Relative - August 13th
Twisted Shorts August Fic-a-Day Challenge - Day 13
Title: Relative
Author: hermione2be
Rating: PG/FR13/K+
Crossover: BtVS/DCAU
Disclaimer: I do not own any of BtVS/Angel or DCAU people, places, or ideas. This fiction is done simply for pleasure and I receive no profit.
Summary: Summer hits Superman, twice.
Notes: This is Part 3 - follows Part 1 & Part 2 of a series that needs a name
Seasons: Post-“Gift”
Word Count: 2885
Lois connected her cell phone to her computer and started transferring photos.
“What are you up to, Lois?” Clark asked as he adjusted his tie.
“I’ve been chasing down a story,” she said vaguely.
Clark’s eyebrow rose in amusement. “Of course.”
Lois turned to look at her husband, daring him to say something more. When he remained amused but silent, she continued, “I got a tip that some local businesses were using child labor.”
“Unpaid?” he asked, worried about the possibility of slave labor in Metropolis.
“No. Paid but under the table.” She twirled a pen between the fingers on her left hand. “But these are kids, what are the chances they are being paid minimum wage?”
“True. Any leads?”
“There weren’t and my early morning stakeout of the fish market resulted in zilch.”
“Then why do you look like you got something?”
“I came across a girl leaving a kitchen with money. I followed her for the better part of the day. I’m certain she’s one of the kids. She went to the gym and then grabbed dinner. She then walked to a warehouse and shared the pizza with eleven other kids.”
“Sounds like she was raised right.”
“That’s the thing, she’s one of the youngest, Clark.” Lois pulled up the photos she had taken on her laptop. “But she is so…fierce and determined.”
Clark wondered if they would be adopting the fierce and determined girl. Lois generally did not like children, so it said something that this girl had gotten to her.
“Here,” Lois showed him the picture.
The quality was not perfect and it was at fair distance. The girl had light brown hair and a pointed chin.
“Summer,” Clark said in surprise.
“What?”
“This is the girl the League has been looking for,” he told her.
“The one who came out of the portal months ago?”
“Yes. We lost track of her when the Joker attacked the hospital.”
“Well, she isn’t far.”
“What do you mean?”
“She camps out on the top floor of the old Wayne condos.”
“Within full sight of the Metropolis clock tower,” he realized.
“Yep.”
88888888
Summer was woken from a dead sleep. It was quiet, so it was not her alarm clock. She remained still as she cataloged what her senses were telling her. There was no new light, so it probably was not police or security. The floorboards beneath her ear were silent. But she sensed something.
She gripped her knife and rolled to her feet. She turned to where she sensed the disturbance.
“It’s okay, Summer,” a familiar voice said.
It took a moment to recognize what it was she sensed. “Damnit, Kal.” She relaxed her knife to her side.
“We didn’t know what happened to you after Gotham General was attacked.”
“I got enough money to get from Gotham to Metropolis and took the first train.”
“Why Metropolis?”
“No reason. I didn’t realize this was your base of operation until a few weeks after I got here.”
“And yet you can see my favorite spot from here.”
“Think Mister Wayne will mind that I used his building?”
Superman shrugged.
“How did you find me?”
“A reporter was looking into accusations of child labor law violations.”
“Ugh. Figures. I’m getting paid for all my jobs.”
“All?”
“Four of them.”
“This is not the life a child should have.”
“I’ve met kids with it much worse than this. Having parents or guardians doesn’t always make life easier.”
“You should be in school.”
“Probably. But I’ve got to work if I want to eat.” She chuckled as she put her knife away. “It’s exactly as I imagine being an adult is like. On the plus side, I’m not flipping burgers again.” She frowned and tilted her head.
Superman shook his head. “You are twelve, you need to be taken care of.”
“In case you didn’t notice, I’ve done a pretty good job of it on my own.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Besides, who exactly is supposed to help me? I have no family in this place. I never existed here.”
“You remember the blood sample I took?”
“Yeah. You were going to check if I was a meta-human or an alien.”
“You’re neither. The analysis returned a result of completely human.”
