Chapter 13. Duke: Ace and Languages

https/word/532/

Note: this website is great for looking at individual signs. If you're interested what these signs look like, please go here. Its basically a sign language dictionary.

Note: For this chapter Cass will only be signing. No speech from Cass in this Chapter. Also, when you see sign language like T-H-I-S it means fingerspelling. If that were voiced, we would be saying each letter out loud. I'll explain the purpose of fingerspelling within the story.

Duke

I was a little nervous letting Ace meet Abigail. While Ace doesn't attack the family, he is a German Shepard, bred for defending his territory and people. It's in his nature. I had heard the story where Ace was too violent for the police, and he was supposed to be put down. Alfred, the man of the century, intervened and took charge of Ace and turned him into a family dog. Though, with Alfred gone, it's possible that Ace may revert to his old habits with outsiders. Ace's light brown and black coat swayed from the open balcony door as he approached Abigail. Ace's ears facing her direction, nose sniffing the air intently, his grey collar straining against the leash in my hand.

Ace, who was now in Abby's face, was sniffing like a blood hound. "You ok, do you want me to call him back?" About to do that already, but Abby mouths 'no'. I looked to Cass, confirming that I should trust Ace. I released the slack, but I still held onto the leash.

Just when I thought Ace was going to go into guard dog mode, he eagerly licked Abby's face. The expression on her face was adorable. I caught my sister, smiling in triumph on the couch.

Abby warily raised her left hand; Ace immediately pushed his head into the touch. After only a moment of scratching Ace's ear, Abby found the good spot. Ace rolled onto his back, asking for a belly rub.

Abby was delightfully confused by Ace's position. "What is Ace doing?"

I breathed a sigh of relief, Ace was a amazing dog and I shouldn't have doubted him. "He wants you to rub his tummy." Thank you, Alfred, for all of your training, for pets and humans alike.

She did what I suggested, looking like an innocent kid. I put the leash on the floor, but well in range if I needed to grab it for some reason I could. I noticed that the bag she brought with her was resting against the table, well within her reach if she felt threatened.

I look at Cass, seeing where she needs me to help.

CHANCE. HER MISUNDERSTAND SIGN LANGUAGE. SHE 5-YEAR-OLD, NERVOUS, SHE LIKE. Cass signed rapidly, while Abby was distracted. B HOW BAD?

I shook my head and whispered, "Not now."

"Not now what?" Abby asked, still rubbing Ace's stomach. She seemed preoccupied with him, but then again, she is also aware of her surroundings. Possibly even more than Cass is.

"Oh, nothing you need to worry about." I tried to ease the situation with an unconvincing smile, scratching the back of my neck.

Abby frowned and lifted her head to meet my face. Her eyes looking into my soul. "You're lying."

Shoot. I shouldn't have scratched my neck. That's a dead giveaway. I was about to deny it and try to keep my tells under control.

Cass put a hand on my shoulder. She shook her head. TRUTH.

I sighed in defeat. I should have figured that the truth was the only option. Maybe, somehow, I still can avoid this conversation for the moment. "Ok, B, the old man downstairs, he's being stubborn. I really don't want you to worry about it." I gave her a guilty look, but I managed to produce a reassuring smile. If only Bruce was that simple.

"Then why didn't you just say that?" Her head going to the side, like a curious puppy.

"Huh?" Cass and I shared a confused look between us. "Abby, what do mean? Your fine if I don't tell you something that you should know?"

"You try to… err?" She hummed to herself, the hand that wasn't occupied with Ace, clenching her hair out of distress. "What's the English word?" Abby kept her head to the ground, pulling hard on her tangled rat's nest, trying to find the word she wanted, but coming up short.

"We know a lot a languages, say the word you know for it." I encouraged patiently.

"Hata."

I frowned. The accent she used was similar to Damian's when he curses in his native tongue. Arabic. I only know curse words and the word brother in Arabic. Courtesy of Damian. It's a shame I didn't bother to learn more. Both Cass and I frowned. Huh. Cass apparently does not recognize the word without context.

