It's no surprise that Herman became my new obsession. He haunted my dreams and stained my reality. I was more focused on saving him than anything else. No matter what it took. He was the first friend I had ever made and I had forgotten him all those years ago. I owed him. It was my fault he was in the clutches of Cane.
I felt my fingers cramp as I threw yet another fire bending spell at the target. This time the target blew up into pieces. I exhaled frustration and paced back and forth. An image of Herman's bright-eyed innocent smile popped up in my head. It was quickly replaced by the sad, confused smile that he had on the picture his girlfriend has sent in.
I turned to another target and stomped on the ground. Rock popped up from the ground below the target, smashing it into pieces. I jerked in another direction, raised my hand, and a gust of wind blew it against the wall. I stopped for a moment to wipe the sweat from my brow. My breathing was heavy, but I still felt the need to crush something.
"We're ordering a lot more targets now than ever before." Nightwing's voice echoed in the empty training center.
"Unless you want to be my next target, I suggest you leave." I growled without looking at him.
He stayed silent for a long moment, then without warning he was in front of me. I looked up at him. His brow was scrunched in a concerned gaze. I looked away from him.
"I'm fine." I mumbled, closing my eyes.
"I'm sure you are…" He trailed off.
I glared back up at him.
"Then why are you here?"
"Just to be sure-…"
"Sure of what exactly? That I wasn't losing my mind due to the sudden chaos in my life? Or the fact that you are just as confused about your feelings as I am?"
Nightwing stepped back at my words. I looked down at the ground.
"What should I expect though? You're a superhero. That's you're life…. How can I possibly fall for you? I don't even know what you really look like."
Nightwing didn't speak, but his gaze spoke enough for me.
"I'm fine." I stated. I left him behind and went back to my room. But my room gave me no resolve.
I knew I was going crazy. How could I be worried about Nightwing when Herman could be in some torture chamber right about now? How could I be so… so shallow?
The fact that Cane had found someone so far from my past… someone I had even forgotten, scared me. But I knew that that's exactly what he wanted. He was sending me a message. Herman wasn't the first and he certainly wasn't going to be the last.
My parents. Phil. Superboy. Beast Boy…
"Nightwing." A small portion of my voice recalled.
A familiar fog blurred my view. Raged heat rushed through my veins and reached the tips of my fingers. I felt a piercing scream erupt through my throat. The ground beneath me began to shake roughly. I knew that I was about to cause destruction to Mount Justice and the city nearby, but nothing clicked. I couldn't stop it… I didn't want to stop it. I could feel the cracks of the floor rip beneath my feet. I clinched my fingers into tight balls and ground my teeth together. Every anger, every fear, ever frustration had reached its boiling point. But once again, the result was out of my control. Everything was out of my control. That realization on inflamed my power. I felt my body engulf with a fiery fierceness that I rarely felt. I closed my eyes and allowed the anger to overcome me.
Suddenly, strong arms grasped my wrists and pinned me to the wall. I screamed and jerked but they were too strong. The ground beneath me shook crazily as my thrashing only made me angrier.
"What's wrong with her?" I heard Superboy yell.
But no one responded.
Suddenly, through all noise and shaking, I heard brave but shaky words whisper in my ear.
"I'm sorry." Nightwing's voice rang. His hands grasped tightly on mine for stability against the failing ground.
It took seconds for his words to register. He wasn't just apologizing for our strained relationship, but for every misstep and mishap that had happened so far. I could feel the meaning in his whisper. His words were a cooling sensation that brought feeling back into my limbs. I opened my eyes and the fog slowly cleared. I looked to my bedroom door and Superboy was standing there, petrified with a frightened Beast Boy and concerned Phil behind him.
I felt warm tears run down my face as my heart beat slowed. The ground stopped shaking and my sobs began to get louder. I slid to the ground and Nightwing followed. He released my wrists and allowed me to sob into his chest. He cradled me while whispering in my ear,
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Nightwing ordered that I rest for the next few days. And that's exactly what I did. For the past 3 days I stayed nestled inside my blankets and kept my eyes closed for as long as I could. But when the nightmares of Herman became unbearable, I forced myself to wake up and stare at the walls, contemplating if Batman's words were right all that time ago.
She's too weak
I shut my eyes again to block myself from those words. I had been so hell-bent on proving myself. What was Batman thinking now? Though Nightwing had insisted that those words were all a part of the plan, I knew that Batman had some sort of truth in them.
I thrashed and turned to the other side of the room. I looked out the window and out into the bright afternoon. I heard the doors to my room open and shut. I closed my eyes and glared at the glass of water at my bedside. The water slowly rose from the glass and floated in the air.
"What do you want Nightwing?" I asked.
"Sorry to disappoint." Another, feminine voice erupted. The water splashed back into the cup and I sat up to see M'gann, Batgirl, and Cassie (Wonder Girl) standing by my bed.
