A Family

by BaconYourFace

What happens when two girls enter the Bat Family? Follow Christine Carter and Autumn Cross on their experiences as part of the family. Yes, Tim, Damian and Alfred are in this too (major characters, yes) Warnings: contains some gory scenes, swearing, and NO SLASHES. There are a few funny and fluffy chapters later on. Sucky summary but you get the point. Please read and review!

30. The Squad

Chapter 30: The Squad

Autumn's POV

I walk down the hallways of Gotham Academy. I have my hands in my two skirt pockets and my head down as I walk slowly. I got bored waiting for the homeroom teacher, and Jake said he was gonna sign up for journalism. He asked me to come with him but I didn't want to. He didn't come back, but think I saw him talking to a fair skinned Asian girl with dark brown, really short hair, her bangs clipped away from her face, and her eyes kinda chinky. She was carrying an interesting bag on her back, what's it called again? Oh yeah, Camo. And she has those big nerdy glasses that are obviously fake. I think she's our classmate, I don't know. Well, they were talking about something. Whatever.

So I got really bored earlier. I felt so tired, but I didn't wanna sleep. I feel empty but still as if the whole world is on my back. So earlier, I slowly walked to the bathroom with my head down and locked myself in a cubicle. I took out my new yellow paperclip, since I lost my red one yesterday. And I started adding new wounds and scratches to my scarred arms. I didn't wanna bring my knife today, I didn't wanna use it since it's waay to messy, with the blood, I won't be able to clean my arm in time. Plus, I need to learn to stop cutting, it's already so hard to have to wear long sleeved clothes or a jacket in the manor whenever I leave my room. I don't want Jason or Alfred or Mister Wayne to see my wounds and scars.

Speaking of which. I wonder what Jason has been up to lately. He hasn't been around the Manor except for dinner time. Whenever I do see him, we don't even talk! He always just seems ignore me. Almost as much as his family is ignoring me! Maybe...he doesn't care anymore...

And Mister Wayne still hasn't spoken to me like he told me he would last night. I don't think he cares either...I wouldn't blame them for not caring, who could possible care about me?

I walk into the classroom. Everyone is already seated and the teacher is already talking. All their eyes turn on me.

"You are late, Miss Cross." She looks at her notebook and marks it with her pen. "Take a seat."

I just look down as I nod slightly. "Yes mam." I silently and slowly walk towards my seat, near the window.

She continues talking to the class. I look around at my classmates.

I can see some girls whispering with each other, with judgemental faces on. Some students don't seem to care and just keep their heads forward. I glance at Mackenzie, and she's just smiling and whispering with her friends as she glares at me.

I also take a glance at Jake. "Class, pay attention." The teacher says. Jake just looks at me, as if asking why I was late. I just shrug at him with a blank face. I look back at the board. I stare at the teacher for a minute, but once her voice becomes distant, I look down and lay my hands on the table. I pull the sleeves forward to hide the red scratches nearly reaching the back of my hands already.

Then there's Jake. The best friend. For some reason, he cares for me. I don't know why. Who could care about me? Why would he even care about me? I don't get it! Why would anyone on this planet care about me? Hell, I don't even care about me! Why would he?

I just slightly shake my head and rub my wrists as my hands drop to my lap. I look back up at the teacher.

I feel empty and hollow today, it isn't close to joy. I don't really like feeling this way, like nothing in the world ever matters. Like the whole world is silent but so noisy at the same time... Like I'm dead. Or like I want to die. I don't like it. But it's better than all the voices in my head screaming and yelling at the same time that my own thoughts are being blocked.

I sigh and head slowly falls on the table, on top of my arm. I wince slightly as I feel the stinging pain on my arms. But I don't take my chin off of my arms.

I'm tired. Weird. It's early in the morning. But I'm tired, I wanna give up. I just wanna die.

That's not a bad idea. If I killed myself...who would miss me right? Who would care? What difference would it make? Everyone would just be happier without me. Everyone's lives would be better if I died. Or maybe it wouldn't change at all. Either way. If I killed myself. That wouldn't change anything. It's not like anyone would care…

I blink. I just remembered something...I still have to go to the orphanage later, after school! That's right...Coby, my promise. Another escape will occur later, wait...who on this entire planet could ever escape from Alfred?!

I guess I just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope that maybe Grayson or Mister Wayne would pick us up today. Hopefully.

Tim's POV

I stare forward at the whiteboard. The teacher's voice is getting lost in my own thoughts. It's just sometimes, the lesson gets boring since I've already studied it on my own, and I understand it already.

What happened last night? We all just...broke down...we all just started screaming and yelling at each other...I don't even remember what Damian yelled anymore.

I keep on trying to remember but, I can't. All I can remember is his mumbling. I heard what Chris yelled, loud and clear. But everything else...I don't remember. I guess my brain turned off for once, and I just lost control of my temper...I don't even remember what I said anymore. That's happened before. Sometimes, I loose control over my temper.

Autumn does that. She has the ability to mess with our minds. She can make all of us lose our tempers and make me turn off my mind. It's frustrating.

I copy whatever's on the board, but that's all I really need. I have the book and I already did the research on the Old Kingdom of Egypt. I already memorized the list of leaders, and I know their way of life and how the Old Kingdom declined. I did all the research, I even went a bit overboard by researching the Middle and New Kingdoms of Egypt. I read the school book, I looked for books in the public library and at the library at home, and I copied it all in my notebook.

Now, my teacher is simply discussing to everyone else in the class what I already know.

I sound cocky, I know.

My mind drifts into another topic as I continue writing while thinking (multi-tasking).

Guess what else is weird and kinda frustrating…

Bruce still hasn't taken down that Robin uniform inside the glass case in the Cave.

Jason is back. Everything is all good with them. So why is that case still there?

Even now, everytime I pass by the case. I can still feel a ghost watching me through the tattered mask, right inside the case.

It still haunts me. Which is really weird, because Jason is back. It's all good now...right?

I mean...he hardly talks to us. And every morning, whenever we eat breakfast, he always looks like he could explode any second. He holds a strong silence, and furrowed eyebrows.

It's weird…

Isn't everything fine now? I mean, aside from Autumn…

But everything is okay now, right?

But if everything is okay now...then why does it feel like everything's not…

I feel like I need to keep my guard up at all times...like something dreadful could happen anytime soon.

What will happen?

What will go wrong?

What if...it's not all good? What if Jason changes his mind and decides to leave again with Autumn?

What if Autumn ends up killing us all in our sleeps? Well, it's not like any of us get sleep anyways. But Autumn is unpredictable. I can't risk trusting her, no matter how bad I feel for her.

What if Jason leaves again? I doubt that he hasn't thought about it… he hasn't talked to any of us lately. I think he's trying to keep his distance. But why?

What if Dick decides to leave for Bludhaven? He told me that he wanted to before...he has considered it. He told me. What if all of a sudden, he just can't handle Bruce's annoyance? I'll be honest. Bruce can be a bad father at times.

What if Damian kills me in my sleep? I still don't trust the Demon until now.

But my worst fear is...what if someone dies?!

What if Chris dies!? She's always the one getting hurt!

How could the family possibly cope if she dies?

How would Damian react? I know that I would mourn her for weeks, we all would.

WHAT WOULD BRUCE DO? I remember, how he was when Jason died…

He was always so reckless and angry after Jason's death. Batman would have gotten himself killed! That's why I became Robin…

Because Batman needs a Robin. Back then, Dick didn't want to go back to being Robin, he was with the Team as Nightwing, he was too stubborn.

I became Robin, I became...Jason's replacement…

But it helped...

What would happen to Dick?

I saw Dick cry before...once, twice…it wasn't pretty...to see your happy-go-lucky brother just break into millions of pieces like that...it was...traumatizing…

He was crying over a picture of a fifteen year old Jason...

...who seemed to be celebrating his birthday at that time. I saw the picture. The fifteen year old sat on his usual seat on the dining table at home. He was staring at a big chocolate cake with fifteen candles lighted on top of it. There was a triangular party hat nearly falling off of his jet black hair. He wore light blue pajamas as he just stared at the cake with his chest hitting the end of the table, his eyebrows furrowed as if he was wondering what was going on or just realizing that there was a chocolate cake sitting on the table right in front of him.

I wonder what he was thinking on that day.

Seeing Dick extremely sad like that...it just didn't feel right…

Dick is always smiling...but sometimes I wonder, if that smile on his face...is just a mask to hide the pain he really feels.

We all have masks...we all have secrets to keep...I'll admit...I am also hiding something...I'm hiding something from myself…

But what would happen to all of us if another tragedy came through the window and smacked us all in the face? We're all tough, but inspite of everything that's happened lately, I don't know if we'd be able to sustain ourselves. We're all human.

Maybe we'd all end up breaking down...like Autumn.

It annoys me how she can mess with us so easily.

Why is Autumn still here? She knows she's hated, but why does she stay?

Well, she's not hated by every single person in the family. I think that there's hope for her.

I feel really bad for her. She's lost almost everyone she loves, and now all she's got left is Jason. Maybe that's why she hasn't left. She doesn't wanna risk losing him.

"Mr. Drake, I asked you a question." I'm pulled away from my thoughts when the teacher's voice invades my brain.

"Um sorry, what was the question again?" This is embarrassing. I hear some of my fellow classmates snigger, but I ignore them. I'm way smarter than them.

The teacher has an annoyed expression on her face. "What is the period of time in which the Old Kingdom thrived?"

"From 2686 BC to 2181 BC." I don't even need to think that hard to come up with the answer.

"Correct. Thank you, but next time I hope you will answer immediately." She turns around and continues writing on the board. This is going to be a long class.

****Break****

Damian's POV

Well last night was intense.

My idiot of a teacher isn't even teaching us! He's just sitting at his desk, doing something at his computer while eating a large bag of Fritos. Apparently it's "free time." So while other people are talking about stupid things like "when to go to the mall" and "my cat barfed all over my sister, it was epic!" (Tt. They don't even know the meaning of the word), I'm just sitting here, thinking about last night.

Who knew Drake would actually punch a girl! A girl he likes! Tt. He's still a weakling.

But the way he lashed out...it just suddenly came out.

Same with me. And Chris, probably.

I hate how Cross does that to us. Altering our emotions. Toying with our minds. I just want to put my hands in my brain and rip her out with force.

Should I call her Autumn or Cross? I always knew her as Autumn...so now it feels odd calling her Cross. But I call everyone by their last names: Grayson, Pennyworth, Drake, Carter...then of course there's the exception of Mother and Father and Grandfather.

I guess I'll just keep switching back and forth until I become comfortable with Cross.

But last night...

How the hell could Autumn say we don't know what pain is?! No one loves me! No one has ever said those three words to me! I love you. Not even Grayson, who goes around saying stupid rainbow and unicorn s*** to everyone he meets.

Why did I have to be cursed with such a horrible life?! A mother who wanted me to be perfect and mess with my father. A father who rarely expresses emotion towards anyone! Carter has gotten more emotion from him than me! Maybe even Drake! I bet he got a hug from Father when he saw his father's dead body.

Why couldn't someone else have my life?

Tt. And Autumn has the nerve to say I've gone through nothing.

I have to admit though, I never expected Carter to express her deep thoughts, especially towards Father. Everyone has deep thoughts, but not everyone talks them out.

RIIINNGGGGGG! God that bell can be annoying. Finally, lunch. I'm starving.

****Break****

Chris' POV

I'm not very hungry.

I take a seat next to Laurel and Tyler. When I take out my food, I just stare at it. It looks so delicious, but last night's events are getting to me. I didn't sleep well. Something was just bothering me. And it still is.

Why was Autumn cutting herself? Is she really that depressed? Bruce will probably confront her about that.

But the things she said to us...how could she be so stupid? Saying we don't know pain...that we've all gone through nothing?

I mean, I haven't gone through a lot, and I hate feeling like a princess, but still. Definitely not nothing.

Princess...I hate it when people call me that, and I get that a lot since my dad is a billionaire. I always see princesses as spoiled and getting every single damn thing they desire. Well, not the Disney princesses. But I'm not a princess. The bullies in my class used to call me that...I just had to live with it.

My life isn't a fantasy. It's not a nightmare, either. And it's definitely not normal. Wait, then what is it?

It's just...life, I guess. Life is unfair, always throwing curveballs, both good and bad. It brings you pain and suffering, but it also gives you fortune and happy times. But I think nowadays, I have more agony in my life.

Autumn's voice echoes through my head. You've all gone through nothing!

It annoys the crap outta me.

I've lived in an orphanage my entire life, the entire time thinking that my parents had abandoned me at birth, that I had no family...no one that actually loved me. Well, there was Ms. Blanchard, she was nice and all, but she wasn't the definition of family. Even though I spent most of my life with her, she was only my mother figure. Not my mother.

