010

— hello freaks —

THE ROOM FELT UNEASY BUT AT LEAST HAZEL HAD AN ANSWER TO WHY. Hazel bound the son and daughter to chairs in Rachel's room. The son tried to reach out, straining against the vines holding his hands to the chair. "Uh, uh, uh," Hazel hummed, shaking her finger and the vines tightened. The boy strained and fell back against the chair, he and the girl glaring at Hazel.

Rachel stood in front of the kids, still keeping her distance behind Hazel. "Why are you and your weird family trying to kill me?" Rachel questioned.

"You should come with us," The boy said.

"Seriously," The girl nodded. "It's better for everyone."

"If not, we're all going to be in trouble," The boy spoke. He slowly turned to the girl, his stoic face meddling into horror, as did the girls. "You don't wanna be in trouble."

The girl nodded and turned back to Rachel. "No, you do not."

The girl turned her attention to Hazel and Hazel cocked her head to one side staring down at the girl. Hazel pushed Rachel back and she went to stand by Gar. The girl followed Rachel closely, but Hazel clicked her fingers and both kid's heads snapped up to look at her. "Don't look at them," Hazel hissed. Hazel pulled her hand up, a vine following her and forming a sharp spike.

"What are you doing?" Gar asked but Hazel quickly shushed him. The vine raced forward, stopping just an inch from the girl's face. She didn't flinch or wince, her face staying stoic even as the tip of the thorn traced her cheek. "Hazel?"

Hazel sighed and drew her hands back, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news. They're brainwashed. They're not gonna answer. Are you?" Hazel looked down at the kids and their eyes darted away sheepishly.

Rachel shook her head, turning towards the door. "I'm going to find Dick," Rachel announced, disappearing down the hall.

Hazel turned to face Gar who bounced on the balls of his heels. "You wanna go ask him about Batman, don't you?"

Gar turned to Hazel, smiling. "I'll be quick," Gar promised before racing after Rachel.

Hazel turned back to the two tied-to-chairs before walking into the hall, catching Kory before she turned down the hall. "Hey! Kory!" Hazel called.

"Stay and watch them!" Kory called out.

Kory turned down the hall and Hazel threw her arms up. Hazel pulled the door to Rachel's room shut before walking towards Kory's room. Hazel pushed the door open, the mother and father looking up at her. "Hello dear," The mother called.

"Hello freaks," Hazel muttered. "Just checking in."

"We're quite alright hun, thank you," The father said before glancing at the woman. "Though these ropes are quite tight. Could you loosen them?"

"You think I'm stupid?" Hazel questioned, crossing her arms and leaning on the door frame.

"Of course not," The woman called, her voice laced with fake concern. "You're very smart. You knew to tie us down when you could. You're a very good fighter."

Hazel chuckled. "And you're not."

"Oh, I don't think that's true," The father said shaking his head.

"Can you feel your toes yet?" Hazel hummed. "You went down pretty easy." The man didn't answer her, he just kept smiling. "Good chat." Hazel laughed and pulled the doors closed.

❁

THEY WERE ON THE ROAD AGAIN A FEW HOURS LATER, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS DICK HAD SENT THROUGH TO HAZEL. Kory lagged behind them as Hazel led the way to a glass building. Hazel pushed open the, leading into a pristine lobby with orchids growing from the vases in small tables. "So, what now?" Gar asked, looking around.

Hazel walked to the elevator door, popping the cover off the sensor. "It's a diagnostic lock," Hazel assessed.

"So?" Kory questioned.

"We set it off and hope Dick sees," Hazel said looking back. Hazel pressed her finger to the pad, the scanner buzzing red.

"Access denied," The automatic voice called.

Hazel turned to look up at the camera in the top right corner. The light turned red, and Hazel waved softly, the others doing the same. The elevator dinged, the doors sliding open. They stepped inside, the elevator taking them up fifteen floors. They stepped out, Dick waiting for them on the other side.

He led them to the living room where a younger boy with brown sat on the couch, spinning a beer in his hands. "Who are your friends?" The boy asked, pushing himself to stand.

"Not important," Dick sighed.

"Who's he?" Rachel asked after she set her bag down.

"Not important," Dick repeated.

"Anybody want a brew?" The boys offered, holding a beer out.

"Yeah, I do," Gar spoke stepping up.

"No, he doesn't," Dick interrupted making Gar step back again. "No one wants a brew."

Kory looked over the boy before turning to Dick. "That can't be Adamson," Kory assessed.

"He's not Adamson," Dick confirmed. "Adamson's in the bathroom. Unconscious."

Hazel turned away from the others and walked to the boy. "Hey, I'm Hazel," Hazel introduced holding her hand out.

"Jason," The boy spoke, gently shaking Hazel's hand.

"Okay, who we all are doesn't matter right now," Dick spoke up and Hazel let go of Jason's hand, spinning to face Dick. "Can we just chill out, relax, sit on the couch and watch TV or something?"

"Yo, when did you get another one?" Gar piped up, walking around to look at the two black cases on the table.

"That one's mine," Jason answered.

"Yours?" Gar questioned.

Hazel looked back at Jason with a smile, "You're Robin, too?"

"I thought you were Robin," Rachel spoke up.

"I am," Dick said quickly.

"He was," Jason interjected making Hazel and Gar laugh softly.

"Okay, how many Robins are there?" Gar questioned. "Are there a lot? 'Cause I would love to-"

"Okay, quiet," Kory called. "Sit." Rachel and Gar quickly sat. Kory turned to Hazel and nodded at her. "Both of you as well," Kory said, pointing at Jason and Hazel.

