Love Under the Hood - A Jason Todd X OC Story

Chapter 14: The Moment of Truth

Scarlett's eyes fluttered as her mind pushed her body to awaken. She felt it happen several times, but when she tried to open her eyes, she saw the world of the living for half a blurry second before it disappeared again. 

Opening her eyes fully, she found herself in a spacious room lit only by thin streams of sunlight peeking through tall maroon curtains. Instead of the hard stone tablet from before, she was lying on a king-size bed draped with luxurious cotton sheets. As she moved to better view her surroundings, she felt something tugging on her left arm. Her eyes settled on an IV stand that was dripping clear fluid down a tube into her arm. Looking down, she saw a few neatly wrapped bandages on her arms and legs.

She was certainly not in the dungeon anymore, but she still had no idea where she was. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw the outline of leather sofas situated in front of a fireplace at the front of the room. A gold chandelier hung from a coffered wood ceiling. Sprawled on the polished wood floor were various pristine Persian rugs that looked extraordinarily expensive. The room was remarkable. If she didn't know any better, Scarlett would've thought she was in a palace.

To her right, Scarlett heard the door to the bedroom creak open. An older gentleman dressed in a finely pressed tuxedo walked in pushing a serving cart. His face appeared kind yet tired, as if he had lived ten lifetimes.

"Good morning, Miss Vesper," he greeted with a warm smile, his hands clasped elegantly behind his back.

Scarlett observed him carefully, her nerves still raw after her encounter with Talia. "G-Good morning," she stuttered, putting aside her fear to muster a little politeness. "I'm sorry...but  I don't think we've met...?"

"Alfred Pennyworth—butler for the Wayne family and caretaker of Wayne Manor...at your service," he readily replied.

"...Wayne Manor?" she gasped. "The Wayne Manor?!"

Scarlett heard many whisperings about the stately mansion overlooking  Gotham Bay. It was hard to miss, especially at night, when its many lights glittered like gems against the solid black mass of the tree line. Ever since Jason told her that his adopted father was the former playboy billionaire, she had been longing to see the house. The thought seemed a little shallow even to her, but one couldn't ignore the house's mystery, nor the family's.

Shaking herself out of her daze, she looked down at her neatly-wrapped bandages. "Did you do this?" she asked, to which he smiled.

"Indeed I did. You were quite dehydrated and had a few minor cuts that needed mending. Not to worry, though. I have extensive medical training."

She gave him a weary smile. "Thank you."

"Merely doing my duty, Miss."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"You've been in and out of consciousness for the last three days, but you appear to look a bit better now. Well enough to eat a proper meal, I hope."

Again, she swept her eyes over the magnificent bedroom. "If you don't mind me asking...what am I doing in Wayne Manor? How did I get here?"

Alfred's brow creased with uncertainty. Scarlett was still unaware of Jason's secret and he knew better than to share it without his permission.

"Master Todd brought you here after you were rescued."

Alfred's reply only begged more questions for Scarlett. How did Jason know she was kidnapped? Did he call the police? How did he know where to find her? Why did he bring her back to his father's house instead of a hospital? 

Scarlett looked imploringly at Alfred, hoping he would see her confusion and fill in the blanks. His continued silence said otherwise. Instead, he pushed over the serving cart and removed the metal lid from the breakfast tray, revealing a steaming plate of poached eggs, maple-glazed bacon, and French toast.