I spent weeks crying in my bedroom, never leaving my place to see anyone or eat. When crime hit the city, the team would leave me be while they risked their lives protecting the people, while I just suffered from loneliness. A teammate would occasionally knock on the door, ask me if I was okay. I would never reply, just shut them out over and over again while I remained in solitude.

My time alone took the toll on my happiness and memories before. My time with the love of my life was short and was being forgotten. I could barely remember the pleasure I felt when he held my hand, the electricity that surged through me. I couldn't remember the happiness I felt when I saw him smile at me or kiss me. The only thing I do remember was that he loved me as much as I loved him. I knew I wanted him back, to hold me in his arms and kiss me passionately.

The only thing holding me back from taking his heart back was the fact that our enchanted love could never survive in harmony with Starfire now knowing that I betrayed her. I would rather die than destroy our friendship completely, knowing it was my fault.


I heard tapping on my door around three in the morning. Forcing myself to answer, I finally decided to answer for the first time in two months. My hand began to turn the knob until I froze once I heard the voice on the other side.

"Raven, it's me, Robin. I know you probably don't want to see me, you probably would like me to leave," he said as I stumbled back in shock.

"This isn't fair for you or me. I love you and I will never give up on you. Never forget that," he said.

I stood there in silence until I heard him walk away, back down the hallway to his room. My heart was filling up with sadness at the pain I felt. I didn't want him to walk away, I wanted to run out there and throw my arms around him as I kissed him. It took all my strength to keep myself from losing my control. I couldn't afford any more drama to take place.


After major consideration, I decided to leave my room and join the team on an outing to talk at the pizza parlor. We hadn't spoken face to face in a long time, and I was nervous to finally talk to my friends. The four of them packed into Cyborg's car while I flew above them to the pizza place. It gave me time to compose myself and to keep my heart from bursting out of my chest.

We all sat down at our usual seat on the deck overlooking the busy Main Street, then ordered pizza. We all got the same thing, cheese, just to keep everything from getting too complicated. I sat in silence, staring at my single slice while the rest of them ate while whispering to each other. By the time the pizza disappeared, we were all sitting quietly, staring awkwardly at each other. The time had come for me to talk, but I was afraid of the anger that might spike among us all.

"Hey guys, there's something I need to tell you," I whispered.

"Hmmmm, you mean another lie. Okay, we will act stupid and pretend to understand you," Starfire said while holding her head high.

"Starfire, she has already apologized enough. Just let her speak," Robin said gently while gazing at me.

"Yeah, Robin's right, she can say whatever she wants. She doesn't have to say anything to you Star," Cyborg said.

"Yeah Raven, just tell us," Beast Boy said.

I sat there while everyone but Starfire stared at me, waiting for the news I had to spill.

"I...um...well," I stammered.

All of the sudden, we heard a whiplash of movement next to us. We all stood frigid as we held our breath with shock. Quickly, we all moved to the railing where we heard screaming and crying from the road below. My eyes took in the scene I witnessed, my heart stopping when I saw what the problem was. It was the same stupid jailbird that fell into the toxic waste. I growled under my breath as he started to destroy my city. Without even thinking, I jumped over the edge to attack. Realizing my powers were no longer available to me, I flailed my arms around, trying to grab onto something. To no avail, my body plunged closer to the ground until something grabbed my waist. I opened my eyes to see Robin clinging me to his chest. We dropped to the ground softly and he set me on my feet.

"Stay safe, don't move or you'll get hurt," he said while squeezing my hand.

I wanted so much as to squeeze back, but it maintained my avoidance technique. I just smiled and released his grip to hug my chest tightly. He smiled back and fled to the fight. I just watched as Robin left to fight, leaving me wishing I could help. I forced myself to stay behind and remain hidden, to keep myself safe. My heart was telling me to just go and help, but I would only get in the way, like everything else.

I heard a scream come from Starfire as she was flung into a building, her body unconscious as she dropped to the ground. Beast Boy was bulldozed into the gravel on the road, his body mangled and beat. Cyborg lay on the sidewalk, his lights flashing and sparks flying. Only Robin remained and I watched as he was punched into a car. Without even thinking, I ran out into the road, rushing to his aid. The toxic mass rose up to me and pushed me to the ground without effort. I fell back and felt my anger rush to my face, knowing he was hurting my friends and not letting me help. He stepped froward and smashed his foot down onto my leg, shattering at least half of the bones, making my scream and writhe in pain. He smirked as he continued to press down harder onto it.

"Hello Raven. Your father wanted to let you know you are coming home," he said.

I gasped, realizing that he was working for Trigon. I should have known he was after me this whole time. It made sense why he hurt me so bad the first time we met. Now though, I was pissed and I wanted so desperately to fight back and kill him there. I couldn't get myself to move, due to the scorching pain traveling through my body. My eyesight was blurry, but I could see a huge puddle of blood around my leg.

"I am going to stop you," I managed to squeak out in a weak voice! trying to stay awake.

"No, I am taking you now," he said.

Then everything disappeared as I felt the pain break me.