Barbara hated herself for feeling saddened about sending Richard away. She had considered him a friend and it hurt to lose him. But she knew that he wasn't who he claimed to be.

And after the way he shoved her, he was also dangerous.

Just who the hell was he?

This was the question that preoccupied her mind through the school day, gnawing at her until it was all she could think about. None of it made sense. Nothing about him made sense. He was an endless labyrinth she could get lost in if she wanted to, and a part of her did.

But the other part of her knew she couldn't add Richard and his baggage to her growing list of issues. There were already enough problems she had to deal with as it was.

Unfortunately for Barbara, there would be one more before the day was finished.

~

Upon reaching the library after school, Barbara felt her stomach tighten when she saw a police car parked outside.

Something was wrong.

The doors opened, revealing her dad and Officer Bard. They both wore grim expressions, which only grew grimmer as they approached the uneasy girl.

"Dad..." She paused to swallow the lump in her throat. "What's going on?"

"Barbara, I'm so sorry to tell you this," James sighed before continuing. "But Mrs. Kringle passed away last night. Her neighbor found her this morning when she didn't see her at the library. Luckily, she died peacefully in her sleep."

She gaped at the two men. "I-I just saw her yesterday. She seemed fine!"

"I know, Barbara. But things like this sometimes happen with the elderly." James moved towards her, wrapping his arms around his daughter tightly.

"No. No. No." Barbara ran a hand through her hair, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry," Officer Bard said from the side.

Barbara lifted her head to look at him and found him to be glowing a vivid blue. The W from the Wayne Tower was shining over him, casting its signature color across his face. If this had been any other night, Barbara would have ignored it or written it off as unnerving.

But now, all Barbara saw was red.

Tearing herself from her father's embrace, she darted off across the street. She ignored the calls from the pair of men chasing after her, continuing to run straight for the Tower.

"Where is he?!" Barbara swung the door open, storming into the lobby. "Where is Richard?!"

The guard at the building rushed over to her, trying to escort her out. "Miss, you need to leave!"

She pushed past the guard. "I want to speak to Richard! Now, where is he?!"

"What is this nonsense?" A voice thundered from across the lobby.

"You!" Barbara's eyes lit up at the sight of Bruce. All logic dissipated from her mind as she charged for the man; the closest thing to Richard.

"YOU BASTARD!" Barbara's hand swung forward as if to slap Mr. Wayne. But at the last second, her hand clenched into a fist as she hit him across the face.

"BARBARA!" James seized his daughter, pulling her back from her attack. "HAS THE DEVIL GOTTEN INTO YOU?!"

She didn't respond as she panted heavily in her father's hold. "Tell Richard how's that for a damn coincidence!" Barbara glowered at the man touching his jaw.

As Barbara was dragged out of the lobby and into the night, neither she or Bruce could take their eyes off one another.

Still struggling in her father's grasp, Barbara saw someone step out from the shadows and into the light emitting from the Wayne Tower. His face was twisted with shock, but this was not what caught Barbara's attention.

It was the smear of blood over his lips.