Summer’s eyebrow rose in surprise. “That can’t be. I’m not from this dimension or reality or world. My cells…”
“We ruled that out too. Your cells are native to this reality.” He crossed his arms over his massive chest. “We have dealt with these things before. We eliminated every known possibility of portal travel. As far as we could determine, you are a twelve year old human girl from this universe and this Earth.”
“That’s not possible,” she told him. “I know things that couldn’t…that don’t…”
“I’m not eliminating the possibility of something the League has not come across before. And we’re willing to continue to investigate them. But, if you’re willing to put all of that aside for now, we have located a family member.”
“What?”
“Why did you choose this building to spend the nights?”
“It’s only a block to the local precinct. And you came by it nearly every day. Mostly because it was tied up in a way that made it so that it would remain empty for a fair amount of time. But it was still fairly well cared for.”
Superman nodded thoughtfully. One thing could be said for Summer, she was smarter than her age suggested. Given her genetics…
“So, who did you find? My sister?”
“No, the genetic match was for your father.”
“Oh,” she said disappointedly.
“You don’t want a father?”
“Let’s put the fact that I have daddy issues aside of some sort. The guy who was supposed to be my dad was a cheater and then ran off before I graduated high school.” She gestured to herself. “It makes more sense if you imagine I’m closer to twenty.”
“How long have you been on your own?”
Summer considered his question. Had she ever not felt like that? There had been a moment…before the first Watcher. Before the first vampire. “Six years, give or take.”
“That doesn’t have to be your life anymore.”
“So I just…go be someone’s daughter and completely ignore that there is no way I can be?”
“You said you saved your sister. That’s how you ended up in the portal, right?”
“Yes…”
“Maybe this is the reward for that. You get to be a child, with a family.”
“You say that like I can just turn off the part of me that is an older sister and takes care of her friends.”
“I’d never ask that of you…I believe it is the reason you saw to the other runaways.”
She looked away. “Gotta keep a community and communication or no one notices when we go missing. Even worse, no one cares.”
“That’s not true.”
“You’re idealism is misplaced. The world is far from perfect, even in your shiny Metropolis.”
There was a wealth of feeling there. He opened his mouth to respond but she shook her head.
“So. Where is this father you found?”
“Gotham.”
“Figures.”
“Are you going to run again?”
“No.” She sighed. “I got lucky finding people who were willing to look the other way about giving me work that didn’t involve illegal activities. If I left there isn’t a guarantee I would be able to find people that…kind again.”
Superman gestured to her things. “Why don’t you pack up while I make a call?”
Summer nodded and without aid of light started to clean up her things. She rolled everything up and tucked away what little she had. When Superman returned, she stood in the middle of the room, looking around to double check she had not forgotten anything.
“I’ll fly you to Gotham.”
“Just like that?”
“I want to make sure you are delivered to your father without delay.”
“So he knows I’m coming?”
“Yes. And he knows you don’t have much memory after a fall.”
“So a small white lie.”
Superman gave her a lopsided grin. “He’s a good man. And he wants to get to know you.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay.”
88888888
Summer was about to question why they had not landed in the city of Gotham when Superman started to descend. He pulled her to him and landed before setting her feet on the gravel drive.
The property was huge. And they stood directly in front of a mansion that…well she was certain she had never seen anything like it.
“Who lives here?” she whispered.
Superman did not answer as the front door opened.
Two men exited. One was dressed in slacks and a white shirt. He was in his thirties with black hair and bright blue eyes. The other was older, with white air and a white mustache. He had brown eyes and was dressed in a black tailored ensemble that suggested he was a butler.
As the younger man stepped out, her breath caught. She had seen his picture in more than one newspaper. She took a step back and turned on Superman. “Tell me it’s the older guy.”
Superman shook his head.
Summer pulled her fist back and nailed Superman in the bicep. “Geez, Kal. You could have said something.”
“Is something wrong?” the younger man asked.
“This is kinda a lot for a girl to take in,” Summer said. “A little warning would have been nice.” She hit Superman again.
In control of her nerves, Summer turned to look at the two other men. She did not see Superman rub his arm.
