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this-is-all-unreal · 10 months

Text

My Dear Friend

Part 4

Part 3

Part 2

Part 1 and summary

This part definitely needs some extra warnings. Near the end of this part there is some psychological horror and a touch of gore and body horror. I was getting sketched out while writing it so I figured a warning would be a good idea. That being said I hope you enjoy I have been having a ball writing it! 🤗

The silence didn't last long. The front door opened and footsteps found their way to the family room.

"Hey Bruce, I passed that trigonometry test. Oh hey." The boy said as he walked in. He had glasses and had dark hair like Bruce and Dick they almost looked like they all could actually be related.

"Tim, this is Margaret, she's going to be staying here for a bit." Bruce says as he gestures to me.

"For another night" I say softly as I stare at him. Could he have be the Robin with Bruce the other night? He looked the right size if not a little short. I hadn't seen Jason yet but Dick was way too tall and wide to have been him.

"Yeah right we kinda met already." He said as he walked further into the room. "Jason and Dick get in a fight over the remote again? It's wrecked." He said as he pushed the scraps of the remote around with his foot.

"Margaret, this is Tim and Robin. Do you remember him?" Tim smiled with pride.

"You beat up Scarecrow?" I asked. He wasn't super short but he was way shorter and skinnier than a grown man. "All by yourself?" I added. He almost looks offended.

"Yeah Crane is a piece of cake to handle when he doesn't have his gas. Speaking of which, how are you doing?" Tim asked as he leaned against the arm of the sofa Bruce sat on.

"I'm fine." I say flatly. It was the truth. Tim pauses for a moment like he was expecting me to say more.

"Right well I'm gonna go to my room, I have some friends waiting for me to get online." He says as he pats Bruce on the shoulder as he walks out.

"Homework first Tim." Bruce says after him. "One second." He says as he stands up to catch up with him. The conversation trailed out of earshot as they went upstairs. I sat for a while alone.

"Felix?" I ask in a soft whisper. There was no answer. I couldn't feel him in the slightest. I stood up and walked out of the room myself. The whole manor seemed so quiet. I looked up the stairs I assumed they walked up. I start walking up one side of the double staircase. I stood on the landing and looked down both halls. I had no way of knowing which way they went. This would be one of the moments I need Felix. I took a guess and went right. I walk down a few more halls till I get to a hall that looks like it might have some bedrooms. This place had a more confusing layout than Arkham. I wasn't sure how to get back to the stairs. I heard some music coming from a door. I thought it might be Tim's room. Maybe he could help me find my way back. I knocked softly at first but the music must have been too loud. I knock a little harder. Without warning the door flew open and a very tall man I had never seen before stood in the doorway. He had a white tuft of hair but the rest was jet black like the others.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked as he looked down at me. I stuttered for a second.

"I'm well um I'm Margaret." He paused for a second. He looked very tired. There was something off about him. Something about his head, no inside his head.

"Alright well bye" He says as he shuts the door.

"No wait! Can you help me get back downstairs?" I yell through his door. He opens it again and steps out. Could this be Jason? I imagined a younger boy. He looked like he could be older than Dick.

"Come on." He sounded very annoyed. I followed him the best I could but his strides were much larger than mine.

"Are you Jason?"

"Mm-hmm"

"Bruce adopted you?"

"Something like that." He said as he expertly navigated the same halls I stumbled through.

"Did I wake you up?"

"No" He said shortly. Finally I recognized a hall as I saw the landing at the end of the hall. He stopped and pointed. "The stairs are there." He said as he turned and started walking back to his room. I stood there for a second. He seemed nice enough but I had a horrible sinking feeling around him. I couldn't explain it but it was similar to when you see a serial killer's face on TV and you don't want to look them in the eye.

"Margaret!?" I heard Bruce yelling as he exited the room he left me in. I was looking down at him when I saw how worried he looked.

"Up here." I say as I start walking down the stairs to him. He met me halfway up.

"Did something happen? Why did you leave the room?" He asked calmly but his eyes told a different story. They looked almost anxious. It made me scared. Like I did something wrong. I looked up at him with wide scared eyes and my bottom lip started to shake.

"I was looking for you." I say quickly and softly like I would be interrupted. His eyes change in an instant.

"Oh Margaret, I was just helping Tim get settled in." His eyes softened and looked like I have known them too.

"I met Jason."

"Oh?" He asks as he looks around like he was looking for him.

"I got lost and he helped me find my way back to the stairs."

"Oh yeah?" He says with a small chuckle. "Maybe we'll put up signs or something. Jason had the hardest time finding his way around when he first came here." It was hard to imagine it after seeing him walk the halls moments ago. "Hey, why don't I show you your room? It's just a guest bedroom for now but you tell me or Alfred how you want to decorate it and we can work on it sometime." He said as he ushered me back to the landing. I followed him down the right side hall and down a similar path to where I just came from.

