Of Archers, Trolls, and Victims [Artemis & Shadow]

[Gia Stevens]

…She needed a new watch. Or at least an adjusted one, because she was beginning to think that she had forgotten to switch the time on it to jump an hour ahead. Because it said that it was 10:33 PM (thank goodness for it not being a school night), but somehow, she doubted that. Argh. At least the Stevenses were probably out, or asleep. They wouldn’t have been able to stay up this late. One of the perks of having old people as your guardians.

But she hurried along, dressed in some old jeans that once belonged to the Stevens’ daughter, and a blue shirt with the saying “I’m in my own little world, but it’s okay, they know me here” embolded big across it, and wishing that she had brought a jacket. It got colder at night, duh, but she hadn’t thought it would get this cold, nor that she would be out this late, so ugh.

Shivering slightly, and wishing that the streetlights cast more light, Gia didn’t notice the movement until it was too late. Just when she was passing out of one circle of light, and had yet to move into another, she was snatched. It literally came out of nowhere, a man that she couldn’t even see clapping a gloved hand over her mouth, and strapping his arms around her, holding her immobile.

The girl’s blue eyes widened and she tried to scream, but ended up gagging on the man’s hand instead, dirt-covered as the glove was. So thrashing worked, too, and she struggled, dragging up her hands to pull at the arm holding her firmly. Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god… She even squarely kicked him in the shin, too, digging in with the back of her foot (great day to wear flip-flops, really, if only she had her combat boots…), but it had only made him laugh quietly.

“Do you even know how much money is up for you, little girl?” he asked, and both his tone and his words sent chills down her spine. “I’m not giving you up now.” There was… money out for her? Someone wanted her? Those words, coupled with the man’s dark voice, something that sounded like it would be so perfect in a movie, something sinister and dark that was clearly the ominous voice of the Big Bad, made her shudder in his arms briefly, trying to prevent tears from rising to the surface.

Clearly, she had done something in her life, before whatever incident took away all of her memories, or was someone, and she couldn’t figure out which. Someone good? Someone bad? Had she… killed someone? Maybe, maybe Beast Boy had a ring of truth to him… But why would someone want her, then? ‘Terra’ had killed the bad guy, according to him!

Deciding to waste time on that later, she struggled once more, and the man laughed quietly again. This was… she was… She felt so helpless! “Just a minute, and it’ll all be over…” Unknown to her, he was reaching in his pocket for a cloth, soaked with knock-out gas.

To her, though, it sounded far more… ominous, like everything was going to end right there and then and he was going to kill her and she hadn’t even had a first kiss, so she let out a whimper, letting the tears roll down her cheeks, just slightly, as she struggled.

Someone, please, anyone!

[Shadow]

Shadow walked down the housing district, letting out a quiet hum. It wasn't that late yet - only 10 PM or so, she hadn't checked a clock in ages - and it wasn't like she'd have anything to do as of yet. It wasn't like the Titans were on the move; they were stationary at the tower, probably until some kid robbed a bank again with his water pistols and what have you.

She wasn't even in costume today, having chosen to go on patrol in a grey t-shirt and black jeans just because she was forced to.

By her inner-self, nonetheless. It was slightly embarrassing. Patrolling without using the rooftops? It was a novelty. She didn't do this often, either. Then again, why would she be jumping across rooftops and shit if she was in civilian clothes?

Common sense, Shadow. You don't have it.

Actually, scratch that. I have enough of that for half of Russia.

Shadow didn't have to, though. She didn't have to jump across rooftops. She could simply glide or something. She could have jumped from rooftop to rooftop like a boss or whatever, but she had decided not to tonight.

Shadow suddenly stopped, having heard something. It sounded like a whimper, and some dark muttering. Was this trouble? She'd have to help. Someone would need help, she was sure of it. She started to run towards to noise, grateful that her steps were silent. She accessed her powers, melding into one with a shadow cast by a streetlamp in an attempt to become 'hidden', per se.

It worked. The experience still felt weird to Shadow, as if she was in a new world. But her instincts guided her along, and the shadow seemed to flicker as Shadow moved. She appeared directly behind the man, suddenly unmerging. In that split second she'd become human again, she'd been vulnerable. Shadow silently looked down, seeing his hand go down to his pocket. She acted upon this, reaching down, hopefully remaining undetected in trying to get the cloth away from him. She didn't know what could be on there, but she had suspicions.

