Dagger

XIV

*Phoebe*

My breathing was heavy. The room dark and cold.

"C'mon sis, don't tell me you don't remember me? I taught you how to walk. I saved you're life when mom and dad were taken. Don't tell me you've forgotten!" The words poured out of the strange man's mouth like molten silver. Hot to the touch but beautiful to watch.

He seemed sincere. Almost as if he cared that I 'remember' his stories.

I shake my head, scared for my life. How else should a kidnapped twelve year old feel?

However little I knew of the stories, his face shown with features I could trace back to my father.

"P-please. Don't h-hurt m-me." My voice was small, full of panic and ache.

I wanted to be home, not at the orphanage but with Richard and Bruce and Alfred.

"What?" He looked disappointed. Like a child being told their puppy ran away. "I-I'm not going to hurt you Penelope, not after I worked so hard to get you here."

I looked into his eyes for the first time. A fire raged in them like a rabid animal having food taken away from its starving self. While his calm and welcoming outside deceived, his eyes told the story of the anger pulling at his mind.

I dried my tears, remembering what Richard had told me during one of our training sessions. Never show your weakness, and always prove your strength.

I stood from my place on the ground, knees buckling as I stood but slowly I gained balance.

"Phoebe. My name is Phoebe. I never had a brother. So, who. Are. You." My voice grew in rage but my question was never answered except for a beating that nearly destroyed my vary existence.

"Please! Please stop! I'm sorry! Please!"

"Phoebe. Phoebe baby! Wake up!" A hand shook me away and I screamed falling to the floor. I push myself to whatever wall is behind me, never opening my eyes but, instead shielding my face from whomever kneels in front of me.

Shoving myself into the corner I try to make myself as small as possible but continue to sob. My hands grip wall with whatever strength I can muster in this fear and pray to something to keep me from hurting again.

"Phoebe! Stop! Please! It's Richard baby, it's Richard." His tone slowed from its urgent shout to a calming whisper. He gently took my hands away from my face and slid his hands from mine up to caress my face.

Slowly, my peel my eyes open to meet the gaze of another. Richard. His eyes shown with worry in the pale light, while they were tinged with tears threatening to spill over.

"I- I- I'm sorry... I-I d-didn't..." I couldn't find words. My heart was racing too fast and body shaking like an earthquake.

"Shh. Shh babe it's alright, you're alright." He pulled me into a hug, lightly pressing my head to his chest letting the sound of his heartbeat fill my head.

"Please don't let go." My words were muffled against his his chest and my fingers traced a faded scar on his chest.

Without a word he scooped my up into his arms as I clung to him, my life depending on it.

Richard carefully climbed onto the bed and layed us down beside one another. I turned to face him, my heart slowing from the retreat of my fear.

"What happened to you Phoebe? Please. I want to know."  Richard spoke, voice raspy with sleep.