"I won't need a room remember? I'm only here for the night." I say correcting him but he didn't seem to hear me or maybe he was ignoring me.

"Dick's room is just down the hall here." Bruce said as we walked in the direction of Jason's room if I was remembering right. He stopped at an open door. It was huge and had a few windows but mainly my eyes were drawn to a large bay window in the center of the room. The bed and drapes were dark green and all the furniture was made of dark wood. The bed was the biggest one I had ever seen. "Here we are. Do you like the shape of it? We have more guest rooms you could have but this is the closest to the boys rooms and I rather you be close to someone in case you need something.

"No, it's really nice. I like it." I say as I step inside and turn to look at him.

"And how does Felix feel about it?"

"No idea he's not here." I say as I look around the room. I pull the drawers out from the dresser to look in them.

"Well I hope I didn't upset him too much earlier. I didn't realize he was so…. Particular." He said. I could tell he was choosing his words carefully but I wasn't sure if it was for me or Felix's sake.

"No, sometimes he just leaves. He didn't leave when I was at Arkham so he probably is stretching his legs or something." I say as I sit down on the bed. It's very soft and doesn't make a sound when you put weight on it. "Is Jason okay? He seemed kinda different." I say looking at Bruce who was still standing outside the room he sighed and took a step forward to lean against the doorframe as he crossed his arms.

"He's fine. He had an accident a few months back and the whole family is adjusting from it. He's a good kid, really tough. He'll be okay with some time." His voice was darker than normal, heavier maybe.

"What kind of accident?"

"The kind most people don't come back from. We thought we lost him there for a while but he pulled through." What he was saying was good news. Most fathers adopted or not would say this with a big smile proudly but Bruce sounded like he lost a son still. I got the feeling there was something else going on, I didn't need Felix to tell me that.

"Oh okay well I'm happy he's okay." I say, Bruce nodded and pushed off the doorframe and unfolded his arms.

"There is a bathroom attached so feel free to shower. I'll have Alfred bring some of Tim's pajamas. We have some girl clothes in storage I think but we'll have to dig. Once the weather clears up we can go out and get you your own."

"Why do you have girl clothes? I thought you only had sons." I say worried there might be more people for me to meet.

"Oh they are some we got for Barbara she was Batgirl. You will meet her soon I imagine." He says as he comes in to check the locks on the windows.

"Are all your kids vigilantes?" I ask as my eyes follow him. He laughs a little and nods as he fiddles with the locks.

"Just about, it's a family business." Is that why he wants to adopt me? He said Barbara was Batgirl. Is he looking for a new one? I wasn't cut out for that kind of stuff. Batgirl is a badass. I limp all day if I stub my toe. Maybe he thinks Felix can be useful. That's like trying to herd cats. The wind blew against the windows and it sounded like a soft howl. It really was getting bad out. The snow was piling up and it wasn't even dark yet. "We eat dinner late normally. If you are hungry don't be afraid to ask." I nod but I was still full from lunch. I hadn't had so much food in a while.

"Pretty sweet room right?" My head snapped to look at who was talking. Dick was walking in. I didn't even heat him coming. I nod agreeing "so you think she is ready to see the bodies we keep in the basement?" He said with a smirk. I look at him momentary shock but onec I saw him smiling I knew he was joking.

"Stop teasing her." Bruce said as he walked past him to stand in the hall. "I'm going to get everything around for patrol tonight. Are you coming out tonight? Tim and I are taking south Gotham if you want to cover the north." Bruce said looking at Dick.

"I don't know I might hang out with Margaret pull out some board games or something." He say looking me with a wide, opened smile.

"I think she wants to have a quiet night Dick. It's going to be a short night away, Tim has school and I'd feel bad leaving Margaret home." Bruce said looking back at me.

"I'll be fine if you have to do stuff. I was just going to shower and sleep probably." I had to assume patrol means patrolling the city. I didn't want to pull them away from that and being alone sounds nice. Dick shrugs.

"My nights wide open." He said as him and Bruce walked off talking amongst themselves. I sat on the bed staring down the hall for a long while. I was worried if I left I wouldn't find my way back to this soft bed.

Alfred dropped by and gave me some clothes. He almost gave me a heart attack when he walked into view of the dimly lit hall. Now with the fancy pajama set I had I got in the shower. I was starting to worry Felix is never gone for so long. I started to hate the silence he left behind. I finished my shower and go dressed. I used the plastic covered tooth brush that was in its box under the sink. My reflection looked distorted. I couldn't tell if it was me or the mirror that was messed up. It had been a while since I saw myself. I guess mirrors are not a necessity in a psych ward.

