Deathstroke's Shadow (DP/YJ)

Chapter 8

It had been weeks since Shadow killed the Joker. And as the same as any other day that week, Shadow sat in his bed staring up at the ceiling. He didn't know what to feel anymore.

The image of the look his brother gave him before he disappeared was seared into his memory, playing over and over on an instant loop. His brother, even though the mask obscured his face, he could see the utter disbelief, pain, astonishment, and disgust thrown at him. Of course Dick didn't know that it was his brother he was throwing those looks to.

'What if he did know though?' Shadow thought. 'Would he still look at me with the same look? Would he disown me as his family?'

Shadow shook the thoughts from his head. He shouldn't be even thinking this. He saved his brother, his friend, and so many others from pain that damned clown brought every where he went.

And who cares what Dick thinks about it. As far as the bird knows, his brother is dead.

A knock sounded on Shadow's bedroom door, pulling him from his thoughts. He quickly got up off the bed, him now being focused, but still devoid of any emotion.

Shadow went over and opened the door to reveal Deathstroke on the other side, Harley Quinn standing right behind him.

The boy gave his father a questioning look.

I have a new contract. Be ready, we leave at eight tonight." Slade told his apprentice.

Shadow nodded in response, not wanting to talk.

A mission might be good for him at the moment. It would at least be something different to occupy his mind, rather then using the ceiling. The white ceiling really didn't work. It only allowed his mind to wander.

"Harley also wanted to talk to you."

And with that, the mercenary left, leaving the two alone.

Shadow turned his attention over to Harley, staring her in the eye with a blank look.

She stared right back, though emotions was flowing through her like a tidal wave and it clearly showed through her eyes.

Harley was truly worried about her little Spooky friend. She knew enough about Shadow to know he's never been this way before. Well, nothing longer then a day anyways. And she knew full well it couldn't have been because he killed Joker. The little boy had killed plenty of other mass murderers and psychos and he's always sprung back to usual mischievous self in the past.

"What's wrong puddin'?" Harley asked, staring down into the green eyes devoid of everything that made Shadow... well, Shadow.

Shadow just shrugged in response.

He turned away from the door and made his way back to his bed. It was only four in the afternoon now, so he had plenty of time to do nothing before getting ready for the mission.

Shadow plopped back down on his bed, going back to his previous position before Slade had showed up.

He barely even took notice to Harley following him into his room.

The ex-harlequin took a seat on the chair by the computer desk. She continued to stare at the boy.

"Spooky, talk to me. What's wrong?" She pleaded.

Shadow glanced her way for a brief second, but did nothing else to show he heard.

Spooky. The insipid name his brother used to call him in the circus. And only his brother was allowed to use it. Well, until Shadow got his ghost powers that is. Then suddenly any other person who was semi close to him besides Deathstroke called him that as well. He didn't mind it though. It reminded him he had a home with these people just like it did in the circus.