I just wanted to take the time to apologize for my absence. I've taken a lot of time off of writing due to school & finals, but this summer I will be loads more attentive to this fan fiction. The story is not dead. Dick Grayson is very much alive.

Chpt. XVIII: Barbara

Dick hurried down the stairs, adjusting the cuffs of the black button up he wore. He looked down at his khaki chino pants & black loafers as he stepped fast onto the hardwood floor of the lobby. Dick sighed, feeling a smile rise over his face. He hadn't felt one of those in a while.

Dick rushed to a nearby mirror hanging on a wall by the stairs. Dick began to fix his hair in the mirror. His dark hair was soft against his fingers from having just taken a shower. Dick nodded in satisfaction. He looked good.

"Dick?" called a voice from the kitchen in the next room over.

Dick stepped back from the mirror & made his way to the kitchen. Bruce Wayne sat at the island in the middle of the kitchen, eating breakfast. He wore another nice suit, & his hair was styled with gel, ready for the work day at Wayne Enterprises.

"Hey, dude," Dick greeted.

Bruce smiled. "Good morning," he said in a welcoming tone. "Do you want breakfast? Alfred made omelets. Do you like omelets? The omelets are great."

Dick shook his head with a faint smile. "Nah, man, I'm good, thanks." Dick paused. "I'm actually, uh, going to take Barbara out for breakfast."

Bruce chuckled. "Hah! That's what you said last time, & a policeman came to my front door that night with my bike damaged from an explosion in Chinatown."

Dick bit his lip. "Right." Dick glanced at the front door, hoping to get out quickly. "But I promise I'll come straight back, man."

Just as Dick turned to walk to the front door, Bruce called Dick's name. "Wait, Dick."

Dick clenched his fist & silently groaned to himself. Dick turned to fast Bruce. "Yeah?"

Bruce stared at Dick. "Who's Barbara?"

Dick blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, Barbara, she's that tutor you brought over the other day."

Bruce continued to stare at Dick. "Oh, right," he slowly said. "Right, I got you a tutor to catch you up on school work."

Dick nodded. "Yeah, dude, is all this coming to you?"

Bruce laughed. "Sorry, I had myself a night." Bruce took a bite from his breakfast & chewed quickly. Then he continued. "Well, I'm really happy that you're giving this school thing a chance. It'll keep you busy. Going to school will let you get out more, surround yourself with bright kids & help provide a great future. When I was your age, I never went out like you. I was usually at home, studying. Whether it was school work or my father's work, or just general studying for my pleasure, I stayed home. I avoided people. I don't know why I did. That was the last thing I should have done. It left me feeling alone. LIke I had no one. And I didn't. I really didn't have anyone because of...you know..."

Your parents were dead, Dick thought to himself. "Yeah."

Bruce stared at Dick for a moment. "I know I'm not your father. I don't want you to think I am trying to be your father. But...I know what it's like to be alone. To feel alone. I don't want you to ever feel that way. I want you to talk to me if you need to. About your time in Old Gotham."

Dick nodded. He did feel alone at times. He was diving into a whole lot he didn't understand. Ever since Old Gotham, nothing was the same to Dick. The entire world was something to be cautious of, to be wary of.

"Or that girl you wanted to find...Cheyenne."

Dick felt his heart grow heavy. He really missed her. He wished things were different. He wanted to take her away from Gotham's madness. He wanted to live the life he always wanted with her. He wanted to be happy with her. He wanted to love her the way she deserved to be loved.

"Or that kid you hang out with, Roy."

Dick thought back to when he first met Roy. He was being beat down in an alley for his wallet. The night before, Roy was taking down armed men with a bow & arrow. Dick wondered how that was possible. After what happened in Chinatown, it wasn't IMPOSSIBLE, but just...surprising. Dick wondered whether or not this made Roy trustworthy.

"Or hell, we can just talk about different ways to get laid!"

Dick's eyes widened at Bruce's words. "What?"

