Light Amidst the Chaos

Ch 23

Flashback 5 years ago

"Heads up, Lottie!"

Charlotte and I were outside training. We were in an open field practicing our precision. She was working on creating smaller fire breaths while I was working on ice blocks. Dad insisted we trained together for support. I didn't mind, I loved being with Charlotte.

"Woo hoo! Burn baby!" Charlotte cheered, watching one of my ice blocks burn in the air.

I laughed and looked at her. I made some fire with my hand and smirked. She smirked back and got into position. I shot fire at her and she deflected it with her own. It was a good reflex on her part.

"Nice one!" I complimented.

Charlotte grinned and charged at me. It seems she wants to abandon using powers and move to hand to hand combat. I was happy with this since I could use some practice.

Charlotte was a lot more flexible than I was and had more experience. She would often practice with Dick and he would teach her moves. Often times it would be acrobatic moves like flips and landings. She was so good at it and looked happy doing it. I loved watching her practice, she was so elegant.

"Nice flip. Straighten your back up, Lori. You'll get better grounding that way." Charlotte told me as I came down from a flip and stumbled a little.

She was also always giving me pointers, never critics. She would show me what I did wrong or tell me what I did wrong and encourage me to do better. I was grateful for that.

"I'll work on it." I promised her, a little out of breath.

Charlotte smiled, her pearly white teeth shining in the daylight. "Pool break?"

"Race ya there!"

End of flashback

My hands were starting to sweat as I gripped the steering wheel. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the vehicle holding Kory, Gar, and Conner trailing behind at a distance. I didn't know where the others were stationed, but I know they're around here somewhere just waiting.

I was scared to face Charlotte, I hoped she wasn't here. I hoped I didn't have to fight or hurt my own sister or cousin or whatever she actually is. She's done so much for me, been there for me, and now she's gone. For all I know she could be completely brainwashed. That thought terrified me.

I approached the cabin with Damian in the passenger seat. I looked at him and gave him a small nod, he nodded back. I can't believe Bruce let him come with us. For all I know the kid may be a shit fighter and get himself hurt or killed. It's just one more thing I have to worry about.

I parked the car and got out. It was quiet, I didn't see anything or hear anything. I looked around and saw Gar, Kory, and Conner approaching from the woodline. Damian and I were closer to the cabin entrance. The silence was eerie.

I slowly approached the door and saw it was slightly ajar. I looked at Damian and told him to scoot back. He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. He was definitely Bruce's kid, no doubt. He had the disapproving stance down and everything.

I sighed and gently pushed the door open. I heard it creek. I poked my head inside and didn't see anyone. The whole place was still the way I had left it. The real fight was in the back bedrooms. That's what I was not looking forward to seeing again.

I slowly made my way inside and looked around. Nothing out of the ordinary and everything was covered in a small layer of dust. My mother is probably looking down and shaking her head. She never went more than two days without dusting.