ten ; to become stronger
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chapter ten ━ to become stronger
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❝ you can make it ❞
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DAYS HAD PASSED since Selina's first lesson. The first lesson she had taught Skylar was to stop showing people that she was afraid. It had taken hours but eventually, the teen began to keep herself from wrapping her arms around her waist as a sign of nervousness and or fear. When Selina had left, Skylar pinched herself whenever she moved her arms. It was a habit that she was forcing herself to quit. Though she knew it wouldn't be, trying to end something you've done for a while was more than just tough.
Long days and nights passed. Skylar had moved into Wayne manor for the time being considering that Barbara was not coming back anytime soon, and Jim didn't want her to be alone. Bruce was his usual solemn self while Alfred was his usual polite being. Skylar felt out of place but told herself that her situation could be a whole lot worse.
She was wrapped up in a blanket in the study with a mug in hand when Alfred entered. His hands were behind his back. "There is a call for you Miss."
"Thank you, Alfred." He nodded to her and left. Skylar got up and picked up the phone that sat on the table behind her. "Dad?"
"No, it's me, honey," Barbara answered.
Skylar felt her stomach drop to the floor, tears filling her eyes. "Mom?" Then her voice turned bitter. "I thought you were too busy with Montoya to come back home."
Barbara was crying on the other line. "I'm so sorry. I was scared and I was only thinking about myself. I just wanted to make sure you were ok."
This was her mother she was talking to. Skylar couldn't bring herself to be angry anymore. Barbara was right, the experience they went through was scary. Her reaction was normal and she was mad at herself for ever thinking bad about her mother. "I'm ok, mom. Are you coming to get me?"
A sigh. "No, I wish I could but, I just need some more time."
"You and dad..." Skylar trailed off as the realization struck her. "You guys are done, aren't you?"
Barbara sniffled, trying to contain the tears that hadn't fallen. "I don't know, sweetheart. But I think so."
Skylar felt a tear fall. "I love you, mom."
"Skylar please-"
The teen hung up the phone, putting it back on the table. Before she knew it, the tears fell fast, causing her to collapse to the ground in tears. Her cries were muffled as she kept herself silent. During all of this, not once did she wrap her arms around her body to protect herself.
---
Jim hadn't visited her in a while considering he was too busy getting his old job back at the GCPD. Bruce saw this and had tried his best to keep her occupied with things to do. They read in the study, she helped him with his case about his parents' death, and they both supported each other become stronger.
However, this fell apart for a bit when Selina had told them that she lied. She never saw the killer's face. Even though Skylar saw where she was coming from, Bruce didn't. He was upset. What made her envy him was that he concealed it so well. Every tear the filled his eye never fell. Not any she could see at least.
This failed to be true when the girl entered the study late that night. Fire sparked from the fireplace, the only source lighting up the room. Skylar sat next to him, noticing his red puffy eyes. "She was just lonely, you know. I would've done the same thing she did."
Bruce looked over at her. "Do you really believe that?"
"Yeah. We've been helping each other become strong, Selina's been helping me. And something she told me was that you can't let anyone see that what they say or do has any effect on you. Because that allows them to break you down until there's nothing left. I've let people do that to me. And guess what, I have nothing left. What keeps me going is the thought that maybe one day I'll be just as strong as the crime bosses of Gotham. I've allowed people to hurt me my entire life, and I am starting to realize that I can't let that happen. Bruce, I'm going to stand up for myself, you can do the same. We can stand up together."
Her words ceased his crying. "You would do that for me?"
Skylar smiled sadly. "You're the only person that I feel like I haven't lost yet."
He got up suddenly and went over to his board. Papers were connected together by fine lines of string, marker circling part of each one. "We'll find more leads." Bruce turned to her. "Thank you, Skylar."
The brunette nodded. "Of course. I think I'm going to turn in for the night. Goodnight, Bruce."
"Goodnight, Skylar."
Remembering the moment in her head, Skylar sighed, rubbing her forehead while she walked down the stairs. That night was the first time she got a good rest in months (if you counted a six hour sleep a good amount). Jim was at the door when she hit the ground floor.
"Hey, kid." He hugged her, ruffling her wet hair. "You been ok?"
Skylar pouted and fixed her hair. "It's not bad." She wasn't planning on telling him about Barbara. "I heard about you catching another bad guy."
