Chapter 18: Alone

"We're here," said Shadow.

They see a sparkling waterfall surrounded by bushes with colorful berries. Well that's what Nightwing thought.

"I don't see a cave," said Mac.

"It's behind the waterfall," sighed Shadow as she knew someone will ask that.

"We need to hurry. I think the Purals are still out looking for us," said Zals in a shaky voice.

"Follow me," Shadow said in a strong voice.

They follow her to one side of the waterfall, than Shadow carefully made her way to the inside of the waterfall. Nightwing stood next to her and made sure she didn't fall. Shadow sticks her hand out for them to stop and said:

"Do what I do."

She took two steps, than she turned around to face the rocky wall. Shadow took a deep breath and fell into the wall. Nightwing's mask eyes widen as she fell but calm down as she went through it. He watches the others have a surprise look on their faces. Nightwing did what Shadow did and went through the wall. His hands felt the ground causing him to do a handstand than he stood on his feet. He sees Shadow standing right in front of him with a smile on her face. Nightwing couldn't help but smile back. One by one the others join them; Shadow pulled a lit torch out of what seemed to be nowhere and lead them further in the cave. Soon they arrive in an area where there's a pit with wood in it, a sleeping bag, food, and wood shavings all over the floor.

"Home sweet home," said Shadow as she made a fire in the pit. "We'll be sleeping in here, so pick a spot for your bed."

As Nightwing places his stuff down next to Shadow's he notices tunnels.

"Do you know where these tunnels lead?"

"One is another entrance to the cave; another is to an underground hot springs. The others I really don't know.

"Are there any animals here?" asked Kindle as she slowly backed away.

"I don't know, but if there are we'll know."

"So what should we do?" asked Kale.

"We can't do anything outside the cave or else those things will paralyze us," said Jen.

"She's right," said Scar.

Mac mumbled, "Suck it up."

"We'll stay here for the rest of the day. Tomorrow we'll make our next move," said Nightwing. They nodded. "Kindle, do we have enough food for tonight?"

"Not to feed everybody," she said in a sad voice.

"I've got more food here," Shadow said as she grabbed a homemade basket.

Kindle looks inside and took out something wrap in a big leaf. She unwrap it to reveal some meat.

"That'll work; I'll make dinner after I take a nap."

"A nap sounds good," said Zals as she yawns.

Nightwing chuckled, "Go and rest."

He watches as they went to their sleeping bags than he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Nightwing turns to see Shadow; she motioned with her head for him to follow her. He nods and follows her through one of the tunnels, they stay silent. Nightwing sees a white glow at the end of the tunnel. Then he feels hot; Shadow lead him to the hot springs. Nightwing was about to say something till he sees Shadow taking off her pants, revealing black underwear.

"Um Shadow, what are you doing?" he asked trying not to stare like it's his first time seeing a girl.

"Going for a dip. Join me; all you need to do is strip to your underwear and mask."

Nightwing blushes as he slowly gets undressed till he's in his black boxers with Nightwing symbols and his mask. Shadow giggles at his boxers. She stepped in the hot spring. Nightwing got in and slowly sunk, it felt like Bruce's hot tub, but better because there was a girl next to him. He turns his head to look at Shadow, but she wasn't there.

"Shadow," he whispers in concern.

Than Shadow came out from underwater; her black raven hair may be wet but it looks like silk coming from her skin like a river. Nightwing wishes he knew her real name and the color of her eyes.

"Doesn't it burn when you go underwater?"

"Yeah, but it feels so good to get my hair wet."

Nightwing chuckles than went under himself and quickly came back up. It does burn, but Shadow's right, his hair feels great wet. Shadow gives a small giggle, Nightwing swims towards her and grabs her hands.

"Ok Shadow, we're alone. What is it that you needed to talk to me about?"

Shadow takes a deep breath and tries to say something, but nothing came out. Nightwing's face became concerned.

"Shadow?"

"I'm scared."

"Of?"

"You dying here in the Death Games."

Nightwing sees a tear fall down her cheek, he gently wipes it away. "Shadow, does this involve what happen between Buzz and me?"

She nods her head rapidly and the floodgates open, Nightwing pulls her in a tight hug. Shadow cries into his chest, while he strokes her hair.

"Shadow, I'm sorry you saw that."

"It's not that. I lost my parents and I'm all alone," she sobbed. "If I lose you, I don't know what I would do."

Nightwing tightens his grip on her; he could feel so many tears streaming down his torso. It's like this is her first time crying.

He whispers in her ear, "I love you."

Shadow sniffles and said in a confused voice, "What?"

"I love you."

"Nightwing, don't say that."

He was hurt at her words but he knows she didn't mean it.

"Why?" he said in a soft kind voice.

"Because of the Death Games." Shadow's voice cracks. "Nightwing, I want to be with you but the games won't let us."

