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.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqT9QEaLu5
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo4YgTch9e
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk0YfHt3zF
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQad6A6ZJw
“Teacher, the girl behind me says she’s playing Beethoven, but guess what I’m playing today—”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmZuHAUBO6
“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.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4hCsGxjLU
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclpCkA95UH
Still slightly chubby with baby fat, the little boy wore a suit and slicked-back hair.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXKpRPHPBs
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,”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNnWXEcqgx
and the audience couldn’t help but smile.
Nora, beaming, lifted her camera.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDmVbQ8bTx
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Kq3p9yR2
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—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mjJTyM0ZC
and the applause popped like popcorn throughout the room.
Finn marched offstage like a professional…136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIjvQXB0Qt
but not two minutes later, he came running back into the audience.
“Teacher! Teacher! Did you hear me? Did you smile?”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ527NgK5g7n
He latched onto Nora’s legs like a limpet, his eyes glowing like stars.
Leila, Jason, and Tim were speechless.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmCFsel1sv
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFJqqZZKKX
After the competition ended, Finn received second place.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsNozem78P
He was spirited walking up to accept the award… until the announcer said, “Second place,” and his expression shifted.
Finn pouted.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx7aWfzE6m
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzer5l0xh4
Tim’s pupils contracted. Jason’s eyes went sharp. Both stood up simultaneously.
Nora and Leila sensed the tension immediately.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRhcL1vcuK
They turned toward each other, wordless, but the atmosphere spoke volumes.
Leila stepped forward and signed quickly: Gotham’s in trouble?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6MYE0lDcN
Her hands moved sharply, efficiently—no excess motion, no panic.
Jason nodded.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhbXPSXlcA
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9AirQY2vl
She had always known this day might come. Her fingers spoke with unwavering certainty.
Nora stepped in to hug Tim, whispering into his ear:136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ppvhiBHJU
“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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmql9O5by0B
There was so much he wanted to say, but in the end, he just nodded and turned to leave with Jason.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORs7lSZQsv
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EoMqP7qbC
Leila went straight to the doors.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYyh73Y3sv
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14P6V9U5qc
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm1pMKVzw0
Just the shuffle of fast footsteps and quiet breathing.
Nora scanned the room, making sure every child and parent was in position.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgcA14HOXV
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae3YZB5Tbt
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?”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagpe3hVn0Y
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:136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRBovHSRlz
“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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfFKgv4Sc2
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KuX6DvWe3
She hesitated, then pulled out a small box, opened it, and removed a pair of earpieces.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURBdQRJPui
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnPPRELq2L
It was a coordinated attack. Multiple locations struck at once, stretching the vigilante network thin.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC2pIap2Bi
Everyone was overwhelmed.
The comms crackled—chaotic, urgent. Some calls were even cut off mid-sentence.
Nora and Leila met eyes.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSw5S9M41t
No words were needed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ5ofMrROT
and then Add to home screen.