In Wonderland

A Terrible Cost

~Earth 16~

~Dick~

~Mount Justice~

 "Fear not the crisis has past, though at a terrible cost." Kaldur explains. The powerhouses of the league looked confused

"Wally" I exclaim breaking hearts with a word, everyone had been holding back tears, and at that 5 letter everyone started sobbing. Canary and Green Arrow, Gar and M'gann, Bart and Jaime, Superman engulfed Conner in a bear huge, Kaldur and Aquaman. I'm trying not to cry so hard and Barbara walks up to me and nuzzles her head into my neck and wraps her arms around me. I think about pushing away but I give up all hope when I see the tears streaming down her face I give in as well; in mere moments we are gushing. 

I have experienced grief before, I am no stranger to pain- but this is too much. When my family died it was only me and Haley were at the funeral... and Bruce, but he didn't know my parents. But my best friend wasn't only my best friend, he was like my brother, my family. He had a life, Artemis, his parents, all his friends-and now it's over. The collective sadness makes everything worse. The pain more painful.

I can't run the team anymore. It was Wally's team too. Maybe Kaldur can deal with it, or Barbara. I can't, maybe someday but not now. And I'm not sure Artemis can either.

~Earth 16~

~Artemis~

~Central City~

People have told me that death is the most painful thing ever... I didn't believe them; I'd been beaten up more times than I could count before the age of 12, superheroing had given me my fair share of bruises, so I didn't understand this whole death of a loved one thing.

Central City was probably one of the pleasantest cities on the globe. Full of smiling  families and happy children; but not today. It's dark and gloomy and there's not a single person on the streets... Except for me. The West household is bright yellow and looks like something from an insurance ad but it's where Wa-Wally grew up. Knock, knock. Mary and Rudolph West have there

arms wrapped around each other,  they could probably feel Wally's- absence. I realize I have to look up and when I do the West's notice the tears sliding down my cheeks. 

They hold me in a hug on their porch for it seems like forever before Mary pulls away and says "Artemis,  would you like to come inside to talk? I could make some tea?"

"I'm terribly sorry Mrs.West but I'm afraid that I have to leave, to tell more people the news." Lies. Lies, lies, lies. 

"Um, alright. Maybe some other time then?"

"Of course Mrs.West." I exclaim. I know that was cruel but I can't deal with the West's right now. Right now I need to go home to Palo Alto. To lay in bed, while it still smells like Wally. 

~Earth 16~

~Artemis~

~Palo Alto~

Laying in bed alone was harder than I thought it would be. Now I know what Wally felt like when I "died". At least I came back. I was wearing one of his old jerseys, the one with the 13 on it. Everything still smells like him, like gingerbread. Yeah I know it's weird but when someone eats as much as Wally does- did he's bound to smell like some food or other; I'm just lucky it's not bacon. Wasn't bacon.