I know this isn't as good as the original begining, and for that I am sorry. For all of you hard-core fans who don't like this, please just forget I'm even re-writing these first few chaoters and go by memory. Thanks and please review!
His mother flashed a dazzling smile, lifting a hand to wave to the crowdwhile her other gripped the trapeze bar, before her feet left the platform and she was flying through the air.
His father was swinging as well, smiling, and he hung by his legs from the bar, hands waiting to catch his mother...
He was mentally screaming. He stood on the platform, he knew what was going to happen... But he couldn't move. Couldn't speak. He could see Scarlet beside him, watching the performance eagerly, eyes sparkling. His lips were moving, he could feel it, but no sound came...
And the wires snapped. He watched his mother's face go from alight with the thrill of flying to terror as she felt the ropes give way, the thin line between flying and falling crossed. She reached out to him as she fell, but he couldn't grab her, couldn't move...
And they fell. There was the sickening crack as they hit the ground below, and he could hear Scarlet screaming in Romani. She'd fallen to her knees, clinging to the platform, staring at the ground below. As the pools of blood grew beneath their parents she screamed, cried for them to wake up, begged for them to be alright...
And he was walking towards the edge of the platform. No. No! What was he doing!? End it. He was ending this nightmare now. No! He couldn't couldn't leave Scarlet like this, on the platform...
But he had no choice. He spread his arms and fell forwards. He could hear the already shocked crowd begin to scream and exclaim- he twisted in midair to look up, seeing Scarlet reaching out towards him, shock and terror etched into her face. The wind rushed around him, it felt... good, falling.
And he hit the ground. Blood spattered around him- he felt burning pain, immense agony as bones were forced through skin- he could even taste the blood. He coughed, and it passed through his lips. Scarlet was just a tiny speck up on the platform, now.
No! NO! What had he done!? He couldn't leave her behind, not like this, alone... A rattling came from deep within his throat. He coughed, seeking blood spatter the ground to his right. He didn't want to, but he didn't have a choice. And it felt oddly satisfying when he closed his eyes and let death welcome him into it's cold embrace...
He started awake, covered in sweat. It wasn't real, he was alive, Scarlet was alive, he hadn't left her...
He buried his face in his hands, struggling to catch his breath. This'd been happening almost every tume he went to sleep. Though suicide had never crept into the nightmares before. He felt sick, really sick.
Was death really such a sweet relief? He felt guilty even thinking about it. He was scared and alone, however, and it was dark...
He saw a shadow pass by his door, dragging something behind it.
"Scarlet?"' he asked quietly.
"Dickie?" he watched Scarlet dart inti the room, blanket in hand, before she scrambked into bed with him.
"I had a nightmare." she said quietly.
In truth, she hated sleeping in the large four-poster bed alone. In the trailer, she, Dick, and their parents had all curled up in one queen-sized bed together, and she missed the security being curled up with her family gave.
"Yeah- I did too." Dick said quietly. He lifted up the covers, allowing her to worm her way under and curl up beside him.
"Will you chase the nightmares away?" she asked quietly, staring up at him thriugh the darkness with those trusting blue eyes. He was her big brother- in her eyes, he had the power to do that.
Dick nodded. "I will." he assured her. With that said, he settled down beside her, slinging an arm across her protectively. Slowly, they drifted off to sleep, content to know they were together and safe.
Bruce got up early- he'd been burning the candle at both ends, lately. Last night he'd managed to nail Zucco, so he should've slept well. But for some reason, he woke up at seven am the next morning, feeling uneasy.
He remembered why. He was the father of two kids, now. He stood- his concern was completely unfounded, he chastised himself- they were fine. Still, though, a quick look wouldn't hurt...
He peered into Scarlet's room, shocked to find the bed empty. His heart jumped to his throat. He hadn't even had the girl for one day. The Manor was huge, she could've fallen down the stairs or gotten lost, she could be alone and scared...
Dick. Dick would know where the girl was, he'd shown her around the manor. He": know where she was, he had to...
He swung open the door to his room, coming face to face with a sight so cute it stipped him in his tracks.
There, nestled beside one another in the blankets wrre both of them- Scarlet was curled into a little ball, chin to her chest. Dick was curled around her, her head tucked under his chin. He had an arm slung over her protectively, as well, and it was so cute...
He didn't make pictures. And he modt certainly didn't think about shoeing them to Alfred.