I guess we're both stumped.

"Abby is there a similar word you can use? Like applying the word to an object or person?"

Abby hummed in concentration. "Umm. Jason is my hamia. Jason tried to save me from the evil man."

Cass clapped her hands for my attention, signing rapidly. LANGUAGE ARABIC. WORD H-A-T-A MEAN PROTECT. H-A-M-I-A MEAN PROTECTOR OR GUARDIAN.

"Is the word you're looking for protect? Jason is your protector?" I asked.

She nodded vigorously. "You want hata me. From things?" She asks, though it's not really a question.

When she mixed her languages up, it sounded more natural compared to what little speech I had heard before. Allowing the accents for certain words to become prominent, but only for the designated word. That's peculiar, yet interesting.

"Yeah. I don't understand. Why are you ok if we don't tell you something you should know?" I ask. Trying to understand her thought process. Which seems to be the complete opposite of everyone else in this family.

Abby looked at me, those sapphire eyes filled with questions. With her head to the side, her hair following in a messy suit, the slight breeze moving her slightly, a silent question was asked. Isn't it obvious? However, she still answered my question. "I don't want to know everything. All I want is verdad. If you want misterioso, that's fine just don't lie."

I raised my eyebrow when she slipped to Spanish. Verdad, truth. Misterioso aka secrets. How many languages does she know? I recalled the part of the conversation downstairs, about Jason saving her. How furious he was at Bruce when he was forced to describe what he saw that night. Daniel had said, "She struggles with complicated words. At least in English."

Cass clapped again. ASK QUESTIONS HER LET.

I nodded. "Abby, do you have any questions for us?"

She nodded. "Cass tried to show me…" She paused again, her hand going back to her hair. "Ugh, what was it?" Abby looked at Cass for help.

NAME SIGNS. EXPLAIN NEED HELP. Cass smiled at Abby; I THINK LEARN NAME SIGNS EASY. HER BETTER.

I nodded. I can understand why name signs would be easier for Abby to learn, there is a chance Abby can't read. Or maybe she use to be able to read, but not having normal eyesight would lead to a lack of use of written language. But, just associating a person with a sign would make it easier to remember for Abby. "Name signs. Right?" Abby nodded in agreement. Her hand going back to pet Alfred the cat.

Abby didn't seem bothered by the ground unlike me. I shifted, attempting to get more comfortable on the hardwood. "Ok, signs are words, just told through movement. Instead of voice. There are a lot of signs, just like words. Name signs are usually made up by the person who is deaf or mute."

Abby frowned; her hands still preoccupied with the animals in front of her. "Deaf? Mute?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Cass is right, she is basically five. And asking five-year-old questions and as many too. I bring my hand down so I can look at Abby. "Deaf means a person who can't hear. Mute is someone who can't speak."

Abby gets distracted by the animals for a moment, contemplating what she wants to ask next. Cass coughs. I frown, focusing my attention on my sister. "Cass, you alright?"

Cass glares at me, sending me the message 'Pay attention to Abby not me. She is more important right now.' Her message was only conveyed through her body language.

I glared right back; I wasn't letting this go. I love my sister, and I understand why she wants me to focus on Abby, but I am not going to ignore my sister's needs. I finally won the glaring contest; I think that's the second or third one I've ever won against her. Yea! Progress.

She signed rapidly. USED VOICE. THROAT HURT. She obviously just wanted to move on and ignore her needs.

Unfortunately, most of the family is that way. Everyone in this family has some type of self-esteem issues, causing them to push themselves to the point of indirectly harming themselves. You think I'm kidding? Evidence exhibits one through eight.

To get over his parents' deaths, Bruce decided to fight crime dressed as a bat.

Dick thinks he must be everyone's human shield so no one but him will get hurt.

