This chapter is a little short, but hooray for escapes!

Breaking

"The best things often happen when we least expect it."

Robin's face fell in shock.

Ignoring him, Bruce went to the bed and hastily began unlocking the many straps restraining Robin tightly against the bed.

Robin was frozen, staring at his rescuer in awe.

Bruce let out a frustrated sigh. "Dick, we have literally seconds. Can you move a little bit and help me?"

Snapping out of his shocked daze, Robin nodded and began unhooking some of the restraints.

Ample amounts of blood were trickling from his mangled wrists, the skin almost completely rubbed down to the bone.

"Come on," Bruce murmured, edging his way out the door.

Robin followed, his heart racing. "Bruce, how-"

Batman put a hand up, silencing him immediately. "Later." He whispered.

As Batman sprinted effortlessly through the maze of hallways, Robin winced as he limped along. His once perfectly toned muscles were wasted from months of awkward tension and lack of use.

To Bruce's relief, they encountered no guards or attendants as they escaped.

Eventually, they reached the roof of the dark building. Bruce pulled out a grappling hook, getting ready to release it at a misshapen, dead tree below.

"I'm going to go down first to make sure the coast is clear. I'll throw the grappling hook back up, and you can come down, too."

Robin looked at the ground, his eyes wide with fear. "Bruce, I... I don't know if I can do that." He was panting with the effort of standing.

Bruce noticed his weakening body and gave a nod. "Fine."

He gently hoisted the boy up, holding onto him with one arm, the other arm holding onto the grappling hook.

Excited relief rushed through Robin's veins as they flew down through the crisp, night air towards the ground.

Without looking back, they left the terrible place that was Arkahm.

Bruce was sitting in a chair by the fireplace, reading a book.

Alfred came into the sitting room. "Sir, dinner is ready."

Bruce nodded and went to the dining room. There were two places set.

"Master Dick is still asleep. Shall I wake him?"

Bruce shook his head, sitting down in one of the chairs. "No... that kid needed sleep in the worst kind of way."

Alfred nodded, pausing as he set a steak and mashed potatoes on Bruce's plate. "Sir... may I ask what the place was like?"

Bruce smirked at the man, chuckling at his curiosity. "Curious, are you?"

Alfred's expression was grim. "Was it that terrible?"

Bruce's smile faded as he dug his fork into the steak. "Alfred, I've thrown so many criminals into that place without a second thought. After seeing what that place did to Dick, I... I can't help but feel kind of..."

"Guilty?" Alfred's eyes were quizzical.

Rolling his eyes at the man's mocking smile, Bruce nodded as he chewed.

Alfred looked away, his eyes sad. "He was only there for ten days, wasn't he?"

"Nine." Bruce corrected.

Alfred nodded. "In addition to infected wounds, Master Dick also has quite noticeable scarring on his wrists and ankles. The scars seem to be relatively... old."

Bruce frowned, setting his fork down. "That's strange."

Alfred's expression darkened. "Perhaps, Arkham was not the place that did all the damage...?"

Bruce's eyes widened.

Author's Note:

Get ready for some serious fun in the next chapter!

Thoughts?