“Hi,” she said, not sure what else to say. “I’m Summer.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Bruce. This is Alfred.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said. “Both of you.” She gave Alfred a tentative smile.
Bruce continued past her. “Thank you for finding her.”
“I didn’t, Lois Lane did,” Superman told him.
“I still appreciate it.”
“Of course, Mister Wayne.” He gave them all a wave before quickly taking to the sky.
Alfred seemed to take the reins. “Perhaps we should see to a-”
A ringing started from Summer’s bag. She pinked and fumbled with the strap. She pulled out a little alarm clock.
Bruce’s eyebrow raised. “You have an alarm set for three forty-five in the morning?”
She killed the alarm. “The fish market’s busiest time starts at four fifteen.”
“Really?”
“At least the one I worked at.” She felt both men looking at her.
“We should continue this inside,” Alfred said.
He led the way in, Summer followed. Bruce closed the front door, it echoed off the walls of the foyer. It was a truly indulgent space. It was meant to show off the wealth that was merely suggested at from the outside.
Bruce led them into the large living room.
“Would either of you like breakfast?”
“Alfred, it’s not even four in the morning,” Bruce said with amusement.
“Yet we’re all awake.”
“I’m good,” Summer said. “I had Italian for dinner.”
Alfred bowed slightly at the waist. “Then, if you will excuse me, I need to finish preparing a room.” He straightened and left the room.
“That’s not necessary,” she tried to tell him.
“It’s useless,” Bruce told her. “You just have to let Alfred do what he feels is necessary.” He gestured to the chair. “Have a seat.”
She hesitated. The entire living room was filled with expensive furniture and fabrics and knickknacks. She felt like a dirty sneaker in the middle of it all. And it did not help that Bruce Wayne was nice, handsome, and had sharp eyes that did not miss her discomfort.
“We could go to another room, but I don’t think it would make you feel any better,” he told her kindly. “I know it’s not what you’re used to, but this is your home. You can sit where you like and put your feet on the furniture.” He gave a wicked grin. “I just wouldn’t let Alfred see.”
Summer felt some of her nerves melt a fraction. She sat in the chair across from him.
“So, Summer,” he said as he relaxed back. “How did you get your name?”
She looked away. “Superman said they needed something to put on the blood sample. It was the only thing that felt like it may have been my name.” She shrugged. “I know it’s not. But it feels pretty close.”
“Superman said he found you in Metropolis.”
Her lips tipped into a grin. “If you weren’t my father, I think I’d owe you rent.”
“Why is that?”
“I had been staying in a Wayne Enterprises property.”
“Oh?”
“The condos on Heath.”
“Ah. Yes, they have been empty for nearly a year.” He folded his hands. “Why did you leave the hospital?”
She shrugged. “I was feeling decidedly hopeless.”
“Because of the Joker’s attack on the hospital?”
Her eyes closed. “There isn’t an answer I could give that would make any sense.”
There was a beat where he seemed to accept that. “How did you get to Metropolis?”
“The train.”
“Someone bought your fare?”
“No. I stumbled on an attempted mugging. The thieves had seven wallets, including their own. I left the victim wallets and relieved the thieves of their cash. It was more than enough to get me to Metropolis and feed me for a few days.”
“Then you started working.”
“No. First, I tried all the things that are setup to help kids, short of social workers. But after a couple weeks, I realized it was not going to work. So I started to listen to the guys who got paid under the table. I scoped out the places, did a little research into a few of the managers. Found one who was a good man. He gave me an offer, haul and present fish, yell if anyone tried to walk off with merchandise. He figured if I was out that early and willing to show up for three hours every day and deal with people and fish, I must have needed it.”
“So you were a fish monger.”
“And a dishwasher. And worked with a landscaping crew one day a week. Plus, I spent weekends as a warrior princess this summer for the fairs.”
“A warrior princess?”
“Not many twelve year olds can wield bows and swords in a dress.”
“And what did you do with this money?”
“Went to the gym a few days a week to work out and use their showers. Did my laundry. Spent my afternoons at the library. And I was able to eat two or three meals a day. I even managed to feed the other kids a couple days a week.”
