Caged and Broken

Chapter 5: Pieces

The team got to the equipment cash, and were disgusted by what they saw. Files full of pictures, and dated. None of them went past the last three months, which was the horrible part.

Wally had counted all the files, he was absolutely livid to discover there were 94 files. All of them filled to the max with evidence and notes, the notes were definitely Artemis' handwriting, and they listed the many atrocities that Reyna had to endure recently.

"This is just sick." Zatanna Said, as she saw the newest file. Hastily put together, but definitely the worst out of all of them.

"Yeah, how come the cops don't know about this already?" Asked Rocket, and Wally growled.

"Because, this is why." He Said, and the team came over and all wanted to vomit. It was a evidence board, completely covered in pictures and sticky notes.

"Dear god, half these mother fuckers have criminal records. How the hell did they get positions of power in the fucking government here?" Roy Asked, and Wally growled.

"The board isn't complete." Wally suddenly Said, and they all looked at him.

"Listen, I've known Rob long enough to recognize a complete crime board. This one, is about three fourths of what we'd need to prove Artemis is innocent." He Said, and everyone looked at him.

"We'd need to find who orchestrated all this, and find solid undeniable evidence to make sure they get out. Artemis was close to finding who is behind all this, but not close enough." Wally Said, and they all glared at the board.

"How do we tell Artemis that we don't have enough evidence to prove their innocence?" Asked Megan, and Wally sighed.

"I've got no fucking clue, and with Robin and Bats now being fucking enemies of the state, we've got no god damn detectives." He growled, and they sighed.

"Well, we better inform Artemis of our findings." Said Kaldur, before they headed back towards Arkham Asylum.

-0-0-0-

They had been doing everything they could to help Reyna, desperately trying to keep her alive. But, she was just so injured.

Her infection had given her a fever, the cut along her collarbone hadn't stopped bleeding, she's suffering from blood loss, and still is coughing up blood at times.

"Artemis, if-I'd we don't slow down the progression of the infection or stop the bleeding. She won't make it another night." Barbra said, and Artemis was so angry and scared.

"I really wish someone believed us, but, we're all alone." She Said, and then she saw someone get thrown into their cell Wing. She glared, it was Icicle Jr.

"Oh great, I'm with the reject traitor, and two sappy brats." He Said, and Artemis got up, then socked him in the face.

"Don't call them brats Jr, they're better friends than you ever were. At least I know they have my back no matter what and that they are friends with me because they like me." She Said, before she walked back to Reyna.

"Wonderful, Hey, What are you doing here anyways? Shouldn't you be in Juvie or something?" He Asked, and Barbra looked at him.

"Could say the same thing to you, Jr. But guess what, something bad is happening and now there isn't any decent person left in charge of this city. Don't you get it, you were probably sent here to die, just like we were." Barbra said, before Reyna coughed up blood.

"What do you mean? Why would I get killed?" He Asked, and Artemis looked at him.

"Because, you have a good heart. You failed your Dad, and, you were seen buddy buddy with Superboy." She Said, and he looked shocked.

"Great, just great." He Muttered, But that's when Reyna sat up.

"Reyna, you need to stay down. You're not gonna last long if you move." Barbra said, and she looked at her.

"What's the point, I'm dead anyway." She Said, before she winced. She took of her jacket, then her shirt. Jr, Barbra, were horrified to see how black and blue she was underneath her shirt. Artemis was revolted when she saw how hurt her sister was, and that nobody gave a damn.

Reyna took her shirt, and tore it to shreds. Then used the strips to bandage her wounds more, she even used it on her ribs and hands. Then she managed to slip back on her jacket, and then she used a strip to tie back her hair, and she handed Artemis one as well.

"How'd you do that?" Asked Jr, and she looked at him.

"I was put in Juvie for months, I was bullied at school, beaten by thugs, taken hostage and hurt, and beaten to death by my foster monsters. I had to learn to survive, but it won't matter. Even if I managed to stop the bleeding, and fix my ribs, the infection will kill me." She Said, and Jr was alarmed.

"Reyna, don't talk like that." Barbra said, and Reyna looked at her.

"What else am I supposed to think Babs?! That I'm gonna live?!? That I'm gonna see Bruce, the closest thing to a father that I have, again?!? That, by some miracle, we're gonna get out of this?!? Babs, I'm sorry. But, there's nothing to do. Nobody cares about us, nobody has given a damn about me the last three months, and I'm dying. Where is the hope for me? I am dying, and nothing short of a miracle from god almighty will save me." She Said, before she curled up in a ball and passed out.

"What's her problem?" Asked Jr, and Barbra punched him.

"She's living in hell right now, and all of us, are going to die here." Barbra said, before she started her homework.

'Artemis, I'm sorry. There wasn't enough evidence, we can't do anything yet.' Wally's voice said in her head, and she sighed.

'Then, solve this damn thing. Reyna's not doing well, her chances of making it through the week, they're slim.' She Said and Wally sighed.

'Then, we'll try to hurry then.' He Said, before he was gone. Artemis slid down the wall, and looked at Jr.

"Jr. I'd get some rest, tomorrow we're going to court for a new sentence. All of us, because so many people protested about us. Rest, and hope that this isn't the last time you get to go to sleep." She Said, before she and Barbra fell asleep.

Jr looked at the three girls, and felt confused, these were definitely innocent people, and they were all so scared. He leaned back and pondered what they told him, and he felt scared.

They were right, he was not likely to live through this. He knew about the lights plan, well, some of it, but he didn't understand the effect it would have on others. He sighed, then went to sleep.