AUTHOR'S NOTE: What's up everyone? I had a two day break which was spent doing a lot of cleaning. Lucky me...I'm surprised I actually managed to get this chapter done today. Usually it takes me about two days to finish a decently long chapter.

Fair note of warning, this week I am going to be very, very swamped with work. I currently just transferred from another store to one closer to home, but I'm still needed at the other store so my workload has been doubled. I'm not quite sure how long this is going to last so updates may come slower than usual. Thank you everyone for your patience!

Chapter 11

Bruce clenched his fists when he heard the achingly familiar voice. Pursing his lips he straightened up and tugged at Krypto's leash. Starting to walk in the opposite direction of the voice. The dog continued to whine even as Bruce heard the soft connection of leather boots against concrete as he was chased. He almost tripped as he gently went into another random direction having no idea where he was going. Trusting Krypto to not let him walk straight into a tree.

"Master Bruce, Bruce! Sir, please, stop!"

He felt a strong hand grab his arm further halting him in his tracks. The blind man froze in place as beside him he felt the thump of the dog's tail against his leg. In his mind's eye Bruce could picture the face clearly. The slightly balding head, his large white mustache which he always kept impeccably clean. Remembered how his butler always carried himself with an air of dignity as if nothing in the world could bring him down.

"Bruce, it is you, is it not? I would remember you anywhere, sir. I'm so glad to finally…" Alfred began choking on his words when he turned his young master around to look him in the eye. Secretly happy to gaze into those baby blue eyes again of the young man he had raised since he was a child. Instead an involuntarily gasp escaped his lips as he took a step back. Reaching up to cover his mouth as he gazed in growing horror at his young master's face.

Sightless milky blue eyes gazed blankly back at him. There was no recognition of being able to see the older man's face. Bruce felt his heart clench when he heard the gasp. He bowed his head beginning to turn away. Keeping his tone as level as he possibly could as he begun to speak. Beginning to move so he could go somewhere, anywhere, and hide his condition from the one person in the world he had not wanted to know.

"I'm sorry, sir, I'm afraid I don't know you. My name is not Bruce."

"Master Bruce, I know it's you! I would know you anywhere. Why…what happened to you?" Alfred said forcing himself to fight back down his horror. He grabbed Bruce's arm this time being gentle with the way he handled the younger man. There was no doubt in his mind he was gazing at the one and only Bruce Wayne now. He almost started crying right there on the path unable to believe what he was seeing.

"Alfred….I'm so sorry." Bruce said without meaning too. Beside him Krypto had begun to whine again pressing his body close to his master's leg. He felt Alfred clasp his hand and suddenly he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders. With a shock the blind man realized he was being hugged as he felt a warm wetness on his cheeks when his former butler held him close.

"My goodness, Bruce, whoever did this to you? What happened? Come, you're coming home with me immediately! Where did that young man go?" Alfred asked his instincts kicking in. Strange how natural it felt to be taking care of his young master again. Bruce hesitated beginning to back away, but unable to get far when he felt Alfred's hand in his. He could feel the cool, dry skin beneath his fingertips of the old man. A hand Bruce had held as a child when he had been learning to walk. A hand he had held when his parents had passed away as he cried bitter tears for his loss. A hand which came out of the dark to help him back up when he fell as the Batman for the first time.

"I'm afraid I don't know. For a walk to calm himself, I assume. He and I got into an argument." Bruce found himself saying. It all felt surreal as he heard the shockingly familiar huff of his old friend. Felt an arm weave through his as Alfred began to guide him away.

"Alfred, I can't go with you. Please, I'm supposed to be dead. How can you…?"

"Because I love you, Master Bruce. Plain and simple."

Bruce felt light headed as he was led away by the old man. It felt strange to know he was talking to perhaps the only person who knew him better than himself. The calmness with which Alfred approached with his pure intentions made the former CEO almost start crying. He had almost forgotten what it felt like to be wanted so purely. His thoughts lingered around Connor and what the boy might think. When he reached down into his pocket Bruce did not feel his phone. He then realized to late his cell phone must be back at the hotel room still on the breakfast table. It was voice activated so all he had to do was talk into it to call Connor or Mercy whenever he needed too.

The entire time Alfred talked to him as he walked his former master through the confusing streets of London. Unable to shake the old man off Bruce had no choice but to go along with him. A part of him knew he should insist on staying where he had been. At the very least ask Alfred to drop him off at the hotel where he and Connor were staying at. Yet another part of him could not bring himself to go back. It was almost as if Bruce had fallen asleep and was having a wonderful dream. He feared if he did anything to break the spell it would all vanish. Leaving him once again in the cold, unfeeling walls of the Crystal Prison.

