Chapter 23
Through the rest of the school day, rumors about the fight and Dick's panic attack run rampant. Finding this out, Artemis approaches Dick at the end of the day to check on him.
"Dick!" Artemis calls. Dick stops, turning to look at Artemis before leaving the school gates. "Are you ok? I heard something happened at lunch."
"Yea, I'm fine… What did you hear?" Dick asks, more out of curiosity.
"Just then someone tried to pick a fight with you and you had a panic attack. And blown out of proportion like kids do, because, you know, kids." Artemis explains.
"I've heard some of the rumors, I was just curious what variation you heard. But I'm ok. Barbara was a big help." Dick says. Artemis places a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm glad. I won't keep you, I just wanted to check on you." Artemis says.
"Thanks, sis." Dick says happily. Seeing him smile is a relief, but she's not sure if it's genuine. She thinks she knows him well enough, but… She smiles back. "Do you want a ride home?"
"Oh no, I'm good. Be safe!" Artemis says, waving goodbye and starts walking with her friends. Dick smiles after her and waves.
"You too!" He shouts after her. Dick and Barbara leave the school gates, immediately Dick is glancing around. Barbara grabs his hand and helps keep him on the sidewalk until they reach the parking lot, climbing into Alfred's car. "Hey, Alfred." Dick greets.
"Good afternoon you two. How was school today?" Alfred asks.
"I had another panic attack, but otherwise ok. They're getting easier to deal with." Dick explains.
"I see… What triggered it this time?" Alfred asks as he's pulling out of the parking lot.
"Well…" Dick starts but doesn't finish.
"Some kids at lunch tried to bully him. It wasn't until after two of them grabbed his arms and held him back." Barbara explains. Dick looks out the window. "He was handling everything well until then."
"Good lord these kids… You would think they'd know better at this age." Alfred states. "Why did you not request to come home?"
"I missed most of last week, and I wanted some semblance of normalcy again." Dick explains.
"A good reason, Master Dick." Alfred states. "I understand. I simply worry for you."
"If I let my anxiety and fears get the better of me, I could pretty much die… I can't let it win." Dick says. He looks out the window. "I'm terrified, but I'll keep going." As they cross an intersection, a car comes speeding in from the intersecting road and striking on Alfred and Barbara's side of the car, striking mostly Alfred. The car spins in the intersection, having been hit so hard, it strikes other cars. Other cars slam on their brakes and try to avoid striking them as well. A number of people get out to come and help.
"Someone call an ambulance!" Somebody shouts, which isn't the best response to make. A specific person must be designated as the caller to ensure it happens. A mistake that may cost lives… The kids are pulled out of the car. Dick's head is bleeding, his right side hurts, but he's mostly alright.
"Barbara! Alfred!" Dick screams as he's taken out of the car, fighting against those trying to help him.
"Easy, we'll get them, it's going to be ok!" One of them says, handing him off to someone else to get him over to the side. He's sat down on the curb while they pull Barbara out. She's surprisingly ok, she has some cuts but she's ok. She's also brought over to the side with Dick. Alfred is another story, he's unconscious and bleeding from a number of cuts, as well as his mouth and nose. They're afraid to move him in case his neck is broken, so they have to wait for an ambulance. The other driver seems fine, nothing but several cuts. He tries to explain himself, that his breaks gave out.
"I'll take these kids to a hospital." Someone shouts and gets them up. Dick immediately fights against them.
"No! No! Alfred!" Dick shouts. Another person comes up and attempts to help subdue the young teen, but he kicks them back so hard they fall back.
"Stop it!" Barbara shouts. "You're making him panic!"
"We're trying to help." The man says.
"Put him down! Now!" Barbara orders. But they don't listen. Instead, the person Dick kicked down gets back up and grabs her, shoving her into a nearby car. "Hey!" Dick too is forced into the car and the door is shut. Dick tries to open the door, but the child lock is engaged. Dick tries to punch the window but he can't get the proper angle as the passenger seat is pushed back so much. The two individuals get into the car and start to drive off.