Jason decided to go to war with Batman at one point to get some sense of justice for his death, with Gotham caught in the middle.

Tim basically overdoses himself on caffeine, just to accomplish everything in one sitting.

Steph feels like she needs to hide behind a mask of humor, to obscure the feelings that she doesn't belong with crime fighters, when her father was somewhat of a criminal mastermind.

Barbra rarely leaves the watchtower, her base of operations, in order to help us out on patrol.

Cass can't express her feelings properly through words, which leads to doubting herself in a public setting.

Damian feels that he has to be perfect in everything.

Those are just scratching the surface. My issues? I feel that I can't use my meta-abilities or else I will somehow break Bruce's rule of no Metas in Gotham. Therefore, getting me kicked out of the family. I know it sounds irrational, but the occasional nightmares make it feel more real, especially tied with my abandonment issues. The only exception was Alfred. As far as I'm aware he didn't really have self-esteem issues. Although he could disguise his emotions better than Bruce. The defense rests.

At least some of us are better than others with our issues, and as Alfred the cat as my witness, I am going to make sure my sister is taken care of.

I made a show by going through my bag, then handing one of the water bottles to Cass. She glared at my dramatics, but it was worth it, as she took the bottle and greedily drank a few sips.

"Does everyone have name signs?" Abby asked, brining my attention back to her. She is still playing with Ace, his tail thumping against the table rhythmically.

"Yes. Everyone in our family does. Would you like to learn them?" I asked gently. I want to give her options, so she doesn't feel forced into doing things. It's like how Alfred used to considerately ask us what foods we felt comfortable eating when we first got to know this family.

Abby nodded vigorously. Her eyes meet mine, curiosity painted across her small face, her eyes sparkling in excitement.

"Cass, how about you do your sign first?" I suggested.

Cass smiled, staring out with the sign DANCE, then it turned into a C.

Abby copied the motion, upsetting Ace. He bayed, rolling to his stomach, licking Abby's hand for attention. She stroked him, calming him in an instant. "What's your name sign?" She asked me, clearly wanting to learn more.

"My name is spelled D-U-K-E. Duke. Cass gave me the name sign D-K for short." Showing her my name sign D-K, after I explained what my sign was. Again, she repeated the motion, several times to ingrain it into her head. "Do you want to learn the rest of our family's name signs?"

"Yes please. I like knowing names." She was relaxing with this knowledge we were giving her. I suppose she is somewhat like Daniel. He didn't want the spotlight on himself, relishing in the fact he was learning something in the process.

We went through the family. Dick – D SOAR. Barbra – B GLASSES. Jason – J. Tim – T moving to COFFEE. Stephiane – Sign Purple with S-P at the end. Damian – The sign SWORD ending in D. The only name sign we didn't show her was Bruce's. Mainly because we could tell he scared her. Besides she may have confused Bruce's sign with Barbra's. Bruce's name sign is literally just B.

Abby was focused on repeating the signs, so Ace gave up, laying down next to Abby. His head fighting for space on her lap with Alfred the cat.

When she felt confident, she repeated all of the signs back to us, not one flaw in her movements. Cass beamed, silently praising her.

"Great job Abby. I don't think I picked up all of the family's name signs up that fast."

She smiled, blushing, turning her head to look at the food and water that Cass had left for her earlier. She seemed to contemplate it for a moment then she shook her head.

I looked to Cass, silently asking what I should do next. Cass prodded me to let her ask more questions. "Abby, do you have more questions for us?"

She nodded, then turned her head back towards the animals. "Cass knew I needed names to trust. How? It was hard for her to tell me herself."

I looked at Cass, making sure I could relay her story. My sister nodded, looking confident. I turned back towards Abby, I got up, as the floor wasn't the most comfortable. Abby stiffened, Cass made room for me on the couch making herself a buffer between me and Abby. I gladly sat when she offered. After a moment Abby relaxed.

