Mind Games

It was a dark and stormy night over Gotham as Batman and Nightwing patrolled the city. Max was on the other line quizzing them on a history test they had the next day.

"Ford Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton..."

"Yeah?"

I don't know," Terry said. "Come on, Clinton was the fun one, then came the boring one," Max urged. "They're all boring," Eliana joked. There was a strong bang of thunder accompanied by a bright flash of lightning.

"Woah. Sounded close." "Yeah, we're in for it," Terry responded. Just then a car, which had been struck by lightning and caught on fire, flew past them. It was about to crash and kill whoever was inside. "Gotta go Max," Eliana said quickly.

Terry piloted the batplane, chasing after the car until they were above it. Eliana pushed a button that released two metal clasps from under the batplane. They grabbed onto the burning car as Terry directed them down to the street making a safe landing. A family of three exited the car.

The heroes popped open the batplanes hatch and made themselves known. "Are you alright?" Nightwing asked the family. "We're fine, thank you for your help. We can take it from here," the father said.

As rain started pouring down, the family turned and walked away. The little girl craned her neck to stare at the heroes. Terry and Eliana couldn't help but shudder at the sad disturbing look the little girl gave them.

~8~

The next day Terry and Eliana were in history class about to take their test. "Ten short-essay questions. You have 30 mins, I suggest you not linger on any one of them" their teacher said. Terry turned to Max and frantically asked, "Who was the boring one?" "Quiet!"

During the test, Terry looked towards the door and was surprised to see the little girl from last night standing there. "You have to help me," the girl pleaded, hovering towards him. "I don't wanna go. I refuse to go. Please help me." "What?" Terry mumbled. Eliana heard her boyfriend and looked over at him and was also startled when she saw the girl.

"Please, I don't wanna go. Please help me," the girl repeated. "I don't understand," Terry answered. "Mr Mcginnis, what don't you understand?" The teacher asked sharply. "Uh, nothing, sorry," Terry stumbled.

Max gave them a funny look but returned back to her test. The girl had disappeared. Eliana shook her head and Terry closed his eyes. Then the girl reappeared and kept repeating the same thing over and over throughout the class.

"Please, you have to help me. I don't wanna go. I refuse to go. Please help me. Please."

~8~

"Help me. Help me." Over and over again, like a broken disk," Eliana complained to Bruce. "And then she vanishes?" Bruce inquired. "Yeah," Terry said. While Bruce contemplated the information, Eliana and Terry turned around and froze. They both sighed exasperatedly. Even Ace perked up in alert.

"Guess what," Terry said. "She's here," Bruce answered. "Yep. Right there, asking for help again," Eliana responded, pointing across the room where the little girl was standing. "Talk to her," Bruce urged.

"Who are you?" Eliana implored. "Tamara." At last they had a name to match the face. "What are you doing here?" "I need your help." "Yeah. We got that. So where are you?" Terry asked. Tamara shut her eyes in concentration and stuck out her arms.

Terry and Eliana marveled at how their surroundings shifted into that of a living room. Despite the change, the teens were still physically in the batcave and could still hear Bruce. "Wow," Eliana breathed out. Tamara had extraordinary mental powers.

"What do you see?" Bruce asked. "Not you, or the mutt. It looks like a living room, real swanked out. Her parents are over there on the phone," Terry answered. "Can either of you I.D the place?" Eliana scanned the room and a pillow on the couch caught her eye. "Yeah, on the pillows."

"She's doing it again."

The teens looked away and saw Tamara's father marching towards the frightened girl. "You're calling again, aren't you? Who are you calling? Tell me, now!" Eliana ran in between the father and daughter and tried to push the father back but her hands went straight through him.

The living room faded away and was replaced with the batcave. "Damn it!" Eliana swore. If that man laid one hand on that child so help her-

"What happened?" Bruce asked. "Daddy's mad," Terry commented grimly. "What was on the pillows?" "Letters: G-P-T," Eliana answered. She went over to the batcomputer and started typing away. "Don't bother. Gotham Park Towers," Bruce informed.

Eliana smirked at her boyfriend, "Time get to fancied up babe."

~8~

"That's not where it goes," Eliana chastised as she pulled the napkin her boyfriend had stuffed in his shirt and placed it on his lap. They were currently sitting at a table in the Gotham Park Hotel trying to blend in and hopefully catch sight of Tamara and her parents.

"You look beautiful," Terry complimented, eyeing his girlfriend's short rose coloured fitted dress. "You're not so bad yourself," Eliana teased back. Their big break came when Tamara's mother made an appearance. She approached a albino stumpy man with dark sunglasses and a cane. The man got on one knee and kissed the mother's hand.

