Hands (SuperBat)

15 Blood

Kal waited another week until he finally went outside again. He managed to stay outside for five minutes, but it wasn't without another moment of melancholy and anger. It actually ended with a fist-size hole in the wall.

Kal laid down in bed as his mind wondered. His eyes were as cloudy as his mind.

Bruce laid down beside him, facing him. He watched him, hoping he would come back soon. He tried to figure out what else he could do for Kal to make it easier.

"Master Bruce," Alfred called quietly from the doorway.

"Yes, Alfred." Bruce sat up.

"You and Master Kal has a visitor," he informed.

Bruce looked down to see if Kal noticed Alfred.

He didn't.

Bruce got up from the bed and went over to Alfred to make the trek to see who it was.

It was Diana.

She asked, "How is he doing?" 'He' meaning Kal.

"We tried to go outside again, and he lasted 5 minutes and 16 seconds," Bruce answered.

"And how is he doing?" She put inferences on the 'he'.

"He's coping," Bruce answered. "He's laying down and resting. You can come and see him, but I can't guarantee that he will respond."

"That's fine," she replied.

The two of them came to Kal's bedroom. They found Kal standing at the window, staring outside.

"Well, he's up," Bruce said surprised.

Kal turned to them and said, "Hey, Diana. How's things been?"

"Everything's been-."

"Hey Father," Damian said coming up from behind them. "Have you seen Alfred? I got blood on this glove, and I can't get it out."

Bruce sighed, "Did you let it sit for too long again?"

"Well," Damian said looking away. Then his eyes went pass them to Kal. "Is he okay?"

When Bruce turned back to look at Kal, he found something he didn't take into consideration.

Kal was terrified. His eyes locked onto the glove as he took a step back, but the window blocked his way. His breath trembled as he froze in place.

Kal was terrified of blood.

Diana called, cautiously, "Kal, are you alright?"

Bruce said, quietly, "Blood." He immediately remember the disturbing video that Vandal recorded. So much blood on his hands. His fingers in Superman's mouth. He quickly told Damian, "Take it to the Batcave. I'll take care of it."

"But Father," Damian called gesturing to Kal.

Kal placed his trembling hands over his mouth, but it didn't stop the vomit from escaping in between his fingers. His knees became weak as they shook.

Before he could fall, Diana was by his side. She held him by his shoulders the best she could without making hand contact. She soothed, "It's okay. You're safe."

Bruce said, "I'll get a towel... Or two." He quickly left to get those things plus some water. When he came back, he found Kal and Diana sitting on the floor. He kneeled before them. He saw how disgusting Kal's shirt was. He reached for the end of his shirt and asked, "Can I take it off?"

Kal quickly shook his head no.

"It's stained with vomit... And your hands as well."

Kal looked down at his hands. They were still trembling. He opened his mouth to say something but all he got was a barely audible "aah." He reached his hand out and closed his eyes tight.