They were the girl group that usually stuck together along with Karen (Bumblebee). I had never been invited to join them, which is why I became such good friends with Superboy and Beast Boy. They were the only ones to originally accept me. Thus, the shock of seeing these 3 girls in my bedroom ran through me.
"Ummmmmm…. Sooo… hey!" Cassie waved happily.
I just stared at them suspiciously. Cassie's smile wavered to a slight frown. M'gann decided it was time to speak up.
"We came to check on you." She allowed.
I looked at each girl, my gaze unwavering. Then, with a large exhale, I replied,
"I'm fine."
M'gann nodded.
"That's… err… good." She scratched her head.
I eyed them once again.
"What is it?" I egged on.
Cassie looked at Batgirl and then M'gann. She shrugged and stepped forward. But when she spoke, her words slurred in a fast pace dance.
"We came here to apologize for not being so welcoming. I mean you were new and we kinda already made a girl group and we were being really stupid about it. But you are pretty awesome and I think we'd get along pretty well. Especially with your powers, which are really cool. Maybe you could go on some of our missions and fire bend some losers or make bbq or something-…"
"Cassie! Stop!" Batgirl slowed the fast-mouthed Wonder Girl. I looked over at Batgirl. She saw my gaze had changed, stepped back, and pushed M'gann forward.
"Ow!" M'gann stated glaring at Batgirl. Batgirl shrugged with a teasing smile on her face.
M'gann turned her attention to me.
"Leila, you've been going through a lot and I don't think I've made it easier on you. You know, with my unwelcoming attitude. So… we would love it if you joined us on a mission or two-"
"Or all!" Cassie jumped in.
The sinking feeling that I'd felt for the past couple of days lifted. A wide grin spread across my face. For a while, I had given up and decided that Super and Beast Boy would be my only friends. But this… this was a new start… this was exciting… this… was exactly what I needed.
"Well… I guess I could join you guys sometimes…" I smiled.
Cassie clapped happily.
"See M'gann? She's not a man stealing bitch!" Cassie clapped.
I looked at M'gann in horror. M'gann laughed it off and scratched her head.
"She's kidding!" she chuckled nervously.
I eyed M'gann but nodded.
"It's all good. But you weren't so bad. I mean, you did help me with that awesome dress." I put in.
M'gann smiled.
"Man, I would've loved to see Nightwing in a tux." Batgirl snorted.
I laughed and pushed back the covers.
"I haven't felt like getting dressed in days. Thanks guys." I smiled.
M'gann patted my shoulder.
"No problem. If you need anything let us know." She smiled.
All three of them turned to leave. The door shut closed behind them. I smiled with happiness and let my feet carry me to the shower. As I allowed the warm water to cleanse me skin, I felt an illuminating feeling rush over me. I felt empowered, like I could march myself right up to Cane, demand Herman back, and save the day all on my own. Maybe I hadn't realized my lack of female relationships lately. But I'd never had many female friends to begin with.
I dried off and put on some clothes. As I walked out of the bathroom, Superboy and Beast Boy were waiting for me with wide smiles on their faces.
"Someone's got new friends!" Beast Boy sang suddenly turning into a hummingbird.
I rolled my eyes and flicked him against the nearby wall. Superboy chuckled and leaned back on my bed.
"Happy M'gann has come to her senses." He smirked.
I eyed him and turned to Beast Boy who was in normal form on the ground.
"What did Super-brat do?" I asked Beast Boy.
Beast Boy opened his mouth to explain in vast detail but Superboy's overpowering voice interrupted him.
"Shut up, Beast Boy!" He warned.
Beast Boy snapped his mouth shut and sat against the wall obediently.
I growled and turned back to Superboy.
"What did you tell them, Connor?" I urged.
Superboy lazily put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes… on my bed. Angered, I glanced at the class of water I was going to used against Nightwing. I lifted my right hand and the water flowed out of the glass. I brought my hand to Superboy's direction and tightened it into a ball. The water immediately froze into an ice ball. I then allowed the ball to drop right on Superboy's head.
"Ouch!" Superboy growled sitting up.
But I remained planted with my arms crossed.
"What did you say?"
"Jeez! That you had a lot on your plate. And that they should stop being childish!" Superboy announced.
A huge smile broke out on my face.
"Oh Connor! You do care!" I teased jumping into his lap. Superboy couldn't help but chuckle. I felt even more weight as Beast Boy got in on the action.
"Totally loving this moment." Beast Boy sighed into my chest. I laughed and politely pushed him off. I then give Superboy a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks." I smiled.
Blood rose to his cheeks as he scratched his head.
"Yea… no problem."
Suddenly a loud cough… almost like an elephant, was heard. I looked over at Beast Boy who was impatiently waiting. I laughed and crawled over to him.
