Rites of Passage | Damian x OC

5. Playing Stupid Games

1:05 a.m.

He could tell something was wrong the minute they dropped down into the museum, landing in the large, open lobby that split off to different corridors. Perhaps it was only his gut feeling or even the fact that he'd begun the night expecting something wasn't right. Either way, Robin kept the thought to himself as he turned to Batman next to him, who was already nodding in the direction of the wing Jessica had mentioned.

It was 1:05 a.m. on the dot, and the entire building was quiet and dark as they made their way down the hall, listening and looking for signs of life other than their own. The sounds of their footsteps were almost nonexistent on the polished marble floors. Robin paid little attention to the ancient, priceless displays of Gotham history passing them by, too eager to find out whether Jessica's information checked out.

The question of her integrity had been debated between him and his father after he'd returned home last night. He had no reason to believe her, of course, but Bruce had insisted they give her the benefit of the doubt. Still, they planned for both possibilities of her story being the truth or the lie, and Damian couldn't help secretly hoping he would be right.

Ah, well, he was in luck.

The two of them had unlocked the double doors leading into the room where the gang was supposed to be... and there didn't seem to be a single person around. In the pressing darkness, Robin could make out the shapes of display cases and statues lined up against the walls, none of them appearing to be a masked burglar. It was just him and his father, standing there looking like a pair of gullible idiots.

As soon as he turned to Batman to comment on this genius decision to trust the teenage girl, the older hero raised a hand. "Listen," was all he said in a quiet voice.

Miffed, Robin followed his command and stood still, straining his ears.

There was a noise coming from somewhere across the large hall. It sounded a lot like a muffled voice. Quickly, the duo walked further into the wing to locate the source until it led them to a closed door in the back corner. A small plaque on the dark wood told them entry was only for employees.

"– have no fucking idea what's happening over there," a male voice was whisper-shouting beyond the door.

"We can't do anything from here," another voice chimed in, sounding less aggressive than the first man. "Let's just take care of Ba–"

"No. We leave now before they get here and see what the hell is going on with Beth."

Before either Robin or Batman could do or say anything, the door opened, revealing three men Robin recognized immediately. Despite the masks they wore, it was their dark clothing and physical builds that confirmed they were part of the gang. The only difference that stood out was the handguns two of them sported and the light machine gun the third one was cradling in his hands.

Even in the dark, he could see the eyes widening of one of the men in the back. Clearly, it must've been quite the shock, opening a door and seeing the two of them waiting there.

"Are we interrupting?" Batman asked after a long moment.

"So much for leaving before they show up," the man in the back muttered just as the masked man in the front sprung at them.

Batman took the hit, yanking him away from his friends. Dodging them, Robin ran and hopped up to grab the top of the door frame, using his momentum to swing forward and catch one of the other men with his feet. He was knocked backwards onto the floor as the young hero landed and straightened up. In the corner of his eye, he could see the third man reaching for the gun at his waist. In a flurry of movements, Robin disarmed him and struck the butt of the firearm at the back of his head, knocking him out.