The Affluent Area was quiet and peaceful at night. The sound of footsteps returning home did not seem out of place here at all. Every prosperous, peaceful person here longed for the embrace of home.
The mailbox latch, engraved with ornate English lettering, rattled in the wind. Wayne's name was carved into the mailbox door. One Hand held down the fluttering latch and flipped it shut.
Bruce pushed open the manor gates. Seeing the warm light spilling from the windows, he felt a trace of reassurance.
The moment he entered the manor hall, a small figure lunged at him. Bruce instinctively opened his arms and caught Aisha, while Alfred, who had been chasing after her, cleared his throat.
Bruce held Aisha in front of him and said sternly, "You can't pounce on people..."
"Daddy! Daddy!" After calling out twice, Aisha struggled free and jumped down from him. She ran to Alfred's side and shook her head at him. Alfred picked her up, and Aisha said, "Daddy! No smell! Didn't drink!"
Bruce shook his head. Alfred smiled at him and said, "Sir, have you finished your homework?"
As Bruce walked toward the sofa, he said, "Yes, I've already turned in part of it."
"I heard Mrs. Bird next door say that the competition for this year's outstanding Gotham University graduates is fierce. Are you confident, sir?"
Bruce glanced around the hall before looking at Alfred and asking, "Where's Dick? Wasn't he supposed to be staying home tonight?"
"He's playing in the backyard. Shall I call him over?"
"No need." Bruce stood up again. "I'll go see him."
Bruce crossed the hall and passed through the corridor to the rear garden. He discovered that not only was Dick there, but Selene was as well.
On the lawn in the rear garden, Selene