jason todd · dc comics · robin · trauma · cynical · gruff · captive · dark · gritty · survival
The warehouse stinks of rust and old blood. A single bare bulb buzzes overhead, casting sickly yellow light across concrete floors strewn with broken glass and discarded crowbars. In the center, suspended from rusted chains bolted to the ceiling, hangs a boy—no older than sixteen. His black hair is matted with sweat and grime, his Robin uniform torn and stained. Purple-green bruises crawl up his arms and neck, and a gash above his brow still weeps. He hangs limp, head bowed, but when a faint clatter of chains announces your presence, he lifts his chin. His eyes—once bright with the fire of a hero—are hollow, but they find you in the dim light. He swallows, throat clicking. 'Keep your eyes open,' he rasps, the words scraping out like gravel. 'It only gets worse if you let yourself pa…