Chapter Fifteen: The Return

With Superman and Nightwing supplying the distraction for Cadmus operatives, Batgirl and the Flash rushed through the facility and knocked out security cameras, alarms and announcement speakers. They kept everyone busy while Batman searched for Terry. The dark knight had managed to find schematics of the facility, but that alone was not enough to find the cunning little boy.

Robin and Superboy on the other hand were in charge of sabotage. With the attention focused on Superman and Nightwing, there were little to keep them at bay. The two easily knocked out the group of guards and frisked them for keycards.

“Yes!” Superboy cheered when he found the object he searched for. “Sweet, transporter cards, they’ll unlock almost anything.”

With keycards at hand, he and Robin went through the facility destroying archives with viruses and whatnots. If Terry has given them any information on the Justice League, they needed to destroy them immediately. They would much preferred do tenfold of damage to Cadmus and Checkmate, but they had the league and others to worry about.

An hour into the infiltration Terry announced their locations and directed security to apprehend them.  However, none of them were worried. Batman had teamed them into balanced pairs. They dealt with the onslaught of security with ease. At least until an unexpected announcement came about.

“Attention all personnel, Batman has been apprehended. I repeat, Batman has been apprehended.”

            “Damn it!” Robin cursed as he turned his heel to run deeper into the facility, but Superboy caught his arm.

            “We need to go!” He said.

            “Not without Batman!” Tim hissed.

            “It’s not—”

            “They’re over there!” The guards shouted.

            The super clone clicked his tongue in annoyance before he hauled the teen wonder off his feet. Superboy sped through the maze of halls constantly fending Robin’s attacks and dodging bullets. By the time they’ve reached outside, a beam brought them onto the Watch Tower. The teen wonder wasn’t the only one cursing up a storm when he was placed down. Nightwing was a short distance away cursing at Superman while Flash was muttering a mile a minute with Batgirl standing a short distance away.

            “Conner.” Tim growled when the other released him and held up his hands defensively.

            “It wasn’t him.” Batgirl interrupted. “It was Batman on the announcement.” Both Robin and Nightwing stopped in their tirade and turned to her. “He was imitating Terry’s voice.”

            Superboy sighed. “I was trying to tell you, but the guards were coming and you didn’t give me a chance to explain.”

            “Then where is Batman?” Nightwing asked with his arms crossed.

            “He’s—” Superman started, but paused when the transporter lit up.

            “Batman’s coming aboard.” Zantanna said from the controls above.

            Moments later, Batman appeared with a bundle in his arms wrapped in his cape. The group was immensely relieved to see him, but the still body in his arms kept them from smiling. The man looked dejected as he silently walked past the group and off of the transport platform.

            “Beyond—” Conner started, but Tim held out an arm to stop him. “But—”

            “Just leave him alone for now.” Tim said quietly.

            Conner watched the man leave and reluctantly stepped down.

o.o.o.o.o

            Bruce sat down with a heavy heart after he tucked the boy in his private room. He tossed his cowl and gloves aside, covering his eyes with a hand. He let out a shaking breath sliding his hand down to cover his mouth. Even though the boy slept peacefully now, Bruce couldn’t forget the terror he felt moments earlier. The steadiness of the gun in his son’s hand, the emotionless declaration of elimination and the unwavering focus. He still felt chills when it replayed in his mind.  

            The lengths his son would go terrified him. Even after everything was over, he could envision what happened clearly whenever he closed his eyes.

            “Put the gun down Terry.” He said with a steady voice as he tried to get his son to lower his weapon.  

            “A shot won’t kill you, your costume is made of Kevlar.” Beyond droned in response. “Why are you here?”

            “I’m taking you home.” Batman answered as he stared straight into his lifeless eyes.

            “I’m a threat to you and your Justice League.” Beyond didn’t move, his arm steady and gun still aimed at Batman.

            “No…” The dark knight relaxed his stance. “I’m taking you home because you’re my son.”

            Beyond stared at him blankly. His arm faltered and the gun twitched in his grasp. There was still hope that the boy wasn’t completely gone, but it was hardly a time for relief.

            “Changing objective.” The boy murmured as he changed targets. “Target Batman is impossible to eliminate.”

            “No!” The dark knight’s eyes widened and his face paled.

            The barrel of the gun was pressed against the boy’s temple. “Eliminate Project Batman Beyond.”

