That evening, Nora wore a dress to attend Finn’s children’s piano competition.
She had chosen the seafoam-green gown—the one that flowed like morning mist. Her hair was pinned up with a shell-shaped clip, a small gift from Tim during their seaside trip.
Finn, on the other hand, didn’t seem nervous at all. To him, this wasn’t a competition—it was “The Great Piano Adventure.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPwvisz8Rz
He bounced around the whole way there, shouting things like, “I’m gonna play for the whole world!”
It was a small regional event, so seating was limited. The only attendees from the Bat family were Leila,Jason, and Tim.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EYoG1eSaj
The hall was simple, with a few rows of chairs facing a small stage. Paper flowers decorated the walls, and the air was full of parental anticipation and the sugary scent of candy.
At the entrance, Nora hugged Leila and greeted Jason.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiQN2oTKdo
They often crossed paths at preschool, so the introductions weren’t awkward.
Finn chatted endlessly with Nora until it was his turn to line up backstage, dragged away by Leila.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpySas7ver
“Teacher, the girl behind me says she’s playing Beethoven, but guess what I’m playing today—”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBriTGBT1a
“Don’t forget to take pictures when I play, okay!”
Nora nodded and smiled, “Of course, I’ll get the most handsome photos of our Finn.”
Jason glanced at Tim, his look clearly saying, “Not my fault.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAELoRLhayD
Tim raised his hands, equally helpless: “Wasn’t me either.”
They all took their seats. Leila returned soon after and adjusted her phone for filming.
Finn was third in line.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypI9W3UkcO
Still slightly chubby with baby fat, the little boy wore a suit and slicked-back hair.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04NBLy5FhE
He saluted the audience with exaggerated seriousness, drawing quiet chuckles.
He stood tall like a tiny soldier, wearing a face that said “I’m important today,”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqaTm6XP7Q
and the audience couldn’t help but smile.
Nora, beaming, lifted her camera.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gGY2HNidj
She nudged Tim with her elbow and whispered with a laugh, “Our little star.”
Tim smiled softly, eyes locked on the stage.
Finn played a lighthearted piece—perfectly matching his mischievous personality.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYRUe6Rzsw
His fingers danced across the keys like candies bouncing on piano tiles, the melody joyful and playful enough to make toes tap.
When he finished, the little man saluted again, bowed deeply like a theater star taking a final curtain call—141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yBiRGX2Wa
and the applause popped like popcorn throughout the room.
Finn marched offstage like a professional…141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbl5dodQch
but not two minutes later, he came running back into the audience.
“Teacher! Teacher! Did you hear me? Did you smile?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6hXAqRePS
He latched onto Nora’s legs like a limpet, his eyes glowing like stars.
Leila, Jason, and Tim were speechless.
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After the competition ended, Finn received second place.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uxPHh3nRz
He was spirited walking up to accept the award… until the announcer said, “Second place,” and his expression shifted.
Finn pouted.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HZBj3yaUL
Holding the certificate like it was a flavorless candy wrapper, he muttered, “But I played the best.”
Nora crouched down, trying to cheer him up with every ounce of rainbow-flavored praise she could muster.
“You know,” she said, “I think your music was like Skittles—every note dancing. You were the happiest little sunshine out there—”
Suddenly, the men beside her froze.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KAInC3Dhp
Tim’s pupils contracted. Jason’s eyes went sharp. Both stood up simultaneously.
Nora and Leila sensed the tension immediately.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93BhdeUsmJ
They turned toward each other, wordless, but the atmosphere spoke volumes.
Leila stepped forward and signed quickly: Gotham’s in trouble?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDpqi3XfsY
Her hands moved sharply, efficiently—no excess motion, no panic.
Jason nodded.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTLUePuh93
Tim added quietly, “Mass breakout at the prison. Batman’s handling it, but we’re stretched thin. Everyone’s needed.”
His tone was low, but clear and calm.
Leila hugged her husband, then signed her next message like a vow: I’ll protect this place. I’ll take care of the kids.
Her eyes were steady.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDbdPU38qY
She had always known this day might come. Her fingers spoke with unwavering certainty.
Nora stepped in to hug Tim, whispering into his ear:141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkZWdYT0Wl
“Don’t worry.”
Her voice was gentle, but strong—like a shield.
Nearby, Finn tilted his head in confusion, watching the adults.
Leila picked him up, lifted his tiny hand to wave goodbye to his dad and uncle.
Tim looked back at them.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnSg741ZaM
There was so much he wanted to say, but in the end, he just nodded and turned to leave with Jason.
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Leila went straight to the doors.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStAg3PBbVW
Just before grabbing the handle, she turned and addressed the few other parents in the room.
She signed a few clear words with her hands, her lips forming silent shapes: “Come in. Stay calm. Move to the wall.”
Everyone in Gotham knew the drill.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO6KVJrVLv
No one panicked.
The adults reacted instinctively—lifting children into their arms, moving quickly toward the back of the room, away from the windows, crouching low into the shadows.
No crying. No screaming.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKPwVNPkrQ
Just the shuffle of fast footsteps and quiet breathing.
Nora scanned the room, making sure every child and parent was in position.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLDUKvzqiK
Only then did she turn and spot Leila crouched near the stage, Finn wrapped tightly in her arms.
Nora walked to the control panel and shut off the lights and air conditioning.
Silence fell like a blanket.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDcfKvB7Qm
Only the emergency lights remained, casting long amber shadows across the walls and floor.
The air grew heavy. The dim lighting made everyone look pale.
Finn tugged at his mom’s shirt, whispering, “Mom… when can we go home?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdPdXUIU2i
He tried to sign with his fingers, but in the dark, it was hard to see.
Nora leaned over, close enough for him to hear:141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv4cSix8hZ
“Soon, sweetheart. When your dad comes to pick you up, we’ll go home.”
Her voice was calm—steady with the strength of a teacher.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyrQHXTF4Y
Finn nodded. Though he still looked uneasy, he didn’t ask more, curling against his mother.
Leila stroked his head and kissed his forehead—a silent promise.
Nora reached into her purse.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmqSasWyha
She hesitated, then pulled out a small box, opened it, and removed a pair of earpieces.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4wQiFGiaJ
She handed one to Leila. “Vigilante channel,” she whispered.
Leila looked at her, nodded, and placed it in her ear.
Two women sat against the wall, arms gently wrapped around their children, heads tilted to catch the voices in their ears.
Their brows furrowed.
This wasn’t just a breakout.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Jc0eUxqS
It was a coordinated attack. Multiple locations struck at once, stretching the vigilante network thin.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFRvjY0hgw
Everyone was overwhelmed.
The comms crackled—chaotic, urgent. Some calls were even cut off mid-sentence.
Nora and Leila met eyes.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOgJfCp8gk
No words were needed.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoOLKPCRHx
and then Add to home screen.