My Ghost

twenty-one

When I wake, I find myself on a couch in Wayne Manor, a large grey blanket draped over me. Moonlight seeps through the drapes and across the room, casting long shadows. Jason must've snuck out while I slept. It was the first deep sleep I've had since, well, everything.

"Ms. Hady, you've finally awakened," Alfred states, and I find him sitting across the room in an armchair, sewing something I cannot make out.

"Alfred, why are you up?"

"It is impossible to sleep in this line of work on some nights," he answers, and I simply nod in understanding.

I rise from my spot and wrap the blanket tightly around me. "Is Jason out with Bruce and Tim?"

"It would seem so," the old man responds, not looking up from his sewing.

I nod slowly and scan the room, unsure of what to say next. "I'm going to head up to bed, then. Goodnight, Alfred."

I walk across the room and as I take a step out the door I hear Alfred clear his throat behind me. I pause and turn to face him.

"You don't plan on sneaking out to join them, do you?" he asks. "Because Bruce does hold one of the most secure locations in the world I hope you know."

"Are you threatening me?" I ask, frankly a little shocked.

"Maybe a tad," Alfred states, chuckling slightly. "I'm here to keep you safe, and that means ensuring that you don't put yourself at risk tonight."

"Why is everyone so dead set on keeping me safe? I can protect myself," I argue.

"We are well aware of that, Ms. Hady. But right now you have been placed in reserves."

"Nobody places me in reserves except myself. I work alone."

"I'm just suggesting that you don't try to do anything stupid tonight," Alfred states. "You may do more harm than good."

"Bruce has always said that about me. It didn't stop me then and it won't stop me now,"I say firmly, turning on my heel and walking out of the room.

..

Once I realized that Bruce and Alfred had sealed every single window in the home, I gave up on trying to sneak out that way. Instead I made my way down to the Batcave.

I look around the enormous space, my eyes falling on the dinosaur. A dinosaur? What the hell did Bruce ever need that thing for?

"Go back to bed, Ray," I hear Tim's voice, and I turn to see him leaning against the car. Odd, Bruce must've taken the jet or something tonight.

"Tim? I thought they'd leave Dick behind to do the babysitting," I say, laughing. "No offense, he seems like the better choice."

"None taken, I can still kick your ass if you try to leave here."

"Who says I'm trying to leave?"

Tim looks at me, dumbfounded. "Ray, you're wearing your costume right now. Unless you like to wear it around the house, you're trying to leave."

"Well shit," I mumble, chuckling to myself. "I guess you're right."

I throw one of my knives at Tim. I have no intention to kill him, he knows exactly what I'm doing and jumps out of the way, and I launch myself into an attack.

I run towards Tim and throw myself into the air, spinning myself to slam my heel into his side. Tim collapses to the side but doesn't stay down, getting to his feet instantly.

"I don't want to fight, Ray."

"Neither do I, but you guys have given me no choice."

Tim comes at me now, and I dodge a punch to my right, but he lands another in my gut and I stumble backwards a few steps. He comes towards me again and I throw another knife, catching him off guard but he dodges it in the last possible second.

"What the hell Ray?!"

"Move out of my way, Tim," I command. "I'm not here to hurt you, I just want to help."

"You can help by going back to bed."

"You don't get to make that decision!" I yell, grabbing a batarang off of a counter next to me and throwing it. Tim jumps and backflips over it, but it still cuts his arm slightly.

Tim reaches into his belt and pulls out a baton. He presses a button and the baton expands, becoming a staff.

"I don't want to use this."

"You're going to have to."

He attempts to hit me in the side but I smack the staff away with my hand. He brings the other end towards me and I grab it, flipping my body over it and attempting to steal the staff from his hands. Tim frees it and instantly and lands a blow to my head. I fall backwards to the floor, my head pounding.

"Stand down," Tim growls, standing over me and pointing the end of the staff at my throat.

I turn, looking for anything to grab in defense. My eyes land on a sword hanging on the wall nearby. Tim notices my gaze but it's a tad too late. I smack the staff to the side and roll away from him, beginning to rush towards the weapon. Tim attempts to beat me there, but I'm much faster and meet it first. I hold the sword in front of me, pointing it at him.

"I don't want to hurt you, Tim. Please move."

"I can't do that."

I swing the sword at him and he blocks it with his staff, pushing me backwards. I regain my composure and see him rushing towards me, staff in his hand at his side. As he raises it I raise the sword, and the two clash together.

"Go back to your room," Tim hisses.

"Get off my ass," I growl, pushing him off. I don't want to actually hurt the kid, but he has to back off.

"Tim, just listen to me for five seconds," I beg, allowing my arms to relax by my sides.

"You came at me first," he notes, staying in an attack position.

"I can't control my anger, and I seriously don't want to hurt you. Please, back down before I do something I regret, before I do something that can't be undone," I plead.

"That's why we're trying to keep you here, Ray. Why can't you understand that? You think your anger is bad in here? Wait until you're out there, it's going to be way worse."

"Please," I nearly whisper. I can't continue to fight him, I'll end up harming him... I know it.

"I'm sorry," Tim says, twirling the staff in his hands. "I promised Bruce."

I don't say anything, I simply raise the sword in front of my face, taking a deep breath, attempting to keep my temper at bay.

"So be it."

I move towards Tim but he comes at me faster, launching himself into the air. I sidestep, and when he lands behind me I bring the handle of the sword to the back of his head, leaving him unconscious on the Batcave floor.

"Sorry Tim," I mutter, dropping the sword beside him.

I turn and begin to walk away, my eyes falling on the Batmobile. I could take it, just for tonight, but I'm positive that Bruce would kill me.

As I scan the cave, my eyes fall on a glistening black motorcycle in the corner. My lips curl into a smile, I've found my ride.