Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Paradise Arc) (22/37)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Paradise Arc) (22/37)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Roy, Melody, Ollie/Dinah,
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark continue to juggle being lovers as well as Master and slave, Bruce continues his Abolitionist work, and a shocking Family Secret is revealed. Meanwhile, the Queen Family welcomes a new member, and Steve and Hal meet their Destinies, although neither one realizes it yet. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: Hints of sexual abuse
Spoilers: None
Summary: Nightmares plague Roy and Melody.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 16, 2008
Date Of Posting: April 27, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1175
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
They say
That nightmares
Are the mind’s
Way
Of working
Things out.
I say
They are
Just screams
Waiting
To get out.
Addie Cutler
"Drive-Through Thoughts
And Other Poems"
2030 C.E.
XXII
SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT
“You said you came here from somewhere else?”
Roy and Melody were sitting in the living room watching the news before dinner.
“Yes.” Melody stared at the TV.
“So this place is better?”
“By far.”
“And the latest news from Gotham concerns Batman and Robin, who successfully apprehended the Riddler.”
Roy watched footage of the Dynamic Duo flying through the air. “That is so cool.”
“Robin’s cute!”
Roy grinned. “He is.” He watched the grace of the Boy Wonder. “I’d love to do that.”
“What, fly through the air?”
Roy laughed. “That could be fun, but I’d like to be like Green Arrow, fighting crime with arrows.”
“Maybe you’ll get to meet him. He works out of Star City with the Black Canary.”
“She’s cool, too. All that martial arts stuff and her sonic cry.” Roy winked. “I’ve met them both.”
“Keep practicing your archery. Maybe Green Arrow will need an apprentice someday.”
Roy laughed. “Yeah, right. He’s ready to start auditioning slave boys to be his new kid sidekick.”
“You’re too cynical.”
“That’s me, cynical Speedy.”
“Speedy?”
He grinned. “Brave Bow said I was the quickest he ever saw with a bow-and-arrow.”
“Brave Bow?”
“Long story. I’ll tell you someday.”
Out in the hall, Ollie listened with a thoughtful expression.
& & & & & &
“Any leisure time you have, you can spend it here at the archery field.”
“You mean in between Squire duties and lessons?”
“That’s right.” Ollie nocked his arrow. The kid had a smart mouth he had to rein in but he was also as sharp as a tack. He enjoyed the verbal sparring.
His arrow twanged to hit the target. Roy’s followed a minute later.
“You’re a natural.”
“Yeah, so I’ve been told.
Ollie smirked. The kid definitely had moxie.
“So, what do you think of Star City’s resident archer?”
“Green Arrow?”
“Yeah.”
Twang!
Thump!
“He’s cool. I’ve seen the tapes of him in action. He sure knows his way around a bow-and-arrow.”
Twang!
“Yeah, he’s an expert, all right.”
Thump!
“Do you think he’s looking for a sidekick?” Roy asked.
“He might be.”
Roy carefully aimed. “Well, if he ever took on sidekick, he’d pick a good one.”
Twang!
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I mean, a guy like that who’s smart enough to fight crime can pick someone good. He seemed like a real straight shooter to me.”
Thump!
“That’s right; you’ve seen him up-close-and-personal.”
“He chose that pretty Canary as a partner, didn’t he?”
“More like she chose him,” came the wry reply.
They finished up their session and Ollie said, “Well, if Green Arrow does take on a sidekick, you’re right, he’ll choose the right one.”
Wistfully Roy nodded.
& & & & & &
Yellowed teeth shone in the light of the greedy flames licking at the houses.
“You Injuns oughtta know better than to stick yer noses in where they ain’t wanted.”
The tall Navajo stood proudly before the ragged man. “You and your kind always demand the same things: subservience and the ability to look the other way. When you rape the land, Kragan, you despoil us all.”
Kragan laughed, throwing his head back. “Good one, Chief Sourpuss! Well, tell your fellow Injuns their homes are goin’ up in smoke ‘cause you ratted on us to the Govs!”
“The soldiers will be here and you’ll go to prison, Kragen!”
“Not if there ain’t no witnesses alive to tell.”
Gunfire blazed and the Navajo’s body jerked, then crashed to the ground.
“Brave Bow!” Roy sobbed, running to the body. He gasped as a meaty hand grabbed his arm.
“Oh, yeah,” Kragan leered, “I’ll get good coin for you, kid. You’ll be warmin’ someone’s wigwam fer sure.”
Roy screamed as Kragan pulled him close...
& & & & & &
Roy awoke in a cold sweat, certain that the whole house had heard him.
He jumped as he heard a scream. Shaking, he realized it was coming from the next room. He leaped out of bed and ran to Melody’s room.
The girl was thrashing, sobbing, “Please don’t hurt him!”
Roy grabbed her shoulders. “It’s okay, Mel, no one’s hurting you!”
Melody jerked awake, eyes wide with tears. Shaking violently, she grabbed Roy.
