We have a mission today! There might not be a lot of action, but hey, don't judge me.
I also realized this book is more like one-shots than a story... I'll try to fix that... (｡ŏ_ŏ) at least I know the sequel will be an actual story... Speaking of that, I wanna wrap this story up soon. So be prepared for that.

Warning: this will be a very... Confusing mission. Also a bit.... Errr, how to put this... Paranormal. So, good luck, dear readers.

~Unknown POV 3 months ago~

Darkness.

All I see is darkness.

It's a blurry darkness... Almost... Murky? Like a place where light cannot reach because something non-solid blocks it. Where am I?

Wait... I feel something. Under me. Is it the ground? I run my fingers through it. Some parts feel a little slimy... Most of it feels like squishy, moldable, globs of sand.

Sand? Why not dirt?

My motions are slow and sluggish... But I'm not tired. It's as if there's a weight pressing against me on all sides, wanting me to be still. I don't listen.

The sand disappears from beneath me. I'm rising upwards. Am I flying?

The area around me is slowly becoming illuminated by a soft glow. I see... Specks of white. Dancing around each other on a vast expanse of blue.

Wait... Now I see purple. Not a lot of purple, but small, collected clouds of it. It's right by me. What is it? Where does it come from?

I look up. There is a wavy circle of white. It molds and moves as if trying to figure out what shape it wishes to be, but just can't pick one. The circle is getting closer.

I'm confronted with a rippling wall of silver, white, and blue. Why is there a wall here? Does it not want me to see the white circle of light?

My chest hurts.

Why does it hurt so bad?

I-it wants something...

It burns!

I-I...

I can't...

I can't br-...

I CANT BREATH!!

It hurtsss...

So... Bad...

I burst through the shimmering wall.

Gasping as air fills my lungs.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

~Layla's POV : the Friday after last chapter ~

The rest of the school week went similarly to Monday, other than that end of the day fiasco. The bullies have had yet to show their faces since that little incident and I'm grateful. Perhaps they could learn a lesson from the incident?

Barbara and Dick were a great help with both home and school life. They would explain things that I didn't understand since I was with the Clan which didn't teach me simple American habits. Barbara, of course, only thought I didn't know because she thought I used to be homeless. Things they had to explain to me were very simple, things like current slang, the purpose of the dreaded "Pop Quiz", how to eat a hamburger (I have learned that the more pig-like you eat, the more normal you are), and whether toilet paper should roll over or under when you pull on it. Over. Always over.

Other than that, it was a pretty great week. We didn't really do much exciting stuff. In fact, we didn't really do anything at all. That was a really nice change.

That is, until now. Batman called the Team for a meeting in Mount Justice for a mission. That's where we are now, being debriefed. Well, the Team, minus Aqualad for some reason.

"Team, I have a mission for you. A small town in the middle of essentially nowhere, called Bloomington, has been having some... *ahem* difficulties." Batman began, pulling up a map of the USA. It had an icon over where this "Bloomington" was, which was in the northern part of the country.

"There's a large wooded area right on the border of this town. It's a mountainous area with thick forests and high cliffs, many dangerous animals lurking there. Not very human friendly. There are also a few large lakes, some which had a cabin at one point, but not many people enter that forest anymore. It began ten years ago that almost every person to enter that forest never came out. It was always assumed the people got lost, fell off a cliff, or was mauled by an animal. Until 3 months ago, that is. The few people that come out of that forest alive came out in terror, mumbling about acid tears and a bloody phantom. They end up becoming plagued with nightmares one recovered. I want you-" Batman was explaining but was suddenly cut off by Kid Flash.

"Woah woah woah... You want us to play ghost busters? Seriously?! This is such a waste of time! Everyone knows ghosts arent-" KF whined with his arms crossed and a pout, but he was also cut off, by Artemis slapping him upside the head.

"Shut up Baywatch! Some of us are actually trying to listen." Artemis put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

"Well I don't wanna visit a town full of whackjobs!" He retorted while rubbing his head. Artemis raised her hand to hit him again, but Batman intervened by clearing his throat. Once he had everyone's attention he spoke again.

