Damian's Sister

The Trap

~ The Trap ~

Suddenly, a slow clapping echoed through the warehouse.

Daire and Robin spun on their heels to face the clapper. The once dark screen switched on, lighting the dim room.

The young bodies tensed, surprised. Neither were used to being snuck up on, and both silently scolded themselves for not paying attention to their surroundings. They had been taught better than that.

Daire narrowed her masked eyes. How shamed would her grandfather be, if life still be upon him? How disappointed would her mother be? How pitiful would she look in her brother's eyes, if life still graced him?

Robin balled his hands into tight fists. Even his father, as kind and forgiving he tended to be, would be disappointed. And his sister, wherever she was, what would she say? During training, she'd giggle and console him: it's okay to make mistakes. But this was a mission: pay attention, stay alert, never let your guard down. He didn't dare dwell on the punishment his mother and grandfather would have given him, should they have seen his foolish mistake.

"Hello, kiddies!" the mad man greeted. He smiled brightly for the camera, looking straight at them. Or, more accurately, straight into the camera.

A few dozen of his men appeared, each easily two to three times bigger than one of the small bodies. In sync, the young duo readied for the fight that was sure to come. Both of the skilled warriors were sure they'd win; the grown men before them were sure they'd win, but didn't make a move. They hadn't received the order yet, and you'd have to be a fool with a death wish to upset Joker.

But Joker tisked from the screen, waving his finger. "Now, now, we wouldn't want the game to end early, would we?" He paused, as if expecting a reaction from the two. Maybe he hoped for some form of agreement, though he knew they wouldn't deliver. "Did Batsy take on another sidekick?" Hopefully this one would be more fun than the current Robin. The current Robin was a lot like his mentor: boring and rigid. He didn't smile like the past Robins, didn't shout with joy swinging between buildings, or beam after winning a fight. Boring!

Neither child answered, something that took Joker longer than necessary to realize. Hmm, maybe this was a bad time to let his thoughts run wild. Oh well! It wasn't like he was sane. Besides, he always did have the best conversations with himself, always did come up with the best, most disturbing, chaotic plans by himself.

And there he was, his thoughts running wild again.

"Nothing? No "where's Batsy?" No "oh, Joker, what are you going to do to us?"" Despite raising the pitch of his voice to sound more feminine, the young duo didn't react. This was another thing about the new Robin he despised: he was no fun. He couldn't take a joke to save his life. At least Batman would sometimes come up with a witty- dare he say funny- response. But this Robin? Nothing. He sighed, a little irritated. Looks like this new sidekick was as boring as Robin. "Another grumpy pants, eh? Whatever. I've got Batsy and some other hero- guy locked up somewhere." Both of the children made a mental remark on the new guy's status- not good/ a criminal- but let Joker continue. "I'll give you- let say- two hours before I dose them in Joker Gas! And this is a new formula-" he leaned forward as if to tell a secret, though there was too much distance to be able to whisper, "-so no antidote, bird brat and whatever you are." He paused. "Eh, so what is your name?"

He was answered with silence.

He appeared disgruntled with the- or rather lack of a- response, but shrugged nonchalantly. He could always ask Batman.