I'm SOOOOOOO sorry! I was sidetracked with school, then I lost the first chapter in a power outage three times, then I lost my notebook with the story in it. I finally found it, but I had to leave for camp. This will be longer than most of my chapters I PROMISE! I don't own Evanescence, Batman, A Chorus Line, or Spiderman.
-Lucille-
I woke up from my sleep with a groan. I looked at the calendar and frowned, September 13, 2007. It is the one year anniversary of my mom's death, also known as my birthday. I sigh before getting out of bed.
"Love you mommy!" I say sadly putting two fingers to my lips and placing them on the picture of her on my dresser. I am now turning ten years old, but I feel older. I hurry and get dressed so I can talk with my dad before school. I hurry outside just as my dad was finishing up a conversation on the phone.
"… you sure? Yes of course I understand. Alright."
"Morning dad," I said cheerily, "are you still up for a movie tonight?"
"Um, that was my boss Lucy. He needs me to help with a job tonight, but we can still visit Alicia's grave today if you want." He said sadly.
"Oh… well we can visit mom. Maybe we can see that Spiderman movie tomorrow." I said trying as hard as I could not to cry.
"Okay, you have my word. We will see Spiderman tomorrow. I'll pick up some white roses from the store and we can take them to the grave after you get home from school. Now hurry up and eat, the bus will be here in a few minutes." He said after a few minutes. I shoveled the cereal down my throat and hurried onto the bus. Everyone got quiet when I walked on.
"She looks better than I thought she would be…"
"Isn't she the one that lost her mom…"
"I didn't think she would come…"
"Has it been a year already? I thought that…"
I heard them whispering, but I just ignored them and sat down. I pulled my iPod out of my pocket and shoved the headphones into my ears.
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me
You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along
The song changed over to another Evanescense song.
You know you're not the only one
When they all come crashing down, midflight,
You know you're not the only one.
When they're so alone they find a back door out of life.
You know you're not the only one.
We're all grieving,
Lost and bleeding.
All our lives,
We've been waiting
For someone to call our leader.
All your lies,
I do not believe.
Heaven shine a light down on me.
So afraid to open your eyes, hypnotized.
You know you're not the only one
Never understood this life.
And you're right, I don't deserve
But you know I'm not the only one.
We're all grieving,
Lost and bleeding.
All our lives,
We've been waiting
For someone to call our leader.
All your lies,
I'm not believing.
Heaven shine a light down on me.
Don't look down,
Don't look into the eyes of the world beneath you.
Don't look down, you'll fall down,
You'll become their sacrifice.
Right or wrong.
Can't hold onto the fear that I'm lost without you.
If I can't feel, I'm not mine,
I'm not real.
All our lives,
We've been waiting
For someone to call our leader.
All your lies,
I'm not believing,
Heaven shine a light down on me.
By the time that the song ended we showed up at school. It was only the second month of school, but it felt like it had been a year. When I walked into my first class, chorus, the teacher Mrs. Lyndell smiled at me before starting.
"Alright class, we will be starting our next song today. It is named "What I did For Love" from the musical A Chorus Line. I will play the song for you, if you know it you may sing along. There will be a solo for the first verse."
I smiled at that, my mom used to sing that song to me every night. When she played the song I sang quietly.
Kiss today goodbye,
The sweetness and the sorrow.
Wish me luck, the same to you.
But I can't regret
What I did for love, what I did for love.
Look my eyes are dry.
The gift was ours to borrow.
It's as if we always knew,
And I won't forget what I did for love,
What I did for love.
Gone,
Love is never gone.
As we travel on,
Love's what we'll remember.
Kiss today goodbye,
And point me t'ward tomorrow.
We did what we had to do.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for
Love
What I did for
Love
What I did for...
Love
Love is never gone
As we travel on
Love's what we'll remember
Kiss today goodbye.
And point me t'ward tomorrow.
Point me t'ward tomorrow
We did what we had to do.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for love.
What I did for love.
What I did for love
Love
The class ended after a while of singing the first few lines over and over again. I went to my next class, science, with Mr. Johnson as the teacher.
"Class, please turn to page 158. Today we are studying toxic waste. Who knows what bio hazardous waste is?" he asked. I raised my hand.
"Yes, Lucille."
"You can call me Lucy, and it is waste that can be dangerous to all life. From Bio- meaning life, and Hazardous meaning dangerous." I answered.
"Correct! Thank you Lucy for the breakdown of the word. Now if anyone was to touch these chemicals they would be either killed or altered."
