Inflorescence • Poison Ivy's Daughter

chapter 15 ~ the broken city

Dick found himself wondering the East side of Gotham that night. He pulled up the hood on his large hoodie so the shadows masked his face. Though he doubted it would happen, the last thing he wanted was to be recognized. On one hand, it would make mildly interesting gossip, on the other it could result in the second kidnapping of the day. His bruises were still throbbing from the last one.

Why was he here though, he wasn't sure .maybe they would listen to the people who actually know a damn thing about me. Bella's words still rung clearly in his head, his curiosity growing each time he heard them. He wanted information, to know her and why she did what she did. But what was he supposed to find out here, he didn't even know where to begin.

He had never been to the East side without Bruce with him, to think of it, he had never been here as Dick Grayson. He had never walked the streets ground level and inconspicuous. Well maybe not inconspicuous, something about him didn't fit with this scene. The way he walked as if he was untouchable, the way he dressed, with clean shoes and unworn clothes. The way he flinched at any eye contact he held as someone passed by him.

Dick had to stifle a yelp as a flock of pigeons burst from the floor in front of him in panicked sacks. Cackling laughter could be heard from the alleyway they had appeared from. Dick rounded the corner and five small faces turned to him, the laughter cutting off.

Dick stared back at the five kids, ignoring the strange feeling of intimidation he felt. They were small but not little. They held themselves with ferocious certainty that was rare of anyone, let alone kids who appeared to be barely older than ten.

'What are you lookin' at.' One of the boys snarled. He had an ugly bruise on his left cheek, spilling purple and yellow over his smooth skin.

Dick held out his hands as he approached them one step at a time, fingers splayed to let them know he did have any concealed weapons in his hands. 'Just looking for someone to answer a few questions.'

'You a narc?' another boy asked.

'If he is,' a girl scoffed, 'He's the worst one I've ever seen. Look at his shoes.' Dick looked down, though his outfit was the daggiest looking one he owns it still screamed wealth, with the perfectly fitting faded jeans and a thick clean hoodie. His shoes were the biggest give away with the iconic logo stamped across its sides in a black swoosh. He self consciously tapped his foot behind his shin.

'I'm not a narc,' he stated, keeping his voice clear and soft. These kids clearly didn't scare easy but they were heavily guarded, they wouldn't tell him anything if they felt threatened. 'You guys know anything about this person?'

He reached into his pocket, as each the kids tensed up, looking as if they'd bolt. They only relaxed slightly as he removed a folded piece of paper. He held it out to them.

After a moment of hesitation, the boy with the bruise stepped from the group snatching the photo from him. The paper held a sketch, Dick wasn't much of an artist but he'd had enough lessons to get the general idea. He had roughly drawn Bellas squared face, high cheekbones, arched brows and most notably her glowing green eye contrasting with her dark flowing waves. Although it was far from perfect, Dick could confidently admit it held her resemblance well.

He held it in front of him for a moment then met Dicks questioning look. 'Nope.' He grinned, crunching up the paper and shoving it in his pocket.

The boy turned to leave but Dick grasped his shoulder, 'I know a lie when I hear it.'

The group in front of them all turned to move and defend their friend, but the boy held up his hand and reluctantly they all stopped. The boy glared back at Dick, 'Gutsy move. I'm giving you a past cause it's clear as hell you aren't from here. But so you know, when you lay a hand on someone here, expect to have it cut off.'