You knew your mom wasn’t the best person in the whole world. But she was still your mom.

She had a problem. Yes. You were more than aware of that. But she was your mom, and you couldn't just leave her alone.

She'd woken you up early today for your birthday, and walked you to the car. The two of you went to your favorite diner, and had morning breakfast consisting of pancakes and fruits. She was slaying just a bit and smiling in that awkward and off way that she always had when she was high, but this time she was brushing her fingers through your hair, and slurring some speech about loving you and you being her world.

You smiled, and pushed your face into her palm to gather all the warmth and love you could. get from her before she'd disappear back into that drugged mind of hers.

The two of you left the diner, the kind old lady who owned the diner giving a worried glance towards the two of us as we left. She stumbled to her car, smiling at you again as she promised a special surprise. She was driving fast. Faster than normal. She swerved and jerked, making your head bump the window. You asked her to stop. Calm down. Please just not do whatever she was doing in that moment that scared you so much.

Sometimes she'd drive while high, but today was bad though. She was high on something that was making her act insane and erratic, and she just kept getting faster and faster. She looked over and said the last words you thought you'd ever hear. "We're both going away today."

After she said that, she slammed her foot on the gas and crashed into a traffic pole. The ringing in your ears was painful and piercing. Your wrist was hot and started puffing as you looked around the crash. You slowly got out, and people rushed over. You couldn't hear anyone, and something hot was running down your face and ears.

A man grabbed your shoulders and tried to get you to calm down, all while you tried to get to your mom who was stumbling down the street.

Even though everything hurt, and people were apologizing for what happened, your focus was on your mom. The GCPD came fast. And with them came the Dark Knight, clearly at the very tail end of his nightly patrol. Dawn wasn't even breaking yet, and a child almost died. You almost died.

They were arresting your mom and you knew you had to stop them. You stumbled and tried to run over, calling out to her as Bruce walked up. He put his hand on your shoulder and helped you towards the ambulance. He was saying something, but you couldn't hear him yet. For some reason the ringing hadn't stopped yet.

"What are you doing- move! I need to get to her! I need to see my mom!"

He said something again, as he helped you onto the gurney, his expression gentle but solemn.