“Don’t let them hurt Danny!”
“It’s okay, Melody. You’re safe here.” Roy rubbed her back. “No one’s going to hurt anyone. The Master and Mistress are good people.”
Melody finally started to calm down.
“Who’s Danny?” Roy asked softly.
Melody began to shake again. “The…the…Master Harrison’s bedslave. He was…was kind to me. He was being punished, down in the dungeon. I heard his screams…”
“Ah, Melody, sometimes men get carried away. It’s not punishment, it’s…” Roy stopped, unsure of what to say.
Melody shook her head. “I know bed screams. These were punishment screams. They were tearing…” Melody looked nauseous. “I…I never saw him again. One of the maids…she told me about the blood she and the others had to clean up…the smell...” Melody clamped her mouth shut.
Roy felt sick. He knew the face of sadism up close. “Who’s this Master Harrison?”
“The Caldwell scion.” Melody leaned close to whisper, “But Old Man Edmund is the worst.”
Roy’s blood froze in his veins. The Caldwells! He had heard two of the kitchen staff discussing them.
“Sadists, all of ‘em. Like to do their work while a slave’s still alive, poor souls.”
“The old man’s the worst. He once took a red-hot poker and did a King Edward on one poor wretch. The man took days to die, agony in his every breath.”
“Sometimes,” she whispered, “I can still hear screams in the night coming from that place.”
“Well, you’re okay now,” Roy said, still feeling shaky himself.
Melody must have seen his own haunted look because she hugged him, and they both held on tight.
Neither one noticed the door close softly.
& & & & & &
The next day, Ollie summoned Roy into the library.
“Yes, Master?” Roy stood before the oak desk.
“How does hard work set with you?”
“Pardon, Master?” Roy was puzzled.
“Does hard physical labor bother you?”
“No more than most.” Was he going to be sold to some farmer, or rented out to a construction crew?
“Can you be discreet?”
“Sir?”
“Can you keep your Master’s secrets?”
“Oh, yes, sir!” A slave who didn’t had his tongue cut out.
“Good.” Ollie rose from behind the desk and came around to clap a hand on his shoulder. “Come with me.”
A book was pushed in (Robin Hood And His Merry Men), and the bookcase moved. A stone stairway was revealed, and Roy could smell musty air.
He followed his Master down the steps, gaping at the computers and other equipment, and a yellow car…!
The Black Canary appeared, a bright smile on her face.
“Welcome to the Arrow Cave, Roy.”
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Roy, Melody, Ollie/Dinah,
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark continue to juggle being lovers as well as Master and slave, Bruce continues his Abolitionist work, and a shocking Family Secret is revealed. Meanwhile, the Queen Family welcomes a new member, and Steve and Hal meet their Destinies, although neither one realizes it yet. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: Hints of sexual abuse
Spoilers: None
Summary: Nightmares plague Roy and Melody.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 16, 2008
Date Of Posting: April 27, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1175
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
They say
That nightmares
Are the mind’s
Way
Of working
Things out.
I say
They are
Just screams
Waiting
To get out.
Addie Cutler
"Drive-Through Thoughts
And Other Poems"
2030 C.E.
XXII
SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT
“You said you came here from somewhere else?”
Roy and Melody were sitting in the living room watching the news before dinner.
“Yes.” Melody stared at the TV.
“So this place is better?”
“By far.”
“And the latest news from Gotham concerns Batman and Robin, who successfully apprehended the Riddler.”
Roy watched footage of the Dynamic Duo flying through the air. “That is so cool.”
“Robin’s cute!”
Roy grinned. “He is.” He watched the grace of the Boy Wonder. “I’d love to do that.”
“What, fly through the air?”
Roy laughed. “That could be fun, but I’d like to be like Green Arrow, fighting crime with arrows.”
“Maybe you’ll get to meet him. He works out of Star City with the Black Canary.”
“She’s cool, too. All that martial arts stuff and her sonic cry.” Roy winked. “I’ve met them both.”
“Keep practicing your archery. Maybe Green Arrow will need an apprentice someday.”
Roy laughed. “Yeah, right. He’s ready to start auditioning slave boys to be his new kid sidekick.”
“You’re too cynical.”
“That’s me, cynical Speedy.”
“Speedy?”
He grinned. “Brave Bow said I was the quickest he ever saw with a bow-and-arrow.”
“Brave Bow?”
“Long story. I’ll tell you someday.”
Out in the hall, Ollie listened with a thoughtful expression.
& & & & & &
“Any leisure time you have, you can spend it here at the archery field.”
“You mean in between Squire duties and lessons?”
“That’s right.” Ollie nocked his arrow. The kid had a smart mouth he had to rein in but he was also as sharp as a tack. He enjoyed the verbal sparring.
His arrow twanged to hit the target. Roy’s followed a minute later.
“You’re a natural.”
“Yeah, so I’ve been told.
