Cold Nights

The cell was darker and danker than any other place he's been. He's been locked up for about two weeks straight and he knew it wasn't going to get easier. CLANG The door opened wide to see his captor's silhouette, "Hello Blood, come for tea again, eh?" he asked mockingly, which only prompted a swift kick to his mid section.

"You know what I'm here for," retorted Blood. "You know, it would make it all the easier to give yourself to my cause. You wouldn't have to starve." He smiled, and brought out a steaming plate of chicken before him. "The chicken smells good, doesn't it?"

"I ain't hungry!"

"Bull, you haven't been fed at all since I brought you here, why do you still resist me?" Blood yelled.

The boy tilted his head up, "because I can."

Brother Blood was half tempted to slam the plate on the boy's unforgiving crown when he stopped to regain his composure. "I'm sure then that your 'sister' would be less resilient to my mind control." He stopped to put his face close to his. "She could be a wonderful Mother Mayhem."

That did it; the boy let out an animalistic growl that could scare Superman. Then jumped to his feet and took a lunge at Brother Blood. Only to be stopped by the chains that bound him. "Something to think about next time I come around." The door slammed shut leaving him with his thoughts. He needed to act and act NOW. He put himself in a lotus style position, and quietly called out in one word, "Raven!"

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Raven tossed and turned that night, her dreams have been haunting her every night for two weeks and it wouldn't stop. Each dream reawakened her with night sweats, but the only sound that could be heard was a single whisper, "Raven." She looked at her alarm clock, it blinked 5:45. "Well, no way in hell I'm going back to sleep." She wiped the sweat from her brow, "might as well put on some tea."

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Raven hoped no-one was up at this time, she really didn't feeling like talking yet. Unfortunately, her luck was nowhere near as good as she hoped and she walked right in front of Robin. "Uh, hey Raven, why are you up so early?"

She replied coolly, "Couldn't get back to sleep!"

Robin knew better, when Raven can't sleep something's haunting her. "Raven?" he asked solemnly. "I know you, we have a bond, if something's troubling you, you can tell me."

Rave let out a small sigh, "I've been having this weird dream lately," she began.

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"So, boy, have you come to your senses yet?" Brother Blood commanded the young boy.

"That you're still a psychopathic cultist, yup!" he beamed proudly. That remark earned him another punch across the face. He grimaced from the blow, then again stood up in defiance. "That all you got?"

"How much more can some kid put up with, what is it that makes you defy me more?" Blood shouted, enraged with his resilience.

The boy smirked, "Cause I know your pretty little secret, your mind control, only works with open eyes." Blood gasped in horror, the only people to break away from H.I.V.E. were Cyborg and Bumblebee. "The funny thing is you can't make me open, them, but I swear to you. If one hair on her head is hurt, I'll have yours on a Platter." He said remarkably calm.

"You're in no position to make threats, I'll get you, I'll have well in my ranks in due time." Blood barked back. "Until then, get comfortable, you're going to be here awhile."