The golden retriever's happy barking had long since faded into the distance, but Artemis still heard the echo of her sister's words louder than anything else.
Father is dead.
Her steps were stiff as she rose from the grass. She brushed dirt from her jeans with sharp, angry motions. Clearly very emotional.
"Let's go," she muttered.
Zane stood too, slower, hands buried in his hoodie pocket. "Sure. Lead the way."
They walked in silence, side by side. The park's sounds seemed muted, the air too heavy. Zane kept glancing at her, waiting, but Artemis's jaw was locked.
Finally, she spoke. "She didn't even care."
"Cheshire?"
Artemis nodded, fists clenching. "She said it like it was nothing. Like telling me the weather. I hate her sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Zane tilted his head.
Artemis glared. "Don't push it."
He lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying—you're allowed to hate her more than sometimes. You guys ddont seem to have the best relationship to be honest."
A scoff escaped her, brittle. "She's still my sister."
"Families are messy."
She gave a bitter laugh. "Messy? That's one word for it. My dad trained me like a soldier, my mom let it happen, my sister, mys sister became a fucking assassin!! And now—" She cut herself off.
"And now what?" Zane pressed gently.
"Doesn't matter."
They passed under a buzzing streetlamp, its glow pale against the dark. Zane shoved his hands deeper into his pocket, feeling even more awkward.
"You don't have to act like you don't care," he said softly.
"I don't—" Artemis started, then stopped. Her voice cracked when she whispered, "I don't know how I feel."
"That's still caring."
Artemis's hands dragged through her hair. "I hated him, Zane. Hated everything he did to me. I told myself I wouldn't care when this day came. But it feels like someone kicked a hole in my chest."
Zane's chest tightened,'If she already feels like that, how betrayed wouod she feel if she knew it was me?'
He forced his thoughts away and said instead, "Because no matter what he was… he was still your dad. You don't just erase that. Not with hate. Not even with time."
Artemis's gaze dropped. "I wanted him to change. Just once. To look at me and not see… a disappointment."
"That's not on you. That's on him."
She gave a harsh laugh. "You sound like you know what you're talking about."
"Maybe I do."
The apartment buildings rose around them as they turned onto her street. Artemis stopped under the glow of another streetlight, crossing her arms.
"You're not gonna say the usual stuff, are you?"
"Usual stuff?"
"Yeah—'he's in a better place,' or 'at least he can't hurt you now.' That garbage."
"That doesn't sound like me."
"Good. Because if you did, I might actually hit you."
"Fair warning—I bruise easy."
A shaky snort slipped from her. She looked at him, eyes red but steady. "You're such an idiot."
"Guilty."
For a moment, the silence between them wasn't crushing—it just was. Then Artemis whispered, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do now."
"Then don't. Not yet. Just… breathe. One step at a time."
She nodded faintly, turned toward the apartment door, and climbed the fire escape instead.
---
The rooftop air was cool, sharp with the scent of rain. Artemis sat with her knees drawn up, chin resting on them. Zane leaned against the ledge, watching her carefully.
"You know the worst part?" she said finally.
"What?"
"That I'm not even sure I wanted him to die."
Zane blinked. "…That's the worst part?"
"Yeah. What I mean is, If I really hated him, I should be glad. But I'm not. I'm just angry. And sad. And confused."
"You sound human if you ask me."
"Maybe, but it feels like weakness."
"It's not." His tone was firmer than he expected. "Caring when you've got every reason not to? That's stronger than shutting it out."
She eyed him, almost smiling. "You rehearse that?"
"Maybe."
Artemis's gaze drifted to the skyline. "Growing up with him… it was constant tests. Fail, and you paid for it. Succeed, and it still wasn't enough. And still, some part of me thought maybe one day he'd be proud."
Zane swallowed hard. He'd made sure Sportsmaster would never get that chance.
Atleast in this Run....
"That's not stupid," he said quietly. "That's wanting a dad."
Her eyes shone. "Do you know what it's like? Wanting something you know you'll never get?"
Zane gave a humorless laugh. "I guess I dont, not really."
He actually didn't know how to feel about that, now that he thought of it. If there really was something he couldn't get, it would be a normal life he supposed.
But he also doesnt really want to be normal, he enjoys his current life, even with all the ups and downs.
She didn't press. Instead, she whispered, "Mom's going to hear about this sooner or later. She'll… probably pretend not to care. Or drink. Either way, it's going to suck."
