A dimly lit room. Nothing but a lit candle with the smell of lavender filled the air. She could feel the breeze blowing in from her window but she didn't bother to close it.
Artemis was busy staring at something in the mirror.
Someone, rather.
Sometimes Artemis would see a little girl with a teddy bear in hand, confused and full of sadness.
Other times Artemis could see a girl with paw markings printed on her cheeks. Her hair tied with strands falling on both sides of her face and a mischievous smile with cold eyes.
Artemis Crock never saw Artemis Crock when she looked in the mirror.
And she believed she never would.
She was in what felt like a never ending battle between her past and her future.
Everyone called the green suited archer a hero, she had been through hell to prove she was worthy of that title.
But it never felt right when she heard someone say it.
Afraid it might be here genes saying this isn't the life for her.
Artemis Crock had something against acceptance, which made her her own worst enemy.
"Artemis B-07"
"Look who finally showed up"
Wally West and his usual fresh attitude greeted the suited archer as she zeta'd in.
"Not now baywatch."
she spat as she walked past him. The blond wasn't in the mood for their usual petty fights.
She headed straight towards the others in the mission briefing room where they spoke to Batman about their latest mission completion.
Artemis knew what she was about to say would stun everyone but she had said worse things.
"I'm resigning." she said, standing tall and looking directly at Batman.
It didn't take long for someone to react.
Out from behind came a speedy red head with a confused mix of emotions painted on his face.
"What, why?"
The others were to surprised by what she had said to be able to react, of course the speedster was able to recover the quickest.
Artemis did not look at him directly, instead she turned and walked while responding.
"I need space." was the last thing she said before exiting through the zeta tube.
It ended as quickly as it started.
Upon returning home Artemis had various emotions running through her at once. Regret was a big one. But she refused to turn back, in her eyes, it was for the best.
"I won't hurt anyone this way." she spoke, closing her eyes and letting the wind brush against her face and stroke her long, golden hair.
"It had to be done."
She placed her hand over her heart, covering the symbol on her chest before throwing herself in bed.
Thoughts such as 'Did I make the right decision?' lingered in her mind as she closed her eyes and attempted to fall asleep.
'Or did I just make the biggest mistake of my life.'
"What…. What was that all about?!" Wally exhaled towards his team and walked back and forth running his hand through his hair.
"We're going to get her back, aren't we?"
Dick, M'gann, Kaldur, and Conner exchanged looks with each other then turned to Batman awaiting an answer.
"I'll leave you all to work this out amongst yourselves" he replied before turning to leave.
His response infuriated Wally,
"That's all you have to say about her leaving?"
Batman stopped for a moment but did not turn to face the demanding boy,
"She has the right to make her own decisions." he said before continuing on to leave.
Kid Flash remained silent for a moment. He looked at his team as he clenched his fist then ran off in the opposite direction.
"Wally was right, what was that all about?" Robin finally spoke, breaking the shifting silence.
"Maybe I should go and ask her?" M'gann spoke in a small voice.
Conner shook his head, "She said she needed space. Well fine, space is what we'll give her."
The team looked at Kaldur who was still processing what had just happened.
He nodded, "We'll give her space."
Robin glanced at the team before running off further into the cave, "i'll go check on Wally."
Sitting in the sand just outside a mountain sat a boy in red and yellow.
The waves were rough and cold as they reached his boots. Wally stared intently at nothing with a face of anger.
The Boy Wonder appeared behind him.
"I know what you're thinking." Robin voiced as he sat beside Wally. He put his head down as a response.
"She didn't do this to betray you, or us. You don't know what she could be going through." Robin stared down the waves coming at them.
They sat in silence for a moment before the stressed boy could respond.
"If it's something she's going through then why didn't she say anything?" he murmured in a calm voice.
"Because she's Artemis." Robin snickered, throwing a pebble into the waters,
"She's to stubborn to say anything."
Wally smiled slightly but he hid it from his friend.
"Whatever." he said before getting up to leave.
"She'll be back" Robin said, still facing the ocean.
"She has too."