Mother...mom...those words hurt. I've never said those words to anyone, and I never will...

I don't have a mom.

I know that Ms. Blanchard tried her hardest to be my mom, but she never could be. I knew that from the beginning. A mom spends most of her time with her daughter. Ms. Blanchard spent most of her time taking care of all the other kids in the orphanage. She didn't pay as much attention to me when it came to needs because I was pretty independent and smart at a young age. She didn't even know that I was bullied there! Damn I hate bullies. To her, everyone there was an angel, even the ones who were disobedient a lot. She was so naive, so unaware of what the world truly is.

Since she didn't really watch over me a lot (it seemed like she did just because she cared for me the most, but really she didn't, she was too busy worrying about all the other orphans), I found a bunch of criminal investigation television shows when I was maybe 8.

Ever since then, I've been interested in criminal investigation and mystery (well I've always been interested in mystery) and all that stuff. That's why Batman intrigued me so much. Whenever I did watch the news, Batman was always a highlight. Even though across the country superhuman beings are defending us, I never really believed Batman was one of them. All the other kids told tales that hinted that he had super strength or that he could fly, but I never really believed them. I just thought of him as a man who was determined to ending crime and injustice in this plagued city. That's why he was my hero. He was determined, learning what he needed to learn, doing what he needed to do, for his cause.

I knew to do that, he needed to study criminal science, criminology, forensics, and everything that involves catching criminals. But he also needed to be intelligent, outsmarting all of those villains, such as the Riddler. I suck at riddles, so whenever we fight him, I always struggle. Batman, however, solves them in an instant.

And his strength and agility and skills...I always wondered how long he had to train.

But anyway, before I knew it, I was 10. Double digits. I was growing up. I realized that I may live in that orphanage until I turned 18. That really depressed me. I didn't wanna be stuck there my entire life! Every time a prospective family would come and visit, I always put on my best smile. I acted cute and responsible and was...myself, I guess. I made sure I seemed happier than I actually was. But I was never adopted. I never understood why. I still never do.

Then Mr. Wayne came along. He didn't even look at any of the other children. He immediately adopted me. I was happy, like really happy. It's a kid's dream to live in a mansion and have their heart's desire. I remember all of the kids in the orphanage with hope in their eyes every time Mr. Wayne came for a visit. We all knew that he had adopted boys before, so now we had hope. I always thought he only wanted boys, so I was surprised when I realized he kept looking at me. But I was always curious as to why he visited this orphanage so often. There are other orphanages in Gotham funded by the Wayne Foundation, so why'd he visit this one so often (maybe he visited the others as often but I wasn't too sure)?

But the only thought in my mind that glorious day...

I have a family.

I'm no longer alone. I'll be loved.

I didn't know at the time that Bruce rarely shows that kind of emotion, so ya can't blame me for those thoughts.

Then I was kidnapped...for like the 4th time. I never really understood why I was kidnapped so much. It's not like I could roam freely through the busy streets of Gotham, not that I wanted to. But somehow...it was always me. Gosh, it's like I'm cursed to always endure stuff like this.

After that happened, I discovered the family's secret when I went exploring (because I have the tendency to explore new places), and I convinced Bruce to let me work alongside him. I didn't realize until then that being like Batman was a secret dream of mine.

The criminal investigation shows, the interest in forensics and fingerprints and crime solving and mystery...

I was never afraid of the dark...I kinda just embraced it at a young age...

Always watching Batman and Robin and Nightwing kick butt and do such cool moves. I remember doing kicks and punching the air when I was all alone (in the orphanage) because I felt weak and wanted to be able to fight back every horrible thing that came my way.

Becoming Nightingale, fighting alongside my hero...it felt like I was meant to become that...become this.

Following becoming Nightingale, more interesting things happened to me, tragic and fortunate.

So yes, I certainly have not gone through nothing.

Jeez...you didn't have to state your life story.

Yea, sorry. My thoughts started to drift. And for the record, that isn't my entire life story.

Whatever.

I look down at my food. Still not hungry. I catch words from my friends' conversation as I look around me, taking in my surroundings again. My thoughts kinda dazed me. My eyes focus on Autumn, sitting at a far table, surrounded by a bunch of girls and other people who are probably her classmates. Ugh, they look girly. Uh oh. Bullies.

Autumn's POV

I look like such a loner. Well I am. And I don't want anyone coming near me.

Jake was gonna sit with me, but a bunch of girls herded him away. Ugh. Girls can be annoying.

But Autumn, you are a girl!

Heh, not like those kinds of girls. Those kind are b****y.

I'm just sitting here, enjoying my delicious lunch from Alfred, when I sense a group of girls headed in my direction. Mackenzie's obnoxious voice comes closer to my table. I know they're approaching me. They're talking about me.

"She's a scholarship student! I bet she doesn't even have a decent lunch."

"Why did the school even accept her? There's no way she's smart."

"I know right! She's probably as dumb as Arthur over there."

Suddenly, something hits the back of my head. I realize it's an elbow.

"Oh hello Autumn. I didn't see you there." Mackenzie looks down at me, smirking. I just continue eating my food, not looking at her.

"So...this is our table, and you're sitting here. You aren't allowed to do that. So get up and leave." Her group of friends whisper amongst themselves as Mackenzie just stares at me. I continue eating and don't move.

"Are you deaf or something? She said move!" One of her friends says. Penelope, I think. Huh, her parents must hate her since she has such a stupid name. A/N: No offense to anyone with that name.

I pause my eating, look at them in the corner of my eye, shrug, then continue eating.

"Do we need to move you by force? You're probably so light we could throw you into a dumpster." Some of Mackenzie's friends snigger.

"I don't think you want to chip your nails and ruin your ugly manicures." I mutter under my breath. Their deaf ears don't hear me.

"Ugh! Move already!" Mackenzie suddenly swings her arm in front of me, and my food and lunchpail fly off the table and onto the concrete floor. I hear the sound of glass breaking and realize that was my food container. Oh Alfred's gonna kill me.

I don't really wanna do this, but I have to. I get up from the table and get on the floor to pick up the food and broken glass. I feel a pain in my right hand. I don't need to look at my hand to know that one of the glass pieces pierced my hand and blood is staining the concrete.

"Hey everyone look! The scholar is so poor she has to pick up scraps for food!"

I hear lots of laughing. A bunch of other people have come to the table and started laughing at me. I just ignore all their snide comments and laughing and pick up all my food and glass and throw it away. I look down at my hands and find many cuts. I just pull down my sleeves over my hands to cover up my wounds.

"Aw, is the poor girl trying to be tough and not go crying to her mommy...oh wait, I don't think she has one!" I cringe, hoping no one will see it. But obviously, everyone does.

"She doesn't have a mommy! I was right! I bet she doesn't have a daddy either." At that, I don't cringe. It's not like he cared about me, anyway.

"I bet you don't have a mommy and daddy because they hated you!"

Mackenzie and her group of friends all smirk at me while the rest of the people chuckle lightly. I just wanna rub those smug looks off their faces.

"Do you have a daddy? I bet you're just embarrassed by him. My dad is the CEO of a company, and guess who he works with? Bruce Wayne himself! I bet your dad hasn't even heard of him. He's probably as stupid as you."

I may hate my dad, but he wasn't an idiot. I turn to face them and just stare at them. I don't glare at them, but in my mind, I imagine them all burning to the ground.

No! Don't Autumn! Mr. Wayne will kill you if anything happens to them. Who knows what chaos could happen. What would Jake do?

Where is Jake? I turn my head and find him staring in my direction, still surrounded by those girls. He has a look of pity on his face. But I don't need his pity. I don't need anyone's pity! These people are just a group of idiots who are lucky enough not to be dead yet. They have no idea what I'm capable of...maybe I should show them.

NO. I know I shouldn't. C'mon Autumn. Stay strong. Keep your emotions in. You're better than them. You know that. Don't let them get in your head. It's supposed to be the other way around.

But I can't say anything. I shouldn't. I'm trying to keep a low profile, even though it's not working out so well.

I see Jake mouth "I'm sorry" and I just furrow my eyebrows and look back at the girls. The other people have started to disperse.

"Oh? Is that your boyfriend over there?" Dammit. They saw me looking at Jake. Well of course they did, they're bullies. "Well looks like he won't be for long. Who would want to have filth like you as a girlfriend?"

"Probably those nerds over there." Penelope gestures to...of course...Tim's group of friends. They're all just staring at me, and Tim has a look of pity in his eyes too.

I DON'T NEED YOUR DAMN PITY! I DON'T NEED IT!

"No, Penelope, not them! Wayne's son is part of that group. There's no way she would end up with such a hot shot like him." Some of the girls are making longing looks at him. Ew.

"He may be a nerd, but he's handsome." Ugh. Why do I have to be here to hear this?

"Mhmm. High school boy."

"Yea. There's no way Tim would even glance at Autumn." They all turn to me. Great, now they're focused on me again.

All the stuff they're saying, it hurts. But not enough to bring me down. It's just like a bullet: going through me but exiting immediately. It leaves some pain, but I can always get over it.

This is nothing compared to everything I've actually been through.

In my place, they wouldn't even be alive right now to hear all this bs they're throwing at me.

"You know what? You should just go back to the dump you came from. You don't belong. No one wants you...I bet that's what happened. Your mother and father abandoned you. They didn't want you. They didn't want you anymore because you're such a disappointment. You're filth. You're absolutely nothing. You're useless...can't do anything useful. You're an insignificant. I bet your parents didn't even love you."

Now that stings.

"I bet that you wanted them to die."

That's the thing with bullies...they throw hurtful words at you, and even if they don't affect you at first, they finally throw something that hits you right in the chest.

I clench my fists and hold back the tears threatening to come out. Dammit. I can't cry. It would worsen things. Stop...just stop...why can't they leave me alone?

I KNOW I'M NOT WANTED! I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT PLENTY OF TIMES! I DON'T NEED TO HEAR IT AGAIN!

DAMMIT! THIS IS BULLS****

"Ha. Gotcha." Mackenzie smirks and her band of b****es laugh at me.

I shut my eyes tight to prevent the tears from falling. I hear the laughing loud and clear.

"Enough." That voice sounds familiar. I open my eyes and find Christine glaring at Mackenzie. Wait what?! Why is Christine here?

"What are you doing here? You standing up for the scholar?" Mackenzie taunts, but Christine's glare doesn't waver.

"Last I checked, being a scholar is way better than being some stuck up valley girl whose life is built on making others feel insignificant."

"Why are you even worrying about this girl? She's not even in your grade."

"Because I can't stand people like you. Why the hell do you go around bullying people? You're just jealous, that's all. You want to be just like her. Maybe you two should swap places. She'll have the comfortable life while you have to come to school every day, dreading everyone laughing and pointing at you. Now get lost you morons. And I suggest you take off your heels so you don't break your "precious shoes" while you run away before I punch you all in the face."

Most of the girls actually look scared, but Mackenzie and Penelope just make disgusted faces at her as they walk away.

Christine stops glaring and sits down on the bench of the table.

"Why the hell did you stick up for me?" Why would anyone? Especially Christine. She hates me the most. She's said worse things to me than those snobs.

Why would anyone help me? Do I even deserve to be helped? What if those girls are right? What if...

"Because I hate bullies more than I hate you. They targeted me the most during my entire life. It's a good thing I have an intimidating reputation and Bruce as a dad, or they may have never backed off. I wish there weren't any snobs in the world. But the world is cruel like that." She doesn't make eye contact with me.

"I'll explain to Alfred what happened with the tupperware. You should go to the nurse and get your hands checked out. Just make sure when you get home that Bruce and Alfred don't see your cuts. And don't mention this to anybody. Ever." She stands up and walks away, back to her table.

Hmph. I don't need to go to some stupid nurse. My hands are perfectly fine.

But I feel like the fact that she hates bullies wasn't the only reason she stood up for me. Maybe...she really is trying to accept me. But why all of a sudden?

I grab my lunch pail and head back to my locker, my other hand stuffed in my skirt pocket. As I walk, I avoid everyone's gaze, especially Jake's, who I know will want to talk to me later, but I don't want to talk to him. Or anyone at all.

I just want them all to go away and disappear. Forever.

The truth is...No, I don't want anyone to go away forever. They don't deserve that, well, the innocent ones.

I can't decide whether I should kill everyone around me, or myself.

Yeah, definitely myself.

****Break****

I just walk down the hallway, past the lockers, holding onto the strap of my backpack.

Then a locker door closes, revealing the face of my friend. He looks at me and he starts walking towards me.

My eyes widen a bit. I really don't wanna talk about it. So I make a swift turn and barge into the girl's bathroom.

The door swings close. I turn around. My shoulders relax as my hands falls to my sides.

Mackenzie is standing right in front of the mirror staring at herself. Dammit!