"Families leave scars," Zane muttered.
"Got a tragic backstory, mystery man?"
"Wouldn't be much of a mystery if I told you."
"Idiot." But her voice was softer now.
The silence stretched, heavy but not empty. Artemis finally said, "I hate that Cheshire was right."
"About what?"
"She looked at me like she knew I'd care. Like she knew I couldn't just shrug it off. And she was right. I hate giving her that satisfaction."
Zane nudged her shoulder. "Then don't think about her. Think about you. What you feel, not what she expects."
"You make it sound easy."
"Never said it was easy. Just worth trying."
For a moment, she let her head rest against his shoulder. Zane wrapped his arm around her waist, as they sat in silence.
---
The next evening, Artemis stood in the stairwell of her mother's building, staring at the door. Zane leaned against the wall nearby, watching.
"You don't have to come," she muttered.
"Yeah, but I will."
She sighed. "Why?"
"Moral support. Backup. Someone to throw you a rope if it gets ugly."
"It's my mom, not an ambush."
"Hey, I've survived ambushes. Moms are scarier."
That earned the smallest smirk, then she turned and knocked herself.
The door opened, revealing Paula Crock. Older now, hair streaked with gray, her wheelchair just behind her.
"Artemis?" Paula blinked, then eyed Zane. "And friend."
"Hi, Mrs. Crock," Zane said politely.
"Can we come in?" Artemis asked.
Paula wheeled back. "Of course, of course. Come inside, I just put the kettle on."
The apartment smelled faintly of tea. The TV murmured in the corner. Paula folded her hands, studying them both.
"Something's wrong," she said flatly.
Artemis flinched. "What makes you say that?"
"Because you don't come unannounced unless something's wrong. So what is it?"
Zane glanced at Artemis, but she shook her head.
"It's about Dad," she said.
Paula's face went still. "Go on."
Artemis swallowed hard. "He's… dead."
Silence. Then Paula leaned back slowly. "…I see."
"That's it?" Artemis snapped. "'You see'?"
"What do you want me to say?" Paula asked sharply. "That I'm heartbroken? That I didn't expect this someday? Your father was a cruel man. I loved him once, but I learned long ago he wasn't worth my tears."
Artemis's eyes burned. "So you don't care at all?"
Paula's gaze softened. "I care that you care. That's why it matters. Not him."
Artemis slumped onto the couch. "I just… I don't know how to process it."
"You don't have to yet," Paula said. "But...."
"But what...?" Artemis questioned, looking up from her lap.
"...sigh....not to sound like a broken record, but maybe this a sign Artemis. A sign for you to leave this superheor nonsense of yours.."
"....Seriously!? Right now!? You couldn't even wait a few days before you started with this?!" Artemis stood up in a mixture of disbalief and anger.
" I'm don't want to be the villian here, Artemis! But you need to learn that what your doing has consequences!" Paula shot back.
"I know that! But I can take care of myself! And its not like im alone, Zane is right there with me!" Artemis said as she grabbed Zanes arm in anger.
"Zane!! Who the hell even are you to my daughter, huh!?" Paula asked as she turned to Zane.
Zane froze for a moment, then swallowed. "Uh… I'm… someone who makes sure she doesn't do anything completely reckless," he said carefully, hands slightly raised. "Mostly."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "See? He gets it! He's not lecturing me—he's actually helping."
Paula's gaze narrowed, her voice sharp. "Helping? By putting yourself in danger with her? Do you even realize what you're encouraging?"
Zane rubbed the back of his neck, a faint, awkward smile flickering. "Well… yeah. But she's smart. And she doesn't need a babysitter—just someone watching her back. That's me. The guy who trips over his own two feet but somehow survive."
Artemis laughed bitterly. "Thank you, Captain Clumsy, for being my shield."
Paula huffed, folding her arms. "You're both impossible. I just… I don't want to lose her."
Artemis softened slightly, her voice quieter. "I know, Mom. But I'm not asking for permission. And I'm not going to stop being me. I love helping people, and I'm not gonna stop anytime soon, I'm sorry."
Zane gave her hand a small, reassuring squeeze.
Paula shook her head, exasperated but with a faint trace of relief. "Fine. Just… promise me you'll be careful. That's all I ask."
Artemis smirked," I will, Mother."
.....
Patreaon
/Williamstewart