Caitlin's POV
I rushed to Bludhaven's library as soon as I found the name. I was going to do a bit of research on not only my apparent cousin, but my new found power as well. I need to know what's going on with me, but I clearly remember that my Health book mentioned nothing about a sonic scream during puberty.
I grabbed a chair and sat at an old computer. Finding the search bar, I typed in 'Sonic Scream'. It said that a sonic scream is called a 'Canary Cry' named by the Scream Queen herself Black Canary. In order to active the 'Canary Cry' you have to have your adrenaline pipes up.
It also said that a shock of an unexpected event 'wakes it up' and that's when you can activate it. Only people who have gotten it passed down to Black Canary's children. But she doesn't have any children. She isn't even married so how do I have the Canary Cry?
The only people who have been known to have these powers is the current Black Canary, and her mother, the first Black Canary. Maybe I could be like them. They are amazing. I remember seeing Black Canary on the news when I was younger. I always wanted to be her. Whoa, I nearly buzzed in excitement, but I had to finish up on this. I looked up family trees, and typed my full name in.
Unfortunately, the library only held information for this town. I'd have to look in the City Hall archives to find anything on citizens of Bludhaven or Gotham. But I needed to head back to my apartment and do figure out my hero costume. I guess I'm going to City Hall tomorrow. I turned the computer off and left the Library.
On my way back to the apartment, I noticed a man being mugged. I grabbed my gun from my jacket pocket and aimed for the muggers gun. I pulled the trigger and 'BAM' his gun flew out of his hand. I inwardly smirked. I'm getting pretty good at working a gun. The mugger growled at me in fury. He charged me, and panicking, I screamed. Literally. The force knocked him off his feet and into a wall.
The man who was getting mugged quickly grabbed his wallet from the ground and looked at me. I gave him a look that said run now. So off he ran with a thank you. I walked over to the mugger and look his weapon and tied him up. I headed back to my apartment.
That night, I slept with strange and terrifying dreams haunting my sub-consciousness. I saw my family dying while I cowered into the shadows, shocked as to what was going on around me. I sprang up covered in sweat and tears. I don't think i could ever sleep again knowing that I did nothing to save them. I was a horrible daughter.
I cringed at the word 'was'. Past tense... I sniffled softly and got out of bed, deciding I wouldn't be able to sleep even if it wasn't morning. I'd go to City Hall today, even if it did look kind of like crap.
I put on my sneakers that I brought along, since they were my favorite, and my brother's school hoodie. I brushed my hair and left the old building. I need to get this straight. I entered the double doors of the grand, but still battered, building and walked up to the front desk. The lady behind the desk looked like a cranky and peeved. Even though it was 10 pm, there was still a dozen people there.
"Hi." I said nervously.
"Yes. May I help you?" She asked impatiently.
"I'm looking for information on my family." I said warily.
"Name please."
"Full name?"
"Yes. It is required."
I hesitated, was it worth it? Yes, of course it is."Caitlin Marie Moore."
The lady typed onto her keyboard, her long thick nails exaggerated the sound of the taps. She frowned slightly, then hit print. A stack of paper was handed to me, with all the information of my recent family. I looked at the whole stack of papers and then at her in shock.
"Yes that's all the information on your family. And yes you can take that home. Have a good night." She turned back to her computer.
"Thanks." I muttered.
I turned around and walked out of City Hall. I still couldn't believe that this stack of papers was on my family. I must have a really big family. I glanced through a couple of them. I was fairly sure my cousin was on my mom's side of the family, so I checked her side first. She had a sister, I read, and her sister was raped while in Star City. I choked upon reading this. That was terrible! Her daughter was named Juniper, after her sister who helped her through pregnancy. She married a circus performer and left the family in Gotham to be with him. This is really interesting knowing that they were performers in the circus. I wonder which circus they were in...
I skimmed the page again and found they were part of Haly's Circus as acrobats. But there was something else... a more recent piece of information. One night, a couple days ago, and the same night my own parents died, the cords snapped and the mother and step-father fell to their deaths.
I couldn't believe this. It was to freaky.
Remorse filled my stomach. Juniper was three years younger, so she is... holy crap she's only nine! She had to watch! She must have been... there wasn't even a word to describe how she must have felt. Distraught, terrified, shocked, the list went on. I couldn't read on. It was too horrible. I need to find her!
I continued to read through her profile. She had black hair and green eyes, and has been doing acrobatics since she could walk. Wow! Amazing, I thought in wonder. Her parents died in Gotham, I realized. So she would have been taken to one of the orphanages here... if she even went with the officials. If she was anything like me, she wouldn't have.
