Insanity Chapter 2

Nightwing instructed me to stay at the cave tonight, so that I don't run into anymore red helmet creeps. So for the last hour and a half I've been in my room counting the blood spots on my carpet. Whose idea was it to put carpets in here anyway?

A gentle knock on my door thrashes me out of my thought process. "Come in!" I shouted as the as the door slid open. Nightwing entered the room with a stern expression on his face. I could tell he was disappointed in me because of the chill I got. It was never good when momma bird was disappointed.

"Where were you tonight?" His tone was cold and filled with anger. I racked my brain for the answer, but it was foggy. I remained silent and stared at him, hoping that being quiet was the best choice. He walked towards my wall and pulled up a hologram. It showed me about three hours ago in my green uniform. There's a weird glint in my eyes as I waited in an abandoned warehouse. Sportsmaster walked in, weapons drawn. I said something to him, tears in my eyes. His face noticeably softens before a smirk made its way to his lips. Not soon after, I plunged a knife into his shoulder.

Nightwing fast forwards to when the warehouse exploded. Tears wave down my face. That can't be me! I could never kill my own father.

"That wasn't me." I silently murmured. "It couldn't be me I-"Realization washed over me. The helmet guy knew that I'd forget, but how? What does he know about this?

Dick removed his mask and looked at me with soft eyes. "Artemis what's going on?" He stared into my grey eyes with a caring expression. I turn away, unable to look at him. Dick is like a brother to me. I can't stand to look him in the eye, knowing that he's disappointed in me.

Before I could respond, the lights turned off. I start to cough rapidly and Nightwing did to. It was too dark to see anything, so finding my gas mask was a no. The last thing I heard was my door sliding open before I collapsed.

I opened my eyes, which were greeted with a mass amount of blurriness. "About time you woke up." A voice called from behind me. I remain silent and observe my surroundings. I automatically know that we're underground. I'm in some kind of cell and the red helmet guy, whom I assume kidnapped me, sat on the other side on a barrel. My chest tightened, which signaled me that something was wrong.

"Who are you?" I glared sharply at him.

"I'm hurt 'Missy. You really don't recognize me?" He responded with a fake gasp.

"Kind of hard to with that damn helmet on your head."

"Touché. Here let me give you a hint." He slowly took his helmet off and I gasped in shock. My eyes widen as tears strolled down my cheeks. This has to be some sick twisted joke. Maybe Scarecrow hit me with some new developed fear gas. Maybe this is a dream. All I know is that this couldn't be real. The dead always stay dead. Maybe he's like Secret and is a ghost, which is technically dead. But, Secret could only say so much. Without me realizing it, my mind started to drift to memories of two years ago.

"Who's the brat?" I questioned Batman about the kid in the Robin outfit.

"I'm only two years younger than you." The kid grumbled, while he glared at me.

Batman cleared his throat to get attention back on him. Attention whore. "This is Robin, he'll be joining the team as of now." He says before walking off into the zeta tube.

"Hi I'm Megan, well that's my earth name of course, but you can call me Megan, M'gann, Miss M, or Miss Martian." Megan flew over to him enthusiastically.

"I'm going to go." I called to the tea.

"Getting ready for a date Arty?" Nightwing teased, while he wiggled his eyebrows.

"One, shut up. Two, don't call me Arty." I growled at him. I faintly saw a mischievous grin on Robins face, but I quickly dismissed it. My feet found their way to the zeta tube and I left for home.

I finished showering and quickly go dressed. I wore a white T-shirt with a black jean jacket, skinny jeans, and knee high boots. Not soon after the doorbell rang and I walked to the living room. When I got there, mom was making conversation with him. He stood as soon as he saw me and smiled at me. I put on my best fake smile and walked up to him. I told my mom bye and we left to his car.

"You look amazing." Zack said in my ear huskily. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

"It's just an outfit."

"But it looks great on you. Especially that top." He stopped and stared at me. I instantly knew what he meant. My shirt was skin tight, since I was used to it I didn't realize that he'd be able to see every curve I had. His eyes landed on my boobs and I instantly knew what he wanted.

"Eyes up or I'll kick your ass." I glared at him. He raised his hands in defense and resumed walking to his car. "Wanna play 20 questions?" He asked.

"Which version?" I questioned back.

"The one where you ask questions about the other person." I agreed too and for the past fifteen minutes we asked each other simply questions.

"What made you agree to a date with me?" He probed me.

"What made you ask me on a date." I asked defensively.

"I'm pretty sure I asked first." He grinned.

"Fine. I said yes because I wanted to." I answered plainly.

"Fair enough." He laughed.

"So, why did you ask me?"

"Because I wanted to." He teased me while parking in 'Fox Garden.' A fancy place where rich people dined. I obviously wasn't dressed enough for the occasion, but when am I ever? Strangely enough, my date didn't seem to mind my inappropriate attire.

Once we got in, a waiter sat us while trying to hide his look of disgust at my attire. I looked the exact opposite of my date, who wore a very expensive grey suite with and red tie. The waiter gave us our menus before leaving.

"How do you like the place so far Artemis?" Zack asked without looking up from his menu.

"Actually I've been here plenty of times, basically all the workers, except that guy, are used to how I dress." I explained dimly.

"How many dates have brought you here?" He quirked his eyebrow up in question while he removed his head from behind the menu.

"Dick brought me a few times and so has Betty, but this is the first time I've actually been on a date here." I explained briefly.

Zack stared at me with even more amusement. "Are you telling me that you and Grayson never dated?"

"Ew." Was my amazing response. Before he could respond, a waitress made her way over to the table we sat in. "Hi my name is Ember and I'll be your server today. What can I get you to drink?" A blonde with freckles and blue eyes greeted.

"Water please." Zack flashed her smile. She wrote that down before looking at me.

"Sweet tea." I simply requested as she copied it down and walked away.

"Didn't take you as a tea kind of girl." Zack sat up straighter while he grinned.

"Well you obviously don't know me." I snorted and not soon after the waitress returned.

"Here's your water and your tea I'll be back in a few minutes to take your orders." She smiled sweetly before going back to the kitchen. I lifted my tea and gently placed the cups between my lips. I took my first gulp and I rapidly started to cough. Zack stared at me in concern before he ran over to me a patted my back. My throat felt weird and painful. I wanted to scratch it but I couldn't. "Give me your water." I croaked before he complied. I drank and it soothed the pain, but as soon as I stopped drinking the pain returned.

"Ma'am are you alright?" The waiter that sat us asked. I nodded and I faintly saw a smile on his lips. "We're going to have to ask you to leave. You're disrupting the peace." He motioned to the entrance.

It took every ounce of energy to not curse at him, but the pain also helped restrain me. We left outside and Zack grabbed my arm. He led me to the alley way next to the restaurant.

"What the fuck was that!" He glared harshly at me. "This is what I get for waiting."

He started to grab at me, but I grabbed his arm and twisted it in a way arms should never be twisted. I then bent it until I heard a crack sound and a whimper come from his lips. If I could talk without the throat irritation I would. I let go and watched him scurry toward his car and zoom away.

"That was pretty funny." A voice bellowed from above. A shadow crossed my vision and swooped in front of me. I glared at the figure in front of me. That explained a lot. "I didn't expect him to try to erm- you know, but that's bonus points I guess." Robin took a stride toward me.