Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[47] Numb

Dora stayed at Wayne Manor that day because she knew both Tim and Mona needed her. Tim had locked himself up in his room ever since he had seen Mona and even though Dora had tried her best, he was not letting anyone in, not even her.

Eventually, she gave up, going down the stairs to the living room. Damian had taken Udit to meet Aleama while Richard was trying to get Mona to feel comfortable around them.

So far he was doing a great job as he had managed to befriend her and temporarily taken her mind off the fact that Tim had still not acknowledged her. Though as Dora entered the room, Mona's questioning eyes locked upon her.

"Richard, do you have the keys to Tim's room?" She asked, giving a soft smile to Mona who had edged closer to her, dainty hand reaching out to clasp her hand tightly. She looked down at her, "yes, Mona?"

"Baba... Is he... Fine?" Her words were broken and it was clear she was having trouble stringing them together even as she wasn't fluent in the language.

"He's going to be fine soon," she gently patted her head, "don't worry."

"You wanted the keys, right? Alfred might have an extra pair, I'll fetch them," Richard stood up and left the room.

Dora looked back at the little girl, "have you eaten anything?"

She nodded her head slightly.

"Do you need anything else?"

"I... Want to talk to... Baba," she mumbled.

Dora sighed, pulling her close, "sweetheart, he's a little ill right now. He will talk when he gets better, okay? I promise you."

The girl was silent for a while but then spoke up in an uncertain voice, "he not want me here. I know."

"It's not like that," she tried to reassure her, "he's just... Shocked."

"And you... Not shocked?"

She smiled gently, "no. You remind me of someone I lost. I feel... I felt like I'd gotten that person back again when I saw you."

Mona didn't understand what she meant but didn't ask further, letting Dora hold her hand in her own. There was something about her that reminded Mona of those very rare times when Talia was affectionate towards her.

And thinking about Talia made her sadder.

"Hey, what happened?" Dora's fingers gently cupped her face, wiping away the tear that had streaked down her cheek, "why are you crying?"

"I miss Ummi."

She stiffened, "your mother? Nyssa?"

But to her surprise, Mona shook her head, "Damian's Ummi. I call her Ummi too."

"Oh..."

Richard had returned with the keys, "there you go, Dora. Call me if you need help."

Dora took the keys from him, nodding her head in gratitude. Looking back at Mona, she spoke, "I'll just be back, okay? I have to go check on your Baba. He's not feeling well."

"Can I come?" Those wide blue eyes had widened in request and Dora did not have the heart to tell her no.

"Later?"

The child nodded though the slight hope in those eyes had diminished.

"I promise, Mona, I will take you to meet him myself," she reached forward, hugging her tenderly, "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Mona's eyes followed her as she climbed up the stairs until she had vanished from sight. Her lips had puckered into a very slight frown but Richard had noticed that so he attempted to lighten the atmosphere.