Respect and Fear

Chapter 10: Crying won't help

Robin headed for the gym's exit, watching Slade, warily. His mind wasn't on what Slade had tried to do to him, only on how much trouble he was going to be in. He panted heavily, becoming more panic-stricken by the second.

He had to get out. He had to leave. Some how. And with one final look at Slade, he fled.

He ran out into the hall, searching for any signs of an exit.

Dammit. Why hadn't he thought of this sooner, of course there was no way out. He'd only been let out once, and he'd been blindfolded. But still, he wandered the dark halls, going places he'd never been before.

As he came to a set of stairs, he froze. He knew he was getting lost. And all he wanted to do, was go back to his room, and beg Slade for forgiveness. The halls were getting darker, and it was difficult to see. For all he knew, Slade could be standing right infront of him.

Feeling like he was walking into some sort of trap, he slowly started to turn around.

'M..maybe I should just go back', he thought to himself, not wanting to dig himself into a deeper hole. If he went quickly, maybe he could get to his room, before Slade found him. He could lock himself in the bathroom, until the man calmed down. He just wanted to postpone his next encounter with the man as long as possible. It was all he could really do. Because, really... it was inevitable. He would be found. And he would be punished.

He walked quickly, trying to find his way back. Even though he was scared to go back, the thought of being caught while running away, frightened him even more. If Slade caught him now, maybe he would be less angry, seeing that Robin was obedient enough to return to his room. If he was caught, trying to escape, he didn't want to think of what the punishment for that might be.

As he became more familiar with his surroundings, he slowed his pace, trying to be as quiet as possible, just incase Slade was within earshot. But once the door to his room was in view, he broke into a sprint, running as if the devil was hot on his heels.

As he came to the door, he pulled the lever.

It wouldn't open.

His mouth hung open in horror. 'No, no, no,no,no, no!'

He pushed on the door as hard as he could, desperate to get in. "Please", he begged, willing it to open.

But the door didn't budge. He looked around, frantically, not knowing what else to do. He looked down the hall to see if Slade was coming.

Nothing but darkness.

He turned back to the door again, working the lever , and bearing down with all his weight, trying to break through. But his attempts proved worthless. The only way to get in, was to have a key. Why was the door locked now?

He slid down the door, as the dread of actually waiting for Slade sank through. All he could do was wait. He had nowhere to go. He was trapped.

So he waited. Feeling as if he were on death row.

He waited until he heard the footsteps coming down the hall.

His breathing hitched, knowing he was in more trouble than he'd ever been in before.

He kept his eyes down, feeling as if he would choke on his fear.

He was so caught up in his anxiety that he wasn't aware how close the man was until he saw his feet right in front of him.

Robin cringed, unable to look up.

As he waited for Slade to speak, a blood covered hand was shoved into his view.

Robin cowered, knowing it had come from Slades head, and the man was showing him just what he did. Before anything could be said, Robin was struck across his face with the blood-soaked palm.

Robin's head knocked to the side, but his vision remained on the floor. He was now visibly shaking, and could not force himself to look at the man.

So Slade helped him.

Leaning down, and grasping the boy by his neck, he dragged him up to his level.

Robin's blue eyes, fearfully looked at the man. His face was a crazed sort of calm. Like a bomb ready to explode.

"I..I'm s-sorry", he stammered quickly, before the man could say anything.

He chuckled, awkwardly, as blood had made it's way to his mouth. "Yes, I bet you are", he sneered.

Robin gulped, wanting to explain why he'd resorted to violence. But whether Slade remembered what happened in the Gym or not, he was not about to blame or accuse the crazed man of anything.

"Tell me my boy...what shall I do, to relieve myself of all this pent up anger?"

Robin was silent. Unable to think of anything to say, to better his situation.

Slade sighed. "Just remember", he spoke, gripping the boy's raven locks, "You brought this on yourself." Before Robin had a chance to fully grasp his situation, Slade rammed the side of his face into the uneven concrete wall, with a sickening thud.

Robin's face filled with unbelievable pain, as it felt his face shattered.

"Now we'll see how sorry you are." Slade smirked, taking pleasure in his revenge. And threw the boys face into the wall again...and again ...and again.

When pulled away, half of Robins face was dripping crimson. As his mouth gaped open, no words came out, instead a stream of blood dripped freely.

