A/N: Warning, if anyone is sensitive to extremely emotional moments, be prepared or don't read if you can't handle it. If not, please enjoy if you can.

Chapter 2

"I beg your pardon, miss?" the funny-sounding man said. He looked between Mom and Selina.

Selina was starting to feel nervous. Her mom sounded almost worried, like whenever a boyfriend would grab either of them. Selina sensed pleading from her, but why? Earlier, they went to Uncle Teddy and had a great time. After that, they got into a cab and drove a long way to the big building. Why was Mommy so upset? It was troubling her.

"Please," Mom said, "we need help."

"Please come inside," the man said, waving them in.

They walked inside out of the rain. Looking around the place, was much more amazing than the outside. White marble floors and ceilings as high as the sky.

"My name is Alfred Pennyworth, by the way. What is your name, miss?"

"I'm Maria Kyle and this is my daughter Selina."

"Good afternoon Miss Kyle and Miss Selina," Alfred nodded to her with a smile. "If you will wait here while I go to inform Master and Mrs. Wayne."

"Okay, thank you," Mom said. The man walked down the hallway. Once he disappeared around the corner, Selina leaned into her mother. She soothingly stroked her hair. "It's okay, Kitten. These nice people will help us."

"Help with what?" Selina mumbled.

Before she could answer, Alfred announced that they were ready. He led them down the hall to a different room. A big fireplace casting a golden glow on two leather couches. Back further were shelves of books like a library and a desk. There was even a knight's suit of armor by the door. Something about the alien place almost felt like home to Selina.

Those brief thoughts were gone when she spotted the two other people. A man and a woman. The man was tall with dark hair and a suit. He looked very serious and looked between her and her mother. The woman had blonde hair and a sweet smile like Mom's when she's not working and playing with her.

"Hello," the woman said in a warm, calming voice.

Mom greeted them and the rest of their conversation was lost to Selina as she spotted another person. Standing behind the couch was a boy. He had neat black hair and eyes that captured hers. He was the same age as her and cute.

"Alfred," the big man said, "could you take the children to the solarium to play?"

"Yes Master Wayne," the other man said.

He beckoned for Selina to come with him. She hid behind her mother. She was scared. She didn't know this place or these people.

"It's okay, Kitten," Mom said. "Go with the nice people. You'll make a new friend." She motioned to the boy.

"It's perfectly alright, miss," Alfred ensured.

Selina's gaze returned to the kid again. He was hiding behind Alfred. He must've shared her feelings. Mom just said it was alright and she went with them.

Alfred escorted them out of the room and down the many hallways while the boy continued to stare at her.

"Hi," he said, "I'm Bruce. What's your name?"

Selina's face suddenly felt hot. "I'm Selina," she answered.

"It's nice to meet you, Selina," Bruce said happily.

She smiled too with pleasantly warm cheeks.

As the children left, Maria turned back to the wealthy couple. They sat down on one couch as she sat on the other. The butler prepared tea for them. She held the teacup in both hands, Thomas and Martha Wayne waiting patiently for her. She eventually went over her troubles and all the bad people she got tied up in.

When she finished, Mrs. Wayne was covering her mouth to compose herself. Dr. Wayne just stared sympathetically with his mouth agape. The pair held each other's hands in their laps. Maria wondered what that kind of love felt like.

"My God," Thomas muttered. A firm mask of determination hardened his face as he spoke strongly, "We'll help you, Ms. Kyle. We'll make some calls and have the—"

"No, you can't," Maria said regrettably. These people had too much privilege to understand how bad things were in Gotham. "These people can't be stopped by the cops. They're everywhere. They will find me." She shamefully looked at her tea. "And besides… if I go to the police, they'll see that I…." She expected the Waynes to look at her in disgust. To think of her as the filth she was. Instead, they neither look at her in abhorrence nor pity, just understanding. She wasn't sure if that felt worse.

She then finished her thoughts. "My only solution is to get out of the city and run. But… but I wouldn't be able to run very fast with a child." She noticed how Martha's hand moved to her belly.

"And you're here because…." Mrs. Wayne said, but it seemed that she already knew what Maria was going to say.

"I'm here to find a new home for my daughter," Maria admitted tears threatening to drip. "Look," she stifled back a sob, "I understand I'm asking a lot from you, but I can't leave her anywhere else. The Narrows is the worst place and if I leave her at an orphanage, she might turn out like me."

Dr. and Mrs. Wayne shared a glance at each other. A silent conversation passed between them. Maria couldn't breathe. How could she be so stupid? These people have more money than God and they're the city's favorite gossip topic. They probably think that taking in a child of a classless criminal would put a mark on their image. Or they may think that she's pulling a scam to get a payout of it or use her own daughter to rob them or something.

They were going to turn her down. Although, Thomas did say they were going to help by going to the police. They may not be stereotypical rich snobs. They just might agree….

Oh, who am I kidding? She thought. With my luck, they won't—

"When is Selina's birthday?" Martha asked.

Selina laughed and so did Bruce.

"Glad to see you two enjoying yourselves at my expense," Alfred groaned.

He rubbed his forehead after Selina threw a toy at it. The two children sat on the tiled floor of the solarium playing with the many toys Bruce had.

She looked like she has never had more fun, Maria thought.

"What do I say to her?" she asked the Waynes while hugging herself.