Bruce grinned. "Look, dude, we can talk about ANYTHING. I just want to get close to you. I wasn't close to anyone when I was your age. And now, at my age, with all the work I've done, I feel older than I am, & throughout all of it, I was still lonely. I want to change that with you. I don't want to be alone anymore."

Dick let Bruce's words sink in. He slowly began to nod, feeling empathetic towards Bruce. "Sure. One of these days, we can talk. But don't worry about me. I've got people to talk to. It's not like I'm COMPLETELY alone. I'm literally about to go on a date."

Bruce dropped his eyes down to his plate & slowly took a bite of his breakfast, as if having just been defeated. Dick slowly looked down at his feet, feeling somewhat bad. Maybe Dick SHOULD give Bruce a better chance. It was the least he could do after taking Dick in. Dick just felt uneasy trusting someone again, after Old Gotham. Just as Dick was beginning to trust Roy, Dick is caught off guard by the secret archery gift Roy had been keeping.

Dick looked back at Bruce. "I'll tell you all about my date when I come back."

Bruce looked up at Dick, slightly grinning. "Can't wait to hear it."

Dick pulled up to the apartment on his bike. It was still early morning, & the sun made Dick feel warm in his dark clothing. Dick glanced back to his phone to double check the address. He was at the right apartment. Dick started to type Barbara a text letting her know he was outside, but then shook his head. He would be more of a gentleman if he knocked.

Dick got off of his bike & walked up the steps to the front door. Dick sighed, contemplating what he'd say. He knocked on the door, immediately growing nervous.

After a few moments, the door opened to reveal Barbara, wearing a beautiful yellow flowered dress that brought out her bright red hair. She had a brown bag strapped onto her shoulders and carried a large textbook across her chest. Dick felt his stomach begin to feel light and empty. Was that the feeling of butterflies? Dick was mesmerized by the woman who stood before him. Barbara's dress & bookbag gave her an image of innocence & beauty.

Barbara smiled shyly. "Hi."

Dick scratched the back of his neck, smiling. "You look amazing."

Barbara's pale face flushed with a red hue. "Oh my gosh," she said softly. "Stop. I just put whatever on."

Dick nodded, grinning. "Right," he said, feeling skeptical of her summer dress as "whatever." Dick held out his hand. "Do I need to say hello to your parents or something?"

Barbara shook her head. "No," she began as she stepped out of the door and began closing it. "My dad's at work, no one is home."

"Oh," Dick said to himself quietly. Dick's impulsion to ease Barbara back inside her apartment lingered, but Dick pushed it back. They were only getting coffee.

Barbara turned to lock the door with her housekey, then turned back to Dick. She looked down at the curb & her eyes slowly widened. "Oh my gosh," she breathed. "Did you come on that?"

Dick looked back at his motorcycle on the curb. "Oh, yeah." Dick looked back at Barbara, who looked suddenly nervous. "I promise I'll ride slow," Dick said.

Barbara's cheeks grew red again. "Oh, god," she said softly. "I'm sorry, that sounded…" Barbara trailed off. "Never mind, let's go."

Dick couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh to himself. Dick held out his hand, leading Barbara down the stairs to his bike. Dick swung his leg over the bike, holding himself up with the handlebars. Barbara put her textbook in her bookbag & struggled to sit with her dress.

Dick turned on the ignition of the bike & revved the engine. "Hold on tight, Barbara," Dick said over his shoulder.

Barbara placed her arms around Dick's waist, interlocking her fingers together. "Please, Dick, don't get us killed," Barbara said just before Dick sped off with Barbara screaming from the back of the bike.

Dick felt the air rush past his face and smiled. Barbara's hands gripped onto Dick's stomach tight. Dick wondered if she could feel his abs. He grinned at the thought as Barbara tried to stifle her shrieks with every turn he made on the bike. Dick purposely drove close to cars in the congested traffic, making Barbara scream right in Dick's ear. But he didn't care. It was kind of fun. Most fun he'd had in a while. The perfect balance of adrenaline & comfort.

