Mixed Messages ~ {d.w}

➵Twenty Five

OUTGOING MESSAGES
3:34 pm

Damian:

"You shouldn't be working."

Echo:

"You shouldn't be texting"

Damian:

"What?"

Echo:

"I don't know my head hurts"

Damian:

"Exactly. Get back to bed and get some rest!"
"Pennyworth says you might have a concussion."

Echo:

"Still have to work"
"The sooner I finish this, the sooner I'll be gone"

Damian:

"Don't explain it like that"
"You'll figure something out, Echo."
"Besides, there's a reason you messaged me in the first place."

Echo:

"Yeah"
"I was bored"

Damian:

"That's a lie."
"Tell me the truth."

Echo:

"I can't"
"It'll put you in more danger"

Damian:

"I can handle myself!"
"I'm a vigilante! I can fend for myself!"

Echo:

"Oh yeah?"
"What happens when people get a hold of our conversations? huh? What happens when they get someone to trace it? What happens when it gets released everywhere?"
"You can't fight something like that"

Damian:

"You're right."
"But you'll always find a way, Echo. I believe in you."

I really couldn't understand why Damian was so concerned with me. It's not like I would be able to stay here. I couldn't... I was already in deep trouble with my work, my family, everything. It was all too troubling. Damian wasn't in the room with me. It was Richard. He was assigned to watch over me. I couldn't say I didn't like him but I just hadn't gotten to know him. Damian had gone on patrol. Although, it felt like he was right here. With me. He's constantly checking up on me, making sure I don't starve myself and bugging me about working with a wound.

I can't help but wonder, why was he so interested in my well being?

All of sudden, it hits me like a ton of bricks. Damian was in love with me, right?

I... I knew this would happen. I knew it. I. Knew. It. But I didn't stop it. I knew that I shouldn't have sent Damian that text but I couldn't stop myself.

I had been so lonely, so alone. I wasn't allowed to have friends. That still hasn't changed. Maks always tries to make it better but it never works. He'll never replace my freedom. All I feel is a chain that's tying me down to my computer. To my desk. I hated losing my life but there was no choice. Without Cyber, I'd be a dead kid left in the streets. In the rain. I remember that day. The day Cyber welcomed me into their home.

It was a normal day. One for me, at least. I was still young, like, 8. I learned to hack from a young age. It was the only thing to do in an orphanage. Nobody wanted a kid like me. They wanted children, toddlers, babies. It only got worse as it went on. I'd had enough one day and decided I'd leave. I found someone's computer in a coffee shop and I stole it. I hacked from then on. So far I hadn't been caught.

But then I did. I thought I was a goner, dead. They'd throw me back into a home or jail! I was shocked when that didn't happen. Instead, they offered me a home. A new life. I didn't know any better and accepted it without thinking. I don't regret taking their offer. I just wish I'd known what my future would be like.

When I saw Damian, on the streets through one of the cams, I was so drawn to him. Even though he was dressed like a bird, that didn't stop me. I'd always had a tiny crush on him. I thought that maybe, someone would save me too. Like they did other people. I was foolish and left that idea to trash.

But when I had my chance, I couldn't have typed faster. And now, I still don't regret it.