I can always turn around and walk away and run into Jake so we can talk. OOOR, I can face the bully…

She turns, notices me standing here, then scowls and looks at me from head to toe.

Too late!

She just looks at me with a disgusted face.

"Hey, you know what?" She looks back at the mirror and pulls out a stick of...lip balm? No... lip gloss?

I just stand right here dumbfounded.

"I think that your parents really didn't love you." She says, then she applies three, or four layers.

She smacks her lips and keeps her lip gloss in her purse after glancing back at the mirror. She looks back at me with a smirk.

"Since they didn't love you and they left you…" She continues looking at me from head to toe with a scowl. "I think that you wanted them to die."

My eyes slightly widen. "That's not true."

Her mouth twists into a smirk. "Of course it is! Since they didn't love you. You didn't love them either! So now you're glad that they're dead!" She smiles like it's a joke.

"No. That's not true." I repeat. "I love my parents."

"Mhmm." She hums, looking at her nails.

"They didn't want you, so you didn't want them. And when they died, it was the best day of your life!"

"No. I loved my parents." My breathing becomes faster.

"Ha! So you admit that they're dead!" She smiles. Then she puts on a fake face of pity. "How sad. The piece of filth is an orphan." Her face reverts back to a smirk. "That's too bad." She leans back a bit and smiles. "I wonder who could possible give you a home." She walks towards me. "I will find out. I will find out who you are, you piece of s***." She scowls. "And when I do, you're going to wish you hadn't got in my way."

Isn't she the one who got in my way?

She pushes me aside and walks out the door. "Jake!" I hear her say as the door swings closed.

I just stand here staring at the floor. "Move out of my way." Papa's voice echoes.

I fall to the floor clutching my head. "No...Please. Not today…" I whisper, fighting back the hot tears.

The worst thing in the world: emotions.

"They didn't want you."

Nobody wants you.

Christine only helped you out earlier so that you can pay her back someday, but that's the only reason. Nobody would want you. Ever.

"Autumn?" A knock on the door. I blink into reality.

I slowly stand up.

Thank you Jake! You saved me from my thoughts! My hero!

Of course, I'd never tell him that.

I push the door open and walk out. I come face to face with Jake.

His cool breath nips at my nose as we stare at each other wide eyed.

I poke his nose and move him two inches away from me.

He puts his hand on the back of his neck and looks down.

I shoulder my bag and raise an eyebrow at him as he smiles at the ground. His cheeks suddenly turn pink.

"What's up with the blushing?" I ask.

He looks back at me, as the pink goes away. "Nothing."

I turn and start walking. He walks beside me. "Did Mckenzie make a move on you?" I ask as we continue walking.

"Yeah."

I let out a tiny smirk. "That's why you were blushing?" I ask.

He tenses. "Wha-? What? Hell no!" He starts to get all defensive.

"Okay, okay." I raise my hands up in the air. "No need to get all defensive." My hands fall back down.

Then he puts his hand on my shoulder and he stops me. His face gets all serious as he stares into my eyes. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"What happened earlier?"

I shrug his hand off and continue walking, and he walks with me.

"What about earlier?"

"Lunch."

"What about it? I ate, why?"

"That wasn't what I was talking about."

"It wasn't?"

"Quit stalling."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm fine Jake. It's cool." I smile slyly, looking at him.

"Quit making stupid annoying puns." He smirks.

"It's fun!" I smile.

"But seriously, Autumn."

"Jake. I told you, I'm fine." No I'm not. But I'm never telling anyone that.

We walk out the doors of Gotham Academy and there are a lot of students going home and walking to their fancy cars.

I easily spot Alfred with the Mercedes and the other three.

I grab Jake's hand and move out of Alfred's sight.

"What?" We stand by the wall, on the other wall of the building.

I sigh as I hold his wrist. I let go and look at him.

He stands right in front of me. We're one foot apart.

"What's wrong?" He asks me, staring into my eyes. "Autumn. I want to know who picks you up."

"No one! Quit bugging me about who picks me up and brings me to school! Or who I live with!"

"Fine. Fine. Fine." He grunts.

I look to the side of his head. I furrow my eyebrows at the figure standing by a tree, just on the side walk. The figure seems to be waiting for someone in Gotham Academy.

I squint. Then my eyes widen.

Jake turns around. "What are you-"

I dash past him and to the sidewalk.

The figure has his back turned to me. But I can recognize those highlights anywhere.

I slow down. How should I approach him?

I just walk now. "R?" I ask and he turns to look at me. Yup, it's him. I stare into his hard eyes.

"Autumn!" He looks at my uniform. "Wow, you look...different. In a skirt."

I slightly punch his shoulder. "It's a uniform, idiot."

He smirks and looks back at my face and crosses his arms.

"Hey." I turn around to look at Jake. He's looking at R.

"Oh yeah. Jake." I gesture to R. "This is R."

"R." I gesture to Jake. "This is Jake."

They furrow their eyes at each other. Jake walks slightly closer to R. They're about the same height. R's slightly taller though. Woah, did R grow a bit?

They just glare at each other. Jake pulls out his hand to shake R's hand. "Nice to meet you." Jake says, not taking his eyes off of my other acquaintance.

R looks at the hand. "Yeah, I don't do hand shaking." He says and Jake drops his hand.

"Okay…"

They both look at me."So R, why are you here?"

"Why? Can't I visit my friend? You did tell me that you go to school here." I nod.

"Yeah, but-"

"So anyways. I thought we could hang out after school today. Just you and me." He says.

But then Jake looks him. "Uh, we were supposed to hang out." They glare at each other.

"We were?" I ask Jake.

"Yeah." He says, clenching his teeth and glaring at R.

I put my hands in my skirt pockets. "Actually…" They both turn back to me. "I had other plans."

"What?" They say in unison.

I slightly smile. "Yeah. I'm gonna visit the orphanage. I have clothes inside my bag already."

"But-" R says.

I shake my head. "I promised him. I'm not backing out. You guys can go home and do whatever you do at home." I say quite coldly.

"I'll come with you." Jake offers.

R nods quickly. "Yeah, I'm coming too. I wanna meet this "him.""

I shrug. "Yeah, sure, whatever. I'm just gonna go back in, and I'll change in the bathroom." Huh, I forgot that I was supposed to change...I forget a lot of things, yeah. But I don't forget my promises.

They cringe and look at me. I raise my eyebrow. "What? You guys wanna come with me to the girl's bathroom too?"

I shake my head and walk back in. "You two are acting weird." I walk away from them.

****Break****

We just walk down the road. I'm wearing my light blue jacket and a gray shirt on the inside, some denim jeans and a pair of black and white converse.

They walk by my sides.

"Why do I always catch you in a jacket or some kind of longsleeves?" R asks.

"Yeah. It's getting weird." Jake agrees.

I subconsciously hold my arms.

"It's just cold." I say, looking down.

"So, how'd you and that guy meet?" R asks, changing the subject.

"I didn't have a friend at all. I was being bullied. Jake, here came to my rescue." I smile at Jake. "Thanks by the way." I really was being bullied by the better trainers in home base, before.

He smiles at me with his icy teeth. "Don't mention it."

"So how about you and R?" He asks me.

I look forward. "Bumped into him. Twisted my ankle. But in the end, we saved each other."

"From what?" Jake asks.

I smile slightly. "I saved him from thugs and he stopped the swelling in my ankle. Then, he somehow got my number. And there was our friendship." I look at him and smile, then I look forward and cross my arms.

I stop. "Here we are." The three of us stand front of the orphanage.

I walk towards the door. I knock, shouldering my bag.

The door swings open. "Yes? How may I help you?" A woman asks.

I smile. "I'd like to see Coby."

The woman's face brightens. "Oh yes, Coby Moore? You are?"

"Autumn."

She opens the door even wider. "Come in! Your friends as well. Nice to meet you Autumn. I am Mrs. Anthony."

I walk in. As I look around, it looks like a normal house with a large sofa, a coffee table, some paintings and stairs going upstairs.

"Come, sit down." She offers.

The three of us sit down. "Where are the rest of the children?"

"They are in the backyard, playing." She says, sitting down.

"Must be a huge backyard." I comment.

"Yes, Mister Wayne has been helping a lot."

"That's great."

"So about Coby. He is a good child. A little disobedient at times. He's been talking about you since last night. He seems to have found a family right here in a few hours. Are you his sister?"

"Well, not by blood. We had an agreement yesterday. I told him I'd be his sister if he would stay here."

"You only met the boy last night?"

"Yes." I nod.

"You must be great with children."

"Autumn? Great with kids?" R asks.

"Well, considering it only took a few hours for her to convince a stubborn boy to come over here. I think she is great with kids." She nods.

"Thank you." I smile, elbowing R.

"Your little brother. He was quite shy and stubborn. Until he met two very much younger girls. They're like family here now. You'll be surprised at how quick things can go in such a short period of time. Especially for young ones."

"Tell me about it." I mumble.

A short awkward silence.

"So um...Coby?"

"Oh yes, I will lead you to the backyard. He seems rather busy." She's so perky...I think I will be sick…

We walk out a door and into the backyard.

There is a huge playground and many trees. The grass is green and there's a pathway going towards the white fence and the door.

There are kids everywhere, laughing, playing.

Then I spot Coby, playing with two little girls. He looks at me and his face brightens. He points to me and the two little girls run towards me as Coby walks behind them, trying to catch up.

The girls come to us and Jake bends down and smiles. "Hi. What's your name?"

The other little girl tugs at R's shirt as she laughs while R is trying to ignore her with his arms crossed.

Coby comes towards me. "Hey, Coby! How have you been?"

"Okay." He smiles slightly. "That's Jewel." He points to the girl with medium length hair and her bangs clipped out of her hair. She's playing with Jake.

"That's Iya." She has light brown hair, and she's just as small as Jewel.

"Made new friends already?"

"I'm not the only one." He smiles.

"This is R, and this is Jake." I gesture to them both.

He looks at the two for a while, then back at me, then both of them. He just swings his head back and forth.

"Okay…"

"I told you I'd come." I cross my heart. He smiles.

"Thanks."

"Come! Come!" Jewel pulls at my jacket. She's pointing at the playground.

"Yeah! Let's play!" Coby agrees.

I sigh and I let Jewel pull me away, I look back as I watch R and Jake laugh. But then they also get pulled by Iya and Coby.

I start to laugh.

"So what do you wanna play?"

****Break****

"Marco!" I walk around in the dark, blind folded, grinning while searching for the kids.

"Polo!" I hear all of the giggling kids surrounding me.

"Marco!"

I listen as their giggling gets louder.

"Polo!"

I smile and reach down, holding a child's shoulders.

"Ha!" I cry in victory. More laughing follows.

I take off my blindfold and grin at the cheerful boy.

I stand up straight as all the other happy kids surround me.

"Autumn! You need to catch all of us!" Iya giggles.

"What!?" I smile. But I don't remember that being a part of this game.

I sigh. "Aw, come on!" I wipe my forehead even though there is only one cold drop of sweat.

"Ugh. I'm tired already. You are way too many!" I grin as I crouch down to their heights.

"Aww." They all groan, making cute pouty faces with puppy dog eyes.

I just chuckle at the sight of their faces.

"But we're having so much fun!" A boy complains.

I put my hand on his shoulders.

"How about this, Aaron."

I look at the other kids, standing as I smile with my eyes.

"How about...Jake and R take over for a while?" My eyes hover over the two boys who are sitting by the steps in front of the door.

They are talking to each other and glaring, but then Jake catches my eye and his eyes widen. He shakes his head as he elbows R.

They both shake their heads. I nod and smile. They both sigh in unison.

"How about that, huh?" I look back at the hyper kids.

"Aww, but you're more fun."

"How do you know? They can be just as fun too!" I stand up and smile.

"Okay." Jewel agrees.

The two of my friends walk towards me, giving me two pairs of glares. I just smirk and walk towards the steps.

I take a seat on the fourth step and watch them. They all start running around as my friends try to round up the kids.

I just smile once I catch a glare from R.

I put my elbow on my knee and my face on my hand. My breathing slows down and my smile fades. My eyes fall to the tall blades of the grass.

The laughter becomes distant as the world becomes a haze.

The warm wind blows and now, all I hear is crying.

A smaller me wearing tattered jeans and dirty rags for a shirt. Her kneecaps were scratched and bloody. There's a lot of dirt smudged on her cheeks.

Papa stands in front of her. Yelling. He's not helping her, he's making it all worse.

"Tell me the reason why you are crying." He commands.

She just cries.

"TELL ME." Papa says.

She continues to wail. Mama and Nico are standing at the door of the bedroom.

"They…they...beat me…" She hiccuped.

"WHAT? YOU WERE BULLIED? BY A BUNCH OF URCHINS. No, I don't allow that. That's not good for my reputation." Papa says.

He took a deep breath. "Not good for my reputation at all. I cannot be seen around with a pushover like you." He walks to the other side of the bed and takes a hanger.