"Cass was raised to be…" I looked to Cass for the word I needed. I was taking into consideration what Jason and Daniel had said downstairs. I didn't want to use the wrong word.

FIGHTER.

"A fighter. Her blood father didn't allow her to talk, so Cass learned how to read body language like…"

HEAR HEARTBEAT SHE LIKE. SEE LIE, TRUTH, PAIN.

"Like how you hear heartbeats. You use your hearing to see if people are hurt, or people are lying or telling the truth. Don't you?"

She nodded. "Did Daniel tell you that?"

I shook my head. "No. He didn't get that far yet. Cass can tell the same things you can just through sight."

Abby bit her lip, "Is the man downstairs her – your father?"

I hesitated. There was visible tension at the word 'father'. I am almost certain that Cass's and my definition of father are polar opposite to her definition.

Cass tapped my knee for my attention. FATHER M-E-A-N ASK. I frowned. She fingerspelled mean.

Sometimes Cass does that because there are so many signs, many words with multiple signs, she forgets the one she needs. For non-deaf or non-mute people, it would be like a six-year-old learning the difference between 'meet' and 'meat'. Both sound the same, but their spelling is different and have completely different meanings. Times that issue by 3,000 plus, you can understand why it is difficult to keep track of words you don't use daily. As Cass doesn't want to slow the conversation down to recall the correct sign, she just fingerspells it. Typically misspelled, due to her dyslexia, but you usually pick up on the word she wants, through context.

She also fingerspells because it's a name, or the word just doesn't have a sign. Cass makes her own signs up for people and everyday objects. Even some particular ones for Patrol. An example would be my name sign on patrol as Signal. She starts with the letter 'S' turned toward her face, then she signs the word light. S LIGHT means Signal.

The last reason would be for emphasis. To stress the importance of the word. So basically sarcasm, not every time but often.

I signed myself so I wouldn't confuse Abby. By speaking aloud and becoming off topic. CASS. M-E-A-N ASK WHICH? MEAN MAD LIKE? OR MEAN UNDERSTAND?

Cass spared Abby a glance. Obviously trying to see something I couldn't. Cass turned back to me, BOTH.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Of course she wanted answers to both. That's Cass for you, asking as many questions as she can with the least amount of words as possible. I looked up to see Abby was looking directly at us. Obviously confused by our silent conversation. Fear was dawning in her eyes.

"Abby, you don't need to be afraid of B. I was just asking Cass to explain which question she wants me to ask."

She still seemed wary, but she let her posture ease slightly. She seems like a baby version of Cass. I'm not trying to be rude. Abby sees through sound, apparently by using heartbeats. Cass would study your posture, Abby your heartbeat to get to the same point. A decision on whether or not to trust what they are being told.

Apparently, I passed her test for the moment. She asked, "What do you want to ask?"

"Cass wants to know what does the word 'father' mean to you?"

Abby frowned at the question. Slightly cringing as she thought of her answer. "Umm... I don't know about the word 'father' itself. But when I hear that word I think of grandfather, the… evil man."

Oh. That explains why she doesn't know what 'father' means. No experience with a father, and a terrible grandfather who didn't even give her a name. I caught Cass's eye again, coming to a silent agreement, she had answered both questions without trying.

EXPLAIN FATHER.

I frowned. How was I supposed to explain father to a girl who never had one.

Cass read my mind, well my body language. EXPLAIN FATHER LIKE PROTECTOR. H-A-M-I-A.

I bit my lip. There could be some confusion later with that explanation. Like insinuating that Jason is her father when we don't know who… I looked at Cass. She seemed determined in her explanation.

Cass knows what she is doing. Probably it's better for Abby to look at Jason as a father figure. She already trusts him better than the rest of the family. Bruce apparently doesn't want to want to act even close to a father figure at the moment.

I tried to think of the best way to explain the word 'father', with other thoughts swirling around in my head. Before I could, Abigail became rigid again. I frowned at Cass.

WHAT HEAR?

