The Sidekicks

Chapter 3

I pulled my hood over my head and hung around the gum, 'deciding' on a flavour. They were chatting and I started looking suspicious hanging around the gum like that, so I made my way to the counter. Walking up and standing behind him, the cashier noticed me and gave me a little smile.

"Forget something?" she asked, looking around the guy in front of me.

I smiled back and nodded, then quickly stared at my feet when I saw the guy start to turn around.

"Thank you!" her sweet voice called out to him as he left the counter. "Welcome back." She smiled at me as I stepped towards the counter.

I smiled at her and asked for painkillers. She reached for them on the shelf behind her and rang everything up. I popped the gum in my mouth and glanced towards the door. His bike was still there. Why was he still there? I paid for the stuff and walked out. He was leaning against his bike, busy on his phone. I walked right past him and added the new items to the others under my seat. Grabbing my helmet and pulling my hood off, I heard him walking towards me. I quickly slipped on my helmet and mounted my bike.

"Hi, I'm Tim." he said, flashing me a toothy grin.
I looked at him, standing there with his hands in his pockets.

"I'm sorry, but I'm kinda in a hurry." My fake American accent muffled by the helmet.

I flicked down my visor and started my bike. He took a step back and let me leave. I sped down the street, weaving in between cars in traffic. I was certainly going to have a chat with Selina when she got back.

(Robin's POV)

I watched her speed down the street, weaving in and out of traffic. She really knows how to move on that bike. My phone started ringing in my pocket, I fished it out and frowned at the caller ID. Tapping the answer button and bringing the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Alfred. What's up?"

"Master Drake. Master Wayne requests that you come back to the manor immediately. It sounded quite urgent, sir. May I suggest that you go straight to the basement?"

I know what he meant by basement, which means it is very important.

"Thanks, Alfred. I'm on my way." I hopped on my bike and raced home.

Speeding down the pathway that leads to the manor, thoughts raced through my head. What could be so important? Did the Joker and Harley escape again? Did the Riddler threaten Gotham again? He could take care of these things without my help... So why did he need me?
I pressed the hidden button on my bike and the ground opened up before me, I rode down the tunnel, through the never ending darkness and finally came out onto a platform. I parked my normal red bike next to my red 'Robin' bike. I got off and searched the Batcave for Bruce. I found him hunched over a keyboard, typing furiously and glancing at the many monitors around him.

"You called?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

He said nothing. He just continued typing. I stood there for a while. Shifting my weight to my other foot, I sighed.

"Two-Face is back." He said simply.

"Okay..."

"According to my sources, he's going after Selina. Apparently, she stole from him. And if he's going after Selina, chances are, he'll find Kitty too." he turned to me, "I don't know what he might do to her if he finds her."

My heart stopped. Bruce must have seen the worried look on my face because he stood up and put a hand on my shoulder.

"She seems a lot like Selina, so I know that she isn't a bad person." His voice was low. "If you want to protect her, I suggest that you find out who she really is." He handed me a tracking beacon. "Plant this on her. Somewhere nobody will see it. Then let her escape and only activate it an hour after your encounter. She should be home by then. Warn her and tell her to warn Selina too. Just in case I haven't yet." He turned and started walking away.

I just stood there. Staring at the tiny object in my hand. "But how..."

"I contacted Selina, she's meeting me somewhere downtown. If we're lucky, Kitty will be out too." He said to me over his shoulder. "Tim." I looked up at him. He was frowning. "Get to her before he does."

He turned again and walked away. Most likely to suit up. I ran up the steps, going to my room to do the same. My mind was shrouded with worry. Every movement was fast and automatic. I was dressed before I knew it and made it back down to the Batcave in less than 10 minutes. The Batmoblie was gone which means Bruce had already left. I walked over to my Robin bike and started it.

"Good luck, Master Drake." Alfred said from behind me.

"Thanks, Alfred."

​​​​​​​I pulled my helmet over my head and Alfred pushed a button to open the doors. I looked out at the setting sun, a strange feeling in my chest. I took a deep breath to try and get rid of it. It didn't work. I sped out of the Batcave and down the road towards central Gotham.
"I really hope I find her." I whispered to myself.