Then he walks back to her. He grabs her cheeks as she wails. "Listen to me, you good for nothing worthless child. You need to stand up you bastard. Everyone in the neighborhood knows I'm stuck with you. They think you're my new baby girl no matter how much I deny it. I can't have a weakling for a kid." He barks.

He slaps her face and she falls to the bed. He raises his arm and beats her with the hanger. "YOU WEAKLING! I CAN'T HAVE A WEAKLING FOR A KID! SHOW NO MERCY!" He continues to beat her back as she cries.

Blood starts to drip down her back and her mom and brother can't do anything about it but sob quietly.

"YOU WEAKLING! SHOW NO MERCY! I WANT YOU TO GO BACK OUT THERE." He grabs her hair and pushes her to the floor. He continues to beat her again.

"THEN BRING ME BACK THEIR HEADS! PUNCH THEM UNTIL THEY BLEED! MAKE THEM EAT S****!" He yells as the hanger starts to snap and break.

He throws it on the floor and grabs her by her hair. He drags her to the tiny living room and towards the door. "BE TOUGH! DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU BRING ME BACK THEIR HEADS!" He yells, opening the door and throwing her out, and shutting the door behind her.

She just crawls up in a ball in front of the door and sobs.

"No...no...they...were innocent...they wanted my food...I gave it to them...but they beat me up…" The girl cries. I walk up to her and try to put my hand on her shoulder, but it passes through her body like I'm nothing.

I blink, seeing the blades of grass again. I furrow my eyebrows and purse my lips. You happy now Papa? I have lost mercy.

Someone taps my shoulder and I look to the woman to my right. "Watch them please." She points to the wheelchair.

There seems to be a young girl with messy, long light brown hair and medium olive skin seated on the chair, watching the other children play, her eyes lost in the world. Her legs are just hanging on the edge of the seat, a soft pink cloth is placed atop her lap.

I lean forward and look at the small boy seated on the grass on the other side of the wheelchair.

I can't really see his face since he is facing forward and watching the other kids play. But he also has light brown hair and olive skin. He's just sitting there quietly wearing his pajamas in the afternoon.

The girl suddenly turns her head to look at me. "Hi." She says, with a tiny smile. But I've used enough fake smiles to know that she has one on her face right now. There are huge eye bags under her glassy brown eyes and I can see her smile fading into a frown.

I give her one of my realistic fake smiles like I always do with everyone in this whole world.

"What's your name?" She asks me with a soft and quiet voice.

"Autumn." I answer simply. "What about you?" I ask, looking at the tiny and delicate girl.

"My name's Lisa."

"Lisa, nice name."

She doesn't answer. I lean forward and look at the boy. "How about you?" I ask him, but he doesn't even bother to look at me. He only continues watching the other kids as if he heard nothing.

"Hello?" I ask. He doesn't say anything. He doesn't even turn his head.

"That's Roni. He's my brother." I lean back and look at the girl. "He can't hear you. He can't hear anything. He will never be able to hear."

"Oh, I see." My eyes falls to the ground. "He can't hear, so he can't talk either. Because he doesn't know how talking sounds like."

"Why is he not playing with the other kids? Just because he's deaf doesn't mean he can't run around and play."

"He doesn't even know what 'playing' means." Lisa says sadly.

"Does he know sign language?"

"A little bit."

"Can he read?"

"Not so much."

"Of course not." I mumble under my breath.

There's a silence. My hands are hanging on my lap as I lean back on the stair. A quick breeze passes by and blows at my hair to the left. I comb my hair with my hands to keep it out of my face. And just like that, the wind stops.

"Who are you?" She asks me.

I furrow my eyebrows. "I already told you my name." I say softly.

"No, I mean. How?"

"How, what?"

"This place is hardly bright and sunny. Earlier, it was great. But when you and your friends came. It suddenly became brighter." She looks at me with her eyebrows furrowed. "Most of them are suddenly happier. How do you know how to make others happier? Why?"

Trust me kid. I have no idea how to make others happier.

I look down and think of my answer. Then back at her with a small smile. "I don't like it when children are sad. Because as a kid, you're supposed to be happy. And seeing kids unhappy, it just isn't right for me. It makes me think about how the world isn't fair. I can't exactly fix all the problems in the world. I'm not God, but I can try to make children forget."

I was a happy kid once too. Then everything changed. And the world ruined me.

A long silence, and this time, there's no breeze at all. Just the warmth of the day on my skin.

"Now, I wish we hadn't come down here." She mumbles.

"Why not?"

"We can't play. All we can do is watch as the world passes by." Her voice becomes even softer.

I try my sweetest, real-est smile ever. "There's no need to be sad. There's no need to watch the world pass by you. You can run with the world." I move up and get closer to her.

"I know lots of people who never let disability stop them. It shouldn't stop you either."

"You're just saying that out of pity."

Pity is something hard to feel.

"Of course not. I'm saying it because I believe that you can still have fun even if your butt is stuck on a chair."

"Like what things?"

I smile sweetly. "Let's start small. I want you to show me that you still have the energy to do stuff."

I reach for my bag on the floor and pull out a writing notebook, a sketchpad, and a pencil.

I give the sketchpad and pencil to Lisa. "Here. Try drawing. It gets your mind off of things. Then later on, you can play with us."

"Really?"

"Of course." She opens the sketchpad. "Give me some time first."

"No problem." I grab the notebook and another pencil as I slowly scootch closer towards the boy.

"What are you going to do?" Lisa asks, some concern in her voice.

I stand up. "I'm going to talk to your little brother." I smile and sit beside the boy.

He looks at me with a blank face. I can see his mouth is so dry.

I give him the warmest smile I can give. He waves slightly at me with a frown on his face.

I point to myself and spell out my name in sign language.

He points to himself and tries to spell his name.

But he stops at O and thinks about what the letter N is.

I gently take his hand and make his fingers form a letter N and I put my hand down and he stares at his tiny hand.

Then he makes the letter I in sign language.

I smile.

'Thank you.' He says in sign language.

I smile and nod. 'Welcome.' He furrows his brows in confusion.

I smile and take the notebook. I write the word WELCOME on one of the pages of my notebook.

It takes four seconds for him to read it, then he nods and smiles.

I spell the word out with my fingers again. He watches as my hands go from M to E.

'Need help?' I ask him.

'With what?'

'Communicating.'

'What that?'

'To talk.'

He smiles with a quick nod.

'Basics.' I smile and he just nods.

'I drive -to- school.'

I write it down once I see his confused face. He nods and copies me.

'Past (last) night (it was) cold out.'

He smiles and copies me.

'I finish(ed) my homework.'

He shakes his head and I write it down on the notebook. It takes some time for him to read, but he gets it and he copies me.

'Brother.' He smiles. 'Sister.'

"L-I-S-A, my sister.'

'J-A-S-O-N, my brother.'

He looks down and frowns. 'No mom and no dad.' He says.

I smile. 'Me neither. But I have a brother and you have sister. It's okay.' I smile. He nods, understanding my statement.

'I am happy.' He says, grinning. 'Thank you.'

I smile. 'I am also happy.' I tell him.

'A-U-T-U-M-N.' I smile. He didn't even need to copy me. 'Are you coming tomorrow?'

'Maybe, if I can. But don't worry, I not leaving yet.'

His smile widens. 'This place your family?' I ask him.

He nods with a big grin. 'Yes.' He nods happily. 'I love my family.' He says.

I smile. "How about you?' He asks.

I just smile and stare blankly at him. 'You are getting better! Want to play?'

He grins. 'I want to.'

'Then let's play!' I stand up.

'No play.' He stands up, frowning. 'No hear. No talk. No play.' He states.

I smile and pat his head. 'So what?' I ask him. He grins.

I walk over to Lisa and she shows me the picture.

There's a stick figure of all of us. Except, there's me and some other boy. But there's only one other boy.

Jake stands behind me. "Who's the boy, Lisa?" He asks.

She just giggles.

I give it back to her. "But it's yours."

"Keep it. Your drawings are very pretty Lisa." I comment.

"Wanna play?" I ask her. "Your brother is playing with us. You can come too."

She furrows her eyebrows at me as confusion plasters all over her face. "I wanna play...but...how?" She gestures to her legs.

"You seem light. So…" I look at Jake.

****Break****

"Haha!" I throw the ball to Lisa. "Catch!" I tell her.

She catches the ball with her hands and she throws it at Coby.

Jake is carrying Lisa on his shoulders. He holds onto her legs making sure she doesn't fall off. And Lisa seems to have fun with it.

Coby catches the ball and throws it to me. "Get it!"

All of us are a sort of triangle and R is in the middle. He's trying to catch the ball. This is a little game I picked off from the streets. It's called 'Monkey in the Middle.'

They all continue to play as Coby throws the ball to Roni.

I spot Jewel slip by the tree and scrape her knee.

I run to her and crouch down, then I help her up as she starts crying.

I look at her scraped knee, then I look up and smile.

"Hey, there's no need to cry. It's just a scrape. I can put a band-aid on it." I wipe her tears away.

"But it hurts!"

"Shush." I say gently, as I continue to wipe her tears away. "Hey, let me tell you a secret." She calms down a bit.

I look at Jake. "Jake looks really stupid." She giggles. "But he is strong. Don't you think?" I ask her and she grins. "See? It doesn't seem to hurt now." I point out.

"Now, come on. Go wash your hands." I pull her up and she runs towards the door, grinning.

I run towards the kids. "Hey! Who wants to play tag?"

"Me! Me! Me!" Coby and Iya say enthusiastically.

"Great!"

"Now, there will be two Its."

"Peace lock! Peace lock! Peace lock!"

Everyone says at the same time and all that's left is me and R.

"Dammit." He mumbles.

They all run towards us and start spinning us around. "One...Two...Three...Four...Five!"

Looks like they're making their own rules. The world starts spinning and they run around while I chase after them while the world spins.

Then I bump into R and the world turns right side.

And I find myself staring into R's eyes.

The world stops spinning as his eyes widen.

Everything goes slow motion for two seconds.

Then I blink andgGet up, using his face under my palm instead of the grass.

"Ow. Ow. Ow." He says and I jump up.

"Children. Snacks." Mrs. Anthony announces.

They all start running inside.

I run to Jake.

"Thanks Jake." I take Lisa from his shoulders and carry her inside.

"Please don't put me in the wheelchair."

"Okay." I agree.

We all run into the kitchen, I put Lisa down on one of the wooden chairs. I make sure she's secured.

Everyone sits down and it's so noisy. But I notice some empty seats at the end of the table.

There's chocolate milk and biscuits. I take a seat down as I watch them talk. Some of them are just quietly eating.

Coby looks at me with his stuffed mouth, chocolate milk decorating his face.

"Ooh, ooh! Tell us a story!" Coby suggests, his words muffled by his food.

They all look at me with quiet grins.

"When it's like, almost five?" Which reminds me, I need to be home by dinner.

"Please!" They all give me those annoying puppy dog eyes. Even Roni does the hand signal for 'please.'

Jake and R quietly chuckle.

I shoot them a quick glare.

"Err...Once upon a time?"

"Not a fairy tale!"

Yes...I hate fairy tales. Always ending in happy endings...I don't even...never mind.

I look down, thinking of a story, then back at them. I smile.

I remember this was my favorite story. Mom used to tell me and my little brother this story before going to bed.

"Okay! This was my favorite story. And it still is." They all lean forward as the kids stuff their mouths. "It's based on a true story." A/N: It really is. In reality.

I also do hand language for Roni so he can understand it as well.

"One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. But, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked.

'How much do I owe you?'

'You don't owe me anything," she replied. He said, 'Thank you.'

As the boy left that house, he felt so much stronger. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many years later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

The young boy who became a doctor was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's outfit he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room, determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

He requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. The woman feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

'Paid in full with one glass of milk'

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly. The end."

A/N: . . Dr. Howard Kelly (February 20, 1858 – January 12, 1943) American gynecologist. He was one of the "Big Four" founding professors at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. It was partially a true story.

They all just look at me. "It was a true story?"

"Partially." I say, doing hand signs for Roni to understand.

"So it was quite true?" Jake asks.

I nod. "Yup."

"So, there are people still like that here in this world?"

"Is there still kindness in this world? Of course." I tell myself more than I tell them. "There's still hope." I try to make myself believe as much as I try to make them believe. "Still hope for kind people."

"Well." R stands up. He looks at his watch. "I've gotta be home by dinner, or my sister will kill me, so..."

My eyes widen. "Oh yeah. I also have to go"

Jake and I stand up the same time.

"Aw." They say in unison.

I smile. "Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow."

They start standing up. And they all hug us. We're all surrounded by children.

"Okay, okay. Let them go now children. They also have their own families to get back to."

"But…"

"I'll be back."