"Maybe you don't have to do it today," Thomas suggested. It's pretty late in the afternoon. Nighttime will be here soon. Psychologically speaking, if you tell a child bad news at a late hour, they will be so terrified during the night. How about the two of you spend the night here. Then in the morning, ask her if she likes it here and then you tell her the truth," the doctor prescribed.

That does sound logical. Maria could only imagine how Selina will be tonight, left behind in a strange mansion with strange people. She'll be petrified.

"Thank you," she said.

But then her relief was shot down by the looming thought of him after her. There was no telling how much time she had. They might break into the Manor while they slept. Could their security stop them? That was a chance she couldn't take.

"No…. I don't know how long I have until they find me. These are very powerful people. I'll put the rest of you in danger if I stay…. Thank you for your help, but I have to go. Please take care of her."

Emotions were building up in her chest threatening to erupt. Martha read her like a book and hugged her. Maria has never known this kind of care or affection, especially from a near-stranger. Perhaps the fellow mother understood the pain. Thomas giving her a sympathetic, supportive expression.

Turning back to the beautifully innocent children playing was too wonderful to dismiss. Looking at the little boy, at least Selina will have someone her age. A foster brother.

"Selina."

She turned around from where she was sitting as her mother called. Mom was with the two other grownups by the doorway to the room.

"Could you come here, sweety?"

Selina did not want to leave her spot with Bruce. She wanted to stay and play with him forever. Nevertheless, she obeyed her mother.

Mom squatted down to her level. "Selina… do you like it here?" she asked.

"Yeah. I love it," cheered the girl.

"Would you like to stay here?"

"For how long?" Whenever they stayed at a different place, they don't stay long. They usually just end up back in their tiny home.

"Well, would you like to stay forever?"

Selina's eyes burst wider open. "Really?" Momma nodded with a tight-lipped smile. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Selina bounced up and down. She wanted to stay in the big house with Bruce and all the fun toys. She didn't want to go back to her other home with the bitter cold and mean boyfriends.

"Good. Now settle down."

Mom grabbed ahold of her arms to stop her from bouncing. Her smile was wavering, Selina noticed.

"What's wrong, Momma?"

Maria took a while to answer. "You'll be staying here, Selina… but I can't."

"What?" Selina asked timidly. What was she talking about? Why wouldn't she stay? Sometimes she would leave for a day or so, or occasionally more.

"Selina… Kitten," her voice was breaking, "I'm afraid I have to go. I… don't know when I'll be back, but… but there's a chance it won't be for a while."

The girl froze.

Something crawled over her skin and held her completely, painfully still. Not coming back?

"What? Why aren't you coming back, Mommy."

"I just… I just have to do something—but these nice people will take care of you. You'll be fine."

"But I don't want you to go," Selina cried, tears burning her face fear taking her. "Please stay, Mommy!"

Mom was crying too. "I'm sorry baby, but I have to go."

"Selina," the other lady walked up and knelt as well. She was so pretty with such a bright face. "My name is Martha. I understand that this is scary, but I promise that me and my husband, Thomas, will take good care of you. And you have Bruce to play with. And Alfred is great with kids."

"But I don't want you to go, Mom!" Selina stomped her foot furiously.

Both women stood back up. Mom breathed deeply and her face became solid.

"I have to go now. Be safe and stay out of trouble." She bent down again and gave her something. It was a silver necklace. Selina didn't pay much attention as Mom kissed her head. "Goodbye, Selina. I love you." Whirling around, she marched out of the room.

The lady Martha tried to gently hold her back with kind, promising words. It was not enough.

"MOMMY!"

She ran down the twisting hallways, tears burning her face, her little footsteps echoing off the walls as she chased after her mother.

Making one last turn, Maria came into view as she was approaching the front door.

"MOM!" She panicked more as her mother disappeared through the door. Selina struggled to open the heavy door, and when she did, her mom was already in the cab driving off.

"MOOOOOM!"

She halted on the porch frozen beyond her understanding. The dust from the car vanished from the gate and what felt like forever passed. Again, Selina broke down crying on her little hands and knees sobbing her soul out.

"Mommy…. Come back. Please come back…."

When Wayne Manor finally faded from sight, Maria broke down. She sobbed into her hands, her eyes stinging and throat clenching.

She has actually done it. She abandoned her daughter. Her sweet baby Selina. The only good thing in her life. Her little angel kitten. And she left her!

It was for the best, she reasoned.

Bad people were after her and they wouldn't hesitate to harm the child. This place was safe with good people. Selina was safe. She'll be better than Maria could hope for. If she left her alone at an orphanage or on the streets, she could've turned out as a thief or a prostitute. Just like her deadbeat mother.

Giving up the only thing she has ever loved was a necessary sacrifice. She wondered if Selina would forgive her but it wasn't likely. Will she see her again? Still not likely.

A/N: This chapter was very difficult to write. It's not easy to write from a child's point of view. Plus the discussion between Selina and her mom took a lot of thought. It's a type of situation I never want to be a part of. No one ever should.

Don't worry. This will not be a completely depressing story. It will get better.

Leave your thought and constructive criticisms.

Take care of yourselves.

P.S. in case anyone longtime readers are wondering—especially CharlotteKat because she's the biggest fan—in working on Chapter III of The Sirens of the Sea. It's just taking some time. I'll try to get that updated as soon as possible.