Eliana activated an audio device and the teens listened to the conversation Tamara's mother had with the front desk. "Any messages for 584?" "No Ma'am." Tamara's mother and the man walked towards the hotel's exit.

Terry and Eliana exchanged a glance and rose from their seats. Outside, the duo changed into their suits, and flew up to the hotel room. They glanced through the window and saw the room was empty. Just to ensure it was safe, Nightwing pressed her fingertips to the window as her suit attempted to pick up any voices. She was met with silence. She nodded to her partner as two broke into the room.

The heroes ran into the living room and investigated. Something from under the couch caught Batman's eye. He reached under and pulled out a doll. It must've belonged to Tamara. Suddenly the doll's head morphed into Tamara's as she warned, "They know! Look out!"

Sensing someone behind them, Nightwing jumped and turned to kick her opponent. It was Tamara's father and he caught her foot and threw the hero across the room. Then the man punched Batman into the coffee table, smashing it.

Tamara's father's strength was formidable, or enhanced compared to the average man. Batman and Nightwing definitely felt the difference as they watched the man punch through walls with ease. Finally seeing an opening, Nightwing blasted the man right through a concrete pillar then into a wall.

She assumed the man would fault in his attacks after that but she was wrong, and received a hard headbutt as an answer. The fight continued for a couple minutes longer before it ended when Batman pushed the man out the window.

The heroes watched Tamara's father crash into the ground much to the shock of bystanders. But the seemingly devastating fall did absolutely nothing. The man merely stood up, glared at Batman and Nightwing, and walked away.

Back at the batcave, Bruce strapped some brain monitors onto Terry as the teen looked through a series of pictures of missing children. "I can't even make out their faces," Terry voiced. "You don't have to, your subconscious will see her if she's there," Bruce assured.

'I can't believe all these kids are missing,' Eliana thought sadly, staring intently at the batcomputer.

The computer lit up: MATCH, and pulled up Tamara's profile.

Tamara Caulder
2014 Riverside
APT 33

The poor girl had already been reported missing 2 days prior. From the corner of her eye, Eliana saw a hint of sadness in Bruce's eyes as he gazed at Tamara's photo. Bruce was notorious for hiding his emotions from others, Eliana included. So whenever he slipped....

"You alright B?"

"Yes. She just reminds me of someone," Bruce answered pensively, but did not elaborate further.

~8~

Silently entering Tamara's bedroom, Batman and Nightwing investigated. Nightwing grabbed a picture frame and was surprised to see Tamara with her actual parents. How had she been taken by that enhanced man and strange woman? And why?

The bedroom's door knob jiggled before Tamara's father opened to the door holding a bat. "Easy, we're not here to make trouble!" Batman appeased, holding his hands up. "We're here about your daughter. We've been speaking to her," Nightwing interjected quickly. At the mention of his little girl, the man lowered the bat. There's nothing but utter sadness in his eyes.

Mr & Mrs Caulder sat at their kitchen table and explained everything. "We're not rich people, and raising Tamara has been tough. She isn't like other kids. But I guess you both know that," Mr Chaulder said. Mrs Caulder sighed, "When they told us about their special school, it was like a godsend. Finally, she could get the help she needed."

From under her domino mask, Eliana looked upon the guilty parents with pity. She couldn't begin to imagine how much weight these parents had to shoulder keeping Tamara safe. And she certainly didn't blame them for sending their daughter to a school that would be in her best interest.

"Joyce realized that she forgot to pack her favorite toy," Mrs Caulder brought the purple stuffed monkey she was clutching into view, "I called them right there and then, but nobody answered."
Mr Caulder slammed his fists on the table, "None of the numbers! It was all bogus, the whole school!"

"Where have they taken her? Where's my girl?" Mrs Caulder cried out in despair. "We're trying to figure that out Mrs Caulder. Is there anything else either of you can tell us? Everything, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help," Nightwing asked softly.

Wiping her tears away and gaining her composure Mrs Caulder said, "Well, I heard the woman on the phone. She didn't know I was listening. She kept talking about the Brain Trust, like it was something important."

"Where was this school they showed you?"

~8~

On the outside, the school appeared to be real, but a closer look inside easily proved the opposite.

"Yeah, there are desks, but just this floor. And all the computers are just empty frames. It was made to look like a school. Any luck on the Brain Trust?" Batman inquired as the duo made their way through the halls.

