I think I'm alive, it's hard for me to tell. I can't see, I can see my body but even that is hard to see. Dark greys and black merging into the darkness around me. The only way I can tell if my eyes are open is if I look down but after sometime I have to blink or else everything just fades. I know my body is there but it'll slowly drift to the background almost, it won't be at the forefront of my vision.
I'm breathing or I think I am, there's not really air it's just stagnant. No breeze, no outside sound the only thing I hear is my heart beating. I can't even tell if I'm floating or falling, no up or down. I'm surrounded by nothing. I remember reading about people who stayed in sensory deprivation for too long or the people who stayed in the world's quietest room. I wonder how long before I start being affected by my own mind?
It comes sooner than I thought because I swear there's a face of a woman in the shadows. It's uncanny how clearly I can see her but not what she looks like. I feel nauseous for a moment as I hear a faint whisper of something. I realize a little later that the face is moving, like she's talking but I can't hear anything.
Then the hallucinations become more vivid, I see a small speck of light growing bright and more defined. It's a humanoid and they're moving closer. They're feminine in their features, curly hair and a familiar face, Jillian Rodriguez. She comes closer and closer, for the first time since appearing here there's a change. It gets warmer as Jillian approaches.
The first change leads to a cascade of changes, I can see color where once there wasn't. I can hear distant echoes and voices in a language I don't understand, and I can feel that there's no air in my lungs. I can feel myself suffocating.
The girl drifts to my side and reaches with both hands and places one on the center of my chest and upper back. There's a flash of searing hot energy that pulses through me as my lungs suddenly pull in air. Another pulse and the voices begin to focus and become clear words. Another pulse and I realize what happened to cause the hand shaped burns on the younger girls.
"Enough child, he is alive now," I hear a woman's voice call out there's layers to it like millions of people whispering every word she speaks.
"It felt different, why?" Jillian's voice rings out but it's centralized around her not like the other voice.
"Because his body is here, that is why I forced you to move so quickly. He was running out of time but you stopped the clock," a face begins to form from nowhere then slowly becomes something faceless with no real features. In an odd way it reminds me of my mother...
"I'm flattered child, your mother was a kind woman." I watch as for the briefest moment the featureless face morphs into that of my mother's, then my father's and then back to nothing.
"I've done that before right? Stopped the other girls from whatever was about to happen to him," She doesn't know, of course she doesn't know what's happened to them.
"In a sense, yes," that's ominous, does this thing know what happened...
"What does that mean? Wait don't go!" The face slowly starts to disappear, fading away into the darkness around it. The whispering also follows slowly fading into nothing.
Shit this is unpleasant, all of it. I'm not even sure how to help myself out of this let alone Jillian's soul. I'm guessing this is her soul it looks similar to the one I followed hours ago but there's something different. I can't figure out what it is though, it may just be the environment we're in.
Jillian isn't looking at me, her eyes stay fixed on a certain point like she sees something I don't. Maybe she does I'm not entirely sure how different a soul is compared to a body. Jillian's eyes snap to something above me, and I follow her eye line.
Above me are multiple golden strands that drift and swirl around, some drift off into different directions than the other. Some disappear into nothing while others stretch on for miles, I can't see the end. Looking back down there's a small silver thread that's drifting behind Jillian, it's choppy and fragmented and almost too faint to see.
There's another smaller thread drifting in front of Jillian, it's more prominent going from silver to gold. Following the thread I realize it drifts up and connects with my chest. Jillian doesn't seem to notice it's even there too focused on the threads above me. The young girl suddenly drifts up and reaches out only to hesitate for a moment.
"What's wrong?" I ask seeing clear conflict on Jillian's face. Whatever was causing conflict she seems to resolve because she reaches out and touches a thread.
There's a faint glow from where she touches it that travels through the thread, when it reaches me there's a surge of warmth in my chest and memories of Dick begin to appear in my head. Odd, but not unpleasant. Jillian seems satisfied with something and turns to me.
"Okay Batman, you wanna get out of here?" It takes me a moment to realize that I'm still in my Batman suit and that I am indeed still wearing my cowl. I give a simple nod and the teen smiles at me.
We follow a particular strand for a while,l in the process of traveling I learn that all these different threads are connected to a different individual that I know in my life. There's one for every JL member, one for each of my children and their friends. There's ones for different rouges and villains that I've encountered and civilians that I've saved.
Jillian says the more prominent the string the closer they are. It's like a live wire system of every person I've ever met and as we move I watch it spread and grow. We're following a large cluster of strings, Jillian is keeping a finger on one strand in particular; Dick's. Eventually the end began to appear, it just stopped like it's been cut, there are other strings around it.
As I look I can see my children and their friends, I can see Alfred, Selina and Constantine. As I look closer at one it's strange, like Jillian's it's choppy and fragmented but not silver in color. Roy, Tim, and Lian's threads are all nearby. As I move closer to inspect I know who it belongs to; Jason.