Pretty much the rest of the class was the same. I had to go to Social Studies next with Mrs. Neytiri. We talked about the laws of America. We had gotten to the topic of the insanity plea during trials.
"Now class what does it truly mean to be mentally unstable?" she asked.
"It means you don't know right from wrong. Usually a something blocks that, kind of like the patients at Arkham." A boy named Tim said. I cringed; normally teachers at Gotham City Middle School didn't like talking about Arkham Asylum.
"Correct Mr. Drake, your homework is answering the five questions on page 200." I could have laughed at the fact that she completely dodged the thought of Arkham. I didn't really pay attention the rest of the time. The second I got home I changed into a black t- shirt and hurried to the car with my dad. We pulled up to the cemetery in silence. As I was walking I saw a man that had to at least be in his mid-twenties standing sadly at a grave. I walked by and saw the last name of one of the people. All I saw was Grayson. I just kept walking, still wondering who he was and why the name stuck out in my mind. I walked to my mom's grave and my dad placed the roses on her grave.
"I'll give you two some privacy." He whispered before leaving.
"Hi mom… I miss you. Is it bad that I feel like it is my fault? I was the one that got sick and needed medicine. If only I had gone inside when it was snowing, then I wouldn't have caught hat stupid cold. Then you wouldn't have needed to drive onto that freeway to get the medicine. I miss you so much." I started to cry. I finally stood up and walked to the car where my dad was standing. We drove back home without saying a word. I got home and my dad checked his watch.
"Love you darling, I'll see you tomorrow. Remember no answering the door to anybody but myself. There is macaroni in the fridge if you get hungry."
"Where are you going daddy?" I asked.
"I am going to the chemical plant tonight."
"Be careful. I love you!" I yelled out the door.
"Love you too, see you in the morning."
-Five Years Later-
"I swear when I get my hand on those idiotic double crossing kids they'll regret ratting me out!" I muttered under my breath. Apparently Charles and Miguel, the two boys that I had been helping for a year now, had told the mob where I was staying. I had given them food, protection, and shelter for a year without asking for anything and they betrayed me. I put one hand onto my leg and gasped in pain. One of the men coming to "collect" me had shot me in the thigh. I hurried into the nearest warehouse. It was the one place that no one else knew about. It was the first place I had gone when I had left my home. I met my first friend Lucas here. He had been there for me through everything, even kept me from working on the street corner. I came in here one day to find him panting and screaming on the floor.
"Sc- scarecrows… stay safe Lucy, for me. I love-" were his last words. I promised myself that I would kill the Scarecrow if I found him. That was two years ago to the day, and I hadn't seen a sign of him.
"Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me…" I whispered as I lit the candle I bought in Lucas' honor. It was green, his favorite color.
"It's you un-Birthday?" a voice said.
"Ah! Who's there," I asked stabbing myself in the leg with the needle I was using to sew up the wound, "You made me mess up my stitching!" I pulled the needle out with a grunt before finishing. A young man stepped out. He was shorter than me with blonde hair and bluish eyes.
"You are the Mad Hatter!" I yelled.
"Aren't we all mad here Alice?" he asked.
"My name is Lucille not Alice! I have black curly hair and green eyes, not straight blonde hair and blue eyes!" I yelled, towering over him. I was six- foot- three, which towered over him even with the hat.
"Ah yes Alice, you have changed." He answered.
"Listen, just don't mess anything up and you can stay here. Do not move that candle under any circumstance. If a bunch of mobsters come here tell them that Jack is gone for good." I said, tying a green bandana around my leg. I walked over to a crate and pulled out a pistol that Lucas had left for me. I put it in the strap on my leg, a knife on the other leg. I ran faster than I had ever run before, breath getting faster. Suddenly I felt someone's foot hitting the bend of my knee, sending me sprawling. I got up quickly to face my attacker.
"Miguel, why did you do it? I helped you, you and Charles. Fed you and kept you safe." I asked seeing him.
"We didn't need your help Lucille." He said getting closer. I saw red and my fist crashed into his nose, breaking it. I heard a cry of anger and dodged before his brother could hit me.
"ENOUGH!" a yell exploded into the air and the boys stopped. Before I could run two men grabbed me and threw me into a brick wall.
"Wh- what are you gonna do to her?" Miguel asked.
"None of your business. Now leave." The man snapped. He looked over at me and punched me in the face.
He got closer and taunts me," Where's daddy with his money? I bet he would come running if he heard you scream. Will you scream for us?" He says before landing another punch.
