Dick knew he couldn't go through with this. They had shown kindness and there were so many reasons why they may not have come to save him. They probably couldn't find him or maybe Slade threatened to kill him if they did. Maybe the only reason why he was doing this is due to them getting too close to getting him back, he thought to himself whilst tying them up to old wooden poles. He made the rope slightly loose in case his attempt to save them failed. Red Robin woke up first and immediately felt betrayed when he saw Dick standing beside Slade again. He knew not to feel like that as Dick most likely didn't want to do this but he couldn't help it. God damn you human emotion! He turned to his side and noticed how he, similar to his brothers, was tied up. The ropes were loose, maybe Dick didn't want them to die. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he did see Dick get hit harshly on his head.

Once everyone had woken up, Slade handed a gun to Dick before walking up to them. "You have been an annoyance for longer than I'd like so here's the deal. I'll spare every one of you except," he paused and pointed to Renegade, "him and, as long as you don't get in my way again, I won't hurt anyone else." 

"Don't you dare hurt him," Batman growled. 

"Oh I couldn't possibly hurt him but he certainly will," Slade replied, thumbing to Dick. He was now tracing his hands over the gun, blankly staring at its workings. Secretly, he was trying to figure out a way out of it. "Richard, dispose of Renegade," Slade ordered. He walked over to Renegade and pointed the gun to his head. A part of him wanted to let him in on the plan but it would surely ruin it. "You're better than this Grayson!" Renegade shouted. No response from Dick. "You don't have to do this," Red Robin joined in. Still no response. 

"Grayson you still have a chance please!" Renegade couldn't help but feel scared at this moment and let a tear slip. "Shoot the God damn gun already," Slade commanded, impatiently. He nodded and pulled the trigger.

The Batfamily winced and looked away until they heard the pained yell of Slade. Renegade was the first to open his eyes and stared at the young acrobat. "There I shot the God damn gun!" he yelled, beginning to cry. He walked over with an evil glint in his eyes. "He didn't kill me," Renegade stated with relief. "He didn't kill me." 

"Yeah yeah that's fucking fabulous but he put us in this situation!" Red Hood snapped. 

"It's not like he had a choice!" Red Robin defended. He was now shuffling to try and set himself free. "Maybe he did! He probably told Slade everything!"

"I told him nothing!" Dick suddenly yelled from across the room. They now noticed the deep bags under his eyes, his pale skin now being highlighted by the tear tracks. He was staring at Slade and pointing a gun at his head. "One shot and this is all over right? I don't have to be scared and I'll be safe," he said with an almost smile. His pupils were tiny suggesting fear.

The poor boy just wanted to be safe again, a feeling he had long forgotten. "I can end this right now and nobody would mind. You're just a criminal that people want dead anyway. Nobody knows much about me, I can run away. Nobody will find me." His voice sounded more manic now like he was panicking. "I won't get hurt anymore if I just pull the trigger." Red Robin managed to get himself free and slowly crept up to Dick. However, Dick knew he was freed. "What are you doing?" he asked. 

"Trying to stop you from doing something you'll regret," the older replied. "We can give you a great home Dickie. We'll help but we can't if you go through with it." Dick stared at him for a moment with a flicker of hope returning to his eyes before turning to Slade. "But I can stop him right now." he protested.

"Dick there will always be another Slade out there. That's how life works and as much as it sucks, we have to deal with it. How did you feel when you killed before?" Red Robin asked.
"I felt bad b-but that's because they didn't deserve it! He does! He deserves a more painful death than the one I'm gonna give him!"

"What will killing achieve Grayson?" Renegade asked, aiding in Red Robin's effort. 

"It will make the pain stop, make everything stop," Dick replied, his voice, like his body, shaking. "It won't stop Dick, I promise you," Batman insisted. 

"You promise?" Dick questioned. 

"I promise." The boy stayed silent for a second then sighed. 

"You're lucky they're here."

The gun was thrown halfway across the room and Dick gave Slade one final kick in the side where he shot him. He glared at the man then moved his eyes to his once family. He just stared until Red Robin engulfed him in a hug. "You're safe now Dickie." Red Robin told him. He cried into his side and held onto him tightly. "Shh, it's okay. Let's get out of here okay?" Dick nodded and let go only to grab his hand, holding it tightly. Red Hood caught eyes with Dick who immediately shied away from his gaze. "You have a lot of work to do if you want to win his trust his back," Red Robin stated. 

"God knows I do." They were soon all untied and began to walk towards the exit when Dick felt the need to turn around. There he saw Slade holding the gun, about to fire a bullet into Renegade's back. Quickly, Dick moved in front of the bullet.