The Dark Saint.
Volume 1: The Shadow of the Bat.
Chapter 5: The Isleys.
I wake up and stretch, my alarm going off at full blast. Pamela shifts and moans. Her arms are tightening around me. Her perfect lips part in a whiny little pout. Her arms are soft and slender, but still stronger than they look.
"Baby…?" she whines, "Don't go, okay?" she wiggles a little, "Just… don' go…"
"Pam, I gotta go…" I sigh.
"No!" she hisses, "No, you're staying right here, mister!" she rubs her face on my chest, "No no no…"
"Ugh…" I huff, "Fine, make me late to class then."
She looks up and smiles sweetly, "Okay~!" she squeezes me, "God, I could stay like this forever…"
"Like a reverse Anglerfish?" I ask.
"Yeppers." She says, "So, I got something cool. Well, something better than your weird Dad."
"Pfft! Yeah, my Dad's weird, so what?" I ask.
"Well, my Mama and Dad really wanna meet you. So maybe soon we can go see them? Hm?" she looks up at me with a smile, gently rubbing circles into my chest. I look down at her with a slight smirk.
"What? So I can dazzle them with my rich kiddedness?" I scoff, "If you insist, Pam."
"Ugh, no…" she huffs softly, "I just want you to meet them soon," she gets up with a yawn and gets over to the dresser, I roll over and avoid watching, my cheeks heating up.
"Pfft." she snickers.
"What?" I ask.
"You're still shy around me?"
"Yeah!" I sputter, "I mean… shouldn't I?"
Pamela laughs, "Aww! Are you SURE you can handle it?" she lays back on the bed, patting my cheek.
"Oh come on, it's… it's embarrassing…" I mumble.
"No one is gonna see us like this, I mean I get it but at the same time it's not so bad, babe." she assures me, "So kick it into gear, hon." we both get up and I start to get dressed, with her comment about being seen with her still ringing through my mind.
It's not like anyone knew we were together, or even if I was a Wayne over being a Kyle. So why was I worried? Maybe it's because she knew? I get on my clothes and glance at her, she's still here, that's good. Why would I ever doubt that? 'We have sex! Why am I so nervous! Alright, come on Grayson get moving you got class today.' I remind myself with a snappy kick to that thought. I always wondered if Pamela ever had the same doubtful thoughts about me.
Still, as I sat in class I couldn't stop thinking about it. If I wasn't a rich kid, would she like me better? The professor lectures, I take notes, it's just a business transaction when it comes to classes. I come out of the hall and into the daylight. I squint a little at the glare of the sun and suddenly feel someone grab onto me.
I feel Pamela nuzzle my shoulder, "How was class, babe?" she asks.
"Fine."
"What's the matter?" she sighs, "Is it about us?"
"Yeah."
Pamela and I sit down on a bench near the center of school, her arms around me and her chin on my shoulder. She hums softly, smoothing down my windswept hair. Her hand lingers on my cheek and gently pulls me to face her.
"What about it?" she asks.
"Just… are you okay with me being a Wayne? You know what that means, right?" I ask.
Pamela sighs again, she always does that, "Grayson, I don't care. You're you. Not your dad or your mom. You can be whatever you want to be, even if you won't tell me what you were."
She grabs my hand, squeezing it, "Besides. I love you." she kisses me on the lips, "I'll be in my next class, so don't wait up for me."
"Okay." I stand up, smiling, "I'll see you at home, Pamela."
She blows me a kiss and I catch it with a press to my cheek. My classes were done shortly and I was home alone often. I shut the door behind me and take off my coat with a soft sigh. All I need to do is just hang out for a while.
I look in the mirror, seeing my ringed eyes and my worn-out smile, "Hello, Mister and Missus Isley, my name is… Grayson… uh… Kyle. Kyle, yes."
I comb my hair, "I'm your daughter's boyfriend. She and I… we're really close. It's fun I gue- No, no, no uncertainties, Grayson, this is the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with's parents!" I coach myself, giving it another shot.
"Mister and Missus Isley, I'm Grayson Kyle, and I'm sure your daughter's told you a lot about me." I say as I shave, "I'm really happy with her, and it's very nice to…"
"Meet…" I stop.
"You…?" I see Pamela in the mirror, smiling at me serenely.
"Hey." she says.
"Wha-?! You heard that?!" I gasp.
"Yeah." she says, gently wrapping her arms around me, "You clean up so well,"
I look down at myself and she notices the slump. Pamela just looks in the mirror at us and I look too. She's draped over me, "Don't sweat it, babe. My family's gonna love you."
"What if they don't?" I mumble, "Pammy, I…"
"Listen, you know I wouldn't let you go, right? When I said you're mine I meant it." she squeezes my shoulders, "Besides, I'm like an anglerfish, baby. Once I getcha I won't ever let go."