Why was it he had been reduced to being passed from hand to hand? Bruce knew his condition wasn't his fault. He was the victim of a madman and there was little he could do to change the situation. Yet each time it felt as if people came into his life unexpectedly. Picked him up, and then took him along with them until they grew tired of him. Dumping him in the most convenient place so they could get on with their lives.

What if Connor never came back? What if the boy simply went back to Metropolis where he could live an easy life? The thought scared Bruce so much he felt his heart skip a beat. Despite the cruel way the boy had treated him Bruce found he could not bring himself to be angry. He had not spoken out about Superman for the simple reason he could not bear what had happened to him. When he had first revealed what had taken place the initial reaction from the Justice League had even made it feel as if it were somehow his fault.

How did he justify his own actions? Could he justify Superboy's? Bruce tried to take a step back from the situation in order to analyze it properly. Perhaps the boy could not be fully blamed for how he had reacted. Did Connor feel betrayed his mentor had not stepped in to deal the final blow for Superman?

More along the lines of, despite what happened, my voice may just be drowned out by the rest of the world's.

Even locked up Bruce felt Superman had beaten him down yet a second time. Each time he turned on the radio there were still advocates for Superman's release. Dictators in third world countries got away with heinous crimes every day. Starving their people, murdering children for the sins of their fathers, and allowing crime to run rampant while they enjoyed the view from their ivory towers. Bruce was but one man. Perhaps in the earlier year taking on such a momentous task would not have stirred him. Strip away the money, the mask his reputation, what did you have left?

A broken man with no future.

Back at the hotel Connor had felt a migraine developing. He had taken some aspirin and curled up in bed within a few minutes of coming back to the hotel. Still angry at his servant for not swallowing his fear to tell the truth about what had happened. At times he felt as if Bruce were trying to protect Superman rather than himself. He knew what he did was wrong, but Connor could not help himself. Perhaps all Bruce needed was on the big shove in the right direction before he finally confessed.

He slept soundly for the next few hours. Even so Connor's dreams were plagued with dark figures reaching out of the dark to grasp at him. Grabbing his arms as they talked to him in strange tongues. Now and again he thought he may have understood a word but their voices were to soft. As if they were whispering just low enough so he could not make out anything they said. It wasn't until they began to block his vision Superboy woke up with a start. Flailing in the dark as he sat up abruptly feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

"Bruce?" Connor said into the dark. He reached over to flick on the light. Artificial light flooded the room chasing back the monsters. Bruce's bed was neatly made with the covers tucked in around the mattress. Krypto's pillow empty save for a few white dog hairs from last night.

Connor blinked wondering why Bruce had not returned to the hotel. Looking over he saw it was already ten o'clock at night. He had slept for that long? It had barely been two in the afternoon when they had all gone to the museum! Looking around Superboy found his cellphone and hastily dialed Bruce's number. Only to hear a familiar ring tone from across the room.

He quickly hung up the phone and swung his feet out of bed. His clothes were wrinkled from the map and he knew his hair was a mess. Going over to the table Connor found Bruce's cellphone sitting innocently near a coffee stain that morning. He felt his mouth go dry as he gazed at the stain. Picking up the phone he pocketed it along with his own.

Bruce must have come back to the hotel room at some point. He had too! Maybe he had only dropped in to try and talk to his ward. Only to find him sleeping and perhaps had taken Krypto down to the bar they kept open in the hotel for a bite to eat. Yes, that made sense. It would explain why his servant had decided not to bring along his cellphone. Krypto knew his way around the hotel a little bit and all Bruce had to do was tell him where he wished to go.

However, when Connor finally left the room and went down to the bar he did not find Bruce there. He then went to the lady at the front desk and asked if she had seen a blind man and his white dog. She told him she had only seen them that morning. Did she want someone to call him if they two checked in while he was out? Having no other choice Connor told her he would appreciate that. Sliding his brown leather jacket on against the cold he went outside. Running a hand through his hair to tame it as he started down along the sidewalk.

Other than a few people and the occasional car the streets were empty. Not unlike the country where the world went to sleep as soon as night hit. Superboy hurriedly made his way back to the park where he had last seen Bruce. It only took him ten minutes before he was standing in the very spot beneath a street lamp. Gazing around at the empty benches as a wind blew dirty napkins around his feet. Scanning the area for any warm bodies or familiar shapes.

It was a trick Connor had learned a few months back. He found he had simply to close his eyes and open them for the world to be painted in hues of orange, red, white, and yellow. It was his own version of thermal vision as he scanned the area slowly. Another flick of the mental switch allowed him to see in pure darkness as well if need be. He had not told anyone, except Bruce, of his new abilities. He remembered how Bruce had laughed and said it would come in handy no doubt in the future.

