The Family of Bats (DRABBLES)

Into the Island

TW: Abuse of minor (small amount), fear, and matriarchal society!

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Richard Grayson at 6 years old was used to weird things happening to and around him.

He grew up in a circus as a trapeze artist.

Dick visited several countries and learned several languages already.

He learned about the world by travelling it, seeing it first hand with his family in the circus. 

Dick enjoyed learning the rich cultures of the countries that he travelled to.

Some would even call him a 'social butterfly.' 

But that all changed when he watched his parents murdered.  

It very quickly became evident that Gotham was a cruel, evil city. 

Or perhaps it wasn't the city, but some of the people living in it. 

In Dick's experience, it was the people.

The ones that took whatever they wanted. 

Treated those 'lesser' as trash.

Like the man who murdered his parents.

Like the woman who was his 'social worker.' 

Gotham was a chilling place to grow up. To live in.

And whether he wanted it or not, Dick was stuck here. 

Richard sighed as the guard lead him out to the courtyard where the other 'inmates' convened. 

This was Dick's first experience as a 'ward of the state.'

First priority was to get him a place to stay, even if said place was Juvenile Detention Center.

A place with nothing but steel bars and concrete and guards. 

Richard learned quickly, and the hard way, to try to not make friends with anyone here.

They were all in here for committing crimes. 

He was the only one here that was in for being an 'orphan.'  

Dick shivered in the cold Gotham air. 

And yet he knew to not make friends with only the kids, but the adults as well.

No one here cared for him and it was obvious. 

Soon, the bell rang for everyone to go back in, and even though Richard was the first one to get through the door, the closest guard still hit his back with a baton, "Move it, kid!"

At this point, he had more bruises from the guards than he did the other kids. 

The iron bars slammed as soon as Dick got into his cell.

Well, bedtime was all he could do now. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unfortunately, bedtime wasn't long.

An alarm awoke Richard from his sleep, indicating someone had escaped. 

Or that's what it usually meant. 

Tonight was different. 

Someone broke in.

Dick moved from his cot to the door to get a better look.

A mad man, crackling as he ran past cells, and throwing what appeared to be magic beams at random people.

"BE FREE MY LITTLE PRETTIES!" The magician yelled.