“You were able to do all that?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I assumed you were being paid two or three dollars from each job.”
Summer scoffed. “I may look twelve but I can read basic labor laws. They didn’t want to pay me on the books any more than I could be paid on the books. So I negotiated between minimum wage and the price they would pay an employee for the same job.” She straightened her shoulders. “I made no less than $5.50 at any of the jobs I did. And nearly double that for the fairs.”
He considered her. “Shrewd tactics.”
“Desperation breeds opportunity.”
“Were you alone?”
“Most of the time. There is a small group of runaways, most of them a little older than me. But they were all in bad situations. We checked in with each other several times a week. If anybody went missing without contact, we’d try to trace their steps. Unfortunately, most people don’t remember the kids that weren’t wanted, so it was on us to make sure everyone would be missed.”
“Will you be missed?”
“No. I left a message before I let Superman take me here.”
“I’m glad your friends won’t worry.”
Summer nodded.
Bruce considered her. “Your mother…?”
“Dead. Recently.”
“Her name?”
“I don’t know it any more than I know mine.”
He nodded. “Do you remember anything?”
“I know things, but they don’t have names. Like I know my best friends were my best friends but I can’t tell you if they were brunettes or redheads or what their names were.”
“Your medical records mentioned a sister.”
“Yeah. I can’t tell you who she is, just that she was younger and she was…important.”
“Master Bruce. Miss Summer, I have prepared a room,” Alfred interrupted.
“Of course,” Bruce said as he stood. “Thank you, Alfred.”
Summer stood and followed them up a grand staircase and down a hall. A door stood open, the lights on. She was taken in by the large room. It was easily twice the size of the one she had occupied in Metropolis. The fabrics were rich purples and light blues accented by dark carpet and redwood furniture.
Alfred did a quick tour of the room and attached bathroom. He showed her how to get ahold of him with the intercom system.
“Try to get some sleep,” Bruce told her. “We can start fresh with the sun.”
“Okay…”
They left her alone in the room. The door closing with a solid snick behind them.
Summer looked around the room. “How did this…how is Bruce Wayne my father?”
Title: Relative
Author: hermione2be
Rating: PG/FR13/K+
Crossover: BtVS/DCAU
Disclaimer: I do not own any of BtVS/Angel or DCAU people, places, or ideas. This fiction is done simply for pleasure and I receive no profit.
Summary: Summer hits Superman, twice.
Notes: This is Part 3 - follows Part 1 & Part 2 of a series that needs a name
Seasons: Post-“Gift”
Word Count: 2885
Lois connected her cell phone to her computer and started transferring photos.
“What are you up to, Lois?” Clark asked as he adjusted his tie.
“I’ve been chasing down a story,” she said vaguely.
Clark’s eyebrow rose in amusement. “Of course.”
Lois turned to look at her husband, daring him to say something more. When he remained amused but silent, she continued, “I got a tip that some local businesses were using child labor.”
“Unpaid?” he asked, worried about the possibility of slave labor in Metropolis.
“No. Paid but under the table.” She twirled a pen between the fingers on her left hand. “But these are kids, what are the chances they are being paid minimum wage?”
“True. Any leads?”
“There weren’t and my early morning stakeout of the fish market resulted in zilch.”
“Then why do you look like you got something?”
“I came across a girl leaving a kitchen with money. I followed her for the better part of the day. I’m certain she’s one of the kids. She went to the gym and then grabbed dinner. She then walked to a warehouse and shared the pizza with eleven other kids.”
“Sounds like she was raised right.”
“That’s the thing, she’s one of the youngest, Clark.” Lois pulled up the photos she had taken on her laptop. “But she is so…fierce and determined.”
Clark wondered if they would be adopting the fierce and determined girl. Lois generally did not like children, so it said something that this girl had gotten to her.
“Here,” Lois showed him the picture.
The quality was not perfect and it was at fair distance. The girl had light brown hair and a pointed chin.
“Summer,” Clark said in surprise.
“What?”
“This is the girl the League has been looking for,” he told her.
“The one who came out of the portal months ago?”
