ʀᴇᴄʟᴜsᴇ! homesick

CH 20: Reckless

My thoughts are swishing in my head, as I realize I'm underwater. I try to swim upwards, but I'm stuck in my seatbelt. I'm stuck in the car where my parents inevitably die, the one where I can't save them, until I watch their lifeless bodies float in their seats.

I can't even escape death in my sleep.

I'm drowning, and I'm trying to wake up from this horrible dream.

I gasp for air when I twitch awake, but there's something blocking my air ways.

Blood.

I'm drowning in my own blood. I turn to the side and throw it all up. I wipe my mouth, and my hands are covered in so much blood, it looks like I murdered someone.

How am I going to explain this to Alfred? If he finds out, he'll tell Bruce, and I'll be on bed rest for weeks.

I feel like I can sneak out and get away with it, since it's so early in the morning. I strip my bed, and crawl on the walls to the laundry room. I hurry and take care of my bloody bedding, before going upstairs to clean.

I'm staring at the mirror in my bathroom, scared of my own appearance. I'm pale, and I'm covered in blood. My hair, my face, my body. There's blood leaking out of my eyes like tears.

I hop in the shower, clothes and all, putting it to the hottest setting, and sink to the ground until I can't feel anything.

I don't know how long I stay there, gritting my teeth, until there's a knock at my door.

"Vivi!" It's Dick.

"Yeah?" I try to put on my best voice.

"Breakfast is ready."

"Okay!"

I'm in no rush to get ready, I merely peel myself off of the floor, and try to look presentable.

I'm so lost in my own thoughts that I almost bump into Alfred in the hallway.

"I'm so sorry Alfred, I didn't see you there!"

"I'm okay, are you alright Miss Viviana?" He asks with his British accent.

"Never better, why?"

"I noticed you stripped your bed this morning."

"Is that okay? I just felt like doing it myself."

"Yes of course, it's nice to have a small break from the Masters."

I know Alfred suspects something fishy is going on, so that's why I kept a bucket under my bed in case it ever happens again. This is how I try to stop him from regarding my movements as suspicious.

I'm getting more and more tired, and it's noticeable to Bruce, but I explain that it's just because of school. With a large smile that I hope matches my eyes, I tell him I'll be alright after I graduate.

He gives me a nod, but based on his body language, he doesn't believe my answer.

Bruce and the others forget about my predicament when Cassandra Cain messages that she's coming home.

I would get to meet the second Batgirl, after Gordon before Brown. I'm a little nervous, to say the least, after finding out Cass's past and her skills, but Tim assured me she's a sweet girl.

The first sign that she's arrived, is when Alfred answers the door, and is enveloped in a hug, after a small duffle has been dropped. The boys run out of their respective rooms, and race down the stairs. I follow behind, not sure if I belong at this reunion.

Dick get there first, and goes to hug a small girl, with Asian features. She sees him, and with a small smirk, pretends to go in for a hug, and then judo flips him. Dick is on the ground in a heap.