This time I was in a bed not knowing where I was being taken or why? What were we even traveling in? A helicopter maybe? I didn't care at this point, nothing was making sense and I was done trying to make it all logical. The police never questioned me, which I'm quite grateful for. I wouldn't be able to answer their questions. I don't think I'd be able to say what my name is at this point. Superman wasn't the only superhero there, Batman was too. The only ease for my pain was the memory of Superman telling me I was going to be alright and Batman was going to take care of me.
"Calli, it's alright now." Superman guided me by the hand as he kept me on my feet. I couldn't feel my legs anymore and every step I took was unstable and shaky. My entire body was trembling. The feeling of it was something completely beyond fear or any rationalization. I felt like I was losing my mind. All I wanted was for this to be a nightmare or at least a cruel joke. "Doctor, what is wrong with her?"
"She's undergoing an acute stress reaction, it's merely shock Superman. She should be fine between two days to four weeks. It depends on the speed of her recovery." The paramedic answered as he draped an orange blanket over my shoulders. "She should be fine with a bit of comfort."
"That's good," Superman replied as he looked down at me with relief that I was going to be okay. "We need to make sure nothing happens to her."
Who is 'we'?
"Superman, we need to relocate her, now." A sharp voice ordered. I tilted my head back to see who it was. I found none other than Batman himself with Martian Man Hunter behind him. He stood tall and intimidating as his cowl gave his eyes a permanent glare. His black cape covered most of his form and emphasized his broad shoulders.
Superman nodded in agreement. "I'll trust that to you Batman. I don't think flying her would be the best idea while she's in this condition." He turned his focus back to me. "Calli, I know this is all very sudden. But, I need you to go with them to secure your safety. Do you trust me?"
I couldn't find the voice to speak, but I managed to give a small nod. I already felt secure just looking into those kind blue eyes. They gave me something solid to stand on, real trust to believe in.
I had rolled onto my side after previously being placed on my back. My eyes shut so I wouldn't be able to see any of my surroundings. I honestly didn't want to, even though it was probably a one in a lifetime chance to look around a Justice League helicopter or whatever it was. I placed myself in an awkward position of my bent arm holding up my head. The bed somehow felt strange.
I could tell it wasn't composed of a mattress and a blanket that's for sure. It sort of felt alive, if that makes any sense. My body sank into it as if it were made out of Jell-o. My own medic blanket was wrapped around me as well as the new one from this organic like bed. On this flying thing, Batman and Martian Man Hunter were on it with me.
But, I didn't know where. They weren't as supportive as Superman, verbally. But, I believe they were playing a big role in helping me some how. Superman had said they were going to take me to safety. I only wanted to know why, but then again the other side of me still didn't care.
I feared it wouldn't make any sense and make me feel worse than I already did. I, frankly, didn't know what to feel at the moment. Should I be grateful for receiving this special treatment? Should I be happy for having my dream come true of actually meeting almost half of the main members of the Justice League? Or should I be sad for losing my father after being such a horrible daughter?
I wasn't happy, not at all. But, I wasn't completely sad either. I know I felt confused. But, I don't even think confused could sum all of this up. I think it had to be more of a question if I wanted it to summarize this whole day.
How did all of this happen?
Wasn't I just at home this morning? Yeah, and I argued with my dad about letting me use my powers for good again. But, today I didn't let it go. I really fought for it. "I hate you!" I winced as if I had been the one to receive those harsh words.
I remember the hurt expression I had a mere glimpse of before I slammed the door behind me. I really hurt him, I really hurt my dad. I had already known I had, but I didn't get the chance to say I was sorry. He never got to know that I didn't mean it when I said that. I covered my mouth trying to hide its contortion from my own trembles.
I felt like crying, but the tears didn't come. I squeezed the blankets feeling the organic one form between my fingers. I felt my stomach turn at just the thought of what had taken place. My home, it had been a crime scene. Or to be more exact a murder.
My father was murdered. He was killed. Why and for what? Who would possibly want to hurt my dad? A headache was beginning to come.
But, I couldn't reach for my head though. I tried to move my arm, but I could only wiggle my fingers. I started to panic, was I paralyzed? Fear rose in my heart again, why couldn't I move? My body was numb, but my heart felt like it was bleeding from being ripped open. It was torn from the guilt I had bottled inside from the moment I slammed the front door.
When I really thought about it, why would anyone just randomly kill my father? There had to be a reason. What would he have to do with anything? Maybe the killer was after something else. They were after me because of my powers. They wanted me, not him. That means, my dad, his death was all my-
Do not blame yourself.
My body slightly twitched in surprise. Did someone just talk in my head? Was I hearing voices? Am I going insane?
No, Calli, you are alright. You must settle your mind and not jump to conclusions. It is your fear that paralyzes you. It will go away if you calm down.
This person was reading my mind. Are you Martian Man Hunter?
You may call me J'onn. I am here to ensure your mental health. Your health is very important to us, Calli.
I'm confused. Why are you telling me your secret identity? Why do I matter to the Justice League? I'm just one person and I have nothing to do with you.
I am a Martian from Mars, Calli. If you were to tell anyone my name, the chances are small that it would greatly affect me. Besides, where you're going you'll be able to say it as freely as you please. You are one of us now.
I'm apart of the Justice League? I thought my heart was going to fail at any minute at this rate. This is too much suspenseful news in one day. Screw sticks and stones, words can hurt you. I could hear J'onn let out a small chuckle. God, this was weird.
Not quite, Calli. It's more of a junior division of the League.
But, why? Why am I so important to you all? Not that I'm not grateful for this. But, it's so…
Sudden? Calli that is an answer you will have to discover for yourself. All will come with time, young one.
