The wait for the impending sock of doom was something Lucan had pushed to the back of his mind as he followed the others to the cafeteria, dying on a full stomach was better than dying on an empty one.
That said, the cafeteria didn't exactly hand out generous lunches, but the food was just enough, and it tasted alright. At least in terms of quality, it was better than eating leftovers from a trash can.
Lunch was quite ordinary for Lucan, except that his roommates didn't really join their table, while he didn't say much the others had immersed themselves in a rumor. Well, actually the hall was somewhat noisy with people talking about all sorts of things as they ate.
Most of it was about the return of Bruce Wayne and how they had wished they had been rich orphans too, others talked about robberies and the general news they often heard in the common room and some even discussed meaningless things, at least he considered it meaningless.
The most interesting thing he had heard so far however was the rumor about a man who recently tried to take down criminals within the last few months, they found the idea of some urban boogie man quite interesting.
"I say it's a lie"
"But he was definitely attacked"
"He isn't even real, like Santa Claus"
"Santa is real though"
Two of the boys at his table argued about whether this man of myth was truly made of flesh and bone or simply words in the air and Lucan quite honestly wasn't sure what to tell them, he knew all well and good that the person they were discussing was a real individual in fact he also knew who this individual was. 'It's funny that people can believe in aliens here but the idea of a vigilante in Gotham is insane, we literally live with someone who has powers'
Despite his internal conflict, it was certain that at the very least, knowing something existed didn't mean he had to make it his mission to spread his version of the truth, he would only be seen as someone who believed he existed and since he was so sure he might even be seen as extreme.
'I have some very intriguing information to add to that mix though' he mused while taking a spoonful of porridge and watching the crowd with interest wondering what their reactions would be if he suddenly told them it was Bruce Wayne. He chuckled. 'Let's tone down the crazy before I have to wear a padded yellow jacket'.
Lucan didn't like yellow very much and he very much enjoyed having his hands free, he sighed "Next was class wasn't it?"
***
The classes held there weren't difficult, at least not for him, Lucan already had a fairly well-developed brain along with his memories from before transmigration, there was no reason for him to worry about questions that had been designed for actual children his age.
With the classes ended Lucan now sat in the common room, which was just a repurposed recreation room with a small book in his hand, which he had borrowed from someone. Lucan had never been much for them but with no other source of entertainment and a large chunk of common sense he should have, where currently blank slates, so he was quite eager to learn.
"Now that I have no choice, this isn't actually a bad thing," he said softly, patiently flipping his book over and taking his time to browse through its contents. He was alright with maths and some other number-related topics but his history and general knowledge were lacking.
It was a shame to say, but his only knowledge of the world amounted to two cities, with his knowledge of prominent figures being the same. Well, maybe if he pretended that Bruce Wayne and The Dark Knight were two separate people it would be three but that was just an unnecessary mental exercise.
He had way too many gaps in his knowledge to cover, and since he was no longer an omniscient reader, he would have to bridge the gap the slow and mundane way which was engaging but far from fun "You can't seriously be studying right now, class ended ages ago man".
His blonde roommate tried to talk to him as he passed by, clearly heading outside himself when he noticed Lucan reading on his own, confused he decided to ask, which very well didn't feel like he was, sparing the rude blonde boy a glance he waved him off.
"Well, suit yourself I guess" He shrugged and left him to his reading, soon after his departure Lucan had closed the book with a sigh, the book wasn't really helping in all honesty, the history here was basically similar to his own world, though of course there were some differences but those weren't important.
'This will take a lot of time, I'd be better off just ignoring it for now.. hopefully'. He rose from the chair he sat in and went to return the book.
***
Outside the not very blinding rays of the daytime sun illuminated the entirety of the rather vast estate, the winds that passed through the trees caused them to howl as they swayed. Making the place feel rather eerie.
Lucan had gotten used to it, humans were very adaptable when the opportunity presented itself. Within the last two days, he had been here and he had already made peace with the endlessly wailing trees, while it may seem too quick to have already adjusted Lucan would disagree.
'With how many of them there are, and how windy it is these days, it would be silly to be scared of it at that point' Having stepped out to rest Lucan had let his thought wander freely as he strolled through, the orphanage didn't seem afraid to have any of its wards wander outside.
He wondered if he should take this chance to step outside himself but decided against it 'I didn't exactly wake up in this body inside the orphanage grounds to begin with'. Lucan had come to possess his current identity through its death so maybe recklessly stepping out wasn't in his best interests.