"It's an international society. Very secretive. Headquarters are somewhere in Europe, they think." "That's it?" Nightwing asked incredulously. That wasn't much to go off from. "I'm still talking to Interpol. But it's fairly evident what the Brain Trust is about just by its name," Bruce said.

"There was nothing brainy about the guy at the hotel," Batman commented dryly. "Oh no? Think about it. He was invulnerable, and felt no pain, like shamans who walk on hot coals. It's mind over matter."

Nightwing saw her partner struggle to comprehend Bruce's words. "You blitzed him again." There was a hint of mirth in Bruce's response, "Just see what you two can find out."

The heroes opened the door and found the albino man from the hotel, sitting crossed legged by the window in meditation. "You. Looks like schools out. Maybe you can tell us what's going on," Nightwing said evenly.

Suddenly, the man began levitating and turned to face them. His eyes closed in concentration. Next thing they know, Batman and Nightwing are hit with a powerful psychic blast. Clutching their heads and screaming in pain, the heroes felt like their minds were being ripped apart.

Lost and confused by the psychic blast, Batman and Nightwing are pummeled by the man's cane which he telepathically controls. They're soon sent crashing into a wall. Nightwing pulled out her escrima sticks and took a deep breath, focusing on her surroundings. A glimpse of reality flashed before her eyes.

A knife was heading right for them. Nightwing jumped in front of her partner and hit the blade out of the way before it could impale her. She yelled to Batman, "You need to focus. It's the only way to break the link!"

Heeding her advice, Batman took a moment to regain his senses. In time, the duo were able to navigate their surroundings despite still experiencing the effects of the blast. The man threw chairs and tables, but Batman and Nightwing dodged them.

They ran and with a leap, punched the man. Nightwing took her sticks and pressed them against the man's throat, cutting his breathing just enough to render him unconscious, effectively ending the blast.

In spite of their victory, they still haven't gotten any leads on Tamara's whereabouts.

~8~

Terry entered Matt's room to see that his little brother was fast asleep. He quietly made his way over and pulled the covers over Matt's shoulders. The thought of Matt being taken away from those who loved him like Tamara made Terry nauseous. Tamara was just a child, just like his brother. A child who's alone and frightened. But Tamara was different from other children, which means she'd be exploited differently

He walked back out to the living room where Eliana was on the couch. Terry collapsed with a mighty sigh, laying his head on his girlfriend's lap. "It's crashing me down, babe. Where could she be?"

"It's weighing me down too. But we'll find her," Eliana assured, lightly caressing his hair. "She's in Gotham, I can feel it. If only she'd contact us," Terry mumbled. He turned his head to face the coffee table and saw Tamara's toy monkey. Terry reached out and grabbed the monkey. "Speak to us," he begged the toy. Terry thought the action was absurd and went to place the toy back down when Tamara's voice was heard.

"I have to whisper."

Eliana and Terry jumped and Terry addressed the monkey. "Tamara, is that you?" "Shh. We have to be quiet. They can hear." "Are you alright?" Eliana whispered concernedly. "Yes but you both gotta find me. We're leaving tonight." "Where are you?" Terry asked quickly. "In a boat."

"Where's the boat?" Eliana prodded. "In the water." The duo couldn't help but feel annoyed by her answer. "Where in the water?" Terry asked more firmly. "I don't know!" They could hear the desperation, fear and anger built up in the little girl.

"Okay, okay, don't get upset. Is there anything you see that could help us? Like the name of the boat, anything?" Eliana inquired calmly. When Tamara didn't answer Terry jostled the toy, calling out for the girl to respond.

Suddenly a window appeared on the wall. Terry and Eliana walked towards it and peered out to see the view of the docks. Most notably from the view was the location of the boat which was pier 7.

They located her, now they just had to rescue her.

~8~

Tamara stared at the woman, Bombshell, who kidnapped her with disdain as she ate. "I'd eat if I were you. There aren't any snacks on this cruise," Bombshell said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. Using her telepathic abilities, Tamara flunger her plate of food at the wall. She would not give the woman the satisfaction of meeting her demands.

Just outside, Batman and Nightwing were taking out the guards as they made their way onto the boat.

Tamara's other kidnapper, the Invulnerable Man, entered the room. Bombshell crossed her arms impatiently, "Any word from Edgar?" "Not yet, something must have gone wrong," he replied. "Batman and Nightwing got him!" Tamara gloated. Bombshell turned to Invulnerable Man, "Tell the captain I want to leave now. No more delays," she said sternly.