That was such a cliché elderly line. I started to calm, but still I felt so confused…
Do not fret. You are not alone. You will have friends to guide you. Calli, your future is very bright.
Friends? Superman said that too. What friends am I going to make? I've never had any.
I will leave that to M'gann. Do not worry; you will enjoy your stay here.
My stay where? I felt the helicopter or whatever it was land. The flight was over, we were here.
The breeze was cool and balanced out with the warm sun as it touched my skin. The grass was a brilliant green and settled around the tall mountain that stood in front of us. I could tell we were close to the beach from the smell of salt in the air and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore. I like this area; it felt like it was the suburbs. It was very relaxing.
At least, I thought so. It was much different than living in the city.
"This way, Calli," J'onn gestured to the steep pathway that led to the base of the mountain. There I saw metal doors; they looked like the exits for planes and other aircrafts. But, it was actually the entrance. A feminine computerized voice uttered a number and the code names for the heroes beside me. I'm guessing they were the IDs into this place.
But, the last ID surprised me. 0776 Wonder Girl. Whose ID was that?
There was a bright light and I hesitated. Batman continued and walked straight through. What was that thing, a transporter? J'onn nudged me to signal we had to get moving. If J'onn was going then I was sure it would be okay if I did too. I don't think I have a choice in the matter anyway.
Where we came out was more than I could handle. I think my heart was literally stopped for the next minute that was about to take place. Batman had been the first to arrive and behind him were several other kids my age geared up in costume. And, I knew exactly who they were.
I felt my eyebrows burrow with worry. What was going on? Why were they here?
Batman spoke for the second time that I've heard. "This is our junior Justice League, Wonder Girl. We call them Young Justice. Welcome to you new home, Happy Harbor."
Did he just call me Wonder Girl? Happy Harbor, Rhode Island? Young Justice? I'm going to be living here with the world's greatest hero's sidekicks?
That last thing I saw was the ceiling before I passed out.
"Well, that didn't work out as planned." Robin stated. He always had the running joke. "She was definitely overwhelmed."
"Seriously, are we that ugly? I tried so hard to keep smiling." Kid Flash commented. "You saw me right?" He turned to Robin.
"She was already in a state of shock idiot. Batman said she probably wasn't going to take to all of this too well." Artemis retorted. She was either critiquing Wally or making very clear she thought he was plain dumb.
"Will she be okay?" M'gann was the first to fly over to the girl being held in her Uncle's arms. She had already considered her to be a new friend and apart of the family since Batman had told everyone ahead of time that the new Wonder Girl was coming to town.
They had spent the whole day preparing for her arrival much to Superboy's distaste. He felt she was being treated like a queen instead a new teammate and remained crabby the whole way through. But, none of them were ever told why she was being moved in so soon. It was all so sudden.
"I don't think she was just shocked to see us." Kaldur inferred. He always seemed to notice things the rest of the team didn't. Not just clues, Robin could investigate as well as the Dark Knight himself. Kaldur always noticed the less obvious things about a person. Such as, how they feel. He taught Superboy how to apologize and he was the first to understand M'gann when she made the mistake of the whole Red Tornado ordeal.
Definitely, something M'gann did not want to look back on.
"Your right, Aqualad," Batman comment. "Recently, your new team member has had a tragic loss. I would like all of you to be aware of her feelings. Her health is crucial."
"Tragic loss? What did her dog die or something?" Wally questioned, jokingly. Robin elbowed him in the side pretty hard. He seemed to take the insensitive comment personal. "Dude, what was that for?"
"No, more like the murder of her father. Her home was destroyed in the process." Batman corrected, he gave Wally a stern look. "Wonder Girl, since this morning, is a homeless orphan. She has no other relatives that are known."
"Oh," Wally looked down ashamed he had boldly stated something like that without thinking.
"Yeah, so try to be a little more sensitive, Mr. Nice Guy." Artemis crossed her arms practically, rubbing the salt in his wounds.
"That's why her arrival was so immediate." Kaldur thought aloud. "And, the clothes were for her."
"Correct, Wonder Girl's father was Professor. Cain. He was a bio-engineer and the led the field to much success. He's the reason why cloning exists successfully in this day and age. He never wrote any of his work down, it was believed to be kept in a file he stored in unknown whereabouts."
"So, he was wanted for his secrets and since the bad guys couldn't get them they made sure no one else could." Robin concluded.
"Professor. Cain, was found dead upon arrival by Wonder Girl." Batman finished.
Everyone knew what those words meant. Wonder Girl had been witness her father's dead body. It was no wonder she was in such a traumatized condition. Robin lost his playful smirk as he crossed his arms. He seemed to have known the very moment Batman had stated the girl had a tragic loss. Even Superboy felt newfound guilt when he realized he had complained about giving charity to a homeless orphan.
"That's so sad," M'gann felt pity for her new friend. "What can we do to help?" She tucked back a piece of Wonder Girl's dark curly hair. The small girl looked as though she were in pain even as she slept.
"Be her friends." Batman stated, simply as he turned to exit the Young Justice headquarters. He had said all that was needed. The rest was up to them.
Martian Man Hunter placed the girl in M'gann's arms. "Uncle J'onn," She questioned. M'gann was starting to realize the responsibility she was being left with. "You're leaving too?"
"This is your new responsibility as her teammate M'gann. It's very becoming to not only be a hero, but a friend in someone's time of need." He told her as he touched her head sending her his memories of his experience with Wonder Girl. "I hope that will guide you. It is now your job to make sure she recovers."
M'gann nodded, accepting the task at hand. "I'll do my best," M'gann was determined to see Wonder Girl to good health. M'gann looked down at the sleeping girl in her arms and held her more securely.
It's going to be alright, Calli.