I snarl and fight with the men holding me to the wall finally done with him chasing me," You're about five years late. My dad… he's gone. I haven't seen him since he promised me he would come back after a job in the chemical plant. If I knew where he was I'd kill him myself." I end my speech by spitting in his face. Before he can do anything else a thud is heard behind him. I elbow one of the men in the face making him drop me. I pulled the gun out of the strap and cocked it.
"Please, just let me go. If he asks I'll tell him I shot you." I said. He moved closer and I shot the gun. I ran to him and checked where I shot him. He just had a wound on his thigh.
"I'm sorry." I whispered getting up and running away. I heard feet running behind me and I looked back. A dark shadow was chasing me, Batman.
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" I yelled, pushing my injured leg. A metal object whizzed by my ear and thudded into a signpost. All of a sudden a boy in a red suit was in front of me. I skidded on my feet, using the wet pavement to slide under his legs.
"Wait, miss please stop running."
"It wasn't supposed to be a fatal shot I promise!" I yelled turning down an alley. I launched myself up onto the fire escape, slipping as I climbed. I hurried onto the roof stopping for a second. My leg was burning where I had previously been shot. I pulled my pant leg up to see that the stiches had broken and the once green bandana was turning a disgusting brown. I walked over to the ledge and contemplated jumping off. The saying "God works in strange ways" came to mind. I was just about to sell myself for prostitution when Miguel walked up behind me. I was applying eyeliner when I heard his small voice.
"I'm Sorry Lucille." I didn't understand until the door burst open and I was shot.
"YOU SOLD ME OUT!" I had yelled. I was pulled back into the present when two people climbed onto the roof. I was not about to go into foster care. I was fifteen years old and could get some jobs. At least this would be less painful than when I cut my wrist. It was a stupid thing, I was so lost and decided to end it. I was just about to die when a woman saved me. I know she had blonde hair and blue eyes. I think I saw a whip at her hip, but I wasn't sure. I woke up a week later in a strange apartment with a note.
Kid,
If it's a guy, get over him. Find a home. Life is not over, I promise. Eat all you want, food is in the fridge and the pantry. There are some clothes that will fit you on the side table. Your wound has been cleaned and sewn. Good luck out there.
-S
I promised myself I wouldn't give up, but I also promised I would not go into foster care.
"Listen kid we just want some answers." I deep voice said from behind me. I turned around and aimed my gun at his head.
I can do this; I'm not scared to kill. I've lost so many people in my life." I said, tears pilling out of my eyes. I started to hum the bridge of my favorite song.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for Love
Wind gusted around me and my leg went numb.
"Help me." I asked as my leg gave out right there on the ledge. I fell back and a cord wrapped around my chest, catching me. I was about a foot off of the ground. I pulled my knife out of the carrier and sliced the rope, bracing myself for the fall. I scrambled to my feet and ran, praying I could get away. A shadow appeared in front of me and I turned, only to run into the boy in red. Batman picked me up with one arm and pushed me into the dark car. The kid jumped in the passenger seat, taking apart Lucas' gun.
"No! That's not mine!" I yelled. The car started off and I wished I knew what to do. Nobody escaped the Bat mobile, no matter how hard they tried. We finally stopped and I looked out the window. We had pulled up to the Gotham City Police Station.
"No, you can't take me in there!" I cried, my heart rate rising.
"Th answers our questions." The kid said.
"Listen, I'll make you a deal. If you answer our questions I won't take you in there like another criminal, deal?" Batman asked I just stared.
"What's your name?" the boy asked. I knew that voice… I heard it years ago.
"It means you don't know right from wrong."
"Timothy… Timothy Drake." I said aloud.
"No…"
"Tim is that you?" I asked.
"That's it. Get out. Robin, you keep the girl, I'll go tell Gordon what's going on."
"Lucy! My name is Lucille Jane Napier." I answered quickly.
"All we want to know is why there is a thirteen year old kid running around alone at night." Batman said.
"I'm FIFTEEN… that was not fair!" I said after a second. I could have sworn he smirked a little.
"Where are your parents?" he asked.
"My mom died when I was nine, my dad disappeared when I was ten."
"You've been alone for five years?" he asked.
"Yes." I answered. He started to drive and I thought he was taking me back to the warehouse when he turned into an expensive neighborhood.
"You said you would let me go home!" I yelled.
"I never said that, I said that I wouldn't turn you in," he said giving me a note, "Give that to the man that answers. He'll understand." I decided to go on and entered the estate. I knocked on the door and an older gentleman answered.
"Can I help you miss?"
"This is going to sound crazy but Batman sent me." I said giving him the note.
"Ah, yes come on in." he said. I took a deep breath before walking through the doors.
A/N there you go. 11 pages and 3,225 words. R/R.