"Abigail, what do you hear?" I voiced for Cass.

"Daniel and Damian are coming up." She offered.

My eyes went wide in surprise. I am still getting used to the fact that she can see through echolocation. That power, no ability is practically unheard of. I met my sister's gaze who gave me a small smile. Meta or not, I hang around interestingly skilled people.

Cass signed, too fast for me to catch with me being in my own thoughts. "Sorry Cass, can you sign that again. I missed most of it."

She rolled her eyes, blowing a strand of her short hair out of her face. DAMIAN COME HERE OK. ASK.

It took me a moment to process what she wanted me to ask. I am far from perfect from interpreting sign language to normal speech. When I realized what she said I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "Oh, yeah right. Abby," Abby's head swiveled towards me, but she didn't make eye contact. "Cass wants to know if it's alright if Damian comes up?"

She bit her lip, clearly cautious. When she spoke, her voice was small. "Does Damian have to come up?"

I looked at my sister, unsure what to say. Cass frowned, then she held her finger up, the universal sign for 'one moment'. Abigail nodded in response. Cass picked her phone off of the table. I glanced over her shoulder, Cass swatted me, but she made no further motion to stop me from hovering.

B Bat: Hey, y r u coming up? I said only Daniel could come up here. Abigail can see you.

I saw the little text box, saying that Damian was typing out a response. I could practically hear his 'TT' in my head. He is probably writing a speech with how long the text box was up, that or Daniel saw what he was typing and was arguing about it.

Blades: He doesn't know the way to the library. I am unsure if he is able to follow simple directions. Considering the fact that she is currently uncomfortable with the rest of the family, and Todd took off. I took the liberty to show him the way, figuring that out of everyone remaining, I would probably be the best option.

Cass frowned at her phone, then towards me. I bit my cheek. Cass typed again before I could say anything.

B Bat: Wait. Let us ask her before you come up.

Blades: Fine. But convince her quickly.

Cass looked at me, silently asking me to voice what Damian said.

Scratching my head, I looked up. Abby was still nervously biting her lip. Some point during the digital conversation, she went to tugging her hair again.

"Damian is coming up because Daniel doesn't know how to get up here. Jason left, so he figured he was the best person to do so. Probably because you met him last night." The unspoken truth? Probably because he looks like Daniel therefore, she would be more comfortable with Damian.

She pulled her hair particularly hard, hard enough that a couple strands came out. "No one else?"

I thought before I spoke. "Jason may come up later to check on you. He does that sort of thing. No one else will come up if you don't want them to."

She hesitated, weighing her options. At last, she said, "Ok, Damian can come up."

Cass smiled, then quickly told Damian that he could come up. Not a minute later Daniel and Damian came through the door, simply inviting themselves inside.

Both seemed tense. Daniel was clenching his hands, trying to ward off his anger. His white hair sticking up at odd angles, he probably ran his hand through his hair. His bag was on his back. Damian's lips were pursed, he was trying to hold his tongue back and not start a fight. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, his hands becoming white from clenching his arms.

Daniel tried to put a smile on, which failed. Though his eyes did soften when they fell on Abby. "Hey, what are you three talking about?" Interested in whatever concerned his sister.

"Well at the moment, we're trying to explain what a father is." I generously supplied. Daniel's face contorted, though I am not exactly sure what emotions came from the word 'father'. Damian stiffened, after I left, Bruce apparently didn't become more diplomatic.

Daniel frowned, then he slapped his forehead. "Pa, Ab's. Pa and father mean the same thing."

"Oh," she frowned at me and Cass. "Why didn't you say so?"

I was dumbfounded. This entire explanation could have been avoided sooner if we had just thought of other names for a father. I slapped my head in frustration.

My sister was on a similar track to my line of thinking. She refrained from slapping her head, but her expression was a sunny day on the Kent's farm. 'Why didn't I think of that?'