He made a face. "Yeah, and I heard about Selina lying about seeing the Wayne killer. Bruce said he's going to be pursuing the case on his own now." She nodded to confirm it. "I also heard about your... training." Jim was clearly trying to find the right word to use without making her upset.
"Yes," she agreed. "That's true. Selina has been giving me tips to become stronger. Gotham is not a good place for someone like me. I let people in too easily, I let them see that what they say and do affect me. I can't do that anymore dad."
Jim was concerned. He always was. The details he knew about her past were vague. The only things he knew was that she had a brother, no father, and an abusive alcoholic mother. He knew no more or less. Which meant, he knew nearly nothing about Jerome and the circus. "I understand that, but honey, don't change yourself if you don't feel comfortable with it."
"Well that's something I have to change, isn't it? I've never been comfortable in my own skin, maybe I'll feel normal with a new one." She spoke quietly. "I don't want to be weak anymore."
He was going to argue her statement, but then his phone rang. Jim announced that it was the station and that he had to go. With a kiss on the head and one more hug, he was gone. Skylar pinched herself to keep from wrapping her arms around herself. A sigh escaped her lips and she retreated to the safe quarters of her guest room.
---
The next morning, Skylar was awoken by Alfred knocking and calling to her that Bruce wished for her to get ready early. She complied with a slight aggravation. Once she was ready for the day, Bruce was waiting for her outside. He had a jacket on, much like she did. Skylar approached him. "What's going on?"
"Every year my dad and I would go on this hike to the top of a hill to watch the sunrise. I was hoping you'd join me."
She had a look of realization. "Oh, I... well I'm up already aren't I?" He smiled. "What are you waiting for? Let's go."
They walked in silence, listening to the birds' chirp and the stream run. Branches snapped underneath their weight but it did not stop their journey. Skylar felt relaxed. Perhaps it was because out in the wilderness, there was no one. Which meant there was no one to judge you or hurt you. You'd be free.
Bruce stopped suddenly and picked up a rock from a pile. Skylar raised an eyebrow and he explained, "Grab one. We're going to carry it up the hill."
She did as he said, grabbing a rock that looked almost identical to his. He started off. She followed. Bruce was awfully quiet for the next few hours and the fact made her feel off. Because she felt as if she was ruining a special tradition. "You're lucky." He turned to her, stopping. "I never had a dad until Jim. But I told you that before didn't I?"
"Yes. You said that your mother was with many men. You said that I was lucky because my parents loved each other."
A few more steps toward him. "I meant that. You're lucky. You lost your parents but they loved you. Bruce, I envy you. You lived in a mansion with two parents and a butler. Perfect food was served to you, your room was the size of the trailer I used to live in times by four, the atmosphere you relished in was full of smiles and laughter. I lived in a filthy trailer with barely any food, two bedrooms, one bath, a broken sink, bottles of alcohol, smelly men, a mother who didn't love me, and one brother who gave me the entire world. Do you ever think that just maybe, the only reason why we are friends is that you have everything and I love that?"
Bruce instantly denied that. "You may be right about our different living conditions but you are wrong about why we are friends. We are friends because even though we live separate lives, our common state of mind is the same. We both want to become strong to show other people we are more than they think we are." Skylar looked down at the ground. "Come on, it's getting dark soon."
They soon reached a hill where stacks of rocks stood proudly. Bruce sat his rock down on his side, the other side being his father's. Rocks on both sides had their initials on it. Skylar pulled out hers and sat it on his father's stack. All of a sudden, Bruce grabbed the rock that held his father's initials and then chucked it off the side of the hill.
"Bruce..." Skylar trailed off quietly.
He didn't listen and picked up another, throwing it as well. Bruce kicked the stacks down, crying. Skylar just watched, knowing he didn't want any comfort. After a little while, Bruce stopped, grabbing his backpack and then starting off once more. She followed without hesitation.
An aura of anger surrounded him, making his strides long and quick. Skylar struggled to keep up. "Bruce slow-" His foot tripped on a large root, causing him to fall. Skylar gasped and then yelled his name, helplessly watching him tumble down the side of the hill.
Thunder cracked and Skylar race down the side, being careful not to trip. Bruce came to a slow and landed. "Bruce!" She hurried down and went to his side. "Oh my... your ankle." Her hand went to touch his ankle and he yelped. Gently, her hand lifted the bottom of his pants to reveal a huge purple bruise.
