Part 5: See Dick Plan See Dick Run

They arrived back at the manor and just as Dick was about to race to his room, Bruce grabbed him by the collar. Without a word, he pulled Dick through the door and was pulling him along up the stairs, causing Dick to stumble. When they reached Dick's room, Bruce did something that Dick did not expect. He forcibly threw Dick across the room, slamming him against his desk. So, that's how it felt to be manhandled by the Batman. Dick and Bruce had fought along side of each other in their guise as Batman and Robin, giving criminals what for, but this was the first time, and hopefully the only time that Dick was on the receiving end.

Dick lay partially up against his desk. If it hadn't been for his backpack, he might have been knocked out. He knew there must have been a look of horror and anguish on his face, but Bruce just stared back at him with cold indifference. He rubbed the back of his neck to relieve any latent soreness from slamming into the desk. He tried to sit up, but slipped back to the floor. The following words from Bruce brought a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"You are permanently confined to this room until I decide what to do with you. You will leave your door unlocked and there will be a bed check."

"Yes, sir," Dick said meekly. What else could he say. If he argued the point, he probably would get a lot worse.

"I don't know what has gotten into your head, but you better straighten it out."

"Bruce, please, I . . ." Dick thought about telling Bruce about the note that someone taped to his locker, but couldn't when his guardian did the one thing that left Dick feeling more alone than ever. He turned his back.

"I trusted you, Dick. Now that trust is broken. And no amount of words can ever repair that."

For the fourth day in a row, Dick wept as Bruce shut the door, leaving him to his solitude and torn spirit. How could he let Bruce know that all this was a mistake? Bruce though was determined to believe the worst. The thought of Bruce telling Aunt Harriet about the latest incident . . . 'No, it would kill her,' he thought. 'I can't let that happen.' Even if he tried to stop it, he had no proof that he hadn't done what he had been accused of doing.

Dick picked himself off the floor and opened his backpack. He pulled out his notebook and found the two envelopes, one opened, the other still sealed. He opened the second note and read its contents.

How does it feel to be on the other side?

You took everything away. It's my turn to return the favor.

After that I intend to take your life, Circus Boy.

I am Madness.

Dick opened his notebook to the page that he started. Reading over what he wrote, his mind cleared once more of the embroiled emotions over his guardian. He couldn't blame Bruce for his reaction.

'I'd be angry too if I discovered the same thing,' Dick thought as he remembered seeing those items on Principal Schoolfield's desk. 'There's got to be another way to get Bruce to see the truth.'

Then an idea occurred to him. He slammed his right fist into his left hand realizing what he needed to do. He tore off the list from his notebook that he started and began to build a case to prove his innocence. He was deep in thought when a knock came on his door.

"Come," Dick said. Dick briefly looked up to see Alfred carrying a tray. Dick did not spend any time watching the faithful butler, but he could sense the rigid formalness of the man. It would seem that Bruce had spent a lot of time discussing Dick's sudden crooked behavior to Alfred. And Dick assumed that Alfred believed Bruce. 'Very well,' Dick thought. 'I'm just the poor circus brat who after five years decided to show his colors. Better lock up the silver before I'll steal that, too.'

He knew it was unfair to judge Alfred or even think that Alfred would even pursue such thoughts. It's just that Alfred was acting like Dick was a stranger.

Dick tried to go back to focusing on his notes, but it was difficult with Alfred standing there as if he was waiting for a response.

"Thank you," Dick said, without turning his face to the man. If he were to look at Alfred, it would undo him. He had to concentrate, focus the way Batman would. The fact was, he did not have enough information to know who it was that wanted to destroy him. When he did look up, Alfred was gone and the door was left ajar.

Dick opened the cover on the tray and saw the food sitting there. He was feeling hungry, but he didn't really feel like eating. Then a slight smirk appeared on his lips. Since he was a prisoner, then he would eat a prisoner's meal. He took the small basket that contained two dinner rolls. He took the water glass that Alfred had given him and filled it from the carafe of fresh cool water. He placed both on his desk. He recovered the tray and carried it out to the hallway and placed it on a nearby table. He went back into his room and closed the door.