Damian verbalized our embarrassment for us. "Tt. They didn't think of other options for the word 'father'. So, you two are aware she calls a mother 'Ma'. Hopefully these explanations will help eliminate further confusion."

Abby's eyes widen in understanding. She hummed to herself, an attempt to cover the awkward moment.

Daniel craned his neck to see what the table was hiding. A smirk appeared on his face. "Well, it looks like you have some friends Ab's."

At that moment, Ace lifted his head and growled at Daniel. Huh. Looks like Ace has a new favorite person. Abby tensed when he growled.

"Ace, behave." I scowled at the dog. Please don't go to guard dog mode. Please.

Damian rolled his eyes, stepping around the table. He was at Abby's left, Daniel remained at the door attempting to see what the best course of action was, his only move was to put his bag on the floor. Once Damian reached the other side of the table from us, in perfect sight of Ace he knelt.

"Ace, come boy." Ace followed Damian's command, keeping his eyes on Daniel, his leash trailing behind making a very long tail. Ace reached Damian, both turning their full attention to Daniel.

"Kneel. And hold out your hand, palm towards the ground." Damian told his clone. He demonstrated the position.

Daniel blinked, as if he thought he dreamed what Damian said. "Say what?"

Damian sighed; voice tight with pent up exasperation. "Kneel. And hold out your hand, palm towards the floor. Do not make me repeat myself again."

"Why the heck would I do that?" Daniel said, looking fairly alarmed at the thought of being vulnerable to a dog ready to attack.

"Would you rather Ace attack you in the future?" Damian asked indignantly. Daniel glared; Damian continued. "He will not mistake you for me. Ace relies more on scent than sight. We appear the same, however to a canine- a dog, we smell completely different. He will make his judgment whether you are friend or foe based off of that."

Daniel bit his cheek, closing his vivid eyes, he slowly started to kneel. Once he was in the same position Damian was in, he opened his eyes.

A long moment later, Damian spoke. "Your hand."

Daniel gritted his teeth. "One thing at a time, ok?"

"Ahki. Breathe. He just needs to smell you, to make sure you won't hurt his family." Abby spoke reassuringly. She gave him a small smile, a look of trust and understanding on her face.

How is she able to look like that? I know kids are much more trusting than adults. Looking at the world through rose colored glasses. But Abby, Daniel, and Damian were raised in the league. The league taught that you couldn't trust anyone but yourself. Blood was the only people who you could possibly trust, but there was even a good chance that they would betray you for power. How can Abby have so much trust in her eyes? Damian didn't have close to that much trust in his eyes when he looked at us. Maybe sometimes at Dick or Bruce in better moods. Not often. Nowhere near as close as Abby is right now. Just how?

Daniel breathed, then he extended his hand like Damian told him to.

Damian let Ace go. Ace approached just as slowly as before. Daniel kept his eyes on the ground, watching Ace's paws coming closer to him. Ace was about six inches away from Daniel's hand, he stopped and growled.

"Ace." Damian's voice was a snapping branch on a winter's quite morning. You couldn't pretend you didn't hear it, the sound grabbing your attention in the silence of a cemetery.

The span of a year passed within thirty seconds. Breaths were held tight. My heartbeat thumped loudly in my ears. Is this what Abby is hearing all the time?

Ace sniffed Daniel's hand, like a wolf looking for blood, making his decision. Daniel looked determined in this challenge to create a bond with Ace. He was still biting his cheek out of nerves, his Adam's apple running up and down his throat.

A large, sloppy wet tongue met Daniel's skin. The boy blinked out of confusion; he couldn't stop himself from relaxing. Tension melting away from his posture like ice in summer. Ace kept licking Daniel's hand coming closer to him, Daniel obliged by petting the dog on the ears.

Damian let a small smile grace his lips. "If you want, I shall properly introduce you to Titus later."

Daniel side eye his 'brother'. "Later. I think we've had enough adventures for the day. Don't you think, Abby?"

