Flying


13 Years Ago...

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Kids of all ages! Welcome, to the Haly Circus!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, Sam groaned as hs father dragged him into a seat next to him. "Why did we have to go to a circus?" the eleven year old groaned. "I mean honestly, I've got better things to do."

"You can spend some time with me rather than beating up another nine year old." his father said harshly, taking a bite of popcorn. "Or stealing from the vending machine."

Sam made a face and slouched down in his seat while his father continued to eat popcorn. Sam knew why he was really here. His father needed some better PR. What better way than a father/son moment? Sam pulled out his phone and began typing things into it.

A sudden motion by his father sent Sam straight up in his chair. The boy tucked his phone away as his father stood up and shook someone's hand. Sam couldn't see who until his father stepped aside.

Bruce Wayne and a beautiful blonde woman Sam recognized as some reporter walked past him.

"Ah, Mr. Wayne, this is my son, Sam. Sam, this is Mr. Wayne. I'm currently working on something with him. Something that will hopefully bring down crime in both our cities." Sam's father paused with a wise twinkle. "Well,New York. We don't have a flying rodent around to stop muggers."

Bruce laughed and sat down next to Sam's father. Sam was squished behind two fat women who were gossiping non-stop.

"Will you shut up?!" Sam asked, loud enough for the women to hear, but quiet enough for thesis father to completely ignore. The two women gave him disgusted looks and turned around, huffing indignantly.

"And now! For the greatest trapeze act on Earth! Ladies and Gentlemen! The Flying Graysons!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as the spotlight shifted to three people on the top of a very tall tower. One female, two males. One of the males was tiny, only two years younger than Sam. Yet he was the star.

The ringmaster announced the name of the mother and father as they swung out over the empty space. Seventy feet between them and the ground.

"And the youngest star of this amazing act, Dick Grayson!"

The crowd went absolutely berserk. Sam put up his phone. This was the part of the show he had wanted to see, though he'd never admit it to his father. Dick continued to wave out to the crowd, one hand on the trapeze bar.

"These three birds soar through the air, performing all these amazing stunts---"

Sam happened to glance out of the corner of his eye at the parents. Something was wrong. The cord shouldn't have been leaning them like that.

"without the safety of a net!"

TWANG!

The string snapped.

The crowd watched in horror as the two adults fell to the ground. Dick collapsed to his knees on the tower and simply looked at his parent's bodies on the ground.

Bruce Wayne was trying hard not to fall apart. He shook, his fists clenched, his eyes watered. He made his way away from the seats as the rest of the crowd screamed in horror.

30 Minutes Later

Sam's father held his son tight as the young boy who had just watched his parents fall to their death climbed into the back of Bruce Wayne's car. The crowd slowly dispersed as a bearded man in a trench-coat came over to them holding a note pad.

"Names?"

"Grant?"

"Ah," the officer said. He held out his hand and Sam's father shook if. "I'm Lieutenant Gordon. I know this must be traumatic, for you both." he looked at Sam. "Did either of you two see anything?"

"No, I'm sorry. We got here a little late." Sam's father said.

"Thank you, Mr. Grant." Gordon said, starting to walk away.

"Sir!" Sam called out. It was the first time he'd ever addressed anyone as "sir". Gordon turned around and looked at Sam.

"Yes, son?"

"What's going to happen to the kid? Err... Dick I mean."

Gordon sighed. "It looks like Bruce Wayne's going to take care of him. There's no need to worry."

"Thank you." Sam said, somewhat reassured.

"No problem." Gordon said. He paused and looked at the father and his son. "I suggest you hold onto your son, Mr. Grant. And the same for you son: hold on tight."

---

"Hold on tight."

Sam's eyes filled with tears. His father was gone. Dead. Dived off the top of his building. No, not dived. Sam thought, clenching his fists and opening his eyes. Pushed. Not died, murdered. Right there Sam made a commitment. A commitment that he...

would have Revenge.