Inflorescence • Poison Ivy's Daughter

chapter eleven ~ wrong number

By the time the rising sun first made its appearance, setting a pale yellow hue over the deep blue sky, Dick was already halfway through his morning run. The rhythm of his feet on concrete was a familiar comfort, but not even that could calm his thoughts of last night and the all too recent memory of Calla resting face as he'd carefully removed her hands from his chest. His breath hitched as he pushed his aching muscles into a sprint till he reached the Robinson Park bridge. He grasped the railing sucking in large, heavy breaths of the morning air and got to stretching, working on his ankles, hamstrings, and shoulders as cool droplets of sweat trickled down the back of his neck sending shivers down his spine. He focused on the beating of his heart pressing against his chest, Dick pushed a palm against it as if trying to quiet it down, but the beating became heavier, louder, and wouldn't stop.

Why wouldn't it stop, they were friends, always had been. Nothing less, nothing more. Then why couldn't he get her out of his head? They'd shared a bed countless times in the times where she'd slept over, it shouldn't be weird now just cause they were older. He closed his eyes as he ran his finger through his hair, now slick with sweat, and listened to the morning around him. The stream below trickled lightly around smooth stones, birds were beginning to wake singing soft songs through the air. This park was Dicks sanction, it was the only place that seemed removed from all the violence and crime in Gotham city.

That was until strong arms gripped him from behind pinning his arms down by his side. Dick struggled against the strong grip, when it became clear he couldn't get out of the lock with power alone he leaned back, raising his feet to the rails and kicking off it sending the back of his skull into the attacker's jaw. The man fell back with a heavy thud and groan taking Dick with him, Dick used his elbow to slam into the man's gut and swing his own feet under him so he sat in a crouch. He glanced up through his dark hair at his surroundings. At least ten men surrounded him blocking of either exit to the bridge. All of them were dressed in black suits, which appeared a few sizes too small when pulled over their large muscles.

Dick groaned as he slowly stood, 'Can't we get this over with guys, I've had a good start to the day and I don't want a bunch of thugs ruining it for me.'

The men grunted in anger as three of them lurched forwards, knife ready in their hands. Dick laughed as he took hold of the closest man's arm-twisting it up and using it to jump above the knife while projecting the man into the others behind him. Dick ducked under a punch, grasping hold of the arm and pulling back till he heard a pop in the man's shoulder. The man crumpled to the floor in gasps of pain as Dick moved onto the next attackers. He charged at the first one, pushing off both of his hands which were placed on his shoulders and flipped backwards, his foot smashed into the man's jaw as he landed in a crouch on the railing of the bridge, a large grin plastered onto his face. 'Had enough fellas?'

The sound of a wind chime alarm caught his attention as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, Calla? In his moment of distraction a man charged at him using a bat to hit him from the rails, he fell hard onto the cobblestone of the bridge stealing the air from his lungs. Two other men rushed on top of him pinning him to the ground, Dick gritted his teeth as one of them pressed a damp cloth over his nose and mouth. He tried not to breathe but he was already gasping for air. It didn't take long for his conscious to be tugged away from him. He took one last glance a the shattered phone next to him, the screen showing two words which read: Unknown Number.

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The sun streamed through the white curtains in a golden stream, Calla flinched against the blinding light, burying her face deeper into the pillow. It was a quiet morning, birds chirped in the distance, she can't remember the last time the East Side of Gotham was this peaceful, probably because it never is. She reached to the right side of the bed to wake her mother, her hand hit air, her stomach dropped as she remembered why her mother wasn't with her and curled up deeper under the doona. Sleep pulled at her thoughts, welcoming and calm, allowing her an easy escape away from her thoughts. She breathed a sigh as the slight scent of sandalwood flowed over her, reminding her of Dick. Wait, her eyes snapped open as she took a quick glance at her surroundings and bolted upright, why the bloody hell was she in Dick's room. She threw her feet out from under the sheet as paced the room slowly as she recounted yesterday's events.

'Ugh you idiot Calla, why did you fall asleep.' She tugged her fingers through her knotted hair and let out a sigh. She spotted her shoes near the desk and slipped them on, smoothing out the creases in her uniform she picked up her bag and made her way down to the dining room. Alfred looked up for setting the table when he heard her enter, confusion covered his features.

'Miss Calla, where you here overnight?'

Calla smiled wearily as she set her back down at the door, 'No one bothered to wake me after I fell asleep studying.'

Alfred smiled back, 'I see, well take a seat. Foods almost ready if you would like some?'

'Just some fruit if that's not any trouble, Alfred. Where's Dick?'

'He's not upstairs?' He inquired, placing a plate of fruit in front of her.

'Not unless he's hiding.' Calla murmured around a mouthful of grapes.

Alfred shook his head slightly as he got back to serving up, 'I wouldn't worry Miss, it likely Master Dick went for a run. Though, he would have usually returned by this time.'

Calla checked the time on her phone, 8:00, and frowned at the growing pit in her stomach. She shoved a piece of apple in her mouth hoping it was just due to hunger.

The sound of a rusty bell cut through the silence causing Calla to flinch slightly in her seat. Alfred moved swiftly over to the phone placed on a small table in the corner of the room, and answered it with a clear, 'Wayne Residence.'

His gentle face was wiped away with the reply on the other end of the phone. He sent Calla a sharp glance, smiling as gentle as he could manage as he picked up the phone and moved it out into the hallway closing the door behind him. Calla frowned to herself, that was weird.

Careful not to make a sound she rushed to the door of the hallway opening it up not enough to see through but enough that sound could. Lucky for her Alfred hadn't gone much further than the door and she could just make out the muffled replies on the other end.

'Like I said, Alfred, the man he's not exactly what we would call an... reliable witness, but we tested him and his alcohol level is almost clear, and Richards phone being found on the scene does support his claims of a kidnapping.'

'I understand Commissioner, you said he was seen unconsciously placed in a vehicle. Do you happen to have any further information on this?'

A sigh was heard across the line, 'Sorry Alfred, we're trying to get access to the footage of the area, but, things here at the station are far past chaotic and it's taking a while. I'll be sure to update you if I gain any new information on the situation.'

'That would be highly appreciated Commissioner, thank you for taking the time to inform us.'

Calla didn't hear the rest as swiftly rushed back to her seat and scoffed the remaining fruit down her throat. A moment later Alfred opened the door, he opened his mouth to say something but Calla cut him off before he had the chance.

'Ah sorry Alfred, I just got a call from my mom. She's pretty worried since I didn't call her last night so I'm going to head off.' She scooped up her bag and took a swig of water before heading towards the hall, 'Thanks for the food and hospitality, I'll see you later.' She smiled as she passed him giving him a quick pat on the shoulder before heading towards the door.

Alfred turned around, 'Ah Mi-' but the front door was already swinging shut, 'That girl is pure chaos.' He tutted to himself as he made his way upstairs to break the news to Bruce.

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hello everyone,

yess i know this is crazy late. I've just had a week of exams and it's taken me a while to get back into writing. Sorry, I'm going to try to make up for it over the next few weeks. Almost holidays for me so I'm hoping to be a bit more active and engage more on all my social media.

And omg 200 reads, what have I done to deserve this?! Thank all of you for sticking with me and my story I really appreciate it. See you next week, love you all

Lottie xx