greys weren't supposed to be like that either. Besides, you don't even care. You never bothered to talk to me when I needed you. You were too busy doing your own thing with Jon. It's okay though. I wouldn't want to be around me either."

I didn't say anything as he shuffled back to his small bed. He sat down and kept his gaze down on the floor. I slowly walked over before taking a seat next to him. What would Grayson do minus the hugging?

I cleared my throat before apologizing, "I am sorry. I suppose I haven't been a good colleague to you. You don't deserve this. You don't deserve to be here."

Colin gave me a slight grin before replying, "It's okay. You've been busy. Besides, it's not so bad. I got to keep Rory and the nuns are really nice. I guess I like it here."

I asked, "What about Young Justice? What about Gotham Academy? What about our friendship?"

"I don't know if the nuns will let me go. I can't afford the academy anymore. I don't think we're going to see much of each other anymore. It's okay. You have other friends."

I swallowed before quietly adding, "Father can work something out with them. He can get you another scholarship for Gotham Academy as well. But, as for having other friends, I only have one best friend, Colin. Don't fret. I promise that everything will be alright. I promise."

Sorry guys. I know it's like I've fallen off the face of the Earth but by the time I have a break from college and life, it's time to turn in a new draft for When Blood Calls for Blood. For those of you who didn't know, I was asked to enter as Jason for a story on Fanfiction. I could also use some support. There's a link to the story on my profile. So, if you love my Jason, please support me if you have the time.