Hello readers! For this year's NaNoWriMo, I've spent most of my time finishing this up. It's been bouncing around in my head for about a year, but most of it I've written this month. It was originally inspired by The Exorcist, but most recently Stranger Things 2 really got me motivated. There's also a handful of songs that match the themes of this story, so as such, each chapter will have a song to go with it. I will refrain from copy/pasting lyrics (aside from at the end of this prologue) so this isn't a song fic or anything. There's just specific songs that go along with the story and add some nuance, and if you pay attention to lyrics you might pick up on some extra pieces of the plot.

One last thing, this story has some very dark themes. I rated it T to be safe, but if you're in a particularly dark frame of mind right now, it might be best for you to avoid. Use your best judgement, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans, or any of the songs mentioned in this fic.

Song: Unravel, by Tōru "TK" Kitajima, as sung by Caleb Hyles

Something didn't seem quite right. Robin couldn't place it, but he had an uncomfortable feeling that he couldn't shake. He'd woken up, earlier than usual, but he felt rested enough so he got up anyway. He stayed dressed in a t-shirt and sweats, feeling a bit lazy. He left his mask behind, as he'd grown used to not wearing it so much around the Tower. In more recent years, he'd opened up to his friends, and stopped wearing a mask both physically and metaphorically.

Robin went up to the roof, something he often did, and was surprised to see someone up here already, this early. Joseph was standing at the edge, facing outward to the sea, away from the outline of the city, away from the lightening sky. Robin frowned. Joey did like to watch the sunrise now and again, but it was still a bit early for that. Plus, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Joey was wearing the same jeans and shirt he was wearing last night. It struck Robin as odd. Had he been out here all night?

"Joey?" he said, trying to speak softly enough not to startle his friend. "It's really early, what are you doing up here?"

Joseph turned slightly towards Robin, as the younger teen approached. Sometimes, Joseph took a little while to really participate in conversation. Not just because he was mute, but because he didn't always have anything to say, or sometimes he just couldn't find the words. This seemed like the latter of the two, so Robin decided to carry the conversation as much as possible until Joey was ready to talk back.

As he stood by his friend's side, Robin noticed that the blonde was shivering slightly, almost shaking. He frowned again.

"Are you cold? The sun won't be up for a while, we can go inside and make coffee or hot chocolate or something," he offered.

Joseph shook his head. I can't go back inside…

Robin could only raise an eyebrow, facing his friend, trying to pick up the clues in his expression and body language. Joseph seemed so… blank, and empty… Something just isn't right.

"Of course you can go back inside," he sad gently. He recognized signs of anxiety, maybe depression. Those types of things can lead to irrational thought, so Robin figured the least he could do was help ground his friend in reality. "You won't miss the sunrise, you know, there's time."

Joey shook his head again. No, if I go inside I won't want to come back out here.

Robin was confused, but pressed on. "You can come back up again if you want, you know. You can do whatever you like, I promise."

For a third time, Joseph shook his head, frowning deeply, distressed. No, Robin, you don't understand… I've been out here all night. There's something I need to do but I really don't want to… I was hoping I would be brave enough to do it before the sun came up….

Instantly, the Teen Wonder reached out, wrapping a hand around Joey's wrist. He didn't like the way this conversation was headed. "Joseph, come away from the edge… Whatever it is you think you have to do, we can talk about it. Let's go back inside."

Robin's mind was racing. Surely Joseph wasn't suicidal? Maybe he had his days with anxiety, stemming from past traumas, just like they all did, but Robin knew Joseph, and Joseph loved life. He appreciated it deeply, constantly seeing the beauty in the world, making an effort to show others the brighter side of things when needed. He openly thought of all life as precious, including his own. No matter how down on himself he got, Joseph always found ways to bounce back. Robin wasn't sure if he could believe what Joey was signing now. Surely there was a misunderstanding?

Joey pulled his wrist free, gently, to sign again, but Robin remained tense, ready to reach out if he had to.

