A NEW PATH, STRAIGHT AND NARROW

In the wake of the destruction of his church, Gotham's radio pastor finds a new lease on life

By Vicki Vale

Two weeks after the arson of the Wellspring of Hope Christian Church on Gotham's east south side, Reverend Cameron Gram still makes it a point to drive by and contemplate the wreckage. The preacher, 34, has said he has even stopped walked as close as he can manage a few times since the police cleared the scene. In spite of the tremendous loss of what was destined to be the largest church in the state, Reverend Gram seems to be taking the act in stride.

"I've had a lot of time to think lately, you know?" Gram told the Gazette. "The station's given me some time off, after what happened I'm really grateful to be at home with the wife and kids some more. Horrible stuff back there, really horrible."

The Gotham City Police Department themselves are still investigating exactly what happened the evening the church caught fire. Police Commissioner James Gordon provided the statement: "We have confirmation it dealt with an ally of the Batman. This whole thing was apparently some high stakes psychological game and the man responsible is dead, that's all we really know."

Seven bodies were recovered from the scene of the arson, but it has been confirmed dozens more citizens were within the church when the fire started. By Reverend Gram's own admission, he is the only thing that really connects them.

Gram admitted he was hesitant to talk on the matter, but did elaborate. "The man who kidnapped all of these innocent people got the idea from me. He twisted my ideologies and took violent action to spite someone very much in God's graces. Though I now know all too well now that I was the one who was twisting ideologies first."

Indeed, the recent string of "Reaper Kidnappings" were confirmed to have been connected, if indirectly, with Gram's radio sermons, in which he often spoke critically of weak boarder protection, Middle-Easterners and homosexuality. This led to targets of the Reaper Kidnappings including Latinos, Muslims and gay youths. Opinions of where blame should fall on this matter have varied among those who kidnapped.

David Winters, a twenty-four year old man who was kidnapped from The Garden nightclub over a month ago, expressed some lingering disdain. "This is such a floundering old conservative's answer to everything," Winters said. "Apologize now, wait for the thing to blow over and just get back to old habits. If that Gram guy is really sorry for what he helped make a mess of, he's gonna need a lot more than words to convince me."

In turn, Affrah Musa, a forty-two year old Muslim and father of three who was one of the first taken by the Reapers after attending Mosque, was decidedly more forgiving on the matter.

"Our lives were taken from us, some for a few weeks, others forever. It was cruel what that man who held us against our wills did, but Mister Gram did not tell him to do it and has expressed nothing but regret ever since. My people know what it is like to be bound to a crime they did not commit. I believe there is good in the preacher, and perhaps these horrors have made him appreciate it."

If nothing else, the terrors of the kidnapping and arson have done a lot to change the perspectives of both men, who reported helping one another while they were held. Despite nothing connecting them before, the two now meet for coffee once a week to exchange pleasantries and happier experiences."

"I've never associated with Muslims before," Winters said. "I've been very used to the stereotypes and some people do fit them to a T. I still believe some of Islam's members are repressive and take things too seriously. But I remember a few of those dark, cold nights, when Affrah would talk about his three beautiful girls at home. How much he hoped they were well, how terrified he was he might never see them again—it touched me, deep inside."

"David was a blessing from the Lord, peace be upon him," Musa said. "It is taught that homosexuality is a sin in my faith, but I have decided it is not my place to judge. He suffered beside me, when smoke rose up in the church, he and I led one another out of the flames. We are brothers now."

With the new lease on life some Gothamites have found in the wake of this tragedy, Reverend Gram remains hopeful for the future.

"I'm talking with the radio station and my other funders right now," Gram said. "Gotham's already got five-thousand churches, I've heard before. We've still got the land but the slate is clean for something new. Maybe a soup kitchen, maybe a homeless shelter, I don't know, but I've got some ideas. It's not all up to me of course, but I think they might prove better use of all this space. Maybe one thing will lead to another and we'll get some more believers out of the deal anyway. Time will tell."

-000-

On the last day before Connor's return to Star City, he fulfilled a final request Cassandra asked of him. It seemed like such a simple favor he wasn't sure why she needed him, but Connor was never one for asking questions of his friends. At her behest, he called around to ten different animal shelters sprinkled around Gotham before he found the one she wanted to go to. He accompanied her inside as she approached the clerk in the center of the lobby.