"Dick, don't get us pulled over, or my dad will kill you!" Barbara called over the loud engine of the motorcycle

Dick smiled. "Haha, the police can try, but they can't catch me, baby." Just as Dick said that, he sped right by a police car. Dick quickly glanced back at it, then moved to the right lane, & made a hard right at the next light. Dick heard the siren blare from around the corner, but he wasn't worried. He made another quick turn to the left, through an alley. Barbara began shrieking some more. Dick wasn't sure if it was from the police siren or the quick turns or the dark frightening alley that scared Barbara.

As Dick zipped through the alley, he felt Barbara's hands move up to Dick's chest. He removed his right hand from the handlebar & grabbed hold of Barbara's hands. "I got you," he called over his shoulder. Then he took hold of the bike again & jerked the bike to the left, out of the alley. Suddenly, they were in front of the coffee shop that Roy & Dick had gone to before.

Dick felt Barbara's heavy gasping breath against the back of his neck. Dick slowly parked the bike in the parking spots marked in front of the coffee shop. Barbara's hands were still clenching to Dick's shirt. They slowly relaxed, but Barbara kept her hands pressed against his chest. "Oh my gosh," Dick heard Barbara breathe into his ear.

Dick let out a soft laugh. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked, looking back at barbara, whose face was right beside his.

Barbara looked up at Dick, her bright blue eyes glistening in the sun. "I have no words to describe that experience," she said softly, with the slightest smile on her face.

Dick turned back forward. "Alright. So, speechless," he said to himself with a grin.

Dick grabbed the two coffee cups & turned to walk to the table Barbara where she waited. Dick walked through the small tables, maneuvering his way & balancing the coffee. Dick approached the table & set Barbara's coffee in front of her. She smiled and wrapped her hands around the cup. Dick set his cup down & took a seat.

Dick turned to the right. He smiled at a table by the service counter. Barbara tapped Dick's hand. "What's up?" she asked.

Dick turned to her & nodded back at the table. "That's where you were sitting when I first saw you."

Barbara smiled, blushing slightly. "Yeah, my friends were teasing me, saying that you were checking me out."

Dick smiled to himself. "Yeah," he mumbled shyly.

Barbara looked down in her lap. "So, um, I know we just got here, but...my dad is coming in a little bit to pick me up."

Dick looked up at her. "Wait, what?"

Barbara took a sip from her cup. "Yeah, he got off of work early today, so he wants to come pick me up in a bit. We usually spend weekends together once he gets off work. We'll watch movies or play games or go out. Just some bonding time, you know?"

Dick nodded. "That's really great," he said with a smile. "It's good you're close with your dad."

Barbara smiled. "Are you close with your dad?"

Dick felt his body tense for a moment. He bit his lip and looked down at his coffee. He took a sip.

Barbara scoffed. "Oh my god," she said. "I'm so sorry. I totally just forgot…that's why you're with Mr. Wayne..." her voice trailed off. "I'm so sorry, Dick. I really am."

Dick smiled. "It's okay," he said softly. He gave her a faint smile. "I actually was close to my dad. Him & I hung out a lot in our travels. We saw the whole country together. We explored different cities, met all kinds of people together. He taught me how to swim in Orlando. He brought me to my first horror film in Atlanta. He bought me my first chili dog in Coney Island. It was huge. I ate it all. He always teased me about that chili dog, saying I 'made him look like a wuss.' It was funny."

Dick glanced up to find Barbara staring at him with a look of interest. Her eyes were wide open with fascination. Dick cleared his throat. Barbara blinked, breaking out of her trance. "Wow," she said softly.

The two began sipping their coffee in awkward silence. Barbara spoke first. "So what's it like living with Mr. Wayne?"