"Okay I think I can get us out of here but I need you to stay in one spot," I looked over to where Jillian is floating.
She's at the very end of Dick's thread, reaching up with one hand she touches something and for a moment I can see Dick, wearing his Nightwing suit. Her other hand reaches out and touches the center of his back and the image becomes more clear. He's talking, gesturing like he does when he's stressed. His brow is furrowed and face pulled into a grimace.
There's a flash of gold as a thread moves and joins the group of threads surrounding Dick. I look closer and see that it's Zatanna's thread. It drifts closer to Constantine's thread.
My attention is drawn back to Jillian as something flashes, looking at the girl her eyes glow a bright purple. She moves both her hands together and clasp them together before moving them to her chest. There's a rush of whispers that echo the words Jillian speaks, it's again in the strange language from before.
Jillian's focus snaps to me bathing me in a purple glow. Moving suddenly the girl is right in front of me, her hands still clasped together. Slowly she opens them and a rift begins to form, it's not jagged and ripped like the others. It's like a perfect door opening, through it I can see the back of my oldest son still wearing his vigilante suit. The door grows and becomes fully formed.
Suddenly Jillian's hand reaches through it and pulls me forwards causing me to tip over and fall through. I land harshly onto the metal floor of the batcave, causing a bit of air pushed out of my lungs. Rolling over I watch as the visage of Jillian steps out of the doorway and glides calmly away towards the infirmary. Her eyes are still glowing the same purple.
"Well, that saves us a trip doesn't it love?"
I'm so tired of waking up in pain it's been like this for almost two weeks, as my eyes open I'm in a hospital...Odd, I can hear the beeping of machines and I can feel the slightest pinching pulling pain as I move my arm. I look to see I'm hooked up to an IV bag as well as a monitor of sorts.
I let my head drop back down against the pillow of the hospital bed, I cringe a little at the feeling of my own hair. I can feel the dirt and grime caked into it, my body feels a little better but not by a lot. I'm also starving and thirsty, quickly I checked and I can feel my feet, legs and toes wiggle.
The door to my hospital room opens and a woman in blue scrubs walks in pushing a small cart with a large basin and several rags and sponges. She freezes when she sees that I'm awake, before I can say anything she's out the door again.
I learned I was comatose for a week and a half, the doctor said it was a miracle I even woke up let alone spoke and moved relatively fine. I'm being released with everything paid for along with a wheelchair to help me get around while I rebuild my strength.
I also learned that the Wayne's had covered all medical expenses and apparently Timothy Drake-Wayne was a frequent visitor to my room. How nice? I don't really care for the gossip, I'm thankful for the money and I'll tell Tim that when I see him again.
It was an awkward ordeal to learn that the clothes that were brought in with me didn't belong to me. Not that I said as much I refused to go home in only a thin piece of paper they call a medical smok. Getting out of the hospital was its own little disaster because they had to call GCPD to sign off as a legal guardian.
Thankfully the man who came Commissioner Gordon was nice enough to offer me a ride back home, while driving he informed me about the open investigation against my sister and her boyfriend... It was awkward sitting in the back seat and driving into Park Row but I'll deal with whatever flak I get for that later. For now I just want to get home and take a shower. The Commissioner saw it fit to escort me to my apartment door as well.
The elevator was thankfully working today, I clicked the button for the third floor and waited patiently. The elevator dinged open and I pushed myself out and turned immediately to my right to go down the hall. I stopped pushing for a moment at the sight down the hall from me.
Standing in front of my door was my neighbor's daughter, she was talking to a man who I couldn't recognize from here. Pushing my wheelchair closer I caught Maria's eyes, instantly her face fell and my stomach opened into a pit.
"Oh Jill, I'm so sorry sweetie," Maria pushed past the man and came closer to me. Please just let Ms. Gonzalez be in the hospital again or maybe Maria finally convinced her to go into assisted living and she moved.
"Why-" My throat tightened as I fought back tears, she was fine. Abuela was fine, "Abuela's fine right?"
I swallowed a cry as Maria shook her head, I closed my eyes and let my head tip back again my wheelchair. I'm going to regret asking this question but I have to know.
"How?" Maria said she'd tell me but only once I was inside, showered and ate. I let Maria push my wheelchair the rest of the way to my apartment.
The man who Maria was talking to was on the phone with someone before quickly ending the call to talk to Commissioner Gordon. I vaguely recognize him as Bruce Wayne and only just noticed Tim with him. I didn't even bother asking questions just let myself be guilded into the empty apartment before moving myself to my room.
I grabbed a change of clothes that would be easy to change into and quickly shower or as quickly as I could give I can't really stand for to long without my legs giving out. I feel a little better with clean hair and clothes, opening the bathroom door the smell of bread and cheese waffed through the air. Maria made me chicken soup and a grilled cheese, well more like she brought over leftovers when she realized I had no food in the kitchen.
