Carnation ~ JayTim ~

Prologue

    Being 13 normally means that you have parents who control everything you do. The food you eat, the schools you go to, what you do in your free time, and your curfew. Unfortunately for me, my parents are just like that. They control everything I do. I have to eat certain foods on certain days and at certain times. I have to be home schooled by my family's butler, I have to play piano, study, and read. They won't even let me out of the house. I'm surprised that they haven't posted bodyguards outside of my room door and windows at night, since I have to take matters into my own hands and sneak out.

    This isn't the first time I've snuck out at one in the morning. But this is the first time I've gotten lost in the middle of Gotham. Normally I just sneak out so I can use my photography camera to take really cool photos of the city. Sometimes I even catch some sightings of the dynamic duo, Batman and Robin. Though, I normally steer clear of taking photos of Batman, he just kind of freaks me out, like how Bruce Wayne does when him and my parents have a dinner to discuss business. I capture more photos of Robin than anything else. For some reason I feel at peace knowing that he's a boy around my age, a boy that I could be friends with and who I could trust and who can protect me in horrible moments that I need protection.

    But where is he now? I need him to help me find my way back home, so where is he?

    As I wander around the dark streets of Gotham, I wonder where I am and what street I'm on. But quickly my attention was shifted from my thoughts to the sound of scuffling. I look to my right to see a dark alley right next to me. Shouldn't kids be scared of these kinds of things? 

    I slowly make my way into the alley. Not knowing what was in there, but what I do know is that I had to figure out what that noise was. I could hear a slight crinkling noise coming from the far end of the alley. It sounded as if someone was eating crisps. I tried to be as quiet as possible, I didn't want to disturb whoever or whatever was messing around back here. I grab my black camera that dangles from my neck, I raise it up and turn on night vision. I thought about taking a quick photo so the light will flash, but that would disturb whatever is eating. When I held the camera over to the spot that I heard the noise, there was nothing. The only evidence that someone was here was a bright yellow chip bag that lays on the mud stained ground. 

    I place the camera back down where it was hanging. A sigh escaped my lips as I turn around. As I did, a light yelp clawed out of my throat. 

    There that stood right in front of me was a boy, around my age, wearing a bright red, yellow, and green suit. 

    "Whatcha lookin' for kid?" His raspy voice filled my ears as I settled. There, right in front of me, stood the one and only, Robin. He crossed his arms and smirked as I just stood there with my jaw agap. 

    "You're Robin!" Was all I could squeak out. A slight chuckle came from the taller boy. 

    "And it looks like you're lost, am I wrong?" I vigorously shook my head, I didn't want him to think I was incapable of being on my own. I furrowed my brows and sucked in a deep breath, before trying to speak...

    Nothing came out. 

    I look the boy in the eyes and I could just feel sweat bead down my forehead. The more I stared at him, the bigger his grin got. "Cat gotcha tongue?" He joked, leaning forward to ruffle my hair, "even if you ain't lost, I think it would be best if I walk you home." He raised a brow as if asking me if it was okay, to which I quickly agreed to. 

    There is nothing more awkward than walking around Gotham with THE Boy Wonder! I couldn't help but to look up at him in awe every now and again. He just looked so much better up close in person than on my stupid camera. Right now, Robin was humming and swaying back and forth. His "care free" actions were helping to ease my mind. It felt nice to be next to someone who wasn't strict all the time. But unfortunately, that moment was shortly lived when I realized that I had no idea where I was going still. I immediately stop in my tracks to look around at my surroundings, which caught Robin's attention almost instantly. 

    "Hey kid, you okay over there?" I felt a chill run up my spine, I couldn't tell him I was lost. I physically just couldn't say those words to him of all people. I look down at the sidewalk and noticed something engraved in the pavement. I smiled slightly as I picked up my camera and squatted to take a good photo of it. "Whatcha find?" Robin questioned as he walked up closer to look at what I found, "T plus R for ever." He chuckled slightly, "that's cute... in an oddly possessive type of way I guess." After I snap a couple of photo's, I looked up to the boy wonder. 

    "I- I don't actually know where I'm going..." I stuttered out. I didn't expect Robin to stick with me for this long, I assumed that he would just up and leave after 20 or so minutes. 

    "I knew it!" His grin grew wider, I'm afraid that if it grows any wider than his face might split in half. "You should have told me before hand, I would have done better to help you." The tall boy stuck out his hand, waiting for me to grab it. Hesitantly, I grab a tight grasp on his hand. The boy pulled me closer to him and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, leading me down the street and laughing at me and my stupidity. A slight smile had formed on my lips, feeling his grasp around me, making me feel safe, his voice raspy and chilling, but yet very calming and relaxing, I never wanted this feeling to end.

    But alas, all good things must come to an end...