Now, however, his thermal vision was no good. Connor did spot two dogs but they were homeless strays scavenging through the trash. He stopped his search long enough to walk into a corner store to buy a few hotdogs. Coming back outside he tossed these to the dogs for them to eat. Where in the world had his servant gone? It wasn't unlike Bruce to simply wander off on his own. Granted, he had Krypto with him, and but he was a dog. Dogs had a great sense of smell, right? So couldn't Bruce have simply have ordered the canine to follow Connor's scent?

"Where in the world are you two? This isn't funny." Connor murmured to himself. One of the dogs, a mutt with brown fur and black patches, hesitantly wagged its tail. Approaching Connor cautiously as he sniffed for more food. Sighing, he tossed another piece of hotdog to the animal unable to help the sad eyes it gave him.

"You wouldn't have happened to see Krypto, would you?" Connor asked the mutt. The mutt perked its ears up wagging his tail even harder. His companion joined him. A black dog with one white ear as the animals pressed forward. Licking at Superboy's hands eagerly for more food. He relented and gave them the rest promising himself when he found Bruce and Krypto he would take them both out to dinner as an apology for what he had done earlier.

"I guess that's a no, huh? Well, thanks anyway you two. You should stay off the streets. It's not place for dogs." Connor said. He scratched the brown dog behind the ear who had begun to wag his tail even faster. Even his friend had overcome his initial shyness as the animals continued to enjoy the friendly attention.

"I've never seen those mutts act so friendly. You got a way with animals, son."

Connor raised his head and saw a man with a black eye patch gazing at him. He had dusky gray hair which was cropped short. Dressed in black slacks, military boots, and a long trench coat he looked as if he had just materialized from the shadows. Connor shrugged as he scratched both animals. Rather than being friendly as they were before both dogs seemed to be drawing back. Letting them go Superboy straightened up to gaze at the man.

"Where I live I work with a lot of them. Sir, you wouldn't happen to have seen a man with black hair, about this high, with a white service dog, would you? He's blind." Connor asked politely. The man gave him a cool look as if taking measure of him.

"The dog is blind?"

"No, sir, my friend is. I'm afraid I lost track of him earlier."

"You know what they say, son, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I have not seen anything about your friend, however. My apologies." The man responded in a cold tone. Connor frowned, but there was nothing else he could do.

"Thank you anyway, sir." Connor responded. He turned his back and began to walk away in another direction. Behind him he heard a low growl and stopped to look over his shoulder.

One of the dogs had begun growling at the man with the eye patch. With raised hackles both mutts were baring their fangs at the stranger. The old man scowled, shooting Superboy a venomous glare before he quickly walked away in the opposite direction. Connor shook his head as he continued on his way. Perhaps the man had been abusive towards the animals. Maybe that's why they were so intent on attacking him if he had come to close.

"Krypto, come here Krypto!" Connor whispered underneath his breath as he continued to walk the streets of London. He even went back towards the museum which had closed a few hours earlier. He talked to the security guard there who had not seen anyone fitting Bruce's description. After an hour passed of searching Connor began to feel real panic set in. Walking street after street searching for his mentor without any luck.

When two hours had gone by with still no sight or information Connor began to get scared. Where was Bruce? He could not have been angry with him, was he? For calling him a coward? He knew his servant wasn't the type to hold a grudge but…maybe this time Superboy had gone to far. Maybe this time his servant had decided he had had enough. Disgusted with the way he was treated maybe Bruce had taken the next flight out of London he could find.

Taking out his phone Connor quickly hit speed dial on his phone and put it to his ear. He didn't have long to wait before he heard a click as the phone was answered. He gave a sigh of relief when he thought of hearing the familiar voice over the phone. Comforted despite the fact she was clear across the ocean from him.

"Hi Mom." Connor greeted her. He heard her shuffling some papers when he spoke. Probably having to deal with a few new companies who wanted to strike a deal with Lex Corp.

"You don't have a mother." A commanding voice said over the phone. Clearly male as Connor felt his mouth go dry. His entire mind went blank as he tried to form a coherent sentence.

"Dad? Where's-"

"Mercy Graves has been let go, son. Unfortunately I no longer have need of any of her services. You will be returning home immediately to continue your training and for further study."

"Where's Bruce? What did you do with Bruce?!" Connor demanded. This could not be happening. It was a nightmare. All of it!

"Bruce Wayne has been…taken care of. Along with the dog. Now, I have some business to take care of. Do be a good boy and watch yourself." Luthor answered crisply before hanging up the phone.

Connor felt a prick of pain on the back of his neck. Reaching up smacked whatever had bitten him finding something small and fuzzy come into his hand. He brought it around and for a second was able to comprehend a dart with a needle of kryptonite on its tip. Before he took one more step and promptly blacked out. The world around him disappearing even as he struggled to stay away.