Not long after Bruce Wayne’s escape from prison, a missing child report was filed for one Terrance Wayne. The officials believed Bruce Wayne had taken the child after the murder of Vesper Fairchild and attempted to flee the country with his son. Some said he had done away with the child as he done so to Fairchild.
Little did they know, the boy Terrance they were searching for had isolated himself in the caves below Wayne Manor. Only those with close relations to him were aware that he took refuge in the dark caves.
Why would he do such a thing, when his absence from the public was detrimental to his father’s reputation further? The answer was simple, as Terrance Wayne, he couldn’t spend his time researching and looking into the murder case. As Terrance Wayne, he’d have to return to school and deal with the gossip and nonsense from the public. And without Bruce Wayne, there was no need for Terrance Wayne to exist.
There were attempts made to thwart his efforts. His father tried locking him out, but the boy found his way back into the cave with some effort. Even so, his efforts could only go so far with the materials he was able to gather. Fortunately or unfortunately, the murder took place in the manor, giving him easy access to the crime scene without needing to expose himself to the public, but he had no access to the corpse of Fairchild. Even with all his computer know-how, if the information wasn’t on an electronic database, his hacking skills were useless.
His father offered no assistance to clear his own name, Fairchild’s death affected him more so than Terry first assumed. Despite his unwillingness to clear Bruce Wayne, many others have tried talking to him—Superman, Catwoman, Batgirl—but he responded little to them. How’d Terry know they spoke with him? The radio he installed on Batman’s cowl couldn’t be removed without damaging its integrity and there weren’t any extras around, given Terry had taken the spare to experiment with the video module. And with how he designed the radio, his father couldn’t short-circuit it easily either. He wasn’t trained by the best for nothing.
If his father wasn’t in distraught, it would make his job considerably easier. Whoever framed him must’ve known him quite well. Not only to kill someone close to him, but someone in his civilian identity. Terry would like to admit Batman held no weaknesses, but he’d be lying to himself if he actually believed it. After all, Batman was human and it was due to those weaknesses that the dark knight was born.
All in all, the detective work he done reached a dead end.
Unless he could somehow go about Gotham without being seen, caught, and still mentally function after the exhausting ordeal, he was stuck. His body was not trained like Tim or Dick’s. To put it bluntly, he has no stamina to perform on the field.
He gave an irritated sigh as he slumped back against his chair. His eyes stayed glued to the glowing screens. He ran through the information over and over again hoping to find some new lead that would help him. He was stuck and couldn’t ask for help. Dick, Tim, Oracle and even Batgirl still doubted dad. Unlike him, they were trying to convince themselves he was innocent.
The police found Fairchild’s memoir and its content seemed to support that Bruce has the motive to kill her, but it wasn’t only just proof that Bruce Wayne had killed her, it had proof that Batman would kill her.
It was pointless for Terry to get their help. They were convinced that Bruce was the murderer. They would hinder him more than help at this point. He needed someone that believed his father was innocent. Alfred doesn’t count. The old butler was in no shape to be running about Gotham lurking in the shadows to search for answers.
No, he needed someone physically capable.
He broke out of his thoughts and quickly launched two batarangs at the two throwing knives coming at his person. He rolled out of his chair as it was sliced in half. Quickly rolling to his feet, he pulled out the freeze ray and pressed the barrel into his assailant’s stomach at point blank. At the same time a cold blade pressed against the artery at the base of his neck. If either of them moved, the other would surely suffer for their actions.
“Damian.” Terry greeted his brother calmly.
The older boy smirked in response. “Surprised to see me, deadweight?”
“I presume you heard the news.” Terry said bluntly.
Damian dropped his smirk with a frown. “Who was it? Who framed father?”
“If I told you, you would kill me right after.” He said dryly, he didn’t dare let his finger leave the trigger.
“Tt.” The older boy clicked his tongue. “No, your death would be for the right of being father’s heir.” He lowered his sword. “What I want now is the head of the impersonator on a silver platter.”
Terry lowered his gun cautiously as he stood. “Then we have a common objective.”