"Me too." Jake says.

"Yeah, some other time. When I can." R says.

The kids finally let us go after squeezing us.

Mrs. Anthony pulls us away from the kids. "Now kids, time to help clean up."

"Aww...okay."

"Bye guys." I smile.

"Bye bye." Iya is the only one that waves and smiles as we walk away from the kitchen.

Coby runs towards me and hugs me tightly. "Is that why you helped me? Because of the story?"

"Well, it was something I learned." I smile at him and gently pull his hands away.

I crouch down. "Be good." I smile and he nods.

"Bye." I walk with Mrs. Anthony.

"Wow. Thank you." She says as we near the door.

"For what?" I ask.

"For making the children happier. You and your friends are welcome anytime."

We walk out the door. "Thank you." It's funny, someone that's actually welcoming.

I close the door and we start walking away from the orphanage.

"That was fun." R says.

"Really? Thought you hated kids."

"Never said that." He says, putting his hands in his pockets under his polo.

"So wanna take a taxi home?"

"Yeah, okay. Can't be late for dinner."

"Right. So, let's get a taxi. We'll have R dropped off at the Crime Alley, then let's go to the Financial District, Jake." I nod at both of them.

"You live in Crime Alley?" Jake asks R.

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" They glare at each other. "You live in a richass home."

"Hey dudes." I push them apart. "Nothing's wrong with living in Crime Alley or in the Financial District. Now quit being assholes to each other and let's go get a cab." I storm away from them, calling a taxi.

****Break****

Jason's POV

This is all BS. Everything in my life is s***.

Why won't Bruce and Mommy Dickie let me go out as Red Hood anymore?! They know I've changed! Sure, I may lose my temper a lot...well who can blame me when I was murdered by that insane clown then brought back to life...but why don't they trust me enough?

They act like they trust me...that they believe that I've fully returned...but I know that on the inside, they still have their doubts. It's probably because Bruce is the reason I became Red Hood in the first place. I think I was always Red Hood...he was always a part of me...he just waited for the right time to come out and unleash himself onto the world.

I was able to sneak outside without being noticed by Alfred. So here I am, maybe 30 feet away from the house, leaning on this tree as I watch the puffs of smoke emit from my cigarette and mouth.

In the distance, I hear a car heading this way. I turn my head and spot the mail truck driving up the road. It's a little late for the mail, isn't it? So why is it late...

The truck comes to a halt in front of the mailbox protruding from the brick pillars supporting the metal gate. The mailman reaches across and places something in the mailbox. He's pretty far away, so I can't really make out what he's holding. Judging by what I can see, it looks like there are some letters on top of the newspaper. I should save Alfred the trouble of having to walk the quarter mile from the house to the mailbox. He does too much for us already.

I begin to make my way to the mailbox when the mail truck turns around and heads back to civilization.

Damn. Why did this property have to be so big? I remember when I was younger and loving to run around and climb random trees. Now I wish that there wasn't as much outdoor space.

I finally make it to the mailbox and open it from the inside of the property. As I walk back, I look through everything that arrived.

Business letter...bills...charity thingy...newspaper...wait...

Harley Quinn Escaped!

My eyes widen. I look up and run back to the manor, not caring about the other letters I left behind in my dust.

****Break****

I shut my door and lean on the wall, raising the newspaper so I can read it.

Today Harley Quinn escaped from Arkham Asylum. Police say that they don't know how she was able to do it, but what's really puzzling is why Harley Quinn is out but The Joker isn't. Our very own Vicki Vale tried to get the scoop but...

I don't need to read more. Harley's out. That's never good news. And she didn't leave with the clown...why? She's always with 'Mista J'...

Something weird is going on. And I want to know what.

I don't care what Bruce and Golden Boy say...they should know by now that I only see rules as suggestions on how to live.

And no one gets to tell me how to live my life.

I rip off the pages of the newspaper individually so I can hold the single piece of paper that holds my ticket to getting what I want. The Joker.

I'd better get going then.

****Break****

Tim's POV

"Red Robin. I need you to analyze this." Batman hands me a test tube filled with green liquid. He starts walking towards the Batmobile where The Demon and Nightingale are already waiting impatiently.

Nightwing is already out on patrol. Chris and Damian are coming with Bruce, while I'm stuck here analyzing some kind of toxin.

"What is it?"

"I got it from Harley Quinn, we had an encounter, she escaped. We're going to search for her. Nightwing is already out scouting Gotham."

"Harley Quinn got out?" I never liked that sicko.

"I investigated one of her victims. That dead man was bathing in this green toxin. I need you to analyze it."

Batman turns around, his cape nearly slapping me. He jumps in the super vehicle and booms out of the cave.

Great, I've been down graded to "analyzer." Looks like I am really no longer needed in this family. This family would do fine without me.

Maybe it's because I really am weak. Snap out of it Tim!

I shake my head and walk towards the computer and the lab equipment on the table. I put the test tube down and start analyzing it.

I wonder when I'll finally be needed?

It doesn't seem like anyone even needs me.

Maybe Phoenix was right. Maybe Autumn was right. I am weak. I am a bad hero. Maybe that's why Batman doesn't need me anymore.

All I can do is solve mysteries.

Maybe I'm the weakest of this family.

I'm pulled into a memory once I glance at that Robin uniform still in it's case.

I remember that time that I met Jason. When he tried to kill me.

"You always take the easy way." I said, holding onto my baton, getting ready for a fight.

I remember the whole fight as I work on analyzing this substance.

"Easy? Easy? I've lived off on the streets. I tried to make the man with no emotions proud. I died! Easy!?" He said, taking off his leather jacket and ripping off his shirt, showing his old version of the Robin uniform.

I don't know how long it takes, but after comparing it with the other Joker toxins on file, it doesn't seem to have matched any of it. This is a new toxin.

What if Harley is planning to unleash this on Gotham? But without The Joker? Why was she not with the Joker? Batman never told me that she was with The Joker...she's always with The Joker. But why is she not now? If she broke out of Arkham, then why did she not break The Joker out with her?

I look at my watch. It's nine o' clock. I've been down here for hours. They left just at sun down. Now, it's nine o' clock. I even missed dinner.

It's okay. I'm not that hungry anyways.

The computer beeps. "Red Robin." Batman's voice is sounded over the com. I walk over to the computer.

"Yeah?"

"Suit up. We need your help. There's been a breakout at Blackgate."

Finally, something to do.

The computer beeps again and Batman's voice disappears.

I'm about to run for my uniform but then I hear a loud hissing.

Autumn's POV

I get a text.

R: Hey, tomorrow, wanna hangout.

Me: Depends. Where to?

R: Just around the block.

Me: What? Why?

R: You know, if you're not busy.

Me: Let me think about it. What are we gonna do anyways?

R: Well, aren't you going back to the orphanage tomorrow.

Me: Yeah, but I'll just be staying for two hours or maybe just one hour and hang out with the kids. Maybe teach Roni.

R: Oh yeah, didn't know you knew Sign Language.

Me: Yeah, picked it up from someone.

R: There you go again. Being all secretive.

Me: Anyways. I'll think about it. Night.

R: You gonna sleep already?

Me: Yeah, have school tomorrow.

Then he doesn't reply after that. I put my phone down on my bed.

I shut the door and pace around my room.

What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?

Seriously, I'm bored. And I can't sleep.

I tried sleeping earlier. I just kept moving around in my bed and messing up.

Well, there's always that one option...I can always c- NO! AUTUMN! YOU HAVE TO STOP!

Oh darn. they're coming.

No wait. They're here.

Who?

You guys! You annoying demons that harass me like 24/7! GAAHH!

Everywhere I walk, you guys always follow me! I feel like I'm always surrounded by thousands of shadows everywhere I go, even if I am under the sun! No matter where I go I feel like I'm surrounded by crimson red fire and a sea of black water.

UGHHH!

Haha, too bad Autumn. You have to live with us.

I know. I roll my eyes.

"So." I jump up. "What do you wanna do? What should we do?" Yes, it has come to that point where I say WE instead of I.

"We can read comics." I look at my collection of comics. "Or we can read this book." I hold Death.

But then I put it back on my dresser. "Let's read Homestuck!" I point to my laptop.

"Nah. I can never concentrate on reading anyways."

I sigh.

Then a wave of anxiousness shoots up into my head.

I hiss and rub my arm until it turns red.

"STOP IT!"

Sorry, can't.

"Yes you can!"

No, no. We can't.

I sigh. How do you vanquish demons?

You can't you loser.

I sigh. At least it's not that huge demon. The one that makes me feel numb.

I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all.

I'd rather feel anxiety, anger or that certain feeling like my whole body is being electrocuted than feeling numb and depressed like I usually do.

Sometimes, I feel all that at the same time. Like all my demons are working all at the same time.

Like this morning. It was around three a.m.

I woke up, jumping out of my bed, yelling "I have an idea! I have an idea!" The idea was for my research.

But then, when I got to the laptop, a wave of sadness overcame me. And I fell on my knees and my head hit the ground. I just lied there, staring at the ceiling with me, myself and my thoughts.

Then, after like two minutes of talking to myself, I jumped up and started flailing my arms around. My heart started beating super fast. Then after talking to myself I jumped up and went to the bathroom to melt that bar of soap. I got my notebook and threw it across the room. Then I got my pen and my math notebook, and I stabbed my math notebook. The hole went right through the first page and out the last page. And the inside of my pen shot out the pen.

After like an hour of torture, I was exhausted. My thoughts were racing, then my brain became tired.

I fell on my bed, but then I got up and limped towards my laptop. I did my research for two hours and fell asleep at five fifty, but then I had to go to school at six. So I got around three hours and ten minutes of sleep.

I wonder if I will be able to sleep tonight? Probably not. Besides, sleeping is for the weak anyways.

"We can listen to music."

"Nah. Music doesn't help."

I walk towards my laptop and try to continue my research. But then, I can't sit still on my seat in front of the desk.

"COME ON! Autumn, focus! Dammit!" The only time I can actually force myself to focus is when Phoenix is on. But Phoenix is dangerous. I don't wanna risk it.

So I jump out of my seat. "Focus!"

I run to the washroom and swing the door open.

My fingers move around the air as if I am typing on nothing. "What the hell?"

I look at the mirror. My eyes are wide, and my hair is tied back. I'm biting my lower lip.

You're so insane Autumn.

"I know!" I suddenly bite my arm. I bite it so hard that I start to shake.

I stay like that for a minute, until I taste copper in my mouth.

I let go and look at the new bite wound on my arm.

"Gaaah!" I suddenly turn and punch the wall next to the desk.

My punch is not hard enough to put a crack in a wall, but it is strong enough to bruise my own knuckles.

That wasn't even close to half of the anger or anxiety or this unknown emotion I am feeling on the inside that I let out.

I take a deep breath and wipe my face.

I walk back to the desk and continue my research on these weird climate changes on the world.

After silence of typing.

I furrow my brows.

I'm bored now. I shut down my laptop. I put on my thin blue jacket and I exit my room.

I walk down the hallway. All the rooms are empty. Even Jason's. I know where everyone else is. But where could Jason have gone?

I walk into his room.

It's really messy. Pieces of paper all over the floor.

I step on a news paper.

I pick it up and look at it.

Harley Quinn Escaped!

I fold it and keep it in my pocket.

I walk out the room.

I walk down the stairs, and I pass by the kitchen.

"Are you planning to eat dinner."

"Um...I'm not hungry Alfred."

"You did not eat breakfast. Judging by your container case, you might not have finished your lunch. Now, you are skipping dinner? You have already skipped enough meals yesterday. I don't recall you eating."

Eating? Food? I'm fat enough already.

"I'm just not hungry Alfred."

He sighs.

"Alright. But could you fetch Master Tim down in the cave? He must be hungry, he has been down there for quite some time." I nod.

I turn away from Alfred.

"And Miss Cross." I stop before the wing towards the study. "Why are you wearing a jacket inside the house? Especially when it's quite warm with the heaters on?"

I rub my arms, but I don't look at him. "It's just cold Alfred."

I pace towards the study.

I enter the study and open the grandfather clock. I walk down the cave.

My breathing gets heavier. Maybe it's because I still feel like I'm in enemy base?

As I walk, the sound of crazed laughter starts to get louder.

My eyes slowly widen as I start to walk quickly.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Laughter that sounds nothing like the children in the orphanage earlier.

I can see a figure moving on the floor. I run towards the shadow that's lighted under the light of the computer screen.

I get on my knees and turn the figure over.

"Timothy?" He has that face, a pale face like The Joker's. It reminds me of my dad's face when he died.

Except my dad's face was burned off and there was blood everywhere.

There's glass on the floor and a green puddle. Timothy's hand has shards and drops of blood on it.

"Alfred!" I yell.

Drake holds onto me as he laughs.

I get up and search the lab equipment for the antidote.

