Later, after dinner Bruce, Tim and I head for the grandfather clock. Once we arrive there Tim activates the passage and says "Ladies first." After living in Gotham's alleys for 10 weeks you don't feel like a "lady" but I go in the passage first anyway. Then I grab my uniform and change into it. A skin-tight red body suit and red boots. As a finishing touch I put on a red domino mask. I smile after I put it on.
Under my breath I mutter "Daddy there IS something I can do after all. I can fight crime. The criminal element robbed me of you so I'm fighting against to honor your memory. I love you Daddy." Tim, now in is Robin outfit, asks me if I'm ready to go out. I look at him and say "I was born ready." Feeling psyched I head out ready to take on anything. Anything except memories. But one comes anyway.
Flashback
I've been living in Gotham's alleys for a week now. Sad to say I'm practically used to it. It's been rough but I've managed so far. It's given me a bit of a rough exterior and I'm starting to build up a shell. But when I'm alone my shell crumbles as I tell my Dad I miss him. I feel like a little girl. A broken-hearted young girl who misses her Daddy more than anything. I'd let myself cry but I'm afraid once I start I won't be able to stop.
End Flashback
A gravelly voice calls me back. It's Bruce dressed as Batman. He sure makes an imposing figure in his costume. Apparently he needs my attention. After all we are surrounded. I grin feeling sort of mischievous. My first real fight. As Red that is. I'm so loving fighting crime. The time goes fast. I hear a scream.
When I arrive at the scene of the crime I do my best to stifle a gasp. Not here. Not in my alley. I stare at the creep who tried to mug an innocent woman. Pent up rage comes out. Robin actually has to pull me away from the mugger. The shock at what I almost did hits me and I back away scared. Batman looks at me. I don't want to face him. I end up facing memories instead. I cringe as they invade.
Flashback
I'm 10 years old and I've blown out the candles on my birthday cake. My Dad asks me what I wished for. I smile and tell him that I didn't need to wish for anything because I already have all I could possibly want.
End Flashback
Flashback
It's the night after my Dad died. I wake up with a jolt. I had another bad dream. Tears streaming down my face I say "Daddy? I had a bad dream. Where are you? You said that you'd be there for me if I had a bad dream. So where are you? Daddy?" I clench my fists and in an angry voice I say "Liar! You said you'd be there for me if I had a bad dream and you're not here! Daddy you lied! Why did you lie to me? Daddy why did you lie?"
End Flashback
Flashback
I've been living in my alley for almost two weeks now. I notice someone trying to steal my bracelet. Nobody steals my bracelet. I punch him in the gut. HARD. Later, as he runs away I shout after him "And don't mess with me again!"
End Flashback
Flashback
I'm 14 and it's my first day of high school. My Dad asks me if I'm ready. Somewhat grumpy I say "Yeah, I'm ready." When he drops me off I look at my schedule and scowl. I know I'm going to hate it here.
End Flashback
I breathe in and out slowly. I try to block out any more memories as I walk towards the car. Soon I'm in it and on my way back to the cave with Batman and Robin. I find it almost ironic that I can deal with Gotham's criminals but I can't deal with my memories. Why do you think I haven't told Bruce or Tim hardly anything about my past? It's because I just can't. It's too painful. Despite my efforts to stop it my eyes well up with tears. I angrily wipe them away. I don't like feeling vulnerable either. Yet I know that's exactly what I am and will be for the rest of my life. I find myself thinking Daddy, why did you have to leave me? How come you had to go?
Once we arrive back in the cave Robin asks "What was THAT about?" I bristle. Even though I totally saw that question coming the LAST thing I want to do is answer it. How could I explain it to him anyway? After thinking about what to say for a while I finally say that it's personal. Batman (sans cowl) looks at me obviously wanting me to explain myself. I don't want to give him any information but I tell him that it was in my alley. When he nods I think Does he understand? He certainly seems to. I shrug my shoulders and decide to dismiss the issue. After changing from my uniform to my familiar blue shirt and grey sweats I look around the cave. I can get used to fighting crime but I don't think I'll ever get used to living in Wayne Manor.
Later, I'm in the Manor feeling restless. Tim has gone off to catch a few winks and Bruce went off somewhere. I decide to walk through the Manor and try to find something to do. After all it's a big place. On my way around I find the bag of clothes and the adoption papers. Maybe I can get some use out of the clothes. I leave the adoption papers behind though.
Soon I'm squeaky clean (I decided to take a shower) and wearing a sky-blue nightgown that comes down to my knees. It's kind of weird really. Mainly because I had a nightgown like this at home before my Dad died. I mean I know he's the world's greatest detective but did he know that? If so, how? Dismissing the issue I look through the bags contents. Each piece of clothing makes me feel increasingly surprised. All of it is JUST like I had at home before my alley rat life.
How the heck does Bruce know about this? Was he stalking me or something? No, that's stupid. But seriously. I look at the adoption papers scouring them for any clues. I don't find any which creeps me out a little. I find myself wondering if now that I'm adopted by Bruce do I have to go by Song Hope Brown WAYNE? Because I don't think that I want to. Among the adoption papers I find a piece of paper that informs me that I'll be going to Gotham High School. Granted it's the obvious choice but I don't want to go there. I've already been there. A memory of one of my high school days comes to mind.
Flashback
Above me a mean voice says "Oh look it's Song the Shrimp!" It's Alex. The bane of my existence. Sarcastically I tell him "Never heard that one before." He replies with "What was that? I couldn't hear you. You'll have to speak UP!" I roll my eyes and head off to my next class.
End Flashback
I frown at the paper and then I angrily crumple it up. Feeling somewhat better I grab the bag of clothes and leaving the papers behind head off to "my" bedroom. I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Dream
I'm dressed as Red when I hear someone behind me. When I whirl around I see a man with bloodshot hate filled eyes. I know these eyes. They belong to my Father's killer. Angrily I attack him. He's got a bloody nose and two black eyes when somebody pulls me off of him. I turn to see who it is and my eyes widen. In a voice just below a whisper I say "Daddy?"
End Dream
I wake up with a jolt. Tears are streaming down my face. I wipe them away and feeling restless (as usual) I walk around the Manor. Moments later I arrive at what looks to be a bookroom. Bruce is in it looking for all the world like he's studying for some kind of test. I guess he heard me because he puts his book down and says "Let me guess. Couldn't sleep?" I nod and then ask about the clothes. He avoids the subject and asks me if I read much. I glare at him and say "How about you answer my question first?" He replies with "Fair enough. After discovering your story I found out your address. I think you can piece it together from there. Now what about my question?" I say "Alright. Yeah I'm a bit of a bookworm. I'm surprised you didn't figure THAT out." Then I find myself engaging in more of a conversation with Bruce. "So are you ready to tell me about yourself?" "You already know part of my story. What do you want to know about me anyway?" "How about your early life?" "What is there to say? Besides I've told you already that I don't like talking about myself." "I know but I was thinking you could tell me a little bit about your past." "Fine. I was an alley rat for 10 weeks." "That long?" "Yes. Ever since..." "Your Father died?"
I glare at him and say "Don't you DARE bring that up again." Feeling completely tense I clench my fists and tell him "You have no right to bring that up. Unless you want a bloody nose I suggest that you don't EVER talk about that." He looks at me and replies with "You're right. I'm sorry." I forgive him and then walk off starting to feel sleepy. I think I like Tim O.K. but I'm still not sure how I feel about Bruce or Alfred.