He looked at her with worry. They both looked around. Skylar licked her lips. "I'm going to get help."
"No!" he protested. "Don't!"
She gaped incredulously. "Bruce, you're hurt and we have no way to get back. We need help."
Bruce was not going to budge. "No, I can make it up there. Just, give me my bag." With a pointed look, Skylar grabbed it and then handed it to him. He began to make himself a makeshift bandage that wrapped around his entire foot and ankle, extending upwards a bit. She helped him up but he refused.
Confusion spread over her face. "Let me help you walk at least."
He shook his head. "No. I have to do this."
After he said that, she presented no further help. Because if Bruce wanted to do this on his own, then she'd let him. It was his choice. Skylar walked up normally while Bruce crawled. She slowed down to keep the same pace as him. By the time they reached the top, night had fallen.
Fire crackled and they looked up to see Alfred grinning back at them, a fire in front of him and a blanket wrapped around his body. "Hello, there, Master Bruce, Miss. Well, you two certainly took your time. What, did you stop off for a pie and a pint on the way out, did you?"
They were both in shock. Bruce was in disbelief. "How long have you been there?"
"Well, I don't know, about... about an hour. Just when you two started climbing up that very nasty hill."
Skylar made a face. "Thanks for the help it isn't like we needed it."
"You two wanted to learn how to be strong did you not?" He got up and helped Bruce up.
Bruce grunted, "We're cold, we're tired, and my ankle's sprained. I just want to go home."
The three of them sat down next to the fire. Alfred replied, "You want to go home? Or do you want to wait and watch the sunrise? Like you did with your dad."
Skylar stood. "I'm going to head on back."
"Nonsense, Miss. You can't just make the trip and not watch the sunrise." He patted the seat next to him and Bruce. She went and sat back down. "You two want some tea?"
They both said "Yes" and were handed little mugs of tea. Hours had past and both Bruce and Skylar laid their heads on Alfred's shoulders. But they heard their names and opened their eyes to be greeted by a display of colors shooting across the sky.
"Sunrise," they both said.
Even though she wasn't a part of their family, Skylar almost felt the spirits of Thomas and Martha Wayne watching them with smiles.
---
The next day, Skylar was reading when two people entered. It was Jim and a lady that was unfamiliar to her. She stood up, feeling uncomfortable at the sign of a new face. "Hey, dad." He hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "Who's this?"
Jim turned to the woman with a smile. She stepped forward and held her hand out. "I'm Leslie Thompkins but everyone calls me Lee. You must be Skylar." Unsurely, Skylar shook her hand. "It's so nice to meet you, Jim talks about you a lot."
"It's nice to meet you too." Her eyes went to her dad. "Are you two together?"
"Well..." Jim trailed off.
Skylar nodded grimly. "I see. So you and mom are over."
He looked upset as he frowned. "Hey, it doesn't change anything. You can see Barbara whenever she comes back and you can see me whenever you want. I think it would be best if we keep equal custody of you."
Lee seemed apologetic but was still smiling kindly. "I have three tickets to the circus and well, I would hate for the last ticket to go to waste. So, I asked Jim and he said that if you would like, you can come with us."
Skylar felt the breath leave her lungs. Circus. Jerome flashed in her mind and tears sparked. Memories of there being hardly any food left in the fridge. Memories of Jerome going out to get whatever money he could find. Which evidently, he got at a club that Skylar never knew about even to that day. Memories of him sacrificing his food for her, his little sister arguing that she wouldn't eat if he didn't.
Lila beating them both for the littlest of things. Lila with so many men that it was positive that she had seen the entirety of the male population. Lila never loving them. Jerome holding her to his chest as they ignored what was going on next door. Crying herself to sleep, Jerome hushing her softly, whispering words of comfort so she knew that even if things were bad, nothing would happen to her.
"A circus?" she questioned, her mouth suddenly dry. "I, uh..." At that moment, Skylar did not know what made her say it. But fate just had an odd way of reuniting people. She forced a smile to be polite.
"I'd love to go."
---
As you can see, Skylar is slowly getting out of her shell. The next chapter I'm really excited about. Can you guess why? *wink wink* I hope you guys have a great day/night and don't forget to vote on this chapter, comment your thoughts, and follow me for updates!
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