Ironic, how the only other capable person that trusted his father’s innocence was his homicidal half-brother.To Damian, it was nonsense that father would break his own code of honor. He was convinced from the start that some imbecile had dared frame his father for something completely below him. When he heard the news of the murder, he had slipped from his mother’s watchful eyes and made his way back to the manor.
“Master Damian!” Alfred said in surprise when he came down to the cave with a bowl of soup for Terry’s supper. “When did you return?”
“None of your business.” The boy retorted, not breaking his attention from the pictures on the screen as Terry updated him on the matters of his investigation and what was needed in order for him to proceed further into his investigation.
“You haven’t found the imbecile yet?” Damian snapped.
“Would you like to do this on your own?” Terry said bluntly from where he stood.
The old butler studied the brothers in surprise. The fact the two were within the range of one another and hadn’t tried to maim or kill each other was an amazing feat. After they finished their round of insults and retorts, Terry returned to explaining to Damian of the overview of the murder, filling in the other Wayne of what happened during his absence at the manor.
It was a strange, but a comforting sight. Even with their disagreements, these two brothers were willing to set aside their differences to help their father. It was only temporary until their father’s name was cleared, but nonetheless they cared deeply for Bruce. Alfred shook his head with a smile before returning to the kitchens. Soup would not be filling or convenient for them to ingest now. He needed to prepare some sandwiches and clean finger foods.
o.o.o.o.o
While the brothers were busy with their own objectives, the rest of the Bat Clan was hard at work trying to prove to themselves Bruce was innocent. Dick had gone off to stealing the autopsy report along with the miscellaneous files relating to the case for further examination. Oracle had requested a favor from Black Canary to retrieve Fairchild’s personal belongings from a secured bank vault, while Batgirl and Robin kept watch over Gotham at Batman’s absence. The man left Gotham to deal with one of the drug veins. A slight of hand in the trade was killing the local druggies.
Unlike Terry, they had no access to the Bat Cave and its vast equipment. Batman changed the pass codes and subsequently locked them out. The security improved drastically since their last visit, in addition to Bruce’s pass codes was also Terry’s security. The few that could manage through with ease were Damian and Alfred. Even so, they used what they could from Oracle’s facilities.
Batgirl opted to investigate Fairchild’s corpse for the fist imprint from her injuries. She was familiar with the human body more so than anyone she was currently working with. If Bruce truly beaten the woman, she would be able to recognize the shape of the fist left on her body—given the body hasn’t decayed beyond recognition.
When she reached the grave, another was already on the site with a shovel at hand. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. In the darkness, she wasn’t able to make out much of the stranger, but it seemed like someone was trying to desecrate the body to destroy the evidence. She held back a growl at the fury she felt.
She silently darted towards the stranger and sent a flying kick when she was within range. The stranger shifted his shovel to block her kick as if he expected it coming. Swiftly following the block, he rolled the shovel on his wrist as if it was a baton. He was going to smash the head of the shovel into her knee. She reached out to catch the tool before it connected, attempting to correct her stance as she went about.
The stranger gave her no chance to regain her footing. He used the tool to shove her off balance before dropping into a low stance to propel himself at her. She could see his every move and the moves that were to follow the last, but she couldn’t react fast enough. Her training with Lady Shiva has returned her fighting abilities back to its peak, but there was still a slight time lag in her movements she couldn’t remedy just yet.
With each block she made, he was already in the process of going through the next three in quick succession. His style was smooth with little to no fault in each move.
Skilled. She thought as she tossed the shovel aside and braced herself to catch his next punch. She caught him by the wrists and subdued him, but he stepped back quickly. In that split second she was noticed what the stranger was wearing and gapped in surprise. This lapse gave him the chance to slam his fist into her jaw. She could feel the searing pain as a small fracture cracked into place. Her mind registered it as a stun-punch before she completely blacked out.
o.o.o.o.o
Damian huffed in annoyance as he prodded the body with his foot. “Geez, and here I thought she was a good fighter.”
“If you’re quite done Damian, we have a grave to desecrate and a corpse to inspect.” A dry voice came through the headset he was using.
