Light Amidst the Chaos

Ch 1

This will be told from Loreli's POV.

2 Days Ago

"Mom? Dad? Charlotte? I'm home!"

That's weird, usually everyone is home by now. I thought to myself, walking into our cabin. It wasn't huge but it wasn't small, it was the right size for a small family. It was surrounded by woods and a small sunflower field. The cabin was cozy and almost always had a fire going. I've grown up here my whole life.

When I was a little girl, I knew I was different. I was home schooled my entire life so all I had was my family. This cabin held so many memories from the first time I broke my elbow to the first day my sister brought my nephew home.

"Hello? Maverick?" I called out again, hoping to hear my nephews steps come flying in from the hallway. Once again, I'm met with silence.

Maybe they're all out? I bit my lip and looked around. My mother and father's shoes were at the front door, along with my sister's and nephew's. I found myself wandering down the hallway, taking slow steps incase my sister was trying to scare me.

Charlotte was 5 years my senior but she was my best friend. We did almost everything together and we're very close. Since she had Maverick, I feel like we've gotten a lot closer. Now that he's of age, Charlotte likes to prank me with him. Usually it's jumpscares and a scary mask on his little face.

"Mom? Dad?" I questioned, looking at their slightly ajar bedroom door. I gently pushed it open. "Are you guys sleep-Oh my god!"

There, laying on the ground a pool of blood and a ring of burnt carpet laid my parents. My father was shot a few times and my mother was stabbed. My sister was up against the dresser, a single shot to her forehead and her lower half charred. In the closet, little Maverick curled in a blanket unharmed.

"Eli!" Maverick exclaimed, running out and to me.

I quickly picked him up and tried to keep my composure. How could this have happened? I was only gone for a few hours.

"Go grab the phone and call Bruce." I told Maverick, setting him down and ushering him out of the room.

My dad was a fire breather and so was my sister. They must've tried to defend themselves as the walls and carpet was burnt. My mother was an airbender but her power wasn't very useful indoors. I possessed fire and ice/snow abilities. I could've stopped this from happening.

But I was too late.

Present

"Are we there yet?"

"Almost Mav."

We had been on the road for nearly three days, I couldn't really blame the little guy for wanting to get out of this damn car. I literally packed his and my shit and left Gotham with no explanation. Well, he didn't need one, I was all he had left. Even at his age he was able to understand why we had to leave.

We had a brief funeral for my parents and my sister. I was afraid the killer was still out there so Bruce helped me make it as quick yet as meaningful as possible.

Bruce Wayne was a family friend, he's better known as Batman. Him and my father go way back and he's always been like an uncle to me. He's always treated me like family and took me and my sister in when our parents went on long missions. Those were the good days, now everything has gone to shit.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when my phone started ringing. I sighed and picked it up, I wasn't in the mood to talk. I was hungry, tired, and my heart was aching. But I had to be strong for Maverick, he needs me.

"Hello?" I answered, putting the phone on speaker.

"Hey Loreli, it's Dick." The voice on the other end rang out.

I smiled, "Dick, what a surprise."

I heard him chuckle, "I wish it was under better circumstances that I called."

I sighed and swallowed thickly, "Yeah me too."

"Bruce told me what happened and I wanna help." Dick responded.

Dick Grayson, aka the original Robin. Him and my sister were real close until he left Gotham. I don't know why he left. He never said and yet I never asked. Charlotte was heartbroken when he left. They were practically attached to the hip until he suddenly threw in the towel with the whole being Robin thing.

"How so?" I asked, sighing softly.

"You can stay at the Titans tower. We have extra room and I think considering we don't know who's responsible, it would be safer for you and Maverick." Dick explained. I could hear shuffling and some small chatter in the background.

I looked in the rearview mirror at Maverick. He looked so tired and so vulnerable. Dick had never met the little guy before, but it was not a surprise he knew about him. Charlotte still kept in touch every now and again with him.

"Bruce put you up to this?" I asked, stopping at a stoplight.

"No, actually I was the one who suggested it. Besides, I'd love to meet my nephew and of course, I miss your sarcastic ass." He replied. I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

Dick had always been like an older brother to me. He was always there to protect me and was always a shoulder for me to cry on. Hell, he was the one who taught me how to fight in the first place. I cried when he left Gotham but now that I've left and am reflecting, I don't blame him at all.

"I just don't get it Gray. It was so...brutal." I replied, a huff leaving my lips. "Something doesn't feel right. I keep looking over my shoulder." I looked at Maverick once more and sighed. "Text me the address."

"Already done. See you soon, Loreli." With that, Dick hung up.

Titans Tower here we come.