Dick felt his tongue burn as the coffee washed against his mouth. "Oh, god," Dick started. "Um…" Dick struggled to find the right words. "Okay. Have you ever spent the night at your friend's house, & you found yourself alone with their parents?"

Barbara nodded with a raised eyebrow. "Sure, yeah."

Dick smirked. "Well, it's like that. Except there's no friend. It's me & the parent, & I know nothing about this guy. It's weird. It's unsettling. But I guess I need to become more open to the guy. But it'll be hard."

Barbara nodded. "You should. It's the least you can do since he's giving you a roof to live under & is feeding you."

Dick smiled to himself. He had tons of money to live off of for at least a year, maybe more. He kept that to himself.

"Anyway," Dick started. "Um, so we were gonna talk about our tutoring arrangements."

Barbara clapped her hands together. "Right!" She reached down beside her, pulled out a few notebooks & set them on the table. Barbara reached back down and pulled out a textbook and laid it on top of the notebooks too. "Let's start with math. How much do you know?"

Dick reached for the textbook. It was an Algebra 2 textbook. Dick opened the hardcover & began skimming through the pages. The graphs, equations and variables all seemed familiar. "I know some of this." Dick continued turning through the book. "Inverse equations, dilations, cubic functions, quadratics. I read about these."

Barbara raised an eyebrow. "You READ about those?"

Dick smiled. "Uh, yeah, when I was at the orphanage, I would sometimes read in the library. I read all kinds of stuff. I went through these math books & sort of learned some of the concepts. I didn't realized I went this far in the curriculum though."

Barbara scoffed. "So did you learn pre-cal?"

Dick shrugged. "I don't know. Probably. I read a lot of things. I read history books, science books, & a little bit in business. I read classics like Austen, Steinbeck, Shakespeare, Hemingway, Dickens. I'm particularly fond of classic horrors. Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, some other ones."

Barbara smiled with what seemed like awestruck. "Wow," she said. "Dick, you're kind of a nerd. You should really consider testing to see your curriculum level. You may be well above Junior year."

Dick shrugged and sipped from his coffee. "Sure, I guess I could. But I don't know...I don't want to be, like, marked into the system, you know? At least not now. Not with all that's going on."

"Oh, okay," Barbara said softly. "I get that. Sure."

Dick bit his lip. He looked down into his cup of coffee, then looked up at Barbara. Her eyes were glistening as they reflected the sunlight beaming down on her from the window. She was really beautiful.

Dick cleared his throat. "I may be busy with things, but...I can definitely find time for our studying dates."

Barbara smiled "Um," she laughed softly. She looked down at her hands. "I...I'll be honest, I didn't ask you here to discuss studies."

Dick's eyebrow rose in confusion. "You...didn't?"

Barbara sighed. "Well, I did, sort of. Mr. Wayne had my dad talk me into becoming your tutor, but, honestly, I've never tutored someone before. I have no idea how to go about this. Plus, you seem to have been able to pick up a few things & learn a thing or two. So...we COULD study every now & then, but…" Barbara trailed off.

Dick felt his lips slowly rise to a smile. "We could turn these study dates to just...dates."

Barbara nodded. "I would love that, Dick."

Dick smiled. He took a sip from his coffee. He really liked Barbara. She was a beautiful girl, and Dick wanted someone he could trust who wasn't involved with his troubles. He wanted someone who was well advised and could keep Dick grounded to a normal, teenage life.

"So, Dick, have you had any girlfriends?" Barbara asked with a slight smirk.

Dick looked up at Barbara & felt a small drop inside his chest. He didn't. He never had the time nor the interest, but then there was Cheyenne. Slowly thoughts of Cheyenne flowed into Dick's mind. Him pushing her on the swings, them cuddling together in the rain, her helping him chase birds. He thought of how much time they spent together & how Dick had never realized that she was always so beautiful. Her auburn hair, her pale skin, her brown gold eyes, her whole image came to him. His heart grew heavy.