"And you are the bestest green friend a girl could ask for." I gave him a long kiss on the cheek.
Beast Boy gulped in return.
"Friend huh?" He asked.
I nodded and stood.
"Just for now sweet cheeks. I still got some moves up my sleeves." Beast Boy taunted.
I eyed him playfully and Superboy snorted, reclining back on my bed.
"It has been 3 days since construction worker, Herman Shields, was kidnapped in the home he shares with his girlfriend, Penelope Grinwald. Officers have searched for days for any clues regarding Shields' disappearance but have come up short. The search party for Shields has grown to 700 civilians and is still growing. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Herman Shields, please call-…"
I turned the T.V off instantly.
"I've got some information. I'm the reason he's missing." I huffed crossing my right leg over my left.
Nightwing, who was sitting next to me, grabbed the remote and turned the T.V back on. Luckily, the anchor was on another story. Batgirl, who was sitting in a chair upside down, flipped right side up and sighed.
"It won't be helpful. It's not helpful to us."
"Where do you think they could be keeping him?" I asked anyone in the room.
"Hard to tell. Cane doesn't like to stay in one place at one time. The last trace we have of him is at some old theater that's been closed for years. After that, the trace goes cold." Nightwing said.
I groaned and placed my head on my lap.
"In the mean time I suggest you get in some serious mission action, chica. You look dead." Blue Beetle suggested.
I looked up at him and smiled.
"I haven't been on one in a while," I then turned to Nightwing who sighed in return.
"If something comes up, Leila…"
"Oh jeez, Bird-boy! Let the girl breathe! We all need a chance to kick some butt every once in a while." Batgirl teased.
Nightwing glared at her but I giggled at the horrid nickname.
"Well do. Batgirl."
Cassie came over and sat beside me.
"I suggest we go to another planet and kick alien butt! That's always fun."
"No offense but I'm still trying to find my way on Earth." I smiled warily.
"What she needs is to find where Cane is hiding." Superboy pitched in from the corner.
I considered his notion. Cane is hiding from me and I had to find out where. Cane…. Hiding… wait a minute…
"Guys! Why would Cane be hiding from me?" I asked curiously.
"Ummm cause he's afraid you'll come and kick his ass?" Batgirl chimed in.
I shook my head, an epiphany rising. I stood as all my thoughts rushed into my head in an order that made sense.
"No he's not, Batgirl. He wants me to find him… Why else would he have taken my friends hostage. He didn't hurt them… because he wants me." I said.
"Well duh! We know he wants you." Cassie smacked his hand against her forehead.
"No, no, no. He's giving me clues… some where completely easy-…"
"Like the data in the coke can…" Nightwing added, catching on to my idea.
"Right!" I turned and pointed at him, "But that's where the easy clues stopped. The rest, he wants me to find out for myself…. But I'm not catching on-…"
"So… he takes Herman…" Nightwing stood also.
"-In order to make a trail… a trail-…"
"Of your childhood." Nightwing stated. We were eyed to eye now, a glint of shock and impressments displayed in his eyes.
"Nightwing, pull up all the places you found traces of Cane in."
We rushed down to the Control Center with Nightwing leading the way. When he reached the main monitor, Nightwing began to type furiously. Then four different locations appeared on the screen.
"The basement of an evicted apartment complex, an old fire station, a rundown shack, and an old theater." Superboy read off.
"All these places are abandoned…" Batgirl noted.
"So what's the connection…?" Nightwing asked.
I stared at the screen in disbelief. There was no way Cane could've tracked me like this without me knowing… Apparently there was.
"These are all places Herman and I used to go. The apartment complex and a basement where Herman used to show me some tricks, the old fire station is where his dad worked… we used to hang out there after school, the rundown shack… that's where Uncle Phil and I used to live, and the theater… that's where Herman and I were in our first play…" I felt my stomach drop and the happy, thoughtless memories.
"He's going to all the places you guys used to hang out!" Beast Boy said distraught.
"Leila, where else did you and Herman hang out? What's left?" M'gann asked
I stepped back in shock. So many things were rushing through my mind. Where…. Where was Cane? I was so close I could taste…
"Taste!" I shouted triumphantly.
Everyone's eyes where on me, ready for an explaination.
"He's at Mr. Hawking's Pizzaeria. It went bankrupt many years back. They tried to replace it with a used auto shop but that fell through too."
"Jeez, your town has a lot of creepy, villain-ish abandoned buildings." Beast Boy chimed in.
Nightwing turned to Batgirl,
"Get Batman on the line. Tell him we'll need an alpha squad-…"
"No!" I shouted quickly. Nightwing looked over at me.
"This is a mission for me." I told him. Nightwing wavered and nodded. I then turned to Cassie, M'gann, and Batgirl.
"I think I found our first mission."