Oh god, what happened whilst I was gone? I placed my plaster on the side as I headed over to the screen that Bruce had indicated. And instantly paled, the blood match was mine.
"I don't know what to say Dick." Bruce sighed, "So you tell me what's going on, and don't lie and tell me you don't remember again. That blood is old enough to have been there when that man was killed. So I'm giving you one chance before I do something I'll regret."
I stayed silent a moment, debating what to say. Did I tell him about my possible murder sprees or keep it to myself? One would have me in jail, the other could end up hurting him even more.
"I was made to watch." I said in the end, "He'd already beat me slightly and I had to watch as he ate that man."
"Ate?" Bruce questioned, completely buying the lie just to question a slip of my tongue.
"Ahh, well..." I rubbed a hand down the back of my neck awkwardly, "The guy you're looking for doesn't torture them, he eats them, that's probably why you can't find some of the bodies."
I saw Bruce pale slightly below the mask, "Dick, I told you to tell me the truth."
"I did." I replied, maybe a little too quickly, "On my life, I told you the truth."
"Swear it on your parent's graves." Bruce said, "Or I'm going to have to lock you up and complete a proper interrogation."
I couldn't do that. I couldn't disgrace them like that. I hung my head and Bruce took that as my answer. I felt the cuffs go on my wrist and then Bruce removed me of all my weapons and technology before escorting me through the cave, past the confused team and to a cell where I was chained to the chair and table.
"I'm sorry about this Dick." He said as if he meant it, "But you've left me no choice. The handprint matches to yours, you're always the first to go and only one found alive, the blood sample matches yours. And you know that I need to get the truth out of you, for the safety of Gotham."
"Can I at least talk to the team?" I asked.
"I'll send them in for interrogation first, this is not a social call. Understand?" He said and I nodded as he left.
I wouldn't tell them, no matter what they did. I couldn't. I'd die first. The door opened again as Conner came in.
"So, Dick Grayson huh?" He said as he sat down.
"Batman told you my identity I take it." Of course he did, it was just such a Bruce thing to do.
"And that we're here to interrogate you about the murders of the missing people." Conner said, "So I'm going to start by asking nicely. What really happened with the dead people?"
"They were killed by a rampant beast of a person." I replied, which was the truth I guess.
"And, apparently, they made you watch as they, as they ate their victims?" He was trying to hide his discomfort at that statement, trying and failing.
"Yes, they did." I replied in short, wishing I could cross my arms, "It's the truth."
"But not enough truth to swear it on your parent's graves?" He questioned.
"Maybe, maybe not." I said, now starting to get a little riled up by his straightforward approach.
"So you're lying to us." He said calmly.
"Get out." I growled and he had the decency to look surprised, "I said get out. You don't get to come in here and decide what is true and false when you don't know the story."
Someone must have said something to him through the comms than as he did get out, only to be replaced by Kaldur.
"Hello, friend." He said as he took the seat Conner had just vacated, "I would be honoured if you could tell us the truth about these murders."
"You really wouldn't." I muttered, "Trust me, I don't know the full story myself and what I do know is hellish."
"We can be the judge of that." Kaldur said, still keeping calm and approachable.
"No, you can't." I replied shortly, "Who's next?"
M'gann was the one to take the seat this time, and obviously, Batman had given her permission to try and get the information straight from my brain. Not going to happen. I focused on putting my walls up as tough as possible, because though I couldn't remember anything, all of my memories are here somewhere. Every last one. I could feel her poking around, looking for an opening and I created a small one, as if it was a gap in the wall but it only accessed one certain emotion. Pain. She entered quickly and retracted just as quick with a scream as she curled in on herself in the chair.
"What did you do to her?" Conner asked as he came in, looking ready to pummel me.
"She tried to intrude on my mind, I didn't want her to." I shrugged with a pointed look at the one-way mirror where I'm certain Bruce was standing.
Conner carried her out as she shook in his arms and was replaced by Artemis.
"I know multiple different ways to break you Boy Wonder." She threatened, "Which one should I start with?"
"I don't really mind, take a pick." I smirked, now wishing the cuffs would at least allow me to lean back in my chair so that my little smirk had more effect.
"Alright then." She said, thrown a little off kilter but regaining her composure almost instantly, "We'll start with the nicest one, I will kill everyone that you love if you don't tell me."
"Two flaws." I said, "Well, actually, there's probably more than two but I'm just going to point out two. One: You left that life behind you, no more killing little archer. Two: You couldn't kill your boyfriend if you tried."
"Fine, moving on." She huffed as she kicked out the chair and leaned across the desk until our noses were almost touching, "I can break every bone in your body, and I will do it. Slowly, painfully. Until you're begging for mercy."
"Been there. Done that." I said, once again wishing the chains had more slack, "Next."
