A/N: Kay, remember the chapter I mentioned in my last author's note? Well, that idea is gonna have to wait for another time. I've got the next five chaps or so planned out, and it's gonna be epic. :D This one's gonna be short but sweet, but the next one will make up for it (it's gonna be looong xD). Hope you like it! ^^


Darkness surrounds her, smothering, chewing. She senses walls around her, closing in. Something mashes her arms to her chest. Both legs prickle with sleep. She struggles to cry out, but her mouth won't move. She fights for oxygen, but the air is stale and thick around her. Panic swells her throat shut. Fingers--her own?--claw her lungs. Breathe. Breathe!

A dark presence makes its way toward her. She stiffens cold as she recognizes whom the dark, looming figure belongs to. Evil laughter. A sneer.

The world stops. Time hangs in the hall of her mind, a fat quivering drop, then zips from sight in ragged ribbons. Then a deep, monstrous voice booms out, making her cringe with fear and dread. Dark bitterness colors his tone, a threat openly seeping through. The hatred in his voice makes her shudder.

"You cannot hide forever, little girl. I am your creator, your master. You only exist because I allow it. Your destiny must be fulfilled. It is but impossible to outrun Trigon the Terrible!"

A horrible image, Raven laying bloodsplattered on the ground...one single thought. This is my fault..A scream penetrates, and she has yet to know it is her own.


Bella woke up in hysterical sobs, her nightgown clinging tightly to her body. Her shoulders wracked with sobs as she trembled violently, desperately trying to force away the horrific images of her dream...but it felt so real..the reality of the dream hit her and she clutched the blankets so hard her knuckles turned white. The terror of the nightmare still haunted her and she shot pensive glances around the room, as if expecting someone to step out and snatch her. Her ragged breath was the only sound in the room.

Bella jumped as thunder crashed outside, followed by a bout of lightning. She strained her ears to hear any movement outside her room, but nothing could be heard over the storm.

She hesitated three times before throwing aside the covers and stepping down timidly from the bed. She started to take quiet, slow steps, but fear gripped her so badly that she ended up bolting out the door.

..She needed Raven.


..It had been a long and hard day, to say the least.

Crime waves all over the city had been reported, and the Titans had spent the entire day tracking them down and doing battle. It had gotten tiresome, and Raven hadn't gotten to meditate all day.

The fatigue of the day took its toll on the whole team, criminals that had escaped just out of their reach and the barking orders from Robin had put Raven in a grouchier-than-usual mood. She was just glad when the day finally ended and she could slip beneath the covers. It took her longer than usual to get to sleep, however, and this irritated Raven as she listened to the rain beat on the windows.

It felt like she had just dropped off to sleep when she felt someone shake her. "R..Raven..?" A tiny voice squeaked.

Raven gave a sound of impatience and opened one eye. It was hard to make out in the darkness, but she could see Bella's figure standing at the edge of the bed. "What do you think you're doing?" Raven growled. Bella shook and her mouth parted as if preparing to speak but Raven cut her off. "What are you doing up in the first place? Go. To. Bed."

Bella's eyes widened. "But Sissy Rae-"

"How many times do I have to tell you? DON'T call me that! It's a stupid nickname." The words flew out of Raven's mouth before she was even aware of what impact the words held.

Bella teared up and choked on a sob. Raven closed her eyes and sighed deeply. Great. The last thing she needed was a hysterical child on her hands in the middle of the night. "What do you need?" She asked with forced patience.

"..I..I..I had a bad dream.." Bella's voice quivered.

Now as Raven's eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see Bella shaking like a leaf. At a loss for words, Raven eyed her sister. "..It's ok now. It was just a nightmare. Go back to bed."

"B-But..I'm scared..real scared...an' I wanna sleep wis you.." Bella's thumb went to her mouth, a habit that constantly annoyed Raven.

Raven opened her mouth to yell at her sister, for disturbing her out of her slumber, to leave her alone and go to bed and quit being a baby. But then lightning flashed, flooding light into the room.

..By one look at her pale face and horror-stricken eyes, Raven could tell she wasn't just scared...she was terrified.

And she knew how it felt to feel helpless and scared, to need someone to run to for comfort...several instances with Trigon had shown that. Not to mention the night they all watched Wicked Scary. That was an experience none of them were bound to forget.

Raven's heart lurched inside her and she suddenly felt extremely guilty for the biting way she had snapped at Bella..when she'd needed comfort instead.

Guess I'm going to have to do the right thing now..Raven thought with an inward sigh.

"..Come on." She sat up and opened the covers. "Just this one night."

Bella's face lit up with such relief that Raven knew she had done the right thing. Bella hurriedly crawled in and snuggled up next to Raven. She cringed but decided to allow it...since she was scared right now. That's all.

They both fell asleep with smiles.


A/N: AWWW!! Cute, right? Even Raven has a heart. Who knew? xDD Nah, jk. Well, I hope you liked it! I'll try to update as soon as possible. Leave a review! *blows kisses* I'm out.