The Labyrinth

Chapter 9: Testing? Testing? Is This Meta On?

"I'm not doing this again, you're a smart kid and can get in and out of your cage by yourself." Mr. Wilson said abruptly, Dick nodded quietly into his shoulder.

Until he started crying again, he didn't quite know why, it must be some left over reaction to whatever had happened. Dick didn't even remember what set him off the first time, but at that moment he just needed to let the tears out. He needed to cry for losing Bruce, for losing his freedom, for losing his humanity, for just... losing. He kept on losing, and for once he'd like to win.

"Shh, shh," Mr. Wilson must be walking, because he started a little bouncing motion. Dick only cried harder and hugged tighter as the man gently hushed his cries. This was the first time he'd been hugged since leaving Bruce. He needed it. He needed it so badly. 

Dick wasn't sure how long Mr. Wilson held him, only that it was longer than was needed to get to the cage. In fact if he was holding him this way it would be a lot harder to get him in the cage. Dick hiccuped once and his cries died away, leaving his face itchy and hot. Nonetheless a small smile twitched onto his lips, the first simile since coming to M.A.Z.E. He poured all his efforts into scyphening as much warmth and comfort from this man as possible. Because like all good things it had to come to an end.

Finally, when his crying had completely stopped and he was on the brink of sleep, he was gently grabbed and shifted. His hip found the cage floor first but the child refused to release the man until he grunted in warning. Dick reluctantly let go and tiredly scooted back into the cage. He settled on his knees before turning and releasing a shaky breath. His wings half-heartedly fluttered to correct their folding as he crawled to find a corner.

He turned to sit on his rump and held his knees to his chest, trying to retain some of the warmth from Mr. Wilson. He leaned back against the bars but cradled himself in a half cocoon of feathers.

The door to the cage closed with a metallic thump, the child wincing at the sound. The ground rumbled and Dick was moving. He decided he liked the rumble of the wheels because he was moving away from the scientists and touchy hands.

Dick was really tired. Sleep pulled at him, teasing his consciousness with blips of unawareness.

A few bumps and thumps of walking boots later Dick was settled back into place next to all his friends. He knew this before they even stopped because he could hear Wally gasp and shift in his cage as he approached.

"Dick." Wally whispered almost reverently, like he was sad but so relieved.

Dick's cage was locked into place and the children kept silent until the walking boots went away.

Wally, of course, went first.

"Dick are you okay? Did they hurt you? What'd they do?"

Dick shivered in place, missing the warmth and wishing for some type of blanket. He didn't want to speak, he didn't want to move, he wanted to sleep. He relented though, Wally deserved an answer. "I-it was a physical, h-he wanted to s-see how much I ch-changed... I... threw up again..."

Wally let out a sigh that said he was angry, "I'm sorry Dick, you shouldn't be here, you shouldn't have to experience any of this. So I'm sorry."

The small avian was confused by this. "Y-you don't have to be sorry, i-it's not your fault."

"But you were with me," Wally argued sadly, "in my room. If you hadn't been there you wouldn't be here."