Prompt: You have the power to control ice, but that power has nearly ruined your life. One night, Batman discovers you hiding in an abandoned building. When he realizes he has feelings for you, how will he handle being in love with someone who he believes is underage?
You flop down onto a torn, dirty mattress and curl into a ball, soaking in the pale moonlight streaming in through the boarded windows. You shift to lay on your back and extend your hand towards the ceiling. Small snowflakes appear from your fingers and swirl around you.
This is your world. You've been cast out of society and left to wander the city streets alone. You can't help being different. It's who you are, but they don't understand...
A tear streams down your cheek and hardens into a pearl of ice. You hope that one day someone will accept you as you are, a lonely snow queen living in a world of ice.
...
"Oracle, my palmtop scanners are picking up traces of a cold signature coming from the run-down sector of the East End," Batman informs into his hidden microphone.
"That's strange...it's the middle of July," Barbara replies. "Do you think it's Mr. Freeze?"
"No. He's sitting in his cell in Arkham, but the temperature matches that of his suit. It could be one of his old hideouts that's still active. He could be planning another attack. I need to shut it down before he makes a move."
"I activated the Batcomputer's scanners to pick up the signature. It looks like it's coming from an abandoned shirt factory in the Industrial District. Go get 'em, Bruce."
Batman jumps into the Batmobile and races off towards the East Island.
...
The car skids to a halt in front of an old, abandoned factory.
"You're right, Oracle. My scanners are indicating high levels of frozen water vapor. If Freeze's men have set up shop, I'll have to be careful."
"Right. In the meantime, I'll look into the Arkham security footage and keep track of Freeze's whereabouts."
Batman marches over to the side entrance and wrenches open the door. Dust and particles of debris swirl in the streams of moonlight. The stairs leading up to the second level are partially missing and highly unstable. He listens carefully for voices, yet all is silent. As he emerges from the stairwell into the main workshop, he notices you laying on a dirty mattress with snowflakes falling from the air and showering you in white.
Bruce approaches you, purposely keeping his footsteps audible so you will notice his presence. You leap up from the bed and see the legendary Batman standing twenty yards away from you. You evaporate your cloud of snow and back into a corner.
"It's alright...I won't hurt you," he says in a calm voice, inching slowly closer.
"Stay back!" you warn, forming a solid ball of ice in your hand and hurling it at him.
He dodges it with ease. "What are you doing in this place?" he asks sternly.
"It's my home..." you reply timidly.
"Where are your parents?"
"They're...dead."
Bruce closes his eyes and sighs. Realizing he doesn't mean to cause you harm, you allow him to step close to you.
"How long have you been here?" he asks.
"A few months. I can't go out there. People don't understand me. I drive everyone away."
"So do I," he answers.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. I'm not dangerous, just...different. They can't except that."
"Is it a genetic mutation?"
You nod. "I've had it since I was born. My parents were scientists, so naturally, they were fascinated by my condition. They wanted to use my powers to help to cure global warming, but they were killed in a car accident when I was 10. I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle here in Gotham, but when an incident happened at school they refused to care for me anymore. I've been living on the streets ever since.
You stare down at your hand and shake your head. "I want to be more than this. More than a homeless girl with nothing to live for. I want to use my powers to protect innocent people. I'm afraid if someone finds out about me, they'll throw me in a giant cooler in Arkham like Mr. Freeze."
"You say you want to protect the people of Gotham?" he inquires curiously. You nod and look and stare at him questioningly.
He offers you a hand. "I can help you."
You take his hand and allow him to pull you up off the floor. Upon exiting the building, you see the batmobile parked by the door. The doors lift automatically and you climb in beside him in the passenger seat. He presses a button on the dashboard and the car surges forward.
You look over at him and think to yourself, "He's actually kind of handsome. At least, the half of his face I can see."
"Where are we going?" you ask.
"Home."
...
After a long and awkward drive, the car finally rolls to a stop. You soon follow him and stare in awe at the sight before you. In a seemingly endless sea of darkness, a building that looks like a castle lights up the night.
"Oh, my god...you're-."
"Bruce Wayne," he finishes for you. "Come, it's time to meet the rest of the family." He hikes up marble stairs and holds the front door open.
You can't help but think as you step inside the house, "This is the door to my future."
To Be Continued...