The older Wayne kicked the shovel aside. “This is servant work!” He hissed into the mouthpiece.
“If you hadn’t knocked out Batgirl, she would have done it for you. It seems like she as going to examine the body.”
“Does she think she can replace father?” Damian growled.
“She’s only a replacement for the previous Batgirl that worked for father. Her files noted that she was formerly in the League of Assassins.”
Damian frowned. “I don’t recall seeing her.”
“She deserted.” Terry corrected. “The file’s not completely clear on the reason, but it seems that she failed on her first assignment.”
“Useless servant.” The little prince grumbled as he dug the grave. It was a good half hour before he reached the coffin and hauled the body out. “The corpse looks about a week or two old, the decaying process started already.”
He was not one to listen to those he believed are beneath him, but Terry was an equal. They were both Batman’s sons and they excelled in their own ways. Damian excelled in combat and assessing physical conditioning. He was searching for the imposter’s handiwork. The best way to learn about the enemy was to see how they worked. His analysis of the body would tell him more than what Terry could gather from his own observations.
“The decaying process did a number on her body … but…” He frowned as he felt for the skeletal frame. “Multiple fractures, but not at any vital locations…”
“Something wrong?” Terry asked when he noted his brother trailing off in a quiet mumble.
“170 cm, 50-57 kg at the most, multiple fractures… and she lasted long enough to get shot…” A smirk crossed his lips before he gave a dark laugh.
Terry stayed silent as he waited for the other to finish laughing. It was obvious the older Wayne found something valuable to his investigation.
“Skilled, very skilled. Whoever did this is more than familiar with the human body. This woman suffered a great deal of pain before they bothered to end her misery. None of these punches were held back, but the accuracy…” His eyes lit up in excitement, he couldn’t keep himself from laughing at his discovery.
Whoever this imposter was, he was a skilled martial artist, very likely on par with their father’s capabilities. That discovery alone narrowed down a great deal of suspects. Terry was already drawing up profiles.
“Enough. Come back to the cave now. I have a list of possible suspects already.” He interrupted his brother from continuing in his glee. “You can leave the corpse there. Batgirl will manage it after she wakes.”
“Tt.” Damian glanced back at the fallen figure before racing back to the manor. Unknown to him, Batgirl had already woken.
o.o.o.o.o
Cassandra grunted in pain as she pushed herself off the ground, her jaw was numb. It wasn’t broken, but there was a small fracture. A stun blow, other than herself, the only other person she knew that used it is Bruce. He taught her the move when she became Batgirl, to make up for her inability to kill. She glanced up and spotted Fairchild’s corpse out in the open, almost untouched. Whoever this assailant was, he wasn’t there to destroy the evidence. He was looking for something as well.
Regardless, she still has to look over the body herself.
Two hours later, after she finished her inspection and reburying the corpse, she returned to Oracle’s tower to report her findings. Like Damian, she noted the brutality that was dealt to the body. However, she noted something extra that the other missed. Fairchild’s jaw has a small fracture, very much like the one she wore from her assailant’s fist. Though, what disturbed her more was the child in the League of Assassins gear and the Robin tunic.
“What?” Tim whispered in horror. “Cassandra, is that really what you saw?”
Dick glanced at the younger Robin. “You don’t think it’s…”
Tim quickly moved towards the door. “It is.” he murmured. “The brat is back and if he’s anything like the last time I’ve seen him… We need to get back to the manor now!”
“Tim!” Dick shouted pausing momentarily to talk to Barbara. “We’ll stay in radio contact.” He hurried after the younger boy. “Tim!”
Barbara adjusted her headset before turning her attention to Cassandra. “Now what was this thing about a stun blow?”
o.o.o.o.o
“I can’t believe this.” Dick murmured as he and Tim raced down the streets in their respective vehicles. “When did he get back? I thought you sad Talia came and took him.”
“It seems like he got away didn’t he?” Tim retorted sarcastically.
Once they got to the area, they hid their cycles a short distance away to avoid making any more noises to alert the little brat of their coming. They opted not to go through the main door and snuck into the manor. Neither of them found the homicidal brat in their search. Chances were, the brat somehow managed to get into the cave, when they couldn’t. Before either of them managed to touch the clock, the sound of a safety went off. Both Tim and Dick raised their hands above their heads.