The bags under my eyes only seemed to have grown. My hair was longer then I remembered it looking. It was down to the middle of my back now. Were my eyes always so big and dark? I checked my gums and tongue. I guess they looked normal. I as I stared into the mirror I started to see a gaunt horrible face in place of mine. It was unfamiliar to me and yet I wasn't afraid. My mind liked to play tricks on me even when Felix was gone.

I looked at the clock and saw it was only 8pm. I wasn't tired yet and I couldn't figure out how to use the remote to turn on the TV. I saw a figure past my doorway and I froze for a second. I figured even if it's a ghost or something at least I wouldn't be bored. I got up and ran out into the hall. I saw the back of Jason. I was so relieved it wasn't actually a ghost.

"Can you help me?" I ask after him.

"Lost again?"

"No I don't know how to turn on the TV." I said with a sheepish smile. He sighed and turned around and walked towards my room. He picked it up and turned it on. I swore I tried that button. He went to walk out. "Wait are you going downstairs?" I asked him. He nodded as he continued to walk out. "Can I come along?" I ask as I follow him.

"If you really have to." He said looking at me with a skeptical eye. We walk downstairs and I do my best to memorize what I could of the halls. I noticed on the front door was a keypad lock next to it. I hoped it was to set an alarm and not meant to lock anyone in. I pushed it out of my mind when we reached the dinning room. It was just as grand as the rest of the house. Wine red chairs and a table that could sit an army. Jason sat at a random chair and pulled out a small book from his back pocket. I sat a ways away from him so he didn't feel suffocated. Alfred came out and sat a plate of some kind of pasta in front of him.

"Thank you Alfred." He said as he takes a bite not taking his eyes from his book.

"Miss Margaret did you want some Spaghetti alla Puttanesca?" Alfred asks seeing me seated down the table. I stand up to look at Jason's plate. I shake my head no trying to hide my disgust at what looked like bits eggplants in the dish.

"Do you have peanut butter and jelly?" I ask him in all earnest.

Jason let out a short breath of air almost like he was holding a laugh.

"Well it's been many years but I think I can manage." Alfred says with a smile as he walks back into the kitchen. He came back shortly after holding the most gorgeous looking peanut butter and jelly I had ever seen.

"Thanks!" I say excitedly.

"Shall I cut the crust off for you?"

"No no it's perfect!" I say as I bite into it. He gave a satisfied smile as he walked away. I hadn't had a good PB&J sandwich in so long. I finished it in a matter of minutes. I looked at the book Jason was reading. I could make out a title on the worn cover. The collective poems of Emily Dickinson pocket addition. I smiled he didn't look like the type to like poems.

"Is it good? The book?" I ask. He nods as he eats his food still not looking up from his book.

"It's Dickinson so pretty good."

"I don't know if I have ever read any of hers." I was lying I knew I hadn't read anything by her. I wasn't really a reader.

"You can borrow my copy when I'm done with it."

"Oh no I'm leaving tomorrow. I'm just staying the night to make Bruce happy." I say with a small smile. Jason pulled his eyes from his book and raised an eye brow.

"That's not what I heard."

"What do you mean?" I ask leaning in a little. He shrugged and looked back at his book.

"I heard Bruce talking to the boy wonder talking about how he adopted you through some slightly shady channels but all still legal."

"No no he told me about that. I told him I didn't want him to adopt me. He just didn't want me out on the streets tonight." Jason chuckled dryly.

"You are more naive then I thought. Bruce always gets what he wants doesn't matter what anyone else wants. You are part of the family and you don't even know it.

"You are messing with me. Bruce is really nice he wouldn't-"

"Sure he's great when you are doing what he wants. If you try and run he'll find you assuming you even make it off of the house. He won't let you out till he's sure you'll come back. Like letting a dog off the leash." He says as he leans back and pokes his tongue against the side of the inside of his cheek. While looking me over. "Maybe I'm wrong, I was gone for a year. He could have changed. I hope for your sake he has at least. You won't survive training." He says without a hint of a joke. His face was so serious.

"What are you saying too her." Alfred said as he walked out from the kitchen. "Go on leave her alone. You can sulk by yourself you don't need to drag other people into it young man!" He said as he took his plate. Jason got up from his seat to leave.

"I mean it though I hope he's changed." He said it softer this time like he was really hopeful. He walked away as Alfred shooed him.

"Don't pay him no mind. He is still sore Master Bruce adopted Master Tim. He's just trying to scare you so you don't stay." Alfred says as he picks up my plate and motions for me to follow him into the kitchen. So I did. He started to load the dishwasher.