He went back to his desk and continued to compile his notes, drawing on what he knew from the past four days. One question he had yet to answer was who told Schoolfield. Was it a student or was it someone else? Also, the person knew he was a "circus boy." Could it be someone from his past? Dick wasn't going to get any answers just sitting here. He needed to go down to the batcave, but he doubted Bruce would let him. He had to wait for an opportunity.

Since he wasn't going back to school, he might be able to go down during the day, but if Alfred was supposed to keep an eye on him, that would mean sneaking around. If he was caught and even though he might be able to explain to Alfred or Bruce what he was up to, Aunt Harriet was another story. It might even go worse than it already was. Bruce might even be forced to send him to jail. Dick didn't want to think about that. Aunt Harriet was probably already upset over this whole ordeal. He didn't want to hurt her any more than she was already. As Dick continued to work on his list, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. The Bat Signal. That meant Bruce would be on his way to see Commissioner Gordon.

Knock, knock

"Master Grayson, bed check."

"One moment Alfred,' Dick covered his notes then quickly changed into his pajamas. "Okay." Dick sat on his bed with his knees up to his chest.

"Under the covers, young sir," Alfred said.

"Alfred, you do know that I would never do anything to hurt you. And you know I would never lie," Dick said, as he climbed under the blankets, but Alfred did not answer. It was as if he was ignoring him. Bent on his duty because he had to, not because he wanted to. 'I've suddenly become a burden to him,' Dick thought. He quickly lowered his head to keep the tears from showing. He didn't want Alfred to know just how much his stoic indifference and formal manner was hurting him.

"Lights out, young sir," Alfred said.

Dick couldn't help notice that Alfred had not called him by his name. 'He hasn't called me 'young sir' since before I first arrived here,' Dick thought. He decided to try one more time to let Alfred know what he was going to do. "Alfred, I know you can hear me. I'm going to prove my innocence. Someone else did this, and I am going to find out. Please, let Bruce know when he returns," Dick said, as Alfred turned out the light and left the room. He didn't know if Alfred would since it seemed his every word had been ignored. Even so, he made a promise and he was going to keep it. And he would let everyone know in his own way.

Dick waited for a few minutes more then rose from the bed in the darkened room. He changed back into his clothes, stuffed more into his backpack, and grabbed the savings from his special bank he received at Christmas. He took the copies of the information he compiled and copies of the two notes and placed them in his backpack. He left the originals on his desk for Bruce to find, along with a note he hoped Bruce would read. He still wanted to give Bruce a chance to learn the truth. He grabbed a hooded jacket and headed down to the batcave via the service elevator to retrieve the information he sought.

Once down in the cave, Dick plugged in the information he gathered and added a blank punch card so the computer could write its answer. Within moments he had what he was looking for. He requested another copy and left one of the cards sitting on the table. He debated about taking his Robin uniform, but thought better of it. He had to do this as Dick Grayson. Instead, he grabbed some special tools that would help him in his search for answers. He had one other thing he had to do. It would be the most painful of all. Dick returned to the Manor and placed another note in the hall by the front door. Though this note was also addressed to Bruce, he knew Aunt Harriet and Alfred would read it as well. There, he was ready. All he had to do was make his way to Gotham City and then . . . 'Well, we shall see,' Dick thought.

Dick opened the door and left the Manor. He grabbed a bicycle from the garage and disappeared into the night.

This story continues with Broken Trust: Little Bird Lost

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Broken Trust: Little Bird Lost

Dick continues with his search for the person responsible for having him kicked out of school and forcing him to leave his home behind.

Bruce learns the truth and realizes just how much Dick means to him.

I am currently writing this section of the story so it may take me a while to get it ready. I prefer to post a complete story instead of posting each part when it is finished.