Closer Than Your Shadow

Weeping Willow

November 30th 1:01 p.m.
Gotham
Gotham cemetery

The cemetery was a long walk. At least a 30-minute trek but I'd been putting this off for long enough.

The arched iron gate read 'Gotham Cemetery'. The leaves were swirling in mini tornados across the lawn, and they crunched under my sneakers as I walked through. It was your average green layout of grey and white stones covered in moss. Crypts and mausoleums were scattered around. Their roofs were covered in vines and brown leaves. The edge of the cemetery was surrounded by a wall of tall trees.

I walked to the very back until I was under the branches of an old oak. They were buried next to each other, I decided to give them a combined headstone because that's what felt right.  It cost more but I just put some of my school fund towards it.

I brushed the leaves off and picked a weed that was sprouting a dandelion next to the white granite.

I regretted not bringing flowers after I saw how sad their headstone looked. It was obvious no one visited them. Their parents died when I was little. The family I did have were reclusive. They never went out of their way to talk to me so I didn't either.

"Hey momma. Hey dad." I said as I sat down. "It's been a while since I've come out here. I know I promised to visit every week, but shit's been crazy." My throat started to close once I realized I was talking to a hunk of stone. "I know it's selfish and you guys deserve better, so I'll work on it. I just came to talk you I guess. I wanted to explain myself since I know you're watching everything. I just don't know what's going on with me." I put my hands over my face, and I almost choked on my own tears. "I swear to God I didn't know that would happen; I swear. They pulled the gun, and he was gone. His last words were to me and I-."

Then the dams broke loose, and my tears gushed. I pulled my legs in and laid my head against my knees for a few minutes. I tried to think of what else I could say to prove that I was still the same quiet girl they knew. But that was so far gone.

"I told you I was leaving this place one way or another and I meant it. I'm going to do it for all of us." I tried to control my breathing, but I choked and let out one more sob. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand until I couldn't see the droplets hanging off my lashes anymore.

"I'll be back soon, okay? And I'll bring you some flowers." I cleared my throat and took off for the exit. Birds were cawing as I passed their branches. They've always taunted me since that day at the river. I just learned to ignore it or chalk it up to my guilty mind playing tricks again.

I walked along the edge of a white tomb and my fingers ran against the marble. It wasn't white anymore, but instead a rained down beige that just didn't have anymore luster.

I heard him before I saw him, the leaves crunching under his boots were almost echoing to me. Dick's long legs came out from behind the corner of the crypt and he was staring at the ground as he walked. My jaw tightened and I tried to look away before we had to make this awkward. But his big brown eyes set on mine, and I was frozen in place.

A pained expression spread across his face. Like seeing me was a reminder of something, but he took his hand out of his pocket to give me a gentle wave.

I nodded and kept walking. The last thing I needed was him scrambling my head. I passed him, but his footsteps crunched behind me.

"Hold on." He called and my brows pinched up.

I didn't slow down and he jogged to catch up with me. I stopped and looked at him through wet lashes.

"What?" I questioned.