“Master Dick, Master Tim!” The old butler sighed in relief as he lowered his shotgun. While Bruce did not favor firearms, the old butler had no qualms using one. Alfred was familiar with every piece of antique firearms in the manor. “My goodness, this is your home too. Please enter from the front door next time.”
“Sorry Alfred.” Tim said apologetically.
“What gave us away?” Dick asked.
Alfred sighed as he lowered the gun. “Just my failing senses.” He said before walking out of the study.
“Alfred, Damian’s back he’s—” Tim started.
“I know.” Alfred answered as he walked back to the kitchen.
“You know?” Dick said in disbelief.
“What about Terry? He’s the one that’s—” Tim started.
“He’s down in the cave.” Alfred answered simply as he readied a platter with a plate of sandwiches, a pitcher of juice with two glasses already filled and a plate of bite sized vegetables.
“He managed to get in?” Dick said in surprised.
“That’s good.” Tim murmured in a small semblance of relief, even he had trouble with the lock, if he stays down in the cave it’s less likely for Damian to—he paused in his thoughts when he noted the platter of food Alfred was preparing. “Alfred, were you planning to eat with Terry down at the cave?”
“No, this is for Master Terry and Master Damian.” Alfred replied.
Tim’s eyes widened. “Alfred, you have to tell me the password right now! Terry’s in danger!”
“Nonsense.” Alfred puzzled Bruce’s wards. “I can assure you Master Terry is in no danger. However, if you insist to go down, take this down with you. Master Terry and Damian have not eaten.” He handed Tim the platter of food. “Have you two eaten yet?” Tim and Dick stared at the old butler in disbelief. “I’ll make some soup for the two of you.”
They dragged themselves to the study when the butler ignored them and went back to preparing soup. With Alfred’s password, the two went through Bruce’s enhanced security with little difficulty. As they descended the stairs, they expected the sound of conflict, the sound of battle, but were met with neither. Instead, they heard a peaceful tapping from the direction of the bat computer and a leveled conversation.
“Mother wouldn’t waste time with killing this woman.” Damian’s irritated voice growled out. “It’s no challenge to kill this woman whatsoever!”
“Human by nature is easy to kill.” Terry countered calmly. “And I’m only noting it’s a possibility that your mother did it. I’m not accusing her of doing it.”
“You have her on the top of the list.” Damian growled.
“Only because she has the highest motive to do it.” The other continued. “She’s one of the few that knows Bruce Wayne and Batman are one and the same and the few that have the skills to break into the manor without detection.”
Tim and Dick quietly moved towards the computer, morbidly captivated by the discussion between the two boys.
“Even if my mother has a motive, there’s no need for her to do this personally. The security at the woman’s home is mediocre. She’s completely defenseless and weak. I could think of twenty ways to kill her without needing to touch her personally.”
“Household products can easily do the job.” Terry quipped before he and Damian both reached behind them and grabbed the food and drinks off the tray Tim was carrying. They did so without even looking back.
“How’d you—”
“Why are you two even down here? Where’s the butler?” Damian interrupted before sipping his drink.
“That’s not going to fill you. Eat.” Terry told the older boy.
“I’m not putting such filth in my mouth.” Damian retorted
“Eat or starve, this is no time to be picky.” Terry said as he grabbed his own drink.
“Tt.” Damian hissed in irritation.
“Can we help you with something?” Terry asked when Tim and Dick remained silent.
“…The two of you are working together to clear Bruce’s name?” Tim asked.
“No.” They answered bluntly. “We’re hunting Fairchild’s killer. What are you two looking for?”
“We need the security tapes and—”
“There were three blackouts the past two months. The first was month ago, the second was a week before the murder and the last was approximately a few hours before Fairchild’s death. The security videos were modified, you won’t find anything from them.” Terry reported mechanically.
“…So another dead end.” Dick murmured as he crossed his arms.
