Chapter One
Sara sat in her office in Wayne Manor editing her latest book. She looked at the time, and realized she needed to be down in the Narrows in twenty minutes. Along with writing she enjoyed volunteering at one of Gotham's less funded high schools as a music teacher. Having been in chorus and orchestra throughout her high school and college years, she liked having something to offer kids whose schools couldn't afford these programs.
She took a taxi to the school so she wouldn't disturb Alfred as he was making dinner. The class went well. One girl asked to talk to Sara after class, and Sara ended up walking her home.
Sara wanted to walk back to Wayne Manor. She wanted time to think about changes she needed to make in the song selections for the choir, and how she could best council the girls in the program. She didn't grow up rich, so she could relate to their issues even though she was now a "Wayne."
Sara walked past an old building that must have been a bar or café at some point. She heard something break, and then girl's' scream. Sara walked carefully toward the building after calling 911 on her cell. The door flew open, and a beaten, half-naked girl ran out.
"You can't run from me, you little slut! I can find you anywhere!" The man looked about thirty-five and strong – very strong.
He didn't see Sara behind him, so it came as a surprise when he felt a hard kick on the back of his neck. As he fell, there was another kick – this time to his knee. It must have broken his knee cap, because he couldn't move it without intense pain. When he became more alert he looked around and didn't see anyone. All he saw were the blinking lights of police cars as they approached the scene.
Sara knew the girl had the time to get far away, so Sara walked the rest of the way home in the shadows. She didn't want anyone to see her.
Bruce was waiting for her when she got home. He greeted her with a kiss, and asked if she had walked home again – which he didn't like.
Sara said, "Yes – I spent some time after class to council one of the girls, and I had some changes in the music to think about. You know how much I like to walk while thinking over things."
"You know I don't like it. It isn't safe. The news just reported there was an attempted rape about the same time you were walking home. Did you see anything?"
Sara didn't want to lie, but she didn't want to tell him the story. She knew exactly how he would react – it wouldn't be pretty.
Bruce went on before she could answer. "The guy they caught said that as he was running after the girl he was kicked in the back of his neck. Before he could turn around that person kicked him again and took out his knee. You didn't see or hear anything?"
"It must have happened when I was already a couple of blocks ahead. All I saw were police cruisers with their sirens on going the other way."
Bruce pulled her into a hug. "I need you to start calling me to pick you up. I hate it when you walk through the Narrows. I've seen too much trouble there."
"I know you have, you big hero!" Sara gave him a peck on his cheek. "So what did Alfred make for dinner?"
"Chicken salad – he used your favorite recipe."
"Alfred is so awesome!" Sara and Bruce ate casually in the kitchen, as usual. Sara decided she wouldn't tell Bruce in her involvement in that night's attack. She thought, it's not like it will happen again.