Dick turns to look back at the wreckage, worried for Alfred. Barbara places a hand on his shoulder, he looks over to her, tears in his eyes. She pulls him into a hug. They drive for a while, not seeming to stop.
"Where are we going?" Barbara asks.
"Not to a hospital, that's for damn sure." One of the men says. Dick glares at the driver.
"I hate people…" Dick mutters.
"Me too, kid." The driver says. Dick checks his pockets for his cell phone, but doesn't find it, it must've fallen out at some point… He mentally curses at himself for being such a spazz sometimes. He glances at Barbara, she shakes her head, indicating she has no phone either. When would hers have fallen out? Maybe during the crash…? Unless they took them…
"What do you want with us?" Dick asks.
"Kid, who wouldn't want you? You're the son of the richest man in Gotham. You're our biggest score yet." The driver says.
"You'll get your money, but let my friend go." Dick says. "She has nothing to do with Bruce Wayne."
"Perhaps not, but she's to keep you compliant. You wouldn't want anything… bad… to happen to her, would you?" The driver asks.
"Asshole…" Dick mutters.
"Sticks n stones, kid." The driver reacts. Dick sits back, thinking of what they can do to get out. His utility belt is in his schoolbag which was left in the car. If he tries to muscle things, Barbara could end up hurt, not to mention his right hand is still broken, making it harder to fight. It'll probably be best to go along with this and let them be kidnapped. Dick looks over at Barbara. Barbara looks at him, she's pretty calm. This isn't the first time she's been kidnapped either. Nor them being kidnapped together.
"Gingersnaps…" Barbara says softly.
"Pumpernickel." Dick responds.
"Grapefruit?" Barbara asks.
"Pomegranate." Dick replies. Barbara nods.
At the manor, Bruce stares out the window, waiting for Alfred to return home with Dick, but there's this feeling… Like something's wrong. And as time passes, he's more sure that something isn't right. Normally they'd drop Barbara off and would be home not long after. Melinda knocks on the door and enters the room.
"Any word from Alfred?" She asks.
"No, I'm starting to worry. It's not like him to be off schedule." Bruce explains. He takes out his phone and tries calling him, but he doesn't receive an answer. He sighs through his nose. "Hmm…" He tries to call Dick, but no answer either. Barbara, also. He calls Jim Gordon.
"Hello, Bruce. Is there something I can help you with?" Jim answers.
"Have you spoken to Barbara? Has she called you?" Bruce asks.
"No, she usually calls by now to let me know she made it home safe." Jim replies.
"I tried calling Dick, Alfred, even Barbara, no answer." Bruce explains. Jim hums in concern.
"You don't think the Court of Owls is involved, do you?" Jim questions.
"I pray to God they're not…" Bruce says. He walks to his desk, sending a message to Vandal that they need to talk.
"Should I send up the Bat-Signal?" Jim asks.
"That's your decision, I'm not in a position to tell you otherwise." Bruce explains. He sees a response from Vandal. "Keep me appraised." They hang up. "Melissa, could you step out a moment?"
"Uh, yea." She says. She steps out, shutting the door. He answers the call on his computer from Vandal.
"What was it you said about keeping my son safe?" Bruce asks.
"You believe he's not?" Vandal asks.
"He hasn't called. Neither has my butler who's gone to pick him up. He would have called if he was running behind." Bruce explains. "He always does."
"Alright. Our agent will look into it. Please try to stay calm and we'll do what we can." Vandal states.
"You better find them by tonight… I didn't tell the commissioner to send up the Bat-Signal, but I will if you fail me." Bruce states calmly, but agitation is evident.
"I see we still need to gain your trust. Very well. We'll do what we can." Vandal says.
"Good." Bruce finishes, ending the call. He sighs, resting back in his chair. He wants nothing more than to go out there himself and find his family, but he can't risk his cover…
Vandal ends the communication and closes his eyes for a moment. He knows exactly what happened… He opens his eyes back up and reaches out to Deathstroke.
