In the Shadows: A NightWing

8

Standing in the light of the city was Nightwing. His black hair glistening with sweat and the blue bird on his chest was covered in dirt and dried blood.

"What's up brother?" Red Hood spoke.

"What are you doing here Jason?"

Jason thought about lying but instead, "There was a girl who was almost got mugged, I made sure she made it home okay but she disappeared."

Nightwing's eyes narrowed under his eye, "what do you mean she disappeared?"

"She. Disappeared. Poof gone I was trying to figure it out but then you paid me a visit."

Nightwing closed the distance, "What. Did. She. Look. Like?"

"Is Dick in love?" Jason smirked, "Again that is."

"Jason...."

"Blonde, lean, legs that could kill."

"Were her eyes grey?" He held Red Hood by his collar.

"I didn't notice. She did have an ass." Dick pushed his estranged brother watching him land in the gravel as he quickly pulled out a phone and dial Nycole's number. She didn't answer.

Nightwing jumped off the edge of the building heading towards Vega's house. Red Hood decided to follow.

"What happened when she was almost mugged?" Dick couldn't keep his thoughts from racing.

"She was fine. She wasn't scared. The mugger pointed a gun at her but it didn't faze her. I left him chained to a bike stand for the cops." At the mention of the gun Dick moved faster.

He dived into the alley and put regular clothes over his suit before running to the door. Knocking frantically, he waited until Vega opened the door.

"Richie, are you alright? I was worried ab..." Dick interrupted Vega.

"Where's Nycole?" Jason came up behind him as Vega studied Dick, then shifting her eyes to Jason.

"She's not home yet. I thought she was with you." Vega spoke calmingly, watching the umbrae and penumbras of the building and streetlights.

"I tried calling her but she didn't answer me."

"Let me try," She opened her home to both the boys. They walked past her and stood in her foyer. Vega studied the shadows for the last time before she closed the door. "I phone her from the kitchen, come now."

Vega stood by the landline and her call went straight to voicemail.

"Who is the last to have seen her between the two?" Vega moved towards the table between them.

"I think I did," Jason spoke.

Vega took his hands in her, "Palms up." Jason flipped his hand and the old woman placed them on the table using her hand as a ceiling to his she closed her eyes.

"Vega, we don't..."

Vega's voice was calm but assertive, "Call me Vega again boy and I will make you regret it. I am your baba. Now hush you know better than to question the World in Shadows.

Dick remembers Vega telling stories about the World in Shadows whenever the circus had a family event. Everyone would crowd around and listen to her stories or have her tell their future she was always right.

Vega spoke again, "She almost here," everyone sighed including Jason, "And you boy, women are more than just pretty bodies. You are so young... too young. Eyes they tell you more." Vega scolded Jason.

Jason saw Dick's jaw tense, he shrugged the girl was hot. Vega smacked his head and narrowed her eyes at him knowingly. Dick laughed.

"She knows, I could never get away with anything at Haly's." It was the first time Jason ever heard Dick speak of his life in Haly's Circus.

The front door opened and closed, "Spíti."

Vega ran to the door speaking in her mixed language of Greek, Arabic and Lithuanian. Nycole responded in the same tongue then showed Vega the cut on her upper arm. Dick watched them focusing on the wound. Vega walked with her to the kitchen, "First aid is the bathroom. Go now." She glanced at the boys, returned to the language, and continued to speak to Nycole.

Nycole didn't look like she was in pain but she did look tired. She watched as the boys walked up stairs wondering who the second boy was. Her grandmother started to boil water and herbs the boys returned but the boil wasn't done. Vega got out the gauze and stitched thread.

Jason studied her face, her almond grey eyes looked tired, and her lips full and pale still sat in a semi-smile. He thought she was exotic looking but still very beautiful; she turned to fully face him. Her lips pouted, she bit her cupid's bow and then she relaxed into a smile.

"What's your name?" she looked intensely at him.

"Jason."

"Nycole," She extended her hand to him.

"I thought you went by Nyx?"

She smiled and hummed as her grandmother cleaned her and stitched her up

~*~*~*~*

AN: Hey Guys Like and/or comment all suggestions and criticism is appreciated. Anyway I hope you like it :) 

PHR, 

AJ