Street Bird

Defenceless

-Gotham's low-end residence-

Richard made a face as he blinked at Aunt Misty's choice of words. Crescent, who was standing close rolled her eyes once more as she walked towards the two, knowing the confusion that laced the little bird's mind all too well. She had grown familiar to Misty's weird habits of abrupt improv. Or 'Breaking the Fourth Wall,' as she kept on calling it. In Crescent opinion, it was simply delusional.

"Kidding kid, I'm just messing with you," Aunt Misty smiled to herself as she put her phone back. "It's not like we're in a book or anything."

The little bird nodded before turning his face towards Crescent, waiting for an explanation. She gave him a sympathetic look before whispering to his ears, "You'll get used to it, she does this all the time."

"All the time?"

Aunt misty clicked her tongue and nodded their way, "Pretty much"

The two coughed and turned their heads, posing innocence. Eyeing them both, she knocked on the iron door with a weird beat to which was answered far too quickly. As if the whole visit had been set up. Muffled grunts appeared along with a small mutter of "Shit, she was serious!"

Not a moment too soon, sounds of different locks began to be heard. Turned, creaked, and unlocked. The process took exactly fifteen seconds before the door finally swung open, revealing a gruff man who's face was contorted like he had just been greeted by death itself. Misty cackled at this and made herself welcomed, and by that, it meant that she let herself in.

Crescent stared at her friend before slowly taking Richard's hand. "Come on, we're going inside."

Richard didn't reply. He was struck by the gruff man in front of him. The two shared a long look before the man huffed and went inside, leaving a little bird paralysed and an ex con wondering. Surely​ something's off, and she was determined to find out.

Crescent tugged the boy once more and ushered him to go. But again, there was no response. Instead of following her order, Richard bared his teeth and clenched his hands. The grip on her hand tightened, nails digging her skin. Then there was a sob and as Richard's​ body started to shake. Maternal instinct kicked in as she swiveled down and pull the little bird into a tight hug.

"Shhhh.... Richard," she whispered, trailing her right hand to the boy's raven hair. Drops of tears dribbled down his chin as he silently cried, releasing sobs every now and then. "I'm here, everything's okay. You're safe,"

The boy shook his head violently, "He-he's here. I kne-knew him!" He finished off with a crack at the end, his hands​ pulling the older figure tighter.

.

.

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-Batcave-

Bruce stood still in front of the illuminating Batcomputers with his normal attire, his suit from last night meeting. He hadn't gone to sleep for even a second. He already missed so much time, he can't just sleep now could he? Tonight was one of the rare nights that he forced himself  to take care of his company as Alfred scolded him. Last night, he only appear for merely an hour before running back to the cave to continue the case in hand. Which he never stop doing for the past weeks.

His hurting eyes casted themselves on some recent sightings. To be honest, the recent sightings weren't exactly recent. Weeks old. By now, Richard had been officially went missing for about two weeks, three days, and eight hours. His heart's been thumping for those time. This was beyond him. How could he, the greatest living detective of all time let the boy slipped from his grasp?