Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
Instagram post: May 9th, 2024.
The image is of the Gotham skyline. Several tall buildings take over the background, lights on against the night sky. The caption reads ‘There’s something neat about taking a picture at just the right angle.’
Instagram post: May 14th 2024
The image is of a naked man with a tail for legs, and red scales over his entire body, and fins at the end of his tail, on his hips, back, arms and ears. The man is lying flat on his stomach on a rock, arms tense as if he is about to pounce. The shadow of a boat is cast over him.
The caption reads: omg I just caught this AMAZING pic of the Red Hood about to take on a smuggling organization. I’m so lucky?!?!
Instagram post: May 15th 2024
The image is of a disassembled camera, leaking water on a wooden table. The caption reads: the smugglers didn’t survive, and neither did my camera qwq its ok I can use my allowance to get another one
Instagram post: May 17th 2024
The image is of another naked man in the water. His skin is completely pitch black except for blue rings scattered across his body. It is day time, and the water is clear enough to see his bottom half, which is made up of eight thick tentacles. He is pulling himself onto the pier, offering sweets to a group of disheveled children. The oldest of them wears a tired, but kind smile.
The caption reads: Even tho the bats r a crime family and they’re terrorist and yada yada, i think its important to remember they can also be very kind too
Instagram post: May 20th 2024
A brand new camera sits on a wooden table. The caption reads: im so glad I was able to get a new camera yayyy! I’m gonna go hunting for some more pics! Watch this space <3
FROM CNN: BAT FAMILY DECLARES NORTH ATLANTIC OFFLIMITS, UNLESS TARRIF PAID BY GOVERNMENTS WISHING TO CROSS.
For the past few months, the mysterious Bat Family, a family of sirens named after their brutal patriarch, has been waging a war of expansion against Atlantis, ruled by Arthur Curry, king of Atlantis and member of the Justice League. This comes as the Bat Family consolidates its power over the Ring of Fire in the Pacific. With this new water, the nation of New Gotham is now the single largest nation in terms of territory in the history of the world.
Shipping vessels escorted by NATO Naval powers are now being attacked without mercy. Although there is no death toll, the damage to these ships is beginning to count to the billions, with no sign of stopping. The Bat Family have delivered their ultimatum to 100 different countries, including China, Russia, the USA and most of Europe. They remand the cessation of trash dumping into the ocean, as well as the immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% within this year, and further reductions in further years. If these demands are not met, then the Bat Family promise to sink every ship that crosses the North Atlantic or the Pacific originating from the offending countries.
Instagram post: May 21st 2024
The photo shows a burning, sinking ship at night. Empty cages float in the water, as well as other debris. The caption reads: was too slow to catch them in action, but man. Sometimes I wonder why people do stupid things like traffic other human beings and hold them agains ttheir will. That’s so evil TwT
Instagram post: May 22nd 2024
An aerial shot of the octopus man, known as Nightwing, sitting on a rock. In his lap sits a young boy, about 12-13 years old, with a fishtail and scales across his whole body. Robin’s scales are green and gold around his fins. His expression appears annoyed. His left arm is bleeding. Nightwing is in the middle of wrapping a bandage around the boy.
The caption reads: Nightwing’s teamwork is always incredible,,, i wish I had a big bro like nightwing. I wish my family was like the Bat family (not in the murdery way!! Just the way they treat each other and look at each ohter, you know?)
Instagram post: May 24th 2024
A collage of different pictures in the rain. The caption reads: parents said theyll be away for another couple months. took some rainy pics because its raining in my heart
Gotham Gazette: SIREN CRIME LORDS SPOILER AND BLACKTIP LEAVES BLOODY WRECK AT GOTHAM HARBOUR. 15 DEAD, 8 INJURED, 50 CHILDREN RESCUED.
Instagram post: May 25th 2024
The photo shows two female sirens, a fit purple woman with blond hair and many pointy spines and a shark woman, chatting while bodies float around them. The purple scaled-woman, Spoiler, holds the severed arm of a human in her hands. Her teeth are bloody.
