Chapter 2 – Bleed it out

That night Lucy dreamt about the lady; she kept repeating those words to her although she looked a lot more terrifying than she actually was. The woman's eyes were completely black, even her sclera, and her lips oozed black oil. Her voice was demonised, and her hair came to life: it wrapped around Lucy's body and picked her up so that her face was levelled with hers.

"If you never stand up for yourself then you'll die!" the lady growled at her.

"I don't wanna die" Lucy cried and then the hair dropped her. Lucy kept screaming as she fell. She kept falling and falling until she fell into something solid. Darkness surrounded her so Lucy couldn't see anything, but she felt a wetness on her hands, torso and knees.

At a snail's pace, light began to filter onto her as if someone lit a candle and it illuminated that Lucy was in the middle of a road in a pool of blood. She didn't know whose blood it was, but it didn't matter. It was blood and it was on her. Lucy screamed and began to cry harder.

"Daddy! Daddy!" she sobbed, with her hands on the harsh ground, "Daddy!"

"Lucy, wake up!" she heard her father say.

Lucy's eyes shot open and she saw her father in his shaggy appearance. His hair was rumpled, and his wife beater and shorts were crinkled displaying that he had hurriedly ran out of bed. Tears began to flood her eyes and Lucy began to hiccup.

"Hey, hey. Lou, what's the matter?" Arthur sat her up and rubbed her arms as he kneeled before her.

Lucy was in such a state that she couldn't give a comprehendible answer though it was obvious she had had a night terror. Arthur gently picked her up by the legs and rested her on his shoulder whilst Lucy hugged his neck.

While the woman did give Lucy a scare as did the whole incident, she didn't think it would have such an effect on her.

Arthur sat Lucy down on the edge of the circular table and patted her head, "Hey, look at me."

Lucy looked up at him with her droopy eyes to which Arthur smiled at her and whispered to her "It's alright. Yeah? I'm here, nothing's gonna happen to ya."

He then nodded and went to the fridge to get some warm up some milk for Lucy. He gently handed her the mug which she instantly began to chug down.

"Woah, slow down there, baby doll."

Lucy took one last gulp and set the cup down beside her. She sniffled and rubbed her forearms with her hands.

"Lucy, do you want to go back to bed now? Or do you- do you want to talk about it?" Arthur hunched down to level with her.

"I wanna go to bed"

"Alright"

"Can I sleep with you in your bed?"

Arthur looked down at his daughter with dolour because Lucy was so young, yet she was suffering so much. "Of course. Come on, you little monkey".

Lucy giggled and climbed onto his back. They crept into Arthur's littered room and he set her down on the large queen bed next to Harleen who was snoring away. He lifted the covers and tucked both of them in.

Lucy snuggled up to Arthur and mumbled "Thanks Daddy"

"Sh sh, go to sleep. You have school in a few hours."

;-;-;-;-;

Lucy sat alone on the swings during recess, lazily swinging herself. She was nearly always alone; she had two friends, but they didn't go to the same school.

Children in her school were mean to her mainly because of her father's scars but she didn't blame her father. Children listened to their parents whether they liked them or not and many parents told their children that Arthur was a freak: thus, his daughter was also a freak.

It was one of the reasons Arthur avoided Lucy's school because he didn't like it when people would turn their dirty eyes from him onto his daughter.

Lucy was often bullied, and she was not a shy girl but had a small voice so she rarely fought back. The girls would leave her out of activities and the boys would push and shove her.

Some days they would all call her names and other days they would scream at her and push her around – today was one of those days.

From behind her she heard scuffles and roars of laughter. She didn't need to look at them to see who they were. It was Dennis and his friends. The real hilarity was that Dennis looked like a carbon copy of Dennis the Menace: small, black spiky hair and adorned in black and red.

"Hey look, it's a skeleton. Oh wait! It's only the freak" a voice called from behind.

Whoever said all children are innocent is a liar.

Suddenly, Lucy was pushed off of her swing. She fell on her hands and knees, scraping them in the process. She sat on her haunches and studied the damage and once that registered she felt complete rage towards the idiot that pushed her off.

She stood up and turned to the culprits and she had been right; it was Dennis and his three unimportant manservants.

"Don't ignore me, stupid!" Dennis shouted.

Lucy wanted to hurt Dennis to make him feel what she felt. She wanted to avenge herself for everything they had done to her and for everything they had planned to do to her.

