Warning: language

Part 1C THREE: A Better Life

Elle

Everyone always aims for a better life. But what exactly is a better life supposed to be? Living in comfort? Being rich? Having a job that you never have to worry about losing? It's completely up to the individual to decide what a "better life" would be, and yet a lot of people don't understand this. They think that every person can do better, can live better, in some way. But what makes these people so special that they can say "hey, keep trying, and life will get better"?

A homeless person's better life might be a house, a job, and food. A rich person's better life might be respect instead of ridicule. The people in between might just want a job that won't fire them, a roof over their heads, and less bills to pay. It all depends on the person, though, so any of these can be – and are – different in every case.

Bruce, although wealthy, still wants something more. He wants Gotham to be safe and for criminals to be put away. He wants a better life for others, and maybe the guilt that he may or may not feel from his parents' deaths will go away someday. Dick is similar. He's happy, but not happy enough. He wants something more. He wants criminals to be put away to help others, but at the same time he wants the guilt and the hurt and the anger to go away.

I want respect. I want to be in control of my life. I want the pain from my family's deaths to disappear. I want my past with Nico to fade and to gain a friend or two. I want to be confident and just … do something so that I can look back on my life and be proud of myself. That is the better life I am aiming for.

Friday, October 30

I woke up, still feeling sore. I forced myself to get up and shower, but after I'd dressed, I collapsed on my bed. I was exhausted and could barely move. And school hadn't even started yet. My phone buzzed. I ignored it, favoring the option to fall back asleep. Who cares if I was late for school? Unfortunately, my phone buzzed two more times. Deciding whoever was texting me really wanted to get ahold of me, I reached over and read the messages.

JASON: We've got business to take care of, kid.

JASON: You'd better answer or so help me I'll kill you.

JASON: Pick up or I'll reveal your secret to daddy.

I rolled my eyes.

ELLE: No you wouldn't because you'd get your ass kicked.

After a moment, I sent out another quick text.

ELLE: He's not my father.

JASON: Someone told me that some guy's kidnapping children and whoring them out.

ELLE: Who? Where?

JASON: The guy's name is Eric Tanner. The where is up in the air.

ELLE: So, what? You want to interrogate him?

JASON: I was actually thinking more along the lines of following him.

ELLE: Wow, a nonviolent solution. You're losing it, Jase.

JASON: Fuck off. I'm going to find out what I can about this guy. Then we're going to find out where he takes the kids.

ELLE: What do you want me to do?

JASON: Use the internet. Find out anything you can about him. I'll ask around.

ELLE: By ask, you mean beat up to near-death until they give you answers. There's a difference.

JASON: Just do it.

Checking the time, I swore under my breath. I applied cover-up, grabbed my bag and purse, and ran downstairs. I was just in time to leave for school. On the ride there, I erased the conversation Jason and I had had.

School was school. I avoided Nico whenever we were in the same hallway and sat with Tim at lunch only so that Nico wouldn't catch me alone. In study hall, Jasmine helped me with history and English before she had to go talk to a teacher herself. I took the time to use one of the library computers to look up what I could about Eric Tanner.

The only thing I found was his facebook. Luckily, he had his profile on public, so I was able to find out what district he lived in. I wrote down the address and then deleted the internet history, right in time for my next class.

While waiting for Jasmine at the front of the school, I sent Jason the address from Eric's facebook page. Jason didn't reply, so I assumed that he was either at his day job – if he actually had one – or busy or asleep. It didn't bother me, though, seeing as Jasmine finally exited the school.

Once again, we worked on homework together. Jasmine helped me with everything, and for that I was grateful. I wasn't the fastest learner, but at least I would be able to, hopefully, catch up in class soon.

"Jasmine – oh, sorry, I didn't know we had a guest," a woman entered the living room. I blushed. Jasmine stood up. I followed shortly after.

"Mom, this is Elle," Jasmine introduced. "She's a friend from school. We're just working on homework."

"Nice to meet you," the woman greeted me. I smiled shyly and nodded my head in response. "My name is Carla."

"Nice to meet you," I said quietly, shifting nervously.

"Will you be staying for dinner?"

I was about to say no, but Jasmine's face was practically begging me to say yes. I shrugged. "If that's okay with you."

"Of course it is," Carla told me. To Jasmine, she said, "I'll be in the kitchen. Your father and brother will be home soon."

"Okay, Mom," Jasmine replied. Carla left, leaving Jasmine and I alone.

"Your mom's nice," I said awkwardly. What was I supposed to say?

"Wanna come up to my room? I think we're pretty much done here," Jasmine gestured at the books and papers scattered everywhere.

"Sure."