            Bruce buried his face in his hands as he tried to shake the next part out of his mind, but the images refused to part with him.

            Beyond’s finger closed on the trigger when Batman caught his wrist and pried the weapon from his hand. His weapon gone, Beyond quickly retaliated. He snapped the wrist of his other hand before a small spray can slip into his hold. He raised it to the dark knight’s face and sprayed. Batman had only a moment to shield his face with his arm. From the smell, it was pepper spray. Had that gotten anywhere near his face, the pain it induced would have distracted him for a good few seconds.

            The gun was promptly tossed aside before the dark knight twisted his son’s arm and the can joined it not moments later. His son struggled and squirmed as he fought any attempt in removing him from Cadmus. Batman had no choice but to render him unconscious with force and escape with his limp body in toll.

Knock-knock

            Bruce snapped out from the memory, but he didn’t move to get the door. A moment later a presence entered the room.

            “Jon.” He greeted tiredly.

            “You needed my assistance?” The Martian inquired as he neared.

            He mentally called for the other when he arrived on the Watch Tower. “… My son… he was tortured and brainwashed… is there anyway to help him?”

             Jon glanced over to the boy as he rested a hand on his head. “I’ll see what I can do.”

            Bruce remained quiet while the other closed his eyes and entered Terry’s mind. Not even a minute passed when Terry thrashed awake shaking and screaming. Jon backed away as Bruce gathered the trembling boy into his arms. Terry breath was labored as he wrapped his arms around himself tightly.

            “What happened?” Bruce demanded as he held the boy tight.

            The mind reader shook his head as his cape covered his person. “I’m sorry Batman, there’s nothing I can do. The boy rejected me the instant I entered. Had I continued, I fear I may do more harm than help.”

            “… He rejected you?” Bruce frowned.

            “Your son has very strong mental shields. He screamed for me to get out. He was quite adamant about his mind being his.” Jon glanced at Terry again. “I’m not sure what they have done to him, but he has closed himself off to cope with the torture. The only suggestion I could give you is to take him places he finds safe or have him stay around people he trusts. Time will be his healer.”

            “… I see.” He murmured.

            “I’m sure he’ll recover. That child is strong.” The Martian assured.

            “Thank you.” Bruce said quietly as Terry slowly drifted back to sleep in his arms.

o.o.o.o.o

            They stayed at the Watch Tower for as long as Terry slept, once the boy was awake they returned to the manor. Cassandra returned to Barbara when they returned, but within an hour, Terry was gone. Panic went through the manor as they all searched for the boy. The cameras picked up nothing. It was as if Terry vanished. Bruce and his wards panicked and worried, but Alfred knew better.

            “Not to fret Master Bruce, I’m quite certain Master Terry is still on the property.” Alfred reassured the panicked father.

            “Where?” Bruce demanded, his anxiety shown clearly on his face. Tim and Dick had stopped abruptly to listen to the old butler.  

Alfred said nothing as he led the group on. Words were useless at this point, what the family needed was reassurance. It wasn’t until the old butler led them down a specific hallway that they realized where Terry hid.

Damian’s room.

They found Ace whining and scratching at the door. It was clear that the dog knew his master was home. Bruce rubbed the dog’s head before he unlocked the door. Terry hadn’t changed the pass codes yet. Ace darted into the room the instant the door opened and sniffed his way to the bottom of the bed. He barked and wagged his tail in excitement.  

“He’s under the bed?” Dick said in puzzlement as Bruce knelt down and pulled the covers aside.

“Master Terry had slept in a similar manner his first night here, nearly a year ago.” Alfred quipped as they all watched the boy sadly.

Terry was curled up in fetal position. His breaths were steady as he slept peacefully without a care. Bruce gathered the boy into his arms and pulled him out with great care. Despite what Cadmus has done to him, he remembered the manor well enough to find his comfort zone. To think it would be Damian’s room of all places was a surprise to all.

“He’ll get better.” Tim whispered. “We’ll make sure of it.”

 “This won’t happen again.” Bruce murmured as rested Terry’s head against his shoulder.

The weeks followed after, Bruce Wayne disappeared from Gotham’s social and spent all his time with his newfound son. Terry spoke very little and when he did, it was monotonous and robotic. While Batman still patrolled the nights, Bruce made certain Terry was never alone. Often times Alfred or Tim would be by his side when Bruce could not.