"No. I'm testing that little theory." She said as she took my hand, made a show of picking a finger and then dislocating it.
"Ow, that really hurt." I said mockingly as I could, "I'll tell you everything, just don't do that again."
"Screw you." And she stormed out.
I was then left alone for a couple of moments, taking time to try and relocate my finger, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't reach my other hand. That was slightly annoying. But I was spared from trying to do it as the door opened and the final member came in. Wally.
"Look, Dick. I know that you're hiding something, I always know when my best friends lying to me." He said as he pulled the chair back over and sat down, "So, please, just tell me the truth. I promise we're all on your side."
I scoffed at that but we both remained silent. I jumped slightly as he took my hand, but relaxed as he realigned my finger. I just looked at him, studying him. He trusted me completely. I was the golden boy, I'd never do anything wrong. And he really believed that. If I told him the truth he'd never look at me the same though, to know that I went around and ate people. Even I can't look at myself the same. In fact, I avoided looking at myself whenever possible.
"Please, Dick." Wally broke the silence, jogging me back from my thoughts, "We want to help you and these other people."
"Is there anyone else coming in to see me apart from Bruce?" I asked instead.
"One more. Bruce found some kid who said he gave refuge to the killer. He wants to come and identify if he ever saw you with him." Wally explained, "But he also knows what the killer looks like and is willing to tell us if he recognises you. So even if we don't want him here, he didn't leave much space for argument."
"Cool. Well, bring him in now. Because I'm not telling you anything other than what I've already told Bruce. So..." I said, internally panicking a bit because what if this kid knew me from that impression.
And to be someone who helped someone like that, definitely sick in the head. Wally waited a couple more moments before he got up and left, the door only closing for a moment before Bruce came in with the kid. He looked about 14, only 2 years younger than me. Jet black hair, pale skin and on the skinny side with a tough face. Bruce definitely found this one on the streets. Typical.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me." The kid breathed as soon as he saw me.
"Langauge Jason." Bruce scolded, but the hints of curiosity were on his face, "Now continue in a more pleasant manner."
"He looks almost identical to the Talon." He said as he moved closer and examined my face, slightly irking me, "Same build, same hair but he's not pale enough, and the veins aren't visible."
"Is that it?" Bruce asked as he also came over.
"No, his eyes." Jason said as he moved my hair from in front of my eyes, "The Talons are golden, his are blue. It's not him."
"What?!" I couldn't stop the exclamation leaving my mouth, "You brought this kid in to see if I was this...this Talon? You think I could do that?"
Not as good at hiding this thing as I thought I was then.
"It was a possibility, and all avenues must be explored." Bruce said, "But you're mostly clear now. We just need you to tell us the truth about your time with the Talon."
"Oh, is this Dick Grayson?" The kid asked and Bruce nodded, "Oh..." He moved his gaze to me and gave me a knowing wink, "I know him. He's always with the Talon, it's almost like their the same person."
"Pardon?" Bruce asked further, his curiosity piqued again, "The same person?"
"No, not like that." Jason said almost a bit too quickly, "It's just that Talon loves to make him watch. Makes sure to take him before he goes on a spree."
I felt something drop in my shoe, a note by the feel of it. What the hell was Jason's deal? Did he know about my missing time?
"Is this true Dick?" Bruce asked as he turned back to me.
I spared a quick look at Jason who looked at me as if to say something I couldn't make out, "I don't know. I can't remember."
"Right. That's because Talon gives you an injection everytime." Jason said into the short silence, "But it's untested. It could wear off and then you might be able to give them the information."
Bruce nodded as if this explained everything and then I was given a stern warning and released.

I quickly headed back to my room, avoiding the team. I needed time to think over what Jason had said. It's as if he knew everything I'd worked so hard to hide and answer myself. Right, the note. I quickly slipped it out of my boot and read it: Meet me in the gym, the secret hideout spot. Had he already written this before he came in? I mean, that was the only explanation, but what the hell? Did he have a selection of notes he could have dropped me? Anyway, that's not the main concern, how did he know about the secret spot? He's never been here before as far anyone was concerned, and I was the only one who knew about the little ledge. Whatever, I needed to know what was up with him and this was how I was going to get my answers. I left my room again and headed to the gym. After triple checking that the team weren't in here, I looped the camera's and began to climb. Up the trapeze, past the platform to the rafters. And leap. My fingers just latched onto the beam and I wasted no time pulling myself up. Then I walked along the beam and over towards the far wall where the beams all met to form a small platform, making sure to stop the camera's looping. And Jason was waiting there for me, instantly lighting up when he saw me.
"Oh my god. I can't believe you almost got yourself arrested. You're lucky I was there to help you, or that would have been it for you. You know what they say about murder." He blabbed, "And that amnesia excuse, you're lucky I recovered you. Batman was not buying it. Oh, and good makeup by the way, if I didn't know it was you I wouldn't have recognised you. And the contacts work really well, I wasn't sure anything could ever hide your eyes."
