Guys,
I've decided on an updating schedule. I'm going to update on every Monday and Friday.

Sorry if I haven't updated! My finals have started since three days ago and I think my brain is about to explode.
-

Bruce wasn't in a pleasant mood today.
Scratch that, he was in a terrible mood.

Things hasn't been going according to plan with the case so far. They haven't gotten any new information that could be helpful.

Everyone was currently gathered in the BatCave, completely silent. Except for the surprisingly present Jason, busy clicking his tongue by annoyance.

Damian was leaning against one of the glass doors, his arms crossed. He was silent throughout the whole hour, eyes fixed on everyone, contemplating everything.

Dick and Tim sat on one of the chairs, one busy solving a sudoku puzzle, and the other lost in the internet, scrolling through his smartphone.

"We aren't going anywhere with this, it has been three days!" Bruce exasperated, tapping his fingers onto the table. Everyone stayed silent, once again.

"Tim, give me all of the details on this case." Bruce sighs, for what seemed to be the hundredth time today.

Tim, mostly known for his detective-like skills, rose from his seat and crossed his arms, before finally opening his mouth.

"One girl, two boys. About 18-25 years old. They're all descendants from the Royal family of France. Gone bankrupt. The reason they were chosen? Apparently Ra's payed the family more than a million dollars. And the rest is mystery." Tim spoke, glancing towards Damian, whose eyes were fixed on him.

"People are willing to lose their minds for money." Jason stated, amusement in his tone.

"And their names?" Bruce asks, raising an eyebrow.

"We only know one. The girl. Beatrice Sulkin. Like we all know, she's no longer alive. And worse, we don't know where her remains are located."

Bruce huffed, pivoting his chair. Tim had always been keen on his researches, but this time, it seemed like a dead end.

"Let me take this one, Father." All of a sudden, Damian, who hadn't uttered any words in the past hour, raised his voice, earning everyone's attention.

"Let me help you." Dick replies, standing up.

"I can do this on my own, Grayson." Damian alluded, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

"I know, Dami. But it'll be faster with my help." Dick proposes once again, sending a quick glance towards Bruce, as if waiting for his support.

Instead, Bruce ignored him blatantly, turning on the computer.

"He's right. He can help you. It's a good idea." Tim tapped Dick's shoulder, sending a sour smile towards Damian.

-

"Oregano.. Pepper.. Basil?" Alina winces, taking out the ingredients.

"Don't forget the salt." Olivia added as she stirred the sauce. Alina had made a few acquaintances in the past week, surprisingly. She and Olivia, the girl she had saved a few weeks ago, had decided to hang out in Alina's suite for the night.

And they were now trying to cook pasta.

"This is a mess."
"Girl, I know."

Alina had been enjoying Olivia's company. It had been a long time since she'd hang out with other girls.

For the past few days, she felt a bit happier. She no longer was concerned about her family, she succeeded in putting that way behind.

She had decided to put a little more positivity into her life, and It had done her well so far.

The first thing she said to Damian after he kissed her would be:
"You lied. You're not a stripper, and you're not gay."

Damian chuckled afterwards, and it had leaded into a heated make out session.

And whenever that night crossed her mind, her heart sped, and heat climbed her cheeks, turning them into a deep shade of pink.

Damian was someone she had hopelessly tried to avoid these past few days. The dark haired boy had succeeded in making her feel..hopeless.

Alina had always been a girl who knew what she wanted. But now, confusion came in. She didn't know what was going on.

She wasn't certain of her feelings towards this puzzling boy. Did she feel love? No, too soon. Perhaps a teensy crush?

Whatever it was, she hoped it'd end, fearing the worst. Heartbreak.

She'd already been broken by her family. She didn't want another person to deepen the damage.

But Damian wasn't any regular person.. And she knew it. There was something peculiar, mysterious about the boy..

And one day, she will find out.

"Ali! Too much salt!" Olivia gasped, interrupting Alina's thoughts as she stared at the once red bolognese sauce, now covered in white salty sprinkles.

Alina stared agape at the ruined sauce.

"Good god.." She muttered as she grasped a big wooden spoon, removing half of the sauce that was covered in salt.

"Should we start over?" Olivia laughs, staring at the half-filled pot. Her thick, curly black hair was now stained in pasta sauce.

"I don't think so. I mean, we've spent over an hour making all of this. We shouldn't." Alina sighs, adding more tomato paste to the sauce, along with a few other ingredients.

After another fifteen minutes, their pasta was ready and they had found the comfort of eating in the living room, curled up in the sofa.

Olivia had suggested horror movies, as they were her favorite type. Alina had agreed, willing to watch a different type of movie for once.

"So how are you doing?" Olivia asks, putting her plate down onto the glass coffee table, turning around to face her new friend.

"Uh.. Good?"

"No. What I meant is how are you doing? I've seen the news, girl. And I know you're a much better person than they say you are. How are you feeling inside?"

Alina stayed immobile, unable to utter any words. It felt as if someone had punched her guts, leaving her breathless.

She hadn't thought about this in a long time.

How are you feeling inside?

Broken.

You're a much better person than they say you are.

No. They've broken my heart, they've extinguished my dreams and they've awakened my demons.

How are you doing?

I can't seem to cry.

Are you happy?..

..No.
Regardless of what she was thinking, the only sentence she managed to say was:

"I'm fine, don't worry."

____________________________

Thank you for reading!! <3
Next chapter is coming up on Monday.
Wish me luck for my exams!

Love,
         Sophia ⚜️