DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Teen Titans. Thank you.
A/N: Heres the long chapter I promised. A new character is introduced! I felt the need to have him, because he contributes to the plot later on. Enjoy!
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Chapter 4: Confusion
"You cannot run away from who you are, my child. Run all you want, but you'll be back at the same place you started"
Raven started and sat straight up, that mysterious voice ringing in her head. She winced and clutched her chest, her ribs on fire. She blinked, confused. She was on bed with white pillows and white sheets, in a room with no windows. She groaned, feeling another sharp pain in her chest. She raised her hand to her head, where it had been throbbing for a while, and felt a gauze bandage. Puzzled, she dropped her hand down and laid back on the pillow. What happened? she thought, her memory still fuzzy. Suddenly it all came back to her, the night before, the running away, all of it. She tried to blink away the tears. No time for tears Raven, she told herself, first we have to find out where we are, then we get out of here, her little voice in her head told her.
She sighed and tried to get up, only to feel a stab of pain go through her chest again. Raven groaned and sat still, trying to stop the pain. She figured she had a few broken ribs, which explains the pain in her chest. Maybe its best I rest, she decided and laid back on the pillow, closing her eyes.
The sound of someone opening the door snapped her eyes open again,
"Who are you and what do you want??" she growled, sitting up, ready to defend herself.
"The question is, who are you?", the Stranger asked smoothly, walking up to her bed side.
Raven scowled, and stayed quiet. The Stranger studied her face.
"Will you tell me your name or no?" he asked in that same quiet mysterious voice.
Startled, Raven glared at the Stranger, "What's it to you?" she replied sharply, folding her arms across her chest.
"You know, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be alive right now. The street dogs would have gotten to you," he said, as if Raven should be grateful.
"Oh thank you so much." she said sarcastically, she was already in a bad mood.
The Stranger sat on the edge of Raven's bed and looked her straight in the eye, "If you tell me your name, I'll tell you mine" he said shortly, studying her expression.
"Now we're talking," Raven muttered, "My name is Raven," she said, waiting for his reply.
"Quote the Raven, 'Nevermore'," the stranger said, reciting his favorite line from 'The Raven' by Edgar Allen Poe.
"So you like poetry. Figures." she muttered, studying his face. He was about few years older than Raven, clean cut and wearing expensive clothes. His pure red hair stood out the most, which he kept slicked back, and he had a tiny scar on his chin, "You never told me what your name is, remember?" she reminded him.
"Oh yes forgive me. You may call me Renn. But enough of this foolish talking. You need your rest," he said, standing up.
Raven nodded tiredly, "Oh I forgot to thank you for saving my life," she called after him as he left.
Renn stopped at the door, "It's no problem," he said with a smile and he closed the door behind him.
Raven let out a frustrated sigh and closed her eyes, trying to erase the vision of Renn off her mind.
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Later on, Renn returned with a tray of food, "Eat up," he said, laying the tray on her lap.
Raven stared at the food, "Thank you," she said, and ate her food quietly, quiet in thought.
Renn sat on the edge of her bed, "By the way, I changed your bandages while you were sleeping. You'll heal in a few weeks,"
Raven almost choked, "Next time, wait until I'm awake, ok?" she said seriously, not liking the idea of someone poking around her while she was sleeping.
Renn laughed quietly and watched her eat, "So tell me, what's a girl like you wandering around the streets at night? There are plenty of gangs prowling around at night," he questioned, taking the empty food tray from her.
Raven just groaned, "I'm just another lost soul, ok?" she said, not wanting to continue the conversation.
"Ok," Renn shrugged, understanding her perfectly. He changed the subject, "Would you like to take a tour of the house?" he asked, getting up.
Raven shrugged, "Sure, why not…let me see if I can stand," Raven tried to get up and winced. Renn scratched his head.
"Maybe we can do this when you're all healed up…" he said, easing her back unto the bed.
Raven sighed, "Yeah, you're right. I should get my rest." and with that she turned her back to Renn and closed her eyes. Renn stood there for a moment, watching her sleep. Then he turned quietly and left.
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A/N: A cookie for your thoughts? Please review!