“Yes. We lost track of her when the Joker attacked the hospital.”
“Well, she isn’t far.”
“What do you mean?”
“She camps out on the top floor of the old Wayne condos.”
“Within full sight of the Metropolis clock tower,” he realized.
“Yep.”
88888888
Summer was woken from a dead sleep. It was quiet, so it was not her alarm clock. She remained still as she cataloged what her senses were telling her. There was no new light, so it probably was not police or security. The floorboards beneath her ear were silent. But she sensed something.
She gripped her knife and rolled to her feet. She turned to where she sensed the disturbance.
“It’s okay, Summer,” a familiar voice said.
It took a moment to recognize what it was she sensed. “Damnit, Kal.” She relaxed her knife to her side.
“We didn’t know what happened to you after Gotham General was attacked.”
“I got enough money to get from Gotham to Metropolis and took the first train.”
“Why Metropolis?”
“No reason. I didn’t realize this was your base of operation until a few weeks after I got here.”
“And yet you can see my favorite spot from here.”
“Think Mister Wayne will mind that I used his building?”
Superman shrugged.
“How did you find me?”
“A reporter was looking into accusations of child labor law violations.”
“Ugh. Figures. I’m getting paid for all my jobs.”
“All?”
“Four of them.”
“This is not the life a child should have.”
“I’ve met kids with it much worse than this. Having parents or guardians doesn’t always make life easier.”
“You should be in school.”
“Probably. But I’ve got to work if I want to eat.” She chuckled as she put her knife away. “It’s exactly as I imagine being an adult is like. On the plus side, I’m not flipping burgers again.” She frowned and tilted her head.
Superman shook his head. “You are twelve, you need to be taken care of.”
“In case you didn’t notice, I’ve done a pretty good job of it on my own.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Besides, who exactly is supposed to help me? I have no family in this place. I never existed here.”
“You remember the blood sample I took?”
“Yeah. You were going to check if I was a meta-human or an alien.”
“You’re neither. The analysis returned a result of completely human.”
Summer’s eyebrow rose in surprise. “That can’t be. I’m not from this dimension or reality or world. My cells…”
“We ruled that out too. Your cells are native to this reality.” He crossed his arms over his massive chest. “We have dealt with these things before. We eliminated every known possibility of portal travel. As far as we could determine, you are a twelve year old human girl from this universe and this Earth.”
“That’s not possible,” she told him. “I know things that couldn’t…that don’t…”
“I’m not eliminating the possibility of something the League has not come across before. And we’re willing to continue to investigate them. But, if you’re willing to put all of that aside for now, we have located a family member.”
“What?”
“Why did you choose this building to spend the nights?”
“It’s only a block to the local precinct. And you came by it nearly every day. Mostly because it was tied up in a way that made it so that it would remain empty for a fair amount of time. But it was still fairly well cared for.”
Superman nodded thoughtfully. One thing could be said for Summer, she was smarter than her age suggested. Given her genetics…
“So, who did you find? My sister?”
“No, the genetic match was for your father.”
“Oh,” she said disappointedly.
“You don’t want a father?”
“Let’s put the fact that I have daddy issues aside of some sort. The guy who was supposed to be my dad was a cheater and then ran off before I graduated high school.” She gestured to herself. “It makes more sense if you imagine I’m closer to twenty.”
“How long have you been on your own?”
Summer considered his question. Had she ever not felt like that? There had been a moment…before the first Watcher. Before the first vampire. “Six years, give or take.”
“That doesn’t have to be your life anymore.”
“So I just…go be someone’s daughter and completely ignore that there is no way I can be?”
“You said you saved your sister. That’s how you ended up in the portal, right?”
“Yes…”
“Maybe this is the reward for that. You get to be a child, with a family.”
“You say that like I can just turn off the part of me that is an older sister and takes care of her friends.”
“I’d never ask that of you…I believe it is the reason you saw to the other runaways.”
She looked away. “Gotta keep a community and communication or no one notices when we go missing. Even worse, no one cares.”
“That’s not true.”
“You’re idealism is misplaced. The world is far from perfect, even in your shiny Metropolis.”