She then heard the words of the scary woman clearly in her head, "No matter who it is, do not listen to their disparaging comments, and have confidence in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself then you'll never get anything in life because no one else will believe in you. So, if someone is trying to cut you down, you should stand up for yourself and give them a reason not to bother you again."

A fire sparked in her and that fire rapidly grew. "Hey Dennis, did your mom name you Dennis because she hated you when you were born? I mean everyone hates Dennis"

Dennis's arrogant smirk fell and he took a threatening step forward, "No! My momma loves me!"

"That's why she calls you Dennis… the Menace! No one likes you, Dennis the Menace!"

Dennis's eyes watered, "Oh yeah? You're so skinny that when you wore that yellow dress the other day, I thought you were a pencil."

Lucy faked being in deep thought, "Really, so you need a new name and glasses too, because a pencil isn't as big as a girl."

"Wh- what?" Dennis took a step back and looked at his friends.

"And Dennis, you're so fat that when you wear your yellow raincoat people think you're a taxi!" Lucy yelled.

"N- no! No! I'm not fat!"

"See. It's not nice is it, Dennis? When you're being picked on?" Lucy nodded, "If you ever touch me again Dennis, I won't tell anyone, because I'll push you right back. Like THIS!" and Lucy shoved him so hard he fell on his back and into a mud puddle.

He then sat up and his lips began to tremble. Then he let out a wail which made all the teachers run over.

"Dennis, oh my God, are you ok?" the blonde stout teacher asked.

Dennis, still balling, pointed towards Lucy who was beaming at the scene. The blonde looked at Lucy expectantly, "Now Lucy, what happened?"

"He pushed me… so I pushed him back"

The blonde, Ms Flew, simply laughed, "Oh Dennis! You're a boy, you're not supposed to hurt girl and cry over a small cut. Come on."

"But it hurts!" Dennis cried.

"Come on" was all Ms Flew said as she led him away. She turned to Lucy and gave her a wink. For the first time, Lucy didn't think that school was that awful.

Coming home was even better because it seemed that even the journey was less bleak. There were no rats, or hooded figures hiding in the shadows waiting to strike. It was just Lucy, the puddles and the road which she wouldn't complain against.

Her journey home was, for the first time in a long time, ordinary, happy.

Even her imaginary friends seemed more livelier and realistic. As Lucy strolled past the scary lady's home that evening, she remembered that it was her encouragement that she was able to do what she did today. She slowed her pace and contemplated whether she should thank her or not.

In the end, she reasoned against it and went straight home. Again, her mother was not home and much to her surprise it was her father who met her at the entrance.

"Hey, sweet pea, how was your day?" he kneeled to her level and took her bag and coat.

Lucy sat down and took her shoes off all the while telling him about how fantastic school was much to Arthur's surprise.

"Oh yeah, why don't you tell me all about it at lunch?"

Lunch. Something that was a privilege for Lucy and her Father, "What are we having?" she was already salivating.

"Rice, peas and chicken!" Arthur said proudly, as those were the only foods he knew how to prepare.

"Chicken!" Lucy screamed in delight, "Yay!"

Soon, the two found themselves on the table again, with steaming hot food. It was a sight that Lucy had, unfortunately, seen few times and each time she welcomed it.

"Go on, you little monkey. Dig in!" Arthur was already shovelling food into his mouth.

"Yessss!" Lucy first began with the chicken, in case her daddy stole it while it was still hot.

"So, what made that hell hole so fantastic today?"

Lucy swallowed a large bite, "I stood up for myself!" Lucy squealed.

"Yeah?" Arthur's brows shot up.

Lucy's smile was meek as she explained, "Yeah! Daddy, you remember Dennis?"

Arthur convulsed with laughter and almost choked on his food, "You mean the real Dennis the menace at your school? Yeah, I remember that little brat. What did he do?"

"He… he bullies me, daddy. Calling me names and pushing me, I don't like it!" Lucy slammed her cutlery down.

Arthur's chewing slowed down, then he washed his food back with some water, "Aw, sweet pea, want me to go rough him up?" and Arthur was really willing to go that low for Lucy.

"No, I fixed him"

"Fixed him, uh, how?" Arthur questioned, not following her.

"Remember that scary lady?"

"Uh-huh"

"She told me to do it. So when Dennis pushed me, I pushed him back AND I wasn't even afraid."

"That's my girl, see! I knew you had it in you. You're my daughter, not your mother's"

Lucy became crescent face, "Where is she? I saw her last night but… she's not here today."

