week13

[redhandedrobin]

Muse: Jason Todd
Prompt: week 13- work
Word Count: A lot, sorry.

He wasn't Bat anymore, but he still had Robin's heart, and he couldn't keep walking when he heard a cry for help.  He turned down the alleyway and cursing his bad luck as he saw the situation- A gang about to bang some poor girl who probably got off her shift late from Taco Bell, to judge by the uniform, and didn't escape notice tonight.

If he had any sense in his head at all, he'd keep walking, or run and call the cops, or anything but grabbing the back of number eights' neck and yanking him, smacking him against the wall.

If only he weren't trying to play by the rules, he'd break his neck, not just stun him.  He had a minute or less before he got up again.  Seven went down harder, a shoulder wrenched out, but by then they were turning on him.

The girl was trying to get up to run but they'd gotten her pants down.  Jason snarled in some foul tongues, and knew he had to be there for a minute to two, to give her time to get away.

It started, and he counted the seconds as she got up, and he heard her running.

She needed more than he could give her, as he was surrounded.  He did his best, but there was only so much he could do.

Well.

One prey for another, he could keep them longer if he just kept moving, fight like Dick, like Dick, move-move-MOVE... He was flung onto the ground and he rolled, wincing as his jeans tore and so did his skin.  He fought like hell, like crawling from the grave, and he finally broke free from the mass of bodies.

It was enough time.

He was in the air, and scaling the building desperately.  Then he was fleeing across the rooftops, until finally... finally he was far enough away.

He fell back on the rooftop, his breathing high and strident from pain.

His ribs were actually sprung, and he wrapped his arms around his abdomen, trying to catch his breath.  Oh God...

He wiped blood from his face with trembling hand and he gagged on a laugh.

If he hadn't been playing by the rules, he wouldn't have a scratch on him, and that girl would be certain she could walk home from work. 

As it stood, he was beaten... and knew it... and they'd try it again... and she knew it.

He curled up on the rooftop and cried like a child for the hopelessness of knowing he was lost if he did, and damned if he didn't.

Comments

[lion_cub]

I've never been able to hold back from killing a rapist. Now a boy that's been goaded on by a group, I might just spark fear...but a rapist will die.

[redhandedrobin]

*chuckles darkly* I wish more had your sense, sir.

[lost_arrow]

It sucks. But that line's there for a good damn reason.

Letting Tanner live was the hardest thing I ever did.

[redhandedrobin]

There's no reason damn good enough.

[barbaragordon]

That's why we're the good guys.

You did the right thing, and, for what it's worth, I'm proud of you.

[redhandedrobin]

The right thing? really? Doesn't feel that way.

[old_csat]

Hell, kid! You okay? Not dead or dying somewhere?

Hell. Next time, call the law. Or don't fight by the rules. Or something! I don't want to find out you stopped talking to me because you bloody went and died on us!

[mechanical_dream]

I second my beloved. We would rather not lose you, no matter the cause.

[redhandedrobin]

*chuckles weakly, winces* Thanks.

[mechanical_dream]

*looks worried* Welcome.

[redhandedrobin]

Not dead. Not dying. Just hurting.

Law don't care, and the rules... gotta fight by the rules if I ever want to be not so alone.

[old_csat]

Sod that! You need to be not-alone now, or the rules don't me shit!

*locked*

[redhandedrobin]

I... I dunno. I don't know what to do, or how to do it.

If I go back to killing them, I'm damned.

If I walk away, I'm damned.

If I play nice, I'm doomed. I just... don't have the backup the others do. Batman always has Robin, Nightwing is a friggen acrobat and also has other backups. It's just me, myself and I, and I ran out of bat-toys a while ago.

Re: *locked*

[old_csat]

Oh for ..! No, see, if whoever they are want you to fight by the rules, then they need to give you the means to do so. Other than that, you do whatever you damn well need to to stay alive! What are they, children? Life doesn't have rules, and pain and death are pretty damn real!

*cough* Sorry for ranting. Not helping. Right. Right.

You need somewhere safe to recover, you can come here anytime, you know.

Re: *locked*

[redhandedrobin]

Yes, they're children. So'm I, some ways more than others. And life doesn't have rules, so they made 'em.

It's okay. Doesn't bother me any.

I'll be all right. Alfred's coming... but I'll be all right, anyhow.

[simply_alfred]

Good heavens, my boy! Where are you? Are you alright? Did you get those ribs seen to or do you need help?

[redhandedrobin]

I'll be okay. I'm at my place.

Locked

[simply_alfred]

If you give me an address, my boy, I can be right over with my kit.

Re: Locked

[redhandedrobin]

I... would really rather you stay outta this section of town, Alfred. I'll be okay. I'm even lying down.

Re: Locked

[simply_alfred]

Don't be ridiculous, my boy. I've been places far worse than anything Gotham has to offer, and the car is bulletproof.

Lying down is good, but not much help. How's your breathing? Any blood? Have you wrapped the injury?

Please, my boy. I'd prefer to see with my own eyes that you're safe.

Re: Locked

[redhandedrobin]

Hnnn.

Breathing? I should be doing that? Sorry. Sorry, I know... no blood, and I checked for complete breaks- just got intercostal damages and shit.

...okay. Sending you the info now.

Re: Locked

[simply_alfred]

Yes, you should be breathing! Alright, that's managable.

I'm on my way, Jason. Sit tight.

OOC: wrong journal, sorry

Re: Locked

[redhandedrobin]

Nngh... I'll be here. Don't think I could move anyway...


(ooc: it's okay! :) )

[notafraidofyou]

...I have a first aid kit, if you need help...

You know you can call, if you need help or anything. I'd help you.

[redhandedrobin]

S'okay, kiddo... Alfred's coming over. I'm good. Thanks.

I know. You know that too, right?

[notafraidofyou]

Okay. Just wanted to make sure.

Yeah, I know. Thanks.

[bludhavenguardian]

...do you need help?

I'm glad you're trying to do the right thing.

[redhandedrobin]

Alfred's coming over I think I'll make it. I could have used help a few hours ago, though.

Whatever that was, I don't think it was the right thing to do.

[bludhavenguardian]

You could have called for help or something.

[redhandedrobin]

Like anybody'd've actually come?

[bludhavenguardian]

I would've, if I was close enough. Whatever else we think about you, we don't want you to die. Or the person you were protecting.

[daredoll]

. . .

. . .

I know I'm not in the same league as the boys are, but I'm not half bad. If you ever need back up again. I'll be there.


I hope your feeling better.

[redhandedrobin]

Honey, you can kick our asses half the time.

I'm feeling a little better today.

[daredoll]

Flatterer

You need anything give me a call. "hands over number"

[redhandedrobin]

*pockets it with a cheeky grin*

*more seriously* thanks, Babs.