Chapter 11 Cass: ASL and Alfred

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With Cass, there is going to be a lot reading of body language. 'So I'm expressing it in signal quote marks.' Remember bold caps are sign language. For most of the signing, Cass will be mouthing as well. At least in this chapter.

Cass

I noticed the way Abigail tensed up, especially with Bruce yelling. Thankfully, the chaos of our family gave her an opportunity to leave. I understand what little brother wants me to do for her, and why he chose me to do it. I gave Duke a look to come looking for me later. He nodded.

I grabbed my meal, which consisted of re-fried beans, rice, and two tacos left. Before trying to find Abigail, I made sure I went to the kitchen and picked up a plastic water bottle. I knew she probably would be avoiding food and water that wasn't sealed. I also grabbed a roll of crackers, that were also sealed.

I headed up to the library on the third floor, and a distance away from the living room. I knew Bruce was going to make Daniel talk about his past and everything else. I didn't want to leave him there either because Bruce can be too harsh. He's gotten worse since Alfred passed. However, Damian and Jason can help Daniel.

I sighed. It's hard to believe Alfred is gone, but Bruce is reacting the worst. He won't let anyone near him now. Distancing himself isn't helping anyone. It's going on three years since Alfred passed now.

Despite the loss of Alfred, it doesn't excuse Bruce's reaction to Daniel and Abigail. I entered the library, leaving the door open, and opening the balcony door slightly as well. I left the crackers and water at the other end of the long table, close to the fireplace, leaving my food next to me at the other end. If I tried to find Abigail, she could easily hide from me. I didn't want her to feel caged.

I went to the shelves stocked with books. Jason and Damian always preferred the classics, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Jane Austen. Though, Jason always considered "Harry Potter" to be a classic as well. Duke is geared towards poetry, Eager Allen Poe, Robert Frost, Walt Witman. Tim and Babs love research. Stephaine and Dick typically love anything with a good amount of humor in it. I am fine with pretty much any genre, though I do enjoy fantasy a bit more.

I picked up "Percy Jackson" because I love the story, love to make fun of the myths with our Amazon friends, and I thought if I could get Duke to read it later, it might help with Abigail.

I sat on the couch, facing the fireplace. This one isn't as grand as the one in the living room, but it still gives off heat when we light it. Alfred the cat jumped up on the couch I was on and demanded that this was his time for attention. I had to smile. Kitty Alfred always reminds me of Damian.

Though I'm dyslexic, I have listened to and read the book many times, so this is more like refreshing my memory. I was able to get through three chapters, when a creak of the door caught my attention. I didn't look over, but I knew it was Abigail. The information about her being blind but seeing through echolocation was helpful. I am guessing she can read somebody's body language, perhaps not quite as well as me, but she uses heartbeats to fill in the gaps.

I made sure I sent the message 'I know you are there, but I'm not going to push you.' I read another chapter before she felt comfortable with me seeing her.

Her looks said Talia Al Ghul, the shape of her face, the overall shape of her body, the way she analyzes something. Her posture told a different story. 'Timid, how can I trust anyone? Overwhelmed, heartbroken.' Her heartbreak wasn't romantic, no it was more brotherly and possibly sisterly love that she has lost.

She was standing at the other end of the table, hugging herself. Biting her bottom lip. From what I gage, she wasn't really interested in the food I left for her. At least not yet. She was interested in Alfred.

I marked my page with a note card, I didn't want to be told off by Jason later for dog earing it and set it on the table. I slowly sat up, still petting Alfred.

"You. Want. Pet?" I signed as I spoke, just in case. She hesitated, clearly unsure of herself and me. "Sit. Kitty. Come. You."

She sat on the floor, still letting me clearly see her. She seems fine with my broken voiced language. She actually relaxed to it. Still biting her lip, she waits. I stopped petting Alfred, he was annoyed, he kept nudging me, I still didn't pet him. After a couple of moments, he gave up and made his way to Abigail.

He headbutted Abigail's hand and she carefully pet him. Alfred made himself happy on her lap, purring. I smiled. "You. Like. Kitty?"

I see in her posture she was amazed by Alfred the cat. She was enjoying it, even if she didn't fully trust herself to be left with him. She nodded to my words. As Alfred fell asleep in her lap, she began to talk. "You knew that I needed names to trust. How?"