We placed our bags in Jasmine's room. While she was in the bathroom, I sent a quick text to Tim, letting him know where I was. Then I sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing my hands on my school skirt. Jasmine reentered the room.

"So, there's a Halloween party tomorrow," she said, jumping onto her bed. "Wanna come?"

I wasn't so sure about that. I hated parties, not to mention the one time I'd gone was because of Nico. "I don't know …"

Jasmine pouted. "Come on. It'll be fun! A bunch of high school kids and a couple of college guys dressed up. My brother will be there, too." I fiddled with my hands. "Please?"

Maybe Tim could come with me so I wouldn't feel so out of place? "I guess I'll go." But what could I dress up as? It was really short notice, after all.

Jasmine gave me the address and the time. "I'll be the zombie witch," she said excitedly.

"I'll think of something," I said simply.

At dinner, I met Jasmine's father. Jasmine and Chance talked about tomorrow's Halloween party. I ate quietly, trying to avoid drawing attention to myself. Afterwards, Jasmine's father dropped me off at the library after I insisted that that was close enough. I made my way to Wayne Manor, once again in the dark. I checked my messages on the way.

JASON: I'll go check out the place tomorrow. I'm wiped and there's no way you're going alone.

I snorted. Jason tried so very hard to pretend he didn't like me, but I could tell he cared. At least in his own way.

DICK: Fun fact time! :D

That one had been sent an hour previous. I figured that Dick could wait a little longer. When I got to the manor and changed into more comfortable clothes, Tim and I hung out. I brought up the Halloween party.

"You're going to a party?" Tim asked skeptically.

I shrugged. "My friend wants me to go, so …"

"You don't have to go," Tim told me.

"I know, but I already said I would," I sighed. "You wanna come?"

Tim seemed like he wanted to ask me something but decided against it. He nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

"We don't have costumes," I deadpanned. "And I'm pretty sure wearing your Robin outfit is a no."

Tim nodded. "We have all day tomorrow to go shopping," he suggested.

I smirked. "And waste Bruce's valuable money?" I teased.

"What he won't know won't hurt him," Tim shrugged.

"I suggest you two learn to talk about spending my money when I'm not around."

Tim and I winced. I blushed, but was unable to wipe the smile off my face. We looked over at Bruce. Instead of being mad, though, he was smiling. It was nice to see the Bruce side of him and not the Batman side.

"One hundred dollars each," Bruce told us. "That's it."

I gaped but didn't protest. A hundred dollars for a freaking Halloween costume? That was more than enough.

I yawned, much to my embarrassment.

"Bed," Bruce ordered me gently.

I pouted but removed my legs from Tim's lap and stood from the couch. I bade them both goodnight, but didn't leave before adding one more fun fact to the list: used to have a cat named BM for Batman and a kitten named Robin.

Saturday, October 31

Tim and I walked to the city. I had no idea what my costume should be, but when I saw a pair of green tights and fairy wings, I had the most ridiculous idea. I actually laughed out loud at what I was thinking, drawing many stares from bystanders. I blushed and teased Tim by not telling him what I was going to the party as.

Seriously, this was going to be the stupidest costume ever. But it was my first Halloween party, so I was going to go all out.

Later in the day, I had Alfred help me sew some details onto my costume. Alfred almost laughed at my idea. Almost.

Just before the party, I took in my appearance. I looked absolutely ridiculous, but it was strangely fun. I wore green tights, a red tank top with the Robin insignia on it, green gloves that went up past my elbows, a green tutu, white fairy wings, and black wedge heels. I laughed at my appearance. I applied green and red eye shadow and black mascara and eyeliner. I clipped fake hair onto my real hair so that I had a streak of red and a streak of green on the left side.

So, yes, I looked absolutely ridiculous as a fairy Robin, but it was fun.

Tim, dressed as a vampire cyborg, had no words for my costume.

The party was okay. I was by no means a party person, but in my silly outfit, I decided to try to enjoy myself. Jasmine and Chance met Tim. I danced. I ate food. I mostly stuck to the corner with Tim. He kept his eye on Nico, who was drinking way too much alcohol. I flinched and pushed away the memories.

I did, however, get a chance to talk to Chance one-on-one. Jasmine had dragged Tim with her to get food. Chance and I hung out. He was actually a pretty chill guy. He flirted with some of the other girls and was a bit overconfident, but he was nice to me and guarded me against Nico whenever my ex got too close.

But I was getting better at not flinching. I was getting better at talking to people. I was getting better at doing things outside of my comfort zone. And then there was, of course, Jason and my business to attend to, which I was reminded of when he sent me a text in the middle of the party.

JASON: Tomorrow. Noon. Be at my place or I'm leaving without you.