Arthur hung his head in what looked to be shame and pushed the food around in his plate, "She, uh, she's not here. Yesterday, she was out with her friends and today… I don't, I don't know where she is and I don't care."

Lucy set her cutlery down and ogled her food. She didn't have the appetite to finish her food but there wasn't much to finish anyway, so she did her best to pace herself, after all she didn't know when she would have a meal similar to this in the future.

Then, a notion came to Lucy, one that was not unfamiliar, but uncomfortable for her. She pondered over it many times but came up with nothing so she resorted to asking her father for the first time.

"Daddy. Why doesn't she love me?" Lucy didn't look at her father in the eye, it hurt too much, but if she had she would've seen the agony in her own father's eyes.

Arthur slowly put his cutlery down too, finished with the food, and pushed out his chair. He wanted Lucy to live a happy life, however, neither did he want to lie to her. Regardless, his hesitation had already spoken volumes to Lucy – Harleen didn't love Lucy.

"Lucy, it doesn't matter. I…" It was difficult for Arthur to open up but his girl needed him, "I love you."

"I know, Daddy. But why doesn't my mama love me?" Lucy choked on her words.

Arthur paused, "She doesn't love anyone but herself, that's why baby doll."

Lucy nodded and then started to sob, loudly. Arthur dashed to the other side of the table and pulled her into his arms, "Sh, sh sh. One day, she'll realise what she's missing, hm. Then she will regret everything that she has done to you."

Lucy sniffed twice then asked, "What's regret?"

Arthur looked down at his little girl. She had a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and her hair was becoming greasy. All in all, she looked down right tired. Luckily, it was a Friday that meant that Harleen was out drinking so Lucy could sleep next to him rather than in her dejected bed. Yes, he had lied to Lucy but only so she didn't feel ashamed as he did about Harleen.

"It's when you feel bad for doing something. I bet she'll make a face like this" without warning Arthur made a face to which Lucy gave him a watery grin. Arthur had quite the malleable face when it came to making faces.

He made more faces which made Lucy laugh her socks off. When she had calmed down, Arthur took her to the bath and let her have fun for once and allowed a bubble bath whilst he cleared his cluttered room for Lucy.

He heard Lucy make sound effects of something exploding and crashing but didn't question it. She was always more boyish than most girls but like any child she had a wild imagination. Arthur could never console Lucy for Harleen's neglect but he let Lucy escape into her own world to help survive this world. It was the only way in his mind.

A few doors down from his own abode, the Indian woman was blowing off steam, punching away at the punching bag and waiting for her favourite female companion to join her for a night of ecstasy. It wasn't a few moments later the woman heard the soft rapping of her friend's hands on her door.

It was going to be a long night for both Arthur and the woman, albeit, for different reasons; for Arthur he would have to battle with his mind all through the night and hope for a wink of sleep and for the woman she would have to restrain herself in case someone heard them. It was only the beginning of the 21st century after all….

;-;-;-;-;

Arthur awoke the next day to Lucy tapping him on his scarred cheek, "Daddy, someone's banging on the door" she whispered.

Arthur grumbled and turned over to his bedside and checked his digital alarm clock. It was eleven in the morning! Lucy was an early bird so he was amazed she didn't wake him up earlier. The banging was faint but it was there alright.

Arthur told Lucy to stay in his room and pulled out his revolver from his draw and tucked it into his shorts. He crept over to his door and then hollered, "Who is it?!"

"It's me, Artie! Open up! I've been standing here for hours!" Harleen screeched.

Arthur rolled his eyes at her exaggeration and to be vindictive, he took his time unlocking the door, but before the door was even ajar Harleen was rushing in.

She looked, smelt and even sounded terrible. Her skimpy green dress was wrinkled, her hair frizzled, her makeup smudged and there were vomit stains on the corners of her mouth – yeah, she had been drinking. She staggered over to the kitchen and was rambling to Arthur about how well her 'girls night' had gone.

When Lucy heard her mother's incessant voice, she slyly slipped out of her parent's room so as to not make herself obvious to her mother but even in her drunk stupor, Harleen managed to make Lucy's form leaving her room.

"Hey, Lucy! Were you in my room?" Harley's blood pressure was already rising.

Lucy sheepishly looked over to her mother, "No."

"Yeah you were. What are you still doing in your PJs? And what were you doing in my room with my stuff?"

