Chapter 8: Fear Itself
I couldn't help the small smile that was planted on my face as I turned to glance to my right. I watched Beast Boy as he scanned the movie titles that were on display, just a couple feet away from me, before turning back to study the options in front of me.
We had been secretly dating for a couple weeks now and I had never been happier. My life felt like it was finally falling into place.
Having to sneak around with our relationship could be challenging at times, but we had managed to come up with a few places to go to allow us to spend some time alone. It wasn't difficult to find opportunities to sneak into each other's rooms and we had met up on the roof on a couple of occasions, but the one place we felt the most safe was down on the rocks by the ocean. It always felt so peaceful there under the moonlight.
"Dude!" I heard Beast Boy cry out from out of sight.
Clutching my movie selections in one hand, I hurried to the end of the aisle to find the shape-shifter standing in front of a cardboard display of what looked to me like some alien monster. The image had several tentacles protruding out from under the hem of a long, tattered robe. The tall figure had its hood up so that no facial features were visible except for one glowing red eye.
I frowned as I slowly approached the green kid from behind. He, meanwhile, never took his eyes off the display.
"Wicked Scary is out on video?" he gushed, reaching for one of the DVDs that were set on the rack in front of the cardboard image.
Making it to his side, I grabbed one of the videos and turned the case over to scan the back. "Director's cut . . . Digitally re-mastered . . . Alternate ending . . ." I noted out loud as I read through the special features that the DVD contained.
"Awesome! Isn't it?" Beast Boy exclaimed, before turning to me with a huge grin on his face. I flinched slight as he moved to wave the case in front of my face. "We have to watch this tonight."
"Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the scariest night of your lives!" Beast Boy announced as he stood with his back to the TV facing us, the video case clutched in one of his hands. "This movie is going to freak . . . you . . . out."
He had been babbling with excitement ever since we had gotten home with that DVD. Practically bouncing off the walls, the shape-shifter had turned into an annoyance for the rest of our teammates. It had gotten to the point where our friends couldn't wait for the sun to start to go down; not because they were as excited for the movie, but so he would finally shut up about it. I, on the other hand, was happy to see my boyfriend so happy. I was sure the others were suspicious as to why I hadn't sent a sarcastic remark in his direction all day, but they hadn't commented on it . . . yet.
As that thought crossed my mind, I peeked over the top of my book and rolled my eyes at him. "Whatever."
I felt slightly bad as I watched the huge smile that I had been painted on his face all day, fall into a scowl.
"Can't be any creepier than that documentary on hot dogs Starfire made us watch," Robin noted, pointing towards the Tamaranean that was seated to his left.
Ignoring the jab, the alien said, "It was fascinating! I had no idea that Earth people ate so many pigs – and insects."
"Yeah, yeah, bugs and hot dogs, big deal," Beast Boy said, shrugging off the remarks before holding up the video case for us again. "This movie is supposed to be cursed. When people watch it, strange things happen . . . evil things."
I let out a heavy sigh. Seeing him excited was great, but this was just getting annoying. "Just start the movie," I said. Setting my book down on the coffee table, I scooted over so that Beast Boy could sit in between Cyborg and I.
I saw an irritated expression cross over his face, but by the time he sat down with us and pushed play on the remote, the look had disappeared. As the movie began playing its intro music, I slowly reached out to grab Beast Boy's hand in the dark.
As a young woman backed up in the approaching shadow of the tentacle creature, she let out a scream of pure terror. Her screams slowly died out as the screen faded to black, the word 'End' appearing in big red letters.
I couldn't help but continue to stare wide-eyed at the screen. I could feel my heart pumping in my chest. I liked to think that I was not easily frightened, but that . . . that movie . . .
"Is it over?" I heard Beast Boy ask from behind me. I had been so focused on the monster that I hadn't even noticed that he had moved from his seat next to me.
"I dare not open my eyes to find out," Starfire whined from farther down the couch.
Peeling my eyes away from the TV, I turned to see that Starfire had grabbed the end of Robin's cape and was using it to hide behind. Both Robin and Cyborg were still staring dumbfounded at the screen.
