Five Years

Part 33: Landon

Previously:
Beth gave me a full written description and bio on the kid's abilities, personality, and background.

His name is Landon and he is only 10 years old. He started showing signs of superpowers at age 6 when he happened to come into contact with another superpower wielding person.

Landon was at the bank with his mother and a villain was using explosive abilities to rob the place. Without any control he used his suppression powers to turn the villain's powers against them. The villain ended up combusting due to having their powers turned inwards.

Since then Landon's parents abandoned him out of fear. The kid has been surviving in foster care until Batman found him and took him in as part of the hero school he's set up. Landon is a very emotional child according to Beth's notes, but he doesn't know how to control them in relation to powers.

I don't know how much I'll be able to help him, but hopefully I can do something for him. I've never taught anyone how to do anything, excluding that short time Star and I exchanged bodies, so I don't know where to even start.

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Raven pov
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I'm at the super hero school Batman set up. It's a large compound several blocks from the mansion. Batman wanted a place close by, but not so close that people would be suspicious.

I meet Landon in a small white meeting room with chairs and a desk. It seems too harsh and official for meeting a ten year old. I take a seat across from him.

He has messy light blond hair that has grown a bit too long. He won't even look up to meet my eyes. Even without my powers I can sense a sadness radiating from him. It reminds me of how terrible I felt when my powers would harm someone.

"Hi there Landon. I'm Raven and I'm here to help you with emotional control and powers." I say softly.

He doesn't react, just stares down at the table.

"I use to be bad at controlling my emotions too. I would cause all sorts of trouble." I say chuckling, hoping that relating to him would work.

He doesn't even budge. I sigh and get up from my chair. I catch him looking up at me through his bangs.

"You hungry? Let's get something to eat." I say, opening the door.

He quietly gets up and follows me. We head out to a cafe nearby. I order a sandwich and a coffee. Landon doesn't say he wants anything, so I order him some juice and a small sandwich.

The order arrives and he says a quiet thank you. We eat in silence the entire time. I don't know what to say to him that would get him to open up.

My mind drifts to Garfield. He would know what to say. He'd say something goofy and get the kid to smile or laugh. If only he were here right now.

In the corner of my eye I catch Landon staring at me. I face him and he turns his head away. I decide to throw my pride away and try something different. I take a deep breath.

"Why did the cookie go to the doctor?" I ask Landon.

He faces me with a confused expression on his face.

"Because he felt a bit... Uhh. Crumbly!" I say, forgetting Garfield's punchline to the joke midway.

A corner of Landon's mouth turns up in slight amusement.

"I think it's suppose to be crummy." Landon says quietly.

"Yeah, that's the one. I messed that up didn't I?" I chuckle.

"I learned that one from a guy who can tell jokes way better than I can." I say, trying to keep him talking.

"Is there anymore? I want to hear them." He says perking up.

"Unfortunately I don't have many jokes saved up. I didn't really pay attention to the ones that were told. How about you? Do you have any jokes?" I ask.

He thinks for a moment. He brightens up when he remembers one.

"What kind of ghost has the best hearing?" He asks.

"I don't know." I say smiling.

"The eeriest!" He giggles.

The joke was terrible just like Garfield's, but it got the kid to open up and brought back good memories.

"That's funny. Shall we head back to the school?" I ask.

"I guess... Do you really think you'll be able to help me?" He asks quietly.

"I can certainly try." I reply, leading him out of the cafe and back to the school.
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We sit and chat for a while. Mostly about how to control emotions, but it feels like he's putting up some kind of block.

"What is your strongest emotions currently?" I ask.

Lamdon pauses for several minutes. I start to think he might have just frozen up on me again, but he finally speaks.

"Fear." He says quietly.

"What makes you feel fear?" I ask gently.

"That I'll hurt someone again and people will be scared of me." He says looking down at his lap.

I realize he's remembering the bank situation. I'm a little unsure of what to say or do. I pause and think about what I would have wanted when I was younger. All I wanted then was to feel safe and to not feel like... Like a monster.

I get up and crouch down beside him. I can see tears falling down his cheeks.

"Landon, you are not a monster or a villain. You didn't mean to combust him. Your instincts told you to protect your mother and everyone else. Some might be scared, but that instinct saved everyone there." I say, putting a hand on his.

He starts sobbing and turns and clings on to me. I wrap my arms around him and hold him. This poor little boy had such a rough introduction to superpowers.
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After he calmed down we discussed techniques on how to handle and control emotions. The next step will be putting it into practice. Just as we're finishing up and walking down the hallway to leave Cy appears around the corner.

"Raven! We need to discuss some things urgently." Cy says walking up to Landon and me quickly.

"Nightwing caught her." He says.

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Author's note
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I'm back and with (hopefully) consistent updates! Thank you for your patience and support! (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