Arthur shielded Lucy from Harleen's view, "Harley, calm down!"

"No! She was in my room using my things, weren't you?" Harley began to approach Lucy but was halted by Arthur who had caught her elbow.

"Harley, you're jumping to conclusions. Lucy was in our room because I asked her to be there, ok?"

"That brat doesn't know how to treat my things properly, Artie! She once used my lipstick like a crayon for her stupid drawings!" Harley nearly pooped a vein as she seethed at Arthur.

Arthur's grip intensified, "Well, maybe you shouldn't keep your stuff lying around when you have a kid, hm? Been tellin' you for years"

It was that menacing look that finally shut Harley up. One look from Arthur completely shut her down. She wrenched her arm out of his grip shakily and ran off to her room where she shut herself in.

When Arthur shifted his gaze from his door to Lucy, he was nearly floored; there Lucy stood with two waterfalls pouring from her eyes, her lip trembling and her head slowly descending.

Arthur attentively strode over to her and picked her up in his arms. There was no exchange of words. He took her to her room and set her down on her bed where she curled up in her bed, bringing her pillow to her face and cried her heart out. Arthur poorly attempted to turn her towards himself but he was never good with emotions.

"Lou, do you want me to stay?"

A shake of the head and he was, at a snail's pace, out of her room. He barged into his own room and the screaming contest began.

"Harley, I've seen a lot of scum since I began my life, but you really define what vermin's are in this city, you know that?!"

Harley turned to look at him in astonishment, "Excuse me, what did I do wrong? I was just making sure she didn't-"

"Didn't what? Didn't WHAT? Didn't accidently break your crap that you keep lying around? Huh? She's just a kid! Normal kids always make a mess and if you haven't noticed Lucy hasn't touched not one thing that belongs to you! Tell me, what is more precious to you? This… stuff that you keep buying to satisfy your bizarre needs or your daughter? Tell me!" Arthur nearly stamped his foot with each word.

"Bizarre needs? Arthur! I spend all this time to be perfect for you and this-"

"I never asked you to be perfect, you stupid bootlicker!"

"Yes you did! Ever since Lucy was born you never pay attention to me! You never look anymore! When was the last time you touched me, huh? I have needs too! Lucy isn't the only one who has needs!" in her anger Harley nearly tipped over all of her makeup on the table.

Arthur cocked his head and took a rather lengthy pause. A look of disgust etched his face, "You. You're… jealous…. Of your own damn daughter" he revealed out loud in a whisper.

Of course, Harley was quick to rebuke but the damage was done, "No! Lucy just needs to learn-"

"She doesn't need to learn anything! Jesus! It's you who needs to learn how to be a goddamned mother! Don't blame her for your-!"

"I'm a good mom! I gave her fucking life! I sacrificed my fucking body to bring her into this world, into your life! This is how you repay me! By making me look after her like she's some retarded kid who can't even eat without assistance! Well guess what? I-"

Harley never finished her sentence, and soon her face met the floor with quite some speed and force. She nearly blacked out with the amount of force Arthur put in that slap.

"Don't. You. Dare." He muttered under his breathe, "I also had a part in her making-ah. She is just a kid, why can't you get that through your thick skull? And if you didn't know, you're not the only mother in the world. Many woman go through pregnancy and guess what? Most of them happily take care of their kids despite the damage the kids have done to their bodies, why can't you?"

As Harley came to, her flight or fight instinct kicked in; she wanted to fly, fast. She tried to bury her face into the floor – hoping the floor would swallow her. Instead, she felt Arthur's cold hand on the back of her head and lifted her head painfully until she was face to face with him.

The way the shadow fell on his face only highlighted his scar which gave the impression that he was amused by all of it, "Lucy, our daughter, no I meant… my daughter, is only six years old. I can barely feed her as it is. She is, uh, literally my purpose in life and you can't find it in your small shrivelled heart to just… make… sure… that she is alright at the end of the day?"

Harley hadn't even managed to form a sentence before the next hit came. The focus of this discussion had heard the commotion and changed her clothes quickly, to flee as swiftly as possible. Lucy knew her father a violent man when given enough encouragement, but it scared her that he could do that and chose to leave when he was in such moods.

Of course, Lucy had never done what she had in that very moment before. She had taken her key, her bag with her art material and left her home. She knew the dangers, but the fear of the unknown was greater than the fears she faced on a daily basis.

