And here is that graphic chapter I promised was coming. Avert your eyes, readers, if you don't like this kind of thing. You have been warned! Again, its kind of short...You know, I should just stop saying that, since they are ALL relatively short...Sorry. Well, here it is. You'll either be really confused, or get it completely, depending if you got the hint in the second chapter.

Ch. 4 – Betrayal?

Jericho sat on the cold floor of the dark room, his stomach empty and his mind far too full. He had been pulling on the ropes holding him to the pole for the last hour, stopping now only because his wrists were raw and bleeding ever so slightly.

He stared miserably at the cracked cement floor, wishing he were back at home on his mountaintop…His attention was abruptly diverted from the ground when he heard footsteps coming from the hallway behind the door through which his father had earlier left. The boy thought that at least now, Slade would be bringing him something to eat…

However, what he saw was not his father; it was his friends! Robin came through the door first, then Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Herald, Pantha, Hot Spot, Bumblebee, and Red Star! The Titans had managed to find him! His eyes lit up, so very glad to see them.

"There he is…" Said Robin, sounding a little angry. Jericho looked at him in surprise. Was something wrong?

That was when the little blond realized it; they all seemed angry…Sharp, cold glares came at him from every angle…

Robin suddenly grabbed onto the front of his shirt, pulling him up just a little, Jericho's eyes widening in shock as he did so. "Traitor. You were working with him the whole time, weren't you!?" The Boy Wonder was practically shouting at him.

Jericho shook his head, not knowing how else to respond. With his hands tied as they were, he couldn't exactly sign his explanation. Before he realized quite what was happening, he felt knuckles connecting with the side of his head.

Robin dropped him to the ground, the side of the mute's head dripping blood ever so slightly. The poor boy looked up at the other Titans, confused, and wondering how they could think such a thing.

"You have committed the betrayal most heinous!" said Starfire, eyes illuminated, and Starbolts ready. Suddenly one was released, skimming across Jericho's shoulder just barely missing his head.

"To think we trusted you…"Hot Spot stepped forward, kicking the captive straight in the chest, setting his shirt slightly aflame as he did so.

The next event was bitter sweet; as Pantha landed several blows to his torso, she broke several ribs, but at least it put out the fire.

From off to the side, he heard Raven's voice, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" only to find that her power was lifting him off the ground by his neck and holding him against the pole, little more than a living punching bag for the Titans as it would seem.

For what seemed like ages, the merciless beating continued. Jericho took the assault, unable to call for help or even cry out as one impact after another landed, causing him to wish he would simply die and have it over with.

The Titans it seemed however weren't ready to let him go just yet. Broken bones; yes, fine…even encouraged by the others. Internal bleeding; as long as it wouldn't kill him it was fine. Bleeding; sure, the more crimson he spilled, the better. Death would wait until they were sure they had him worn down to the very last threads of his life, and then they would finish him.

"Just hurry it up already! Let's kill him! Kill the Traitor!" called Beast Boy's voice from the back of the small crowd. Jericho, barely conscious at this point, sighed a small relief at this, almost thinking it would be better than what he was going through now, all because of who his father was…

Laugher rang throughout the room, each of the Titan's voices echoing against the walls as Raven dropped him. The blond lay on the cement on his side, arms contorted to a strange angle, and slowly, tears leaked out of Jericho's eyes, running down his cheeks until they splashed down onto the floor.

They were laughing at his pain. He felt one of Cyborg's feet collide with his already battered chest, hearing another pop as another broken rib was added to the mix.

Robin crouched down in front of Jericho, and in a quiet, almost caring voice said "You know why we're doing this don't you? You shouldn't have betrayed us. You scum…We know you were working with him!" the sharp blade of a birdarang skimmed across the prisoner's cheek.

The Boy Wonder was just toying with him now, Jericho knew that…Another cut appeared along his upper arm, a little deeper this time. The boy flinched in pain, but knew there was nothing at all that he could do to stop it.

"Did you really think we wouldn't notice? Your just like him…You're the same, maniacal, devious…evil," said the dark-haired one. A glance over his shoulder, and Hot Spot stepped forward.

He walked around behind the bound figure, and pressed his flaming hands upon the boy's back. The smell of singed flesh rose with the smoke into the air, and a silent scream tried to make its way past Jericho's lips; Drops of water ran down his face like rain. He shut his eyes tightly against the pain, hoping it would stop, hoping he would pass out, hoping he would die then and there…

Finally, Hot Spot removed his palms from the blonde's back, and the boy curled up as best he could into a ball, hoping to prevent any further attacks, despite the fact that there was hardly any part of him left unscathed.

Next he felt Raven's power taking hold of him again, lifting him off the ground. It wrapped around his body, slowly crushing him…Elbows into broken ribs, shoulders popping out of sockets, his chest simply being compressed like an empty soda can.

Then, she dropped him again, back onto the cold, stone floor. He didn't have long to think though, before a tiger walked up and sat next to him. The boy's eyes grew wide as a giant green-striped paw with inch long claws came swiping down at him. Long, bloody gashes appeared in one spot after another all over him, ripping clothing and flesh alike.

Silent sobbing left the battered form on the ground, bleeding onto the ground. Why couldn't this pain just stop?