There was a wealth of feeling there. He opened his mouth to respond but she shook her head.
“So. Where is this father you found?”
“Gotham.”
“Figures.”
“Are you going to run again?”
“No.” She sighed. “I got lucky finding people who were willing to look the other way about giving me work that didn’t involve illegal activities. If I left there isn’t a guarantee I would be able to find people that…kind again.”
Superman gestured to her things. “Why don’t you pack up while I make a call?”
Summer nodded and without aid of light started to clean up her things. She rolled everything up and tucked away what little she had. When Superman returned, she stood in the middle of the room, looking around to double check she had not forgotten anything.
“I’ll fly you to Gotham.”
“Just like that?”
“I want to make sure you are delivered to your father without delay.”
“So he knows I’m coming?”
“Yes. And he knows you don’t have much memory after a fall.”
“So a small white lie.”
Superman gave her a lopsided grin. “He’s a good man. And he wants to get to know you.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay.”
88888888
Summer was about to question why they had not landed in the city of Gotham when Superman started to descend. He pulled her to him and landed before setting her feet on the gravel drive.
The property was huge. And they stood directly in front of a mansion that…well she was certain she had never seen anything like it.
“Who lives here?” she whispered.
Superman did not answer as the front door opened.
Two men exited. One was dressed in slacks and a white shirt. He was in his thirties with black hair and bright blue eyes. The other was older, with white air and a white mustache. He had brown eyes and was dressed in a black tailored ensemble that suggested he was a butler.
As the younger man stepped out, her breath caught. She had seen his picture in more than one newspaper. She took a step back and turned on Superman. “Tell me it’s the older guy.”
Superman shook his head.
Summer pulled her fist back and nailed Superman in the bicep. “Geez, Kal. You could have said something.”
“Is something wrong?” the younger man asked.
“This is kinda a lot for a girl to take in,” Summer said. “A little warning would have been nice.” She hit Superman again.
In control of her nerves, Summer turned to look at the two other men. She did not see Superman rub his arm.
“Hi,” she said, not sure what else to say. “I’m Summer.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Bruce. This is Alfred.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said. “Both of you.” She gave Alfred a tentative smile.
Bruce continued past her. “Thank you for finding her.”
“I didn’t, Lois Lane did,” Superman told him.
“I still appreciate it.”
“Of course, Mister Wayne.” He gave them all a wave before quickly taking to the sky.
Alfred seemed to take the reins. “Perhaps we should see to a-”
A ringing started from Summer’s bag. She pinked and fumbled with the strap. She pulled out a little alarm clock.
Bruce’s eyebrow raised. “You have an alarm set for three forty-five in the morning?”
She killed the alarm. “The fish market’s busiest time starts at four fifteen.”
“Really?”
“At least the one I worked at.” She felt both men looking at her.
“We should continue this inside,” Alfred said.
He led the way in, Summer followed. Bruce closed the front door, it echoed off the walls of the foyer. It was a truly indulgent space. It was meant to show off the wealth that was merely suggested at from the outside.
Bruce led them into the large living room.
“Would either of you like breakfast?”
“Alfred, it’s not even four in the morning,” Bruce said with amusement.
“Yet we’re all awake.”
“I’m good,” Summer said. “I had Italian for dinner.”
Alfred bowed slightly at the waist. “Then, if you will excuse me, I need to finish preparing a room.” He straightened and left the room.
“That’s not necessary,” she tried to tell him.
“It’s useless,” Bruce told her. “You just have to let Alfred do what he feels is necessary.” He gestured to the chair. “Have a seat.”
She hesitated. The entire living room was filled with expensive furniture and fabrics and knickknacks. She felt like a dirty sneaker in the middle of it all. And it did not help that Bruce Wayne was nice, handsome, and had sharp eyes that did not miss her discomfort.
“We could go to another room, but I don’t think it would make you feel any better,” he told her kindly. “I know it’s not what you’re used to, but this is your home. You can sit where you like and put your feet on the furniture.” He gave a wicked grin. “I just wouldn’t let Alfred see.”
Summer felt some of her nerves melt a fraction. She sat in the chair across from him.
