duh • tim drake

( chapter one )

A week has passed since the death of Michelle Normen. Her fight for life ended when Huntington's disease won. She'd had the disease for years without knowing. Michelle had already been showing symptoms of the disease for who-knows how long. When the doctors diagnosed the disease, it was too late. Now, she's gone.

Those facts ran through her daughter, Lily's head, this past week. Lily has been inactive, mostly. She has been out of the house, but most of the time you would find her at the house. Yes, she would go to her workplace and do whatever she needed to do. She took a lot of time to think over what her mother's last words were.

"My father. . ." Lily doesn't know how to explain anything at this point. All she had were questions, not answers - not facts. She scoffed. The only way for her to confirm what her mother had confessed would be to find him - The Riddler - and convince him to do a DNA test. Then, hell would most likely break loose. Enemies out for revenge, fucking Batman, and GCPD would question her no doubt.

'Even if I did all of this. . .' thought Lily. There were a bunch of factors to be considered in this plan and possible outcomes.

"Would it be worth it, though?" questioned Lily, out loud. Of course, there are benefits to meeting her father - very few benefits. She wouldn't be alone; she would finally meet her father, and finally, have a dad. The cons list is much longer. Negative effects on mental health (not guaranteed, but very much likely); higher death chances; unwanted attention; ending the night crying; and the possibility of losing sanity. Lily was sure that if she thought about it for a few more hours, she would come up with more cons and no more pros.

Lily groaned. She would be going to Gotham. She feels like she would betray her mother if she didn't. Now, how long would she stay in Gotham? Understand this: Lilly will be going to Gotham to meet her possible father and get a test done. If what Michelle turns out to be true, then Lilly and he would decide where to go from there. She was not moving to Gotham; only visiting.

A cheap flight, comfortable hotel, and quick visit. That's what Lily hoped from this. Maybe a father, too.

She had contacted her school and informed them of her mother's death already. Though, that wouldn't be a problem. See, the school that Lily goes to is online. She could very well go to the Gotham and not have to arrange anything with her school. The thing she need have to do was inform her bank that she would be traveling and such.

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Lily had been able to snatch a window seat on her second flight to Gotham. So, she was able to see the city as they descended and landed at the airport. She admits, that the city is beautiful. But, the inevitable end of this trip, put a damper on the view.

"All passengers - thank you for riding our airline. I hope you enjoyed your flight. If there is anything you need, please let any flight attendant on the way out know. I hope you ride with us again," the announcer said. "Also, please do not trample anyone while exiting the plane. Be patient."

Lily exited the row she was seated in after the two other people had exited. When she stepped into the aisle, she almost bumped into a male passenger.

"Oh! I'm sorry," said Lily. She made sure that the laptop in her shoulder bag was okay.

"No, that was my fault. I should have checked if it was clear." Lily smiled at the man's kindness. Not that many people were nice to strangers.

"I'm Lily," she said as she offered her hand.