In camouflage mode, the heroes were just outside the room and quickly moved out of the way as Invaluable man stormed out. They held their fingertips to the wall and listened to the conversation within.

"I don't expect you to understand, but we have your best interests in mind. You're a gifted girl, Tamara, just like me." Tamara just continued to glare at Bombshell. The woman stood up and walked behind the girl.

"What others can only tap into 10% of their brain, we can go deeper. It's what separates us from them. The Brain Trust will make you see that. Together, people like us will change the world," Bombshell said coercively.

"I don't want to change the world. I want my mommy and daddy!" Tamara's outburst made her punch Bombshell in the face. Bombshell stumbled back in shock but quickly went back to being passive.

"Don't even think of trying to call them. It would be useless at this point. Remember, we can hear you too," Bombshell warned before leaving. To make sure Tamara would stay put, Bombshell used her powers to seal the door shut.

When the coast was clear, Batman and Nightwing kicked down the door. Tamara shot up from her seat and ran towards them. "I knew you'd both find me!" Nightwing gave the girl a soft Smile as she crouched down on one knee. "Your mother was worried you'd be missing this," she told the girl, pulling out the purple monkey toy. "Pugley!" Tamara exclaimed, taking the stuffed animals and hugging it tightly.

The loud grinding sounds of the boat turbines starting up ended the touching moment. Nightwing held Tamara's hand as they made their way through the ship's halls. "By the way, what's the creepy lady's power?" Batman asked. "I don't know, but they call her Bombshell." "Oh that's encouraging."

Just as they reached the main deck, Invulnerable Man appeared. Batman wasted no time and swiftly punched the man repeatedly until he fell over onto the lower level. Above them, Bombshell flicked her fingers and sent a blast of energy. Nightwing pulled Tamara to her chest and took the brunt of the blast, but they still were sent flying into some crates.

"Get her out of here, I'll take care of them!" Batman yelled to his partner. Creating a diversion, Batman ran out into the open clutching a bag to fool the enhanced villains. It worked.

Bombshell sent another blast that made Batman collapse. Invulnerable Man kicked the hero and growled when he saw the bag. He grabbed Batman by the throat and held him up. "It was a trick, he doesn't have her!"

"We'll take care of him first," Bombshell said before sending out a blast. With quick thinking, Batman positioned Invulnerable Man to take the hit, rendering the man unconscious.

Back behind the crates, Tamara had prevented Nightwing from getting them to safety. "I can help, my powers, I can stop her." Nightwing sighed as she thought. She didn't want to risk Tamara's life but at the same time the girl's powers could be useful in taking down Bombshell.
"Okay."

Batman groaned when he took yet another blast from Bombshell. "I'm impressed, Batman. That would have taken out a small infantry. Of course there's nothing like a direct hit." Bombshell went to snap her fingers to destroy the hero only to be distracted by a gigantic menacing Pugley.

Nightwing used this distraction to shove a lifesaver around the villain before kicking her into some crates. Bombshell let out a panicked cry just before she was crushed.

The vision of Pugley disappeared and Tamara stepped out of her hiding spot with a smile.

"Did you really think you could defeat me so easily?"
The trio turned to see an enraged Invulnerable Man as he screamed, "I'm going to destroy all of you. Starting with you insignificant puny heroes!" He began charging at the duo intending on running them through a wall.

"NO!"

Tamara used all her mental concentration to hit Invulnerable Man with psychic blast. Invulnerable Man flinched and clutched his head in agony. Slowly his vision started to deplete until all he could see was pitch black. He was blind. "Where are you !?"

After many attempts of stumbling, Invulnerable Man finally gave up. With the villain now harmless the threat was gone. So there was nothing to prevent Batman, Nightwing and Tamara from leaving the boat.

"Now, let's get you back to your parents," Nightwing said. Tamara's excited smile was the best thing the duo had seen since the beginning of this endeavor. And boy, was it worth it.

~8~

"I love it. Ghost girl ends up saving your butts!" Max exclaimed humorously, as she, Eliana and Terry sat outside their high school the next day. "I'd call it a mutual butt-saving situation," Terry corrected. Max rolled her eyes, "Whatever."

"He's not wrong. Actually, it turned out pretty good. Tamara and her parents were put under protective custody. Not only do they end up in a better place, but they got doctors to help her with her powers," Eliana informed happily.

Now Tamara would get the help she deserved with people who actually cared for her best interest.

"You think she's doing okay?" Max asked them curiously. "Oh yeah," they answered. Terry and Eliana looked up at the sky and grin when they saw a vision of Tamara waving at them with a joyful smile.

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