On the way down to the Batcave, after Dick had made his abrupt exit to see the girl now laying on a table, broken, bloodied, and dirty, Alfred did what he always did when a new Bat was brought home off of the streets; he tried to learn about them.
"So where did you pick her up?"
"The circus."
That earned a small sigh from Alfred, who knew that every time the circus was in town, he went to see it, knowing he could not prevent the tragedy that had befallen Dick when Tony Zucco sawed away at the ropes with acid.
"What was she doing there?"
Bruce paused. Then he sighed himself and said, "Another trapeze act for the Haly Circus. Another sabotage, I'd wager. But it was the girl who fell. She was a single act, trapeze and high wire, no net. Fools," he added in an undertone. "I don't know how she survived, but I managed to nick her from the scene before anyone got down to the ring. To them, she just disappeared."
Alfred eyed the millionaire somewhat critically.
"Does she have a name?"
"Don't know. They don't introduce them individually anymore, but the act was called something about balance and 'Cain'."
"Did you consider that might be her first or last name?"
Dick called cheerfully up the pole, "Come on, are you coming?"
Bruce merely swung down to meet his son in his normal brooding way.
Despite his cheerful attitude, Dick was again white as a sheet at the sight of her face.
"Master Dick, I think perhaps you should-" Alfred began.
"Tell me the story," Dick broke in quietly.
Bruce nodded, and began the information he had shared with Alfred in the form of a story.
YOU ARE READING
Another Bat Abandoned
FanfictionVirgil Cain had the gall to be another stranded orphan from Haly's circus. Dick Grayson hadn't believed it when Bruce told him. But if the raven hair and acrobatic skills didn't lie... what was she hiding from the team and Robin? Note: I do not...
