Friends with the Enemy

1) Bullies + Broccoli = a Bad Day

Dick smiled for the first time in a while. "Because I was in a circus!" He said excitedly.

That was a big mistake.

They stared at him.

"What?" He asked. Oh no, what did I do wrong?

Then two of them burst out laughing.

"You're a gypsy? What a freak!" The muscular teen taunted.

"Yep, it seems so." The blonde girl replied, encouraging the bullying.

The short, spiked haired boy knitted his eyebrows. "What the heck, guys? Not cool."

"Oh, come on. Live a little won't ya, Mike?" The girl sneered.

"Why are you guys laughing? I don't understand." Dick interrupted. He was beginning to get scared. He just wanted to get away from this.

"Look, he doesn't even get it." The boy apparently named Mike said.

"All the better." The blonde teased.

"Umm, I'm going to leave now. Bye." Dick said quickly. He began to swiftly walk in the other direction, but the strong guy got a hold of his arm and tugged.

"Hey!" Dick yelled in surprise and pain.

"Who said you could leave?" He interrogated with a menacing tone of voice,

Dick was starting to get angry. "Oh wow, I didn't know I needed your permission." He huffed.

"Watch yourself, kid. You don't know who you're messing with." The girl warned dangerously.

"No!" Dick growled. "I'm leaving whether you like it or not."

"I think not." The large boy muttered while pulling his sleeve up, revealing his huge muscles and a few tattoos.

"Don't hurt him, Adam. If not for his sake, for yours. You'll be punished by the guards and you know it." Mike tried convincing.

"Oh boo-hoo." Adam mocked.

"Listen, stop defending the boy or you'll be kicked out of our squad. You do not want to get kicked out of our squad."
The girl threatened.

"He's just trying to help me! Guys, stop fighting!" Dick cried.

That got him a punch straight to the face.

Then a kick or three to his rib.

He struggled to get up, but he was much too weak.

He was beginning to lose consciousness. Before he did, though, he heard the female say something, along with the sound of something drag on the floor.

"Here, Mike. Do it. You didn't forget about what we did for you all those years ago, did ya? Prove your loyalty. Then we'll forget everything that happened earlier, okay? Doesn't matter if we get caught, although we obviously will."

Then a sigh, "fine. Sorry, kid."

He deeply felt one last hit to the head with something that felt like wood before he blacked out.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Alright, you should be okay for now. Just, please, don't hang out with the gangs. You'll make my life harder than it already is." The doctor said while he finished bandaging the eight- year- old.

It's not like I asked to get beat up, Dick thought bitterly.

"Follow me." The guard said. He followed him into the cafeteria. Great, now I'm late for lunch.

As Dick got his food and sat down he couldn't help but replay the recent events in his head.

Why did they do such a thing? He thought. It wasn't it first time being bullied here, but it was his first getting attacked by fellow inmates.

He was beginning the learn that there were a lot of cruel people in this world. His first lesson of that was because of Tony Zucco.

Tony Zucco.

It's his fault that he's even here.

"'Aye, kid, stop playin' with ya food, won't ya? Lunch time 's almost over. Ya ought finish up or you gon' be hungry later." One of the cafeteria ladies warned. This caused Dick to jump slightly. He had been so deep in thought that he forgot about the time.

He glanced back at the food on his plate and internally groaned. He really did not want to eat this. It was green and squishy and nasty looking. In actuality, it was just broccoli. But to eight-year-old Dick Grayson, it looked like the result of a mad scientist's experiment gone wrong.

In the count of three, he thought. Three, he started. Two, he counted while stabbing the broccoli with his fork. One! He thought with a determined resolve. He stuffed the food into his mouth, a decision he immediately regretted as he found himself gagging.

Thankfully, he was able to stomach the taste and feeling of the vegetables and swallowed it all. After the experience, he just slouched, exhausted, while feeling a bit of pride for his victory.

"Alright, time's up. Head out. Throw out your garbage and head to your cells." One of the guards commanded. Dick sighed. He hated going back in there. Well, he hated being in this whole facility.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sirens wailing loudly woke up Dick's sleep. What is going on out there? Dick thought curiously.  He didn't have any windows that allowed him to see outside, though. He could only look out the small window on his door that gave him a narrow view of the hallway.

The noises were continuous, and seemed that they wouldn't be ending anytime soon. It's not like I'd get a good night's rest of sleep anyways, Dick thought sadly. Almost every night he'd get a nightmare of some sort. From getting made fun of to his parent's death.

He lifted his head from the pillow and turned to lean his back against the wall. It's so cold here, he noticed. He felt himself shivering. Instead of pulling the thin blanket up to himself for warmth, he frustratedly tugged on his hair. Why can't things be the way it used to be? I miss mama and Tati... they were warm. They loved me. T-they.. Dick let out a sob. Normally, he'd stop himself from crying. Whether it be because he didn't want to appear weak, or the guards in a bad mood told him to shut it. But today, he felt as if he couldn't hold it anymore.

If he weren't so scared of being yelled at, he'd scream. He hated this place. He knew that he didn't deserve to be here. If only I could just- he froze. Could he escape? If he got caught, he'd be in so much trouble. But, I'm small enough, to leave  unnoticed, right? He wondered. Am I actually, considering this? He tried reasoning with himself, but his desire to leave this pit override any other logic. Could you blame him?

I'm doing it. Tomorrow. I'll have to be very careful. He decided. I have this whole place memorized by now. After all, he's been there for a month and a half. Also, no one will suspect me. He couldn't help but smile.

He felt his adrenaline rush.

Now this will be exciting.