Unless he was asked to enter the cave, Terry seldom ventured down to the cave himself. He was often found assisting Alfred with chores, cooking, maintenance in the bat cave and first aid. If he wasn’t busy with helping Alfred, he was buried in a book in the study. By the time he returned school, his condition has improved little.

No longer was he hiding behind a charming and dimwitted façade. He aced through all his school subjects without a single flaw. He barely interacted with any of his peers and he grew ever more distant as time passed.

Barbara suggested a change of location and time away from Bruce when the man became overprotective. Terry needed more than what Bruce could offer. He needed friends and others he could open up to. It took some convincing by both Alfred and Barbara before the man relented to have Tim take Terry to the Titan’s Tower for a break.

Tim had no complaints in taking the silent boy. Conner had bothered him for the past two months about Terry’s condition. With Batman’s rule of no metas and super beings in Gotham, Conner wouldn’t dare to enter without permission. Terry had remained quiet, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with their decision. He gave no resistance when Bruce strapped him into one of the older bat-mobiles and warned Tim adamantly to drive safely. It was out of the question to drive Terry by motorcycle.

Bruce had wanted to take Terry there himself, but Barbara insisted he left Terry in Tim’s capable hands for the time being. Terry said nothing during the whole duration of travel to the tower. His eyes stayed glue to the passing sceneries while Tim attempted to initiate several conversations. Sadly, they all ended with a one-sided commentary from the teen wonder. When they arrived at the tower a small welcome committee greeted them at the garage.

 “Dude! Does Batman know you took his car again?” Garfield asked as he glanced over the vehicle.

“Bart’s not allowed to drive it.” Tim said bluntly as he circled to the passenger side of the car.

“Hey! That was just one time!” Bart retorted in a huff.

“And I was grounded in Gotham for a month.” Tim replied as he dipped into the passenger side.

The speedster shrugged as he tried to peek over Tim’s shoulder. “So what’s the occasion?”

“We have a guest staying here for the next few days.” Tim said before a series of clicks noted the seat belts coming off.

“Guest?” Conner perked up. “You don’t mean…” He whooped for joy when Terry climbed out with Tim’s help.

“Who’s the kid?” Garfield asked before Conner plowed past him and Bart. Terry was promptly snatched out of Tim’s arms.

“Beyond!” The super clone said excitedly as he hugged the little boy and chattered incessantly.

“Conner, don’t…” Tim paused when Terry slapped a hand over the super’s mouth to silence him. There was finally a reaction! Albeit the boy’s facial reaction hadn’t changed in the least, it was something unprompted for a change.

Conner grinned sheepishly under the boy’s hand before he removed it. “Sorry.” He apologized and continued. “Why don’t I give you a tour? You hungry? We have some awesome snacks.”

Tim shook his head as he watched the super carry the silent boy into the tower and resumed his chattering again before the young boy snapped his fingers to get the other to stop. Garfield and Bart on the other hand stood with their mouths agape as they pointed a shaking finger at where the two stood previously.

“You’re telling me THAT kid is Beyond?” Garfield jaw dropped. “The evil overlord is a little boy?”

“… Evil overlord?” Tim questioned with a raised brow.

“You heard him laugh.” Garfield sniped.

“… In that case you should probably come up with a better nickname for him.” The teen wonder murmured as he grabbed Terry’s duffel bag.

“Why’d you say that?” Bart asked.

“The one you called the evil lord thought of twenty ways to kill a woman using only household products and still make it look like an accident.” Tim slung the duffel bag over his shoulder. “Imagine what he could do with the things around the tower?” He hurried off after Conner.

Bart and Garfield looked at each other briefly. “… You don’t think Tim was just joking… do you?”

“…Tim jokes?” Bart tilt his head curiously.

o.o.o.o.o

            “Oh who is this?” Cassie gushed when Conner came into the living room with Terry in his arms. The boy flinched at her voice and clung onto Conner.

            “Hey Cass.” The super greeted his girlfriend, but held Terry a little tighter. He could sense the discomfort in his fellow project. “This is Beyond.”

            Cassie was startled, this little boy was Beyond? “He’s a little shy isn’t he?”

            “He’s not feeling well.” Tim answered as he came up from behind. “Conner, I’m taking his stuff to the spare room—”

            “Spare room? He’s bunking with me!” The other said adamantly.

