-Gotham's low-end residence-

Richard made a face as he blinked at Aunt Misty's choice of words. Crescent, who was standing close rolled her eyes once more as she walked towards the two, knowing the confusion that laced the little bird's mind all too well. She had grown familiar to Misty's weird habits of abrupt improv. Or 'Breaking the Fourth Wall,' as she kept on calling it. In Crescent opinion, it was simply delusional.

"Kidding kid, I'm just messing with you," Aunt Misty smiled to herself as she put her phone back. "It's not like we're in a book or anything."

The little bird nodded before turning his face towards Crescent, waiting for an explanation. She gave him a sympathetic look before whispering to his ears, "You'll get used to it, she does this all the time."

"All the time?"

Aunt misty clicked her tongue and nodded their way, "Pretty much"

The two coughed and turned their heads, posing innocence. Eyeing them both, she knocked on the iron door with a weird beat to which was answered far too quickly. As if the whole visit had been set up. Muffled grunts appeared along with a small mutter of "Shit, she was serious!"

Not a moment too soon, sounds of different locks began to be heard. Turned, creaked, and unlocked. The process took exactly fifteen seconds before the door finally swung open, revealing a gruff man who's face was contorted like he had just been greeted by death itself. Misty cackled at this and made herself welcomed, and by that, it meant that she let herself in.

Crescent stared at her friend before slowly taking Richard's hand. "Come on, we're going inside."

Richard didn't reply. He was struck by the gruff man in front of him. The two shared a long look before the man huffed and went inside, leaving a little bird paralysed and an ex con wondering. Surely​ something's off, and she was determined to find out.

Crescent tugged the boy once more and ushered him to go. But again, there was no response. Instead of following her order, Richard bared his teeth and clenched his hands. The grip on her hand tightened, nails digging her skin. Then there was a sob and as Richard's​ body started to shake. Maternal instinct kicked in as she swiveled down and pull the little bird into a tight hug.

"Shhhh.... Richard," she whispered, trailing her right hand to the boy's raven hair. Drops of tears dribbled down his chin as he silently cried, releasing sobs every now and then. "I'm here, everything's okay. You're safe,"

The boy shook his head violently, "He-he's here. I kne-knew him!" He finished off with a crack at the end, his hands​ pulling the older figure tighter.

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-Batcave-

Bruce stood still in front of the illuminating Batcomputers with his normal attire, his suit from last night meeting. He hadn't gone to sleep for even a second. He already missed so much time, he can't just sleep now could he? Tonight was one of the rare nights that he forced himself  to take care of his company as Alfred scolded him. Last night, he only appear for merely an hour before running back to the cave to continue the case in hand. Which he never stop doing for the past weeks.

His hurting eyes casted themselves on some recent sightings. To be honest, the recent sightings weren't exactly recent. Weeks old. By now, Richard had been officially went missing for about two weeks, three days, and eight hours. His heart's been thumping for those time. This was beyond him. How could he, the greatest living detective of all time let the boy slipped from his grasp?

If only he had gone to suit up faster,
If only he had comforted the boy first,
If only he had arrived at that alley when he heard the reports,
If only,

Maybe...
he could've prevented him from going missing,
he could've saved him,
he could've took him under his wing,
Maybe,

He could stop the sense of guilt that's been pouring down.

He's been miserable. He had promised himself that he would prevent the boy from suffering the same fate as him.

And has he fulfilled that self promise?

No, not even close.

The world seemed to have given up. The mass, the police, Gordon, Hailey, even Alfred. And deep inside, maybe Bruce had given up as well. These few days had been grave, had been hell, had been empty. Even with the rise of a mysterious seemed to be vigilant, he payed no attention.

He left Gotham defenceless to say.

Oddly enough, nothing much has happened since last week. Zucco's gang had been spotted by him, almost taken down completely. But in the end, Tony Zucco, or as he was sure was the culprit himself, got away. He slip just as he was so close to be captured, so close to be brought to justice. This made his guilt brew even more. And to think that he was actually going to swore to that boy, that he would bring justice to his parents murderer.

The Zucco's gang had been scrapped, all but Tony.

Nothing left but the news of their defeat.

To think of it, the media had died down its attention on Richard's disappearance. It seemed like they've covered up the facts then ignored  it, so that it looks like nothing ever happened. People went on with their lifes, assuming that Richard had been alright, had been found. When the truth was not that simple nor bright. Richard was nowhere to be found. By the looks of how things were in Gotham, Bruce doubted that he's anywhere near safe. He could be lying on the ground, cold, hungry, and most of all... Broken.

There was no doubt that the boy is having an emotional breakdown. His world had been taken away from him in an instant. At the time that he enjoyed the most, before his very eyes. So how could he possibly still be out there?

Bruce still couldn't fathom why the boy didn't tip off any of his radar. Even if he ran away, he should've came back. An eight years old kid isn't fit for the street life. He needs to find him, he had to find him. But as he stated before, Richard's chances of surviving the streets was slim. Maybe he's been beaten up, kidnapped, or even worse, dead.

A scowl now apparent to his face as he sighed.

"Master Bruce?" The voice of his butler father figure rolled into his ears, the tone used might've been soft, but he could tell that he's enraged.

Bruce changed his sour expression, "Yes Alfred?" he asked quietly as he turned to face Alfred, exposing his disheveled form. Eyes red, clothes wrinkled, his stubble apparent.

Alfred narrowed his eyes, "For heaven's sake, go to bed Master Bruce! You've been at it for as long as the boy had went missing, you've been absent. You young man, need to know your bloody limits and rest." He finished off with a hiss, surely that was enough.