Ollie smirked. The kid definitely had moxie.
“So, what do you think of Star City’s resident archer?”
“Green Arrow?”
“Yeah.”
Twang!
Thump!
“He’s cool. I’ve seen the tapes of him in action. He sure knows his way around a bow-and-arrow.”
Twang!
“Yeah, he’s an expert, all right.”
Thump!
“Do you think he’s looking for a sidekick?” Roy asked.
“He might be.”
Roy carefully aimed. “Well, if he ever took on sidekick, he’d pick a good one.”
Twang!
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I mean, a guy like that who’s smart enough to fight crime can pick someone good. He seemed like a real straight shooter to me.”
Thump!
“That’s right; you’ve seen him up-close-and-personal.”
“He chose that pretty Canary as a partner, didn’t he?”
“More like she chose him,” came the wry reply.
They finished up their session and Ollie said, “Well, if Green Arrow does take on a sidekick, you’re right, he’ll choose the right one.”
Wistfully Roy nodded.
& & & & & &
Yellowed teeth shone in the light of the greedy flames licking at the houses.
“You Injuns oughtta know better than to stick yer noses in where they ain’t wanted.”
The tall Navajo stood proudly before the ragged man. “You and your kind always demand the same things: subservience and the ability to look the other way. When you rape the land, Kragan, you despoil us all.”
Kragan laughed, throwing his head back. “Good one, Chief Sourpuss! Well, tell your fellow Injuns their homes are goin’ up in smoke ‘cause you ratted on us to the Govs!”
“The soldiers will be here and you’ll go to prison, Kragen!”
“Not if there ain’t no witnesses alive to tell.”
Gunfire blazed and the Navajo’s body jerked, then crashed to the ground.
“Brave Bow!” Roy sobbed, running to the body. He gasped as a meaty hand grabbed his arm.
“Oh, yeah,” Kragan leered, “I’ll get good coin for you, kid. You’ll be warmin’ someone’s wigwam fer sure.”
Roy screamed as Kragan pulled him close...
& & & & & &
Roy awoke in a cold sweat, certain that the whole house had heard him.
He jumped as he heard a scream. Shaking, he realized it was coming from the next room. He leaped out of bed and ran to Melody’s room.
The girl was thrashing, sobbing, “Please don’t hurt him!”
Roy grabbed her shoulders. “It’s okay, Mel, no one’s hurting you!”
Melody jerked awake, eyes wide with tears. Shaking violently, she grabbed Roy.
“Don’t let them hurt Danny!”
“It’s okay, Melody. You’re safe here.” Roy rubbed her back. “No one’s going to hurt anyone. The Master and Mistress are good people.”
Melody finally started to calm down.
“Who’s Danny?” Roy asked softly.
Melody began to shake again. “The…the…Master Harrison’s bedslave. He was…was kind to me. He was being punished, down in the dungeon. I heard his screams…”
“Ah, Melody, sometimes men get carried away. It’s not punishment, it’s…” Roy stopped, unsure of what to say.
Melody shook her head. “I know bed screams. These were punishment screams. They were tearing…” Melody looked nauseous. “I…I never saw him again. One of the maids…she told me about the blood she and the others had to clean up…the smell...” Melody clamped her mouth shut.
Roy felt sick. He knew the face of sadism up close. “Who’s this Master Harrison?”
“The Caldwell scion.” Melody leaned close to whisper, “But Old Man Edmund is the worst.”
Roy’s blood froze in his veins. The Caldwells! He had heard two of the kitchen staff discussing them.
“Sadists, all of ‘em. Like to do their work while a slave’s still alive, poor souls.”
“The old man’s the worst. He once took a red-hot poker and did a King Edward on one poor wretch. The man took days to die, agony in his every breath.”
“Sometimes,” she whispered, “I can still hear screams in the night coming from that place.”
“Well, you’re okay now,” Roy said, still feeling shaky himself.
Melody must have seen his own haunted look because she hugged him, and they both held on tight.
Neither one noticed the door close softly.
& & & & & &
The next day, Ollie summoned Roy into the library.
“Yes, Master?” Roy stood before the oak desk.
“How does hard work set with you?”
“Pardon, Master?” Roy was puzzled.
“Does hard physical labor bother you?”
“No more than most.” Was he going to be sold to some farmer, or rented out to a construction crew?
“Can you be discreet?”
“Sir?”
“Can you keep your Master’s secrets?”
“Oh, yes, sir!” A slave who didn’t had his tongue cut out.
“Good.” Ollie rose from behind the desk and came around to clap a hand on his shoulder. “Come with me.”
A book was pushed in (Robin Hood And His Merry Men), and the bookcase moved. A stone stairway was revealed, and Roy could smell musty air.
He followed his Master down the steps, gaping at the computers and other equipment, and a yellow car…!
The Black Canary appeared, a bright smile on her face.
“Welcome to the Arrow Cave, Roy.”