I don't want to die, if that's what you're thinking, he signed, sadness in his eyes. I don't know how to explain what's going on… I don't even understand it to begin with.

"We'll talk it through," Robin offered again. "No matter what it is, we can figure it out, I promise. Don't worry."

Joseph moved to sit down, letting out a heavy breath. He gestured for Robin to sit with him, and the younger of the two obliged. They sat quietly on the edge of the roof for a while, staring out to the sea. It was calm, and peaceful. Today would be a nice day, it would be warm and sunny, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The atmosphere between them was relaxed, and it almost made Robin willing to drop the whole issue. Almost.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" he asked gently. "Talk to me, please…"

Joey let out another breath, tucking one knee up and turning towards Robin. I'll try. Like I said, I don't understand exactly what's happening. I just know that it's bad.

"I'm listening."

The blonde nodded, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. I've been having… dreams, but that's not the right word. I don't know what they are, they just come when I'm sleeping. There's something evil, on the horizon. It's trying to come here, and I've been trying to understand what it is so that I can think of a way to stop it.

"So, is it like a voice? Do you hear it or see it in your dreams?" Robin asked.

Joseph shrugged. A little of both, I guess, but neither is very clear. The only really strong thing coming through is its intent. It wants to come here, and destroy everything, kill everyone. He seemed to turn pale, thinking about it. He shivered again. It's stuck somewhere else right now, but somehow…

Robin tilted his head forward. "Somehow what? What is it?"

It sounds crazy, now that I think about it, the mute answered. Still, I know that it's the truth.

"Tell me, I'm listening."

There was another small pause, Robin waited tensely, until Joey continued. Somehow, it's coming...through me.

"I...don't understand…"

I don't either. I don't know what's going on, Joseph admitted, tears starting to fall down. I just know that it's real. It's very powerful, and dangerous, and if it ever makes it here it will be all my fault.

"Hey," Robin reached out, clasping a hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay. I believe you, but we need to figure this out. Maybe Raven can look into it? If anyone can figure it out it's her."

Joseph didn't say anything, tears still streaming down his face. I don't want to do it…

"Do what? Let something evil get to you?" Robin gave his friends shoulder another squeeze. "It won't happen, I promise. We won't let it."

The mute let out a shaky breath. I know… We can't let it. Listen, he looked up again, before I became a Titan, I had another weird sort of dream. I never really thought about it since then, but now I think it might have something to do with this.

"What was your dream?"

It was a few years ago, when I lived in Tibet. It was like I was frozen in space, everything was red. There was some horrible being there, something evil and powerful, Joey explained. Probably the same thing I keep having visions of now. And… my father was there. They were bargaining. I was somehow part of the deal, but I couldn't hear what they said, only the tones of their voices. At first I thought that if my dad messed up, I'd get killed, but now I don't think that's true. There's more to it than that.

Robin sat back, thinking it over. He had some idea of what this might mean, but was it real? Or was it only a vision, metaphorical rather than literal? Now he definitely wanted Raven to look into it, right away.

"A few years ago?" he asked. "I have an idea… I don't know if this is possible, but Raven can tell us. She'll probably be up soon, and we can talk to her then."

Once more, Joey didn't answer. He leaned over against his friend, and Robin supported his weight. The darker-haired teen hoped he was helping Joseph feel a little better. What a horrible feeling it must be, to have something telling you that you'll cause so much pain and destruction. No wonder he seemed to be in such bad shape. However, now that they were getting to the bottom of it, Robin felt hopeful that it would all work out soon. He wished Joseph had told him what was going on sooner, but at least he knew now.

The sun was starting to rise behind them, warming their backs. Eventually, Joseph sat up again, looking back to the eastern horizon. Robin saw something in his eyes, but didn't quite know what it was. Longing? Sorrow? Joey mouthed two words, seemingly to himself, that only made it more confusing.

No time…

"No time for what?"

