A/N:
So here's chapter three, you lovely readers you. You are fantastic, did you know that? I've been reduced to a giddy little schoolgirl because of your loveliness. To warn you, there's some language in it. But it's nothing worse than what you'd hear in the halls of a typical high school, so I think we're good. But enough of my rambling, let's add a little disclaimer and get on with it!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Renee. And Clockwork…hopefully. It's surprisingly difficult to find a name that hasn't been used in the comic world…even if the character behind it is something completely different. *shrugs* Oh well. On with the show.
Nightshadow: Chapter 3:
~Kid Flash's POV~
"I went rogue."
I stopped mid-stride, balanced precariously on one foot. I had been walking to the kitchen to get a midnight burrito-snack, but this was just…interesting. So I put my foot down, slid into the shadows of the hall's corner, and listened.
"You did what?" I heard Robin ask. Wait, Robin? I thought he went to bed. Could've sworn he left just after I did. I cautiously peeped my head around the corner. Robin was sprawled on the couch, his masked eyes wide. For a moment I thought he was looking at me until I realized that he was talking to Renee.
Renee?! She went rogue? Well, that's something she failed to mention. I thought angrily as I tuned back into their conversation.
"-found out Clockwork survived and went after him-" Renee was saying. Clockwork? Who's Clockwork? I thought, mentally going through my list of villains. Nope. No Clockwork. Hmm. Well, I suppose there may be villains that have never seen the likes of Kid Flash. I reasoned with myself, trying to rationalize why I had never heard of this Clockwork fellow. No. Every villain has to have heard of me. Maybe he's one of the good guys?
"-makes sense, because of your father, but you could've still called me, Renee. Revenge isn't an excuse not to ask for help. I'm sure Batman would've let me. He-" Robin was talking now. Her father? What does Renee's father have to do with this? Revenge…oh. Come on, Wally. Two plus two really does equal four. So Clockwork's definitely a bad guy, and he did something to her father.
"-but really, Renee. I-I just wish you would've called or-or something. Going after Clockwork, alone, that's just plain dangerous-" Robin continued to speak, concern laced through his words.
Wait, concern? Robin was…concerned? I blinked. That was so…un-Robin-like. The Boy Wonder had been concerned for his friend? Then I realized how absurd I was being. They're friends, Wally. I mentally chided myself; Of course he'd be concerned.
I pushed my thoughts aside, eager to hear what Renee's response was, but her voice had dropped to a whisper. So I leaned forward ever so slightly, straining to hear.
Turns out I didn't have to.
"Dammit, Renee! Why the hell did you do -"Robin roared, but then his voice dropped low. "-oh. Oh. That's why you didn't – does Batman know?" I involuntarily shuddered, uneasiness growing in the pit of my stomach. Not because of Robin's reaction, but due to the sheer amount of emotion Robin was displaying. And it seemed as if he didn't realize it, either. Is he…? No, he can't. He's Robin, I know he wouldn't let himself have feelings like that. Or would he? I suppressed another shudder. Robin was the protégé of Batman; he was trained in the art of being an unfeeling liar. I couldn't help but wonder: why the hell was he suddenly being Mr. Feelly-EmotionPants?
"Yeah." She responded, the single word tangibly weighed down with guilt. I peered around the corner for a quick glance at the two. The bird had his arm around the shadow's shoulders.
I was confused.
This girl had a past that not even Robin - her supposed "old friend", the one with his arm wrapped around her in a gesture of consolation - knew about. Hell, even the Dark Knight might not have known until Nightshadow came to ask him about joining Young Justice. So I decided I was going to do something I had never done before:
I was going to confront Robin.
Before I could talk myself down, I realized I had good reason to. I - I mean, the team - deserved to know what he now knew about Renee and her past. If she didn't want it out there, then it had to be said, right? Right.
First thing in the morning, then. I decided. I might even wake up early for the occasion…nah. I turned around and went to go back to my room in the depths of Mount Justice. At that moment, I heard the tell-tale 'goodnight' uttered from Renee's lips, making me freeze.
Oh shit, Wally. You've done it now. I silently scolded myself for my stupidity. I began to think fast for a solution. Renee – and probably Robin – was heading my way. If they caught me snooping –
"Mmmm! Man, I'm hun- oh. Hey guys, you two still up?" I asked innocently as I made a rather noisy entrance. Too late, I realized I could've just run to my room and no one would've known. Shit.
"Hey, KF. Yeah, we were. Just about to hit the sack, though. I'm guessing you're getting a snack?" Robin responded, nonchalant.
So he's back to his normal self…or he's a damn good actor.
"Yeah, you know. Woke up wanting a burrito…or maybe a taco…nawh, I think burrito will do nicely." I rambled in an attempt to calm myself down. I felt as if the Boy Wonder was boring holes into my soul with those frustratingly masked eyes of his.
"Uh, well…Goodnight then, Wally. 'Night Rob." Renee muttered quietly before slipping past me and down the dark hallway. I followed her with my eyes until she disappeared behind a door. Assuming the Bird in front of me had instructed her there, I turned my attention back toward him. He, surprisingly enough, had shifted the piercing gaze into an expectant stare. I braced myself.
"We need to talk." I stated bluntly, with all the authority I could muster. It looked promising until Robin's mouth became set in a thin line and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. I deflated.
"Yeah, yeah I think we do."
Oh crap.
Yeah, so that's chapter three! Exciting, huh? Bet you didn't expect that! Actually, you probably did. Ha. Next chapter we're going back into Robin's POV…but I really, REALLY promise that I won't get stuck in his POV. It was going to be either his or KF's again, and I thought it would be more interesting from his. So, yup. That's that. Review or "follow" or whatever you like. (I feel like I'm obligated to say that…heehee.)
Word Count:
This Chapter: 953
Total: 2,558
Happy Writings,
Vid.