Found it! I get the injection and stab his leg with it.

The antidote take place quickly and Tim starts to calm down.

****Break****

Tim's POV

The smell of antiseptic fills my nose and wakes me up. I dart my eyes open and sit up. The first thing I see are hard teal green eyes, and I come nose to nose with Autumn. I stare into her eyes, wide eyed. My mouth opens a bit.

Her eyes are shiny under this artificial light, but I can see dark fire inside them. They seem tired and scarred and...sad. And just messed up.

She moves back uncomfortably.

"You're up." She's seated at the side of my bed. She gives me a glass of water.

I look at it, then back at her. "Didn't poison it. Promise." I take it with much caution.

I drink it.

My throat hurts, my lungs feel like they were about to explode.

And there's small tubes connected to my nose. I take it out.

"What happened?" I ask dryly.

"I don't know. But I found you down here, laughing your ass off. I called Alfred and he patched you up. I was able to clean up the whole floor of the damn toxin that did this to you."

"Where's Alfred?" I search around the med bay.

"Upstairs. He said that I just needed to wait here to wait for you to wake up."

"You watched me until I woke up?"

"Yeah, just in case the drugs and antidote didn't do it's job."

"How long?" I hold onto my forehead.

"One hour." She says.

"You sat there for one hour?" I look at her.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why, what?"

'Why do you care? Wouldn't you just leave me alone here-"

"And let you wake up alone? I know how that feels. It 'ain't nice." She looks down and I give her the glass, and she puts it on the table next to me.

"Thanks."

She shrugs. "I didn't do anything. I just found you."

"But if you didn't find me, I would be dead."

She just shrugs again and continues to look down.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"You sure?"

"I'm fine."

I know that that's not true. When someone says they're fine, they're not.

"Really?"

"I said I'm fine." She insists. "You shouldn't care anyways." She mumbles, furrowing her brow.

I frown. "Listen...um...about what happened yesterday."

"It's in the past. It shouldn't matter anymore."

I sigh. Okay, she still won't talk. There's an awkward silence. "What happened? Yesterday."

"What do you mean?"

"You just started screaming and you just caught fire."

"Yeah...that happens."

I lean forward. "What do you mean?"

"There's nothing to worry about. That happens."

"What? No. I don't think breaking down is a normal thing."

"Look, uh, I don't wanna talk about it. Okay?!" She starts to get all defensive. I tense at her booming voice.

A long silence hangs in the air.

She looks at me. "About what I said."

"Yesterday?"

"No. Just listen. You know…" She starts. "I don't think you're weak. Don't ever think that you're not needed in this family."

"What makes you think I think that?" I tense, getting even more defensive. Oh God, she has broken all my barriers! No! NO! I must protect them.

Although...it kinda feels nice that someone out there gets me.

NO! She knows my weakness! The enemy knows! Shut up!

"I can see the pain in your eyes. I've seen how Bruce treats you, and I can see how much it pains you. He seems to ignore your effort to make him proud."

"How do you know how he treats me?"

"I've watched your training."

"Huh." I breathe.

"I know how it feels like to try and make someone proud of you. But he doesn't seem to care."

"Bruce cares for me."

"You tell yourself that. But I know that there's a small part of you that tells you that he doesn't."

I just look down.

"You're important. This family needs you. You are needed. Your dad, Bruce, can just be a bit busy sometimes, cause of all your other siblings and his work. But he cares, and if you...left. He would need you. You're needed."

I look at her. "Why are you telling me this?" I ask.

She looks down. "Because. You're not weak."

"But you told me that I was weak."

"Envy can do a lot of things to people. So does insanity and well...rage."

"Envy? Rage?"

"Yes...I was, and still am, jealous of you...you went through so much...and still managed to stay sane. You managed to stay strong. I told you that you were weak because...I was jealous of you…" She looks down.

"Jealous?"

"Yes. You lost a lot. But you stayed strong...I guess everyone in this family of yours is like that." She looks at me.

"You are a part of this family, family needs you. You may think that they don't. But they do. You just don't know it. You're a part of this family, you are a part of a family. Don't ever think that you're not needed. You're important. You're not weak. You're strong. And you're a hero."

"You managed to put up with Batman for a long time as Robin. You were able to run around Gotham as a dancing target. You survived. You left for a while and came back replaced! If that was me, I would reek with rage. But you...you took up a new mantle and stayed strong. Until now, you still put up with The Batman. You survived Drake. You're strong. You're a hero. Red." She smiles.

I smile back at her. "Thanks."

"I'm sorry." She says, meaning her words.

I shoot my head up at her in surprise and I can see the truth in her eyes.

"Sorry for it all."

A silence.

"Not a lot of people have the guts to say sorry at all."

"I get it if you don't wanna forgive and forget. But I'm sorry."

I clench my fists remembering all that she did. Then I unclench my fists remembering how she brought Jason back, remembering how she broke down so hard that night, and how much we always exclude her from everything.

I don't say anything.

I don't think I can ever forgive her though for what she did.

She nearly destroyed us all and tried to rule crime.

"And one more thing. I can't tell you about the war." I look at her with wide eyes. "I can't say anything about that. It's completely classified. But other than that, I'll tell you my story."

"But, that night."

"You didn't say please." She smiles.

I let a small smile tug at my lips.

"hey, um...Autumn...just call me Tim, okay? Timothy is kinda long and DRake just makes you sound like Damian."

She smiles lightly. "Okay."

"Could you do me favor?"

"Sure."

"Don't tell Bruce that this happened because I was analyzing."

"You don't wanna seem weak, now do you?"

I look down.

She zips her mouth with her fingers.

I smile.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

She stands up and I jump out of the bed.

We run to the computer.

"Nightwing sent a distress call." I say, typing on the computer. "No. The break out in Blackgate."

"There's been a breakout in Blackgate?"

"Yeah." I nod

An incoming call. I open it.

"Red! We need your help ASAP! There's a bunch of other criminals and Harley Quinn's involved in this! She just got away. Batman and Robin are down. Can't go after them, Nightingale and I are occupied. Where's that backup? AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'M HALLUCINATING FROM EXHAUSTION BUT I THINK I SAW RED HOOD AFTER HARLEY."

The com goes dead.

"He's not hallucinating. Jase is after harley." Autumn pulls out her paper. "Tim. You think you can pinpoint Jason with that tracker Mister Wayne put on him?"

How did she know?

I type and a map appears on the screen. Five dots appear in Blackgate. Five, not four.

"Tim. Let's go."

I stand up. "You're coming?"

"Break out. You need all the help you can get. Especially with The Bat down."

****Break****

Jason's POV

I tracked down Harley using my detective skills. As I ride my motorcycle, I hear the news lady announce that there's been a break out at Blackgate. I hacked into the video tapes all over Gotham and found that Harley has been spotted moving in the direction of the penitentiary.

That's not a coincidence.

I park my bike in a clump of trees a few yards away from the prison. I don't want to be seen, considering that I can hear a lot of grunting and bone on bone. Looks like the Bat Clan got here before I did.

I have to reanalyze all of the streets and routes in Gotham. Being away for so long has caused me to forget about all those shortcuts and hidden streets Gotham has to offer.

I lurk in the shadows, getting closer to the prison. As I move closer, the sounds get louder. Soon, everything becomes clearer.

Nightwing's getting attacked from all sides, but somehow he's able to hold all of them off. Batman and Robin are standing back to back, about to lunge at the prisoners surrounding them. Nightingale is preventing the escapees from getting past her, but her load is lighter than Dick's, considering that they have to go through Batman, Nightwing, and Robin before they can get to her. Batman being the overprotective mentor he is. Wonder when he'll finally lighten up.

I look up and all I see is red. The red of the flashing alarm lights spinning back and forth, accompanied by that annoying beeping sound.

I turn my head and notice Batman on the floor, something protruding from his side. A knife.

Next thing I know, an unconscious Robin is falling off the bridge and colliding with the murky water. I watch Nightingale kick a few more perps before she, too, jumps off the bridge and dives in after Robin.

When I look back up, I notice something different. There's more red than there should be. I make out the figure of a woman standing at the entrance of the building, just looking at everything. Then I swear I hear crazed laughter among the loud alarm.

Harley.

I watch her skip back into the building. Finally. Some action.

I run into the building, not caring if I'm seen. I need to figure out what's going on. I need to find the Joker.

Quickly, I enter the large hallway lined with cells, my guns out.

My view is obscured by a wall, but I can see that she's talking to someone.

Probably the Joker. Yeah, the newspaper said that the Joker's still "safely" locked away in his padded cell, but an imposter could be there instead of him.

"Why are we still up here? What we need is underground, remember? Unless you're goin' looney in the head...nah, only one person's allowed to be crazy here, and that's mwa! HAHAHA!"

I have to get the Joker.

I come out of my hiding spot in the shadows and lunge at Harley Quinn. I point one of my guns at her head.

"Hey! Hoody's joined the party!" She says in that annoying voice of hers.

"I don't think that's a good idea." I find an arsenal pointed at my head. I look up and find Deadshot pointing his "gun" at me, Killer Frost, Black Spider, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang towering behind him.

Oh crap.

Dick's POV

Chaos. Complete Chaos.

I kick the prisoner about to tackle me down.

There's fire everywhere. The place could be going down and men in orange jumpsuits are running out the building like ants running out of a wet anthill.

Nightingale is trying to wake Robin up while preventing him from floating upstream and drowning. He was knocked out and thrown off the bridge and into the dirty water.

I'm here trying to protect the unconscious Batman while trying to stop the prisoners from escaping.

The building is already starting to catch fire. There are helicopters moving out as well.

Harley Quinn, Deadshot, King Shark, Black Spider, Killer Frost, and Captain Boomerang are inside the building. They're the reason why there's a break out in the first place. What are they even doing here?

I block an attack with my Escrima sticks. I jump and kick and knock out the woman.

I saw Red Hood suddenly appear out of nowhere earlier. He was running in the building after Harley and Deadshot.

What is he doing here! He's supposed to be at home! Next thing I know, Phoenix will be here too!

Oh, God. Please no. Not Phoenix.

Autumn's POV

I put on my mask, my belts, and my sash. I throw on my black shiny leather jacket, then tightly put on my leather gloves. Then my strong combat boots.

I walk out of the dressing room and to Red Robin.

There aren't any guns, but that's okay.

He turns to me. "No guns, no killing."

"No worries. Wouldn't think of it." He nods and runs towards his bike. As he runs, I slip on a knife down my boot and some explosions in my belt pockets and of course, a lighter. For FIRE.

I love fire.

I run towards the vehicles.

"I guess you can sit behind me." I can see his face turning pink. Why is his face turning pink? Why is he trying to hide his face?

I shake my head. "No thanks." I pull out my stick and it turns into a motorcycle.

"Cool." He mumbles.

I jump on and rev the engine, and we head off into the night.

Chris' POV

Come on Damian wake up! We need help! Nightwing is already getting exhausted and he looks like he's about to give out any second.

Red Hood is inside the building, doing whatever he's doing.

I'm already injured and tired of giving my brother CPR. Oh I do not wanna give him mouth to mouth.

Ew. Just the thought of it makes me...ew.

Dammit! He isn't waking up!

I get up and do a roundhouse kick on the other guy that was about to attack.

A prisoner is getting passed me. I look at him and I was about to run towards him. But then, he gets hit by a bike.

I look at the person on the black and red-orange bike.

My eyes slightly widen under my mask. S***. It's Phoenix.

Why is Autumn here!?

Red Robin comes up behind her and jumps off of his bike, and he kicks a woman's head.

Phoenix's bike retracts into a stick and she hides it. Huh...that's kinda cool.

She jumps up and kicks a woman down as she lands on her.

I do a roundhouse kick to my left and punch the man to my right. I move next to Nightwing and Red Robin as I fight.

"What is she doing here?"

"She's horribly persuasive!" Red Robin shouts as he punches a man's face.

"I told you not to let her get into your mind!" I elbow the man behind me and kick the man in front of me in the balls.

"I'm going in after Hood. Cover me." Nightwing starts to run in as Tim and I hold our grounds.

Dick's POV

I run towards the building. It's burning to the ground. I'm going in there? Yes. For my brother. I already lost him once.

I punch and kick anyone in my way as I run towards the building.

I run in through the broken front door.

The place is quite empty. It's just full of flames and ashes.

But it's not gonna collapse. Blackgate is designed for this.

I run around the building, avoiding the flames.

Where could he be?

I take out my grappling gun and fly up through the floor. I cover my head every time I crash. Ow, ow, ow, ow. I'll probably get a concussion once this is over.

Finally I hear gunshots and grunting. I stop at the top most floor. I thought they were on the first floor? I guess they moved the fight to different grounds.

I avoid a bullet as I jump through the hole.

I land and I end up back to back with Jason. He's just punching and kicking and trying to dodge bullets and boomerangs.

