Disclaimer: I don't own "Batman Begins" and Celia belongs to a friend of mine

Where was Josh going? Mason Manor was the other way. Why was he heading into the city? I followed my cousin down the busy sidewalks that afternoon. I was worried about him a little bit. That dodgeball that hit him must have hurt a lot. As the sun was setting and school buses passed me by, I found Josh going into a big building. A sign above the door in large gold letters said that it was "Gotham Community Center". I rushed to the window to look through, but it was too fogged up. So, I decided to go inside. The hallways were covered in drawings made by younger kids, and some bordered wallpaper that had animated kids holding hands, and standing on the world. Phones were ringing from far away, and laughter in a room nest to me. As I was looking around, I heard another noise...It was barking. The next thing I knew, a full grown German Shepard put its front paws on my shoulders, licking my face. I was laughing because it tickled my cheeks, but I was wondering what a dog was doing in a community center.

"Dib!" shouted a voice. "Get off! Sorry, are you all right?"

I looked to find a girl my age dressed in a black shirt with a weird green creature on it and jeans. Her black hair wih strange purple streaks fell about her face, covering half of her rectangular glasses.

"I'm fine, thanks," I replied as Dib the German Shepard got off of me. "What's he doing here?"

"I'm babysitting a bunch of six year olds," the purple-black haired girl answered. "I brought him over from the Animal Shelter, where I volunteer. I'm Celia,"

"Sarah," I said, smoothing my uniform.

It took only a moment for me to see that Celia was sizing me up with her eyes.

"You a prep?" she asked.

"What?" I asked. "No, I--"

"Meh, you dress like one. Look like one too,"

Obviously this girl had an issue with preps. To be honest, I never wondered how I should label myself. To me, labeling a person is just like going to a butcher shop and picking out what's the best and worst meat. I'd like to think that I'm the in-between label girl. Although, I kind of wish that it was that way at school. Celia gathered the leash from Dib's collar, and started to walk out of the door. As long as she's here, maybe I could ask her about Josh,.

"Have you seen my cousin?" I asked her as she stopped. "He's my age, a little taller than me, spikey brown hair..."

Celia furrowed her eyebrows.

"Josh Mason?" she asked.

"Yeah," I nodded. "You know him?"

"Yeah, I know him. You're Sarah Chante though, right? I thought you looked familiar,"

My stomach chruned as I looked down. I wanted to hide my face, which had already been identified. I thought no one would recognize me. Guess I was wrong.

"Hey, it's okay," Celia reassured. "I'm not gonna ask for your autograph or anything. But, sure, I know your cousin. He's upstairs, fourth door on the left,"

I smiled a bit, and started to go upstairs, when Celia spoke again.

"Do you know?" she asked.

Puzzled, I turned to face her. I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Know what?" I asked.

Celia sighed a bit. It was as if I should've known something for a while. After she tied off her dog to a bench leg, she took me upstairs. We passed all kinds of different people. Some looked homeless, some looked like they were on drugs, and some looked deathly sick. Not only was this a community center, but I realized that it was also some kind of rehabilitation facility. But why would Josh be in reabilitation. Celia and I finally reached a closed door with a fog glass window. On it, it said in bold letters:

C.A.P

Below in italicize said:

Children of Abusive Parents

I had to read the sign again. Abusive parents? I thought Edgar loved Josh! Mainly of teasing me, and making me cry.

"He started coming here two years ago," Celia started. "You know, just to hang out. He'd go in the rec room and just watch cartoons. Then one day--Hey! Where you going?"

Not listening to another word, I opened the door and walked in. The sight I sw was a bit strange. Kids of different ages and personalities were holding hands in a circle, and bowing their heads as if in prayer. Celia came up behind me. I saw many things that alarmed me. One girl in a hoodie had a bruise on her face that was still purple and fresh. A boy had a few cuts on his arms and cheeks. Josh seemed to be like the only one unharmed. Although I knew better. Celia sighed.

"Sad, huh?" she asked. "

Slowly I nodded. It all made sense somehow. I think it was the reason why Josh was being so mean to me.

"Why didn't he tell anyone?" I asked.

Celia looked at me weird.

"Would you?" she asked. "These kids have nowhere to go but here for help. For friends...for family...They come here to be loved,"

I can understand that.

"So," I whispered. "These kids won't tell anyone because they're scared,"

Celia shrugged.

