Foxes

Chapter 4

Well, ladies and gentlemen, something spectacular happened. Aunt Sheilah actually was home awake. Not passed out on the couch like she usually is. Though, you want to know what's even more terrific? Batman is here.

Yep, the Batman. The one and only. A well-known superhero in my house and I want to die. You know why? It's because I'm well me and that means that I'm going to be thrown in jail. Also, right now Aunt Sheilah is ripping into me. Yeah, she didn't know about my nighttime activities. Since you know she was always incapacitated.

I would take you to the beginning but it wouldn't help. Nothing leading up to this would've helped to this moment. All I can do is listen to Aunt Sheilah who is currently yelling at me but not like at me. It's like when someone is talking at you with talking to you. It's the same thing but yelling.

"I can't believe that you've been stealing for people to get money. Do you know how dangerous that is? I bet you probably do, but I can't believe you would do this. Why would you do this?!"

"Maybe to keep our family from sinking under. To keep us from being homeless and starving to death, " I stated quietly.

Aunt Sheilah stops yelling after I say that. She doesn't say anything to me. We both know that she hasn't done anything to help our family. I think it's probably starting to dawn on her just now. I know I said that Aunt Sheilah was irresponsible and shouldn't be in charge of children and that's absolutely true. But, she's not a bad person. She's actually really fun to be with and has a lot of love for both Katya and I. She just sucks at making good choices.

It's really silent for a while. I look over at Batman who hasn't said a word. He's just stood by and watched our little argument. I guess now he knows why I'm a thief. That's assuming that he didn't know before. I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if he did know. He's the world's greatest detective. At least, that's what I heard.

"There's a reason that I am here."

I'm shocked out of my thoughts when Batman speaks. I wasn't expecting him to speak. I've never heard him speak. It's kind of scary hearing him talk. He really does live up to how scary he's fabled to be.

"Oh yeah, Mr. Batman has a proposal for you, Sylvia, " Aunt Sheilah said.

I look over to her in confusion. Why would Batman have a proposal for me? Aunt Sheilah just looks back at me and shrugs her shoulders.

"You, Sylvia or rather Silver Fox have skills. I think that those skills can be put to good use, " Batman said.

"Good use, how?" I asked.

"You have what it takes to be a hero."

A hero? I'm not a hero. I could never be a hero. I'm a thief. I steal things for money so I can help my family. I've committed a crime. Shouldn't I be going to jail for that? That's what happens to most thieves.

"I couldn't be a hero. I'm a thief. I stole stuff and usually people that steal go to jail. Which, is what a hero would do, arrest a thief, " I said.

"Sylvia you are a hero. A hero to that little boy you saved in that incident with Firefly. You have the potential to be a hero. I'm offering you a way to hone that potential. There's a team of young heroes such as yourself called the Team. It's the Young Justice Initiative started by the Justice League. We want you to join our team, " Batman explained.

I stared at him frozen. A team. He wants me to join a team. A team of young superheroes. People, who Batman thinks I would fit in with. Though, I have no idea how. I can't fight. I can barely through a punch. I can get into a vent and steal a diamond but I can't punch a criminal.

"I'm not so sure how my " skills" could be useful. The only thing I can do is squeeze into tight spaces and do gymnastics. I can't fight, " I said.

"Well, that's what your mentor would be for. Training you how to fight, " Batman said.

"And who would be my mentor?"

"Black Canary."

"She would teach me how to fight?"

"Among other things. Though, that's only if you take my offer."

"If I may, I would suggest taking his offer. It's better than going to jail, Sylvia, " Aunt Sheilah interrupted.

I think about. I never thought about what would happen if I said no. I would've liked nothing to happen but I would probably end up in jail. But, if I stop thieving what would happen to Katya and Aunt Sheilah. I'm not so sure that Aunt Sheilah will stay sober enough to actually pay our bills or buy us food.

I turned to Aunt Sheilah and ask, "If I take this offer will you promise to come home and actually do something?"

Aunt Sheilah is quiet before saying that she promises she'll actually do it.

"Okay, then. I'll do it. I'll join your team, " I said.

Batman doesn't say anything except for "I'll brief you for when you'll meet the team."

Then, he started to walk away and disappeared. I turned to Aunt Sheilah and she just shrugged her shoulders. We just in silence for a while until I hear, "Was that Batman?"

I turned to look over to see Katya. She was standing on the staircase just stating at us.

"I thought you were in bed?" I asked.

"I got up cause you guys were being loud, " Katya stated.

"Well, yeah that was Batman. But, you have to go back to bed, " I told her.

"That's unfair."

"No, it's not."

"Just go to bed, " I said.

"Fine."

I looked to Aunt Sheilah and started up the stairs towards my room. I'm tired and just want to sleep.