“No, it’s not.” Tim interrupted. “It means someone is trying to cover their tracks. Bruce wouldn’t need to cover his tracks. He could outright just delete them and put up a fake record.”
“Take your discoveries somewhere else! You’re bothering us!” Damian snapped.
“Listen you brat! We’re all trying to help Bruce!” Dick argued.
“Help? HELP?” Damian snarled. “The two of you can’t even decide whether or not to trust him. What help are you to him?”
“We’re trying to prove him innocent!” Dick argued.
“You’re doing a wonderful job.” Damian hissed.
“What are the two of you doing then? All I’ve heard since we came down is the two of you arguing on how many ways you can kill Vesper Fairchild.” Dick retorted.
“And what have you done you worthless replacement!” Damian snapped.
The swivel of the chair stopped the two’s arguments. Terry stood up to take the tray from Tim’s hands.
“Where are you going dead weight?” Damian growled.
“I’m not sticking around for the crossfire.” Terry responded bluntly.
“But you haven’t even narrowed the list!” The older boy stomped.
“I also don’t want to work with holes or blood at the computer. We don’t need the cave to narrow the suspects anyhow.” He glanced over to Tim. “I suppose you want to use the cave. Do you need anything from Alfred, since I’m going up already?”
Tim seemed startled by Terry’s offer, but quickly replied. “If you can ask him to get a map of the cave.”
“I’ll inform him.” Terry said before walking towards the stairs.
“Deadweight!” Damian growled as he chased after the younger boy.
The older duo could only watch in bafflement at the lack of violence between the two brothers.
“Dick…”
“Yeah Tim?”
“Tell me I’m awake.”
Dick smacked him upside the head.
“Ow! What was that for?” Tim rubbed the back of his head.
“You’re awake.” The other said bluntly.
Tim grumbled. “Yeah thanks.” He muttered glancing at the spot the two brothers was standing previously. “I still can’t believe they’re being civil.”
Dick sighed as he crossed his arms and looked up at the stairs. “I guess in their own way, they care for Bruce.”
“At least enough to hold a temporary truce/” Tim added as he recalled the incident with Bane. He shook his head at the though. “Let’s get started.” He moved to the computer before noticing Terry left his flash drive plugged to the system.
o.o.o.o.o
“We were there first! Why the hell are you letting them use it?” Damian grabbed the younger boy’s arm after he set down the tray of food and drinks.
“They’re trying to help dad.” Terry reasoned as he shrugged out of the older boy’s grasp.
“They think father did it!”
“They’re trying to convince themselves he didn’t.” He quipped. “It’s more favorable for dad if they’re on his side.”
“What about our manhunt? We’re trying to help father!” Damian snapped.
“We can probably find and catch the perpetrator, but we can’t use him to clear dad’s name. Don’t forget, we’re still children to the public eye.” He grabbed another sandwich, munching as he browsed the many bookshelves in the study.
“Tt.” Damian turned away from Terry angrily. “How do you suppose we continue with the list without the data base?”
Terry plucked a tome from the shelf before casually flipping through its pages, careful not to get breadcrumbs or stains on them. “It’d be silly for us to continue right now.”
“What?” The older Wayne hissed. “Why?”
“To put it simply, the manor and the cave isn’t as secured as we wished.” Terry commented as he finished the sandwich and reached for another.
“The birdbrains?” Damian questioned.
“No.” Terry turned the page, not bothering to look up as he skim through the contents. “There’s a security breech at the cave. Whoever framed dad has access to the cave. Which means we could well have been monitored the whole time.”
A thought clicked in Damian’s mind. “You purposely put my mother’s name on top of the list!”
“I’m not ruling out she couldn’t have done it, but the reasons for her to do it gains very little for this endeavor.”
“And the reason you left the cave to those two?”
“Is for them to find the fox hole our perpetrator is using.” Terry answered.
Damian snorted. “You can’t find it yourself?”
“I don’t have the physique for it. And I doubt you want to, you call it servant work.”