Joseph looked at him, very seriously for a moment, before his gaze softened. Now we won't have time to go make coffee and be back before the sun rises.

Robin wasn't entirely sure if that was really what Joseph had meant when he said there was no time. He couldn't tell if his friend was being truthful. Usually Joey was very honest, though, so maybe that was really all he meant by it. The blonde smiled softly.

Unless you want to go get some? He prodded, the smile holding a bit of tease in it. Robin let out a quiet laugh.

"Okay, I will. I'll be back so quick, I won't miss a thing," he vowed. He didn't mind doing this small favor. A good sunrise was exactly what his friend needed, and he deserved to enjoy every second of it. Whatever would cheer him up, he deserved it; he deserved to be happy again. Robin stood up, making his way to the door to go back inside. Just as he reached the door, however, he heard Joseph standing up. He glanced back, just as a response to sound, and saw that Joey was indeed standing up, facing the sunrise. It shone on his face, and glistened on fresh tears. Robin froze up, registering Joey's expression. Pain, and fear-

He bolted, darting across the roof towards his friend, his gut wrenching in horror, but even as he did, Joseph took one step backwards into empty air. Robin was screaming, he could feel it in his throat, but he heard nothing but his heart pounding, making blood rush through his ears. Soundlessly, Joseph's hand pressed into a fist against his chest, his mouth forming the same word that he signed.

Sorry.

Memories overlapped reality for a split second, as time slowed down. Dick Grayson's parents fell, reaching up for him uselessly, calling his name. Joseph didn't reach out. He didn't cry for help. If he had reached, Robin could have grabbed him, but the Teen Wonder only snatched at empty air, nearly throwing himself off balance. He saw Joseph falling over the edge, and finally started to hear his own screaming again. His friend's expression was haunting. Time was still moving slowly, and his hand went to his hip, only to find nothing. His belt was in his room.

Joseph was falling, and Robin fell to his knees, tears of anguish and horror streaming down his cheeks as he watched, completely unable to do anything about it.

Oh can you tell me, can you tell me

The way that this should work

Just who's inside of me; the monster pulling strings

I'm broken lying helpless dying

Surrounded by the world

I'm damaged now, and I'm breaking down

Unraveled and can't breathe

The truth I seek never felt so bleak

I feel it drop degrees (freeze)

So breakable, unbreakable

So shakeable, unshakeable

Was shaken up when I found you

I'm standing here watching the world as it falls around me

You're so close but I hope that you stop searching

I don't want you to foresee what I've become

So please stop searching

I don't wanna hurt you, it's not my nature

A monster born, I'm fading more, can't be your saviour

I'm falling victim,remember the old me

As who I still should be

The endless pain of solitude wraps tight around my fortitude

Those memories inside of me, innocently they pierce through me

I can't escape this unraveled soul

There's something deep inside of me; a change was made, I can't break free

The darkness and the light collide, our fate ahead won't be denied

So breakable, unbreakable

So shakeable, unshakeable

These dirty hands, no they won't touch you

I'm standing here watching the world as it falls around me

You're so close but I hope that you stop searching

I don't want you to foresee what I've become

So please stop searching

I'm trapped in this cage that the world created

Before the future melts away I have to say this (I'm falling faster)

Remember who I was

Remember who I once was

Please don't forget me

There's no turning back now I know I'm paralyzed

I'm trapped inside this paradise and with this parasite

I'm falling victim

Remember who I was

Oh please just tell me

Just who's inside of me

The monster pulling strings

Translation by The Unknown Songbird, some revisions made.

There it is. I have this whole story written out already, just need to edit and possibly make some tweaks. Not sure at what pace I will post this, I'll aim for about a weekly update. There will be three full chapters after this, and then an epilogue, so this should go on for about a month if I stick to a regular posting schedule. I'm still trying to finish NaNo, I've been way behind, so I don't know how much time I'll have to do the editing I need or to properly split it up into chapters, but I'll do my best to keep it flowing.

Thanks for reading!