Just as she closed the door, she heard a loud bang and the sound of a body falling to the ground. She hadn't heard the full conversation as the walls muffled their voices, but she had caught on to the main gist; her mother didn't want her and her father wanted Harley to be a proper mother.

As Lucy approached the top of the corridor, her mind found it appropriate to remind her of that night terror about the Indian woman, and naturally Lucy became paranoid like any child that when she would pass her door she would be snatched away.

Lucy's hands shook as she took one step, then another, then a third. She had almost passed the final door completely but then it creaked open. Lucy froze like a deer in headlights. Her eyes were wide, and she was on the verge of losing all stability, however much to her surprise it was not the Indian woman that came out.

It was a black woman that came sauntering out. She had a small black afro, soft eyebrows, large soft brown eyes, a Nubian nose and big beautiful cherry coloured lips above a small chin. She was much smaller than the Indian woman as well, in fact the woman looked to be the same height as Harleen, possibly an inch or two smaller.

The woman looked much more friendlier than the Indian woman. Though, she only noticed Lucy after she had shut the door and turned around, nearly bumping into Lucy, well, more like she nearly fell over her.

"Oh, sorry!" She then looked down at Lucy with a welcoming smile, "Sorry, I didn't see you there, kid. Are you ok?"

She had dropped her black hand purse which Lucy pointed to, "You dropped your purse, lady"

"Did I?" The woman looked to the ground beside her black pumps, "Oh I did! Thanks"

When she went to pick it up, and as she did Lucy couldn't help but wonder what such a beautiful woman was doing with such a scary lady.

When the woman fully stood, she quietly said to Lucy in a low voice, "Hey, if anyone asks, I wasn't here, ok?"

Lucy hesitated but she nodded nonetheless but that wasn't before asking, "What are you doing here?"

The woman's brows rose, "What do you mean?"

"Like, is that lady your friend?"

The woman smiled bashfully, "Yeah, she's my friend. Has been for a long time."

Lucy was astounded, "But…. She's so scary"

The lady broke into a fit of laughter, "Oh kid. Shall I tell you a secret, just between us?"

Lucy nodded once more so the woman leaned in and said, "She may look big, mean and tough but once you get to know her, she's a big softie"

Lucy cocked her in curiosity, "Really?"

The woman smiled wide, "Really really"

"But she tried to eat me!" Lucy said in disbelief.

"What? Aashi is a vegetarian!" the woman added incredibly.

"What's a veg… a vegita-rian?"

"A vegetarian is someone who only eats veggies."

Lucy put a hand to her chin thoughtfully, "So, like carrots and stuff?"

The woman repeated in agreement, "Like carrots and stuff"

Lucy felt a great weight lift from her, "Oh"

The woman dipped her head "Don't worry kid, a lot of people judge her, you're not the only one. Anyway, I have to run, I'm going be late." She waved bye to Lucy and was gone within seconds.

Lucy was left stunned at the new revelation: the Indian woman wasn't a monster!

Lucy felt guilty for having such awful thoughts about the Indian woman. After all, the black woman, who happened to be one of the nicest people Lucy had encountered in her life, knew the Indian woman and even vouched for her.

Not to mention, the Indian woman had also encouraged Lucy to stand up for herself and look how that turned out. Maybe the Indian woman wasn't that bad?

Lucy shuffled her feet in deep contemplation and made her mind up. She was going to thank the Indian woman. She took a small anxious step towards the door and raised her hand. She gulped and made to rap at the door but just as she did the door opened and instead, she banged her hand on the Indian woman's knee. Again.

Lucy's breath was caught in her throat and her wides opened wide in shock. Her eyes were locked on her hand that was on the woman's knee.

Gradually, Lucy raised her eyes from her hand up to the woman's face. She was staring down at Lucy but not with a frown as Lucy had expected. In their last encounter the woman couldn't stop glaring at Lucy but now she seemed calm and somewhat puzzled, "Yes, child?"

Lucy swallowed and shuffled back until her bag hit the wall behind her. The woman completely came out of her room and shut the door. When Lucy made no move to speak the woman turned around and locked it.

She then flipped back and leaned against her door, observing, like she always seemed to do.

Lucy gazed at the woman's strange attire. Once more she was wearing leather boots, though they were not the ones she wore last time. These ones were ankle boots. It was accompanied by ripped velvet black fitted jeans which did not reveal skin but leather underneath. She wore a simple blank black t-shirt this time, but she was wearing her thick leather trench coat again.