Dick cleared his throat, looked up at Barbara, & put on his most charming smile. "No, I have not," he simply said.

Barbara raised an eyebrow. "I can't help but not believe that. I mean, look at you."

Dick laughed. "What?" I'm not that amazing."

"Hottest boy I've seen in a while," Barbara remarked.

Dick felt his face flush red. He felt slightly guilty for sitting with Barbara & flirting with her. Cheyenne was still in his mind, and it frightened him. He felt as if he was betraying her, choosing someone else over Cheyenne. His heart ached has his mind culminated these dreadful thoughts. He couldn't help but wonder...was he really throwing Cheyenne away?

No, he was only having breakfast with Barbara. He couldn't help it if he was attracted to her. She was an attractive woman. Nothing was happening yet.

Dick sighed and smiled at Barbara. "So, where do you go to school again?" he asked.

"Gotham Academy," Barbara answered.

Dick nodded. "Do you like it?"

Barbara shrugged. "Well, sure, it's a good school. The teachers are good, the campus is nice. The kids are cool, they're really friendly. Why?"

Dick shook his head. "Bruce mentioned it to me. He said he went there when he was younger."

Barbara nodded. "Yeah, Mr. Wayne always donates to the Academy & gives speeches & stuff. He's kind of big over there."

"Oh, okay," Dick said. "He wanted me to go there. He said it wouldn't be hard for me at all."

"Well, yeah, if you're his adopted kid, they'll definitely consider taking you in. It'd be good to test first, though."

Dick nodded. "If I test, & I'm able to get in…"

Barbara smiled. "We'd be going to school together."

Dick smiled back. He felt a feeling wash over him, similar to when Rachel first told him she might have known Cheyenne. "Yeah, we would," he responded as his chest began to feel warm.

Barbara blushed. She looked down at her cup. "Dick Grayson," she said softly. "My dad used to take me to this circus that would come into town. It was the Haly Circus I think. There was this act that I loved. It wasn't the clowns, or the lion tamers, or any of that. But these acrobats, they moved with such grace & wonder. They were mesmerizing, Dick. The Flying Graysons."

Dick smiled. "Yeah, I know who they are," he simply said.

Barbara nodded. "They were a whole family. They wore these cute green & yellow leotards. There was, like, maybe three men, each might've been brothers I think. Two women. There was two boys & two girls. Over time, though, there were less & less Flying Graysons. The last time I saw them, I might've been maybe 6 or 7, there was a man & a woman. I think they were married. There was one boy with them. I remember I was in LOVE with him. He was such a great acrobat. The way he flipped & flew through the air…it was unbelieveable. I don't even have words for it. He was such a wonder..."

"Wonder," Dick thought to himself. "Someone else said I was a wonder…" His mind trailed off & drifted to his days as an acrobat. His heart ached at the thought of the plot of land which the circus tent was held up was no longer existent.

Barbara let out another sigh with a slight smile on her face, as though she were remembering a cherished moment. "I miss them," she said softly. "I'd give anything to see that boy fly again."

Dick's felt his heart grow warm. He felt a slight blush up in his cheeks as well, but did his best to hide it. He felt ashamed to grow sentimental about his days in the circus. He did love it & miss it, but it was in the past. Dick grew out of that tacky leotard. He wasn't a Flying Grayson anymore.

Dick noticed Barbara's eyes widen as she looked at someone behind Dick & smiled. "Hey, dad," she said.

Dick slowly turned in his seat. Standing at the coffee shop's door was Detective Gordon. He wore a white button up shirt & slacks. His tie was loosened, allowing himself to relax & breathe. He was smiling as Barbara stood up & walked over to hug Jim.

Dick felt his heart stop beating. He was on a date with Detective Jim Gordon's daughter.

Barbara led Detective Gordon over to the table where they sat. "Daddy, this is Dick Grayson. Dick, I'd like you to meet my father, Detective Gordon."

