A/N and so here's another chapter of Speedy's life. This chapter will be longer, I promise, the other one was just and introduction! Enjoy!
Ch 2: A Midnight Run
"I'm going out for a run…" grumbled Speedy to Bumblebee who was sitting on the couch with the rest of the team watching a horror movie.
"It's almost midnight!" shouted the leader looking back at him, "Why now?"
"'Cause horror flics aren't really my favorite." he lied, grabbing his bow and a bushel of arrows, running out the door.
"What's his hurry?" asked Aqualad, the question directed to anyone in the room. BumbleBee and the twins just shrugged, turning their gaze back to the screen.
Meanwhile, Speedy looked at the tower one last time before descending into a dark alleyway, climbing up the fire escape. Once reaching the top of the stairs, he sighed quietly before jumping down onto the actual roof. The young hero took in the moments of silence for a few minutes, before really beginning his late night jog. What he really wanted was some action, something new to look forward to, while patrolling the Steel City.
After jogging for less than a half an hour, Speedy heard a clutter of shouts-a girl's and a mess of men's shouting and yelling.
'Uh, oh. Sounds like a gang fight…' the red-head thought to himself, going over to inspect the situation, silently. Looking, down over the edge, his eyes grew big as he saw what was really happening.
The teenage girl was just walking down the sidewalk, from her summer job at a shoe store, when she was suddenly pulled into a dark alleyway. A large hand was clamped tightly over her mouth, allowing hardly any breathing air to pass through.
"Scream and I'll slit 'yer throat…" the man warned her, flashing his large pocket knife so the girl could see. Snickers and cruel laughter came from farther back in the alleyway. She mentally screamed for help, as the man started to feel around her body for money or jewelry. When he finally found her small wallet in one of her back pockets, the girl's blue eyes widened as he touched her hind quarters.
'Don't you even dare…!' she thought angrily, biting the man's hand hard and kneeing him hard in the stomach, making him yelp and let go of her, her wallet in hand. His fellow thugs walked in front of him, and the rest blocking her only way of escape. Cold sweat slid down her face, as she was forced to back up. She carefully took steps backwards, each time the gang stepped forwards, their hands wielding knifes or metal pipes.
Her expression was not fearful yet not fearless, but in between, watching their every move. All of a sudden, one made his move, chucking his knife at her chest. She tried to dodge it by taking a step sideways, yet the knife slice her arm. Grasping the wound, the teen felt the cold brick wall behind her.
'Terrific.' the girl thought out loud, the street punks ready to attack with a vengeance for hurting one of their members.
Speedy shook his head in disbelief, wondering how she had held up to this point.
'Looks like its time for me to intervene.' the hero thought, readying himself to jump down and protect the stranger, until he saw flames form around her.
"Take one step closer and your toast." the girl warned a ball of raging fire in each palm of her hand. Most of the thugs took a step back, running from the alleyway.
"Cowards!" shouted their supposed leader, his followers abandoning him, "I guess it's just you and me girlie…" the punk grinned wickedly, his knife ready to kill. The man moved into range of his victim, lifting his weapon high above his head.
"Look out!" shouted Speedy, not moving to help the girl, as the gang leader first kicked her quickly on her injured arm, making the teenager grimace, the fire disappearing from her hands. Holding her arm in pain, she didn't see the next attempted stabbing coming her way. "Time to end this!" yelled Speedy, jumping in front of the injured girl, blocking the blow with his bow.
The man was quick, swiftly punching Speedy to the side. Gasping she let go of her bloody arm, and by taking the man by surprise, the girl tripped him. When he was on the asphalt, the strange girl placed her foot on his chest, keeping him on the ground. Putting her flaming fist by his face, she said in a dark voice, "Leave. Now!"
The man obeyed, running away like his other comrades.
"Hey, thanks." said a voice from behind her, "For, you know, giving that thug 'da boot." Shrugging the girl turned to his, grasping her arm again.
"No. I should be the once thanking you, for uh, saving my skin…" she admitted, giving him a small smile. Smiling back, Speedy then look down at her arm, a worried look in his eyes.
"You should get that checked out, 'ya know." he inquired, pointing to her long gash.
"That's not really ness-" she began to argue, but was interrupted.
"Come on, I insist." Speedy said, motioning her to follow him. Sighing, the teenager nodded, knowing arguing wouldn't work, and it wouldn't kill her to get it checked out. He smiled at her, before walking out of the alleyway.
He kept himself silent for a few moments before looking at her. "What's your name?"
The girl stared at him before answering, "Ember."
A/N this was a LOT longer chapter, if I do say so myself. Please R&R!