When Tim got to school the next day, he went to his locker and grabbed his social studies book. Social Studies used to be his favorite class. Now, ever since Melena went insane last year, the thought of the subject always left a bitter taste in his mouth.

And also, he thought glumly, Social Studies had been Kon's worst subject as well. Tim recalled the long, arduous nights of tutoring him. He dreamed of the Taylor Swift they'd listen to and found his mind wandering.

"Mr. Drake!" yelled his teacher. He took his ruler and slammed it onto the desk. Tim bolted from the chair, and the class laughed.

"Uh oh," Tim blushes. "Sorry, Mr. Gardener"

"Do I need to send you to detention AGAIN, Timothy?!"

"No. I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something."

"What could you possibly be thinking about besides your WORK, mister Drake?" Me. Gardener crosses his arms and maked a mean face.

Tim sighed. The whole class looked at him. What was he doing? He was Robin, the Boy Wonder. He'd stopped over five hundred crimes just this year alone! He'd battled burly bikers and monsters and space creatures and assassins! Yet here he was, being scolded by his teacher, and feeling his face get hot when he heard his classmates snicker.

He sucked a breath in and sighed.

"I was remembering...my friend..."

"And what friend would that be?"

Tim froze. What could be do? He couldn't let anyone know he was friends with Superboy. Even Kon's alter ego didn't live in Gotham—he was from a farm in the middle of nowhere. No, telling the truth would be too risky for his secret identity. Instead, he would say something else...something that wasn't far from the truth.

"...I was thinking about...Melena."

And at that, the entire class went silent at their fallen friend.

That is, until a loud announcement blared on the TV hanging on the corner of the room. On it was the same male news reporter as yesterday. Jack something-or-other. The name made Tim wince. Jack was also the name of his father, who'd been murdered by Two-Face before Bruce Wayne adopted him.

Those were such long-ago days, he thought. Back when he had a friend, a best friend, and a Dad.

"Breaking News, Gotham! It appears that after last night, Nightwings has gone missing! No was had seen or heard the blue-striped bird in quite some time. After ten thirty last night, there were no sightings of him at all. Where could he be? Stay watching, and Diane will have some theories..."

Mr Gardner turned off the television. He shook his head and just said "This damn city..." and commenced with the lesson for the day.

Tim's face had gone sheet white. What happened to Nightwing!? Was Dick alright? Last night, he seemed like he had a complete and total handle on things. Does this mean he didn't find the book?

No, Tim thought. This means something else. He did find the book. And now he's in trouble.

At the end of the school day, Tim went out and scannned for the small limo. When Alfred picked Tim up at the end of the day (this time on time!) Alfred stopped him before he could say anything.

"Master Timothy, there's no need to say anything."

Tim said nothing.

"Master Bruce has already informed me that he will handle things. Do not put yourself in any danger. Even as we speak, Master Bruce is searching for Master Dick."

"It's my fault." Said Tim with a frown. "I let him go alone. I should have argued. Now he's in trouble, and I..."

"YOU have a date with a certain young female heiress, Master Drake."

Tim roller his eyes. Alfred only used last names when he was ticked off.

"Still? Can't Bruce let the Payne meeting slide? Just this once!"

"No. He is taking a break from his investigations for two hours only, because this meeting is extremely valuable. Steven Payne will bring great wealth to the company, which is more money we can spend on charity…and gadgetry for you lot."

Tim huffed.

Alfred continued, rubbing his eye with his small glove. "And your time has been promised to Miss Priscilla. You will meet her at the iceberg lounge at ten-thirty. Please show her a good time."

Tim fell back into his seat. Ten-thirty? He grinned to himself.

He knew Alfred would want him to stay home until it was time to get ready, but Tim wanted to do something else. There was plenty of time after sunset for him to do a little…"investigating"…

Alfred drove home. Then later, When Alfred wasn't looking, Tim snuck to the library and into the secret passage that lead into the batcave. He suited up…first his red suit, then the tough boots and the slick black gloves. Once he was masked, and his utility belt was clicked on, he was good to go. Tim got on the R-Cycle and sped out of the cave.

On the corner of Smith Street, Tim spotted someone. A dirty old man. A criminal. He'd seen the tattooed old sleazebag mugging women several times before. How the old guy kept getting let off, Tim would never know.

"Hey you!" He screamed, parking his R-Cycle in the shadows. The man turned around, but couldn't see the boy wonder there.

Robin leaped from the dark and grabbed the man by the collar.

"I think you know something…that I want to know." Robin growled. The man had terror in his eyes. He tried pulling away, but the bird boy punched him right in the mouth.

"Talk!"

"I…I don't know nuthin'!" whimpered the old freak.

"You better tell me…or else…"

"I promise, I don't know nuthin' about Nightwing!-" the man stopped when he realized he'd said too much.

"Oh, so you know?" teased Tim, thrusting the man against the wall. "I'll give you one more chance."

"OkaY! Okay! Just please don't hurt me. I saw him, the big blue bird guy, chasing after someone last night. They were right beside Crime Alley. I saw the two go deep into the darkness, then there was a flash of light! I saw it. But when I checked, there was nobody there."

Robin punched him one more time, knocking him out. He had all the information he needed.

Robin hopped on his R-Cycle and sped off towards crime alley. It had started to rain. The night air was getting a bit chilly, so he pressed a button on his utility belt to warm his suit. When he finally got to where he was going, he was nice and warm. The alley, on the other hand, looked cold and cruel and menacing.

Tim brought out the binoculars. He gasped at what he saw. A set of yellow footprints came up…Nightwings! But, something strange was going on. The footprints just…stopped. At a certain point, they ceased to exist. It was as if Dick had just vanished into thin air. What was going on?

Before Tim could look further into that question though, he checked his built-in watch on his Robin glove. It was 10:34.

He was late for a date.