Dick looked up at Barbara, then up to Jim. Detective Gordon held his hand out. "Nice to meet you, Dick."

Dick stared blankly at the hand for a brief second. Play along. "Pleasure to meet you too," Dick said.

Barbara smiled. "So daddy," she started, "I think Dick & I will be definitely going on more of these study dates."

"Oh, really?" Gordon said in a disapproving tone.

"Yeah, it'll be good. Dick is really smart, & I think if him & I continue to work together, we can get Dick into a good school."

Dick looked at Barbara, then back at her father, then back at Barbara, then looked up at her father once more. "Yeah, your daughter convinced me to take a test down at Gotham Academy to find my academic placement."

Barbara gave a surprised look to Dick. Jim nodded. "That's good, Gotham Academy is an excellent school."

There was a brief moment of silence amongst the three. Barbara cleared her throat. "So yeah, Dick & I might start having more of these dates. And since I know you work late some nights, I think Dick should just end up driving me home."

Detective Gordon gave a suspicious look to Dick. "You old enough to drive?"

Dick bit his lip. How should he respond? Gordon was well aware of Dick's age, & Dick was pretty sure Gordon knew he didn't have a car. "I have a bike," Dick said softly.

Gordon nodded. "Sure you do. That green motorcycle out front, huh?" Gordon gestured behind him with his thumb.

Dick nodded slowly. Gordon found the bike in Chinatown. He knew damn well that Dick rode a motorcycle. Why was he being like this?

Jim turned to Barbara. "Alright honey, I'm gonna get myself a cup of coffee. I'll meet you in the car."

Barbara smiled. "Alright, daddy." She turned to Dick & approached him. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. Dick was hesitant, but embraced her with a hug back. He held her close, feeling excited for when they would see each other again. Barbara pulled her face away from Dick's shoulder and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Bye, Dick," she said softly.

Dick smiled & watched Barbara walk out of the coffee shop. As she disappeared, DIck began to feel her father's deadly stare traced on him. Dick slowly turned to him. "Detect-"

"Shut up," Gordon hissed.

Dick recoiled back a step. Gordon held a long, vicious finger up. "I'm getting that cup of coffee. You're not going anywhere."

Dick plopped down onto his seat. He shut his lips tight & watched as Gordon walked slowly to the counter and ordered his drink.

Dick ran through the possible things he should tell Jim in his head. First off, he wanted to apologize. Dick wasn't sure what for, but he felt an apology was in order. Dick also felt the urge to reassure Gordon that he had the best intentions for his daughter. Dick struggled to think of the thing to say that would win Gordon over.

"Alright," Gordon said suddenly, startling Dick. Dick looked up to find Gordon standing right beside the table, staring straight down at the frightened kid, sipping his coffee.

"Look, Jim, er, Mr. Gordon, er, Detective, um, look, I had no idea Barbara was YOUR daughter. It's not like I was gonna do anything wrong with her, but now that I know, I want to take the time to tell you that I have so much respect for Barbara."

Gordon held a finger up at Dick. "Look, son, don't start with that. You two are only studying. Don't make this a thing. But she doesn't get out enough. She DOES need friends. I keep her so close to me, I hardly ever let her go, ever since her mother passed away. I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything were to happen with her."

Dick felt a slight sharp pain in his chest. He knew where this was going. "I'm a danger to your daughter."

Gordon sighed. "With all that's happening, with the attack on Olympus & Cobblepot's property, Chinatown, Gotham CIty underground, it's just not worth taking risks. I want my daughter to be happy, & I want her to make friends. I'm not forbidding you from seeing her, Dick. I just want you to give my daughter space. For her safety. She's the only family I've got."

Dick nodded. The words stung as they hung in the air. Dick understood where Jim was coming from. He wanted nothing more than to protect Barbara. He had a chance to do so. He had failed with one girl in his life...he could do better. "Understood," Dick finally said solemnly.

