Ruby Eclipse | Tim Drake

Ch 2: Encounter

Tim POV

I could've taken the goose. Civilian Tim Drake, however, needed to be weak and defenseless as any other high society citizen so as not to bring additional attention upon himself outside of being one of the adopted sons of a billionaire. At least, that is what I told myself as I allowed the shockingly violent bird chase me out of the coffee shop.

As I made my way towards one of the few green spots in the city, my mind was racing. I don't recall ever going up against a villain that uses geese to do their bidding. Is there someone new in town? Did Penguin drug every bird in Gotham to go mad and terrorize the city? There was the chance that it was just a regular waterfowl, but the thought was too embarrassing. I considered calling for help, but if the Bat-family caught word of this, I'd never hear the end of it.

I came to a halt in a small garden when I realized the bird was no longer in sight. Taking a deep breath, I began to survey my surroundings. A path led in a circle around a small pond and split off in four different directions. Barberry bushes grew near the water alongside various greenery. Opposite of me rested an old worn-down bench beneath a willow tree. There sat a girl that appeared to be around my age. Her light-brown hair barely brushed against her shoulders and bangs fell in her face, her expression a mixture of exhaustion, confusion, and defeat. Cautiously, I decided to approach her. If she was tied to the goose and hoped to lure me here to abduct me and demand money, she might be having second thoughts, and there could still be a chance for me to talk her out of it.

"Hello," I began tentatively. "Um, if it's money you're after, I'm afraid this probably won't go the way you hope it will."

Startled, she looked up at me, her hazel eyes meeting my gaze. "Huh? Money? I'd say that's what most people are after. Also, today is definitely not going anything like I hoped it would."

She didn't deny my suggestion, and her implication of having a bad day meant the situation could be more dangerous than I suspected. "Let's not make any hasty decisions, it's not too late to turn things around," I began as I searched for the best route to make a get away without running into her bird.

"What are you talking about?" She asked.

"Aren't you trying to kidnap me?" I responded.

The girl laughed at me. "Kidnap you? I don't even know who you are."

"You don't?" I regretted the words as they came out, but was genuinely surprised not to be recognized.

"Someone thinks highly of himself," she stated. "Should I? What's your name?"

"It's T-" I hesitated, then responded with "Terry."

She thought for a moment before looking back at me. "Nope, I don't think I've ever met a Terry. I guess it's possible we could've met in the past, but I don't remember, sorry. I definitely don't have any Terrys on my Kidnapping Hit List." She joked.

She truly didn't know who I was. I could feel heat rise to my cheeks as I realized I just accused an innocent of wanting to take me hostage. "I am so sorry," I started, "I guess a lack of sleep and too much time in this city overrun with crazies has made me a bit...well, crazy."

A look of sympathy crossed her face and she gave me a kind smile. "Don't worry about it, I get it." She stretched a hand out towards me. "I'm Jade by the way, and it's nice to meet you, Terry."

Taking her hand, I responded, "Nice to meet you, Jade." A sheepish smile crossed my face, but something still wasn't making sense. "Then, Jade, was that not your pet goose?"

"Goose?" She asked with a raised brow. "No, I have a cat. It's funny you should mention a goose though because just a little while ago..." She trailed off before a look of realization filled her face. "Wait, d-did you happen to be chased by a wild goose here?"

"How did you know?"

"Because the same thing just happened to me. I was contemplating my sanity and then you came along." Relief washed over her. Whether there was a strange bird following both of us around or we both happened to lose our minds at the same time, neither of us was alone.

"I don't believe in coincidences, and a mad goose chasing the two of us to this secluded area is a bit to strange to stock up to chance, that's my thoughts seeing as we're in Gotham anyway." I told her.

"I agree with you," she concurred, "It looks like we have a mystery on our hands, Watson."

I grinned at the reference. "Indeed, Sherlock. Shall we solve it together?"

"Let's." She replied, smiling back at me.