Her hands were in her pocket, but Lucy didn't see any gloves on her hands. Her hoops, or earrings as her daddy had said, were more obvious to the eyes as her hair had been pulled up in a high ponytail. Again, her eyes were covered in black, but her lips were free of lipstick.

Click, click. The woman snapped her fingers at Lucy, "Child, what is it that you want?"

Lucy blinked rapidly, "Oh. Sorry. I, uh, just wanted to, uh, say…." But she trailed off.

The woman was surprisingly patient with her, "Say what, child?"

"Uh, thank you" Lucy answered timidly. She had a feeling that the woman did not like to waste her time.

"For what?"

"You, uh…. You told me to stand up for, for myself, and, and I did. It worked!" Lucy bobbed her head.

The woman grunted, then abruptly left the corridor. Lucy didn't stare this time but ran after her, "Wait up!"

Lucy couldn't believe it had taken her so long simply to say thank you and the woman had only acknowledged it with a grunt. She struggled to keep up with the tall woman and lost her footing. She was caught but a strong arm, "Watch your footing, child"

Once Lucy was on the ground they were off again, only this time Lucy made a point to introduce herself. She ran in front of the woman so as to stop her, "My name is not child. It's Lucy" she held out her hand as her father taught her, "It's nice to meet you."

The woman stopped, cocked a brow but then kneeled to her level anyway. She looked at the hand then at Lucy. She raised an arm above her head in a flash which made Lucy flinch, but she didn't back down. The woman smirked and took Lucy's hand, "It's nice to meet you Lucy. I'm Aashi"

Lucy's brows furrowed, "A she?"

The woman shook her head with a smile, "No. Aashi. Aah-shee. It means smile."

"Aashi" Lucy tried again and when the woman nodded Lucy tried again, "Aashi! Aashi! It's nice to meet you. You have a cool name! But you don't smile a lot, or at least I don't think so. I haven't seen you smile a lot. And I don't know what Lucy means" This time Lucy shook her hand quite happily.

If she took offence to what Lucy had said, she didn't show it, but a corner of her lip did threaten to curl up.

"Lucy; it is the English feminine name derived from the Latin name, Luscius, which means light". Then, surprising Lucy, the woman stood and walked over Lucy's head. The tails of her coat gently flopped over Lucy's head and she was left to stare at her in amazement.

Lucy ran behind her and took one of the tails of her coat into her hand, "Aashi, why did you come to Gotham?"

Aashi glanced down at Lucy with boredom and didn't reply. Lucy didn't take well to being ignored despite the fact that Harleen often ignored her existence. "Hey Aashi!"

Lucy was so concentrated on tugging her tailcoat she didn't realise they had left the apartment complex completely. Aashi stopped dead in her tracks, but didn't tug her tailcoat out of Lucy's grip, she merely looked Lucy over.

"You shouldn't be leaving your home without letting your parents know, or at least someone who can keep an eye out for you."

Lucy stammered on her words before she managed to form a coherent sentence, "How did you know? I didn't tell anyone."

"I've seen many children such as yourself"

Lucy furrowed her brows in confusion, "So?"

"So… I can read you like an open book. I can tell what you're up to."

Lucy looked to the ground, "It… it's not my fault"

Aashi's eyes shone with an emotion that Lucy was unclear of, "I never said you were to blame. My question to you is this, child, what do you intend to do right now?"

Lucy glared at Aashi for she often spoke in a way that Lucy did not understand, "What? Do you mean what am I going to do right now?"

Aashi gave a slight nod. Lucy hadn't the foggiest, so she simply countered with what she was currently doing, "I'm going to go with you."

Aashi sighed through her nose and kneeled in the middle of the parking lot, "Child, you don't know me. You don't know what I'm capable of and what I intend to do. For all you could know, I could sell you."

Uncertainty crossed Lucy face, "You can't… sell people, can you?"

Aashi pitied the girl at that moment, she knew children were innocent but if it continued like this Lucy wouldn't survive, least of all in the Narrows, "Unfortunately, people do sell other people, even children. So be careful with who you talk to."

"Then who should I talk to?" Lucy asked with tears brimming her eyes and, in that moment, Aashi couldn't just walk away. "I don't have anyone. No one wants me!" Lucy bawled.

Aashi stood to her full height and started with a slow pace so as to allow Lucy to keep pace, "Follow me, child."

