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.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaALGegtMkb
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsva9Omh9S
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RzbRwKBXW
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DoKYAsUcJ
“Teacher, the girl behind me says she’s playing Beethoven, but guess what I’m playing today—”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme4ggbM782
“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.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2wox6j9K1
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTlvOrVKPM
Still slightly chubby with baby fat, the little boy wore a suit and slicked-back hair.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMZe1ipO8V
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,”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrbwWOOrA3
and the audience couldn’t help but smile.
Nora, beaming, lifted her camera.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttZRGiCgRc
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxAT1kHVOa
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—137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4317aKtnZd
and the applause popped like popcorn throughout the room.
Finn marched offstage like a professional…137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlKk5e7rwA
but not two minutes later, he came running back into the audience.
“Teacher! Teacher! Did you hear me? Did you smile?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MTqhLHG0K
He latched onto Nora’s legs like a limpet, his eyes glowing like stars.
Leila, Jason, and Tim were speechless.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOtIx4gKOR
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7JeoYz6Fg
After the competition ended, Finn received second place.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiYwh7BKjC
He was spirited walking up to accept the award… until the announcer said, “Second place,” and his expression shifted.
Finn pouted.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzN2MnniEy
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJWDvqSthH
Tim’s pupils contracted. Jason’s eyes went sharp. Both stood up simultaneously.
Nora and Leila sensed the tension immediately.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT88NE655LZ
They turned toward each other, wordless, but the atmosphere spoke volumes.
Leila stepped forward and signed quickly: Gotham’s in trouble?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV7LXK8pTo
Her hands moved sharply, efficiently—no excess motion, no panic.
Jason nodded.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwwjwMaPrW
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28j74eZnZj
She had always known this day might come. Her fingers spoke with unwavering certainty.
Nora stepped in to hug Tim, whispering into his ear:137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj25fD2PiLt
“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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPSP3tMBzq
There was so much he wanted to say, but in the end, he just nodded and turned to leave with Jason.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSH9wKDUgg
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAalYIPCoD9
Leila went straight to the doors.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDHpNwWnA1
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDEUEYMlYs
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjspHKTECW
Just the shuffle of fast footsteps and quiet breathing.
Nora scanned the room, making sure every child and parent was in position.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw628h12TSf
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACaizelEa7
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?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ZnRZfjx7
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:137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDuq1MhWER
“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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzETKS2MmO
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXkmWQSkEt
She hesitated, then pulled out a small box, opened it, and removed a pair of earpieces.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFSobUq1SG
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjay5scs5ZC
It was a coordinated attack. Multiple locations struck at once, stretching the vigilante network thin.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDql2Fwjs2
Everyone was overwhelmed.
The comms crackled—chaotic, urgent. Some calls were even cut off mid-sentence.
Nora and Leila met eyes.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD9OdjOakl
No words were needed.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6lNH5eclf
and then Add to home screen.