She didn't look at me. Unlike Damian, it wasn't out of grudging admission that she didn't know something. I expect, having sight like hers, she really doesn't understand eye contact.

"Body." I spoke. My throat is starting to feel raw; I typically don't verbally say too much in this amount of time.

She lifted her head, a frown on her face. "You, ok?"

I hesitated; she could see I was straining myself. Maybe I could get off with signs in a more general sense till Duke comes. I put my hand to my throat, and I mouthed the word "Hurt".

Her frown deepens, "You don't talk much?"

Again, I hesitated. Her posture was asking 'Your punishment is not being allowed to talk?' I don't want to send her the message that Bruce didn't let me talk. No, he saved me from that, but she might think Bruce did because of his reaction earlier.

I put my hand on my throat again, then I pointed to my mouth and shook my head. Then I held up a finger the sign for BUT, I moved my hands to form SIGN LANGUAGE then I nodded.

She was confused, but I couldn't clearly explain at the moment. She seemed to understand that she could ask about that later. She put her head back down, if her eyes worked properly, they would be looking at Alfred. "Does. Does kitty have a name?"

The way she asked, she sounded like a shy five-year-old. Maybe it's not a bad thing for her to act five. At least not for right now. I nodded. "Alfred."

She lifted her head again, her blue eyes piercing me. "You don't have to speak if it hurts you. I understand basic lip reading."

I smiled. I mouth and sign at the same time. THANK YOU.

She tilted her head in a curious way, looking like a puppy. "You speak with your hands?" I nod. "Can… can you teach me a little?"

I let my grin go wide. I nod. Again, I mouth and sign. WHAT YOU WANT LEARN?

"Names. Yours first?"

C-A-S-S. I go slower than normal, just to be sure she understands. BUT, HAVE NAME SIGN.

She frowns, "Name what?" I mouth the word again. "Sign?"

I hesitate, I want to teach her name signs, but we are struggling enough to communicate at the moment. I'll have Jason, Damian or Duke explain them to her later.

I was about to let her know this, when she tenses. She wasn't fully relaxed before, but she was better than in the living room with everyone. I tap the table for her attention, her head snaps to the sound of the noise. WHAT HEAR?

"Th- the boy who sat next to you. Duke. He is coming up." She felt confident enough to show herself to me because I didn't try to track her down. She thinks Duke is hunting her.

I tap the table again. Breathing better when I tapped. Hun. Let's see if this helps. I tapped five times, then four, and so on. She was trying to breathe to the rhythm I set. While I kept tapping, I pulled out my phone and turned it on silent so my texting wouldn't distract the rhythm.

(Below is texting, B Bat is Cass, Light is Duke.)

B Bat: Duke, r u looking for me?

Light: Yeah. Y?

B Bat: Wait. Abigail hears you. Let me calm her 1st.

Light: ok. Do you want me to grab anything?

B Bat: grab Titus or Ace if you can. Animals help. Also, water, but in closed bottles.

Light: ok. Give me a few minutes to find Ace. Also where are you?

B Bat: library. 3rd floor.

Light: ok, I'll tell you once I have Ace.

Light: does she seem comfortable with you?

B Bat: kind of. I'll explain how later.

Light: ok. Let me know if you need me to grab anything else.

B Bat: Tx.

I turned on my notifications again and put my phone on the table. Abigail's breathing is back to normal, I still tap out the rhythm for another minute, just to be sure Duke has left her line of sight. I stop.

She breathes. "Thank you." I nod. "How you… did it helped." I gave her a confused look. "You let me come to you. Not trying to find me."

I gave her a small smile. D-U-K-E MY BROTHER.

"I understand that he is your brother. I just…"

DON'T LIKE BE HUNT? She nodded, looking almost ashamed. I UNDERSTAND.

"Really?" I nodded; I couldn't explain at the moment.

I need Duke to help bridge the gap. Honestly, he is the best person to help me right now. Yes, the rest of the family could translate, but Duke didn't try to analyze you. Duke's not really a detective, not yet at least. He knew when he shouldn't press an issue, often changing the subject. I need Duke's help.