Tossing the idea in a metaphorical trash can, he continued his exploration of the orphanage and marveled at how dim Gotham's daytime was, almost as though the smog had blocked out the sun 'well maybe that is what happened'.
He made his way to the back of the orphanage where a small pond lay a short distance away from the building, some of the children had gathered there, some sat, some played with stones and others were in a tree, despite the dreary atmosphere of the place it was rather lively.
"I think I should ask around for the timetable". Lucan thought aloud after a moment, he liked surprises as much as everyone else did but he didn't want to keep getting surprised by new rules or activities without knowing anything, and with his tour concluded he would simply do just that.
***
Lucan woke up a bit early again, rubbing his hand over his neck he groggily looked around the room' I guess he didn't strangle me in my sleep', This would be his third day in the orphanage and also the day he would go back for another checkup.
He had almost forgotten about it entirely within the last two days but he had a follow-up appointment which in its essence was just a wellness check, which he doubted he would fail, perhaps not the psychological tests, he wasn't suffering from amnesia, after all he was not the same individual as before so that was natural he wouldn't recover any memories. 'They don't know that though'
Now sitting in one of the doctors' offices of the medical ward Lucan had his pulse, blood pressure and heart rate taken, then his eyes and head were checked, and he was asked if he had any pain or discomfort, a question to which he had answered no.
"Well, there's nothing wrong physically, you're a healthy eight-year-old boy" The doctor flashed him a friendly smile and Lucan just scratched his head awkwardly "Now then Lucan it's time for some Q&A, have you recalled anything?"
Lucan shook his head, the doctor looked at his notes with a thoughtful expression before placing the notepad face down and interlocking his fingers over his lap "Don't feel too bad, these kinds of things often take time, there are cases of people not recalling anything for years. Luckily, you're still young so the damage to your personality if any should be minimal"
'What is he even telling me?' Lucan maintained a neutral expression as he wondered if perhaps the doctor simply liked to ramble or if he truly did expect an actual eight-year-old child to fully grasp the concept of what he was saying. Not that Lucan was an actual eight-year-old child himself.
"Well that will be all for today, there will be general checkups on Friday through Saturday…" he grabbed a pen and started to write something down "...Hand this over to Bradley on your way out, it will exempt you from the checkups for this month.
Lucan tilted his head a bit with one eyebrow arched, shooting the doctor a questioning gaze which made him pause for a moment before face-palming "Right, right you won't remember his name". The doctor rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a used white glove and a small flashlight.
'Oh' the realization made him jump slightly, he was actually surprised he had never actually expected that such a creepy individual could ever be named Bradley, it was comical, yet sensible enough to not be ridiculous 'That's somehow a bit more unsettling to think about, did he grow into being creepy or was he born that way'.
Oblivious to his thoughts the doctor having confirmed he knew whom he was talking about continued to talk "yes, He may be a bit frightening, but he's very gentle, maybe a bit soft-hearted, so don't be afraid of him, you'll; break his heart"
' I see' Lucan thought back to his last two encounters with him, while he doesn't think he was particularly scared he must have looked uncomfortable from his perspective 'I was covered in blood the first time though'
***
Making his way out of the Medical wing Lucan was greeted by a rather familiar figure "Hello Polly, want a cracker?". The girl stopped dead in her tracks and shot him an angry glare, prompting the creation of a small steaming kettle above her head as she rolled up her sleeves.
"It seems even after losing your memory your sense of humor is still horrible, ". She stomped in his direction and Lucan hurriedly cleared his throat while raising his hands.
"Wait, wait lets be reasonable" he pleaded.
"Do you like spiders?" A shiver ran down his spine, Lucan had no particular fear of spiders, he was indifferent in fact, but he didn't like the idea he could see forming in her head, so he did what any sane human does when threatened, start furiously negotiating.
"hey, I said sorry, let's calm down" the tiny crimson-haired girl flashed him a grin
"I am very calm, Lucan, so there's no need to run". Her voice was flat and her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, Lucan was starting to sweat a bit as he started to step back.
"Really? Then why don't I believe you" her smile widened.
"Because I was lying"
***
Back in the doctors room in a chair right next to the one the doctor was in sat a brown haired middle aged man with neatly combed side parted hair and a doctors lab coat With a neutral expression on his face.
"He seems like a nice boy" The man's hypnotic voice sounded almost melodic as he spoke, the doctor whom he was speaking to slowly nodded his head.
"Indeed Doctor Hurt he is quite interesting" The man addressed as Hurt raised a hand with a polite, friendly smile.
"Please, just call me Simon"
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at [email protected]/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support.