Heir Apparently Chapter 15: Alliance, a batman fanfic

The girl stared at Robin and Abuse; she looked unsure of what to do.

She wore a pastel yellow romper and white sneakers

'I can't breathe.' She coughed.

'Robin.'

Robin got off her but still held his sword at her throat.

'What are you doing out here?' Asked Abuse.

'Oh, you know, lying around.'

'Get up.' Ordered Robin. She eased up, carefully evading the sword. 'What are you doing lurking around at night?'

'Why are you?' She countered.

'We're asking the questions here!'

'The streets of Gotham are dangerous,' said Abuse, 'especially at night.'

'I was trying to get to the Iceberg Lounge.'

'Why?'

The girl peeked at them sheepishly; Robin glared at her district fully. Abuse, however, looked anxious, like he was worried about something.

'I was looking for my friend...' She declared.

'What friend?' Demanded Robin.

'Cathy.'

'Does Cathy have a last name?' She looked at her shoes and turned away; Robin held his sword under her chin. 'Don't make me ask you twice.'

'We can help you find her.' Abuse said gently.

She eyed him, then glared at Robin. 'Dollenganger.'

'And you think she's at the Iceberg Lounge?' Robin doubted.

'She went with the bad man!'

'What bad man?' they stressed.

'The one from the other day...'

'A little boy I spoke to the other day said he saw you with a criminal known as The Joker.' Robin let out quietly as he lowered his sword. ' A boy called Colin.'

'He's my friend!' She declared.

'Your friend?' Abuse choked.

'Who is?!' Asked Robin

'Colin!' Abuse looked stunned by what she said. ' Is he alright?'

'He's fine.' Abuse whispered.

'Are you sure?'

'His head hurts.'

Uneasily, she glanced at Robin as Abuse shifted uncomfortably, seemingly embarrassed by her concerns.

'What about you?' She asked stiffly.

'What about me?!' He asked defensively as he veered around to her.

'Ah, are you alright?' The girl asked, wincing. 'I saw him hit Colin, but I didn't see what he did to you.' He gripped his sword tightly. 'He said Dr. Strange got you.'

'Hugo Strange.'

'How does your head feel?' She started to touch his head when he jerked away. 'Did I hurt you?'

'No, I'm fine.'

Robin felt his cheeks heat up as he looked away from her.

It's an act; she's a liar. He told himself.

'That's good. I told him he shouldn't have done that to you guys.'

Robin eyed the girl for the first time; she had long unkempt blonde hair, and her too-large gray eyes and full lips didn't match her child-like face.

She was too thin, and her arms seemed too long, but she had nice dancer's legs.

Conclusion: she was just an ordinary run-of-the-mill child.

Except she wasn't, something about her made the hairs on his neck stand up.

'Why were you with him?'

She looked confused. 'Why was I with who?'

'The Joker. He's a dangerous criminal.'

'I wasn't with him. I just ran into him that night.'

'And he just let you go?'

'Yes...'

'Why? What makes you so special?'

'I'm pretty?'

Robin scowled at her response. 'And just what were you out that night?'

'I was trying to get to the hospital.'

'What? Why?'

'To see my grandparents.'

'What? Why?'

'Isn't that where they keep the dead people? In the hospital?' They exchange a glance. 'I just wanted to say goodbye.'

She's lying; I know it! I know it.

'I still don't trust you!'

'And I still haven't forgotten about you stabbing me and slamming my head on the ground.' She wailed.

Something in her eyes, Robin found himself thinking about the Joker.

Who is she?!

'Okay, we'll help you find your friend-'

'What?!' Cried Robin.

'But you have to go back to the orphanage!'

'What?!' She cried.

'Those are the terms; take it or leave it!'

'Fine!' She pouted as she scowled at Robin.

Robin returned her scowl with one of his own. ' Fine by me.'

'So, where have you been all this time?' Demanded Robin in that mean voice of his, prompting Josie to jump.

'Huh?'

Robin locked h is sea-green eyes on her; if they didn't belong to him, Josie would have easily called them beautiful.

Josie looked at the big guy and noticed him eyeing her as well. She looked between them, shrugged, and looked away.

'With a bunch of other children,' she said, 'clearly, I'm not the only kid who doesn't like the orphanage.'

'But you are the only one who's seized The Joker's interest!' Robin snapped as Josie looked away; he seemed determined to pick a fight.

'I guess.' She murmured.

'Why?! What makes you so remarkable?'

'I don't know...'.

'And I don't believe you!'

'Well, I don't care!'

That'll show him!

'Why does the most destructive man in Gotham City have eyes for such a common little girl?'

'You tell me!'

'You're the one who's been dogging my steps, little girl!'

'I have not!' She declared openly; Josie wasn't sure she knew what that meant. 'And don't call me little girl!'

'Why are you so unique, little girl?!'

Josie scowled at him; he smirked at her annoyance. 'Why are you, Robin?'

'Excuse me?!'

Robin took hold of Josie by the arms, causing her to scream.

'Robin!'

'Let go of me!'

'What did you say to me?'

'Why did Batman choose you, Robin?' Josie challenged as she shoved him away. 'What made you so unique?! You look boring to me.'

Robin's eyes were blazing as his thin arms trembled, allowing Josie to deduce that if the big guy weren't there, she would probably be dead.

'We're not discussing me!'

'Can we just go?!' Josie insisted. 'I wanna see my friend!'

'You're lying!' Robin proclaimed. 'And I'm going to find out why.'

'I don't care what you do!' Josie flared.

'Can we just get to the Iceberg Lounge?!' Yelled the big guy.

'Lead the way.' Josie muttered as she glared at Robin.

'We need a car.' Robin said as he threw a stabbing glare at her.

'Can you hotwire one?' Asked the big guy.

'Is that a real question?' Robin said with a smirk.

They stole a car!

Robin was driving, and the big guy, Abuse, was in the passenger seat. Josie was in the backseat behind Abuse; they virtually ignored her.

She didn't mind; easier to slip away later.

Apparently, they were looking for Joker as well. Josie had to wonder why the big guy wasn't driving.

When she asked, Robin snarled, 'I can drive.'

'I can see that.' she snarled back. 'He's the grown-up; why doesn't he drive?'

'Because I want to drive.'

'But what if the police see us? What if they stop us?'

'You scared of the police, little girl?'

'I don't want to go to jail.'

'Afraid Joker would abandon you?'

'I'm afraid you're going crash.'

'Robin is a safe driver.' Abuse said calmly.

'My grandfather was a good driver too.'

They exchanged a glance, then looked at her.

'That happened months ago.'

'I know.'

'Where were you all that time?'

'I was in a coma.'

'You were in a coma for two months?!'

'Apparently, that's what people keep telling me.'

'What people?'

'Shouldn't you be watching the road?'

'Are you afraid?'

'Yes, actually. Someone on the radio said something, and grandpa turned and started to say something when the car hit us.'

Robin and Abuse looked at her, then at another before Robin returned to the road. Nobody talked for a long time, and it got weird.

Josie didn't like the quiet, so she sang along with the radio. She'd danced to it once, so she knew it.

'Baby, won't you lie here with me?

The day is growin' sober, mmm

Is it over?

Let us savor it's last.

Baby, won't you lie here, with me?

I'm running on empty, ooh

It's takin' over

And I long to be free

Have you walked along the coastal front?

The air is changin', ooh

And its breathing on

And we're recedin' bay

And it is leanin' on me

And I long to be free

Lie with me

Under fluorescent