"Besides, we can elope." she says with a giggle, "Me and the prince of Gotham running away and getting married, how romantic!"
"More like a scandal." I huff.
"Oh please, baby, you KNOW you wanna run away with me." her green eyes become seductive, "You know you can't resist me, so why fight it?"
I clench my hands into fists, "Would you… follow me into Gotham?" she looks at me with a soft expression, her hands on my cheeks, she stands on tiptoe to kiss me on the forehead.
"Grayson, you know I would." she winds her arms around me and pulls me close, "What about you?"
"I… I don't know…" I mumble, "It's not that you're not amazing…"
Pamela presses a kiss to my neck, "Babe, I don't like that answer…" she purrs, "Yes or no? You don't need to hide it."
"This might sound bad, Pamela, but… you're my entire world." I say.
Pamela moves back, looking a little shocked, "Wait… really?" she breathes, "I… Grayson I…" she blushes and looks away, "God, you know exactly how to butter me up…"
"I'm not doing that, Pam. I… I really mean it. That's why I want to be the best man I can be." I clench my hands into fists, "So we can be together."
She smiles and kisses me earnestly on the lips, "Then let's get going,"
The ride to Pamela's childhood home is nice and quiet in a tiny town outside of Seattle. She taps the steering wheel, her other hand gently rubbing my knee.
"Hon, it's gonna be okay." she assures me, "Just breathe."
"I… I know. Just… Can't fault me for being nervous that this is an ENTIRE WEEKEND." I mumble, hunching down in my seat. She just chuckles and looks at the road as I sit next to her with my hands on my knees.
"Sweetie, they're gonna love you, I just know they will!" she assures me as we drive onward. I nod but I keep my thoughts stoic. I sit up straighter, the steeling coming out. Just make sure you don't crack.
Pamela pulls into the driveway, a lot of cars in front of what looks like an old antebellum mansion. She sighs a little, looking at the slate white and blue house. Steep steps up to the door and all. She stops the car and parks. The house is choked with ivy and there's a nicer greenhouse off to the side. It's tall and looming over all like a regal old queen. A painted lady from years ago. I look at Pamela and she just rests her hand on my arm.
"Okay!" she looks at me with the slight smile I love so much. "Let's get going." We get out of the car and I sweep around to the back, dead leaves swirl in the wind. The soft cold breath of wind whistling through my hair, kissing my cheeks with the assurance I need that there's always fresh air.
I open the trunk and grab our bags as Pamela deftly climbs up the steps like she had for years. Was she old money? I follow her up and she's already at the door. Her hand ringing the doorbell and bouncing on her feet, her hair lightly flouncing around. She's so different, it's kinda scary. A shadow graces the door windows and the door opens to reveal a red haired man, graying at the temples with a kind of tough gaze, brown to contrast with Pamela's green. His steady gaze locks with her.
"Pammy!" he exclaims, scooping her up into his arms and squeezing her, his burly frame almost swallowing her, "Why don'tcha call, girl?!" he barks in a southern twang. His face has a bushy beard and he kisses the top of her head.
"Aw Daddy…" Pamela wheedles, "I did try." she echoes the same twang and I tense when her father turns towards me.
"An' who is this feller?" he asks.
Pamela darts between us before I can answer with something I might regret, "This is my boyfriend, Grayson Kyle!" she yelps, "Say hello, Gray! Don't be shy!"
I resist the urge to guide her behind me as I bow my head, "I'm Grayson Kyle, Mr. Isley." I say, no tone to my voice at all. I don't like the overly friendly vibes he's giving off.
"Ah c'mawn now, boy! Call me Abner, no use callin' me Mr. Isley." he says, holding out his hand. I don't take it.
"Yes sir." I answer.
"Hm? Pam, is somethin' wrong with 'im?" he asks.
Pamela huffs, "Daddy, no. Grayson's just a lil'..." she wiggles her hands around, "Different."
Abner Isley sniffs a little and turns on his heel, "Now everyone an' their mama is here to see ya, y'don't visit often so yer Mama called in the whole family from down in Tennessee." he says, "An' I had to convince yer uncle that'cha don't eat meat."
"Of course, Daddy." Pamela chimes in with a serene smile, with Abner looking over his shoulder.
"You eat meat, Grayson?" he asks.
"Yes." I answer.
"Good man." he says with a nod. Her family is strange so far. But nothing could've prepared me for the challenge of the rest of the Isley clan. There's a massive dining room, reeking of old money from the South from cigarettes as younger members run around and the dull roar echoes towards me.
I freeze, noticing them all go silent. I don't stop myself from pushing Pamela behind me. My instincts are ruling it. I can't take all of them! Until an older woman comes over, her green eyes similar to Pamela's own, her graying brown hair different from her daughter's fiery red. She's not wearing an apron but she is wearing a nice suit.