"Tsk Tsk. My poor boy", Slade purred, feeling significantly more calm. "What am I ever going to do with you?"

A cracked sob escaped the boys broken face. He panted heavily, hoping to god his punishment was over.

Slade sighed. "Look at you Robin. Reduced to tears. Pathetic."

Carrying the boy by his collar, Slade opened the door and threw the boy on his bed. Robin tried his best to crawl away on his elbows, looking up fearfully at the man, with his one unbloodied eye.

"Don't move. If your good, I'll get a doctor to fix your face." Robin watched Slade exit his room, and heard a click after the door shut.

Robin crawled to the end of his bed and spat out the remainder of blood that was in his mouth. He stayed there, hanging his head over the side, just staring at the floor, too tired to move. Thankfully, he couldn't even feel the beaten part of his face anymore. It felt swollen, but numb. Laying down on his good side, he closed his eyes and let his misery lull him to sleep.

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When he next opened his eyes, he realized it was the door opening that woke him up, and quickly got up, ready to run.

"Easy boy", an old skinny man spoke. "Slade's just outside the door, if you give me any trouble."

Robin looked up at him dumbly, not knowing what to think of the man.

"Well, aren't you a sight." The man teased, finally seeing the boys face. Robin quickly backed away from him, not knowing to trust him or not.

"Come on know, don't be shy", he said, opening up a black case. He looked back to the boy. "Unless ofcourse you'd rather have Slade in here."

Robin's eyes widened. Hesitating slightly, he made his way closer to the man.

"That a boy." The man took a few things out of the case. All the while, Robin looked on intently, still a little wary. The man seem mild-mannered enough. But the fact that he looked like a corpse did little to soothe Robin's nerves. His hollow cheek bones and ghostly complexion made him look like he'd just crawled out of his grave.

"Allright", Robin was stricken when a bright light shined in his face. "Let's see what we have here." The old man looked over Robins face, paying attention to every detail.

"Try to open your eye for me."

Robin cringed inwardly, but did as the man said.

After a few painful attempts he gave up. "I can't."

"All right then. Let's atleast get you cleaned up."

Robin gritted his teeth as the doctor, or so he appeared to be, swabbed his face clean, revealing the cut by his eye and the colorful bruises that ran all the way down his face.

"Lovely", the man commented on the black blue and yellow. "The cut doesn't seem to be too deep, luckily. I think we can get away with just a few butterfly strips."

Robin sat still as the man dressed his face.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" He asked as he finished, and began to pack up his things. "Behave yourself, so I don't have to come back, will ya."

Robin stayed silent.

When the Doctor left, he was greeted by Slade.

"Well?"

"He's got some severe bruising, Probably a fracture or two. But nothing you can do, but let those heal on their own. His eye's completey swollen shut. The cut on his face should heal ok. I'd keep the bandage on it for a few days before changing it though."

"Very well", Slade replied, seeming satisfied. "I'll wire the money to your account."

The Doctor nodded. "I'll just see myself out then."

"See that you do."

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It wasn't more than but a minute before Robins door opened again.

His one good eye widened, seeing Slades impressive form in the doorway, before looking once again at the floor.

"I really would have thought you'd learn your lesson by now", Slade lectured.

Robin kept his gaze fixed on the ground, willing the man to leave.

"Look at me boy!"

Robin quickly looked up, if only to appease the man's anger.

"Your ignorance will no longer be ignored", he scolded, walking over to grab the boys chin.

"You will learn obedience if I have to beat it into you", he growled into Robin's beaten face.

Robin fought to hold his gaze, but faultered, fearing Slade would continue his punishment.

Slade smirked, taking in the damage to the boys face. "That's a good color on you", he teased.

Finally pulling away, Robin managed to relax slightly.

"I"ll give you a week to heal. But in the meantime, you will get no meals ."

"What!" Robin squeeked, unable to stop himself.

Slade glared at him. "You've taken advantage of my hospitality boy. Now you're going to have to pay for your actions."

'What about your actions' Robin thought to himself, but only nodded in understanding.

"I'll have Montel bring you water, and perhaps a small amount of food. Just understand you'll be very hungry for the next seven days."

Robin nodded sullenly.

"But don't expect your training to be any easier, he informed him before shutting him back into his dark and lonely room.

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Robin did nothing but fall back onto his bed and sleep after Slade left.