I really hope she didn't go with the officials. Then it would take awhile to find her knowing that she could be adopted or moved to another orphanage. I looked at a picture of her mom. She looked so much like her. She had her mom's eyes. I, on the other hand, don't even look like my mom, since I have dark blonde hair with bright hazel eyes. My mom didn't even have any of those. Neither did my dad. It really makes me wonder, though I did get the hair color from him, but not the eyes. It was kinda of weird. But knowing that she had a step dad, it makes me wonder who her real dad was. Maybe I should look in my family's profile.
My eyes glanced back to the part where her mother, my aunt, I realized suddenly, was raped in Star City. The real question was, not where, but by whom? The report said it was an unknown attacker, and her husband had only been dating her at the time and supported her through the pregnancy. If that was true, then that means they most likely put her step-father's name on her birth certificate as well, even if I did manage to somehow get my hands on a copy of it.
Maybe I could. My brother did teach me how to hack into a computer system. So maybe if I get into the right hospital in Star City, I could get my hands on a copy and see who her dad is!
One problem in my plan; where would I get a computer? I can't believe that I got my sketchbook and pencils, but not my laptop. I nearly smacked myself in the head for that one!
I am so stupid! How could I forget my own laptop?! I seriously think I have issues with remembering and stuff. I know I cant go back and get it since the cops could be looking for me to take me to an orphanage. I need to get to a computer. I looked out the window and saw it was already night time.
I remembered when I first came here and saved the woman who was being mugged. I could be a super hero, since I'm already a meta human. I could make my own costume and stuff. Without thinking twice about it, I took out the clothes I'd packed and scanned through them. What could I use to make a hero uniform out of?
I noticed that I had a somewhat light blue shirt, a navy blue shirt, black jeans and my combat boots. Maybe I could do something with them. I know how to make a mask since me and my brother used to play super hero when we were younger. I could make a domino mask. But what would I call myself?
I thought back to reading about Black Canary's sonic scream, and smiled. Well, my favorite color was blue, so... Blue Canary it was. It sounded great! I loved it. Maybe I should go out and do some patrol so people know they have a hero. But first I need to make my mask.
Where would I get the material for the mask? I somehow doubted Bludhaven had any handy Thrift Shops nearby. I rolled my eyes at the ridiculous thought. I looked at my bed sheet I'd been using. It was black and white... I looked around for scissors and spotted them on the kitchen counter.
I briefly wondered why there were scissors here in the first place, then shook my head, trying to get back on topic. I carefully cut the smooth fabric and smiled at my 'masterpiece', flashbacks of playing superhero games with my brother as little kids.
I still can't believe that I made up a hero named "Art woman". I laughed at the memory, but then the laugh stopped and I started to tear up. I miss when I was just like a child.
I placed the mask to my eyes, trying to hide my tears from my reflection, but I knew they were still there. I smiled sadly as I saw my reflection in the mirror.
I wondered briefly if I would still be doing this if my brother was with me now. I can hear him saying 'Don't get yourself killed!' jokingly, but there would be real concern and worry in his eyes, as though really saying 'Anyone who hurts you is screwed'
He was always protective of me. Even when we were joking around he was always worried. My dad would pat me on the shoulder I could almost hear him say 'Make sure you kick someone's butt kiddo'. I smiled. I could hear my mother too. She always called me her 'little Canary'. I always drew them when I was bored in class. Her voice was in my head right now. 'Go get them my little Canary'. God I missed them...
I swallowed the guilt sitting in my gut and headed out. I climbed to my building's rooftop, and jumped to the next building, landing uncomfortably on my side.
"Oof, how do Batman and Robin do this?" I scowled to myself.
"Pretty hard he first time I tried," A voice said behind me.
I squeaked and turned around in shock, thinking it was some bad guy or villain, but I instead saw Robin standing behind me. He had a smile on his face. I can't believe I'm meeting the first side kick!
"Uh... I- erm, Hi," I managed weakly, trying to hide my surprise. Robin smirked.
"Hey," He responded, clearly amused by my actions.
"Why aren't you with Batman? I mean...I don't want to sound ruse or anything!" I added quickly.
"No it's fine. I'm on a solo mission tonight and I happened to see you try to jump from that building." Great...He saw me make the worst jump I ever did. "I'm trying to stop a drug trade tonight but I think I might need help. You want to help me out on your first night?" He asked casually.
Ohmygods! He was asking me to do some hero work with him! I can't believe this! While on the inside I was freaking out, I kept my face impassive.
"Sure. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." He gave that smirk again. It was actually kind of unnerving.
"Let's just see if you can keep up," He disappeared. My mouth hung open. How did he- "Are you coming or what?" I jumped, turned, and saw he was across the other rooftop already.
"How did... never mind! Coming!" I then started running and jumped. It was an uneasy landing but at least I didn't land on my hip. Ouch!
I started to think as I started to catch up to Robin. Maybe this hero thing just might work out. I panted trying to catch up to him. He was one quick kid.
"Where are we going anyways?"