"I've fought psychotic villains, robot commandos, and giant oozing monsters, but that is the scariest thing I have ever seen," Robin stated.
I quickly tried to compose myself and turned away from my friends, placing my hood over my head to hide my face. My efforts proved fruitless though when I jumped in surprise when they all broke out in high-spirited laughter and chatter.
Beast Boy jumped over the back of the furniture to join us back on the couch. "Did I tell you, or did I tell you?" he exclaimed in excitement.
"Thrilling, Beast Boy!" Starfire cried, clapping her hands. "It was . . . wonderfully horrible!"
I could feel my face getting hotter under my hood, and my heart was still beating wildly in my chest. I had grown up with a demon as a father. How could some stupid movie freak me out so much? As I lowered my head in embarrassment, I could hear my friends still talking in excitement behind me.
"Yeah, when she went into the basement – " Cyborg started.
" – and it was right behind her and she turned and – " Robin added.
"I was freaking out!" Cyborg shrieked before calming down again. "I wanted to turn it off."
"So . . . come on, Raven, admit it," Beast Boy said, placing his hand on my shoulder. "You were totally scared."
Reluctantly, I took my hood down and turned back around to face him. Seeing the look in his eyes, I couldn't help but feel stupid for being so scared. I didn't want him to think I was baby. Hoping to sound braver than I actually felt, I let out in a low growl, "I don't do fear."
I was sitting on my bed with my book open on my lap, but I was having trouble focusing on the story. My thoughts kept drifting back to the movie . . . and having Beast Boy chattering on about it just a few feet away wasn't helping me forget about it.
" . . . and when the creature was standing on the stairs in the shadows staring up at the girl . . . I thought she was a goner for sure!"
"Beast Boy, I'm trying to read," I said, hoping he would get the message.
"And did you see all the mouths on that creature! When his cloak came off . . . all those teeth." He shivered at the memory. "How could that not have scared you?"
"I told you," I groaned, not taking my eyes off my book, "I don't get scared."
He let out a small chuckle. "Come on, Rae. Everyone gets scared sometimes."
"Not me."
Just then, a loud clap of thunder sounded from right outside my window causing both of us to jump.
Trying to ignore the hammering in my chest, I turned to glance at the clock that was sitting on my nightstand.
"It's getting late," I noted. Slamming my book closed, I reached over to turn off the lamp.
"Okay," Beast Boy said, leaning over to leave a quick kiss on my cheek. "I'll see you in the morning," and turned to head for the door.
Placing my book on the nightstand, I moved to get under the covers when my eyes subconsciously scanned the regions of my bedroom. Shadows seemed to be lurking everywhere. Another clap of thunder sounded from outside.
"Beast Boy . . ."
He was only a couple steps away from the door when he turned back to look at me. "Yeah."
"It's just . . . If you wanted . . . You could stay in here tonight. You know . . . if you're scared," I stammered out. I could feel my cheeks getting warm as the words left my mouth.
In the dark, I was barely able to make out the look of shock that flashed across his face. This was the first time I had brought up the idea of a sleepover. The confusion slowly morphed into a smirk.
"I'll stay . . . if you admit you're scared," he taunted.
I rolled over so that my back was facing him. "Forget it."
Silence stretched on for a couple minutes. Any second I was expecting to hear the sound of the door sliding open, but it never came. Eventually, I heard the soft footsteps of someone approaching my bed.
Peeking over my shoulder, I watched as my boyfriend pulled back the blanket to allow himself to slide in next to me before I turned away again.
Watching the rain as it fall against the windowpane, I could sense Beast Boy lying close beside me just inches away. His breath was tickling the back of my neck.
"You know," he spoke up softly, interrupting the silence, "if you were scared, it wouldn't make me think any less of you."
Hearing this, I rolled over so I could look at him. "Really?"
"Of course, Rae," he said. Grabbing my hand, he brought it to his lips.
I sent him a small smile. "Thanks. Good night, Beast Boy."
"Good night, Raven."
