The Mission

“Red Robin! Drake! Wake up!”

Had he been screaming? Or was that someone else? Tim opened his eyes as he lurched up and saw Damien staring at him. He couldn’t stop another yelp of pain as he tried to sit up. Pain flared from his leg like an explosion. His head aches fully as he tried not to vomit. Or cry. He’s not sure which would be worse.

“D-dami? I don’t- agh- where am I?” He looked at the cell around then as he registered that his wrists were tied. And Damien was tied up too.

“I do not know. You have been screaming in pain. Are you aware how long? No. It has been hours. I could not… I could not help you. I am sorry.”

Hours? How long has it been? How long until Batman and his family would find them? And why did everything hurt so much? Just as he thought it, he felt fire run through his veins again and he arched his head back into the cool stone wall.

“I don’t know what’s happening! Everything, everything hurts!”

“Steady Drake. Wait it out, it will pass. I believe.”

Even in his stupor, he recognized the worry in Damien’s eyes. He tried to fight his desire to writhe away from what we pulsed through his veins like lava.

But, in a few moments, it slowed. Tim breathed.

“How did you know that?”

“It is what you were doing in your sleep as well. I am certain it is whatever they dosed you with when we arrived. I do not know how it can assist any form of experimentation except for torture. I have not seen Cass in many hours.”

Cass. Tim closed his eyes as he realized his sister was here too. Some small part of him hoped at least someone had made it out. And if she was going through what he was…

“Damien, we have to get out of here. We have to save her. You have to get out of here.”

“Yes. I am creating a plan. However… I do not know how long until our backup arrives.”

Tim stopped listening as another rush of pain suddenly overtook him and he collapsed down onto the ground, his arms no longer able to hold him. He realized this time tears had spring from his eyes despite his best efforts. He held back a second scream. His eyes rolled back in his head.

“No! Please, stay awake. Do not go unconscious. I do not know if I can keep you here!” Damien shouted as he tried to push to his shoulder into Tim’s hand.

The touch shocked him back to awareness as the wave passed again. He heaved a breath into his aching lungs and pushed onto his elbows.

“Damien listen. Whatever plan you came up with… you will have to leave me behind. I can’t walk on this leg, much less with whatever drugs are in my system. You need to save Cass and then leave. You can come back for me.”

Damien stared silently at Tim for a long moment. “That. Is very brave of you, Drake. But I will not forsake you. No matter what. We are getting out of here together. “

“Damnit, why do you pick now to care about me? You should just save yourself. Save Cass. I can’t be the reason you two get hurt, I just can’t.” Tears flowed freely down Tim’s cheeks now, carving a path through dried blood on his face.

“You are not in the state of mind to make such decisions. But trust me. We will make a plan.”

Damien’s resolve did little to comfort Tim as he fought a cough rattling in his chest, sending new waves of pain through his skull.

“Listen. They will come for me eventually. When they do, I will act compliant. That way I will not be sedated. The woman believes me to be the easiest of us all. Then I will find a place to leave my tracker. They stripped us of our chest trackers and earpieces, but not everything. I believe they must untie me before getting into medical procedures, and that will be my chance. I am often underestimated because of my size, you may not be aware of this.”

Tim let out a quiet chuckle. But he listened to Damien’s plan. It seemed like the best option they had. Despite its reliance on luck and assumptions. It was truly their best shot. Crap.

“Damien, if anyone could do this, it would be you. Just don’t come back for-ahg!” Tim was cut off by yet another wave of pain. It didn’t let up for minutes and he gave into the screams. Damien looked away to hide his facial expression. He hated this. He hated them. He would make them pay for what they did.

Just as Tim’s screams shifted into painful gasps, the door jingled again. Tim could barely move his head to look as the door opened to reveal the Matron. Tim and Damien made eye contact, and Damien nodded almost imperceptibly. The Matron wore a generous smile and a new outfit. It was pure white, with her hair perfectly styled, and shoes to match. Not so good for blood.

“Drake, is it? Wonderful. I am so glad you are learning about my new invention. This one was for scoundrels such as yourself who needed discipline. I am pleased to see you’ve survived! Many of the people I’ve tried that one on tend to start gouging out their eyes or throats at this point,” she let out a titter as if they were discussing the weather.

“Anyways. It is time for you young gentleman to earn your keep. Unfortunately, not enough time for the youngest of you to try out an idea. Alas, the testing phase is so rigorous. So we will set you up differently.”

She waved a hand, and a man stepped in with a young woman at his arm. No, not any woman. Cass. She wore a vacant expression as if she was sleep walking. Her Orphan clothes had been exchanged for an outfit like the Matron’s - pure white and crisp. “This is the result of all of our work. Now this is a lady, see? Forward, and curtsy.”

Cass did as she was told, robotic movements stilted and awkward as she stepped forward and crouched into a low curtsy. Her expression did not change. But her hands shook. Cass who fought so hard for her freedom and independence, forced to act like a doll.

“Isn’t she remarkable! Now then. For the young gentleman. What was it, Damien? Untie him, please. Oh, and before you decide do act like a scoundrel, please remember-“ she made a motion into her pocket, and Tim began to scream.

He writhed on the ground, his head slamming against the stone wall as he flailed against an invisible assault.

“No! Stop it! Please!” Damien lurched as his brother wailed, straining against the ropes. Cass had stumbled back, and tears welled in her vacant eyes as she listened to Tim. “I won’t make trouble! I promise!”

“Yes, of course you won’t.” She made another motion in her pocket and the pain ceased. Tim curled into himself as he panted, eyes squeezed shut. The men stepped forward and untied Damien. “We are going to have a little party. All the best and brightest in town. And you all, well you won’t make a peep. You will be silent birdies, just looking pretty in your cage. Metaphorically of course. To an extent. Time for you to get ready gentlemen! Sirs.” This order was delivered to the goons, who both whipped out syringes.

They stepped towards the two boys. “No, wait I’ll come quietly you don’t have to-“ Damien made desperate steps away as his plan suddenly went washing away before his eyes.

“Silly boy. Just a little nap, then you’ll be ready for our party! And we can’t take any more risks. Do it.”

Both men contacted Tim and Damien and pushed down the syringe. Damien saw Tim’s face relax first, then saw Cass make eye contact. Her eyes sparked. And then all he saw was darkness.