The clerk, a young woman with blonde hair tied back in a bun, smile as the two approached. "Good morning, welcome to the Friends of Fur animal refuge. How can I help you today?"

"Looking for a cat," Cassandra said. "White, gray parts on the fur. Tail cut off."

The smile on the young woman's face disappeared. "Oh. I think I know which one you're talking about… we only have one that fits that description, I think. But she's a bit of a piece of work."

Connor slid up to the counter. "How so?"

"Well, we got in her in about a month ago. Her original owners were… well, it was horrible. They were very good to her, we think, but she's been very upset ever since. People already joke that cats seem depressed, but this case is very real."

Cassandra asked, "Her name?"

"Her name is Ali, according to her chip. Have you ever owned a cat before?"

Cassandra shook her head.

The receptionist rose and grabbed a ring of keys off her desk. "This might not be the best first impression. If you're just doing this because you heard about the story and you feel bad, that's very sweet of you, but she's going to need a real, good, permanent home."

Cassandra nodded. "I know."

The receptionist led Cassandra and Connor back into a small, bright room. Within were walls painted bright blue and cat trees decorated to look like the masts of pirate ships. Tiny kittens and more mature cats all yowled as the receptionist opened the door. Though she had never been the most receptive to animals before, Cassandra felt a sudden and intense pull toward all of the little creatures that rubbed up on her legs as she was led in. Only one of the cats remained quiet, the one who sat at the top of one of the trees. She was the one Cassandra identified immediately.

The receptionist was still apprehensive as she referred to her. "So here she is. She's usually just relaxed, but be careful, she might bite."

It was the first time Cassandra had seen her in the light. Her fur was long and looked soft, her tiny green eyes followed Cassandra carefully and the half of her tail that remained whipped back and forth. The young woman extended a hand out toward her. Ali initially barred her teeth and uttered a "Mrow", but very slowly reached out toward Cassandra's hand with her nose. As the cat sniffed it, her lips came down over her fanged sneer and her body began to relax. Despite the weeks apart and the pace of that evening, Ali smelled something familiar. The only something familiar in weeks that had been positive. She took a few seconds more to register the meaning of the smell before she butted her head against Cassandra's hand and rubbed her ears against the girl's waiting fingers.

The receptionist went wide eyed. "We haven't seen anyone else get a reaction like that out of her."

Cassandra scratched behind the weary white cat's ears and the little creature arched itself with pleasure. "Want to help."

Connor smiled. He was pleased, if not surprised. "Does she have all her vaccinations? Will we need to do anything to take her home?"

"There's some paperwork to do, but if you come with me we can get it all done and you can all head out later today."

Cassandra stroked Ali's head as, for the first time since she'd arrived, she began to purr. "You'll be safe with me. Promise."

-000-

Ali laid asleep upon Cassandra's lap in the den of Wayne Manor as Stephanie and Tim sat on the adjacent couch seats. Damian sat in one of his father's oversized chairs across from them and a lone body, young Rafal, sat in another tilted toward the rest, the three seats formed the points of a triangle. The sun was just setting that Sunday afternoon and its orange accentuated the reds of the leather seats and reflected on the white carpet. Everyone shifted in their seats with anticipation as Bruce stepped through the triangle and came close to the boy. He was still garbed all in black, as was his preference, and he sat so still he didn't appear to breath. But in the weeks after his and Cassandra's escape from the burning church he had been welcomed as best anyone was able into the manor. It wasn't easy, but he had slowly grown accustomed to, even comfortable, within.

When Bruce reached him, he held out a small, silver object, the size and shape of a lighter. "You hold it up to your throat and press in." He simulated the motion and put out the object, an eletrolarynx, again. It'll help pick up what your vocal chords can't."

Rafal squinted at the object and looked up at Bruce, as if he was still unsure if he should accept it. He turned his gaze toward Cassandra who, between strokes on Ali, nodded to him.

"You don't think we're rushing him, do you?" Tim scratched at the back of his head. "If you've gone all your life without something, it's probably scary to have it for the first time."

"Talked to him," Cassandra said. "Best I could. Is scared, but wants it anyway."

Stephanie spoke quietly. "What do you think his first words are going to be? Think they'll be poignant?"

A little smile came across Cassandra's face. He slept in a spare bedroom just down the hall from her and had seen him practice lip movements in one of the hallway mirrors. She had a good guess.