Robin came to a halt, and his cocky smirk disappeared. "You're," He lowered his voice. "Caitlin Moore?"
My jaw hit the ground... roof, whatever. "How did you-"
"I've been doing this since I was eight," He waved aside the question. "I know where your cousin is."
"You do?! Where is she?!" I can't believe this! This kid knows my name AND knows where my cousin is. How does he know this?!
"Yeah, uhhh, here's the thing..." Robin flashed me a sheepish smile.
"Where's my cousin?" I asked excitedly.
"She got hurt-"
"What?! How!" I demanded.
"Well, apparently heroing runs in your family," He gave me an amused smirk.
My mouth fell open. "You expect me to believe my nine year old cousin decided to beat up some goons in... where is this exactly?"
"Gotham."
My eyes popped out of my head. My 'big cousin' instincts kicking in. "GOTHAM!?"
Robin winced, rubbing his ears. "A little louder, why don't you? I don't think Metropolis heard you,"
"Shut up! We have to help her and by we, I mean me!" I quickly pinned him down to the ground in a second.
"Take me to her now!"
Robin was obviously caught off guard. He raised his arms in defense. "Okay, okay, chill. But don't over react as to how we're getting there. Nice reflexes by the way. Now, can you please let me up?"
Scowling, I stood up, and he followed. He put his middle finger onto his ear comm. and said, "Transport for two,"
"Who are you talking-?" I was cut off when all of a sudden a blue light appeared out of nowhere and teleported us. When we arrived we were in this metal ship thing.
To my shock, superheroes were everywhere! Wonder Woman was talking to Superman, and Icon and Captain Atom were on the high tech what I assume are computers. Screens lit up the place and I saw the Green Lanterns taking down alien ships in another galaxy, or what I hope was another galaxy. I saw Flash and the Hawks beat up some robot in Tokyo. Green Arrow and Black Canary in Star City beating up Icicle Junior, the Atom rewiring some machine in Taipei.
This is so cool!
"Where are we? This place is amazing!" I asked in wonder, eyes wide with amazement.
"We're in the Watch Tower. The League's HQ. Oh and it's in space."
"Space?!" I gasped.
Robin flashed that annoying smirk at me. "Yep,"
"Not possible," I shook my head firmly.
"Oh it is. Here take a look." He then lead me to a big window. I looked out and saw the darkness of space filled with planets and stars. Whoa, my brother would love to see this.
"So where's my cousin." Then I heard someone around the corner.
I turned and saw a girl who looked like she was 9. She had ebony black hair tied in a pony tail and green eyes wide with curiosity. She was wearing a blue uniform with the gold letter A on her collar. I noticed she was much shorter then most nine year olds should be and definitely much skinnier than any six year old. If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was seven or something.
The girl looked like a real hero with her actual uniform, while I just have on a dark blue shirt with jeans, combat boots, guns, a leather jacket, and a mask. I looked so more like a rookie where as she looked as though she'd been doing this for years.
"Caitlin this is your cousin June." I couldn't believe what he just said. This little girl... is my cousin! I immediately ran over to her and brought her into a bear hug. I found her!
June let out a squeak of surprise, and a grin appeared on her face. "Can't- breathe- cuz!" She gasped out.
"Sorry!" I squealed, and loosened my grip, but didn't let her go. June wrapped her own skinny arms around me as well. I was soooo happy! I cant believe we found each other! I think I'm going to cry...
Yep, there's the water works. June squirmed a bit, and I finally let her go. "Family reunion," I grinned. June laughed, her green eyes sparkling happily.
"It's good to see you again Caitlin." the young girl smiled at me.
"You too! I missed you sooo much!" I hugged her again and she squirmed even more.
"Kay, let me go!" I let her go and turned around and saw Robin still there.
"Now onto the matter of where you're going to go," Batman appeared out of nowhere. I immediately jumped.
"Holy! Where did you come from?!" I asked with wide eyes.
"The shadows. Now let me ask again. Where are you going to go?" He repeated.
"I got an apartment in Bludhaven. June and I can live there." I suggested.
"I don't think so." He said darkly. Then again, he says EVERYTHING darkly.
"What why?!" I demanded.
"Because a twelve and eight year old can not take care of themselves," He said simply.
"I'm nine!" June huffed, her lips forming into a pout.
"Why can't we live on our own? I can take care of her!" I protested.
"It's not that. She is going to be adopted by Bruce Wayne in Gotham City," Batman said with a blank face.
"Then he better make room for me! Because I'm leaving her again," I said fiercely.
"Fine," As he walked away, I swore I heard Batman mutter something.
"She is sassy..." Then he disappeared in the shadows.
June giggled, trying to hide the childish smile on her face from behind her gloved hands. I grinned at her. Robin just cackled, a trolling grin on his face, that looked creepily similar to June's.
Things may be finally starting to look up.
