Out of My League

Chapter 18: Goodbye

I can't hide

Can't hide

Can't hide what has come

I have to go, I have to go, I have to go

And leave you alone

- Goodbye by Avril Lavigne

The cell wasn't awful.

In fact, it was a lot better than the torture chamber I was in a few hours ago.

Technically, it was really my fault. After Dick and I got captured, they took us into the big scary palace that was White Ghost's hideout. I guess he took after his father's preference for luxurious living. Anyway, they were taking us to the holding cells, and I let them lead us there in hopes of finding Damian. But, again, this is my life we're talking about. Nothing comes easy. And of course, when we got there, there was no Damian.

There were however, a couple of people we knew. Fourteen to be exact. Well, would you look at that? The whole team's here after all. No wonder we haven't heard from them the whole day. Dick cursed softly behind me, and I had to admit. This was pretty bad. We had no back up, unless Alfred decided to storm in with guns a-blazing.

Everyone was in pretty horrible shape. Bart and Wally were in a cell together, both having volts of electricity running through their veins. Artemis, Barbara, Bruce, Tim and Talia were all stuck to the walls of their own cell, metal binds around their hands and feet. Gar and Jaime were out cold. Cassie was tied up with her own lasso. And Hal? Well, he was trapped in a cell without his ring. Connor was probably going through hell. He was on the floor, barely having enough strength to lift his face us with the Kryptonite radiating in his cell. Megan was surrounded by fire, draining her of her energy. And Lagoon Boy was badly dehydrated.

"Hm, yes," Dusan mused. "We also picked up all your friends for the party."

"Where's Damian?" I hissed, though I feared the worst.

Dusan simply chuckled. "He had different accomodations, of course. He's a very important role in all that will take place tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night? That still gives us time. First, I have to get the team out. I moved fast, before they had any chance to stop me. Doing a back flip, I ended up behind my guards and tried to fight them with just my legs, knees and feet. It almost reminded me of the time I fought the Joker. Dick also did his best to try and escape from his captors. He was doing better with the tow than when he stood against five of them. Unfortunately, Dick and I were severely outnumbered. Within seconds, the hallway was filled with Shadows. And even if Dick and I could fight them off, we would eventually tire and they'd still keep coming. Damn it.

Dick cried out in pain, distracting me from my own foes. I took a pretty hard kick to the face, but managed to stay on my feet. After dispatching the one that almost knocked me down, I glanced at Dick to see he was still holding his own. But he, too, was tiring. Out of nowhere, my body received a shock of electricity. I collapsed to the ground, my teeth gritted together and my eyes closed. Dick must've seen me, because I heard him call out my name.

After catching my breath, I flicked my eyes open to see Dick kneeling before me, his blue eyes worried. The Shadows stood down, waiting for Dusan's command. He approached both of us, a disappointed look on his face. "Now Asteria," he sounded like a mildly scolding parent. "You know better than to behave that way. I guess we're going to have to teach you a few lessons."

"What-" Dick began, but he was dragged away by eight Shadows and put in a cell.

I wanted to shout after him, but my voice got stuck in my throat. Maybe it would be better if he was there in his cell. I knew what they were going to do to me, and he didn't need to see it. Still, I heard him screaming my name, and he pounded against the thick glass of his cell. I gave him a small smile as the Shadows also dragged me away, trying to reassure him that I'd be fine.