Chapter 9

When I wake up Bane is already dressed and going out the door. I act as if I'm still asleep until I hear the door close. I jump out of bed and put on my uniform. I quietly close the door behind me and silently follow Bane through the corridor. His shoulders are tense as if someone is going to jump out and attack him. He stops in front of a door, and upon further examination I realize that the door leads to Ra's office. He knocks on the door and once it opens he disappears behind it. I quickly rush to the door and press my ear against the aged wood.

"Yes?" the irritation clear in Ra's voice.

"I wish to speak to you about Bruce Wayne."

"Proceed."

"I request that you order him to stay away from Serenity."

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. I now understand what he meant by 'fix'.

"I believe that is none of your concern and I suggest you go eat your breakfast before it grows cold."

Apparently Ra's doesn't know how stubborn Bane really is.

"If you don't take care of the issue I will and I do not want to disobey your order of avoiding him."

"Serenity can take care of herself. Now leave, you are dismissed."

"I do not appreciate your attitude towards me when I have done nothing to deserve it."

"You are dismissed," I can here the growing frustration in his voice.

"Not until you give me a plausible explanation for your issues with me."

I can here his chair screech as he scoots back, which probably means he's standing up now.

"You really want to know? Let me explain a few things to you. You're the embodiment of everything my wife and daughter suffered through in that pit. I can't stand to look at you because you remind me of the horrors they endured in that hell. You remind me of everything I've ever done wrong. You're my own personal demon, a monster sent here by the devil himself to torture me with your very presence. I want you to leave. Not just from this room, but from this base. You are here by exiled from The League of Shadows. I can not stand to look at you anymore. I can assure you that Talia will be taken care of, but you are not allowed to contact her. Now leave."

I'm frozen in shock. I knew that Ra's didn't like Bane, but I didn't know how strong those feelings were. I didn't think he would go so far as to kick Bane out. I'm still speechless when the door slams shut and Bane stomps angrily past me.

"Wait!" I yell rushing after him. I latch my hand on his upper arm.

"Wait! Bane!" Apparently everything I'm saying can't make it through the red haze of anger surrounding him.

"I'm coming with you."

This got his attention. He stops mid-step and turns to look at me. He's still angry, but now he's confused as well.

"What?"

"I said I'm coming with you."

"Would that not make Ra's angry."

"I'm a grown woman. I can take care of myself remember."

"Very well."

He grabs my hand and we walk/sprint to our room. I grab a bag from underneath my dresser and pack all of my clothes. I rush to the bathroom and rake everything on the counter into my bag and check the shower for anything I might have missed. Bane is waiting for me at the door with his own bag slung on his shoulder.

Before we leave I pull open the drawer on my nightstand and grab some stationary and a pen to scribble down a note for Talia. I quickly jot down an explanation for our absence and tell her whenever we settle somewhere I will write her again. Once I'm done I scurry over to Bane, who opens the door. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins and I finally feel alive. Bane grabs my beg and slings it on his other shoulder. I start to protest, but the stubborn look on his face silences me. As we pass Talia's door I crack it open and slip the note in.

Thankfully, we don't pass anyone on our way to the door. I'm briefly surprised by how cold it is once we're outside. We start walking down the frozen snow covered mountain. I'm not for sure where we are going to go, but I hope it's somewhere warm. I really hate all of this snow.