AUTHOR'S NOTE: Again, sorry it's been so long between chapters. I was trying to figure out how I wanted to take the story. I think I know what I want to do. Anyway....here's the next chapter.

Chapter 30

Entering his room, Dick opens the piece of paper and sees only five words:

I have her. Skating rink.

For a second, he wonders who Yarsmith could have, then he sees something yellow on his pillow. Slowly walking over to his bed, Dick stares down at a lock of blond hair.

"Ashley," he whispers. Yarsmith took Ashley to the skating rink. I can't let him hurt her. I have to go.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Dick drops the note and quickly grabs a dark shirt and dark pants. Changing out of his pajamas and into his clean clothes, the boy walks over to his window and slides it open quietly. Slipping a leg through the opening, Dick slides out of the window and jumps to the ground below. Glancing once back at his home, Dick takes off to get to the skating rink that he had been at hours earlier with Ashley.


Nervous about how Dick has been acting, Alfred walks upstairs and quietly down the hall. Opening the door slowly, Alfred quickly notices the breeze flow gently out of the room. Pushing the door open further, Alfred glances over to the window and sees that it's completely open and that Dick is not in the room.

"Oh my," says the older man, walking into the room.

Striding over to the bed, he notices the note on the bed next to a lock of hair. Opening the note, Alfred quickly reads the paper.

"I must get Master Bruce," says Alfred, grabbing the lock of hair and leaving the room.


He can feel that his body is tight with frustration and anger. Staring at the Batcomputer, Batman looks over the information on the screen.

He's out there and I will find him! I will not let Dick down.

"Master Bruce!"

Turning away from the 'computer, Batman stares at his frantic servant.

"Master Dick is gone!" says Alfred, as he stops in front of Batman and hands him the note and lock of hair.

Scanning the note and taking the hair, Batman stands up.

"What skating rink?" demands the Dark Knight.

"I took Master Dick to the skating rink yesterday. He spent some time with a friend from school..." explains Alfred, while following Batman to the Batmobile.

"Ashley Graham," says Batman, nodding his head. Looking at the lock of hair in his hand, Batman glances at Alfred. "Is she blond?"

"Yes, sir," responds the servant.

Nodding his head, Batman climbs in the Batmobile and heads out.


After leaving Wayne property, Dick was able to find someone who was willing to give him a ride into the city. Within minutes of leaving his home, Dick found himself staring at the city's skyline.

"Are you sure, kid?" asks the driver.

"Yes, sir," replies the boy, glancing over at the man who had been willing to stop and pick up a child so early in the morning.

Only a few minutes later, the driver pulls over to the side of the road.

"I can't take you all the way, kid, since I still need to get to work. The rink is only a block away," says the driver.

Nodding his head, Dick opens the door. "Thank again!" he calls, then gets out of the car and shuts the door.

Watching the car drive away, Dick sighs. Almost there. I can't him let hurt Ashley. No matter what.