Rafal held the electrolarynx to his throat and the machine produced a soft buzzing sound. He looked up toward Bruce and then at Cassandra again as he took a deep breath. What came next was low, drawn out and mechanical sounding, but that they were words was unquestionable.

"Thaaannnk youuu…. Thank you, Cassandra."

His eyes went wide with amazement as he looked down at the device. Bruce and Damian both gave small nods of approval, wide smiles broke across Tim and Stephanie's faces. Ali perked up, rose from Cassandra's lap and hopped down. Rafal and Cassandra both found themselves bowing downward to wipe tears from their eyes. As he fought to inhale again through sniffles, Rafal spoke again. "Thank you all."

Bruce allowed himself a small smile. "That name, then. Rafal. Is that what you'd like to continue being called?"

The boy nodded for a second before the realization crossed his mind and he held the device to his throat again. "Yes."

"I don't want to bombard you with information you're only just now able to provide," Bruce said. "But everything suggests you've done terrible things on Lipov's orders. I need to know that life is behind you now. No one is going to make you fight anymore, and I need to know you're willing to let it be that way."

The little white and gray cat purred as she slid up against one of Rafal's legs. The boy reached down, stroked her and pressed the electrolarynx against his neck. "Pretty kitty. So beautiful."

Bruce spoke softly but firmly, "Rafal."

The boy paused from his cooing and looked up.

"I need to know what you did you only did for Lipov, and you're ready to walk away from that part of your life."

Rafal released the press on his neck enough to swallow and took a deep breath. "Never wanted this. He made me hurt, made me kill. Don't want it, never again." He looked toward Cassandra as the tears again began to well in his eyes. "She saved me."

Cassandra rose from her seat and stepped past Bruce. As the boy fought to regain his composure, she wrapped her arms tight around him and he wept into her shoulder.

"You made this choice," she said.

"You showed me I could."

-000-

The months passed and Gotham returned to its state of relative normality. Chaos came and went as it always did, but crimes and plots scaled back to a less personal level. No one was pursuing Cassandra specifically, which she was grateful for. And the nights she didn't spend in costume were finally happy ones again. She saw a lot of movies she didn't understand, ate foods she couldn't identify on the menu and even made a new meditation partner. Tensions still existed, not everything was resolved, but she felt she was with someone worth sharing it all with.

August came around, as Cassandra knew it would. After the graduation party back in June the days seemed to pass so quickly. At Stephanie's proposal, the two arrived early at the airport on Gotham's outskirts and just sat in her car for a bit. There was a last task at hand, Cassandra needed some mental preparation to face it.

"I know it's tough," Stephanie said. "But it's not going to be forever. You know that."

Cassandra breathed a deep sigh. "I know."

"You not giving her grief about this makes you a good partner. And if you guys can get past this, you can probably get past anything."

Cassandra nodded and rubbed at her eyes. Nothing had come from them yet, but she was already waiting in anticipation. After another minute she finally opened the door, an envelope and a package in one hand, and stepped out into the short-term parking lot. Stephanie followed a few steps behind her toward the airport. The envelope contained a card and check from Bruce, probably for an absolutely ridiculous sum similar to the one he'd given at the graduation party. The small package was gift Cassandra had picked out. Tim, Stephanie and Connor all had suggestions for meaningful parting gifts, it was Connor's she liked the best.

Peter and Charlene had just pulled up to the airport curb. He lugged an oversized suitcase out of the trunk as she opened the door to the backseat. Both smiled toward Cassandra and Stephanie as they approached and Sadie stepped out of the car. Cassandra wasn't sure, but from the look on her face, it looked like she was waiting for that moment with anxiousness as well.

"Hey girls." Peter gasped for breath as he laid the heavy suitcase on the curb. "Glad you could both make it."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Stephanie said.

"Only a few weeks' of clothes and my most discerned knickknacks in here you know." Sadie stepped closer with a laptop bag over one shoulder and referred to the suitcase. "Gangsters money launder in Chicago, I'm going to be stuck regular laundering."

"And you'll have to do it all by yourself," Peter said. "Oh the horror."

Charlene was the only one to give him a laugh as she stepped up and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Peter, why don't we go get the bag checked and the ticket printed? Give the girls a minute to themselves."

"All right," he slipped the handle out of the huge suitcase and rolled it into the airport. "We'll be back in a few minutes."

