*Baker Residence: Late night, San Diego*

[jla_extras]

It wasn't an animal. It didn't smell right. It's colder somehow. Buddy wasn't sure it was worth waking Ellen up over. With him, it could be any number of things

Comments

[_bluebeetle_]

Ted's been on duty for four hours.

"Watchtower Roadhouse. You kill 'em, we grill 'em."

[jla_extras]

Buddy groans. "Why me?"

"Beetle, could I talk to a responsible adult?"

[_bluebeetle_]

"Hey, Buddy, it's me or nothing. Superman stepped out for some air and J'onn off taking a dustbath or something. Plastic Man's available for birthdays and bat mitzvahs though."

"So."

Ted sits up a little. "You actually have a problem?"

[jla_extras]

"Yes. A large one too."

Buddy paces. "Believe me, I wish this was a social call."

[_bluebeetle_]

"I wish this was a social call too. You're never write or visit or call. I tell ya, a guy gets a wife and kids and then he disappears. It's depressing. Even Scott's around more than you."

He shakes his head sadly.

"As for your problem, indulge me with a few particulars and I'll see what I can do until J'onn decides to actually show up for his shift. The bum."

[jonn_jonnz]

*suddenly just "ghosts" into view, eyes watching Beetle solomnly, listening to the com call*

I'll take it from here, Beetle. Thank you. *places his hand on his shoulder, giving him the silent gesture to go ahead and step aside, leans over, taking control of the com*

This is J'onn, Animal Man. Go ahead.

[_bluebeetle_]

Ted happily heads off to the kitchen for something to eat. "Thanks."

[jla_extras]

Thanks, Beetle. Hey J'onn.

Well, something came after my kids about half an hour ago. I have no idea why or what it was. Looked like a shadow monster. Said something about Cliff being "ripe."

It was awful.

[jonn_jonnz]

*nods and gives a soft, friendly smile to Beetle, looks back to him*

{It's nice to see you up here on duty, Beetle. It's a nice change.}

*into the com*

Something......? You did not get a look at it?

[jla_extras]

I wouldn't know where to begin describing it. It wasn't an animal. It was sort of like an oozing blob of shadow.

[_bluebeetle_]

*turns around, food can wait especially if this is what Ted thinks it could be* I try.

Ya know, J'onn, that sounds like whatever it was that attacked Oracle.

[jonn_jonnz]

*raises an eyebrow, turning back to him* You have heard something of this, Ted? Something attacked Oracle?

*personally worried now*

[_bluebeetle_]

Yeah. A shadow thing. *sighs* Oracle's doing all right now. It's likely the attacks are linked.

[jonn_jonnz]

.....this could be why I was getting slight headaches earlier.

*nods, motioning to Beetle to sit* I want you to sit down and tell me everything that you know of this matter.

[_bluebeetle_]

Just what I told you, J'onn. I think we..er, or me or you... should get ahold of Oracle.

Then maybe the Justice Society or the Titans. See just how many attacks there's been involving shadow-creatures. Especially if its targeting kids.

[jonn_jonnz]

Yeah.. I think I'll go ahead and follow through with that.

Thank you for the information, Beetle. it's appriciated.