Chapter 5

Raven, for some time, didn’t do much. They had three robberies and one hold up in the last week. Things seemed to be going in slow motion for her. Robin talked to her and asked whether she was OK regularly. She said she was fine. Her mind was on autopilot and for time, she couldn’t stop thinking when Red X was going to come.

Her head was sore and she had tried meditating on the roof, but overlooking the water, it just reminded her more of Red X.

Her mind still hadn’t completely considered what she would do when Red X came for her. Would she fight? Would she give in? Would she hide behind Robin miserably?

It was all too hard in Raven’s opinion.

She sat on the couch and read a book while Beast Boy and Star played a game. They seemed to be coping and settling well. They looked happy and entertained. Raven was scanning her book but not really reading it. She couldn’t help it, that’s what she had been doing for sometime.

Her brain wasn’t working, it seemed like her brain was having a fight with the rest of her body over whether to just forget about Red X or keep being on alert.

The siren went off that told the Titans there was a robbery or disturbance. Before Raven knew it, they were heading down town to see what was up. It was Overload, the electric monster powered by a chip. A computer chip.

“It’s just Overload,” Raven mumbled, sighing quietly to herself. She remembered the last time she said something along those lines, Slade came and reminded her that the End of the World was coming. That was quite discouraging.

Raven fought Overload with Robin, Beast Boy and Starfire. They won of course with not much of a battle.

When they easily threw Overload in jail, Robin suggested they go out for pizza. Raven was just eager to get home.

When they stopped at their usual pizza place, they all ordered their usual. Robin Pepperoni, Beast Boy their specially made Beast Boy Pizza which they put Tofu on and other ingredients, Starfire Supreme Pizza, and Raven Meatlovers Pizza, what Cyborg would share with Raven to tease Beast Boy with. When she ordered it, everyone went silent. They knew that that was what Cyborg would order to let Raven have a few pieces from.

Raven actually laughed while they were out. It was reasonably funny too, when the waiter came with the pizzas, Beast Boy swung out of his chair and hit the waiter which sent Raven’s Meatlover’s Pizza on his skin and clothes. He was disgusted by have meat on him. Raven was happy for a moment but then went back to her normal self when the waiter apologized about her pizza and that another one would come soon.

After their pizzas, the teen titans were heading home. Raven was walking with Robin as Starfire and Beast Boy were racing home.

“I figured out why Red X wants you,” Robin said.

“Why?”

“Because he wants to have you. You are a gorgeous young woman, Red X wants to be with you.”

“That’s absurd!”

“No, think about it, Rae, when Cyborg… Red X tried to get your attention, it makes perfect sense that he wants you.”

“No, that can’t be because…” Raven was about to say that Red X first wanted Robin. Maybe he knew that that was the only way Raven was going to stick to the deal! Raven stopped in her tracks because of two things. One, she had just realised that Red X was a pervert, and two, that Red X was standing at the bottom of the hill, waiting.

Why would Red X kill Cyborg in cold blood to get her attention? He was defiantly DEFINATLY more that sick. He was psycho.

“Robin…” Raven said pointing to Red X. He was staring back up at her. Robin saw Red X too.

“Follow me,” Robin whispered running the other way. Raven flew above him.

“Stay on the ground!” Robin hissed. Raven immediately lowered to the ground and caught up with Robin. She felt his hand grab hers. Robin speeded along pulling Raven with him. He was zig-zagging in and out of buildings.

Raven felt dizzy again.

“Oh no,” Raven whispered.

Her mouth was beginning to get dry and her heels felt like they had turned into slop. Her bones were cracking, her teeth were tugging, her cheek was growing into darkness. Her knees were loose and weak. Her side had a stitch and her head was spinning. Raven knew what was going to happen. Red X was going to catch her and Robin. Robin! What if Red X gets a hold of Robin?

“Robin! Let go!” Cried Raven. She prayed that nothing would happen to him. Immediately, Robin let go and saw behind Raven, Red X.

“Raven run!” Cried Robin trying to grab her hand. Despite Raven’s aching bones and sore… everything, she was crying rather than screaming. She was crying that she might not ever see Robin again. She was crying about her life ahead of her, a loveless, stupid life.

Robin saw Red X put a hand on Raven’s shoulder. Robin and Red X’s gazes met. Red X’s mask and missing eyes on the mask where they should be. Robin’s mask filled with nothing, no warmth or comfort. When their gazes separated Red X leant over to Raven and kissed her on her mouth. Raven broke away and then fell to the ground in pain. When Raven got the slobbery, worthless kiss, she felt the darkness that had disappeared before, return and spread over the lips. It was like there was a giant spider working its way through Raven’s face, tearing skin and separating blood, muscles and nerves and veins. She felt like fainting again, but the pain kept her awake. Very awake.

Raven saw Robin swear at Red X and then try to kick him. Red X dodged and then gave Robin three punches with one strong kick to the side. Robin grabbed Red X’s leg when Red X kicked him and twisted it round, forcing him to flip onto the ground. When Red X was on the ground Robin kicked and then dragged Red X up by his suit.

Robin continued to punch Red X, kick and do all the harm he could to Red X, meanwhile suffering some on his own. Raven with her powers picked up Red X and threw him against a wall. Raven got up straightening her jaw. Her limbs and joints didn’t feel any better, but she ignored that. Raven threw Red X against the wall once more. Red X yelped in pain. Raven felt good after doing that but let Red X go and thought about what she just thought. She felt good after ramming someone against a wall? No. She won’t turn into Red X, a cold-blooded killer. She couldn’t. Raven saw Robin hold Red X.

“Finish him! Now!” Robin ordered shouting.

“I can’t!” Raven said sobbing. She couldn’t kill anyone.

“Then I will!” Robin removed a sharp, steel boomerang from his belt and jumped, kicking Red X to the wall. Out of shock, Red X didn’t do anything. Robin half threw half forced the boomerang into Red X’s chest. Red X screamed out in pain. A scream that could penetrate sound proof glass. Robin seemed to have masked himself and killed Red X right there. Blood poured along the pavement where Raven was standing. She could stand it. She had to leave. Raven flew away to the tower. Her tears floated down and became apart of the forever ocean. When Raven walked into the tower she went straight to her room avoiding questions from Beast Boy and Starfire. Raven ran into her room and with her powers stacked bookcases and chests up against the door so no one could come in. Raven felt dirty and unclean. She walked into her bathroom and washed her face and hands. Her hands were clean but on the inside rotten. Raven walked out to her bed and lay on it quietly sobbing. She tucked into a little ball where she went to sleep and woke up a whole twenty four hours later. She looked at her floor and bed. There were blood footprints. Raven knew that Red X was gone but she couldn’t bring herself to get up. Raven soon got out of her cramped position. She had finally slept in two weeks. Her mind was still buzzing, but her limbs weren’t numb, her knees were fin and her mouth was naturally fine. Raven shivered and walked outside to find Robin lying down out side her door asleep. Looking out of the corridor she saw it was dark. She sat down next to Robin for maybe an hour until he finally awoke. She was comforted just sitting next to him. She knew that Robin wasn’t sick or psycho. She could feel Robin’s warmth from there. Her head was resting against the wall and her head was soon being held against Robin’s warm chest. She felt for once more in her life she was happy. Robin kissed her hair and stroked her cheek. Raven rested where they stayed there drifting to sleep on and off for what seemed like eternity.