Talen: Honored Readers, thank you so much for your reviews. I shall endeavor to continue the particular flow of this story, since so many of you appreciated that aspect of the tale. So, for your eyes, this one presents the next chapter of Shadows of the Mind.

—Last Chapter—

Closing his eyes he scanned for information that would give answers to the questions that were forming in his mind. There was nothing there. No information of what had happened or where he was. Or who he was.

The man turned around and it was immediately seen that he was missing his left eye, cover by a simple black patch.

"Well, Robin, do you feel well enough to eat?"

Chapter 2: Breakfast of Questions

–Rob–

Robin. He knew that name. It sounded familiar, it sounded right. Something in him settled, comforted by that small faucet of his self-awareness. Robin looked at the man again, studied him closely. High-level combatant, graceful but with and edge to his movements. Probably ex- military, too bored with civilian life after he left. Although Robin knew all of this about this man, he could not understand how or why he would be able to deduce this information by watching the man for only thirty seconds.

"I asked you a question, Robin. Are you well enough to eat?" There was a tone of authority behind the words this time; one that hinted at consequences if the command was not obeyed. Robin briefly considered his health and resolved that not only was he well enough to eat, his body decided that food was fast becoming necessary. Still, first thing first.

"Who are you?" His voice, he was pleased to note, was calm and assured, showing nothing of his inner anxiety. The man studied him this time, revealing nothing from is one eye. After a brief pause, he put a plate full of breakfast on the table and motioned for Robin to sit and eat.

"A better question would be 'what do you remember?'" The man sat at the other side of the table and began eating his own meal. Robin cautiously sat down and the plate before him, all the while keeping one eye on his breakfast companion. The food was good, but settled uneasily on his stomach, probably due to left over nausea from . . . what? AS if sensing the sudden chasm in his mind, the man began speaking.

"You were involved in an … accident. There were some injuries sustained, but they were all minor. Still with all head injures one can expect a certain amount of disorientation. I know of a doctor that can be reasonable trusted. If you can hold down your breakfast, we'll go see him." Robin paused in his eating to wrap his mind around this new information. An accident, possible head injury. That definitely fit the headache and the aversion to light, but that didn't answer one very pertinent question.

"Who are you?" The man rose, now finished with his own breakfast, and started to clean his dishes.

"You have always called me Slade. Finish your breakfast and meet me in the Entry hall." And with that he left. Robin quickly finished his breakfast and, despite his queasiness, it stayed down. As he got up and took care of his own dishes, he pondered the course of action left open to him.

I can simply leave and attempt to find the answers on my own. That did appeal to him because there is just something about that man, about Slade that put him on edge. The trouble was that he didn't know anything about himself and had nowhere to go. He didn't even know he had the smarts to be able to survive out in the world alone normally, not to mention in his condition. I could follow Slade and allow him to aid me. That concept set off a deep repugnance within him. But, in spite of everything, the man had shown no inclination to do him harm. I'll go with him for now. I can always leave if I discover anything. Course of action decided, Robin followed out the door after Slade.

Process of elimination quickly led Robin to the entry hall. Slade was there, standing with his arms crossed and looking oddly pleased with something. Not that that was actually betrayed by his expression, Robin more or less sensed it from his presence. Slade was like a cat that had spotted the mouse in just the right spot and was preparing to leap.

"Your mask will make you stick out at this time of day." The implicated command to take it off hung heavily in the air.

Slowly Robin reached up and placed his hand at the edge of his mask. "Why Do I have a mask on in the first place?" Robin hated that admission the he didn't know, especially to Slade.

"Why else, to conceal your identity. I promised you that I would never take your mask off without your consent." Still, Robin was hesitant to pull off the mask. If he's lying to me, there's nothing to say that he didn't look before. Just as he was about to go through with it, Slade held out his hand. In it was a pair of dark sunglasses. Without explanation, Slade turned on his heel and strolled out the door, giving Robin plenty of time to swap his mask for the glasses and follow him.

Talen: For the longest time, I could not determine whether our not I should have Robin reveal himself. I am still undecided in this matter. I humbly ask the readers opinion on the issue of the mask. Thank you for your time.

May the winds of fortune follow you.