The caption reads: I found Spoiler and Blacktip with my drone today! I never know if they’re big sisters to the Bat Family or just associates. What do you guys think?
Gotham Gazette: WAYNE FOUNDATION HOSTS CHARITY BALL RAISING AWARENESS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY
Instagram post: May 28th, 2024
The video opens with a young, skinny child in the foreground. “So, uhm, hello. My name’s T-tim. Tim Drake, and I’m the one who’s been taking all these pictures. Er, I hope you’ve all enjoyed them! So, uhm, the Bats, right! You know I take lots of pictures of them, and they’re known for dealing with human traffickers. So I just wanted to go over some tips I’ve found for recognizing human trafficking victims.”
The video continues…
Google search history:
How to fight sirens
How to fight the mafia
How to fight billionaires
how to defend house from invaders
How to build a bomb
How to make home alone traps
How to make acid
Is acid fatal?
how to run away and not get caught
how to fight super smell
how to escape from being kidnapped
Mom
Mom? I’m in a lot of trouble. Can you pick up the phone? I really need your help.
I know you and Dad are super busy, but this is really important. I promise I’ll make it up to you.
Mom somebody’s coming after me. I can’t say who, but they’re coming for me now.
Mom
please
i dont have much time
(unread)
Ring… Ring… Ring…
“Mom! I’m so glad you picked up, I-”
Ambient chatter filters through the connection. “Timothy, your father and I have already told you. We’re at an extremely, extremely important conference and we present do not have the time to hold your hand across a continent.”
“But mom-,”
“Don’t talk back to me young man! I don’t want to hear another word from you until this conference is finished. If you need any help, just ring the housekeeper, and call 911 for emergencies, got it?”
Google search history
What happens if 911 ignores you?
What to do when 911 doesn’t help you
How to identify non-corrupt cops
How to make cops listen to you
Justice league help line
Ring… Ring… Ring…
“Hello, Green Lantern here. What’s your emergency?”
“Hello? M-my n-neighbours are in my yard and-,”
“Are you in immediate danger?”
“N-no, I d-don’t think at the moment, but-,”
“Sorry kid, but I think you’re better off calling your parents first, then the police, ok? This line is for emergencies only.”
“Wait! I,-“ The call gets cut off as another call is accepted.
Instagram post May 30th 2024
The video shows a young boy over a large white board with a presentation projected on to it. He begins, “Strategies for detecting signs of abuse or distress in child victims.”
Instagram post May 30th 2024
The picture shows a list of common Morse Code phrases.
The caption reads: And most important of all is knowing the Morse Code for SOS! If you’re ever in trouble SPAM IT. AND IF ANYONE IS TAPPING OR BLINKING IN A WEIRD WAY, THEY MIGHT BE CALLING FOR HELP
Gotham Gazette: DRAKE INDUSTRIES HEIR TIMOTHY DRAKE SPOTTED AT MARTHA WAYNE FOUNDATION SKATE PARK. GOES VIRAL WITH DAREDEVIL MOVES.
“I go here every Wednesday and Saturday, and Sunday if I’m free. If I’m not here on Wednesday after school then somebody call the police, hahah. If anyone wants to show me some new moves or learn from mine, I’ll be happy to talk! I’m here every Wednesday and Saturday!”
Google Search History:
Self defense laws
Self defense new jersey
How not to get sued when using self defense
How to make your parents seem like good people
How to hide your parents parenting mistakes
How to not get adopted
How to look unappealing to kidnappers
Dad
Dad I’m in serious trouble. Please come home
i need u
i love u dad
im in danger
please, im begging
please
(unread)
You have (1) voicemail. Beeeeep.
Hyper ventilating. Childlike sobs. “Mom. Dad. Please. They’re closing in on me. I don’t know how long I can h-hold them off. Please I need you. I promise I’ll never, ever ask for anything every again.
