Like Batman

Chapter 6

That night after I had woken up from a dream, I was up the rest of the night. The office kept me sane as I thought back over the traumatizing dream. I don't think you can call it a dream since nothing good happened like in fairy tales.

This was a nightmare. An unbelievable, gut wrenching, cry worthy, nightmare.

I relived my parents death.

The darkest day of my life that happened in front of my own eyes. The darkest day that left me traumatized and furious to no end. I can't put my anger into words. I had nobody to keep me calm. I lost my parents damn it!

A quick figure took my attention. Much like the one in my nightmare. I abruptly stood up and cautiously walked to the glass door. I looked out and saw the petite figure going for the kitchen. I quickly opened my door and called out, "Skylar?" She jumped and turned around. She held her chest from my quiet outburst.

"M-Mr. Payne. I didn't know you were awake." She said gaining composer.

"I'm sorry if I woke you." I apologized. She quickly shook her head.

"Oh no. I just woke up from a-a,"

"Nightmare?" I finished for her. Skylar's eyes widened a bit.

"Yes." She said almost breathlessly.

"I understand." I commented, "We can have a chat if you'd like." I offered motioning to my office. She accepted and followed me in, shutting the door. We each took a seat and stayed quiet.

"So you or me first?" Skylar asked with an innocent smile. Her smile was truly a beautiful sight.

"Ladies first." I smiled back. She let out a quiet, short giggle. As it grew quieter her demeanor changed from a happy to depressed soul.

"It was a memory, I guess. I was thirteen, fourteen in just a couple days. I was helping my mum cook dinner. We were having turkey and mashed potatoes. My dad was perched at the island admiring my mum and I." She never looked at me. Just sadness, "We were finally getting over a financial stop. My parents were so happy. Being young I didn't know much, just that we were poor for a while. Just sliding by with anything we had." I couldn't relate to that since I was born into a rich family, "My dad and I shared a laugh. Next thing I know, a burly man breaks our door with others following. They kept shouting 'Jim! Jim! Jim!'" Skylar said in a deeper voice, mimicking the man. She looked like she was being stabbed as she spoke, "The man and the others had guns. My mum quickly pushed me under the counter in a small cabinet. She quickly whispered to me to be quiet. She shut the door then and my dad yelled 'I love you Bird!' My mother yelled that she loved me too." Tears streamed down her face. My eyes stung from on coming tears, "One shot was fired, then another." Skylar said angrily, "Those men took away the best things I ever had in my life." Anger then showed.

All I could see was a broken heart, soul, and little girl who lost the most important things to her.

A little girl who has to grow up so fast.

I didn't hesitate to start talking.

"My nightmare was a memory as well. Two years ago I was at an old warehouse with my parents. My dad was going to by another small building for the company for the tech people. As he was closing a deal, some man walked in. He looked like a pimp in all honesty." The pimp, I recall, was oddly familiar. To this day I still can't figure out who he was, "He said that my father owed him money. A lot of money." I didn't want to go into details, the day still fresh in my mind, "The pimp had a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He held a gasoline can in one hand and his other was over his pocket. A massive smirk covered his face as be poured a small puddle of gasoline. He threw the can almost hitting my mother. I was beyond pissed. I held my mum and dad close. I knew what this man was planning but I needed to be with my parents." I felt my heart sear with pain and my stomach became hollow like a massive log, "The man drew his gun and said it was to late. He took his cig and I swear it fell in slow motion. My mum and dad screamed at me to run. They started pushing me and I just ran. Just as I reached outside, the building was encased in the hottest flames." A shaky, fragile hand rested on mine. I looked up to Skylar and tears still fell from her.

"I'm sorry." Her voice cracked. I let a shaky breath out. I've never shared the first point of view of my parents death with anybody. Only Lillian.

"I'm sorry too." I spoke. We're both so vulnerable. I stood up and moved around the desk. I held my hand out for Skylar. She took it confused as I lifted her up. I delicately wrapped my arms around her and let out a strangled sob.

Skylar's frail arms wrapped around my torso. Little cries escaped from her as well. We were brought together even more by having a similar thing happen to us. We both lost dear things in our lives. People. Those who conceived us, raised us, loved us. We lost what so many other people have. We lost friends. We lost jokes, memories. We lost our mums and dads because of pricks that still survive today.