Shadow's Dance| 2nd Version

Chapter 10: Bird

"Here is some medication that might help."
Hussa handed 2 small plastic cups, one with water and the other with different pills in it. Two were capsules and one was white oval, swallowing it down reluctantly.

"Open." Doing What she commanded her jaw opened as Hussa looked to make sure all of it went down.

"Ok, you can close your mouth. Now that we have all the boring stuff out of the way, tell me about yourself." Hussa said in a sweet tone.

"Like what?"

"Some of your likes and dislikes, hobbies, goals."

"I like music, I played a guitar and the violin a few years back. I don't like white suits nor being restrained partly because of...you know."

"Say their name."

"Phantom. Because of Phantom I don't like a lot of things. I really hope to be a better version, form a team and save lives."

"Your not interested in joining one?"

"Maybe."

"What are some other things that you like to do?"

"Loved to draw, I was good at art. I use to mess around with some tech here and there. Built my own suit but that was destroyed a while ago."

"You used the pass tense, why?"

"I haven't done those things in years. Noting recently."

"I'll see if I can get you something, not today though. Lights out in 10 minutes."

Hussa grabbed the empty tray and left Jane in the room and the door locked behind her. Just as she said the lights were out in 10 minutes. Laying down she curled up tightly and faced the wall. Allowing thoughts to drift through.

Just long enough. Long enough to gain opportunities. Enough to escape. To go far from here. Play the perfect little patient.

Her fur still glowed with the residue of energy. It pulsed and got stronger as she started to heal. Suddenly she heard the same bird call as before. Her head popped up, it came from inside. Sliding her arm against the side of the bed Jane almost touched the floor. She heard the call again, three times. Her face got serious and her eyes glowed slightly through the dark. But she didn't have enough energy to do what she wanted, Jane knew this. Pulling her hand away she tucked it under her head after laying down on the bed.

This isn't real, the signs were all there. Bruce being kind, Robin pushing me about my past, Hussa about where I would go and Herring's call. This isn't the real world. Someone is digging for my memories. That was a call only one person knows, Red Herring. She supposedly died but if she's alive who knows how many others are. I saw her body. That means this place must be in my mind or I'm in the Astral Plane. If I can scan the entire building then I could figure out where I am, even a couple of people I could run a pulse on would help. Save my strength, no more fighting, no more running until the time is right.

Closing her eyes the call echoed in her brain. It was something that was real. A smile crept up her face. Her breathing slowed as a rush of calm came over her. She would actor like an obedient dog that would do tricks for its owners pleasure. Jane looked at the camera.

"Too many mistakes." Turning over to the other side she drifted to unconscious.

Dreaming she recalled the faithful day 3 years ago. The base was quiet, it was 5 in the morning and not many were up. Shifts were beginning to change when Enzo, one of the scouts spotted something moving between building. Enzo was one of them, gifted with an enormous amount of energy one might mistake him as a speedster. He had scales that were bright with neon colors with tiffs of hair on his head that ran down to his tail. Suddenly the memory flickered from atop the roof to down on the ground. Surrounding her were their bodies, some had glass eyes while other struggled to breath. Shadows were all around her with red eyes they blocked every escape. They charged at her.

Gasping for air her eyes were ablaze as she searched her room. Hastily getting up she feared something, backing up to a corner the door opened. Two people came in. One had a sharp needle filled with a substance while the other had something else. Taking only milliseconds to see it was some sort of collar Jane's chest tightened with panic. Avoiding the one with injectable medication she bolted to the door. Caught by the other man she was slammed to the ground. A sharp sting entered her arm. Something cold was placed around her neck. Her vision blurred, already exhausted she fell asleep quickly.

Blackness was all that was. No dreams of some fantasy or recollection of memories deep with in her vault. Fluorescent lights awoke her, trying to shield her eyes it was useless. Once adjusting to the brightness she saw thick straps on her. Straining to get out the feeling of being trapped grew. A slight shock could be felt in her neck. Hussa came in.

"I hoped that you wouldn't cause us any trouble. What happened last night?"

"Nothing." Jane deadpanned quickly.

"You woke up abruptly and freaked out enough to elevate your vitals and alert our staff. You tried to fight them so they had to sedate you."

"One of them had a collar, I'm not some pet to be tagged."

"Then what initially caused the sudden panic? They weren't in the room then."

"Just a dumb nightmare. I'm calm now so could I at least sit up on my own?"

The straps came off and Jane sat ontop of the bed but didn't look at her.

"Your going to have to prove your trustworthy to remove the device from your neck."

"I'm not your pet... I don't belong to anyone."

"I'm not saying that, we are only trying to help you get better." Placing her hand ontop of one of Jane's knees Hussa continued. "Let's get you something to eat. You must be hungry after last night."