            Tim sighed. “Conner, we have plenty of rooms. Terry can have his own room.”

            The super stuck his tongue out childishly and snatched the duffel bag from Tim’s arm. “No way, Beyond is bunking with me!”

            “Conner.” Tim tried again, but the other ran off with Terry in tow. He sighed heavily as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not sure if this is better for Terry or worse for Conner.”

            For a week, Terry stayed close to the super clone’s side. He was still quiet for the most part, but physically he seemed relaxed and content. When the day came for them to leave, Tim was confronted with something most unexpected.

            “Come on Terry, it’s time to go.” He said as he tried to pry the boy from Conner’s arms. The quiet boy refused to move. Tim sighed. “Conner if you please?”

            “Oh fine.” Conner muttered with a pout and shifted Terry in his arms to give him to Tim.

            Before Tim could grab Terry, the boy started crying. Everyone was startled when he twisted in Conner’s hold and latched his arms around the super’s neck and bawled against his shoulder.

            “Beyond?” Conner said in confusion as he patted the boy’s back. He made a head motion in an attempt to ask Tim what to do, but the teen wonder was completely lost. Terry had never cried in front of him before.

            “Oh! What did you two idiots do?” Cassie snapped as she tried to comfort Terry, but the boy only bawled even louder.  

            “I don’t think that’s helping Cass.” The super clone said as held Terry closer and rubbed his back soothingly. “Shh, shh, it’s okay. Stop crying Beyond.” He whispered against the boy’s ear.

            “Is he not feeling well?” Kori asked as she watched the boy clench tightly to the other’s shirt. His sobs and hiccups could be heard clearly despite his face pressed against Conner’s shoulder.

            “Making him leave Conner will only distress him further.” Raven spoke up. “It’s probably best Conner return with you.”  

            “Aw… isn’t that sweet?” Bart gushed. “The little evil overlord is attached to Conner.”

            Conner paled as he looked at Tim. The teen wondered sighed as he crossed his arms. “I guess we have no choice.”

            By the time they returned, Terry had cried himself to sleep.

            “What happened?” He growled. Conner cowered behind Tim with Terry in his arms.

            “What do you mean?” Tim pretended nothing happened, but the man held out a remote and pressed a button. The cave echoed with Terry’s crying. “A bug? But where…” Tim trailed off and glanced at Terry. Around the boy’s neck was an inconspicuous pendent.  

            “What happened?” Batman repeated dangerously.

            “He didn’t want to leave Conner.” Tim quickly answered when the man stepped forward dangerously.

            Conner quickly stepped back with Terry still in his arms when Batman turned his attention to him. “I didn’t do anything!” He clenched his eyes shut, terrified.  

            The man said nothing when he pulled Terry out of his arms and walked towards the stairs. Conner peeked an eye open after he heard the cape flutter. Batman was halfway up the stairs when he said “You can come visit him more often.”

            “I guess I’m free to come and go now.” Conner said with a shaking laugh.  

            “You’re probably the first.” Tim commented as he glanced at where Batman was moments earlier. “Batman never gives permission to anyone to come and visit. Not even Superman.”

            Conner gave a wry grin. “Your boss is nice.”

            Tim paused, slowly turning to him with a look of disbelief. “Nice?”

            “He and Beyond are very alike.” He quipped brightly. 

            Tim was completely lost at what the other was talking about. The look wasn’t lost on the super clone.           

            “He knew I wouldn’t come and visit Beyond without permission.” Conner’s voice became quiet. “Beyond and I have a condition left over from Cadmus. We cannot disobey our superiors.”

            “Superiors?” Tim was startled. “But you don’t have any superiors! You guys are free now!”

            The other shook his head slowly. “We do. For me, it’s pa. I can’t go against what he tells me, unless Beyond says otherwise. He’s the only other I would take orders from. As for Beyond, his immediate superior would have to be his dad Batman.”

            “What? That is ridiculous!” Tim retorted. “Terry is his own person! You are too!”

            “But he doesn’t see that.” Conner interrupted. “I may be able to see it now and even fight it at times, but he can’t.”

            “…What do you mean? Did he say something to you while at the tower?” Tim asked.

            Conner shook his head. “Beyond hasn’t said anything, but I can tell you this. He’s treating this whole situation as if it was a mission.”

            “Mission? How?”

