The Adopted Superhero

Chapter 4

I wake up the next day alone in bed. I slowly get up and move to the bathroom. I look into the mirror and scowl at my reflection. I look like a total mess. I wash my face and pull my waist-length hair into a messy bun. I turn to leave, but my shirt rides up a little. I see the jagged dark lines. I quickly pull down the shirt and walk out. I grab a long-sleeved knee-length dress and put it on. I avoid looking at any part of my arms.

The dress is off the shoulders and is a dark red color. At the hem of the sleeves are ladybugs. It flairs out when I spin around. I look at my legs and see the scars on them. I know they mean I have survived, but it also means I barely made it. I look closely at the circular scar on my leg and remember how I got it. 

Flashback...

I was walking home from the fabric store when the screaming started. I quickly transformed and followed the source of the scream. I look at the Akuma in front of me and quickly hide all emotions. I see her with a blade in her hand and stabbing through all the hearts of little kids and teens in front of their parents. I quickly head into battle and fight. It starts taking a toll when I get nicked on the cheek with the sword. I ignore the pain and fight harder. I get distracted when I see Chat trying to wave me down. My distraction is enough to hurt me. I don't see it happening until I feel it. It's an excruciating amount of pain and I can't help the scream that breaks out of my chest. I look down at my left leg and see nothing but a stump. My magic suit grew over the opening. My scream was enough for me to distract the Akuma, and it drops its akumatised object on the ground. I grab it, break it, purify it, and yell out, "Miraculous Ladybug". Everything goes back to normal, but that is one more scar added to the tally.

End flashback...

I slowly walk out of my room with red flats on and go down the stairs. I follow the sound of voices and walk into a dining room. All conversation immediately stops when I step in. 

I stay at the doorway for a while before I make my way to an empty seat next to Damian which puts me on a different end than Bruce.  I sit down, and Alfred soon brings in plates. I thank him silently and eat around all the meat on my plate. I had to go vegetarian when an Akuma ruined meat for me. No one, obviously, remembers that day. 

A throat clears.

I look up and make eye contact with Bruce. He clears his throat again before he speaks, "Your school starts tomorrow since it is Monday. You will be going with Damian." I nod my head and push my food away from me, "The food was delicious, but I am afraid that I don't eat meat." Alfred comes into the room, "I apologize miss. I had no idea." I shake my head at him, "It is not your fault. I didn't tell you." I stand to leave and turn. I hear multiple intakes of breath, and I freeze. "Where did that come from?" I know exactly what they are referring to, "I burnt it." It isn't a complete lie. 

I continue straight out the door.

I've already hit rock bottom. I think it's time to take a drill and go through that rock.