A/N: Thanks for the reviews and comments Psyche Castle, Owan, Blas, JokerFan2011 and mystery guest!
Mystery guest - description is an area of weakness for me so thanks for asking those questions! Robin's age is ambiguous in this story so it's up to you. :) In my head I always see Robin in ankle-length tights and his boots are just high enough to cover the ends of them. So, his feet are not covered but his legs are and that question wasn't silly at all. Like I said, description is one of my weak points so ask away; there is always room for me to improve. Thanks! :-)
Chapter 5:
"Robin, if you ever say anything like that again I will…" Batman's sentence was interrupted by a humorless chuckle from across the room.
"What, Batman. You will what? You heard him: there's nothing either of us can do to stop that stuff so, if he's feeding you and keeping you safe, why can't he just let you go? At least you wouldn't have to see me…" this time it was Robin's sentence that was interrupted.
"Robin, don't," Batman commanded. "We are going to get out of this but we need to do it quickly. Let's forget about everything that just happened and focus on escaping. Look at me!" he yelled the last sentence.
Robin had dropped his eyes to the floor, frustrated that Batman was about to watch him have to endure this type of treatment. He shook his head when his partner yelled at him and ground out, "We need to get you out of here so that you can come back for me. I was trying to do that but you just had to tell me what to do, didn't you?! You couldn't let me work on him…" Robin was shouting now as he lifted his head to glare at his partner.
"No, Robin, I'm not going to let you 'work on him' because he won't change his mind!" Batman didn't want to continue to yell at his partner but he had to get Robin to focus. "You heard what he said and, if he lets me go, I probably won't be able to find you quickly and you will be in the same predicament that you are currently in except you will be alone! Now, I need you to focus on escaping because that is our top priority."
Robin mumbled, "At least if you were gone you wouldn't see me let you down."
"ROBIN!" Batman roared. "I have never seen you this discouraged in all the time I have known you! For the last time I am telling you to focus on escaping and stop thinking about failing or disappointment or anything else like that. Got it?!"
They both took a deep breath and stared at each other. Robin gave him a slight nod and Batman was relieved but didn't fully understand the reasoning behind his partner's negative words. Robin was usually so optimistic, no matter the circumstances! This was another thing they were going to be discussing when they were back in the Batcave. Batman was so involved in his own thoughts that he was startled when Robin began speaking to him.
"Sorry," Robin stated. There was a quick pause then he continued, "You're right; let's find a way out." He lifted his face and examined the ceiling thoughtfully. Batman knew that look: Robin was trying to figure out a way to contort his body into some kind of position that would allow him to free either himself or Batman.
"You know," Robin continued as he glanced at the door, "that guy is really kind of stupid. You are dangerous, smart, strong and a bunch of other things," Robin gave him a huge grin, "and yet you're the one who will be healthy and at full strength. What kind of villain wants the more experienced hero kept alive and well?"
"The kind that knows he won't be able to escape his restraints," Kirik sneered as he walked into the room carrying a large poster board. "I am a genius and I have never done anything even remotely close to being stupid. That grin will be wiped from your face soon, young hero. Wait, are you truly a hero? Let's see…"
Kirik raised the poster in front of Robin's face: "Here you are, so close to saving your partner, but giving up and failing instead. Then there's this one, where you are resting beside him instead of fighting for him." He paused to laugh when he saw Robin's eyes wide with distress. "Finally, in this one your partner is so disappointed in you that he gave you this," he lightly smacked the swollen cheek again, "to demonstrate his disapproval. Jack," he called, "bring in that easel so we can allow the Boy…what is it that Joker calls you?...ah, yes, the Boy Blunder to see all of the mistakes he has made up to this point."
Robin stared at the pictures as the tall redhead came in and set up the stand. He, Robin the Boy Wonder, had already failed three times and the evidence was right in front of him.
Kirik placed the poster on the easel and moved it two feet in front of Robin, blocking his view of everything, including Batman. He patted the top of Robin's head and whispered, "Don't worry little one; this is only the beginning. You will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate that you are unworthy to be called a 'hero'. In fact, you aren't even worthy to be called a 'sidekick'." He chuckled, glanced at Batman and strode out the door, this time slamming it all the way shut.
"Robin, talk to me; tell me what's going on," Batman shouted as he tried to find his partner's face over and around the tall poster. The man hadn't shown the pictures to Batman; the only thing Batman had seen was the widening of Robin's eyes and the flicker of despair that had passed through them.