Shadow breaks from his hug and swims away but she stops. Nightwing didn't blame her for acting like this; she's so scared of losing everything and being alone again. He knows how that feels. When his parents died, Dick hoped to have a caring family. Then Bruce came into the picture. He was there for Dick when he needed him, but the fear of losing someone you love stayed with Dick. Over the years the fear slowly disappeared as he enjoyed his life with his second family. Nightwing swims towards Shadow and leans to her ear and says.

"Shadow, I know you're scared but you can't let your fear of being alone get the best of you. Believe me when I tell you this. I know how what it feels like to be alone." Shadow turns her head to stare at Nightwing. "Yes, losing your family hurt and the pain feels like it's never going away but I promise you it gets better."

"Nightwing, you had someone to help you. Me, I'm all alone."

"You're not alone Shadow! I'm here for you and I'm never going to leave, no matter what the games say."

"How can you be for sure?"

Nightwing's heart ache in pain as he hear the words of hurt coming out of her mouth.

"Because my feelings for you are strong and pure." He sees her turn her head slightly. Nightwing turns her around and gently grabs her chin to have her mask eyes stare at his. "Shadow, I've never felt this way before for any girl before. Every time I'm around you, my heart flutters. "

Shadow gives a small smile and said in a sweet voice according to Nightwing.

"Nightwing, my feelings for you are also strong, but I'm so scare. Ever since we separated, I close my eyes and I see you being tortured than dying." Nightwing can't believe that she's been having nightmares of him. "These games do nothing but hurt you, by changing who you are and what you believe in."

Nightwing wraps his arms around her and rubs small circles on her back. Shadow begins to cry again, she moves her hands to her mask eyes.

"Shadow that's what they want you to think, but in truth they're afraid of what we can do. Like the love we have for each other, they think it'll never go through. But nothing can't stop me for having these feelings for you."

"You mean it?" she asked with so much hope and wipe her tears away.

"Yes, you're beautiful, smart, sweet, and caring. I don't care what they say about you, I love you." Shadow blushes. "You're also mysterious."

"How so?"

"Shadow, I don't know your real name."

She give a small smile, "Oh Nightwing, you're still trying to figure out my name? I thought you forgot all about it."

"How can I forget?"

"Well with the Death Games and all."

"True, but you're everything to me. I love you."

"I love you too."

Shadow swims away from Nightwing to have more arm room. She brought both of her hands to her mask and removed it. Nightwing's speechless, Shadow's eyes are violet. They sparkle like diamonds and the stars in the sky. Nightwing went closer to her and place his hands on her face.

"Your eyes are beautiful," said Nightwing.

"Really?"

"Yes, I've never seen anyone have eyes like yours."

Shadow hugs him and he tightens his grip. She rests her head on his shoulder than she whispers in his ear, "Melinda."

"What?"

"My real name is Mellindeana but on your planet it's Melinda."

"I can't believe it."

"What?"

"You have a beautiful body, eyes, and name. You're the definition of perfection."

Shadow blushed and went underwater, Nightwing chuckle. He begins to debate in his head about telling Sha…Melinda about his identity.

'I trust her in the games, but I don't know if Batman would approve. But I love her. What if someone is watching us?'

"Nightwing?" He left his thoughts to see Melinda staring at him with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Sha…I mean Melinda, I don't know if I can't tell you…" he couldn't finish the sentence.

Melinda grabs his hand, "It's ok. You being a hero and all, you guys have to be protective of your identities."

Nightwing smiles than without thinking he removes his mask. Melinda sees his blue eyes and got lost in them.

"And you said I have beautiful eyes. Yours are amazing."

He smiles than he grabs her hands, "My name is Richard Grayson."

"Why is your name so long?"

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't Richard Grayson, you're first name?"

"Richard is my first name. Grayson is my last name. Don't you have a last name?" Melinda shakes her head no. "Oh, well when my mask is off you can call me Dick."

"Ok."

They got closer, Dick wraps his arms around her waist as Melinda wrap hers around his neck. They stare into each other's eyes. Dick leans in and kisses her on the lips. Melinda returns the kiss. They don't know how long they've kissed, but it's full of passion and love. Dick feels like it's his first kiss. They broke the kiss and smiled.

"We better go and join the others," said Melinda as she put her mask on.

"Ok," said Dick and put on his mask.

Nightwing got out and helped Shadow out; to his surprise he wasn't wet.

"Shadow, how come I'm dry?"

"These hot springs are from my planet. You only stay wet in the spring, you become dry once you get out."

"Wow, I wish Earth had these springs."

They got dressed and were about to make their way to the others. But Nightwing grabs Shadow by the hand to stop her.

"Shadow, we'll find a way to be together."

"I know and I believe we can."

Nightwing smirks and kisses her on the cheek. Then she gives him a hug.

"I love you Shadow."

"I love you too Nightwing."