The Price of innocence

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The air was cold as I just kept on running. My lungs burned and my legs ached, but that didn't matter. All I knew was that I had to get away from them. I had no idea where I was. Memories of torture still haunt me, and that makes me run even further. There were a lot of tall buildings, so I knew I had to be in a city. The streets were filthy and there were a lot of hobos smoking outside. They didn't seem to care that a 10 year old girl was running for her life, so I'm guessing there is a lot of crime here.

I looked back to see if the guys were chasing me, and smiled when I didn't see them. When I turned back around, I bumped into this girl.

"Hey watch it kid." She spat, but then looked at me curiously.

"I'm sorry, I'll watch my step next time." I said looking guilty. I really didn't mean to crash into her.

"Don't sweat it, so who are you anyways?" She asked in a nicer tone now.

"My name is Willow."

"My names Selina, you will hear some people call me Cat though."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice meeting you too." Selina said as she started walking away. 'Come on Willow ask her where you are!!!' I thought. 'Stupid shyness'.

"Selina can I ask you a question?" She turns around.

"You just did." I feel my face turning red, as I thought how stupid that must have sounded. 'Stupid awkwardness!'

"Dude calm down I'm just teasing, are you not from the streets or something?" She asked.

"Um actually I'm kind of new to it." I say ashamed.

"Something bad happen?"

"Does it really matter?" I say almost bursting out in tears, but I had to keep my composure. She gave me an understanding nod. "and um anyways, where am I exactly?"

"You really don't know?"

"No, I'm sorry"

"Your in Gotham City." As soon as those words left her mouth, I felt the panic rise in me.

"How did I get all the way in Gotham?!?" I start to hyperventilate.

"Calm down kid, your drawing attention to us." She hushes me while looking around at the people staring at me.

"I'm sorry, I'm just scared and confused and-" I was cut off.

"Look you don't have to explain yourself, just calm down and stop apologizing so much. You won't survive a day here doing that." She smiles at me.

"I'm sorr- I mean okay." I smile a sad smile.

"Hey Willow, do you need a place to stay?"

"Would that be okay with you?"

"Hey I wouldn't have offered if it wasn't, just don't expect me to feed you."

"I'm not hungry anyways." I assure her.

"You know what Willow? Your okay, I think this is the start of a good friendship." She smiles at me, patting me back as we walk to her place. I smile knowing I just made a friend here. Maybe I will be okay after all.

4 years later

I wake up from the sun peeking through the cracks of the boarded up window. It's a beautiful Saturday morning and I have all day to get together some money for this weeks rent. The life of crime does have its perks, meaning that I don't have to work for money from an office or a grocery store. Instead I get action and more money. The only down side is that I won't stay young forever, so eventually I will have to get a job. I stopped living with Selina years ago, after I decided I over stayed my welcome and had to figure things out by myself. We still keep in touch though, I never want to loose her as a friend. She helped me when I thought no one cared anymore. You could say she saved my life.

I decided that I'm going to get my money from stealing from a rich family. So rich of a family, that they won't even notice a 500$ vase is missing. Wayne Manor is the perfect place for that. I probably should feel bad because his parents are dead and all, but I really don't. Everyone has problems, and life doesn't take it easy, no matter how bad yours are.

I finally reach the manor and start climbing the fence. I'm a pretty good climber, and have gotten over worse fences than this 7 foot one. I ran to one of the walls and started climbing the brick wall, putting me feet and hands in any crack the wall has. Just to my luck, one of the windows were unlocked so I climbed in. The room was empty and there was tons of stuff that looked expensive, but another thing caught my eye. It was shining a gold light in my eyes from the hall. I crept up to it and quietly stashed it in my bag. I heard some voices from the room I was originally in, and hid. 'Shoot, how am I getting out of this one?' I panic. Footsteps were coming towards me, and I thought about just making a break for it while they were still oblivious to my presence.

"Willow is that you?" A familiar voice said.