Lucy trusted Aashi but not completely; she trusted Aashi not to harm her but she didn't know her, and her dream often lead her to doubt Aashi and her intentions but he had no other choice. She was simply going off of what the black woman told her and what she had seen. So, Lucy took her sleeve and cleaned her face before she began to chase after Aashi.

When Lucy stumbled behind Aashi for the fourth time she stopped completely and looked up to Aashi in worry. Aashi, with a cool look on her face, just sauntered back and offered Lucy her right pinkie finger.

Lucy looked at it as if she was crazy but took it regardless. This time Lucy did not stumble once as Aashi guided her to the smoother side of the road and Lucy may have had trouble walking long distances, but she did not complain not once as she had a feeling Aashi was the type to do things for a purpose. The scene was almost comical, a small Caucasian child had to struggle to lift her arm up in order to hold the pinkie of the tall, brooding, gothic, Asian woman.

They had walked all the way into the main city by which time Lucy was out of breath, but she didn't complain which pleased Aashi though she didn't show it outwardly; Aashi's assumption of Lucy was correct, indeed.

Without warning, Aashi removed her pinkie from Lucy's grasp and picked her up from the waist and settled her down on her right shoulder. Aashi held her legs with her right hand and Lucy held the top of her head for security.

On the way, Aashi had made a brief call on her Samsung SGH-T100 telling the person on the other line that she would have to cancel on them. When she ended the call and had stuffed the phone in her many pockets Lucy pointed to it, "I haven't seen one of those before".

Aashi chuckled, "It's not been released yet that's why. Samsung are going to launch it next year."

"Then why do you have it?"

"You know how they say it, I have friends in high places."

Lucy was silent for the rest of the journey apart from the one time where she commented on how great Aashi was at walking far journeys. Finally, when they reached the small littered beach, Aashi set her down but took her hand again. She took her to the hill nearby and pointed to a nearby bridge.

"Do you see them, child?"

Lucy squinted and she spotted them, black small masses swaggering around in the dump "Yeah, what is that?"

"They're children, long forgotten by their parents and by the authorities."

Lucy looked at Aashi, horrified. "What? Why?"

"Their parents didn't want them and the people in charge didn't want to spend on these supposed degenerates. Most of their parents are criminals but some of them had normal parents, people who lived normal ordinary lives but didn't want the extra baggage."

"That's sad" Lucy clutched onto Aashi's hand harder.

"But look closely, child. Despite being forsaken by everyone, they carry on. Instead of rolling over and dying like beaten dogs they still clutch onto their lives, scoring through the garbage of others to try to live on."

Again, Lucy didn't understand what Aashi was saying but she understood most of what she was trying to relay to her.

"I don't know what exactly you're going through but know this; you are not completely alone, if you were you would be one of them… or dead" Aashi pointed to the children.

Lucy felt compelled to tell Aashi about her family, simply to clear the facts, "My daddy loves me, a lot. And I love my daddy very much. But…" she trailed off not being able to finish.

"But your mother doesn't" Aashi finished.

Lucy shivered and shook from both the cold and the pent-up emotions. She snatched her hand away and hugged herself, "My mama doesn't love me. She never did." Another violent sob racked through her body when it passed, she looked to find that Aashi was leaning back on her heels, her eyes boring into her own watery ones, "Why doesn't my mom love me?"

Aashi shrugged, "Simple. She's not your mother."

With wide disbelieving eyes, Lucy hiccupped, asking "What?"

Aashi gazed at the children across the beach with a hard expression before answering, "A mother is not simply a woman who births a child. A mother can be either a man or woman. A mother is a person who nurtures a child; thus a mother doesn't have to necessarily need to birth a child or be connected to the child by blood. A mother is one who is concerned for their child's wellbeing. This includes having the need to feed, clean and clothe their child. A mother ensures their child is happy whether it is by providing them their basics needs and more, even going far as to play with them physically to make sure their quality of life is sustained. But, above all, a mother loves their child unconditionally and wouldn't think twice for making huge sacrifices for their child."

Aashi suddenly turned her attention towards Lucy, she paused, and a strange look filled her eyes, she kneeled next to Lucy and rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Do you understand, Lucy?" She wiped Lucy's tears and snot with a tissue that magically appeared.

Lucy nodded shakily, not being able to answer with the frog stuck in her throat.

