the black raven | THE RETURN

○ jessie ○

"Breaking News! Bruce Wayne, presumed dead 6 years ago, has made an astonishing return! He went missing for one year when the GCPD finally pronounced him dead, but they have made a mistake, as he is alive and well! Sources say that he is back and kicking in the Wayne business once more. No other information was given to us on the return of this worldwide billionare. We will keep you updated on the infamous Wayne-"

I shut the TV off. This was shocking, and that's coming from me. A drug dealer who lives in Gotham. I mean, that's saying something if something shocks me.

The worlds richest man dissapears for years on end, fools the world into thinking he's dead, and just comes back one day. Now thats and entrance. And trust me, I've made my fair share of entrances.

"Mom, could you put the TV back on?" Mara says from behind me. I tense at her voice, solemn my own and turn to her, my stare cold. She swallows and gives a slight smile.

"No. Go back to bed. It's late and you have school tomorrow,"

"Okay," she responds dully, her eyebrows relax and she turns and walks back down the hallway. I wait until I hear her door close from all the way upstairs, still sitting on the couch.

I sigh and turn back to the black screened TV.

God, so much has happened today. I got my high interrupted, killed Luciano, Bruce Wayne came back, and Mara listened to me, for once may I add. It's exhausting being a single mom.

But it's not all bad, I still see that as a win win. Well, halfway.

Mara only listened to me for of three reasons.

Number one, between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm she must've seen a glimpse of Luciano's dead body- which was a hassle to clean up and bury.

Number two, I taught her how to sell, buy, and take drugs.

And number three, I threatened to shove a bar of soap down her throat if she said a word about any of this.

□ alfred □

The second that... person came back, the second he stood in that doorway to Wayne Mansion, I knew I was doomed.

This boy, now a wise man, had come back and I once again had to get into the routine of having him around, plus the other boy who he brought with him.

I was so shocked that I dropped the planted pot in my hands, shattering the glass, spilling the dirt, and disaraying the flowers. I could not belive it, but I was ready. I have been ready for six years now.

Bruce Wayne was back. And for once, he wasn't alone.

□ bruce □

I knew that the end of my 'missing-presumed-dead' death was going to be a shock to everyone. Especially Alfred. Because I didn't come back alone. I had two others with me.

Me, vengeance, and Damian. Damian Wayne, of whom I'd just found out about by my old flame, Talia Al Ghul.

This boy, my boy, was only ten years old but knew how to kill me with a single finger. But I knew how to kill someone without leaving a fingerprint.

And trust me, there's a difference.

It's like the difference between a rose and a blue Himalayan poppy. One can harm you physically, even kill you if in the right spot, and the other can harm you mentally. One you know, and the other you don't.

One's infamous and the other is mysterious. In other words, both can kill. But it's the chance of not knowing either and having to choose. Having to choose between life and death. Or, in the flowers cases, death and death.

° SIX WEEKS LATER °

○ jessie ○

The first rule about selling drugs is to make it seem natural. Don't go in there and be all secretive. But on the other don't waltz in and shout 'Hey, I'm selling drugs, who wants some?'.

You just have to be a bit of both.

And I explained this very well to Mara. But she screwed the pooch on week one. And now we've got the Adams Administration hot on our tails.

She went to the alley where the buyer was, took the drug out, saw the money, got nervous, and ran, taking the money.

The guy actually chased her all the way up until she got to our street, which has one house with one wealthy person living on it. It's not me by the way.

And you put those two together and you've got yourself a safe spot. Well, a temporary safe spot. But Mara was too stupid to see that.

She literally ran and scrambled into the house, slammed the money and drugs on the counter, sprinted upstairs, and slammed her door.

I was furious of course, because A, that guy knows where we live now, and B, she didn't give him the drugs and is now in the middle of this business.

I was going to wait until I thought she was ready for her to come full circle and take my place. But no, she screws it up.

She blew her chance. She cannot take my place. You make a mistake like that and your dead.

I remember yelling and cursing at her, and she just looked mortified. She didn't say a word. I could see tears in her eyes, and she let a few slip, but she never fully cried.

After that I slammed a bar of soap on her desk.

Apparently, she was fast asleep by the time I put the soap on her desk. Of course. Taking the easy way out. I never did that. I couldn't. If I did I was dead.

And that was that. And now, now, Gotham has grown soft. Before, she was a force to be reckoned with. Now, she's the laughing stock of crime.

I hear a knock on the door and I freeze. I know who it is. The Adam's Administration. And they're coming for Mara.

She was the one caught, the one at the scene, the one who ran.

Maybe, just maybe, I could get away with this. But yet again, I'm in the middle of another relaxation session.

Another knock.

Okay, fine, maybe this can't wait. I grab a knife from the kitchen as I make my way to the front door, and place it behind the flowers in the flower pot.

I smudge my eye makeup, take my hair down from it's tight bun, and ruffle my shirt and pants a little. Then I open the door.

Two men, both in black suits, are standing there. I smile a little, leaning aginst the doorframe.

"Hello boys, what can I do for you?" I ask politely, still trying to pull off the 'I-just-woke-up' vibe.

Neither of them smile.

"Ma'am, we have reason to believe that you and your child are storing illegal drugs in your house. We came here to take a look," the taller of the two men says.

I look at them, confused, yet feel ready enough to reply when the shorter one just steps right in and starts walking down the hallway. My eyebrows knit together in anger.

"Hey! You can't just waltz in here a search my house! I have a right that secures my own property and lets me and a reliable reason decide who can search it or not! So get your rich, disgusting, no good- !"

The taller man covers my mouth and I realize that I was shouting. I thrash slightly, angered that he would dare lay a finger on me.

Filthy rat.

But then it dawns on me; Mara is sleeping. Now both men are looking at me, patiently waiting to see what I'll do next.

They want to see if I'll wake up Mara and being her down here too. Not a chance boys, not a chance.

I settle on licking the man's hand and he pulls away, a disgusted look on his face as he wipes his hand on his suit. The shorter man takes a step closer to me.

"Gentlmen, it is time for you to go. You have no legal papers showing that you can search my house and I don't want you to search my house, so you therfore cannot search my house. So, if you would please, get out. Now," I state quietly, my eyes cold as I turn and look at each of them.

They each hesitate, looking at one another, before turning and leaving not closing the door behind them.

I watch them get into their car and leave, and I relax. I shut the front door, both locking and bolting it.

Then, I go around the house and lock and bolt all of the ways someone could get in. The windows, doors, everything.

And then, I slowly trudge up the stairs and take a deep breath when I get to the top.

I realize what I have to do, but I can't do it today. I need sleep first. I can't go through anymore stress breakdowns right now.

a/n - okay so I hoped you liked these first few chapters! As a little more information wasn't clearly stated, but Luciano is dead and Jessie got away with it, just because no one knew him.

AND in the comics Damian is ten years old when he comes to live with Bruce, but here I'm gonna make him twelve, just for sibling purposes.

AS a warning, don't do drugs. It's very harmful to you, your body, and metal/emotional/physical state. The drug(s) in this story are just made up.

- sierra :)