"Pamela!" she exclaims, smiling and my girlfriend leaves from behind me to hug her, "Oh you look so good, dear!" She holds her at arm's length and looks her up and down.
"Hi, Mama." Pamela says, reaching out and grabbing my hand, pulling me forward, "There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Her mother looks at me, "Oh. And you must be Grayson." she says, with her father gasping.
"What?! You knew? Eliza! What the fu- fuddie duddies!"
I smile, "It's an honor to meet you, Dr. Isley." I hold out my hand for her to shake, "Pamela must've given you a hell of an introduction,"
She laughs, "Well, she did tell me you were hard to read."
I glance at Pamela as she's being led around by the younger kids. She looks back up at me with a wide grin and I turn back to her mother and father. They sit down and I sit across from them, my jacket still on my shoulders.
"Well, whaddya waitin' for? Take that jacket off and stay awhile!" Abner booms with a grin, "So, you're the famous Grayson our lil' girl's taken a shine to?"
I nod and take off my jacket, "Whoa. Are ya into sports?" he asks.
"No." I state, "I do keep myself fit though." I flex my muscles, "I assume you do that yourself, Abner?" he smirks a little.
"Not exactly, but I got some experience bein' a boxer." he says, "Although I'm sure yer wonderin' what an old money heir to a cotton farm has to do with it."
I don't say anything, just looking at him with an almost blank expression. I blink and refocus. Shaking my head and trying to stay solid on the conversation. Bad times to space out and all that kind of pop up out of nowhere.
"So a botanist and a boxer had a baby?" I ask.
They nod, "Yeah, and our little girl likes you. Fer a city boy yer really well mannered."
"Had to learn from my parents." I state, hoping they don't push it further but of course in a perfect world they wouldn't.
"What do your parents do?" Mrs. Isley asks, tilting her head a little.
"Well, my mother is a fashion mogul, back in the day she helped my father with his work." I say, "My father is more of a rich businessman, we don't exactly see eye to eye anymore, so there is that." I see them both get a little more guarded.
"What's his last name, Grayson?" Abner asks, I could tell he wasn't much of a fan of my father at all but I want to answer so badly. He's got tension in his body and his muscles ripple at the mention of my father.
"Wayne." I answer, and his expression hardens, "But I don't exactly like him."
"Hmf. Figures, Wayne pretty much made himself that way." Abner growls, but Elizabeth calms him down with a hand on his arm.
"There's a reason why we don't like the Waynes, Grayson. But if Pamela is happy with you then it's fine." she explains, "Let's go outside for some fresh air."
"What about dinner?" I ask.
"Oh, it's fine." Elizabeth waves it off and I follow her into the night. The soft creaking of the wraparound porch in the back echoing as I walk next to her. She's keeping pace with me but I wonder why she needs to get me away from everyone.
I made sure my claws could pop out earlier while I was getting ready. My gloves were something I tinkered with for a while to finally get to work. Something about her just… just makes me feel off.
"Have you ever heard the history of Gotham, Grayson?" she says.
"Well yeah. New Amsterdam was founded and the Waynes and Arkhams founded Gotham, there were Native Americans." she nods with a proud smile on her fact like an approving teacher.
"Yes! Yes, those were my ancestors. They were assimilated into Gotham whether they liked it or not. But, just before my little…" her eyes brighten and I hear soft rustling through the trees, "Accident, I found out something horrible about it."
I extend my hand and there's a soft metal chinking sound, the claws out as Elizabeth still has that serene smile on her face. Yet it shifts like the old shields of Medusa. The Aegis. Her anger twists her face and I have both sets of claws out in case she attacks.
"That the Arkhams and the Waynes scourged the land and made their city one of the most polluting ones on Earth!" she hisses.
"I have met your parents, and well…" Elizabeth reaches up and touches my cheek, "You look like Bruce, but have Selina's ideals. There was nothing that would really stop her unless it involved money."
I laugh, "Sounds like my Mom." I say, "Still… why bring me out here?" I cock my head to the side as Elizabeth gets quiet, she's not thinking but she is trying to pick the right words.
"Don't let my daughter go to Gotham." she says, "We're drawn there, like moths to a flame. Just please, Grayson. If you hold any love for my daughter-" I kiss her on the forehead.
"Mrs. Isley, I won't let you down." I say, "I never want to go back. And if Pamela's the reason I stay here, that's fine." I smile and she nods.
"I'll hold you to that, Grayson Wayne."
We head back inside to see the rest of the Isley clan already eating, with Eliza going towards Abner and sitting down alongside him. I slide in next to Pamela, who is picking at her food and brightening when she sees me.
"So, how'd it go?" she hisses.
"It went well!" I hiss back with a smile. She nudges me with a wider grin.