It figured. He was hungry already. Especially the next day when he awoke. The first thing he did was go look in the mirror.

He sighed heavily, feeling like a monster. Even if he did make it back to the Titans. What would he look like? Would they even recognize him?

Right now, his inflamed eyelid, which was swollen shut, looked red and painful. The bruise on the same side ran the whole length of his face, ranging in colors from yellow to blue to purple. Luckily it was the same side that had a scar running down it, from Slade's little 'whip' experiment. So atleast there was one side of his face that was normal looking. Hopefully it would stay that way.

For the following week, there was little he could do to keep himself busy. Luckily he still had a shower, though not much, it still gave him something to do. Anything to break the day up. The meager rations that were delivered by Montel, the cook, were eaten slowly, and occasionaly saved for later. On more than one occassion he attempted to commune with the man. Though he knew he spoke nothing but Spanish, that did not stop Robin from trying. Sadly, Montel knew better than to go against Slade and barely said a word to him.

By the seventh day Robin was unsure of how long it had been. Having no clock or source of sunlight, he really had nothing to go on. So he was a bit surprised when it was Slade that came through the door and not Montel.

"Hungry?"

Robin's apprehensive gaze soon turned to that of yearning, hoping that the man was not just toying with him. Slowly he nodded his head.

"Let's go then", he motioned.

Robin practically leaped from his bed and ran out the door before Slade could change his mind.

"Your face has healed quite a bit", he noticed. "You've been changing your dressings?"

"Yes", Robin answered, running his finger over the cut.

"Good."

Robin couldn't help but glare behind the man's back. Why should he care whether or not his bandages were changed. He'd probably tear them open the second they were healed anyway.

"Sit", he ordered, walking into the dining area. "Eat, then get in the gym. I'll join you later."

Robin cringed. He didn't want to workout. When he was a Titan, it felt great to go in the gym and get his adrenaline going. But Slade made it anything other than enjoyable. Robin hated being judged on his performance. And Slade never had anything good to say anyways. And he always pushed him too hard. Pushing him until he failed.

Luckily he was able to eat alone. It wasn't much, just some fruit and half a sandwich, but it filled him up. When he was done, he sat for a moment, mentally preparing himself for another disastrous lesson.

Pulling himself away from the table, he managed to drag his body to the gym. It was empty as he expected, but he knew Slade would make an appearance soon. Sighing, he hopped on the treadmill to warm up.

He hadn't even been in the gym for twenty minutes, then Slade entered, ready to make a mockery of the boy once again.

"Sweating already?"

'Here we go', Robin groaned inwardly. He knew that the week of isolation and little sustenance would show itself in his performance.

He worked as hard as he could at the weights, but could only push maybe 10 lbs below his average.

Slade seemed to not put into account that Robin had been away from the gym and practically starved for seven days. His hard gaze burrowed deep into the boy's skull. The look of disgust, impatience and annoyance were clear on his face.

When Slade finally decided to take it to 'one on one', he definately did not go easy on him.

"Get up", he grumbled after knocking the boy down easily. "You're even more pathetic than when you were with your stupid friends."

Robin got up, wiping the blood from his nose, only to be kicked down again from behind.

"You're an embarrasement, no wonder the Bat rid himself of you."

It wasn't long before Robin was on the ground panting and unable to get up.

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It seemed for the next two weeks, Robin could not catch his breath. Slade seemed to have lost all patience and was pushing him as far as he could go. And when he was not satisfied, he berated the boy, got under his skin and tormented him as much as he could. Though Robin hated the man, he just wished he could do good enough just once. Anything for a pat on the back, or a 'Good job Robin'.

Slade made him feel weak and useless. Pathetic and unwanted.

Slade sometimes acted as though he didn't even want Robin there, but he reminded him on a daily basis that he was never leaving.

Robin was cracking. All work and no play, always ends the same for everybody.

"Hit harder."

"Do it faster."

"Bad form."

"Watch your footing."

"Pay attention!"

"YOUR DOING IT WRONG!"

"Stop it!", Robin screamed, unable to take anymore.

slap! Robin took a sharp hit to his face

"You're getting on my last nerves boy", Slade grumbled. "You'd do well, to not get on my bad side. I gave up a rather lucrative offer today." He prowled closer, making sure to be right in the boys's face. "Let me explain something to you. Whenever I'm here with you, I'm losing money. Your costing me deals. I'm losing contacts, because I'm here trying to turn you into a decent fighter! So when I see you not improving, I'm sure You can Understand WHY IT Get's ON MY NERVE'S!!", he finished his lecture in a thunderous tone.