"It's different for anyone who's been abused," she said. "Josh's story started 2 years ago. After his grandparents died, his dad started drinking. Not much at first, just like 2 a week. You know, one for the week, and one for those real late nights. But...last month, that's when he really started to hit Josh. Before it was just verbal abuse, but then...Well, I'm sre you can piece together the rest,"

There were times when I thought I would started crying for Josh...He was the one crying in that mysterious room. If only I had known, I could've stopped it. I could've done something about it. Watching the group with Celia in the back, I wondere how Josh could live like this...One of these days, I'm gonna do something for him, to make it all right. Some girl with an earring on her eyebrow went and started a CD player. Celia turned to me.

"I hear them all the time when I'm up here to babysit," she explained. "You ever seen the movie RENT?"

Silentle, I shook my head.

"There's a group like this one, and they sing sometimes about their problems. Just listen,"

The CD player started to play a soft guitar music. The CAP Kids held hands, and went into their prayer-like mode for moments of listening to a song that touched their hearts...and mine. A song called "Will I Lose My Dignity?" played in my soul. It made me feel more than sad. It made me feel angry to know that kids my age were being abused. It snapped me in hald to know that my cousin was being beaten. I wanted to cry so hard.

(A/N: I don't own "Will I Lose My Dignity?" from RENT)

Will I Lose My Dignity? Will Someone Care? Will I Wake Tomorrow From This Nightmare?

Celia put a hand on my shoulder and left the room quietly as I still stood there, listening to the soft words. No one was singing. Just holding onto each other to keep their life in motion and entact. Tears stramed down my face as I walked slowly toward my cousins group. When they saw me for the first time, the opened a space for me. They welcomed me with open hands.

Will I Lose My Dignity? Will Someone Care? Will I Wake Tomorrow From This Nightmare?

I placed a hand in the bruised face girl with one hand, and the guy with cuts with the other. Looking up, Josh stared at me with puzzled eyes. I think it was the first time I've seen him without a look of hatred on his face.

Will I Lose My Dignity? Will Someone Care? Will I Wake Tomorrow From This Nightmare?

Something insde me was stirring. It was warm and soft. It was a comforting blanket that was draping around me by someone I trusted. My eyes closed as I listened to the music. The words poured into my soul, lifting my spirit up. My mouth slowly opened as I listened to the next round.

Will I Lose My Dignity? Will Someone Care? Will I Wake Tomorrow From This Nightmare?

It was rising. Coming up my throat. I didn't know what it was, but I wasn't afraid. I let it happened...I started to sing softly with my tears

Will I Lose My Dignity? Will Someone Care? Will I Wake Tomorrow From This Nightmare? Will I Lose My Diginty? Will Someone Care? Will I Wake Tomorrow From This Night? Will I Lose?Will I Lose?

The song was over. I had my eyes closed. I didn't know why I had sung the words, nor did I knew how pretty I could sing. I know that sounds vain, but I only thought that because it almost sounded like my mother. Opening my eyes, the group was looking at me. At first, I thought they were looking at me strange, but they weren't. They were smiling at me, as if I had done something extraordinary...I never forgot the look on Josh's face

"How did you find me?" Josh asked me.

We were walking down the orange sidewal as the sun started to set. I smiled a bit. Josh was really content now. It almost made me wonder if he was really my cousin or not.

"I was kind of worried about you since dodgeball," I explained. "I wanted to know if you were all right. So I followed you,"

Josh was puzzled.

"Why?" he asked me. "Why were you worried about me? I mean, I called you names, I hit you, I broke your locket, and I played tricks on you. Why are you being so nice to me?"

I stopped on the sidewalk, and put a hand on Josh's shoulder...I swear, he flinched a bit when I touched it.

"Because, believe it or not," I started. 'You were nice to me first...Josh, I want to help you. I know what's going on,"

Josh's eyes went wide

"How did you find out?" he asked.

"Celia told me," I answered.

"Celia Henderson? The girl with the purple streaks in her heair?"

I shrugged.

"Yeah," I answered. "She's nice,"

Josh groaned.

"She promised she wouldn't say anything," he whined. "...And she's not that nice,"

I shook my head, and laughed a bit...But then I wanted to know something.

"Josh," I said softly. "You also mentioned someone at school. Adam Gerons right?...Who is he?"

Josh was silent at that. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, but it wasn't necessarily a comfortable one either. It was a deathly silence that both of us wouldn't want to break, for fear of saying something without thinking. But I knew Josh wouldn't tell him. Maybe all the stuff I knew about him was wearing him down. I can wait a little bit longer to find out who Adam Gerons was. Suddenly, the clock tower at City Hall chimed 7 o'clock. Josh and I looked at each other.

"Oh no," I whispered.

"If we're not home--"Josh started.

