Through the Dark

Prologue

Tw: Jason scaring people & mentioned kidnapped children

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You show me love then spit in my face
Making your money off all of my pain
You put an eagle inside of a cage
And you think I'm not strong enough to escape
Middle Finger, Bohnes

The room was dark, except for a flickering light held to the ceiling by weak bolts. There was a single table in front of him, holding various random tools, all which he couldn't even imagine what they'd be used for.

His jaw was sore from where it held the gag, the cotton material gross against his tongue.
He rotated his wrists, ignoring the sting of rope burn as he did so, hoping to find a weak link in the threads. Maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to escape.

Unfortunately for him, he wouldn't get the chance to find out if such a thing were possible.

The door didn't burst open. It didn't creak. There was no beam of light. It didn't even seem to move, really. But one moment he was alone.

The next, a shadowed figure was looming over him.

He wasn't able to hide his shudder. He wasn't even going to consider wondering how he couldn't see them, despite the light above them.

"Well hello there." The figure said in a deep voice, he could barely make out the faint mechanical sound. "How are you, Dylan?"

Fuck. How did they know his name? The lantern flickered, and Dylan could briefly see the red glint of metal. No. Not them. Anyone but them.

He tried to yell, but the gag was still in place.

The figure reached a gloved hand forward and gently removed it, even going as far as to offer him a bottle of water with a straw for him to drink from. He gulped it down, relieved as the numbness in his mouth slowly dissipated.

"W-what do you want?" He asked, when he'd finished off the water.

Red Hood hummed, and Dylan flinched. "Wow dude. Haven't even started yet. This is just sad." The creature said, and he could hear the smirk in their tone.

"What do you want?" He asked again, firmer this time.

"What do I want? Let's see. I want to eat a burger, been craving that for a while. I want kids to not be dying on the streets. Men and women are safe to walk alone in the dark. And... oh, yeah! Your head on a platter would be very nice."

Dylan bit his lip to stop the whimper that wanted to escape.

Red Hood picked up a wrench, tossing it in his hands twice. "Now, Bardot," he said, voice going menacingly low, "Why don't you tell me where you took those kids?"

The sounds of his screams echoed throughout the house, and each occupant briefly paused in what they were doing, before shrugging and continuing their work.

...

"Crimson Birds strike again! The body of beloved local business man, Dylan Bardot, was found in front of the Oakenside Protection Department Tuesday night by Deputy Chief Salvey. The telling mark of the red tattoo was located on his left shoulder..."

Damian sighed, putting the newspaper back onto his desk, glancing out at his window. Crimson Birds, huh.

Okay. Sure.

He whirled around in his office chair, cracking his knuckles at the same time. He reached for his laptop and opened it.

Time for negotiations.

........

Heeeeey guys what's up?

I hope you guys enjoy this story, I have 2 chapters prewritten and I'm working on the third right now. Updates will be a tentative every Friday, if all goes accordingly to plan....