Aashi hummed pleased, then spoke again "Don't be afraid, child. You're not alone in life and if you ever find yourself alone, know that your loved ones like your father never truly leave you. They stay with you in here and here" she pointed to Lucy's head and heart "and if you still feel alone, remember you always have yourself. So, don't let anyone ever take that away from you. They can take your body, your freedom, your life but they can't take your will to live." After a small pause she added with consideration "A will is your ability to choose your actions."

Lucy ogled her mystified, "Who are 'they'?"

Aashi rubbed Lucy's arms and continued, "People. Humans are cruel creatures who, for the majority of the time, only look out for their self-interest. They only do what they want like those children, they're a good example. The people in power wanted more money so they didn't help those children. There are many people who would hurt you first simply to hurt you so they can have power over you. That's why you shouldn't be scared, child, because at the end of the day all the monsters in the world they are all humans. If you don't give them that power, then they are just another human being who at the core is afraid."

Lucy only understood few things from what Aashi had just told her. One; people were selfish. Two; if she's did not show fear, people would be afraid of her instead. "Is that why I can't talk to people 'cuz they're bad?"

"Yes, because people, not all of them, but most of them will probably hurt you."

"Will you hurt me, Aashi?" Lucy was still a child, and like any child, she was straightforward.

Aashi rubbed her arms again, "No"

"Why?"

Aashi smiled but it seemed like a grimace, "Because I don't want to. You're just a child. A small, lost, annoying child who doesn't know any better. Hurting you would be dishonourable and cruel, and I don't consider myself to be cruel."

"I'm not a child! I'm six years old!" Lucy stomped her foot in the sand. "And I'm not annoying!"

Aashi laughed, taking Lucy on her shoulder again "Let's get you home, child."

"I'm not a child!"

;-;-;-;-;

They returned at noon by which time Lucy had gotten to know Aashi a bit more. Aashi had confirmed that she was indeed Indian and was thirty years old. She was also not new to Gotham. Aashi knew Gotham like it had been her home for years and when Lucy asked how she knew it so well, Aashi replied with 'I just do'.

She also didn't give a good answer to Lucy's question as to what she worked as. Her answer had been 'I work'. Aashi also travelled a lot so it was rare for her to settle in one city.

However, it wasn't just Lucy asking all the questions. Aashi had also learnt a bit about Lucy. She learned that her father, Arthur, was the main bread winner and absolutely adored Lucy from the moment she was born. Arthur went from job to job but never kept them. Her mother on the other hand was something else entirely. From what Lucy explained, Harleen was a deadbeat who only cared about her perfect image: Aashi held an immediate hatred for the woman. She disliked woman like Harley.

Before Aashi had even set Lucy down on her feet, she was holding Aashi's wrist and hopping in delight, exclaiming "Wow, Aashi! You're so strong. You carried me all the way home!"

Aashi looked at her coolly and clearly stated, "I have to be with my line of work".

They were outside, near the entrance of the apartment complex when a great burst of wind whished past them causing Lucy's teeth to clatter together.

Aashi glanced her way and simply stated, "You need a better coat, child. That's not thick enough, especially with the bloody winter that's coming this way."

"Daddy said he would get me one soon"

"Bullocks, by the time he gets paid, you'll have frozen to death."

When they stepped onto their floor Aashi leaned slightly towards Lucy and murmured, "Don't tell anyone about today."

"Why?" Lucy asked bemused.

"Because people might think I'm trying to groom you and I do not need that attention."

"Groom…. Me?"

"Train someone for a…. particular purpose. You'll understand when you grow up, child."

Lucy giggled, "What will you call me when I grow up?"

Aashi cocked a brow, "What makes you think I'll see you grow up"

Lucy looked displeased, "Because…. Because you're my friend"

Aashi halted, "Friend?"

Lucy stood in fornt of Aashi, gripping the front of her coat and looking up at her concerned "Yeah, we're friends. Friends stick together."

Aashi sighed silently and carried on to her own home. When she reached her door, she nodded towards Lucy and disappeared. Just as Lucy was about to reach her own home her father came bustling out. The concerned look on his face intensified when he found her without a scratch.

"Lucy! Where were you?" He crashed to his knees and pulled her over to him, "Are you hurt? Did someone do anything to you?"

Lucy was so overcome with his concern that she almost forgot how to speak, "I'm fine Daddy, I was-"

"Don't tell anyone about today."

"What?" Arthur shook her slightly, "You were what?"

"I was in the park drawing"

"You were…. Lucy! Don't just walk out on me! You scared the living daylights out of me!"

To be continued…

The African woman was based off of Lupita Nyong'o