*
We heard a knock on the door. Dad checked and ran back into the livingroom, grabbed my wrist, and took me to my room. He opened the window and looked at me.
"Go down the fire escape. No matter what you hear, don't turn aaround or stop. Go to Mrs. Harpers." We heard someone pounding on the door. Dad looked back at me.
"I love you, Barbara. Don't ever forget that." He hugged me and kissed me. I could just feel his goodbye.
I climbed out, down the escape, and as soon as I was on the ground I stopped. I heard two shots. I ran and ran until I reached my teacher's apartment two blocks over.
That night I lost my father, and the last family I had left.
*8 years later*
All of us kids sat down for supper. Today I was sitting with Jennifer, Cassandra, and Caitlyn. The dining hall was pretty big. We were all just talking and goofing off when Mrs. Hall and Ms. Martha walked in to make an announcement that we'd all been waiting to hear.
"Okay kids settle down for a minute. Ms. Martha has something to say." We all looked her way. Me less interested than anyone else. Being here for as long as I have has gotten me used to things like announcements.
"My dear friend Bruce Wayne has offered to take in a child on a trial run basis. You already know he has two boys that he eventually adopted. It was a hard choice but I even talked to I think every person here after I had thought about who to choose."
At this I perked up. Martha was the closest person to me since I've been here. She hadn't talked to me once about this, and actually this was the first I heard of it. I looked up and noticed everyone looking at me. Now I knew I wasn't going to like this. Martha walked over to me.
"Barbara. I've chosen you to go with Mr. Wayne. We all thought you deserved it." Everyone clapped. I looked at my friends. "We all thought you deserved it since you've been here the longest out of all of us." Cassandra told me in my ear.
After supper I went out to the back patio place. I couldn't believe at what I'd been volunteered for. Me, Barbara Gordon of all people. I sat there with my headphones in just zoning out. Lately things had been different. Well the past year has. I looked up and saw Martha come towards me.
"Hey." I put my music up. "You okay?"
"Why'd you choose me, Martha?" She sat down, looked at me, and then straight ahead.
"Bruce came to me and asked for a kid who's been in the program for a while. He said he wanted a...challenge, of sorts."
"You mean a troubled kid. Or just plain trouble?" I looked down knowing I haven't been the best kid. She looked at me and smiled.
"That's not it at all. I admit, at times, well you've been a handful. But you're a wonderful child, Barbara. I chose you because of how special and wonderful you are.
I think Bruce would rather have another boy, but I think this will help you, Bruce, and his boys. Trust me on all of this. It maybe rough at first, but eventually you'll all get along."
"But what about my 'you-know-what'?"
"Barbara you being" she whispers "Batgirl wil be fine. No one has to know just keep doing it in secret." I gave her a small smile and chuckled.
"You think I can do it" She nodded. "I know you worry about me doin it, but like I've said before: I love it, I'm pretty good! Could be better, but you know why I mostly do it."
She nodded and laughed. "How'd you know I was worried?" "Your face gives it away." We both laughed. "I know you'll be fine." She stood up.
"Well we'd better get to bed. There's going to be a conference type thing in the morning about this. You know how billionaires can be. So off to bed." I got up and started to walk in. "Barbara." I turned around and she hugged me and said.
"You deserve this. THis whole orphanage does. So please, please be your best and do your best. For all of us." All I can do is hug back and nod.
It took me forever to fall asleep that night. When I finally did I had dreams almost all night. I had a couple of nightmares, woke up a few times, but still just went back to sleep.
Wondering how this is going to turn out.