CAN D-U-K-E COME?

She frowns. "Why?" She does not sound dismissive, but she wants an explanation for why he needs to be here.

NEED HELP TALK YOU. HE BEST WITH ME. She bit her lip. YOU CHOOSE. ME NO MAKE.

"You trust him, right?" I nod. She is starting to trust me. If I trust Duke, then maybe she can too. "Ok, he can come, no one else but Daniel can come." I nod. I held up my finger for one minute. She nods.

I picked up my phone again.

B Bat: she is ok if only you come up. Still bring Ace.

Light: ok. I just found Ace.

B Bat: did the rest of the family notice our absence?

Light: yes. Everyone let it happen, I don't know when B figured it out.

B Bat: ok. Come up. I need to send something in the group chat.

Light: k

I switched to the family group chat; Bruce wasn't in this group though.

(Golden Boy – Dick, Jay B – Jason, Mad Scientist – Tim, Blades – Damian, PPP – Stephaine {PPP stands for Purple Prank Princess}, Hacker – Barbra, Light – Duke, B Bat – Cass.)

B Bat: Abigail is in the library, 3rd floor. She is letting Duke come up. ONLY. The only other person allowed to come is Daniel.

Golden Boy: how is she with you?

B Bat: ok. Animals help. Kitty loves her.

Blades: understood. Do you think the dogs would be too much?

Light: I already have Ace. Would Titus be too much?

B Bat: for now, yes.

Jay B: has she eaten anything?

B Bat: not yet.

Jay B: Daniel here. Can you see if you can get her to eat?

B Bat: will try, won't push.

Hacker: don't let her come here. B is on a rampage.

Mad Scientist: agreed. We will let you know when he is better or away.

PPP: if B goes on for another hour, I might just have to join you if I'm allowed to.

Light: reaching the 3rd floor now.

I turned my notifications to vibrate and placed my phone on the couch. Abigail was stiff, but not quite as tense. YOU SEE D-U-K-E? She nods, petting Alfred. A couple of minutes later, Duke knocked.

"Am I allowed to come in?" I looked at Abigail for confirmation. She nodded. I tapped out 'yes' in Morse code.

Duke entered slowly, a bag over his shoulder, and held Ace by his collar. "Hi, Abigail."

"You… you can call me Abby. Daniel does."

Duke put a soft smile on. "Ok. Abby. Do you want to meet Ace?"

"Who?"

"This is Ace. One of our two dogs." Duke set the bag next to me, on the floor. Then he knelt, still holding onto Ace's collar so he didn't overwhelm Abby. "You saw Titus already. The dog sitting by Damian."

"Oh." She seemed very nervous.

"Do you want to meet Ace?" Duke asked again gently.

"Yes, but scared. Dogs smell fear."

I frowned. She likes Alfred just fine. What's wrong with Ace? I looked over to Ace, he was straining against his collar. "Dogs smell fear." Wolves.

I tapped the table, Duke looked at me, Abby still concentrated on Ace. SHE THINK ACE WOLF. EXPLIAN. A guilty expression crossed Duke's face. MY FAULT. NOT YOURS. I ASKED ACE. He didn't seem convinced.

"Abby, do you think Ace will hurt you?" Duke was keeping his voice soft. She nodded. "Would it help if I slowly let him come over to you?"

She hesitated," Yes, but how? Don't know you yet."

Duke smiled. "I won't have to. Cass, there's a leash in the bag, can you grab it for me?" I do as he asks. Thank goodness he thought ahead. As I grab the leash, I notice there's three water bottles, Duke's iPod, and a sealed block of cheese. "Thanks Cass." He attached it to Ace's collar, "You ready to meet Ace now?"

"Yes."

Duke slowly lets Ace go over to meet Abby. She is perfectly still. Once Ace is close, he starts to sniff, and Abby closes her eyes. "You ok, do you want me to call him back?" Duke is cautious. Abby mouths, 'no'. Duke looks at me, to make sure. I nod in reassurance. "Ace, easy."

Duke releases the slack, still holding onto the leash just in case. Ace sniffs. I was about to tell Duke to call Ace back, when the dog licked her face. Her eyes shot open. Looking very confused, but some part of her was delighted.