"Mr. Savage, great to hear from you as always, sir." Deathstroke answers, being rather cheeky.
"What are you planning having the boy kidnapped?" Vandal asks.
"Figured that out, have you?" The assassin asks.
"That and you just confirmed it." Vandal states. "What are you planning?" He repeats.
"A few ideas. Let's see what happens, shall we? They won't harm him, much." Deathstroke says.
"If they harm him at all, I may have to rethink your employment." Vandal warns, his tone shifting.
"Sounds to me you've begun to care about the child. Though perhaps I'm mistaken."
"You're mistaken." Vandal remarks, his tone now more plain. "He is an asset, as is his father."
"Understood, sir. Well then…" Deathstroke hangs up, taking that as his cue to begin his "investigation."
Meanwhile, the car stops in an alleyway. The kidnappers get out of the car, more goons file out of the building and block the way out. The kids are grabbed out of the car. Barbara struggles against them, but not nearly to her full capacity. She has to make it seem like she's a typical school girl after all…
"Let me go!" She cries out, tears rolling down her cheeks. The kidnapper grips her arms tight and shakes her a bit, pinning her against the car afterward.
"Shut up! One more word and your little friend over there is going to pay for it." He warns. As a way to emphasize, the other kidnapper holding Dick grabs his injured wrist a bit tight. Dick winces, yelping a bit. Barbara becomes tight-lipped. "Behave. Understand?" Barbara nods a little. "Good." He pushes her toward the entrance. The other taking Dick the same way. They're brought up a flight of steps, then down a hallway. This seems like an abandoned apartment. The two are then set in chairs. Dick tries to resist being tied up, but one kidnapper who's doing the tying just grabs his wrists tight and forcing them behind him. He winces of course, but the pain is helping keep him lucid.
The kidnappers then leave after the two are tied up, but one says to keep watch. They've been set back to back. Dick closes his eyes a moment, trying to relax himself. Barbara can feel the vibrations of his breathing and trembling. She's worried, resting her head back a bit so it's against his, reminding him that she's right here, that he's not alone. He opens his eyes, then starts making a clicking sound. Barbara listens, mimicking the same clicking, but a different pattern.
"That's getting on my nerves." The kidnapper says.
"I'm bored…" Dick says.
"I don't give a shit. Shut up!" The guy snaps. Dick groans and rolls his eyes. One of the other kidnappers comes in, stepping up to Dick and places a phone to his ear, it's ringing.
"Bruce Wayne speaking." Bruce answers.
"Bruce!" Dick shouts, relieved.
"Dick?! Where are you?!" Bruce asks. The kidnapper pulls the phone away, placing it to his own ear.
"Hello, Mr. Wayne. It's a pleasure to speak to you." The kidnapper says.
"Who are you? Where's my son?!" Bruce demands, obviously playing it up.
"He's safe for now, so long as he and his little girlfriend behave." The kidnapper says. "Ransom of five million dollars by midnight tonight, or your little boy takes a dive. What d'you say?"
"You'll get your money, just don't hurt them, please…" Bruce begs.
"That all depends on the three of you, involve Batman or the police and the boy chokes on his own blood. I'll call you with the drop-off location. Bye for now." He hangs up, snapping the phone in half before throwing it out the window. Dick feels the ties on his arms start to come loose. He lightly pokes Barbara's hand to let her know to stop, he works on untying hers.
"Can I get some water?" Dick asks. The supposed leader looks at him.
"No." He says. He leaves the room. Now he can't see their reflections in the window… Dick continues to subtly untie Barbara until they become loose. She grabs the ropes so they don't fall and draw attention. He is able to draw out one of his discs from his sleeve, readying himself for a fight. He stands up, swinging his arm and sends the disc flying at the kidnapper, it pins him to the wall.