Robin kept his head down as usual, when Slade yelled at him. "Just leave me alone", Robin barely whispered.

"What was that", Slade snapped Robin's face up. "Speak up boy."

Robin shook his head.

"No? Well I suppose it was my imagination", Slade glared in dissaproval. "You should be greatful I took you in. You probably would have gotten yourself killed by now. Or atleast gotten your team killed."

Robin's eye's widened at the insult.

"Oh don't look so surprised. Did you really think you were a good leader? You couldn't even make it as a sidekick. Why do you think the bat got rid of you. I can't even believe your parents allowed you to perform with them. They probably would have gotten' rid of you to, if it wasn't for their untimely deaths. Wich was awkward you weren't down there on the ground with them. I bet it was you who cut the wire-

"Stop it! Shut up!" Robin screamed, falling to his knees. "I hate you!"

Slade stood tall, hovering dangerously above his apprentice. Robin's words did not surprise him, but they did anger him. He didn't expect Robin to like him, not yet anyway, but he should know better than to talk to his Master in such a way. Especially after all this time.

"Careful boy", he warned. "My mercy has limits."

"Mercy?", Robin croaked. "What Mercy!?"

"Do you want to see how good you have it, because I can certainly show you how much worse it can get."

Robin snorted sadly.

"Your lucky I don't use weapons in your training. If I wanted to, I could turn you into a unrecognizable pile of flesh."

"Go ahead, I'm half way there already", he reminded him, getting back up to his feet.

Slade glared at the boy, who seemed to challenge him. "Hmmph", he smirked, before walking to the armory wall.

Robin's eye's widened in fear, as he watched Slade take down a boe staff, some kama's and couple daggers. He barely managed to stay his ground as the man approached with the deadly weopons.

But all he did was toss them on the ground.

"All yours."

Robin looked up in confusion. "Huh?"

"Take your pick. You need them more than I do."

Robin eyed the weapons. They were sharp and deadly. And there for the taking. It was tempting. But also frightening. Slade wasn't the type of person you could wound and then walk away from. He was the type that you had better make sure was dead, or you would be. The problem was, in Robin's eye's, Slade was immortal.

Before he could even pick up a weapon, Slade grabbed the boy's arm and threw him over his shoulder.

"Too slow boy", he taunted. "As usual."

Crawling around the man, Robin went for the boe staff. Just within arms reach, but was soon kicked away. Slade then pounced on the boy, holding him down with his weight.

Robin yelled out, as the wind was knocked out of him. He couldn't move an inch with the man ontop of him. But as he looked forward, he noticed the daggers that Slade had so graciously offered, and took one. Reaching for the closest piece of Slades flesh, Robin ran the blade over the mans arm, leaving a deep gash that bled instantly.

"Grr", Slade growled, obviously surprised. "You little shit", he cursed, grabbing Robin's wrist and sqeezing.

"AaH!" Robin dropped the blade, as he felt the bone crushing.

"Bold move", Slade grinned bitterly, before kicking Robin in the stomache.

"Aw!", Robin convulsed in pain, curling in on himself.

"But a dumb one."

Slade grabbed Robin by his collar and picked him up. "I'm going to teach you the meaning of pain."

"Go to hell", Robin croaked, giving up on any chance of mercy. There was no point in trying to get on the man's good side now.

Robin took a blow to the face, knocking him to the floor. Slade followed him, straddling his waist. "Your bleeding", he grinned, obviously pleased. "Well let's see if we can't get anymore out of you."

Taking blow after blow, Robin' face became a bloody mess. It wasn't until Slade saw tears in the boy's eye's then he stopped. Noticing how he held his face, Slade could tell that he had indeed broken the boy's jaw.

Slade smiled in amusement. "Smile for me", he hissed into his broken face.

Robin could only moan in pain, as involuntary tears fell down his cheeks.

Slade frowned . "Why are you crying? Crying won't make it any better", he lectured. "What, did you think it would be easy? Did you think I'd go easy on you?! Did you think I gave a shit!", he spat.

Robin shook his head madly.

"That's right... And now boy, I do believe you've worn out your welcome."

AN: Next chapter: People don't change (last chapter)