"What kind of accident did he have? Where did he go for a year?

"Oh well um he was badly beaten by that horrible clown. He fell into a coma." Alfred says as he turns around to look at me. He blames Master Bruce for it and is resentful he adopted Master Tim." He paused for a moment. "But none of that you should worry yourself with. He will bounce back Master Jason always does. His resilience is remarkable." Alfred says with a smile. I can tell he really loves them all. Even when they were being difficult. "Oh my look at the time. You should be getting off to bed. Have you showered?" He asks, looking at me.

"Yeah I did. Hey Alfred can you walk me back to my room? I still don't really know where it is." I say feeling embarrassed.

"Certainly." He said as he dried his hands off. He walked me back and the halls were becoming less of a mystery to me. We said our goodbyes and I shut my door. The TV was still on so I kept the light off and crawled into bed.

"Was he just bitter? Or was he trying to warn you?" I sat straight up as I heard an unfamiliar voice speak. It wasn't Felix, it wasn't his voice at least. "Over here, that's right on TV." I looked at the TV and a smiling woman on the news was starting right at me.

"Ar-are you talking t-to me?" I ask, looking at her. She nodded

"Well I'm not talking for my health am I? Hey wanna hear a secret?" She asked as she leaned in over her desk. I shake my head no. I knew this couldn't be real. "YOU'RE FUCKED!" She yelled so loud I thought my ear drums would burst. I put my hands over my ears as I looked at the TV. Her smile only got wider. It looked like hooks were pulling at the corners of her lips.

"Where's Felix!" I shout back at her. She slams her hands down on her desk and grabs your camera.

"YOU'RE FUCKED! YOU'RE FUCKEDYOU'RE FUCKED!YOU'RE FUCKED YOU'RE FUCKED!YOU'RE FUCYOU'ERFUCKED!" She continued to yell getting more mumbled and frantic as she screamed black slip started to fly from her mouth. Dark veins formed around her eyes. She began to slam her head on her desk till blood ran down her face mixing with the black liquid. Bone started to show as she smacked herself against her desk. She began to laugh like she was mad. I screamed and pushed myself against the backboard of the bed.

"WHO ARE YOU!" I scream back. I looked at the TV again and she was gone. A male news anchor was talking in a monotone voice about a robbery at Gotham mint. I pant and look around the room to make sure it was over.

"Margaret open up!" Jason shouted from outside the door. I looked at the door relieved it was just him. I didn't think I locked the door. I jumped up from the bed to let him in. As soon as my feet hit the floor I feel something grab my ankle and try to tug me under the bed. I screamed and clung to the edge of the bed. I looked and saw the news lady clawing at my leg with a smile straight from hell. Her body was bent in an unnatural way and her nails were long and jagged. I closed my eyes too afraid to look at her any longer. Jason broke down the door but as I opened my eyes I was laying on the floor next to the bed.

"What's wrong with you!" He said as he shook me by the shoulders. I pushed him away and crawled against the wall away from the bed.

"Under the bed! She's under there! She cut me!" I screamed as I pulled up my pant leg to show him. There was nothing. Not a single scratch. He looked at me like I was crazy. I couldn't really blame him. I knew I was crazy but I didn't think this crazy. He looked at me then back to the bed. He flipped the skirt up and inspected the underneath.

"There isn't anything. You had a nightmare." He said standing up

"No she was on the TV then she was un-under the bed Jason please you have to believe me!"

"I do believe you. I believe you saw a creepy girl on TV and had a nightmare about her." He said as he pointed to the TV. I craned my neck to see the ring playing. I shook my head.

"I didn't change it to that. I hate scary movies! And she didn't look like that!"

"Go back to bed. And I'm not taking the blame for the broken door. You tell Bruce you locked it." He said as he walked past me and out the door.

"I didn't lock the door!" I said after him but he just waved me off. Wasn't staying in that room. I ran as fast as I could down the hall. I finally made my way downstairs and into a random living room I had never seen before. I layed down on the sofa and curled up. It was mostly lit down here. I felt safer in the light. I had no idea what that was in there. I stayed awake for what felt like hours. Just staring at the entrance to the room. I was practically begging for Felix to come and make fun of me. I haven't been so scared in a while. Eventually the adrenaline wore off. I closed my eyes and fell asleep there.

Hey there just wanted to add a note here. If you liked the horror or absolutely hated it and wanted less of it please tell me. I want to make it an enjoyable of a reading experience as possible. 😅

#batman #dc comics #fanfic #oc stuff #platonic batman #slight yandere #horror #body horro tw #mentally illness #mentally ill OC #dick grayson #tim drake #jason todd #alfred pennyworth #bruce wayne #batfam #wayne manor

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