"Hold up one second." I got in as he took a breath to continue, "But who are you?"
"Geez, am I really that forgettable." He laughed with a light tap on his head, similar to M'gann actually, "Jason Todd, you crashed in my alley a few weeks ago. Surprised you didn't kill me like the others actually, but my silver tongue worked miracles."
"A few weeks ago." I murmured, the kid could be telling the truth, and this could be my chance, "Really? Well, I should have you know that I don't decide to keep randomers alive. If you're still breathing you obviously have a purpose. So prove it, tell me everything I told you. And don't lie, I might decide to end you here. No one would ever know." Never am I ever saying that again.
"Alright." He said and began to talk, "You told me your identity is Dick Grayson, you get bored every now and again and go out on killing sprees but you have to keep yourself secret because your other identity is Nightwing, protege of Batman, and you don't feel like going to jail. You also said that if I ever raised a hand against you you'd kill me as well."
"Is that it?" I asked when he finished, "Becuase I think there's more."
"I swear, that's everything. You can't trick me into making something up T." He smirked, "I know your ways."
"Look, I know this is going to sound odd, coming from me especially, but why do you help me?" I asked, any more answers I could get, plus, why would someone help a cannibal?
"Becuase I saw me in you. Hidden deep down, like, way deep down. But in you, I saw a spark of resistance to the government, and Batman. To those who think they can help but never do anything that helps those that need it most." Jason explained, "Plus I really want to learn your style."
"You want to eat people?" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them and I was backing away, preparing to take him down.
"WHAT?!" He exclaimed almost as quickly, "No, that's just wrong on so many levels. Wait, you eat people?"
We both just stared at each other than, both of us shying away from the other before I was the first to relax, "You don't eat people. You know it's wrong?"
"The thought of it makes me sick." He growled as he stood up properly, "I should kill you right now for it."
"No, wait." I said and he stopped, as if giving me a second to decide, "Look, since you know so much already I'm going to let you in on another secret. I'm not Talon."
"And I'm Batman." He scoffed, "Any more last words."
"I mean it." I said as I backed up until I was balancing on single beams again, "Look, every now and again I completely black out for a period of time. During this time I have no idea what happens but I figured out a few things. The first was that I eat people," Cue shiver from the both of us, "Which I discovered when I started throwing up organs. The second is that I must be the one that kills all those people that go missing because they all go missing in the same period I black out."
"So now you want me to buy the amnesia excuse." Jason said as I backed into a wall, "Not going to happen." And he aimed a punch at me.
I ducked and his fist went soaring over the top, causing him to lose his balance. And then he was falling. He didn't scream, he just looked surprised. And it only took me half a second to leap down after him, screaming Conner's and Wally's name at the top of my lungs. I quickly caught up with Jason and tucked myself around him, making sure I was underneath. I should have thought this through a bit more. I closed my eyes, sensing the nearing floor, and then there was the impact. I felt my body continue bending down as the strong arms caught me and if I didn't have any training I reckon my back would be broken.
"Dude, what the hell was that?" Wally asked as Jason clambered off and moved backwards, "And what were the two of you doing up there?"
"Drop him, let him die." Jason called, "He deserves it."
"Thank you so much, Wally." I said as I got up and stretched out my now sore body, "I wasn't sure Conner would send you in quick enough."
"Answer the question, Dick." Wally pushed.
"Stop talking to him." Jason growled, "Unless you want to find yourself devoured too."
"What?" Wally asked as he turned to face the kid, "Are you on drugs or something?"
"No, he eats people. He just admitted it to me." Jason said, "I have it all on recording."
"Dick, I know you like to joke, but don't you think that maybe that was a bit too far?" Wally said and I grabbed his elbow and pulled him aside.
"Look, give me some time alone with Jason. I'll calm him down." I said, "And then I need to speak with you, just you."
"That sounds frightening." Wally said, "I'll see you in your room in a bit." And he left me along with Jason again.
"Look, Jason." I said as I moved back over to his quaking form, "If you let me, I'll explain everything to you, and this time you can actually record it on your phone."
"How do you know I haven't already?" He said, trying to seem confident in vain.
"I have your phone, Jason. I took it in the interrogation room." I said as I held it up, "Now if you come with me I'll explain everything. You can decide to do what you want with me after. And Wally will be there as well. For both of us."
I saw Jason mull it over a moment, but it wasn't much a decision. He knew I was the better fighter and he'd be coming no matter what option he chose. It was just how he prefered to arrive. He followed me back to my room, where, as Wally promised, he was waiting on my bed. Jason quickly moved over to the chair and took and seat as well.
"Right, I have something important I need to tell you." I started, "And know, that has horrible as it's going to sound, every word is the truth. Okay?"