Chapter 12: Odds

Things were not good these days. Recently the skies has been oddly dark , cold winds drifting through the cities and mysterious deaths.

The news have dubbed the evil doers heart eaters, as the victims all die in similar ways, their hearts yanked right out of their chests. The league has been on high alert , extra heroes to scout the cities especially at night. Day by day it was getting worse, the numbers rise and the league was running really low on man power, but no sign of the mysterious killers. There was already one tragedy yet to be resolved and another world crisis was already being thrusts into their hands.

Thinking about it only frustrated the lantern more. Less heroes meant less available help to find her. He signaled the bartender to give him another shot by slamming down his emptied glass. The bartender poured a fresh one into his glass.

" Rough night?"

He didn't respond, and just stared at the yellow liquid, swirling it all the while. The bartender got the message and left the man to his brooding. John sipped the whiskey this time, and closed his eyes while rubbing his forehead. He was at a quiet bar in Detroit's pier after another fruitless scout for her. Every passing moment he felt a little bit of him die inside, he was tired of worrying and for now alcohol was his best friend. He downed the liquid , still feeling the stabbing pain inside.

He looked around the bar and saw a couple seated at a corner, lovingly embracing one another. He was still sober and he was not going to let that happen. His third glass was already filled as he turned his attention back to the bar. Just as he was about to drink, his earpiece alerted him.

" Lantern," he said, annoyed that he was bothered at this hour.

" John, this is an omega level alert, the media dubbed heart eaters have finally revealed themselves. They are highly invulnerable and emerging on the great cities, and we need your help." said Mr. Terrific, his voice clearly showing that the heart eaters post a threat to the world.

"On my way ,Lantern out "

Despite wanting to look for Shayera, he decided getting rid of the menace would give him more time on that later on. John slipped cash underneath the glass and rushed outside immediately, only to be welcome to the scream of civilians echoing the skies as they run away. He looked at the oppose direction and saw a dead body on the ground. His heart ripped out by a man clad in black, a eerie black aura surrounding him.

Before he could react, the heart eater launched himself skyward, fleeing the scene. John wasn't about to let the killer get away and ringed himself his uniform and took off after him. Despite the ability to overtake him, John decided to stay a fair distance behind. He wanted to know what the man was capable of. The black aura was suspicious and his silhouette was oddly familiar.

After traveling quite a distance over deep waters, John saw an island emerge and the heart eater went into what seemed to be an old crumbling castle surrounded by patches of trees. He saw a dim yellow light in one of the rooms and floated right next to the window.

He peaked into glass window and saw Shayera sleeping on the bed. He couldn't believe his joy and happiness as he carefully unlocked the window and rush to her side.

The room was only lighted with a candle, illuminating her tired beautiful face. Her hands were tied and there were dried bloody wounds all over her body. He gently touch a hand to her pale cheeks and she woke up startled.

"Shayera it's me John," he said, tears of joy filling up his eyes as he held her hand. Shayera only stared blankly at him and grip her hand away from him.

Her tired eyes glistened with uncertainty as she said " You're not real, you're not real ... He's not coming to save me."

And she repeated the sentence all over again. John realise she must have been traumatised by her captor, he held her tight even as she started to squirming and crying.

" Shayera , it really is me. It's John remember? I'm here now, I'm here," he whispers into her ear as he continues to hold her until she was still. He then pushed his forehead to hers, his emerald eyes meeting her own. His nose gently nuzzling her face. The comforting gesture soothe her and brought her familiarity. Her eyes softens and the craziness was gone.

"John?"

"Yea ... It's me John." he smiled, happy to see her again.

Shayera smiled happily as her sanity came settling in, realisation dawning on her that it wasn't a dream. He was really here, he really did care. She hugged him back tightly as tears filled her eyes. " You really did came" She nuzzles the crook of his head, feeling safe and the feeling of home sweeping back , then she suddenly pulled away.

" You have to go now!"

"I'm not leaving you . Shayera you don't have to worry about this captor, I can take him"

Shayera shakes her head. " No... No you can't John. He'll kill you... You don't know what he's capable of. Please, just go!"

John remained firm, determined not to let her push him away. " Who is he Shayera?" he asked, holding her shoulders. " Who is he? You don't have to be afraid"

"I'm so glad you can join the party John Stewart." a voice said from the dark . As he came closer to view , John narrowed his eyes into slits and held Shayera closer.

" Talak" John hissed through clenched teeth. The man was deformed , some of his flesh hanging on his bones but he was still Talak.

"So you remember , despite all of this" he said as he gestured to his body. " Leave her and you may go in one piece"

"I'm not going to let you harm a single hair on her, You can keep your threats to yourself" John growled , his eyes ablaze as he carried the weakened Shayera off the bed and away from the mad man.

" John.. don't" Shayera whispered into his ears. Even with their might combined , she knew there was a fair chance that one of them wouldn't walk out alive. She was already weakened by weeks of torture. She wasn't going to lay the odds to John. As stubborn as John was, he ignores her plea and held her closer. No way in hell was he going to let him harm her again. His anger and will power was already firing up.

"Harm her?" laughed Hro. " I'm going to kill her."

He walked closer to them as John pointed his ring at him, edging closer to the window .

" And this time, it's going to be fair and square"

He whips out his hand, armed with the black ring and blasts them out the window.

A/N:Sorry for the delay, I've been working on this story. The story arc is kinda big ! I've even received Inbox messages asking for me to continue. Thanks so much for your support.