I jump over King Shark before he bites my head off. I use his shoulders as a launching pad and I duck once I hit the ground, dodging Harley's mallet.

She's just laughing as she swings that thing around.

I elbow Deadshot in the stomach and sidestep, avoiding King Shark's teeth.

'What are you guys doing working together anyways?" I ask, punching Harley's face and kicking her away from me.

I jump up and somersault and end up on King Shark's shoulders. I stuff putty in his eyes, then jump off of his shoulders.

Guess where I picked that from?

"Gah." My leg gets stuck to the floor by ice.

They all surround me as King Shark takes the putty off of his eyes.

Jason runs towards Harley and grabs her by her neck.

They all face him, and Deadshot and Black Spider aim their guns at him. He just holds Harley by her neck.

Harley grins. "Looky it's Hoody! I haven't seen you in a long time!" She says with that annoying high pitched voice of hers.

I put a device on the ice and the ice melts off.

I jump up and kick Killer Frost in the head, knocking her out.

Black Spider shoots at me as I fly in the air.

I grunt once I feel a bullet touch my rib.

I land on the ground with my leg outstretched. I hold onto my rib.

I dodge as King Shark tries to bite my head off. Out of the corner of my eye. I watch Jason hold onto Harley's neck, choking her, with Deadshot's gun aimed at his chest.

"You kill her, then I pull the trigger and you're dead." Deadshot says.

"Hey!" Harley says over her throat being choked.

"Go ahead. The building's going down anyways." The world rocks as an explosion is heard. "You shoot me, I kill her. Then none of you will make it out. We all die."

I jump up, but then my shoulder is shot by a bullet. I grunt as blood pours down my shoulder.

"What do you want with her anyways?" Deadshot asks.

I dodge a boomerang.

"Who are you working for?" I ask as I kick and punch Black Spider.

"Ha, like we'll tell you, mate." That annoying accent coming from Boomerang.

"Why not?" I ask in a mocking voice.

"Shut up." King Shark runs towards me, but then I jump over his head.

I land in front of Black Spider. "Enough talk."

Behind Black Spider is that standoff between Deadshot and Red Hood.

"It's not her that I want. It's her boyfriend. We have unfinished business." My eyes widen.

I punch Black Spider's face and grab his collar and throw him towards Captain Boomerang.

"Puddin' and I are together no more!" Harley says in defense.

I jump over King Shark and land behind his back. I press a button on my gloves and touch his back. He gets electrocuted and he yells.

He falls, smoke arising.

"Huh." Deadshot smirks.

Jason turns to look at Harley. "Now, where is he?"

"I told you, we're not together!"

"I don't care! Just tell me where he is!" Red Hood squeezes tighter.

Harley chokes and holds his hands.

I run towards them, but fire starts to block my way.

Harley suddenly pulls out a knife.

Then fire blocks my sight of them and then all I hear is the grunt of my brother.

Suddenly I feel arms on my forearms, holding me back.

Killer Frost and Black Spider.

I struggle. I would jump but I can't...I have deep cut on my rib.

And burns on my legs.

They pull me farther from Jason.

I can already smell the scent on thick wet blood.

I struggle and grunt. But then I feel a fist collide with my stomach.

I grunt and spit out some blood.

Bruce's POV

I grunt, getting off of the ground and standing up. I grunt once I feel pain on my right rib. It's bleeding...there's a knife in it. I take out the knife and tear a part of my cape and cover the wound.

I throw the knife in the river.

I stand up. There are two of everything.

But then everything goes back to normal.

The first thing I spot is a girl on fire.

"What is she doing here?" I growl, kicking a man that's about to get to me.

"I'm going in." She says.

"I'm coming with you." Nightingale says to Phoenix.

She nods.

"We'll hold them off." Tim says.

I punch and kick another prisoner.

"You didn't answer my question." I say, but then the two girls already start running towards the building.

Red Robin stands beside me. "I'll explain later." he says, hitting someone with his staff.

"Fine." I growl.

Chris' POV

We crash up through the floor.

Nightwing is occupied and Red Hood is on the floor. Maybe bleeding to death.

I go help Nightwing.

He's already coughing up blood, and he's already bruised.

"Aw we don't need more of you!" Boomerang says in his annoying Australian accent.

I dodge the boomerang that Captain Boomerang throws at me.

I jump up and flip as I kick Black Spider in the face, and I dodge ice sticks from Killer Frost.

King Shark charges at me, but I kick King Shark's face in the air and I land on my two feet, my cape landing one second after me.

I side step, dodging a bullet, and I punch Black Spider in the face.

Why are they all only charging at me? Jeez these idiots.

I kick Captain Boomerang's face and I do a few push-offs to dodge Killer Frost's ice, but then ice covers my arm while I'm in the air and the weight of the ice brings me down. I hit the floor hard.

I lift my arm non-iced arm and punch King Shark in the face. I take out a device to melt the ice off my arm. Jumping up, I get into a good fighting stance.

Autumn's POV

I jump over the fire and kick Deadshot in the face while I'm in the air. I land right in front of Harley Quinn.

She's holding a knife in her hand as she stares down at Jason, who's lying on the ground in a puddle of blood.

"Now for a little something." She takes out a tiny closed test tube and opens the top. She's about to spill it on his head when I kick it out of her hand.

I do an overhead kick. She punches my rib, but I return it with a kick in her jaw.

I hear steps behind me, so I side step and kick to my left and I hit Deadshot's back. He runs forward, then he turns and takes out his guns and shoots at me.

My eyes widen.

"Shit." I jump up but one bullet gets into my shoulder and I twirl on my back in the air.

A bullet slides past my neck and digs into the wall.

I land on my feet and kick Harley as I grunt with anger.

"Nightingale!" Deadshot and Harley close in on me, and I move back towards Nightingale. I have no idea what's going on behind me, but I hear grunting which means it's not good.

Ugh, everything would be so much easier if I could kill them and if I had my guns!

"What?" She growls, grunting. I hear a kick, but then I hear a louder grunt. At least it sounds like she has a chance.

"Is Nightwing okay?"

"Yeah...I'm fine…" He grunts.

I jump up and kick Harley's face, but then I backflip and move back.

Deadshot has a gun pointed to my head.

"Go get Hood." I tell Nightwing.

"Already on it."

In the corner of my eye, I can see Nightwing's path get blocked by fire.

I sigh and duck.

A whole lot of ice goes over my head and to the fire and pushing Deadshot back. Nightwing passes over the ice and gets to Jason.

He can take care of that.

Now, back to business.

Harley doesn't seem to care about Nightwing. Her crazy eyes seemed to be focused on me.

"You know. I'm crazy. And I can spot others like me." She enthusiastically says.

I get into my fighting stance and I flip backwards over Nightingale.

She moves to my side and we now stand side by side. Harley stands with the entire squad and we all face each other.

"Two against five. I like the odds." I say.

I move towards them and jump up. I kick King Shark in the head and Nightingale slides down and kicks his stomach.

I move to the side and dodge icicles from Killer Frost. I do a somersault in the air and kick her face. Then I land and punch her abdomen.

I punch her jaw and roundhouse kick Black Spider.

A boomerang heads towards my head, but I catch it in the air and throw it back at Captain Boomerang's face and I hear a grunt.

I hear laughing and grunting right beside me, but I just keep on jumping up and dodging Killer Frost's ice blasts.

I flip backwards and kick Deadshot's face. I try to take his gun but we struggle.

I duck once Killer Frost shoots and Deadshot gets frozen.

I face Killer Frost and Black Spider. Killer Frost hits my hand with her ice and I punch Black Spider with that same hand and the ice crashes as he gets knocked out.

The ice is cold. I kick Killer Frost and elbow her neck. I force her to lie down and I elbow her neck.

She grunts. "Phoenix!" NIghtingale warns.

My eyes widen and I punch her face over and over and over again even though she's already unconscious.

"Stop! Help me out!" I stop.

"Told ya so!" Harley says behind me.

I jump up and flip, kicking Harley's face.

Nightingale is pre-occupied with Captain Boomerang.

While I handle Harley.

"Finally!" She says with wide, crazy eyes.

I clench my fists. She takes out her knife and slashes at me, but I move back and dodge.

In the corner of my eye, I see Nightingale kick Captain Boomerang's jaw.

I continue to move back until my back hits the wall.

I take the arm she uses to hold the knife and I elbow her arm, making it fall limply. She drops the knife.

But then she cartwheels and kicks my face, picking the knife up.

I kick her jaw and use the wall as a launchpad. I flip in the air and kick her head.

I take her head and knee her forehead. Then I kick her rib, but she returns it with a punch and a slash to my rib.

I punch her face and I can hear the crack of bone beneath my knuckles.

Blood drips down her nose.

She looks down at the blood, her eyes now covered by the shadows. She looks up and grips the knife, her eyes even wider than before.

I punch her stomach and kick her forehead but then she pushes me back towards the wall and digs the knife right into my shoulder where the bullet is.

I grit my teeth.

"Shoulder wounds are bad." She taunts. "You can die easily."

"I DON'T CARE!" I growl, trying to move forward, but she holds me against the wall.

"You're strong for a kid."

Behind her I can hear a loud helicopter already and wind is blowing at my hair.

My eyes widen.

I look towards Nightingale who's already surrounded by the rest of the squad except for Deadshot, Killer Frost, and Harley.

"Ugh. You try to keep me safe. And yet, I'm always the one fighting the most people..." I hear her say to herself.

She's just trying to keep herself standing now as they all surround her.

Deadshot's statue starts to melt and red comes from the inside. He must have gotten a device.

Dammit!

In a second, Deadshot breaks out of the ice.

He grabs Killer Frost and runs towards the window where the helicopter is waiting.

"Harley, come on! Let's go."

Harley just stares at me, amused.

"Hold on. Sharky could you come here for a moment."

To her left, I can see Nightingale already on the floor and King Shark heading my way while the rest of them are heading out the window.

Harley whispers in King Shark's ear.

A grin forms in the monster's mouth. His large, sharp teeth look nothing close to a grin.

He opens his mouth and bites my other shoulder, the shoulder that isn't stuck to the wall. I

bite my lip as his metallic teeth dig into my flesh.

My head faces down as my breathing gets even quicker.

"Aww. I wanted to hear her scream. Oh well."

I hear steps and then a shout of joy as she jumps onto the helicopter.

My breathing gets even heavier.

I face my head up.

I grit my teeth. "Oh, no...you're not getting away." I take the knife out of my shoulder and run towards the window.

I glance at Nightingale who's already starting to get up.

"Get out!" I yell before I jump off of the window and onto the helicopter.

Harley is on the ladder hanging off the helicopter.

I stab her leg as I hold onto the ladder and the helicopter flies.

"Arghhh!" She looks down at me and starts kicking me down. But I hold on.

Killer Frost throws icicles at me but I swing my body back and forth to dodge, still keeping a tight grip on the ladder. I don't care even though an icicle hits my leg.

Blood drips down my shoulders and my neck. It drips down my face and down my leg.

Once we're over the bridge and over the water I climb up. Harley grunts as the helicopter starts to rumble and move so much it's hard to hang on.

But I don't let go. If Jason doesn't make it...I'm gonna kill her. I want my revenge for what she did to my brother.

I take the lighter from my belt and burn the hanging ladder.

My leather burns in the fire and I can already feel my palms burning, but I don't care.

I grab onto Harley's leg and take the knife off of her leg. She yells and tries to kick me.

The ladder burns and my clothes start to catch fire. I stab her leg again and this time, the knife goes through.

She yells. I glare at her hand and I start to burn it. She lets go.

We fall, and I grab her as we fall from a hundred feet. I punch face and her neck.

"I'm a psychiatrist. I suggest you see a therapist!" She yells.

"And you think you don't need rehabilitation either!" I yell over the wind.

I continue to punch her.

"Oh I see." She laughs. "You've got horrible mental disorders!" She punches me as we both fall. "You're homicidal and suicidal! hahaha! You're severely bipolar, you're anorexic and you have a major depressive disorder! You're a pyromaniac! And you're a sociopath! You and my puddin' would get along!"

"SHUT UP!" I punch her even as her skull seems to be cracking and as my burned gloves are already tainted.

"You got that all from a glance!?"

"I'm a psychiatrist! Hello! I'm good at this stuff! And you have more than issues! You're more than just angry! YOU'RE INSANE! LIKE MEEEE!"

"GAAAAAHH! I'M NOTHING LIKE YOU!" I punch her.

Then water slaps my back and we start to drown. I hold my breath and fire starts to light around me even in the dark.

"AAAAAAH!" I scream in the water as I just punch her over and over again. Even in the water, she laughs!

The water around us is no longer blue green in the night. It's red. Crimson blood red. Both hers and my blood.

I just continue to punch her over and over again.

