Mallory, about 6 years old, was playing tag with her best friend, Tim Drake.

"Ha-ha! You can't catch me Tim!" exclaimed Mallory as she ran around the local park, running away as fast as she could.

"Yeah right! I'll catch up, and when I do your going to be sorry!" The young Tim yelled to the girl behind her, gaining speed as well. As soon as Mallory turned, she was tackled to the ground by Tim resulting in her losing the game. Mallory looked at Tim with an angry look on her face that then into a happy face as she laughed with Tim happily. During their time together, Tim's father, Steven "Shifty" Drake, was talking with Mallory's parents, Alice Futami and Suzaku Futami about a certain agreement that they had made earlier in the year.

"So that's the plan. We work for high pay criminals so we can get the money we need." explained Steven to the two adults quietly so only they could hear.

"Right, but we have to make sure that our children never find out or things may turn for the worse." Cautioned Suzaku as he looked at the two children playing. Mallory's parents were always concerned about her safety during their heists and so was Steven, but he thought that the money was way more important then his son during some raids. Steven shifted to his side to cover his face from people walking along the sidewalk as he lit a cigarette.

"When should we plan our next big job?" Alice asked wondering. Steven looked at Alice and Suzaku darkly as he turned to look at them,

"Tonight." "But what about-" "It's fine. Just let Mallory stay over at our house so the two won't be alone while were gone, got it?" Steven said slightly aggressive. Alice and Suzaku slightly hesitated as they looked at each other, "Fine." Alice agreed as they shook hands.

"Tim! Let's go, Mallory's staying over at our house and we have to get the house cleaned up!" yelled Steven as Tim ran over to his father.

"Mommy, you mean I get to stay over at Tim's tonight?" Mallory asked innocently.

"Yes honey. Were going to be home late so we don't want you to stay home by yourself."

"Yeah! See you tonight Tim!"

"You too, Mallory!

Mallory, now at the age of 9, was reading a book in her room when she heard yelling coming from inside the house. Mallory's head perked up as she quietly closed her book and opened her door. As she tip-toed quietly towards the living room, she could see her mother father, and Mr. Drake yelling about something.

"STEVEN, WE CAN'T KEEP HIDING IN THESE CRAPPY HOTELS AND APARTMENTS FOREVER! WHAT IF THE POLICE FIND US, THEY MAY TAKE MY DAUGHTER AWAY! I DON'T WANT THEM TO TAKE MY LITTLE GIRL!" Suzaku exclaimed furious as he held Steven by the collar of his shirt. Suddenly, Seven grabbed a lamp and harshly hit Suzaku in the head, making him bleed.

"Suzaku!" yelled Alice as she ran to her husband's side, holding a towel to his wound.

"You two don't seem to get it, do you?", Steven started as he advanced towards the two adults, rage flowing out of him, "You two joined me when we were teenagers and now your going to stay until I say you can leave! Now matter what I'm going to make you keep helping me with my heists, or else something unexpected may happen to your daughter." He said slyly as the two parents eyes widened in fear as they saw Mr. Drake pull out a gun.

"No...you wouldn't kill our daughter would you!" Alice exclaimed terrified as Mallory shook in fear from the corner of the living room, not being seen.

"Well, My Dear Alice, it all depends if you two cooperate with what I tell you." Steven said darkly as he waited for their response. Steven suddenly turned is head to look directly at Mallory with a sadistic look on his face, "Well, look what we have here!" exclaimed Steven as he grabbed Mallory by her hair and lifted her off the ground, while she squirmed from the pain.

"Mallory!" exclaimed Alice as she shook in fear. Suzaku struggled to lift his body to see his daughter held at gunpoint by his partner.

"Let...my daughter...go! We'll keep helping you...just don't hurt her!" Suzaku struggled to say as he got to his knees in pain. Steven smirked as he dropped Mallory to the ground, watching Suzaku hold his daughter as he gave Steven Drake the worst glare. "Good. I'll talk to you all soon." And with that, the Futamis were left to decide for their future.

Mallory was now 13, now knowing that her parents were criminals. She now usually ever left the apartments her family stayed in, staying quiet about her day, never telling anyone how she felt. However, it changed when her parents left suddenly without telling her or even leaving any type of note. She now lived with Tim and his dad until she could find her parents or at least, when they came back.

"Mallory, you ok?" asked her best friend Tim, now a 13 year old boy with spiky black hair.

"I guess. I just wish I knew where my parents were." Mallory muttered as she looked out the window to see the rundown part of Gotham City. The apartment door opened to see Steven "Shifty" Drake walk through the door. Mallory looked closer to see that he had fresh blood on his jacket.

"Ah Tim, I need you'da go and get some food. Me and your friend here got' a talk for a minute." Mr. Drake said as he gave money to Tim. Tim looked at Mallory to see her slightly nod as he then cautiously walked out the door. When Mr. Drake heard his son's footsteps get farther away, he advanced towards Mallory menacingly.

"W-Where'd did that blood come from?" Mallory asked terrified.

"Oh just from a little scuffle I had with Two-Face. I got away, but your parents weren't so lucky." Mallory stared at Mr. Drake with shocked eyes,

"What do you mean? What do you mean not so lucky?"

"I mean they're dead, kid!" Steve "Shifty" Drake yelled at the young girl, "They ain't coming back!". Mallory had tears in her eyes as she yelled at the criminal,

"You ran off without even helping them! I thought you were their friends!" But Mallory was suddenly backhanded by Mr. Drake as she fell on the ground, her hand being cut by broken glass. Mr. Drake walked close to the girl and grabbed her hair forcefully, pulling her up by long, brown hair.

"You better not disrespect me girl, or else my son will have to find one of his closest friends dead in the river, got it. Mr. Drake said quietly as Mallory cried silently, nodding her head in agreement and fear. Mr. Drake let go of Mallory's hair as she ran quickly towards the bathroom to get the cut cleaned, never looking back at Mr. Drakes evil smile that he had on his face.*An Hour Later*Tim finally got back to see that Mallory had locked herself in her room again. He got up the courage and knocked on the door.

"Mallory!" No Answer. "Mallory! Come on open the door!"

"...No. Tim just go away." Mallory said quietly.

"You know I just can't leave my best friend while she's just locked in her room. Come on, I just want to see what's wrong." About 5 minutes and still nothing happened. Tim sighed as he walked away until he heard Mallory's door being unlocked. Mallory looked through her door to see Tim smiling at her, until he saw her hand. "Mallory, your hand! What happened?"

"I...I just cut my hand from glass is all." Mallory hesitated as she got out of her room. Tim grabbed her arm and ran with her to the bathroom. After using alcohol and bandages, Mallory's hand was bandaged. The two were now sitting on the fire escape, looking at the stars. "Hey Tim?" Mallory called her friend.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks." Tim turned to see his long time friend, for the first time in a long time, smile. Tim slightly turned red as he was suddenly put in a hug. Tim, still slightly dazed, hugged Mallory back in a happy mood. The two then watched the stars as they looked through the night sky. ("I'm glad. I finally have my best friend back.") Tim thought greatly as he looked up at the starry sky, wondering what fate would bring them to next.*End*