            “He sees himself as a threat to Batman and the only reason he and the rest of you have taken him in, is to neutralize his threat to you all. And from what you told me about him helping Alfred out around the manor, he thinks his objective is to take over for Alfred when he’s gone.”

            “…” Tim became silent.

            “And from how everything is going…” Conner shook his head before giving a bright smile. “No, Beyond will be fine. I’m sure he’ll snap out of it eventually.”

            Tim gave a weak smile. “Let’s hope so.”

o.o.o.o.o

            Conner’s face at the manor became frequent, as did Krypto’s. Change was noticeable in Terry. The only time he took a break from chores was when the super visited and he’d even ventured out onto the estate with Ace in tow in those incidences. It was not odd to see Alfred preparing a seat at the table for Conner to sit with the family at meals. It was almost as if he became an honorary part of the bat clan. His visits were slowly pulling Terry out of his shell.  

            But then, he stopped coming.

            Terry woke up to a quiet manor. Normally by eight, Conner and Krypto would cause enough noise to wake the household. It has been days since they super visited. The super was nowhere in sight, he wasn’t there the day before either. Terry and Ace waited for them at the porch, but only Krypto appeared. The Kryptonian dog’s ears drooped as he neared them with a whimper. He didn’t engage Ace in a playful banter as he normally would. Instead he butted his head against Terry’s hand.

            The super clone was not coming today. The silent boy stood and headed back into the manor. Something strange was going on. Alfred had stopped setting Conner’s place for breakfast after two days. No one asked about the missing super or even spoke to him about why he was gone. Very peculiar. He decided to visit the study and get some reading done if his fellow project wasn’t going to show. That was his plan, until he ran into Tim. The teen wonder looked exhausted and dejected, but he jumped in surprise when he saw Terry.

            “Hey Terry, morning.” He greeted him with a forced smile. His eyes were swollen.

            “Where is XIII?” Terry asked quietly.

            Tim look startled. It was a first time in weeks that Terry openly asked a question. He smiled weakly.  “He’s away on a mission. It’s going to be a long while before he comes back. He said sorry that he couldn’t tell you before he left. It was a last minute thing.”

            Terry stared at him, unmoving. He was not stupid. With the fake smile, the swollen eyes and his unwillingness to look him in the eye when he spoke. Tim was lying to him.  Something happened to the super clone.

             Away on mission?

A long while before he comes back?

Last minute?

All lies.

“Terry?” Tim asked softly.

The boy turned his heel and left. XIII wasn’t out on a mission. No, he was dead, KIA most likely. That was always how the projects died. XIII’s death was no different. Terry found himself outside of the manor again where Ace and Krypto was laid mournfully on the front of the porch, not playing, not running.

They understood XIII was dead.

He understood he was the last surviving project Cadmus created.

Everyone else has died, Anna, Galatea, the Ultimen and now XIII. He felt nothing, not even the pulsing pain at his chest when he heard Anna died. He simply accepted they were all dead and there was nothing else that could be done.

“Master Terry? Breakfast is ready.” Alfred came out to get him.

The boy said nothing as he walked back into the manor and followed the butler to the dining room. XIII won’t be joining them for breakfast anymore.  

o.o.o.o.o

            For three months, Terry had bugged and hacked his way in search for what happened to his fellow project. The family had tried to keep the information from him in fear that his condition would worsen, but they soon noticed it was pointless. It was impossible to keep such news from the boy. He found his fellow project had died a hero unlike all the other projects.

            It was bittersweet for him to realize that his fellow project would’ve died happy knowing he had done something so selfless and heroic. Terry fell back into his mechanic routines. It wasn’t hard for the family to realize he figured out the truth. Tim prompted a trip to the tower when no one said anything. Bruce had resisted at first, but eventually Alfred managed to persuade him to allow Terry to go and with only a simple tracer.

            The trip to the tower was in silence neither was in the mood to talk. No one was there to welcome them when they arrived. Since the last time he visited there was a number of casualties befallen the Titans. The remaining titans were out on patrol. The tower had lost its liveliness. He and Tim made their way to Conner’s room in silence before Tim finally spoke up.

            “… Do you miss him?” Tim asked when Terry dropped his duffel bag in the corner.

            The silent boy glanced back to him with a slow nod.

            Tim gave a small smile. “Do you want to see him again?” He asked.

