LAURENS POV
1 DAY SINCE JASONS DEPATURE
"Stupid homework" I grumble to myself slumping my forehead into my waiting hands as I crumple my paper with my elbows.
Just as I was about to let out another exasperated sigh, my phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen—it was Dick.
"Hey" I answered trying to push the annoyance out of my voice.
"Hey have you seen Jason?" Dick's voice held a hint of concern.
"No, not since last night" I replied my mind racing to recall the balcony conversation "He was here but after that .... nothing."
"He hasn't shown up for tonight's patrol" Dick informed me worry edging his words "I've been trying to reach him all day."
My heart skipped a beat "Do you think he's in trouble?"
"I don't know" Dick admitted, the uncertainty palpable "Bruce and I are searching but if you hear from him let us know."
"I'll try calling him I promised "He usually picks up for me."
We hung up, but a knot of worry settled in my stomach.
What if Jason had lied about going to Ethiopia?
What if something had happened?
I dialed his number but it went straight to voicemail amplifying my concern.
"Jason where are you?" I muttered into the phone the sinking feeling in my chest growing heavier with each unanswered ring.
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THE NEXT DAY
2 DAYS SINCE JASONS DEPATURE
"Seriously can you stop moving? You're making me feel nauseous" Caspin grumbledhis face contorted in discomfort clutching his stomach.
"Sorry sorry I'll try not to...move" I stammered feeling guilty for causing him any distress.
Caspin turned from his locker giving me a pointed look that said 'I know something's up.'
"It's nothing really...."I tried to deflect his accusation waving him off and glancing away.
"You're the worst at lying" Caspin deadpanned his expression leaving no room for argument.
I sighed relenting "It's Jason He's been ignoring my calls and I have this bad feeling that something's happened to him."
Caspin's face softened with concern "Again? This isn't the first time he's pulled something like this."
"But what if it's serious this time?" I pressed anxiety gnawing at me.
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder "We'll figure it out but we're gonna be late for class if we don't move now."
Caspin tugged me toward the classroom his attempt to distract me from worry evident.
Despite my unease I followed his lead knowing that dwelling on the unknown wouldn't solve anything at that moment.
As the final bell rang signaling the end of the school day Caspin and I walked out together.
He was bubbling with excitement talking animatedly about our plans for a sleepover that evening.
"I've got everything set up for tonight! Movies snacks games—the whole deal" Caspin exclaimed a grin spreading across his face.
I tried to match his enthusiasm despite the weight of worry still lingering about Jason "Sounds awesome Cas... I'm looking forward to it."
Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Dick, and my heart sank.
Dick: Lauren, need you at the manor ASAP. Urgent.
"Uh I think I might have to go," I muttered my voice betraying my concern.
Caspin glanced at the message over my shoulder. "Manor urgent... something up?"
"Yeah," I nodded feeling guilty for potentially ruining our plans "I'm sorry Cas.... It's probably important."
Caspin put on a playful pout "Aw seriously I was looking forward to that marshmallow dip."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his comment "You're gonna eat all of it without me aren't you?"
"Maybe," he teased trying to lighten the mood "Go take care of whatever's happening we'll reschedule our sleepover no worries."
With a quick apology I hurried off, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination to get to the manor as quickly as possible.
I sprinted up the steps to Wayne Manor, the urgency propelling me forward.
As I reached the grand door I didn't bother with niceties and just pounded on it and then pushed it open, calling out for Bruce, Alfred, and Dick.
"Bruce! Alfred! Dick!" My voice echoed through the foyer a mix of worry and urgency.
Alfred appeared from a nearby corridor his calm demeanor contrasting with my frantic state. "Miss Lauren... what seems to be the matter?"
"It's Jason" I blurted out breathless. "I got a text from Dick he said it's urgent."
Alfred's expression shifted ever so slightly a flicker of concern passing across his features. "This way Miss Lauren Master Dick and Mr. Wayne are in the Batcave."
He led the way his composed stride in stark contrast to my hurried steps.
The familiar path through the manor's hidden passages felt longer than usual each second amplifying my worry for Jason's well-being.
We descended into the Batcave where Bruce and Dick were focused on a bank of screens and equipment.
The tension in the room was palpable and my heart raced as I scanned the area my eyes falling on Jason's Robin suit conspicuously absent from its case.
"Guys... what's happening? Where's Jason?" I blurted out my voice tinged with both fear and urgency.
Bruce turned toward me, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "Lauren something's happened.... Jason's missing."
My breath caught in my throat the gravity of his words sinking in. "Missing? But how?"
Dick stepped forward his gaze serious. "We don't know yet.... We've been trying to track him but he's off the grid..... His suit's gone too."
Panic surged through me as the reality of the situation set in.
Jason missing, his suit gone—it was all too ominous.
The weight of uncertainty settled heavily on my shoulders.
Bruce's gaze bore into mine his voice measured but edged with concern. "When was the last time you saw Jason?"
"It was two days ago on my balcony," I admitted my mind racing through the fragmented memories of that evening.
"He never returned last night after we have tried contacting him" Bruce revealed his tone tinged with worry "Every method we have for locating or contacting him isn't working."
A cold chill ran down my spine mirroring the frustration and helplessness in Bruce's words. "I've had the same luck.... I've been trying to reach him but...nothing."
"Do you have any idea where he might be?" Bruce's voice was gentle but probing.
I hesitated apprehension flickering across my face before I reluctantly confessed, "I don't know But..." My voice trailed off uncertainty gripping me.
"Lauren," Bruce pressed, his concern evident.
"Jason recently discovered his mother was not his biological mother," I blurted out, the weight of the revelation heavy in the air.
"Jason talked about this lady working in Ethiopia," I hurriedly added the urgency in my voice mirroring the worry etched on my face. "He mentioned wanting to find her, but I didn't think he'd actually..."
I trailed off, my concern palpable as I looked at Bruce and Dick. "Do you think he's gone to find her? To Ethiopia?"
Bruce and Dick exchanged a glance a silent understanding passing between them.
The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air as they shared a moment of shared concern and realization.
Their silent communication conveyed a shared worry about Jason's impulsive decision to embark on such a journey alone.
Bruce swiftly turned to the Bat computer his fingers flying across the keys as he accessed Jason's profile.
With a few precise keystrokes he delved deep into Jason's digital footprint scanning for any recent activity or clues that might shed light on his whereabouts.
As the screen displayed various folders and files Bruce's eyes narrowed in focus.
He sifted through the data meticulously examining each entry for a potential lead.
His search narrowed onto a folder labeled "Mum."
"Here" Bruce murmured clicking on the folder.
A series of documents, photos, and location records unfolded on the screen.
His brows furrowed as he pieced together the information before him.
"Ethiopia" he muttered his voice tinged with concern. "He's tracked her exact location in Ethiopia.
Dick leaned in peering at the screen. "He's really gone there."
The realization of Jason's determined pursuit hit us with a sense of urgency.
Bruce swiftly accessed the location data tracing the trail Jason might have taken.
The screen displayed a map pinpointing a specific area in Ethiopia.
"He must have gone here," Bruce stated, his tone grave yet determined.
The coordinates blinked on the screen, indicating a location amidst the vastness of Ethiopia.
The weight of the situation intensified as the gravity of Jason's journey became vividly clear.
Time was of the essence.....
AUTHORS NOTE
now we are seeing it from Laurens pov wonder how angsty i can make this