Abby smiled tiredly, "Yes. But where are going to stay?"

Good point. "Damian how is B? Any clear decisions we should be aware of?" I asked, I don't think me, or Cass are going to let these two out of our sight.

Damian glared at the food and water that Cass left out for Abby. Considering his words. "Father is being stubborn and not listening to reason. I would advise that you two," Damian's eyes met mine and Cass, "Should review the footage in the living room within the next day. This way no critical details will be overlooked during that conversation. It would also refrain from Re- Daniel from recounting his account of events again."

Cass pursed her lips out of disappointment in Bruce. TONIGHT. A-B-B-Y D-A-N-I-E-L STAY. WHERE?

"It has yet to be determined." Damian summarized.

"What has? What about me and my sister?" Daniel asked. Ace was still asking for attention.

My sister tilted her head, asking Daniel directly. SIGN LANGUAGE. YOU KNOW?

"Some. I know the letters and a few basic signs. I meant to teach Abby myself, but I forgot. Because I have trying to teach her English better."

Cass smiled, showing that she understood.

I coughed into my fist. "Cass asked earlier where you two are spending the night. We still don't know right now."

"What are our options?" Daniel asked, upset that he didn't seem to have any control in this house.

"Would Jason let us stay with him again?" Abby asked hesitantly.

"Not tonight. Todd left out of anger; I believe that Richard is going to accompany him to ensue he doesn't do something rash." Damian informed her. "I believe that most in our family want you to stay in the manor overnight."

"Even your father?" Daniel questioned Damian disbelievingly.

Damian rolled his eyes. "I said most. Father has left for patrol. He likely will not be back until three in the morning or later. Our family is often defiant of Father, especially when he is in this type of mindset. We have a number of spare bedrooms if –"

Abigail cut him off. "Can we stay here? In this room?"

"Sis, you sure you want to stay in here?" Daniel didn't sound dismissive; no, he wanted to ensure that this place was the safest place for them to stay.

Abby nodded. "There's a door to outside, a place to make a fire, and I can see from here."

"Tt, if you want to be immature go ahead. Cain, Drake wants to interrogate further and begin his analysis of the evidence. I advise that you should be the one to stop his endeavors. Perhaps by enlisting Brown to distract him."

Cass looked determined by her new assignment. A nod cemented said plan. AFTER TALK BROTHER, WATCH TALK. WE WILL.

"Yeah, and I can try to think of some tactics to distract them for tomorrow. And drive Barbra home if Dick didn't already." I offered.

"Your leaving?" Abby sounded heartbroken. Did she trust us that much already?

"Do you want them to stay Abby?" Daniel sounded alarmed by the information himself.

Abby played with her hair, her head facing the ground. "I want to learn more words. With Cass and Duke. It was good."

I looked at Cass. She smiled and then signed, BE BACK. NEED DO STUFF. SHOW BROTHER YOU LEARN.

"If you want us to stay with you we will. The three of us need to take care of a few things first. Cass and I will come back later. How about you show Daniel what you learned while you wait?" I translated.

Abby nodded. Daniel asked, "If someone else other than you come up what should we do? I really don't need to fight off anyone tonight."

"Here." I unlocked my phone and gave it to Daniel. "You know to text, right?"

"The basics, none of those weird pictures people send to each other."

"That's fine. Just text Cass, B Bat, if you have any issues. Then I or Cass will come deal with them. I told Abby before, but Jason may come up. Not to do anything, just to make sure you're ok. Give me a second and I'll write down who is who on the text messages. And my password so you can get in my phone."

Daniel looked astounded. "Thank you."

"Tt, as you are 'camping out' in here, I shall bring you some materials to aid you in that process. If the animals wish to leave, don't force them to stay. Do you remember where the restroom is?" Damian's question was directed to Daniel, who nodded in response.

Damian, Cass, and me headed to the door. I turned around, "We will be back." A comforting smile on my face to the pair.