From: [email protected]
Dear Your Majesty the King of Atlantis, Arthur Curry
You might not know me, but my name is Tim Drake, and I’m 10 years old and I live in Gotham. Recently I’ve discovered one of the Bat Family’s greatest secrets, but they also know that I know and now they want to get me. I have exhausted every other avenue of escape or rescue. You are my only hope. If I could, I would tell you the secret now, but currently my blackmailing the Bat Family with its exposure is the only thing keeping me alive.
Please. Nobody else is helping me. They’ll destroy me and everything I love. I have no other options.
Attached are some photos and proof that they’re stalking me.
Yours sincerely, Tim Drake
From: [email protected]
Dear Timothy,
You are very brave for reaching out. I am deeply sorry that you have been failed by so many of your institutions, including the Justice League. Please be assured I am sending my best men to rescue you as we speak. However, they will be forced to swim through siren territory. Please hold out for as long as you can. Help is on the way.
Yours sincerely, Arthur Curry, King of Atlantis
Instagram post: June 2nd 2024
The video shows a disheveled, dirty boy. His eyes are red and raw. His cheeks look sunken, as if he hasn’t eaten in a while. “Hello! My name is Tim Drake, and my parents are great! They gave me this huge mansion to live in, and they spend all this money buying nice things for me like this $10,000 camera and drone set, and they pay for the best private education in Gotham. Like, isn’t that so amazing of them? And I definitely do not want to get adopted by ANY other family. Nope. My parents are perfect and if you see me adopted by anyone else, THEN CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.”
Gotham Gazette: TRAGEDY STRIKES AS DRAKE INDUSTRIES HEIR TIMOTHY DRAKE TURNS UP DEAD. POLICE RULE PARENTAL NEGLECT
It’s a dark day in Gotham’s history as social media darling Tim Drake, who has taken the city by storm with his charming photography and public PSAs, has been found dead. Late last night, Dick Grayson-Wayne, son of eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne, dove into Gotham Harbour, claiming to have seen Tim Drake falling in. 40 minutes later, at 11.39pm, search parties discovered a gruesome sight. Tim Drake’s iconic red hoodie and ripped jeans were found in the water, shredded to pieces and covered in blood. Further search parties found pieces of bone, and strips of flesh later identified as intestines, lungs and teeth. Analysts have already confirmed a match to the young boy.
Security feeds show Tim Drake wandering around Gotham Harbour, a place he is known to frequent based on his many social media posts of siren photography. At about 10.57pm, the feeds show him slipping on an oily patch. Tim Drake falls into the water, before struggling for several minutes, eventually going under and not coming up. Minutes later, Dick Grayson-Wayne sprints and dives off the edge, only to emerge empty-handed. It is presumed Tim Drake’s body was claimed by sirens soon after.
Thousands are in morning for the young child, so full of potential, and beloved by so many. Bruce Wayne, long-time neighbor to the Drakes, had this to say.
[Embedded video shows Bruce Wayne, eyes red and choking back further tears. He blows his nose loudly. “W-well, i-i-it’s just so awful! Timothy was- was- was, he was such a bright young lad. And now his l-life is just-, he was right there! And tell you what, I know I have a reputation.”
He gestures to his gaggle of children, lined up stoically behind him. Bruce Wayne continues, “But I deeply care for the suffering of children. Honestly, I thought like everyone else that the Drakes took their kid abroad on their trips. Then I saw Timothy all alone and I asked him if his parents were home, and he got all evasive on me. Then I saw more signs, but I didn’t wanna overstep, you know? S-so I just kept trying to call his parents. And kept trying. And I just couldn’t reach them. I know I should’ve checked in on him, but no child wants a massive strange man showing up at their house when they’re a-alone, you know? But n-n-now I wish I did b-because-,”
The man breaks down into tears. A stately-looking butler escorts him and his children inside. “My deepest apologies, but Master Bruce has a soft heart, and will be unavailable for further questions.”
Police Commissioner Gordon has already opened an enquiry into Tim Drake’s parents. Why was Tim Drake alone in Gotham Harbour, a hub for organized crime and siren attacks? Where were they the night their son died? Where are they now?
Will Tim Drake, a child taken from us too soon, receive justice?