Chapter 6: The Truth

"You're joking right?" Wonder Woman said.

"No, in fact, I've never been more serious about anything in my life," Robert told her.

"Batman's NOT a vampire," Wonder Woman said. "It's just not possible."

"Based on what?" Robert questioned.

"For one, sunlight doesn't bother him," Wonder Woman started. "Yes, he prefers night to day but that's because of work."

"But John Valjean was a half-blood vampire," Robert responded. "And they don't have all the weaknesses of a pure blood vampire and vulnerability to the sun is a rare one among their kind."

"Robert, you said so yourself, most vampires are evil," Wonder Woman said. "So why would he work with US? And why would he work so hard to protect Gotham?" Robert opened his mouth to speak before realizing the truth in her statements. Why would a vampire work so hard to save lives, HUMAN lives in particular?

"You make a good point," Robert responded. "But if he has nothing to hid then why did he edit the security footages' audio?"

"I don't know," Wonder Woman admitted. "But I would not bring this up with the others until you have solid evidence of him being a vampire. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed." Wonder Woman walked out of the room and headed for her quarters. None of this made sense. It wasn't true, right?

In the days following Robert Hood kept a closer eye on Batman. Robert was absolutely convinced that Batman was John Valjean and was determined to prove it to the others. The problem, of course, was providing actual evidence to it and so far the only thing actual solid evidence he had was that Batman had edited/messed with the security footages. That would cause suspicion but not conviction. Robert currently was looking through the footages again.

"Still trying?" Wonder Woman questioned angrily as she walked up to him. It had been four days since their conversation.

"Yes," Robert responded. "It HAS to be him. I'm certain of it."

"Robert, have you ever considered the fact that you could be WRONG?" Wonder Woman asked. "I'm sure Batman had a reason for editing out some parts on the security footages."

"A man is guilty before he's innocent," Robert said.

"I'm pretty sure it's the reverse in the American legal system," Wonder Woman responded.

"Not in the case of vampires," Robert told her. "And why are you defending him? For all you know he could be lying or manipulating you. Vampires are experts in both arts."

"Because I know Batman and he's not a monster," Wonder Woman said. "He's one of my friends and if you keep insulting him you might find yourself looking at me with a black eye."

Bruce was at home working in the cave. He was at his computer with a microscope to his right and a series of test tubes filled a variety of substances on his left.

"What is it Alfred?" Batman asked as he heard Alfred approach.

"Nothing," Alfred said. "I was just wondering. How close are you?" Batman enhanced the sample in the microscope.

"Very," Batman responded. He got up and started combining some of the substances into one. "I think this time it'll work." Alfred sighed.

"So you have said many times," Alfred said sadly.

"Thirteen actually," Batman clarified. "This time I'm sure of it. I had too much of the Aconitum last time and I used it on the cell sample too early. I have since made corrections. Do you know if Dick has found the inn I mentioned to him yet?"

"Yes," Alfred informed him. "It took him a while but yes. He's found it. And apparently it's not exactly in the city. It's in a large cliff-side cave and only vampires and other monsters can enter it."

"That won't be a problem," Batman responded as he held up one of the tubes and watched it turn white. "It's almost ready." He placed it in one of the test tube containers. "It'll be six hours before it's ready." He turned to Alfred. "Could you make sure nothing happens to it?"

"Of course, sir," Alfred responded. Batman started walking towards his plane. "Sir?" Batman stopped and faced him. "Don't you think we should tell Master Dick and Tim about this?"

"It won't be an issue if this batch works," Batman told him. He turned towards his plane.

"With all respect, they have a right to know," Alfred said. "And so does Miss Gordon." Batman opened the plane's hatch.

"I'll tell them if it doesn't work," Batman responded. He sat down in the pilot's seat, closed the hatch, and took off for the Watchtower.

Sandra was lying in the medical bay with no one for company except for her visitor, Superman.

"Sorry I haven't visited you, it just been very busy around," Superman said.

"It's alright," Sandra responded. "I understand David..." She coughed. "...Has a way of causing trouble."

"Yeah, we haven't seen a trace of him since that incident in the caves a few weeks ago," Superman told her. "If his plan was to get our attention why is he being so silent now?"

"His plan was probably to pick each of you off one by one," Sandra responded. She coughed violently.

"Are you okay?" Superman asked. Sandra cleared her throat.

"Not really," Sandra admitted. "But...I'll manage." Batman walked into the medical bay.

"May I have a word with her alone?" Batman asked. Superman hesitantly nodded.

"Okay," Superman said. "Goodbye miss." He waved goodbye.

"Goodbye," Sandra responded softly. Superman smiled before exiting. Batman sat next to her.

"I've found the inn," Batman told her. Sandra's eyes lit up.

"That's great!" Sandra exclaimed quietly before coughing. "But only a vampire or another supernatural creature can enter. And..." She coughed. "I don't think I'll be able to leave any time soon."

"That won't be a problem," Batman said. Sandra raised her eyebrow in confusion. Batman then open his mouth wide and showed her his fangs. Sandra gasped in surprise.

"You're a..." Sandra started. Batman nodded. "But..." He put a finger to his mouth.

"I can't explain," Batman said. "At least not here." He paused. "You look really pale and your lips are blood red." Sandra sighed.

"If you are one of my kind then you should know what it means," Sandra responded. "It means I don't have enough blood in my system to sustain me. I'm dying." Batman got up to grab another blood bag but she grabbed his arm. "No. You'll need those blood bags for someone else. Let me die."

"But your daughter..." Batman began.

"Will be in good hands," Sandra interrupted. "Your hands. Promise me that you'll take of her. Raise of her for me. Please! Promise me."

"I will raise her for you; you have my word," Batman promised.

"Thank you, kind sir," Sandra responded. "Thank you." She laid down on her bed and passed away peaceful.

Batman walked out of the medical bay and into the monitor womb. It was his turn for monitor duty and it was the perfect time to edit those bits out of the security cameras. The room was darkly lit when he walked in which was not normal. He then found himself lassoed with his arms pinned to his side. The lights turned on revealing Superman, Wonder Woman, who was holding the lasso, and Robert all standing in a semi-circle in front of him.

"Why are you doing this?" Batman questioned.

"Give it to me," Robert said to Wonder Woman. She handed her lasso to Robert. "Are you John Valjean?" The lasso glowed brightly and Batman groaned and grit his teeth as he tried to resist. "Answer the question?!" He pulled hard on the lasso and Batman fell onto his knees. "Are you John Valjean!?" Batman groaned more and more for a few minutes as he tried to resist. "Answer me!" He pulled hard on the lasso again. Batman sighed before saying,

"I was."