"See? You're a natural!" she giggles at my overly shocked expression before I tuck in to the steak. God, I'm hungry. But the fact still remains that my girlfriend's mother was one of my dad's rogues. Who would've thought?
Not only that but it's ironic. I met her cousins, her aunts, her uncles. All of them commenting on how handsome I am for a Wayne and Abner hooting that it's 'cause I'm half a Kyle!' I wilt at each comment but Pamela notices my irritation and grabs my hand.
She gets me upstairs and into her old room. Her old room is mostly done up for her and I. Not overly extravagant as we're only staying the weekend. Pamela sighs restfully, laying down on the bed still in the white turtleneck she was wearing, red hair spilling over the side of the bed and her warm toned skin shine in the light.
She looks at me with a soft smile, "C'mere," she coos as I plunk down beside her with a groan, my boots thudding to the thickly carpeted floor with a whop sound. She pulls me close, softly kissing my lips.
"Mm… good job, baby…" she sighs with a smile and her dainty hand pats my cheek. I hum and she embraces me, winding her arms and legs around me and all I can do is think back to what I promised Mrs. Isley. I can't have her be this close. Not anymore. If I do, and if Dad keels over, I already know Dick moonlights in Bludhaven, and Dad's only replacement is me. So… I'm stuck being Batman unless Dad has some Baby Mama out there that I don't know about.
I sigh and Pamela picks up on it, "Grayson, you're getting moody again."
I nod and she just rubs her face into my chest. I just pet her hair and she lets me cuddle her. Everything that's happened so far is just pulling me back into the bad place. The dark, gothic spires of my home are just getting closer and closer. I end up falling asleep in my clothes. Pamela too. Our drive is long and we're tired so it's only natural.
The sound of an elegant waltz rouses me from sleep, following it into the high ceilings of the hallway, familiar huge windows fill the outer wall, casting shadows through the hall and the lashing rain beats them mercilessly. On the wall portraits of my ancestors, both Arkhams and Waynes, glower down at me. I shudder and notice I'm without my gear or anything like that. All I'm in is… green gloves stare back at me.
I walk through the hall, coming to where the waltz is loudest. I open the doors and the track distorts. Quickly becoming a discordant whine as I move in. My old cape billowing behind me, everything looking bigger. 'It's not real, Grayson. It's not real.' I think, 'I'm the master of my own dreams. Anything can ha-'
"GRAYSON! HELP ME!" Mom's voice peals out and I break into a run, ignoring my thoughts. Fear coursing through every step.
"Mom! I'm coming, Mom!" I yell back, bashing down another set of doors. Her screams and sounds of fighting grow louder and stronger and all I can do is keep bashing down the doors. Finally getting to the last one.
"Haah… aaahhh…" I breathe, opening it and slowly stepping in. All I see is… blood. Blood and bodies. Dick, Kory, the girls, Alfred and Grandpa Jim… I turn and stare at the wall. Dad, long dead. Blood cakes the floor and walls. My eyes creep up it.
Thunder rumbles as I finally get a good look at whoever was making my Mom scream. Rage, fear, and even more indescribable rage floods in me as the lightning illuminates the one man who I knew would never leave us alone. Pale skin, red lips, a never ending, almost painful smile and deep green hair. A garish purple suit with a bright orange waistcoat extra bright in the temporary day. A predatory glint in his green eyes and the almost malnourished look to him make me gag.
The Joker stands tall, amused tremors shaking through him as I clench my hands into fists. He looks to me then to my mom. Mom is still quiet, staring at me and urging me to go with her gaze. The gun in the Joker's hand presses against my Mom's temple. Her blue eyes full of resolute surrender and her blond hair stuck to her forehead.
"Oh Batsy! Glad you could make it! Alfie! Boy Wonder! Oh, and little Miss Space Princess and the kiddos! What a pleasure! And who could forget our sweet man of the hour?" he whips Mom with his pistol and she stumbles against the banister.
"Let's surprise him, shall we?" The Joker coos.
I let out a primal scream of rage, leaping into the air, my cape becoming tattered, claws tearing out of the green gloves and the black armor of the Bat I see in my dreams becomes me. Just before I could tackle him and kill him…
I wake up on the floor, wrapped in the sheets and blankets. Pamela is still asleep up top, she stirs and pops up, seeing me there. The soft tweeting of birds and the morning sunlight creep into my hazy mind. Also the fact my girlfriend is staring at me.
"Nightmare?" she asks.
"Yeah…" I yawn, "Pretty bad one this time."
Pamela sighs and gets out of bed, helping me untangle myself from the sheets. I know they're getting worse and I know she's not taking it well. She smiles and kisses me on the forehead. Making sure I was okay. I just wish I could do the same for her. Make sure she is okay because for all I know she hates this. But, this was one day down, two more to go.