The Girl of the Wild {DC Comics/Part 1 The Wildflower Series}

Ch. 16 The Man Behind the Mask

Whatever I was lying on was really soft and comfortable... and furry? I took in a deep breath and stretched before lifting my head up and looking around. I was back in my old room at the Tower. Someone must have placed me in here after the mission, when I fell asleep in the Batwing. I could not believe I stayed asleep. I stretched on my bed and then relaxed back on my pillow. My room looked totally different from when I saw it a few days earlier. The white curtains had been replaced with cheetah print lace curtains, the gray desk chair was replaced with the cheetah print swivel chair Courtney had picked out at a store called Ashley Furniture at the mall, and in the corner on the farthest side of the door were some orange paper lanterns. I sat up and looked down at my bed. The 'cloud' sheets had been replaced with fury cheetah print comforters and bronze colored pillows. I stretched one more time before getting up and walking over to my chest-of-drawers and desk.

Placed on my desk was a cute arrangement of little statuettes, all different shapes and sizes. Each one was of a different African animal and I picked up a small elephant statue that reminded me of Ellie before placing it back down and looking at the others. There was a cheetah statuette that had Dindingwe's eyes, a monkey statue that had Monkey's crazy hair, and a group of lion statuettes that looked like the pride of lions I lived with when I was younger.

On my chest-of-drawers was a small light blue jewelry box with a 'D' painted delicately on it. I could identify letters and numbers but nothing else. Learning to read or write hadn't been an option growing up, but at least I was able to learn my alphabet. I opened the light blue box and peered inside. Inside was a mirror on the lid, a couple of shelves and drawers, and holes on the inside of the lid for earrings. The box was empty except for a few bracelets and my Glamour charm. I closed the box again and walked towards my bathroom and turned on the light.

The bathroom looked different too. The white shower curtain was now cheetah print and there was a black rug in front of the bathtub. Besides toiletries and a black toothbrush holder and make-up bag on the sink, that was all that had changed. The towels were still white under the sink and the trash can was still white. I brushed my teeth, hair, washed my face, and straightened my mask before heading back out of the bathroom.

At the head of my bed between the two bronze pillows was a lion stuffed animal that I hadn't noticed before. I padded over to the bed, sat down and held the stuffed animal in my arms. It resembled Leon but was a cute stuffed animal, despite looking like my fierce teacher. However, I didn't remember purchasing it. "I'll have to thank M'Gann and the girls later for decorating my room." I placed Mini Leon back on his place on the bed and left my newly designed room.
* * *

I figured out the way to the cafeteria to get a bite to eat and found a man I didn't recognize sitting at a table with his face in his hands. He looked like he was contemplating something and I hesitantly made my way over to his table. I looked down at him when he didn't move from his position. He was wearing a simple open green button down and a white t-shirt, but what really stood out to me was his striking red hair. I'd never seen hair that color before and it was really pretty. I reached my hand out and was about to touch his hair but pulled my hand back and instead placed it on one of his shoulders. He jerked his head up and looked at me before his eyes transitioned into recognition. "Delmira," I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Yes. Who are you?" The man looked confused for a second and I wondered why he acted like he knew me. His body type and voice seemed familiar but I couldn't put a name to his face. The man motioned for me to sit down and I sat down across from him, wanting to keep distance between us since I still didn't know who he was. The red head looked at me for a while before a slow smile crept across his face. It was strange sitting there in silence but the man finally spoke up.

"It's me Fastman, Flash, the guy you tried to punch in the medical wing about three days ago." I blinked.

"That was only three days ago?" I asked exasperatedly and then covered my face in embarrassment. I just saw Flash for the first time without his mask and said something stupid like that. I heard Flash shuffle in his seat and I looked up to see him looking sadly at me with his eyebrows pulled forward in concentration. "Are you okay?" I asked as I leaned toward him and placed my elbows on the table. His green eyes softened and he nodded before looking back down at the table. I waited patiently for Flash to respond and when he did it came out in a mumbled 'yes'.