"Hey!" He snaps. Barbara gets up and the two run out of the room, running up toward the roof. "They're getting away!" They make it onto the roof.
"Now what?" She asks. Dick looks around quickly, then grabs her hand.
"Come on!" He says. "Don't hesitate, just go!" They're running toward the edge of the roof. Barbara tenses up, but tries to keep in mind what Dick just told her. They leap off the roof and land on the next. Barbara staggers a bit, and their school uniforms aren't exactly meant for this sort of activity. "Good job, Babs!" He praises, smiling widely. She smiles back, but they don't waste anymore time, running across this roof to get to the next one.
The kidnappers get to the roof of their building and run after them. They get to the edge, but stop, looking at the two run. One of the kidnappers, the leader, takes out a knife and throws it after them. Dick turns his head, seeing the knife fly. His eyes widen and he moves, grabbing Barbara and pulling her to the ground with him. The knife clatters to the ground, missing them completely. Dick lifts his head, making sure Barbara's ok before getting up, standing in front of her, wanting to protect her.
"Why don't you stop being a coward and fight me?!" Dick snaps.
"Dick…" Barbara reprimands softly. The leader takes a few steps back, before running and leaping to the roof.
"Fine, kid." The leader agrees. "But once you lose, the girl goes in the harbor."
"If I lose, your only target is me, you leave her out of this." Dick states.
"Alright, then I'll slit your throat, and let her watch." The leader says. Dick goes into a fighting stance. The leader aims a kick at Dick's head, but he blocks it with his arm, aiming his own kick right at the man's nethers. The leader yelps, but deals with the pain as he swings a fist this time, but Dick grabs his wrist and twists his arm, moving behind him in a swift motion before falling to the ground, using his legs to push the man over him and make him land behind him, on his stomach. Dick quickly gets back on his feet, turning to look at the man. He growls, pushing himself up and runs at the teen, but before he reaches him, he stops, placing a hand to his neck, soon collapsing. Dick's eyes widen and he looks around, trying to find the source.
A new figure lands in front of Dick and Barbara, wearing a mask that's half black, half orange, really long white hair… The other kidnappers, save for maybe two of them, leap across to the roof and attempt to take the new figure down. He fights them all, kicking two of them in the head with one swipe of his leg. Another, he gut-punches so hard it knocks the wind out of him and he falls down, gasping. Two others grab his arm, but he swings hard, punching one in the face with so much force it makes his head hit the other one in the face and knock them out. He turns, looking at Dick and Barbara.
"Are you two alright?" The man asks.
"Uh… Yea." Dick answers. "Who are you?" He asks. Barbara stands up, dusting herself off.
"I have a few names, but only you can call me Slade." He says.
"Slade…" Dick repeats, trailing off.
"I was sent by the Light to find you and bring you home. Though you seemed to be able to handle yourself pretty well." Slade compliments. "I have an offer for you. What do you say about becoming my apprentice? Hone those skills of yours?"
"You… Want to train me…?" Dick asks.
"I don't ask just anybody. I see a lot of potential in you." Slade says. He holds a hand out. "You could learn better to protect yourself and those you love." Dick hesitates, looking at the hand, then back at him. He slowly reaches a hand to him, taking it. There's an almost… sense of impending doom… that washes over him. Barbara's jaw drops slightly, surprised Dick is accepting this offer… "Great. We'll start when your arm's all better. In the meantime, I'll watch your back. Your grandfather won't get close to you."
"You know about him…?" Dick asks.
"I know everything there is to know about you. So smart, agile, resourceful. It'd be a crime to waste such talent being a Talon." Slade remarks. "Come, we should find the closest station. Your parents must be worried sick for you." He starts to walk toward the roof access stairs. Barbara and Dick look at each other, then follow after the strange man wordlessly. The way to the closest station is decently far, they have to walk for an hour or so, but they make it. Slade bows respectfully and disappears. The two young teens look at each other again before rushing into the precinct, shouting for help.