"Hey-"

"Sit," Kory said again in a sterner voice, interrupting Jason. Hazel sighed and sat on the couch, stretching her legs out in front of her. Jason glanced around before sitting next to her. "Bathroom," Kory ordered Dick and they left the others alone.

"Can I be Robin?" Gar whispered, smiling at Jason.

"Oh, my God," Rachel complained.

Jason sighed and sipped from his drink before turning to Hazel. "What some?"

"Please," Hazel laughed.

Jason handed the drink off before standing and grabbing another from the fridge. "Hey, you want one moss head?" Jason asked, popping the cap of his new one. Gar shook his head and Jason shrugged walking back to Hazel and swapping their bottles.

Hazel sipped the drink before turning to Jason. "How long have you been Robin?" Hazel questioned, leaning back slightly.

"Uh, nearly two years," Jason answered. "How long have you been super?"

"Hmm, whole life, but I've been doing this gig for..." Hazel trailed off, faux tapping her finger against her chin in thought. "A week."

A few minutes later Dick came back out to the living nodding at Jason. "We're going," Dick called. Jason sighed and handed his drink to Hazel.

The elevator opened and took them down, leaving the three others to stand alone before Kory joined them. "Where's he going?" Rachel asked.

"He has to check on an old friend," Kory explained. "So I suggest you get settled for the night."

Hazel sat in the heart of the lavender field. The tall, swaying stalks mixed with the tall grass that covered her like a blanket. The gentle breeze whispered through the pastel-coloured lavender, blowing back the curls of Hazel's hair. The sound of birds singing grew from the trees and Hazel turned her head towards the forest.

An ever-stretching line of thick oak trees ran down the lavender field, the branches cloaked in dense, emerald foliage that got caught in the gentle breeze. Birds of all colours and sizes found their resting spots on the sturdy branches of the large trees. From the soulful songs of nightingales, the cheerful chirping of robins and the stirring sonnets of blue jays, it was like their song was sharing secrets with the wind.

The sunbathed the fields in a golden glow, its warm rays gently caressing her skin, the green flecks in her eyes reflecting the sun. The sun poured over her face, but her skin stayed cool. A shiver ran down her spine as her skin remained untouched by the sun's warmth. It felt as though there was an invisible wall, a barrier that separated her from the warmth of the sun leaving her feeling disconnected from the lavender field.

Hazel rose to her feet, the lush grass beneath her gently tugging at the fabric of her jeans, the green blades brushing against her legs through the holes in her jeans as she straightened. She quickly brushed away the blades of grass that clung to her clothing. As she withdrew her hands, a subtle tingling sensation shifted her attention, and she realized the faint trickle of liquid that pooling in her nose. Hazel's fingers pressed to the bottom of her nose; her fingers coated in a sticky substance. Hazel looked at their fingers, her skin covered in blood.

A soft, startled gasp escaped from Hazel's lips as she brought her hand to her nose, attempting to wipe away the crimson flow that stubbornly persisted. The blood, warm and viscous, seemed unrelenting, staining her trembling fingers and smearing across her skin. Involuntarily, she coughed, a painful and guttural sound that forced more blood into her hands staining her skin.

Hazel's breaths doubled, her hands shaking as she tried to rid the blood from her skin, but it continued to pour from her nose and fill her lungs. She coughed, splatters of blood escaping her lips and splashing onto the grass.

Hazel woke up with a startled gasp, her hands shaking. She frantically bushed her hands across her face before looking at her hands. Her skin was clean, aside from a little dirt under her nails. She pressed her hands to her chest, trying to steady her breathing. She breathed through her nose, holding her breath for a few seconds as she brushed her hair back with her fingers.

Hazel spun to sit on the edge of the bed, her feet pressing the cold wood floor. Chills ran up her spine, goosebumps covering her skin. She pushed the covers aside and Hazel pushed herself from the bed and walked out to the kitchen area. Dick sat at the counter, a hot coffee in his hand. He looked up and smiled. "Morning," he said with a smile.

"Morning, coffee still hot?" Hazel asked, opening the fridge and pulling out the milk. Dick nodded and Hazel quickly made a coffee. She sat across from him, resting her head on her hand. "What time is it?"

"Uh," Dick looked over his shoulder at the microwave. "Seven thirty."

"Jesus." Hazel groaned and rubbed her eyes. "How'd last night go? Kory said you needed to check in with an old friend."

Dick smiled softly, "It was a night. The friend, he worked at the circus I grew up in, so it was good to catch up at least."

Hazel nodded and looked around. "No Jason?"

"Went back to Bruce." Hazel nodded and sipped the coffee. "Did you put any sugar in that? Rachel pours the whole container in."

Hazel laughed softly as Dick chuckled. "She likes the bitter taste but also hates it. But she refuses to have tea or a hot chocolate," Hazel hummed and sipped the hot coffee. "I like hazelnut coffee or no sugar at all. Don't ask I don't know why."

Dick nodded and finished his coffee. "Any problems with Adamson?"

Hazel shrugged, "Kory didn't ask for help so I guess not." Hazel tapped her fingers against the table. "So, you're Robin?"

Dick huffed and shrugged softly. "I guess."

"You guess?" Dick shrugged again and Hazel chuckled. "Great conversation." Hazel chugged her coffee before grabbing both cups and putting them in the sink.

"Miss Lillis is your mom, isn't she?" Dick asked, turning to Hazel.

"Yeah," Hazel mutters.

"Why haven't you..." Dick paused. "Why are you still..."

"Why haven't I gone home?" Hazel spoke up and Dick nodded. "Rachel's my best friend, and until I know she's safe I'm gonna stay with her."

— gods —