Inflorescence • Poison Ivy's Daughter

chapter twelve ~ knight in shiny armor

They removed the blindfold after what seemed like hours in the dark. Dick blinked excessively as his eyes adjusted and took in his surroundings in a quick glance. 

His hands were handcuffed tightly together behind the back of his chair, his ankles fastened to each wooden leg. He was in a kind of warehouse, the pale light streamed in through thin foggy windows which were barely seen over the large metal crates that towered around them forming a sort of maze. Two guards stood either side of him, he spotted twelve others situated around the room all in matching suits and sunglasses. 

One of the men, however, stood out as different. His head was fully shaved and he was dressed in a red tux instead of the usual all black that the rest of the group wore, he didn't wear glasses either which allowed his steel gray eyes to glare Dick down with an eerily unflinching focus.

The guard next to him who had removed his blindfold leant down to hiss in his ear, 'Any funny business kid and that pretty face of yours is going to be beaten to a pulp.'

Dick went to reply but found his mouth was full of liquid, he turned as spat to his side, red splashed across the floor near the guard's shoe and dripped down Dicks' chin, staining his white shirt.

'Whoops,' He mumbled sheepishly, smiling up at the guard.

The guard's face turned a brilliant shade of pink, his thin mouth formed an ugly snarl as he drew back his fist.

'Don't,' a sharp British voice cut through the air from the man in the red suit. Immediately the guard froze.

'But boss-'

'You know the conditions, Barry. The kid is not to be harmed until I hear the word, so unless you're feeling brave explain Vulcan why you ignored his direct orders...'

The guard called Barry instantly paled, dropping his fists to his side and bowing his head, 'My apologies, boss.'

The boss turned his attention back to Dick taking a step forward so he towered above him, 'Richard Grayson,' he mused, 'I certainly hope you're worth the trouble you caused.'

Dick grinned bloodily and chuckled, ignoring the sharp pain that shot through his chest, 'As much as I hate to disappoint mister, I'm often not.'

The man returned his smile; it was sharp and cold. The sight of it sent a shiver down Dicks' spine. 'Thank you for your opinion boy but that's not for you to determine.' with a gloved finger he pushed up Dicks chin to study his face, 'Now, why would he be so interested in a boy like you?' His voice was quieter and more directed at himself so Dick didn't answer. Instead, he fiddled with the handcuffs, testing their hold but not daring look away from the mans searching gaze.

'You're not even slightly afraid, are you?'

Dick smirked, 'You realize I'm the son of Bruce Wayne, right? This is my third kidnapping this month, I'm more concerned about the scowling I'll get from Alfred if I'm late for my one o'clock luncheon.' His voice kept its usual confidence as his bit down the fear he felt. Sure, getting kidnapped was a usual occurrence in his life, but it was rare that anyone really succeeded, and even if they did, it was never to this level.

The boss cocked his head slightly and leaned in close so his warm breath washed over Dick's face. 'I'm well aware of who you are, boy. However, you know nothing of us and I assure you this kidnapping will not go as your many others have. So joke while you can, cause when my boss arrives to collect you, there will be no ransom, no negotiation, you will disappear from society without warning. But don't worry, he won't kill you. Not right away at least. Not after all this trouble to have you taken in alive.' A slow grin crossed his face, 'but perhaps, Boy, that should be what you worry about. Because when the king takes an interest in something, it is without a doubt, doomed.'

His words caused Dick's heart to flip in his chest, he kept his face neutral but he couldn't hide the slight tremor in his shoulders. 

A sharp bang pulled everyone's attention from Dick as the guards were suddenly on alert, guns out at ready as they scanned their surroundings, glancing back at the boss for direction. The boss pulled away from Dick, his face stony but confused. He jerked his chin slightly and the guards dispersed into the maze of crates, disappearing from view apart from the two at Dicks side. 

About time he arrived, Dick thought smugly as he peeled the loosed tape from his fingers and stretched them out behind his back, neither guards noticing his triumphic expression.

After a few minutes passed the boss sent the guard a look, the guard immediately pressed two fingers to the com in his ear, 'Report.' he spoke.

Silence.

'Groups 02 and 09, report.' He said a little louder.

Nothing.

'Groups 08, 21, 05, 06, report,' His growing panic was evident in his voice as the boss stared him down. 'Report!' He shouted, at the same time a louder crash sounded behind the tower of crates to their left. Everyone froze to listen; more silence, eery and unnerving filled the warehouse. If it was making Dick uncomfortable he couldn't imagine how the kidnappers were feeling right now.

The boss made the same jerk of his chin to the guard on Dick's other side, slowly and reluctantly he stepped forward, his gun shaking from the tremor in his hand as he rounded the corner between the crates.

As the remaining men's focus was on the spot where the guard was last seen Dick quickly clicked off his handcuff, silently placing them on the floor and untying his ankles. He glanced up at the two men, making sure he wasn't noticed before he moved swiftly from the chair sweeping the first guard's feet from under him. Dick moved for another blow but his legs were stiff and numb causing him to falter slightly. The guards didn't miss the opportunity, grabbing hold of his ankles and sharply pulling him to the ground, the back of his head smashing on to the concrete floor below.

His head pounded with a sharp ring erupting in his ears, he rolled out of the way just in time to dodge the hell of the guard's wooden hell from crushing his head. He managed to pull himself into a crouch away from the guard, but his heart sank as he heard a click behind him and the chill of metal pressed to the back of his head. Slowly he turned to meet the eyes of the boss through his blurred vision.

'Now boy, I know I said I'm not supposed to kill you but you're really pushing my nerves at the moment and I'm not known for my second chances. You understand?'

Dick didn't get a chance to nod before a black figure dropped from the sky kicking the gun from the bosses hand. Dick struggled to focus enough to make sense of the fight as he watched in awe from the floor.

The guard stepped in but the figure whirled around blocking his hit and leaping into a kick which snapped across his face knocking him out cold before his body hit the group, the boss put up more of a fight. His advanced skill was evident as he fought of the hooded figures attacks. But the figure was smarter, tripping him on the discarded chair so he had to scramble backwards in a futile attempt to escape. The figure leaned over him, and the bosses eyes widened, 'Impossi-' The rest was cut out as the figure knocked him out with a single punch to the temple.

Dick stumbled to his feet as his rescuer walked towards him, 'Glad you could finally make it, old- '. The world spun as a wave of vertigo rushed over him and he found himself falling to the floor. 

The figure rushed towards him scooping him up in their arms before he could fall, 'That was uncalled for Richie, I'm hardly that older than you.' a husky female voice replied.

Dick started as the girl pulled his arm over her shoulder, but didn't have the strength or balance to pull back. 'Who-'

'Your knight in shiny armor kid.' The hooded girl turned to face him, her glowing green eyes staring back at him through the shadows a small smirk playing on her full lips.

His breath caught in his throat, her name rolling off his tongue so smoothly he didn't even realize he had said it, 'Belladonna.'