"I know, I'll rest. But later."

Alfred sighed in knowledge and took out a small recorder, "That's what you've said to me exactly twenty six times before," he then proceeded to turn it on, playing the records.

"I'll rest, I'll rest. After I find him."
"Five more minutes, I'm close"
"Not now Alfred, I've got a lead on Zucco."
"Right after this"
"I know, I know, but what if?"

And many more recordings of him saying words similar to them.

Bruce stared at Alfred for a moment, meeting Alfred's expectant gaze. He knew he's been defeated and huffed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay," he gave in and turned off his computers.

Alfred patted his shoulder and led him upstairs, a grim smile laced his face. Even though the boy was like Bruce, he can't stand to see his master, or rather son to slowly wither and fade away because of that boy. For him, one way or another, this case had led him to believe that Bruce will never let the guilt that shouldn't be his and wasn't his in the first place die.

As they reached Bruce's room, Alfred watched his master slowly let his guard down. He then limped towards his bed before a second later collapsed into the soft mattress, realising just how exhausted he was in the first place. His vision quickly faded, a small yawn escaped his lips.

Alfred turned off all of the lights and proceeded to walk away, his eyes darting for a moment at Bruce's laying figure. He closed the wooden door before stopping for a moment, "I almost forgot, Master Bruce?"

Bruce grumbled in return, "Yes Alfred?"

"Goodnight for you, and don't forget that you've got three meetings in a few hours" with that, he smiled and closed the door completely.

Alfred strutted down the halls and gave out a tired sigh, shaking his head, 'Goodnight, isn't a proper word to say' He thought​ as he reached for a blind, opening it to reveal the warm ray of sunlight.

.

.

.

-Gotham's low-end residence-

"No." Richard refused immediately, his eyes red and bleary.

Crescent flinched at his tone, harsh and cold. He was furious. Unlike what he had displayed before outside. The grip that Richard had on her even turned deadly. She looked between Misty and her shady acquaintance, she couldn't handle it any longer. Richard didn't explain further, Misty never told her, and the guy was in no way look trustworthy.

She grunted before hitting the table in front of her, gaining attention from the others, "What happened?"

Misty blinked, "As in?"

"You know exactly what I mean! What happened between these two? Richard is scared beyond his mind, I can feel it. He's one hell-" she muttered a cuss, "Sorry, language. Where was I.... Right. This man looked like he's a criminal nonetheless, so why the-" she paused before continuing, "So why on earth would you make him babysat Richard???" She finished off and took a deep breath.

No one spoke or even move, creating a thick tension that could practically be cut off by a knife.

Minutes passed and so did Crescent's patients. She narrowed her eyes on the thug before her, knowing well enough that Misty won't give a single explanation. A trick she'd learn from her previous job, if someone doesn't give any satisfying answer... Stare the hell out of them. Added the uncomfortable silence and voila! Keep in mind that this only works on people with low mentality.

"I killed a woman in front of him" The thug finally spoke, breaking the silence.

Crescent felt her breath getting sucked out of her lungs. She couldn't imagine how it was for Richard. A child in the mere age of eight, witnessing a second murder right at his face. And for what? He didn't deserve any of this. Now she knew, now she understands. No wonder Richard shook, no wonder Richard's temper was thrown off, no wonder he refused with all of his might.

Rage filled her thundering mind as she clenched her teeth. The next second, a loud slap echoed throughout the room. The man were thrown off of his couch and onto the floor.

"What the hell was that for?" The man muttered, already raising a fist.

"You killed a woman in front of a child who just witnessed his own parents death!" She catches the thug's fist and slammed it back down. "He's terrified beyond belief!"

"So?!" He shouted, vein popping on his temple as he got up.

Both of them sneered and began to throw a fit. Crescent was already kicking him, as the other blocked it before sending out a jab towards her stomach. She ducked and swept his feet, making the large man fell down with a loud thud. Crescent then began to slam the others back repeatedly towards the floor, earning multiple grunts from the man.

"Cut it out, both of you." Misty muttered at the unfolding fight.

She didn't stop. Instead of calming down, Crescent eyes went wide before falling her stare towards Misty. "And you!" She pointed an accusing finger before jumping to catch the collar of her robe.

"Why in would you ask him to take care of Richard? He's a mad man."

The man shot her a look, " I'm not a madman, the name's Emiguel you filthy bit-" he stopped as Misty's eyes cast dangerously at him.

Crescent didn't bother Emiguel's words as she tightened the grip. The room was silent enough to allow the sounds of Richard's whimper enter Aunt Misty's ears. Her face went dark as she clicked her tongue, her right hand went to hold her assailant's. "Little birdie, look away."

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(A/N): Whoa, that's kinda long... I actually got around 2000ish words! As always, I'm ending it with a cliffhanger. Why? Uh...  There's still so much going on after this. Like if I continue it from here, I might reach 3000ish words and I felt like that might be boring(?)

Big thanks to all of you for putting up with this story, especially Strongking14
Because he's the one that constantly begging for this XD kidding.

Also, I feel like Aunt Misty's appearance is becoming longer than I intended to. Although, her appearance will stop after the next chapter because honestly, she's just helping Richard to not die. Like seriously.

So... I guess keep on a look out because I might release the next chapter in two weeks time because I have a vacation going on so I might post more.

While on a look-out, you could read some of my other stories or one-shots to fill up your time. I have one on the Batfam, and one on the young justice. So feel free to explore!

With that, I excuse myself.

Batma-gone.....

OUT!!!