Damian smirked in amusement. His brother was devious, using the birdbrains the way he did. But even so, they were wasting time with this security matter. He wanted the imbecile’s head on a silver platter. Just as he was about to order Terry to return to his work, a movement caught his attention from the corner of his eyes. He strode briskly towards the large glass panel windows before his eyes swept over the grounds. A frown marred his face as he unlatched the windows.
“Something wrong?” Terry glanced up from his tome.
“None of your business deadweight.” Damian snapped as he jumped onto the windowsill. “Stay here.” He jumped out.
Terry quietly closed the tome before setting it onto the nearby desk. He stealthily slinked towards the open window and kept to the shadows as he done so. Carefully, he glanced out, outside were two men donned in the League of Assassins’ uniform. Damian was talking with them heatedly. The two bowed to him before he hissed in irritation and walked off. They followed quickly after.
No doubt, they came to retrieve Damian. Terry watched a little longer before he closed the windows and pulled the latches back in place. He was on his own again, but Damian’s brief visit helped him immensely. He has an idea to who might’ve done it, but he was still waiting on for Tim and the others to figure their own problems before he could bring the matter to them.
The clock shifted and Alfred exited from the cave’s entrance. “Master Terry, where is Master Damian?” The old butler looked about for the other Wayne.
“He left a moment ago. I don’t believe he’ll be returning anytime soon.” He replied.
“Oh, I see.” Alfred sighed sadly. “I’m heading to the old barn on the estate, would you like to accompany me?”
Terry raised a brow. “Did they manage to find an opening?”
“We believe so.” Alfred answered.
“Who’s managing the cave?”
“Master Tim.”
Terry nodded. Tim has exceptional detective skills. He could investigate the opening while the other manages the cave. “All right, let’s go.”
Not long after, Nightwing and Batgirl performed a reenactment of the night of the murder. Dick and Alfred forbid Terry from participating. He wasn’t offended by their request. He was fully aware that they still saw him as a child. If they knew what he was in charge of in Cadmus they’d think otherwise. He has a feeling that Tim would have let him stayed. No matter, they don’t need him to lead. They would reach their conclusion soon. He’ll pass the time tinkering with the Batsuit.
o.o.o.o.o
Months after Nightwing and the others concluded Bruce was innocent, they continued on their search for the perpetrator. Terry showed what information he gathered with Damian. However, he kept secret to who the perpetrator was. The man was obsessively detailed and careful with his work. There was very little any of them could do to turn the man in. He found no need to alert the man before his dealt with the matter. It was torturous. This waiting, this lack of progress. By then, the first snow of the year started.
“Master Terry?” Alfred’s voice echoed in the cave.
“Yes Alfred?” He glanced away from the screen briefly.
“I’m heading into the city for an appointment. Would you like to accompany me for a breath of fresh air and stretch your legs a bit?”
Terry tilted his head curiously. Considering he was technically missing from the public, it was strange for the elderly man to suggest him to go into public view. “Appointment?”
“Normally, Master Bruce attends this appointment, but I’m not certain if he will this year.”
And appointment dad normally attends? It peaked Terry’s curiosity. “Where is the appointment?”
“Crime Alley, sir.”
Crime Alley, he pondered. What significance did the place hold for his dad? There was nothing specific for Batman. There were no epic fights or conflicts with his gallery there…but Alfred wasn’t talking about Batman was he?
“Do I need a change of clothing?” Terry asked.
Alfred smiled kindly. “Just dress warmly sir.”
The two bundled up. Terry wore a scarf and a cap to hide his face. And with a quick trip to the florist, Alfred bought a pair of roses. The drive to the city was quiet with Terry seated in the back with the roses in his arms.
A year or two earlier, a rose meant nothing to him. It was a useless plant latched with a sentimental history. But after going through what he had, he couldn’t help but remember Poison Ivy. Maybe it was the brief two months he spent in her care, or maybe it was because they were going to tribute these roses to dad’s parent’s death site. He shook his head. These thoughts were pointless.
Alfred found parking with ease and they were on their way, but when they reached the alleyway an obstacle appeared. A large black hound was rummaging through the garbage. He glanced up and growled when they approached.