Jim Gordon nodded. "Thank you," he said softly. "We'll be in touch when we get word of Nolan Drake."

Gordon turned and began walking to the coffee shop exit. Dick watched as the detective left, leaving Dick with a sense of guilt. He knew he was doing the right thing, staying away from Barbara. Dick just wanted to feel like a normal boy again. He wanted to do stupid things any other teenaged boy would be doing. Dick wanted to get drunk, to go to parties, to fuck, to drive into the night without a care in the world. He wanted to love & be loved. He wanted that with Cheyenne, but...time had passed. Dick lost his chance. He wanted another chance with Barbara.

No. Gordon asked him not to. Dick couldn't go behind his wishes. He was doing a lot for Dick, giving him ease about all that's happened. Dick couldn't risk sabotaging his relationship with Jim. He also didn't want to risk Barbara's safety either.

Dick clenched his hands into a fist & shut his eyes. He took a deep breath. Dick looked down at his cup of coffee. It was still warm. Dick grasped the cup & brought it to his lips. He slowly began to sip, but tilted the cup back fast, chugging the hot coffee. It burned as it washed on his tongue and down his throat.

Once he finished the coffee, Dick crushed the plastic cup in his hand. He stood up from his seat and walked out the door. He stopped at a trashcan in front of the coffee shop & threw the plastic cup into the bin. Dick looked up & down the street, hoping to spot Jim & Barbara.

Many people were walking about the sidewalk, going on with their lives. They were living their lives how they wanted, following their own rules, doing as they pleased. They didn't have life threatening secrets to keep. They didn't have hits on their heads. They were happy & Dick envied every single one of them.

Dick sighed & turned to the right and began walking to the corner of the intersection. He stopped & waited for the pedestrian walking signal to come on. As Dick looked forward, he noticed someone in the crowd waiting on the other side to cross. Amongst the adults & elderly people & families with children, a familiar face stood out to Dick. He was a young boy, maybe Dick's age. He had dark black hair & thick bushy eyebrows. He wore a t-shirt and blue jeans. He looked like a normal kid, but...Dick couldn't help but wonder where he had seen this boy before.

Dick waved it off. He couldn't place his face. Soon the pedestrian crossing light blinked on, & Dick began crossing the street. People began crossing on the other end of the street. Dick looked straight ahead, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the boy staring back at Dick. As they approached each other, the boy's stare became more intense. Dick tried to step farther away from his path, but the boy's stare was still unsettling.

As the boy shoved passed Dick, Dick looked back at the boy. He stopped in the middle of the walkway, between the two corners, & watched the boy. Dick hadn't noticed the plastic water bottle in his hand before. Dick began to walk down to the street, back to where the boy was headed.

The boy stepped up to the trash can in front of the coffee shop, then looked back at Dick. Their eyes met up for a brief moment. The boy thrusted his hand up to the air, bottle in hand. "HELL IS HOME!" he called out loudly, before tossing the the bottle into the trash bin & running through the crowd in the opposite direction.

Dick slowly stepped to the trash can. He peeked inside of the bin, & saw the plastic bottle begin to sizzle from the inside. The steam that rose up from inside the trash can was extremely hot. It smelled awful.

Dick began to step away from the trash bin. Soon the street goers noticed the trash can & began avoiding the area around it. People walked passed it, but others moved away, & some turned the opposite direction.

A loud groaning sound began to resonate from the trash can. It grew louder & louder, deafening Dick's hearing. What the hell is that? Dick thought to himself, but he could barely hear himself think. The groan grew louder, but slowly began to rise to a higher pitch. It reminded Dick of a plane on it's way to crash to the ground, or a missile about to hit its target.

Dick turned back to see a woman with a baby carriage approach the trash can. Dick leaped to the mom & the carriage. "GET AWAY," he cried as he threw his body over the woman's. He craned his neck to see the baby carriage. He reached up with his arm to try to move the carriage away, towards the wall of the coffee shop.

Then everything went dark.