Natalie POV

My name is Natalie Andrews, I am 10 years old, and I live on the streets of Gotham. Not the best place to live, I know. I would try to live somewhere else, but there are two problems with that. One, I probably couldn't get a home anyway. And two, there are other kids here who need help and protection from bad people. Oh, I forgot to mention, I have a real soft spot for kids. I don't know why, but I just do. Is this what a mother feels toward her children? Eh, whatever. The point is, you mess with the kids, you either die or you wish you did. Right now I am sheltering a 6-year-old named James. Apparently he woke up one morning and found his parents dead in the living room and ran away. I found the poor guy in an alley trying to get warm. Now he stays with me at a small structure I found a while back. Its located hidden somewhere in a park, which had a great view of the sunset. I always bring the kid or kids out to watch the sunset before bringing them back into the 'house'. Then I would always find homes for them, usually sooner than later. In the meantime, they were my baby, my girl, my boy, my darling, my everything.

Tonight was like any other night: I put James to bed, went to put on my uniform, and went out on patrol. I would always patrol the streets for any signs of trouble or homeless kids.

"HELP!"

I snapped back to reality and ran to where the screams were coming from. I leapt from roof to roof til I found a woman being grabbed by four thugs. I silently ventured down to the alley, then delivered a roundhouse kick to the nearest thug's head, knocking him out. I disappeared into the shadows before anyone could see me. One of the thugs looked around timidly. "Who's there?"

Another thug looked at him. "Is it Batman?"

I mentally scoffed. No, because the Justice League is too busy taking care of things that matter much more than the streets. I crept behind another guy and swept his feet out from under him, grabbing his gun. I hit him in the head with the gun, knocking him out as well. The remaining thugs looked at me in fear. I smirked. "Hi boys! Busy night?"

They didn't reply, not that I expected them to. I began making my way towards them, mocking disappointment. "Haven't you ever heard of playing nice?"

Suddenly, my snarky demeanor changed as I furiously charged towards them. I punched one guy in the gut and kicked him in the groin, making him bend over in pain. I delivered a swift hammer fist to the other guy, knocking him out. I looked to the one conscious thug and spat on the ground, disgusted at them all. I walked over to him and pulled him up by his hair so he was looking at me. I let my fury show on my face, so he would hopefully get it through his thick skull that I was not happy.

"If you ever do this again, you will wish that I killed you right here," I snarled. He nodded his head quickly. "I p-promise! I won't do it again!"

I smirked. "Good." I punched him in the face and knocked him out. I turned around, remembering the woman that these freaks had tried to mug. She was sitting against a wall, eyes wide and lip trembling in fear. She had obviously never been threatened like this before. I walked up to her and kneeled in front of the woman. I smiled gently. "Ma'am, are you alright?"

The woman nodded, staring at me in awe. I stood up and offered her my hand. "Who are you?"

I froze. I had never really thought of that before. I smiled again. "Just someone who actually cares about the streets of Gotham. Don't worry, I'm not like those Justice League freaks."

The woman looked at me curiously. "You don't like the Justice League?"

I scoffed. "No, they don't watch the streets anymore. And if they're not gonna do it, who will?"

I didn't wait for the woman to respond as I climbed a fire escape and leapt from building to building. Suddenly, I felt another presence nearby. I looked around and froze. Someone was watching me, hiding in the shadows. I got into a fighting stance, pulling out a knife.

"Step into the light," I snarled. "Now."

I saw the figure shift and make its way toward me. Soon, as he came closer, I gasped. It was Robin. Great, just what I needed. I stayed still for a moment before hightailing it to another building. I looked over my shoulder and saw Robin a few feet behind me. I cursed and ran faster.

Unfortunately, I lost my footing and tripped over the side of the building. I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain to come. Instead, I felt two arms wrap around my waist. I opened one eye and looked down at the ground. I was still on the building, barely. I realized it was Robin who was holding me. Robin pulled me back to the building, not letting go. I panted, shocked by the near-death experience I had.

"Are you okay?" I looked up, turning around and saw Robin staring down at me. I sneered at him. "Doesn't matter to you self-righteous heroes, does it?"

Robin looked at me, wide-eyed. I smirked. I, Natalie Andrews, had just left the Boy Wonder speechless. I heard a thump from behind me. "Robin, everything okay?"

Nightwing. Of course. I heard him chuckle. "Who's your girlfriend?"

I turned around and scoffed at the man in black and blue. "Hell, no. I would never go out with any of you stupid b*******!"

Nightwing stared at me wide-eyed as well. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a kid to take care of and food to gather."

Robin's grip tightened and somehow he turned me around. "You have a kid?!"

I blushed furiously. Unfortunately, I was wearing a small silver masquerade mask, which didn't cover my cheeks. "Of course not, you idiot! I found him on the streets! I always find kids and take care of them, unlike you freaks who are too busy to take care of us anymore!"

Robin glared at me. "What are you talking about? We risk our necks out there for people!"

I scoffed. "Right, right. So tell me why I still manage to find at least one kid a week?"

Robin stared at me incredulously. "You take care of them?"

I glared at him. "Of course I do! I'm not heartless!"

"I never said you were!" I opened my mouth to say something, but then heard a familiar cry. It was far, I could tell. But it sounded like…

"James," I whispered. I turned and tried to go in the direction on the park, but Robin wouldn't let go of me. "James!"

"Who's James?" I turned to Robin, wide-eyed. "The kid I'm taking care of, he's in trouble!"

I tried to get out of his grip again, but he wouldn't let me go. I heard James' cry again. "Let me go! I have to get to him!"

I finally managed to get out of Robin's grip and shot toward the park. I didn't care if the little birds were following me, I was gonna get to James. After a few minutes, I ran into the house huffing. I paled and fell on my knees, mouth hanging open. I felt tears beginning to prick my eyes.

There, hanging against the wall by a knife impaled in his chest, was James. His face was scrunched up in fear and tears stained his cheeks. I snapped out of whatever daze I was in and screamed. "NO! NO! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"

I ran up to James and placed a hand on his cheek, praying he was still alive. I smiled gently. "James, honey. Can you here me?"

No respond. "James?" Nothing. I began to break, I didn't notice Robin and Nightwing standing at the doorway. I started crying and fell to the floor. "Nonononono! Not my little boy…"

I fell a hand on my shoulder and saw Robin. I stood up and pushed him back. "Get away from him!"

Robin started to talk. "I'm so sor-"

I shoved him back harder. "No you're not! Its your fault he's dead, ALL YOUR FAULT! If you hadn't held me back, I could've gotten here sooner!"

Robin looked at the ground. I charged toward him, delivering a swift punch to his face. I tried to punch him again, but Nightwing picked me up by the waist from behind. I screamed at Robin, "ITS ALL YOUR FAULT! I COULD'VE SAVED HIM!"

I started sobbing again, giving into the pathetic sorrow gnawing at my insides. "I could've saved him," I whispered.

Nightwing carried me somewhere. I didn't know where he was taking me, but frankly I didn't give a crap. I failed James. He's dead because I couldn't get away from these two freaks. I felt a needle inject itself in my neck and felt sleepy. "I'm sorry," I whispered before giving into the darkness.