--

Dick felt the carriage slow to a halt as he looked out the window. His eyes beheld a massive mansion come to view. It was kind of like a fairy tale in a sense, there were massive spiked fences and guards before them.

"Come on son, let's get you in."

His father said with a smile as he helped the boy out. That was when he spotted that Anna was not there, his face turned to terror.

"Father, where's Anna?"

He asked, but then heard the noise of a bark. Anna was already at the mansion.

"See, she's right there."

Mr Grayson smiled sadly as he walked ahead, knowing this was perhaps. His last ever moments with his child. 

'It's for him...Bruce...It's for him...'

He said to himself as they watched the lord of the house come into view, there was something that he felt uneasy at , but he held his tongue.

"Hello, and welcome to my abode. I do hope that you will enjoy your life here...now...Mr Grayson. Your money."

Dick felt very confused as he felt his arms be grabbed by two other men, he called out for his father who took the money off of the man and looked at him painfully.

"Dick... I... nghhh..."

He stopped himself and just turned and ran, ran from the screams of his son and ran from the horrible act of cowardice he'd commited. To his son, to his wife... He sold his son...for 30, 000 gold. 

Dick watched his father vanish from his sight.

"Fa...th..er..."

He felt like his heart was being ripped apart from the inside. Why did his father leave him , what had he done to deserve this pain and suffering?! 

Slade commanded the others to leave him and the boy alone.

"I am sorry, that you were misinformed, child. Your father, clearly acted in such a cowardly manner, not giving you the full story."

He said in a tone that was commanding, yet soft enough to not scare the scared child.

"I am , Slade Wilson. I am the lord of this land and I sent out a form, for a new servant as my last one left in...a rather unfortunate matter of events. Your father, stated that you were willing and ready to leave but...now I see this was certainly not the case. You are not anywhere near fit to be a servant."

Dick was barely paying attention. His mind was still solely on what just happened. 

"Child!"

The man shouted, startling him and catching his attention.

"Were you not listening to a word I just uttered."

He snapped, the boy just shook his head.

"Look, young child... Like it or not , you are here and it is here you are staying. I want to make sure that your life here is to the best of my good will. I need your co operation"

Slade asked as the boy, slowly took in his words. He was but a pre teen after all.

"I want you, to help me with certain tasks. Tasks that, only brave young men could take on. When you do these, you'll earn money and that money will go towards things that you can buy, candy, toys . Whatever your heart wishes. But, only should you do a good job. If you fail to do them correctly, you will be punished. Is this to be understood?"

He asked and the boy nodded.

"Good, then.. this is your first request."

Slade leaned in and looked at the boy.

"Kiss. Me."

--

=]

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