If she succeeded, she'd throw the cloth away from the area and punch the man upside the head. That would thus cause him to let go of this girl, and she'd hopefully run off. It would give Shadow time to dispose of this villain, at best.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Shadow growled.

But if she'd failed, she'd probably still go to hit him upside the head. Try to get him away from the girl at all costs. She'd keep attacking at him - without powers, because she hadn't even thought of using those yet, and her fighting skills were just as fast.

Even if that cost was her life, yes.

[artemis]

A calm, quiet night in the housing district. A wide variety of people lived here and not many people patrolled this area. It was the perfect place for both crime and heroes new to the area. Not to mention it was the best place to patrol if you happened to live nearby.

Artemis was jumping easily and noiselessly from rooftop to rooftop in the housing district. She was on patrol at the moment for any sort of disturbance. She was pretty much hoping that things would stay quiet but had a feeling something was about to happen.

She could almost see the entire district from where she was now and movement caught her eye. She saw a young blond girl walking down the street, keeping within the safety of the light cast by the streetlamps. There was movement in the shadows close to the girl and Artemis quickly realized what it was.

She moved quickly on the rooftops to get closer to the scene. Time was of the essence. She didn't notice the other shadow that was moving of its own accord. Artemis stopped jumping on rooftops when she was close enough to close the distance with ease. In one fluid movement, an arrow was drawn from her quiver and ready to fire.

The man held a rag in one of his hands. If that rag had chloroform (knock out stuff) like she thought it did, then this was not going to be a pleasant night for him. She shook her head to get rid of the memories that were surfacing and tried to focus.

As he lifted his hand a little to bring it over the girl's face, Artemis let the arrow fly. The arrow caught the rag and ripped it from his hand, pinning it against the brick wall behind them.

While that distracted the man momentarily, Artemis ran towards the edge of the roof and jumped off. As she descended she grabbed another arrow and got it ready to fire. She landed safely on the ground and stood up. As she stood, she pulled the arrow back so it was ready to fire and aimed it at the man, ignoring the fact that something felt wrong with her bow.

"Let the girl go. Now," she said, her words clearly a warning to the man.

[Gia Stevens]

She struggled, trying to get out, but even with only one arm clasped over her, the burly man was strong, and she was, well, not. Vowing that if she got out of this, she’d let Katie run her ragged around the gym and not complain at all, the girl’s eyes widened at what she saw in her peripheral vision, what he was holding. While it wasn’t as bad as a gun (though she was pretty darn positive he had one, he’d be kind of stupid not to), she knew what it was, mostly from the movies: Knock-out gas. Started with a ‘c’, couldn’t remember what exactly, but if that got over her mouth…

She’d be gone, and unable to do anything.

With that in mind, Gia struggled a little more frantically, terrified, but before she could end up sucking in the gas or getting it clapped over her mouth, something whipped past them, and the rag was gone. The man appeared to be as nonplussed as she was, judging by his “What the-”, and then the girl appeared. A hero, an archer, holding an arrow notched there, ready to head off, and the girl felt relief bubble through her, though she still struggled.

Someone was rescuing her. Thank god.

And then, apparently, before he could make a response, something hit him upside the head, and he swore, his grip unconsciously loosening. Gia took that moment to bite down, hard, despite the horrible taste that filled her mouth, and he loosened enough, with another curse, that she could slip away, shakily finding her feet and darting behind the archer, the taller blonde girl, peeking out the man.

Sure, she wanted to get the heck away from here, but considering how shaky and hyperventilating she was at this point, she’d probably faceplant and not be able to get up halfway home. Besides, she wanted to find out why he wanted her.

He didn’t seem ready to give up, however, and pulled something out of his pocket- A gun. He had a gun. What little color was remaining in Gia’s face quickly fled as she swallowed dryly. He pointed it at them, her and the archer, and smiled crookedly. Crazily. “The reward’s better if she’s alive, but I’ll take what I can get,” he said, and it made shivers crawl down the amnesiac’s spine.

Whoever wanted her, they were quite determined, and that terrified her. Why?