The three remained in place for a few seconds as if in hesitation before Cassandra and Sadie practically fell into one another with a tight hug.

Cassandra spoke in a soft whisper. "Will miss you."

"Yeah," Sadie said. "I'm going to miss you too." She peeked over Cassandra's shoulder and smiled toward Stephanie. "You too, Steph. Thanks for bringing her out here."

Stephanie just nodded. Cassandra sank a little deeper into the embrace, Sadie stroked at the hair on the back of her head.

When they finally separated for a moment, Cassandra held out the card. "From Dad."

"Oh God, you mind if I not open that right now?" Sadie laughed and shook her head. "I might have a little bit of a freak out when I open it. In fact history indicates I'll definitely have a freak out when I open it."

Cassandra nodded and then held out the small, wrapped package still in her hand. "From me."

"Aw, you didn't have to get me anything. I might not even have a place to put it." Sadie went to work on the wrapping paper and soon beheld the small, green box within. "Oh, it's a…" she paused and squinted at the packaging. "Buddha Board."

Stephanie stepped closer to the two. "Okay, I may have volunteered to come along today because if you don't have it explained, this gift's kind of a mixed message. I obviously wanted to come anyway, but this way I can make myself useful." Stephanie laid a finger on the box. "You just dab the brush in water and paint on the board. It's supposed to be a good way to calm the mind. Painting, which is close to you, and meditating, which is close to Cassie."

Sadie nodded slowly and passed a finger over one of her eyes. "That's really cool when you put it like that."

Cassandra considered leaving it at that. She hadn't told Stephanie about the other meaning she was hoping to attach and was afraid of articulating it herself. But she'd practiced in messages and over the phone with Connor. She took a deep breath. "And," she said. "It means letting go. The water fades, only lasts a little while."

The smile on Sadie's face dropped a little and she bit her lip. "Wait a sec, what do you mean by—"

Cassandra knew she had to clarify and spoke quickly to do so. "This is important to you, so I'm letting you go. Sad, but can live with it." She laid a hand on the back of Sadie's hand as Sadie had done to her and gently pulled her forward until their foreheads met. "Picture doesn't last, this won't either. Won't be gone forever."

Sadie's smile crept up gain, fuller than before. "It's kinda beautiful when you put it like that…. I'll use it every day. I'll make every day in Chicago a great one, but then it'll pass. And I'll be one day closer to coming back here to you."

They separated foreheads and met lips in a deep kiss. The moment came and passed faster than either of them would have liked, but it was still wonderful.

"Get your dad or your butler or whoever to help you out with that webcam and your phone if you need it," Sadie said. "Message me whenever you want, worst case I'll just get you back when my class is over."

"Make us proud out there!" Stephanie said. "Go show art school who's boss!"

Sadie smirked. "Aye aye, captain."

"Do well, have fun," Cassandra said.

"Thanks." Sadie leaned in for a last quick kiss as Peter and Charlene stepped back through the automatic doors of the airport. "I'll see you at winter break."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

With a last waive to her friends, Sadie departed into the airport with her cousin and his wife. A new adventure Cassandra could hardly understand ahead of her, but that was all right. Cassandra went on adventures Sadie wouldn't understand all the time.

Stephanie patted Cassandra on the shoulder. "You gonna be okay?"

Cassandra took in a deep breath and exhaled a sigh. "Thought okay was easy."

Something like a sad smile crossed Stephanie's face. "Yeah?"

"It's not. Can do everything right, do good, love, and still get hurt."

"And sometimes you have to let yourself not be okay to be okay again," Stephanie said. "The worst part? Okay isn't even all that great. Good, wonderful, those feel like they're worth it. But sometimes it's hard to just be okay with life. I know exactly what you mean."

Cassandra absentmindedly ran a finger over the silver chain around her neck. "Keep doing my best, doing what's right, no matter how hard it gets." She clutched the cross and wiped a tear from her eye. "God will take care of the rest."

Stephanie put an arm around her shoulder and began to lead her back to the car. "That's the spirit. So, once more for posterity, are you going to be okay?"

Hand still held to the cross and tear still in her eye, Cassandra spoke as much to herself and to the lord above as she did to Stephanie.

"I'm going to be okay."

The End

-000-

[[There will be an author's commentary posted at some point in the near future, but it's already delayed the release of this chapter and the final bit of closure to the plot for too long. So it'll be posted when it's finished with.]]