Long Past Dawn

Ten minutes later it seems like everything is ready, well everything except for Batman. He and Wonderwoman have been talking in hushed whispers and every time I try to go over to ask when we're leaving someone else stops me with something to ask or tell me, and I'm not stupid, I know what they're doing. Whatever Batman and Wonderwoman are talking about its none of my 'business' even though I very well know that they're talking about me, what about me..... well your guess is about as good as mine.

For the nth time so far I try my luck at going over to ask Batman when we're leaving but this time I'm stopped in my tracks by Black Canary. Ooooh, this one is new, so far it's been Flash or Superman or literally anyone besides Black Canary.

"Since I'm going to be your fighting teacher I might as well ask if you can fight to begin with." Is all she says, I'm brought back to the days on the streets with mom, the fights, the riots, back then you had to know how to fight to survive, I shiver at the horrible memories. That place wasn't someplace an eight year old should be, but we were, and I learned. I only nod, I can't say for sure that if I speak my voice won't crack from the unpleasant memories. "Hey, are you o-"

"Dawn! We're leaving!" I turn around to see Batman and well it is Batman but... He's gone back to being Bruce Wayne, in a freshly tailored suit... So I was right about him!

I say a rushed goodbye to Black Canary and scurry over to the car where Batman is waiting. Wait should I call him Batman or Bruce Wayne? Ok, not the problem right now.....

It's the same car from yesterday from when I first meet Wonderwoman and Batman, ok, I have no clue what to call them at this point.

Just as Batman is about to pull the car out of the warehouse Wonderwoman comes up to the passenger side window and taps it once, I roll it down wondering if we forgot something.

"May Hera help you." She says the look in her eyes is like she doesn't expect to see me again. Batman then pulls the car out of the warehouse and we're in the open city again.

One of my favorite things to do is take a car ride through the city, to see all the different people going about their day that I will probably never see again, but for a few seconds I get to wonder what it's like to be in their life, what they see, what they feel, where they're going. But I don't feel like that today, instead, the atmosphere in the car seems like we're going to a funeral, I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.

Suddenly an image flashed through my mind, it's of Batman, he's dressed just like he is now, sitting on the couch at home, and he looks at me that look of grief is in his eyes, "I'm sorry Dawn but---"

What was that? Can I suddenly see into the future? But the future isn't set... if you see a future where you die you do everything to go against that unless the future is set... Ugh, things are getting too weird too fast. I just want to go back to my normal, boring life.

In the corner of my eye I can see the time displayed on the car's dashboard, 6:53, mom's going to kill me for this. I can already see it happening.

The ten-minute drive home is spent in complete silence, I can't help but feel what I saw earlier was real, but what would Batman apologize to me for and what did Wonderwoman mean when she said 'May Hera help you?' who's Hera? I don't think I know anyone named Hera...

All of this is so confusing, I'm beginning to get a headache. I'm so lost in thought that I don't even realize that we're here until Batman comes and opens my door for me, I'm shocked for a moment until I remember what we're here for.

I get out of the car and dash up the steps to the house, I turn and move the potted plant that sits on the landing beside the door to the side and grab the key from under it. We have a rule that the house should be locked at all times, even when one of us is inside.

As soon as the lock clicks and I swing the door open mom comes rushing towards me, "Oh my god Dawn! I was so scared when I came back and you weren't here!"

She brings me into a tight hug and I can't help but want to stay like this forever. Soon enough she catches sight of Batman. "Dawn..... Who is this?" She says bringing me behind her back.

"Mom calm down. This is Bruce Wayne, he's here to explain some things to you." I say as calmly as I can, it won't be good if she calls the cops on him for kidnapping or who knows what else.

Batman seems to act like she's not even there, "Dawn go pack your bags... I'll.... talk with your mother."

I look back at them once before sprinting up the stairs. Once I get to my room I grab my worn canvas duffle and stuff it full of all my clean clothes, a couple of hoodies, three bottles of spray paint, a couple of sketchbooks, pencils and other art supplies, before I run over to the bathroom to grab toothpaste, my toothbrush, conditioner, shampoo, and body wash. I think I've gotten everything but then I remember one last thing. I run to my room to grab it, an old worn picture frame, the photo inside is of three people, a chubby toddler that looks vaguely like a younger version of me, a girl maybe in her early twenties who's smiling at the camera like life couldn't get better and a man, the corner with the mans face on it is torn off so you can only see his neck downwards but he's well built and by the clothes he's wearing he doesn't seem to be doing too bad for himself. This is the one photo of my father, I took it one day from mom when she was asleep, I don't think she ever found out, or if she did she didn't ever ask for it back.

I pull the zipper closed on the duffle, somehow it all fits in by some pure miracle, and I sling it over my shoulder and run down the stairs two at a time. When I turn the corner into the living room Batman is there sitting on the couch and looking around the room while mom is wringing her wrists while sitting in a chair opposite him.

Somethings off, it's almost like Batman can't see her. "H-hey I'm done packing... What's up? Aren't you going to tell my mom what's happening?" I say, of course, he can see her. Why wouldn't he be able to? I'm just psyching myself out.

Batman looks at me and the look on his face, it's so full of grief I don't know what to think. "W-What's wrong?"

Mom looks down at her hands and it feels like someone hit me straight in the gut, something is so wrong. "M-mom are you ok? Did you talk with Mr. Wayne?"

She doesn't answer, she just sits there, my heart rate speeds up and I feel like everyone can hear it drumming in my c.h.e.s.t. "What's wrong guys? W-why aren't you guys talking?"

Batman looks me straight in the eye and says, "Dawn, I need to tell you something very important....."