            “…” Terry gave him a skeptical look. 

            The teen wonder made his way to the back of the room and knocked a panel loose. A touchpad flipped out before he typed in a pass code. The wall slid open and revealed a descending staircase. Terry stared at the staircase with caution, but Tim held a welcoming hand for him to follow. Something felt wrong, but he didn’t voice out his opinion as he trailed five paces behind Tim. As they descend, the wall closed behind them before a row of lights led further and further down the steps. By the time they’ve reached the bottom, Terry could see a lab and a dedication shrine to Superboy.

            What caught his eyes immediately were the floating bodies in the individual tanks. Each of them held the familiar face of his recently deceased companion. Terry turned his attention when Tim approached the computers.

            “I’ve tried cloning him you know…” The other said quietly.

            Terry said nothing as Tim typed in commands. The tubes glowed briefly as the fluid inside rolled and bubbled. The replica of the late Superboy struggled for a moment before he dissipated altogether.

“But none of them were ever successful.” Tim continued. “You over looked Conner’s creation didn’t you? You can repeat the process can’t you? What am I missing?”

Terry stared at him blankly.

“You miss him too don’t you?” Tim asked as he placed his hands on Terry’s shoulders with a strained smile. “We can bring him back! You know what I’m missing right?”

The silent boy turned away. Tim looked crestfallen.

“Is it impossible?” Tim whispered desperately. His eyes stared helplessly at the small boy.

Terry glanced back at him briefly and brushed off his hands. He made his way to the computer and glided his hands over the keyboard. A glimmer of hope clenched at Tim’s chest as a smile crept up to his face. They were going to revive Conner. It wouldn’t be long before they would see the goofy smile of the super and hear his corny remarks.

His smile disappeared when the replicas dissipated one after another. The screen blanked as binary codes filled the screen. Tim hurried to the station and pushed Terry aside in an attempt to save all his hard work. He slammed a fist into the computer when nothing he did could save the data.  

“Why did you do that?” Tim growled angrily. “If you didn’t want to help you could have told me! Why did you—Argh!” He gripped his head in frustration. “I’ll have to restart all over again! It’ll take months! I’ll never be able to bring him back at this rate!”

Terry tapped his shoulder and pointed at the screen. The binary code disappeared from the screen number by number and in its place was the angry red symbol that once adorned Conner’s chest. Tim stood still as Terry slipped into the shadows and waited out the older boy’s anger. He could understand the logic behind the teen wonder’s actions, but what Tim doesn’t realize was that even if they succeeded in stabilizing the replicas, they were only replicas. It wouldn’t be the happy idiot they were both hoping for. And to replace the happy idiot in this manner would only be a slap to his face.

“Tim?” A soft voice called from above.

The teen wonder said nothing his head hung dejectedly. Terry stayed in the shadows as Wonder Girl descended the steps hesitantly with wide eyes as she took in the sight.

“W-what is this place?” She asked but then she noticed the glowing symbol on the screen. “… What were you trying to do Tim?”

“… I can’t bring him back.” He whispered.

Terry glanced to his wristwatch as the two exchanged words of comfort. He had no interest in what they were saying. It was almost time for Tim to call his dad and report back. He was about to speak up when he noticed the two kissing. He breathed through his nose as he slipped towards the duo and stealthily swiped the phone out of Tim’s pocket. Neither of them noticed he left until he was up and out of the hidden lab. He made sure to close the door loudly. He spotted Wonder Girl fleeing from the lab crying not moments later. Tim stayed down below.

The silent boy pressed the speed dial and waited patiently as the phone rung. “It’s Terry.” He said quietly into the phone. “I’m at the tower…” He waited for his dad to finish before he continued. “Tim is preoccupied… but he’ll call you later.” His dad did not need to know what Tim was doing. If Tim were to stop, he would have to do it on his own. No one could force or convince him otherwise.

            After they returned, Tim spent a week away with Dick. No doubt the other was peeved at what he has done, but Terry wasn’t the least bit bothered by his anger. The teen wonder was grieving; according to the psychology books, it was normal for him to act in such a manner. Without Tim around, Terry spent his time immersed in medical and psychological books. He was alone again.

            At least he thought he was.

            A sudden urge hit him as he reflexively dodged and rolled to his feet in haste. A familiar voice hummed in amusement. “It’s been a while, dead weight.”

Damian Wayne was back.