"Robin," he yelled again, "I need you to focus on my voice. Tell me what you are looking at; let me help you."
Robin couldn't take his eyes away from the pictures. Holy incompetence. He had been three feet away from the door but he had given up and now, because of him, they were here. He heard Batman's voice but ignored it because he knew Batman just wanted to yell at him for giving up. He remembered the bump in the road and the slap of an arm across his face. That had to be accidental; Batman would never intentionally harm him. Right?
"Robin!" Batman's shout was louder than before and Robin's attention was diverted. He couldn't see around the poster; he couldn't see anything but the poster. He closed his eyes before answering Batman; there was no way he was going to tell his partner what was in those pictures.
"I'm here, Batman, everything's fine," Robin tried to keep his voice steady but Batman detected a small tremble.
"Everything is not fine, Robin. Tell me what you are looking at so we can figure out what to do."
"Just some stupid pictures, Batman, it's no big deal. Let's just find a way out, okay?"
Batman was frustrated but he allowed Robin to change the subject.
"I don't really have any ideas, yet. We have u-bolts around our wrists and ankles that go through the wall and the nuts are on the other side; the only thing I can do is arch my back," Batman stated as he looked at the metal, again trying to find a weakness.
"You don't have any ideas?" Robin was surprised. Batman always had a plan; he always found a way out. If Batman didn't know what to do….
"Okay, well, give me a minute to try something and I'll get back to you," Robin said as a thought entered his mind and he started wiggling his left leg around. He was attempting to create some space between his ankle and the bolt but all he was doing was shredding the bottom of his tights and chafing the skin, causing it to bleed.
Batman saw blood begin to drip onto the floor. "Robin, what are you doing?" he demanded. The drops were turning into a trickle and he became concerned. "Robin! What are you doing? Answer me!" he commanded.
Robin was focused on his ankle. There was no way he was going to be able to pull it out but maybe, if it was bloody enough, he could slide it out. He was thankful that he didn't have to worry about trying to get his boot through the restraint.
"ROBIN," Batman roared at him this time, "tell me what you are doing. Now!"
"Holy inquisition, Batman, I said give me a minute! I'm just working on getting my ankle bloody enough to slide up and out of the bolt!"
"You're what?!" Batman asked incredulously.
"You have a better idea? You still have your boots on; you can't do it. So, let me try this while you continue to think of another way to escape. Geez!" Robin shouted in exasperation.
"What's all the noise about in here?" Jason came stomping into the room. "The boss went out and left me ta keep an eye on ya so here I am, checking on ya, when I really want ta be reading my book in peace!"
"Robin and I were merely having a discussion," Batman said calmly. "Sorry about the noise; we'll keep it down from now on."
The man nodded and left, leaving the door wide open behind him. Batman heard a quiet chuckle from behind the poster.
"What's so funny, Robin?" he asked. "What about this situation is so humorous that you can't stop yourself from laughing?"
"I've just never heard of a henchman that reads," Robin whispered, trying not to laugh too loudly. "They're just a bunch of goons – some with muscles – that the villain sends after us because he is scared of being hit! You have to admit, it's a great pict…" his voice faded as he heard the word he was about to say and looked at the poster. "Sorry, I'll get back to work."
They heard the slamming of a door and less than a minute later the villain came walking in and, without even glancing at Batman, went straight to Robin.
"My henchman tells me that you have been making a lot of noise," Kirik stated as he moved the easel back so he could glare at the boy.
"We both have," Batman declared, "so if you are planning on handing out punishment it should also be directed at me."
Kirik rolled his eyes as he continued to look at Robin. "Batman sure wants a lot of attention, doesn't he? Of course, he is a real hero, while you are just a sidekick." He took the poster down and turned the easel around a little bit so that both Batman and Robin would be able to see the display.
Robin was watching the man carefully and knew what was about to happen. "Don't!" he suddenly shouted, startling both the villain and Batman.
"What?" Kirik smirked. "What did you say?"
"Don't. You will regret what you are thinking about doing when I have escaped," Robin's voice was shaking a little but it was also menacing and nobody doubted that the Boy Wonder would follow through with his threat.
"Oh, I get it – you are ashamed of what you see here and you know he," Kirik stared straight at Batman, "will be disappointed." He shrugged and looked back at Robin, "You won't be able to escape anyway so…" he put the poster up on the easel and left the room.