Time Loop vs Ethiopia

Chapter 5

Jason... could admit that he might have screwed up.

Joker was on the other side of the room, messing with something in between two crates. Sheila... Sheila stood on the sidelines, stiff but avoiding Jason's gaze, and goons milled around the area.

One door, but there was a lot between him and it.

His eyes skidded again to Sheila... How could she– why would she–

Breath ticking upwards, Jason tore his eyes away, twisting his wrists where they were restrained behind him.

Cool it. Cool it, Robin . He had to keep a level head.

Who cared if the monster had given him up and tricked him and gosh , he thought he could finally have a parent who didn't hate his guts but no. No, she had to be just like all the rest of them and now he was in the hands of an even bigger monster and– Cool it.

There had to be a way out of this and Jason was going to figure it out . Bruce– Jason paused for a moment, panting. He could remember the look on Bruce's face after the rooftop– mistrustful and condemning... and maybe that was why he had left Jason behind when going after the Joker's crates at the camp, but there had been concern there too.

And Bruce had been kind to him before Garzonas... Jason bit his lip and took a deep breath.

Whether he liked Jason or not, Bruce saved people. He would– he would get here in time. (...except that he had told Jason to stay put and had no idea where he was...) Ok, but seriously, this was Jason they were talking about. Had Bruce really expected him to just... what. Stay put while Bruce hightailed it after the bad guy? Yeah, right. (Jason really should have though. He really– )

Jason hissed in a breath as he jostled one of his injuries

Jason took another deep breath, inhale wavering. Bruce was smart. Bruce had this like crazy weird sixth sense thing he got when Jason was about to do something stupid, so he would get it and he would realize and he would–

And even if he didn't ... Robin was magic . Jason... Jason could do this.

A breath out.

You can do this, Robin .

(Jason wasn't sure if he could do this)

He strained, trying to reach the ropes that lashed his chest to the wooden chair, shoulders shifting as he tried to contort his fingers just another... bit... higher...

His fingers brushed against the course rope (barely. The cuffs around his wrists kept him from going too far) but... where was the knot...

A dark laugh echoed across the space and Jason froze, looking up to meet wild eyes and a wide smile. The madman's grin widened. "Looks like the birdy's awa~ake."

Jason gulped, breath picking up as he followed the Joker's progress with his gaze. The man's heavy footfalls skipped his way in an odd rhythm as he hummed something off-key under his breath, sound bouncing around the warehouse. The goons watched on and the Joker began to circle... Jason took another steeling breath, closing his eyes.

It would be ok, it would be ok itwouldbe–

Jason's chair was yanked backwards, and he gave a yelp as it balanced on two legs and the Joker's face came down beside his, hands braced on the chair's back on either side of Jason's neck.

"Oh, we're going to have such fun ," Joker said, dangerous undertone to his voice. "And to think , Batsy's still off chasing my wonderful shipment... do you think he'll get here in time?"