"As I was saying," Batman glared at KF at this, "I want you all to head to the town and ask around what the people know about the forest attacks. They may know something useful. After that I want you to investigate the forest itself. The six of you should be able to handle it." Batman explained.

"Whatever, this is so bogus. There is no such thing as spirits." Wally grumbled while stomping off to the Martian's Jet. I couldn't help but giggle. If only he knew about the feline spirits that once inhabited me.

"Robin, your in charge. Aqualad currently has some important business in Atlantis." Batman finished off before turning and leaving.

Robin nodded, "Got it Bats. Come on, Jaggy, let's get to the jet. Wally is probably desperate to prove that town wrong. Him and his science, ya know?" The rest of the team headed to the bio ship at this.

"Hey, Robin?"

"Yes, Jaguar?"

"What is a whack job?"

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

An hour later we arrived at the town in the bio ship. Megan landed the large jet-like transport on the outskirts of the 'haunted' forest. As soon as we were off she camouflaged it. Then we headed off into the small town.

Earlier we had changed into civvies so we could walk around town without gaining too much attention. Alas, That didn't work. In a small town like this everyone knows everyone, so 6 teenagers appearing out of thin air was pretty suspicious. I could feel eyes following us as we made our way down the cracked sidewalks, towards the center of town where there were stores, restaurants, and the other works.

After about a half hour walking through suburbs we made it to the town center.

There was a loud rumbling. Wally rubbed his head while chuckling awkwardly, "Uh... Could we stop to get something to eat quick? It's almost supper time..." Wally mumbled.

It was true. The time was currently 6:00. We didn't eat much of a lunch either. Well, other than Wally, he always eats a lot and is still hungry.

"Yeah, why don't we do that. There is a Cafe up ahead, we can eat there and maybe ask about this apparent forest creature." Robin answered, pointing to said building up ahead.

As soon as we entered the door the room seemed to quiet. The occupants of the Cafe stared as we took a seat at a long bar-like counter where there was a woman with a sketch pad. She gave us a large, fake smile.

"I haven't see you all around before, you must be new here! Welcome to town, my name is Jessica, what can I get you all?" She said perkily.

Everyone ordered, consisting mostly along the lines of a muffin or doughnut. I myself told the woman to surprise me, considering I had never eaten any variation of either. Once the woman had it all down on the paper, she walked over to a display case with a tray, gathering a variety of baked goods. While she did this, the team made small talk with one another. I just listened.

Jessica came back a minute later, the tray full. She gave each teen what they ordered and me what she called a "lemon poppy seed muffin". It was very good.

"So," Robin began, "What's up with those ghost stories circling the Forest? Are they true?" Robin casually picked at his own muffin.

Jessica looked taken aback at first, then looked around herself nervously, as if for someone or something watching us. "W-why do you wanna know? You don't plan on going in there do you? It's dangerous!" she exclaimed.

"Just curious." Wally commented, "Besides, ghosts aren't real, whoever is terrorizing and possibly killing people is obviously some sick person. He sure managed to fool this town." Wally crossed his arms.

Robin shot him a glare at his insensitivity, "Denial aside, what exactly have people been seeing in there? Is it really that scary?"

Jessica looked uncomfortable and uncertain about if she should answer. She had just opened her mouth when a gruff voice cut her off.

"So, ye be askin' 'bout tha cryin' boy?"

We turned around to see a large man in a camo hunting jacket and pants that were dirty and torn. His skin was tanned and a little sunburned in places. His expression was tough and his face hard. He fiddled with a toothpick in his mouth. His hair was long, brown, and scraggly. The most notable thing about him was the eye patch over his left eye. The entire left upper section of his face had what looked like an acid burn. Even some of his hair had been slightly singed.

"Who are you?" Superboy growled.

The man ignored him.

"Ye all will regret walkin' inta those woods," his voice was rough, "'Cause ya may ne'er come back out. I almos' didn'.'"

~Sayonara