“Oh dear.” Alfred murmured and placed out an arm out to push Terry behind him, but the boy sidestepped around him and walked forward. “Master Terry!” He protested.
The hound growled as he pushed away from the trash bins and landed on his front two legs. Terry stopped a meter from him before pulling something from his pocket. It was a bread roll. Without a word, he tossed the bread in front of the dog. He stared suspiciously at Terry for a moment, debating whether or not he should take the offered food. Hunger won out, he stopped growling and decided to eat the offered meal.
Alfred sighed in relief before walking quickly to Terry and rested his hands on his shoulder. “Good heavens Master Terry, that was dangerous! Were you trying to give me a fright?” He paused. “Why was there a bread roll in your clothing?”
Terry flushed at the question. The bread was a precaution. In case something happened, he didn’t have to immediately worry for food. He couldn’t help it. It was leftover from when he was living on the streets. “I apologize.” He murmured.
The old butler sighed again before setting the roses on the ground. Once he stood up, he folded his hands in front of him and spoke softly. “It’s been a while Madam, Sir.”
Terry glanced at the old butler wondering whom he was talking to before he realized the man was speaking to the deceased Martha and Thomas Wayne.
“I’m sorry that Master Bruce is not able to visit you this year, but I brought his son to visit instead.” Alfred smiled when Terry glanced up at him. “I think you would’ve loved to meet him personally.”
Terry found the corners of his lips twitch up at his words as he turned his attention back to the roses. “… Hello… g…grandma, grandpa…”
Alfred patted his shoulder fondly before they turned to leave. Unfortunately, they weren’t leaving without running into trouble.
“Give me all your money and no one gets hurt!” A thug said roughly with a knife pointed at them as he approached.
“Take it easy sir.” Alfred raised his hands defensively.
“Give me all your money!” He snapped out before his eyes trailed down to Terry.
The boy shifted backwards as he reached out for him, but the growl from behind made him look up. The black hound charged past the duo and latched his sharp canines onto the thug’s arm. The man gave a loud scream before stabbing the dog. The hound whimpered as he released his arm. Alfred hastily disarmed the thug and dropped kicked the man.
“That is no way for a gentleman to act.” He scolded the thug as he tied his arms. A good butler always has spare rope on hand.
“Alfred!” Terry cried out. The old butler glanced up and spotted his young charge at the hound’s side. His hands were pressed against the wound to stop the bleeding.
“Oh dear.” He murmured as he hurried over to inspect the wound. “This doesn’t look good.”
The dog’s breathes uneasily as he heaves for air.
“Can you treat him?” Terry asked.
Alfred was startled by his request but nodded. “Yes, but not here. We better hurry back to the manor.”
With some trouble, the duo managed to drag the dog into the car, making a bloody mess as they went. However, neither of them worried about the mess as they sped back to the manor to treat the canine. Alfred did quick work stitching the dog’s wound, disinfecting and bandaging it as he would with any injuries the family might’ve gotten. Normally, he wouldn’t be treating animals, but seeing how desperate his young charge looked, he made an exception.
Throughout the whole treatment, Terry let only a brief moment to wash his hands of the dog’s blood. Otherwise he stayed by the injured hound. He ran his hand over the dog’s head, scratching its ear every now and then as it whimpered from the pain, but surprisingly he stayed very still for Alfred to finish. It was almost as if the dog had these treatments before.
“Do you know this dog Master Terry?” Alfred asked as he finished his stitching and started rubbing ointment carefully around the wound.
“No.” Terry answered truthfully.
“He’s a stray.” Alfred continued.
“…” Terry paused in scratching the dog’s ears. The dog looked up from under his hand and whimpered before rubbing his face against the boy’s hand.
“Hmm…” Alfred hummed as he pulls out the roll of bandages. “We may have to take him to the vet later and get him some shots.”
Terry glanced up at him in surprise.
Alfred smiled gently. “You would like to keep him, don’t you?”
“What about dad?” Terry asked quietly.
“I’m sure you can convince him to let you keep the dog.” Alfred said. “What do you want to name him?”
The dog stared up at him before resting his head on his arms.
“… Ace.” He said quietly with a smile.
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