Barbara laid in bed and fingered Helena's letter. She wasn't sure when to give it to the young girl. Barbara wanted to talk to Laura but she didn't see much of her anymore. Helena was back in school now so Alfred dropped her off after school and Laura picked her up around ten. On the weekends, Helena stayed at the hospital and Barbara never saw Laura or Alfred. It had been like this for the past month. Barbara expected to be released in a week. Maybe I should just give it to her. Let her make the decision when to open it or not. She has had time to greave. Now she needs to know the truth. I pray she can accept it.

Helena Kyle walked down the hallway with her black backpack hung over left shoulder. She smiled at the nurse and walked into Barbara's room, "Hi. How are you? Did therapy go well?"

Barbara answered Helena's questions then quickly turned serious, "Helena, sit down for a second will you."

Helena pulled up a chair beside Barbara, "What's up?"

Barbara held out the letter and Helena took it with a question on her face. "Helena, this was delivered over a month ago with you mothers wish that I give it to you when you were ready. Helena, this letter will be very hard for you to read. Many things in it will be hard for you to believe. Some may even go completely against things your mother may have told you, but this letter holds the truth. After you read it, I don't want you to think any less of your mother. She was an amazing woman, who gave up everything for you. She loved you very much, don't ever forget that. After you read this, I want you to know, you can come ask me any questions. I will answer them to the best of my ability. In this area I tend to either know it or can find it out," Barbara smiled. Helena tucked the letter into her bag to read later.

"Do you know what Laura and Alfred are up to? I haven't seen them for a while." Barbara tried to change the subject to something more comfortable.

"Actually, I haven't seen them much either. They keep running around. Other than when they drop me off and pick me up, I don't really see them. Laura is gone by the time I wake up and Alfred takes me to school."

"Sounds to me like they are up to something."

"I don't know. Anyway, I brought some new games, do you want to play?"

"Sure, what to you have?" Barbara and Hel played games through supper. Then they watched old black and white movies till Laura arrived to take Helena home.

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Helena sat at the kitchen table rummaging for her notebook, when the letter fell out. Helena carefully picked it up and held it in her hand. Should I read it? I don't know if I am ready to read something from my mom, but Barbara seemed to think it was important. Helena looked up to see what Laura was doing. She was on the phone again. She was always on the phone. Helena silently slipped from the table and sat on the floor behind the kitchen counter. She slid open the top and pulled out the letter.

A bunch of pictures fell out as well. Their backs were numbered in Selina's familiar handwriting. Helena turned the pictures over to reveal a man dressed up in a bat costume. They were taken at night judging by the darkness in them. The next picture was also of a bat costume but this one seemed to be a girl. Her costume was more petit, and had more yellow in it. The next was of a woman in a panther costume. Her body was covered in fur, but she didn't wear a mask. There was a small amount of light shining on the face, and it almost looked like cousin Laura. Helena chuckled at the thought of her cousin dressed up like a large cat. The last picture was also of woman in a large cat suit. She stood upright, holding herself proudly. On her hands she wore fake claws that looked razor sharp. A cat mask covered her face. Helena looked at the eyes appearing from behind the mask. They looked so familiar to her. Helena laid the pictures aside and began reading her mothers letter.

My dear, sweet Helena:
I hate the thought of you reading this, but if I am dead, you must know the truth. There are some things, Helena, that I meant to tell you, but they just never seemed important. I never wanted you to find out about this, to live in my shadow, but now I feel you must. Helena, I had a very different life before you were born. One that I am not proud of, and never want you to live. I don't even know where to start. Helena I used to be a thief. I ran with and animal gang, and ruled the underworld as Catwoman. You can see me in the fourth picture. By day, I was a normal woman with a simple career. But by night, I was the prowler of Gotham. I would jump the rooftops stealing things left and right. The night belonged to me and I belonged to it. No one was going to stop me. This is how I met your father, Helena. He is the first picture. His name was Batman to me, but to others he was simple Bruce Wayne. Batman was a crime fighter by night. He fought for Justus to be done no matter what. Your father tried many times to get me to stop crime, but he couldn't. Somehow, I don't know why or when, we fell in love. I offered many times to tell him who I was, but he refused to know. But that didn't stop us. We still loved each other, body and soul. When I found out I was pregnant with you, I realized I had to give up my life as the Queen of the Underworld. It was the hardest decision I ever made, but I don't regret it. There has always been that urge to go back to my life, but I would look at your sweet face and know I couldn't. Helena, your father never ran out on us. I never told him I was pregnant. I took of to Paris to have you and when I returned he never knew about it. I don't know why I never told him. Maybe I was afraid, but I don't ever want you to hold that against him. There was another person who knew about everything. She was Batgirl, photo two. She also was a crime fighter and fought at your father's side. You would know her better as Barbara Gordon. When I came back to town she was the only one I could trust. Please don't be mad at her for never telling you, she was just respecting my wishes. I chose Barbara to be your guardian because I know she can protect you, and give you the proper training you will need to control your abilities, which leads me to another point. Helena, you have always known you were different from other kids. You didn't get hurt as much as the other kids, and when you did, you heal fast. You have always been stronger than others, and are so light on your feet no one ever hears you coming and going. You are half metahuman. I am a full meta and your father was human, so that makes you half meta human. I can't really explain what a metahuman is or where we came from. But I know that metahumans all have a special ability that is unique to them. Cousin Laura is a metahuman. She is in photo three. She is able to communicate with large cats. She used her powers for good. She has her own large cat refugee and works for animal parks and the government to fix situations that involve large cats. You have met several of her pets. She always has one with her. You will probably have some that are similar to mine and you may develop completely different ones. I have been watching you closely to see if you had abilities and the signs are there. You are a special girl with unique possibilities that can take you anywhere you want them to. All I ask is that you don't follow my path. I know where the life of crime will lead you and I don't ever want to see you there. Please, listen to what Barbara tells you. She will be your mentor and teach you all you need to know. I love you so much, my girl. Take care of yourself, and always remember to stand proud. I love you!
Love
Mom

Helena let the letter slip through her fingers as she stared at the photos. It can't be true. It just can't be. What am I? I am a freak. I have always been one and this just proves it. I will never let Barbara live this down. She should have told me. Someone will pay for what they did to my mother. First, Barbara for not telling me, then the man who stabbed her. That is the way it must be. Her eyes changed as her anger rose, and hate filled her heart.