A/N: Thank you guys SO much for all of the reviews. You guys are all sweethearts!
This one, I admit, is one of my favourites. And why? Because I get to torture Robin, of course!
Time Line: post-Season IV.
Insanity
"He's only happy hysterical."
Running. Running through the darkness, running from him. He always chases, always runs after me. But I can't stop running, I always have to run. Can't let him catch me, can't let him capture his prize.
Trigger? There is no trigger. Because there is no detonator.
The sound of his boots click against the rocky ground. Our breaths are loud and heavy in the silence and I know he's there. He's always there. I can't stop him, I'll never be able to stop him. But I can't stop trying either. I have to do something. I can't give up.
Attack, Robin. Attack with everything you've got.
I screech to a stop and gasp involuntary at the sight before me. He can't be there! It's impossible! There is no logical way that he could appear in front of me when seconds ago he was behind me. Following me. Every one of his steps matching mine. Perfectly.
"No," I breath. "No!" I clutch my head, shaking it. This can't be.
On the contrary, Robin. It's just begun.
"Now, Robin," he scolds in his condescending manner. "This is your nightmare. Whatever happens is not my doing, but yours."
"No," I shake my head, stepping back. The voices close in around me. "You're not real."
I'm real enough to finish you!
"Obviously I am, Robin." He begins to pace as he lectures, like he always did. Like he always, always does. "Did you really think that I would just disappear? Robin, Robin, Robin," he stops before me and I can barely stop myself from shuddering. The way he says my name...
"If you're out there, then show yourself!" I shout at him. "Hiding in the shadows like an everyday thief. Like a coward."
"Coward?" I know that behind that mask, he's smirking. I can hear it in his voice. "Robin.... That was pathetic."
I was testing you. For some time now, I've been searching for... an apprentice.
I glare at him. "I'm not doing this for you. I'm not trying to put on a show for you, Slade. I could care less about what you think!" Somewhere in the back of my mind I wonder why I'm trying to justify myself. How I suddenly found myself on the defendant's side of the line.
"Then who are you trying to show, Robin?" He takes a step towards me with every name. "Raven? Beast Boy? Cyborg? Starfire?" He's too close to me so I take a step back. A low chuckle comes from the inside of that mask.
I made you my apprentice. All my knowledge, all my power, all for you. But the only thing you care about are your worthless... little... friends!
"Your old man from Gotham, perhaps?" he adds.
I can feel my eyes narrow. "He has nothing to do with this. None of them do!"
"I doubt that, Robin. After all, every son wants to makes their father proud of them." I know he's smirking again.
Who knows? I might even become like a father to you.
"Go away!" I shout. "Leave me alone!"
I turn to run; where, I don't know, but I do know that I have to get away. Far away. I can hear him following me and I start zig-zagging in an attempt to lose him in the dark. I just need to escape.
You and I are so very much alike.
Suddenly, the ground beneath my feet crumbles and I fall, but I refuse to scream. I won't give him that satisfaction. I land and grunt as I roll from the force of the free fall. I struggle to my knees and catch my breath. I slowly raise my head and shake at the sight before me.
He's right there again. Laughing at me. That's all he's ever done, you know.
"Go away!" I scream. "Leave me ALONE!"
The darkness fades into grey and a low, mysterious fog spreads across the ground. He fades away with it and I sigh in relief. He's gone. He can't have the last word this time.
It's always been about you... you... you..
I drop my head to the disappearing ground and sob, wishing the sound of it would block out his echo. I can never win against him.
- - - INSANITY - - -