My entire mind is racing, my heart beat is killing me, my hands need to punch something and that's Harley's face.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

Kill her! Kill her! KILL HER!

NO DON'T!

You want revenge don't you? You wanna make you Dad proud? Wasn't that what he wanted, for you to be like him? You wanna make Papa love you? What about Mama? And Nico? MAKE THEM PROUD BY AVENGING THEM! Start by killing Harley!

NO! YOU CAN'T! THAT'S ALL IN THE PAST!

"AAAAAAH!" I yell underwater.

DESTROY HER!

NO! You'll go back!

I WANT TO!

NO!

YOU WANTED TO BE SAVED! YOU ARE BEING SAVED!

I DON'T WANT TO BE SAVED ANYMORE! I DON'T WANT TO BE FIXED! STOP TRYING TO FIX ME! DON'T TRY AND FIX ME!

I'M FINE IN THE FIRE! IT TOOK A LIFETIME TO LOSE MY WAY!

GO BACK FROM THAT LINE!

NO! Once you cross the line you can never go back!

TAKE HER LIFE AUTUMN! NOW!

NO DON'T!

TAKE BACK WHAT IS YOURS! GET THE KNIFE FROM YOUR BOOT AND END HER!

NOOO DON'T!

YOU'RE FINE IN THE FIRE!

YES. I feed on the friction. I'm right where I should be.

Nobody should try and fix me!

STOP IT!

Tears start to flow down my eyes and into the water.

I don't know for how long we stay there. But I think maybe, ten minutes.

But I continue to punch her even as my heart and lungs tightens with lack of oxygen.

Until she blacks out.

I open my mouth and try to breathe, but instead I sink lower along with my enemy. I hope she's dead.

I try to reach up for the artificial light but I can't, so I black out. The last thing I see is a shadow.

*****Break****

Damian's POV

I wake up in the med bay. I hold onto my head which is bandaged. I furrow my brows and look around.

Seated on another bed is Grayson having his wounds treated by Pennyworth.

And on another bed is Todd who isn't conscious.

Carter is on the bed to my right and Cross to my left.

Drake is standing next to Father's bed. Father seems injured as well.

"Oh good you're awake." Carter looks at me from her bed.

"Explain." I narrow my eyes.

She gestures to the beds of Autumn and Todd.

"Jason went out as Hood, went after Harley. Got injured. We needed backup, but Phoenix came with Tim. She tried to kill Harley, now she's stuck to the bed."

I look at Cross. She has wires connected to her and an oxygen mask on her mouth. "She's been out for hours. We're all still trying to recover."

"Yes. And when Autumn recovers. She's in big trouble." Father says, standing up, Drake beside him.

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Bruce." Drake says, walking by him.

"Yeah, I agree with Tim." Carter says.

"Why not?" Father growls. He's still in his uniform. He and Drake stand over Autumn's bed, watching her breathe.

"I checked her files from Arkham. Autumn Haywood? Yeah, um...she's been diagnosed as mentally ill." Drake says. Father narrows his eyes.

"She's got severe problems. It could be because of any traumatic moments or because it's in her genes. Or it could be both."

"Yeah, even Harley diagnosed her." Carter says.

"Autumn seems normal to me. Aside from the fact that she tried to kill us multiple times and…that she has a split personality and...she can't control her rage…" I mumble.

"That's only half of her mental illnesses."

"So what?" Grayson turns to us. "You expect her to turn into Harley or someone like The Joker when she gets older?"

"If she survives." Drake says. "People with mental illnesses have tendencies to commit suicide. There's depression, bipolar, some that even have OCPD have tendencies to commit suicide. Most people that have depression or whatever mental illness either just die, or die trying."

A heavy silence.

"I don't understand. Why would she have depression?"

"It can't just be depression." Even Pennyworth seems to pay attention and has stopped what he was doing. "It can be any other disorder. Or she can have more than one disorder at once."

"She was already diagnosed?" Batman asks.

Drake nods. "Yeah, I researched and everything."

"But why?" I ask again.

"It could be in the genes. It could be a traumatic experience. Or...it could be how much of a hard time she's having trying to adjust."

"So, she really is insane?"

"I think so. Unless, you think that the doctors in juvie, the rehab center, and in Arkham are all wrong. She's had about twenty doctors in those three places all in all already. She couldn't be fixed. She was given medicine. But judging from how she is now, the medicine didn't seem to work. The medicine only made her strive to draw more blood."

"There's medecine for a mental illness?" Carter asks.

"Depends on which mental illness."

There's a screaming silence in the air and all we can hear is Autumn's heavy breathing.

Alfred walks over to Autumn once he has finished patching Grayson up.

He takes the injection.

He pulls up her sleeve.

He stares at her arm for a while, with his eyelids lowered. Even Father and Drake are just staring at her arm, Father with narrowed eyes under his cowl and Drake with his eyes wide under his own mask and his lip bitten.

I furrow my eyebrows. I get out of my bed and walk over to Pennyworth's side.

The first thing I catch is her face, her lips are redder than usual. There are bruises on her face, her mask and jacket and all her weapons are placed on the table. I can see large bags under her eyes.

But her hair is as silky and midnight black as usual. Although I can see hints of heavy dark brown strands under the artificial light.

My eyes trail down to her arm.

First I see her knuckles, which are heavily bruised, and her palm is burned and has medecine on it. I can see the scars on her fingers from when she tried to dig herself out of that coffin.

Then my eyes trail up her arm.

The front of her arm has scratches and bruises everywhere; there are many scars and open wounds, with burns as well. Some cuts, bruises, and burns are freshly new, but some are old. Others seem like they were made yesterday.

And on the other side of her arm, it's zombie pale. I can see vanes.

But what's the most obvious are the cuts. Some look like they're from knives, some look like they're from a razor, some look like they were scratched with something small but quite sharp. Now I see why she always wears a long sleeved top.

"She did that to herself?" I ask, breaking the silence.

But no one answers, because the answer is obvious.

"Who has gotten through to her? Who has accepted her?" Batman asks, putting emphasis on accepted.

No one says anything. "I cannot find anything in her diary. Nothing there makes sense."

"Autumn has a diary?" Grayson asks.

"Had."

I've seen her diary. I got it from Father's study and read a few pages. Some are in languages I have never even heard of, some are just random scary or sad poems, some are deep essays that make good points but at the same time makes me think too hard.

"I might have." Drake says and we all look at him.

"She said she can't say anything about the war. But...she can tell me who she is. Maybe."

"Why didn't she tell us last time?" Carter complains.

"We didn't say please."

Carter makes that face, showing that she's obviously annoyed.

Then there's stirring on Jason's bed.

Jason's POV

I look around and sit up, but I cringe once I feel a sharp pain on my ribs.

"Jason. You're up." I hear Dickie's voice.

But it's distant and the whole world seems to be a complete haze. Then slowly, everything goes back to normal.

"Time?"

"Three in the morning." The Demon says.

I rub my face, then I look to my right and see Batman's face looking down on me.

"Why did you go out?" He confronts me.

"What? I can't go out at all?"

"You know that's not what I meant."

I furrow my eyebrows.

"You know I went out."

"No. That's why I'm asking you."

I look into his eyes. "You can't take The Red Hood away from me. You created Hood. You can't end it. Red Hood is a part of me, Bruce."

"But you use your power to kill."

"You think I'm a killer?"

"No, but The Red Hood is."

"I can stop!"

"You went out with two guns, and you went after Harley to try and ask her where the Joker was. You still want revenge."

"Yes. You and your morals were too stubborn to end that Mad Man and so I think that it's my job now!"

"I thought you were over this?" Dickie asks, but we don't listen to him.

I push off the covers. I stand up, forgetting about the pain.

"Master Jason, you must rest."

"You need to end him Bruce."

"Revenge is never the answer Jason."

"Then what is?" I spit.

"Alfred. Take him to his room. Jason, we'll talk tomorrow."

Alfred heads my way and helps me towards my room.

I glance at Autumn, who is on the bed. My eyes widen, but I'm too tired to do anything.

"What happened to her?" I say.

"She went after you." Chris says.

I glare at her direction, but then guilt overtakes me and I look down.

We pass by the memorial...my memorial...as we walk out of the cave.

"Alfred. Why is it still there?"

"You will find out soon."

Bruce's POV

I listen as the steps get further. My head falls back and stares at the girl's arm.

She...did this to herself. Tim said it was a cut. I didn't know it was this bad.

How could I have not know? I am Batman for God's sake! How could I have not known?

We can't tell Jason. What will happen to him if he finds out?

I'm sorry, this is my fault.

It's always my fault. Jason's death, her father's death, my parent's death. Why my family is broken...

I want to help the girl. But how?

I don't even know what her problem really is. And she doesn't seem like the kind of person who would talk about her feelings.

The med bay just floods with silence.

"Everyone go to bed. Go to your rooms." They all walk to their rooms except for Dick.

"She needs help." He points out.

I pull back my cowl and look at her.

"How do you suppose we do that?"

"By understanding her."

"Even you can't do that." I tell Dick.

He sighs. "I know. But you can't just forgive something like what she did."

"I know."

"Bruce, you can't even fix yourself. How can you possibly fix someone who is just as broken as you are?"

"I don't know, Dick." Maybe I can't fix her. Maybe I shouldn't try.

Autumn's POV

I move my hand and jolt up, my eyes wide and my lungs gasping for air.

The world is fading. It's a mix of light and dark colors, but that's it.

I can hear voices, but it seems like my head is underwater.

My breathing gets even faster and it feels like I'm choking on air itself.

My eyes widen even more. I can feel my heart beat even faster and my mind race.

"Ah." I grunt, moving around, gasping for air.

Tears start to fill my eyes.

I can hear voices of people, but they're becoming so distant. The world is fading, and my mind gets filled with whispers and so many different voices.

A hundred whispers with the same voice scream in my head, all at the same time. I don't understand anything.

I look around, but nothing makes sense...all I can see is black and white...everything is becoming so swirly. It's all fading.

I can feel tears drop down my cheeks.

I try to scream but my voice doesn't work. My lungs are too busy choking on oxygen.

"Ah." I gasp.

Suddenly, I feel something on my mouth. It feels like an oxygen mask.

I hold onto the thing on my mouth. I can feel my breathing slow down. My heart beat slowls down, and I can feel the oxygen circulating in my lungs.

I lie down, the world becoming clearer as the whispers disappear.

Everything goes back to normal, and I see Mister Wayne's face over me.

I let go of the oxygen mask and sit up.

"What happened?" I look to my left where Richard is seated on a bed.

"I...I…" I stagger.

"Nevermind." He says.

I look to my right, where Sir is standing.

"Hello Autumn. How are you?" He asks.

I hold my arm, my sleeve rolled up, then I roll it down. I look down. "I'm fine, Sir."

A long silence. "You went out as Phoenix."

"Bruce." Richard tries to interject.

"I…"

"Why?" Mister Wayne persists.

"Bruce."

"Er…"

"I need an answer Autumn."

"Bruce!"

My eyes widen as I stare down at my arm. I shoot my head up at him.

"You can't take Phoenix away from me." I glare. "Phoenix is a part of me. You can never change that."

I hear a sigh coming from Richard's direction.

"I'm not-"

I glare straight into his eyes. "You can never change that, Sir."

I get off of my bed.

"You need to rest."

"I am going to. In my room. But no matter what you do, Phoenix will never be taken away. Ever."

I can feel hot blood flowing down my veins as I walk away from the med bay.

"Why not?"

"I can do whatever I want. I can be whoever I want. And you can't stop me." I glare at him.

He suddenly glares back. I can see Grayson slap his face. "What makes you think that? What makes you think that I can't stop you?"

"You're not my dad." He tenses. "You will never be my dad. I don't have a dad or a mom. I will never ever have a dad or a mom...ever. And I never had a dad. I don't want one anyway." I glare at his direction. "So don't try and fix me."

I run out the cave and into my room. I slam the door.

I pace around after I change.

"Gaaah!" I let out a yell of frustration.

I punch the pillows but it doesn't help. I clench and unclench my fists.

I walk towards the window and punch the wall next to the window.

I didn't even feel a damn thing!

I look out the window. I see the gates, the road...and beside the road is a forest. I grin and jump out the window after tying my hair.

I head towards the forest, where my dad and I used to train. I hide in the dark and pick a huge tree.

I start punching and kicking it until my knuckles bleed. I don't care about the pain in my shoulders. It doesn't matter!

I clench my teeth as I punch and kick.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I scream as blood drips down my knuckles.

I know I'm just making it worse. But everything and everyone is just making it all worse!

A/N: Thanks for the new reviews guys! Making us more motivated to write this and also the reviews are making us excited too whenever we read them. They make our day! Sorry we haven't been able to update quickly anymore. We have a lot of stuff to do. Things to do, places to be, issues to take care of. We're busy girls ya know!