"Where's Queenie?" I asked as I haven't heard her call out the entire time I've been back, and usually Queenie is a very vocal ball of black fluff.
"She's with us," I look up to see both the Wayne's sitting on the couch in the tiny living room alongside a woman in a very fancy business suit and the commissioner still here.
"Oh, um thank you," I say half cutting myself off as I stuff my face full of grilled cheese and soup.
It's exactly what I need and Maria is kind enough to make me another grilled cheese that I also polish off. I don't particularly care that there's multiple people watching me eat. Once finished and satisfied I started to move towards the couch, Maria helps me and sits down next to me.
"First I want to know what happened to Abuela Gonzalez," I look straight to Maria.
Maria sighs and tells me how Ms. Gonzalez had passed while I was in the hospital. She was in the kitchen making her weekly batch of bread and tortillas when she had a sudden heart attack. She passed within moments and was found by Maria a few hours later. Maria informs me that I missed the funeral but that I was left with a few things in the will and they were waiting for me.
Maria excused herself to go get said items to get and bring them over. Calming myself and turning my attention to the other group of people in my apartment. I really didn't know why they were here but they are. The woman spoke first.
"Ms. Rodriguez, I'm sorry for your loss," The woman starts off, she moves herself a little closer to the edge of the couch as she talks.
"Thank you, why are you here. Who are you?" I asked, I'm trying to keep my tone polite but I know my smile is definitely tired.
"Well I'm your new social worker, it's come to light that your previously assigned worker wasn't doing his job very well," I couldn't help but roll my eyes, I really was too tired for this.
"I'll cut to the chase, your sister is no longer in a position to keep custody of you," I nod know a little from what Gordon told me, "because of this you are going into foster care-"
"However I'm to take temporary custody of you and allow you a space near home," Bruce cuts in, he smiles as he continues, "I know it's a bit odd but..." Bruce trails off after that.
"It would be short-term, only until the court case is resolved. Unless of course something happens," the social worker continues.
"Court case?" I look at the three adults in the room, making sure my confusion is clear.
"We'll discuss that in a moment, what do you say Jillian? Regarding Mr. Wayne getting temporary custody." I look around me at the nothing that has been my life and shrugged.
"It can't be any worse than this place," Tim looks to his dad immediately and Bruce looks at me.
"If it's alright, my kids are here to help pack your room. I know it's sudden but sadly this apartment is no longer yours or your sister's. I've done what I can but they want you out as quickly as possible..." I kinda nod dumbfounding but I'm not surprised. Mr. Jenkins has always been a tool so of course he wants me out as soon as possible.
Tim hops up off the couch, pulling out his phone and tapping something onto the screen. I kinda sit there confused about what just happened when my attention is drawn to the Commissioner who moves to sit where Tim was.
"There was an investigation done against your sister and her boyfriend. There was a lot of evidence and because of that we were able to take it to court quickly," Gordon starts, he's staring at his hands which are clasped together.
"We weren't expecting you to wake up anytime soon but you have, because of this I'd like to know if you'd be willing to testify against Grace and Daniel?" The Commissioner meets my eyes and oh boy is this all overwhelming.
"I can try, I'm not promising anything right now," I see Bruce nodding his head with an impressed look on his face.
"I appreciate how forthright you are Ms. Rodriguez, truly. I've already discussed with Bruce about having you come down to the station to give a statement and answer some questions," Gordon nods over to Bruce who simply smiles politely at me.
"I don't expect you to go right away, I'd hope to let you settle down first and let you get your bearings. I will say I've taken the liberty to hire a trusted friend of mine to be your lawyer, she'll represent you fiercely I can promise that," Bruce yet again flashes a kind smile to me and I find myself taken aback at the sudden kindness.
"Why'd you do it?" The question slips from my mouth before I have the chance to stop it, to filter it out.
"I'm not sure what you're asking me exactly," Bruce tilted his head to the side, confusion painting his face.
"Why help me? The hospital bill, the fostering, now a lawyer, why help me? I'm sure you'll get some brownie points with the press but this is a little much," I can't stop the words now that the gates have been open.
"Ms. Rodriguez! That is incredibly rude! Apologize-" my social worker was chastising me but stopped when Bruce held up a hand. Still smiling kindly.
"It's alright honestly. Truth be told I'm doing this mostly for Tim's sake, he was quite shaken when he learned of your disappearance," Bruce's voice becomes soft and kind as he talks about his son, I feel myself flush with embarrassment.
"Ah! I'm sorry Mr. Wayne, I-" Bruce holds up a hand and again smiles softly.
"Bruce is fine and it's alright, you've had a rough time recently so I don't blame you for having your guard up," He says before I can respond there's a knock at the front door before it opens.
Six figures walk in, two girls and four boys. The youngest is carrying a small animal carrier crate. Almost instantly I hear the familiar trill of my baby.
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