Shadow was feeling a lot better now. The sun was starting to go down even more, the stars were peeking out, she had a full stomach (thanks to the bread), bought some water in a bottle (she wasn't to proud to beg for change.). Now she just had to ask where she was and figure out how to get back to the mansion.
She was surprised that no one had tried to contact her telepathically, or come to get her. Couldn't that Cerebro computer or whatever detect mutants? If so, than why hadn't the professor used it to find me yet? Aren't they worried? She stopped and looked at her reflection in a store window. What if they don't want to find you. A voice of fear and doubt rose in her mind. Think about it, you've been gone nearly a whole day and no one has come for you. They never liked you, and it's not like you even bothered to try to make friends. They knew from the beginning you didn't like them or want to be there. You never belonged- "No." Shadow closed her eyes and turned away to continue down the side walk. That's not true. I've made friends with Rogue and Storm, kind of. And even if everyone in that mansion hated me, Sunshine and Chamele would never stop looking for me.
Can you be so sure? The voice came back again. They've been really enjoying that mansion. They probably-Shadow once again cut it off, this was childish. Arguing with an imaginary voice in her head. She knew that Sunshine and Chamele loved the mansion and everyone in it, but she knew that they had gone through to much the past year and a half for them to just forget about her. They were probably worried sick.
Shadow's face clouded with concern and anxiety for them. Sunshine's probably in a frenzy, sure she can be air headed and naive, but she was always there for me. Always being optimistic and so trusting that I would pull them out of whatever situation we were in. And Chamele... At the thought of her Shadow felt the threat of tears pricking at the back of her eyes. Poor little Chamele, she might be crying. They're both probably scared to death about me... Shadow's face was set with determination. No more doubting, I need to find my way back to the mansion. It doesn't matter that they haven't found me yet, I'll find them.
So she headed towards a gas station and walked inside. The bell bounced from above the door as Shadow strode purposefully towards the counter. "Where am I?" She asked looking at the guy across the counter straight in the eyes. She knew direct eye contact made people uncomfortable, but she also knew it was the best way to get information out of them and to know whether or not they were lying.
"Er...uhm..." The man quickly glanced away shaken by her bluntness and cold stare. Predictable was Shadow's thought, but she patiently waited for him to talk."California. Jump City...er, no wait. Jump City, California." The man said, still not directly looking at her. Shadow's eyes squinted a little in confusion. California. Never heard of that, and Jump City? Maybe California is a...oh what's the word. Sunshine tried explaining them to me. Oh ya, a state. It's probably a state so Jump City must be a town."How far away are we from New York?" Shadow once again met the poor man's eyes dead on, and once again he looked away flushed and embarrassed. "I-I don't know...several miles. New York is kinda of far away, but...but here's an atlas of eastern USA. It should help you."
The man quickly reached down and eagerly handed Shadow a pamphlet looking thing."Great." Shadow dragged out the word as she looked at the cover. It was brightly colored and...in English. Shadow sighed in frustration Why must English be so hard to read! Cyrillic is way better to understand. Glancing up at the guy who still wasn't looking her, she decided to find a road to New York a different way. When she opened the door to leave, the man's sigh of relief was loud enough to be heard over the clanking bell.
As she stepped outside though a huge gust of wind whipped passed her, so strong that it caused the pamphlet to fly out of her hands. Oh great! She though as she grinded her teeth together. Aw well, not like I wouldn't be able to read it anyways. Besides, she looked up at the growing darkness. In a few minutes I'll be able to just fly around.
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This is ridiculous. Superboy complained over the telepathic link. We've been at this all day, we're never going to find her!
I'm in agreement with Supey, this is seemingly pretty pointless right now. Kid Flash said as he ran over the town. Looking for their missing Shadow. I mean if we haven't found her by now then that must mean- oh wait! Kid Flash skidded to a stop and looked back.
Kid, have you found something? Aqualad asked.
Not something someone. Kid Flash responded as he watched Shadow look up at the night sky. It's her! It's the Shadow girl! I'll go get her.
Kid no! Aqualad shouted, but it was to late because Shadow had already noticed the impatient speedster.