We didn't finish. Instead, we took off running together down the streets of Gotham. Mason Manor wasn't that far. It stood just outside the city. So, lucky us. But I knew we wouldn't be so lucky if we arrived home late. At times, we had to stop and catch our breath for a moment, but Josh and I were able to make it back. As I started for the steps, though, Josh grabbed me and pulled me away.

"What are you doing?" I asked loudly as I struggled.

"Shh," Josh whispered. "Don't go that way. That's the first place he'd look. Go another way. I'll stall him for as long as I can...Hey. Isn't that your godfather's car in the driveway?"

"WHERE IS SHE?" shouted Edgar. "And don't give me this 'I have no idea' crap! I know you know! I know she went to you after school!"

Bruce's eyes were wide at this. Half an hour ago, he had recieved a call from Edgar Mason to come and speak with him. Instead, he was being yelled at. Sarah and Josh were missing, and he was starting to get worried that she ran away.

"I'm telling you the truth," Bruce explained. "I haven't seen or spoken to Sarah since last night,"

"Yes, yes," Edgar paced in the parlor. "Right before you set fire to your mansion. I know. But that still gives no excuse as to why my niece and my son haven't shown up at the door,"

"They're only kids Edgar. I'll call the police,"

"No police!...And who are you to decided how I should handle the finding of my son, and ward?"

Bruce sighed a bit. He forgot. Sarah doesn't live with him anymore. The two billionaires heard the front door all of a sudden. Josh soon came into view as he walked passed the parlor's entry door.

"Hey," he said casually as he walked in.

"Where's the girl?" Edgar immedietly growled. "And where were you?"

Josh shrugged.

"I don't know," he said. "She told me she was coming back here on the bus. I went with a couple of friends to Starbucks an studied for Friday's test,"

Bruce looked at Edgar. The man did not look too happy. He stared at the boy with such disdain. Although, Bruce had no idea what was going on. Edgar moved out of the parlor, and up the black, bleak marble stairs.

"If she is not up there in her room," he started. "Your butt is grounded for the rest of your life, and you Mr. Wayne will face my wrath,"

The young billionair didn't like the fact that he was being threatened. And to think he was bringing Sarah into this. Bruce followed quickly behind Edgar and Josh down the hall.

"Edgar," he started. "Wait. What if she's not there? What if she's at a friends, or the library--"

"She knows the rules," Edgar growled. "She wouldn't dare defy me,"

"And if she ever did?"

Edgar said nothing as they neared Sarah's room. Opening the door with a swift move, he strode into the dark room.

"Scummy!" he shouted.

However, no answere came. The only sight Edgar, Josh, and Bruce saw was Sarah, tucked safely in her bed, asleep. It was as if she had been there the whole time and had done nothing to upset anyone. From the corner of his ete, Bruce saw Josh breathe a sigh of relief as he slipped something bulky behind the wardrobe closet.Then he looked, and with a faint smile, saw the window open, the curtains rustling from the soft blow of the wind. Edgar looked dumbstruck.

"How--," he stuttered. "She--That--"

"Wait outside a moment, Mr. Mason," Bruce suggested.

Surprisingly, Edgar moved out of the room as Bruce closed the window silently, locking it, and moved toward the bed. Sitting on it, he gently bent over and whispered in his goddaughters ear.

"I know you're awake," he whispered. "Listen to me. Tomorrow, I'm going to pick you up from school. There are some things you need to know. And it's important that you don't tell anyone..I'm trying to get you back,"

From the inside of his coat pocket, Bruce pulled out something in gift-wrapping paper. On the top, something bulged out. It was odd, because the rest of the gift was rectangular.

"Under your bed," he said as he put it under the bed. "You will find where you can reach me, and two other things that you're going to need...You will always have someone to keep you safe,"

At this moment, Sarah opened her eyes and stared at her godfather. Bruce smiled a bit for reassrance.

"Bruce," she said softly. "About what I said about your parents...I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry. I'll--"

"Hey," Bruce smiled. "I understand...You loved them very much. Get some sleep,"

Sarah nodded, and supposedly went back to sleep as Bruce slipped out of the room. Closing the door, he turned and glared at Edgar. Josh had sought refuge in his room, so the two men were alone. Bruce started to walk away, leaving.

"If I find out that you've been mistreating her," he said as he walked down the stairs. "You will face my wrath,"

(A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed it. It's not my best chapter, I know that. And it's short too. Sorry about that. It's all I had for now. Here are a couple of notes. Celia is just a supporting character for now, just in case you're wondering. I'm not putting in new people at the last minute. And I thought that Will I Lose My Dignity? was the perfect song to put on here, I just had to do it. Hope you guys liked it. Review please)