“So, Summer,” he said as he relaxed back. “How did you get your name?”
She looked away. “Superman said they needed something to put on the blood sample. It was the only thing that felt like it may have been my name.” She shrugged. “I know it’s not. But it feels pretty close.”
“Superman said he found you in Metropolis.”
Her lips tipped into a grin. “If you weren’t my father, I think I’d owe you rent.”
“Why is that?”
“I had been staying in a Wayne Enterprises property.”
“Oh?”
“The condos on Heath.”
“Ah. Yes, they have been empty for nearly a year.” He folded his hands. “Why did you leave the hospital?”
She shrugged. “I was feeling decidedly hopeless.”
“Because of the Joker’s attack on the hospital?”
Her eyes closed. “There isn’t an answer I could give that would make any sense.”
There was a beat where he seemed to accept that. “How did you get to Metropolis?”
“The train.”
“Someone bought your fare?”
“No. I stumbled on an attempted mugging. The thieves had seven wallets, including their own. I left the victim wallets and relieved the thieves of their cash. It was more than enough to get me to Metropolis and feed me for a few days.”
“Then you started working.”
“No. First, I tried all the things that are setup to help kids, short of social workers. But after a couple weeks, I realized it was not going to work. So I started to listen to the guys who got paid under the table. I scoped out the places, did a little research into a few of the managers. Found one who was a good man. He gave me an offer, haul and present fish, yell if anyone tried to walk off with merchandise. He figured if I was out that early and willing to show up for three hours every day and deal with people and fish, I must have needed it.”
“So you were a fish monger.”
“And a dishwasher. And worked with a landscaping crew one day a week. Plus, I spent weekends as a warrior princess this summer for the fairs.”
“A warrior princess?”
“Not many twelve year olds can wield bows and swords in a dress.”
“And what did you do with this money?”
“Went to the gym a few days a week to work out and use their showers. Did my laundry. Spent my afternoons at the library. And I was able to eat two or three meals a day. I even managed to feed the other kids a couple days a week.”
“You were able to do all that?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I assumed you were being paid two or three dollars from each job.”
Summer scoffed. “I may look twelve but I can read basic labor laws. They didn’t want to pay me on the books any more than I could be paid on the books. So I negotiated between minimum wage and the price they would pay an employee for the same job.” She straightened her shoulders. “I made no less than $5.50 at any of the jobs I did. And nearly double that for the fairs.”
He considered her. “Shrewd tactics.”
“Desperation breeds opportunity.”
“Were you alone?”
“Most of the time. There is a small group of runaways, most of them a little older than me. But they were all in bad situations. We checked in with each other several times a week. If anybody went missing without contact, we’d try to trace their steps. Unfortunately, most people don’t remember the kids that weren’t wanted, so it was on us to make sure everyone would be missed.”
“Will you be missed?”
“No. I left a message before I let Superman take me here.”
“I’m glad your friends won’t worry.”
Summer nodded.
Bruce considered her. “Your mother…?”
“Dead. Recently.”
“Her name?”
“I don’t know it any more than I know mine.”
He nodded. “Do you remember anything?”
“I know things, but they don’t have names. Like I know my best friends were my best friends but I can’t tell you if they were brunettes or redheads or what their names were.”
“Your medical records mentioned a sister.”
“Yeah. I can’t tell you who she is, just that she was younger and she was…important.”
“Master Bruce. Miss Summer, I have prepared a room,” Alfred interrupted.
“Of course,” Bruce said as he stood. “Thank you, Alfred.”
Summer stood and followed them up a grand staircase and down a hall. A door stood open, the lights on. She was taken in by the large room. It was easily twice the size of the one she had occupied in Metropolis. The fabrics were rich purples and light blues accented by dark carpet and redwood furniture.
Alfred did a quick tour of the room and attached bathroom. He showed her how to get ahold of him with the intercom system.
“Try to get some sleep,” Bruce told her. “We can start fresh with the sun.”
“Okay…”
They left her alone in the room. The door closing with a solid snick behind them.
Summer looked around the room. “How did this…how is Bruce Wayne my father?”