Ch.97: What If?

"Hey Daddy, what if I had never met you?"

Police cruisers lined the street, creating a half-moon shape in front of the rundown building. Cops were tense to get in but no one dared to try. They were unwilling to compromise the safety of the child inside.

In an alley behind the organized chaos, the police chief, Chief White, talked to the famous (or infamous, depending on who you asked) Batman.

"We can't get the kid out of there. We were hoping you could do better." The officer said, handing over a file to the Dark Knight. The hero took it and scanned through it. The kid was Daniel "Danny" Fenton. He was eight-years-old, about to turn nine. His mother and sister died in a car crash four years prior. His father was alive but, at the moment, he was kinda holding his kid hostage. The thing keeping the cops at bay was a pistol.

"I'll see what I can do." Batman said reassuringly and busted out his grapple. He shot it at the roof and easily flew into the after. He easily swung over to the rundown house. It had a large, bulky ops center on the top. When the child's mother had been alive, she and her husband had been paranormal scientists. Jack, the father, had given up that career when his spouse had died.

There was a window and it was, fortunately, unlocked. Unfortunately, it hadn't been opened in forever and it was stuck closed. It took some pulling and prying but it did finally open. Quiet as a mouse, Batman slipped in and closed the window behind him. Looking around in the new surroundings, he saw that the ops center probably hadn't been visited in for a few years. Everything had a thick layer of dust over it and cobwebs invaded every corner available. The vibe was dark and desolate.

Batman ventured further into the room. As he passed by furniture and equipment, dust flew into the air. It took all of the Dark Knight's willpower not to cough and make a sound that could give away his position.

The Caped Crusader slunk down the stairs. He had to test each step carefully, ears open for any sound he could possibly make. Much to his pleasure, the stairs were made of metal and didn't groan under his weight. Much to his chagrin, though, the floor at the bottom of the steps was wood and creaked as he put his foot on it. The Dark Knight had to test each step carefully, choosing the quieter planks over the louder ones.

Just like the ops center, the hallway the stairs led to was dark and abandoned. There wasn't nearly as much dust as the center above the house but there was a lot of grim and grind to make up for the lack of dust.

Walking down the hall was more time consuming than the Dark Knight preferred but he didn't want to potentially endanger the child more by alerting his father of his position.

As Batman made it to the stairs, he crouched on the top one and looked through the posts of the stair-handle. He saw further down the posts had been ripped out at the bottom and were on the floor. That was highly dangerous in a house of any kind, let alone one with a small child.

Jack was passed out on the couch, beer in hand. His face was flushed and he snored loudly. He looked so passed out, a herd of sick, dying elephants could be right outside the door and he wouldn't wake up at their noise.

Sighing irritably, the Dark Knight got up and began searching the house for the eight-year-old. On the second level, Batman found Daniel's bedroom. He had just opened the door, which seemed to be barely hanging on its hinges, when the Caped Crusader froze, fear gripping at his chest.

There was dried blood on the ground. It was seeping out from under the small, twin-sized bed.

Batman hurried over and looked under the bed. He panicked when he saw the small body under. He carefully dragged the cold Daniel out and cradled him gently.

There was a stab wound in his stomach. The child's shirt was stained with the vital, crimson liquid. It had dried and made the fabric crusty and stiff. The blood also trailed Daniel's face. There was a small, clean streak down his cheeks. Tears had washed away the blood there.

Blue orbs stared up at Batman blankly. They were glazed over completely. The glassy eyes showed pain, sadness, and terror. The dead orbs had those last emotions captured forever and ever.

Batman sagged. Daniel had been dead for days. They'd all been too late.

The Dark Knight used his middle and index finger to close Daniel's eyelids. He brushed the ebony strands from the eight-year-old's forehead and placed a small kiss on his forehead. Then he slipped one arm under the bend in Daniel's legs and picked him up bridle-style. Slowly and gently, like Daniel was alive but asleep and the Dark Knight didn't want to wake him, he carried the body through the house and to the front door.

When people saw the Caped Crusader open the door and stop in the doorframe, the cops, pedestrians, and paramedics got excited. Until they saw the sadness on his face and the blood running down Daniel's limp and cold arm that dangled loosely from Batman's grasp.

"...I don't know what would happen...but I'm sure you would have been fine..."

I feel no remoarse. None at all.

Kadzait: She's sick and twisted that way.

And now I shall wait for the screams and profanities that are sure to be directed my way.

On another note, in the sequel, there's gonna be a few of these. Just a heads up.

Thanks to these people for favoriting and/or following: Beccollie, Reck142, and Shadow D. Princess.

Reviews:

Insanity Allegra: I can. I can be forgetful when it comes to certain characters. I'M SORRY JAZZ AND CLOCKY. XD

Poohbearmorris: Have fun with that. Minecraft computer is really hard. XD On the bright side, I have an ender dragon named "Jiggers", a water dragon named "Fubby", and a ghost dragon named "Kelpie". XD And don't worry! After this story, I'M MAKING A SEQUEL!

Anime Hotty Lover. 18: No, we would all torture our crush-ridden older brother. XD And Danny and wrapping paper... Scary thought. XD

Roselin: (Kadzait: HEY, SHE ASKED! Me: Hahaha! It's true! I LOVE YOU BOTH~!)

THEBOXGHOST113: Hahaha! YES! Social media can be a killer! XD And I'm getting to the reveal! CHILL!

BringbackDannyPhantom: Yeah, Damian probably hates all three of us now. XD

KainVixenheim: Yep! Although I prefer the excuse that we were flying my dragons Jiggers, Kelpie, Fubby, Pickle, Starburst, and Ice Pop. XD I'll send a priest over to your house. XD

Scheffelman: ...DANG IT, I FORGOT THE ARKHAM FRIENDS.

Skymuse: I loved your poem~! It was fantastico~! I am very crazy, yes! KAD, JOIN THE PARTY! (Kad: *trudges over*)

ShyActiveReader: You know she did! XD Danny's adorable always~!

SomeItalian: And yet Andy is a robot... XD

The Keeper of Worlds: I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WANT JAZZ REVEALED!

YumiStar: I know right?! Cocooned!Danny! XD

Crimson Leo: I'm glad you enjoyed!

Natashawagner122: I was going to bring the song in in the sequel so everyone will forget about and then BAM! I slap them in the face with a surprise! XD

Vice Versa: There's a first time for everything! XD (Kadzait: HEY!)

Ninuhuju: Oh the irony when that happens. XD Kids wrapping is adorable but a little messy. XD

Halfagirl-astronaut: Oh you're so welcome~! Haha! I'm only two years older than you~! XD

GreenDrkness: I'm glad you enjoyed~! :D

IWasNeverReal: I MADE YOU LAUGH HYSTERICALLY! YES. :D

Kyrianae Narii: I'm glad I surprised you! And your welcome! I loved the idea! It was great! :D

Shy Wolf: Ghost of the sister but everyone thinks she's his imaginary friend. XD

Bibbledoo: PLEASE DO THAT NEXT TIME YOUR SISTER'S BOYFRIEND COMES OVER. XD

Kimori Takahashi: Don't stop smiling! Smiling is good! XD

Grava: Yeah no kidding... XD BOWS!

heofBOOYAH: Both: *wipes brow* Whew... Me: *whispers* Kad and I love dragons so... Yeah! Matching dragon necklaces! XD