The babysitter

Two

"Ma'am. Do you need me to walk you home?"

I looked at him, then the sky for some reason. It was just being to get dark when I left Burger King and after the whole fiesta the sun was hidden behind the tall buildings of Gotham. There were a few people who weren't trying to mug or get mugged scurrying in the little grasp of daylight trying to get home, I looked back at him and shrugged. "No, it's not that dark."

"Gotham's not very safe in the daytime either." The man countered.

"Dude, I don't even know your name. And I think I can handle myself." I raise my eyebrow.

"I'm Nightwing. And it's a slow night. But knowing Gotham I will probably need to leave before we get to your house." Nightwing seems bored and a bit persistent.

I sighed. "Fine."

Starting to walk towards my apartment that is basically on the other side of town. Nightwing caught up to me after standing there for a second. "Aren't you gonna get more food?"

"I wasn't that hungry." I lie, but not well since my stomach growled, "plus I don't have anymore cash." But before he could say anything I changed the subject, " I thought you had to deal with those guys. You just let them free?"

"No, I tied them up and I called the police." Nightwing answered.

"What if someone helps them?"

"I will find them again."

"Don't get cocky, kid." I quoted. Leo basically forced me to watch all of them with him seven times over.

"Did you just quote Star Wars?"

"Yep." I smirked. I swear he rolled his eyes under his mask.

The rest of the walk was in comfortable silence until he saw wear we were going. "You sure your going the right way?"

"Yeah?" I said confidently but confused.

"This is a really bad part of town." Nightwing warned.

"Yeah, the rent is cheap." I shrugged.

"Nightwing didn't say anything again for a couple more minutes. It was probably very uncomfortable for him since he offered to walk me home but felt more uncomfortable leaving. I almost giggled at the man who was looking around for anything to get him away from the awkward situation.

"You can leave now." I laugh, "I know it's awkward for you."

"I could see Nightwing physically relax. "It's not for you?"

"Life is too short to get caught up on a moment that's not happy or does anything for you." I looked up at the sky to barely see Zoe in the cloudy night.

"Nightwing scoffed lightly. "That's depressing."

I only shrugged. Then crossed the street without looking. Someone pulled me back by the back of my collar, almost making me trip on the curb. "Dude, what the hell?"

"There was a car coming!" Nightwing groaned.

I looked at him from my eyelashes. Looking around while trying to find a better response, " There are worst ways. And why do you care so much. I'm sure they're are worse crimes then jaywalking."

This time I crossed the street, making a point by looking both ways then looking back at the masked man. He was just staring at me, then quickly followed once he saw that I was on the other side of the street. "I don't know. I just feel like I'm responsible for everyone."

It was silent for a minute, "I know what you mean. It's a hard life to try and protect everyone and feeling every loss is your fault." Nightwing just looked at me. Not prying but his presence asking for the answers. I sighed and stopped at a corner across from the multiple apartment buildings. I obviously couldn't tell him the real reason, only a helping reason. I had no idea why I felt like I owed him that. Maybe he stayed with me and walked me home or just the fact that he helped me take down the guys in the alley. "My dad walked out on us. I felt responsible for my mom."

Nightwing nodded. "I'm sorry."

I shrugged. I didn't know why he was sorry, he didn't make my dad leave and walk out on us. That was Poseidon's decision. I started to walk again and thankfully Nightwing got the hint of me stopping and didn't follow. I walked around the building to the back entrance and climbed the stairs to my apartment on the third floor. After turning the key I stepped into the apartment. It was bare, it was a one room apartment with a mini bathroom off to the side. There were a few cabinets pushed against the far wall with a fridge and a dishwasher. On the opposite wall was a thin mattress on the floor and a little lamp sitting next to it. I quickly threw my shoes off next to the door and put my keys on the dress at the foot of the mattress. Checking the fridge I saw there was nothing other than a bottle of water. Singing, I grabbed the water bottle and went to sit on the mattress.

My stomach rumbled, and the next door neighbor curse loudly. A smile pulled on my lips, " Me, too."

1563 words

3/28/21

So I got kicked out of a camping site today. What did you do?

Also I have no idea where I'm going with this book so I'm making it up as a go.

Pieces Angels and Stay Safe