Chapter 11 – Unmerciful Disaster
The body was charred beyond recognition, thanks to the electrical explosion caused by Overload. Whether it was because of the explosion, being pecked away by fish, or mere water pressure, the body now had empty eye-sockets, too. Less damage from the fire was done to the corpse where it had some clothing to protect it, but it was so beaten by waves that its gender could not be confirmed.
While they obviously no longer had on them an identification card, what had survived was a badge attached firmly to a belt and a piece of armor on the shoulder. Whoever this person was, they had been part of the prison's night shift those weeks ago.
And so, the next day, a meeting was held, and Robin, as the leader, was expected to relay the news to the families of that night's personnel.
He was introduced, "Speaking on behalf of the Teen Titans is leader and active member, Robin."
Not an expression changed in the room as he stepped towards the microphone, as the Boy Wonder tried best he could to keep an unwavering serious face. Starfire, Cyborg, and Raven stood behind him.
"Last night, at approximately ten o'clock, we had been called to stop a disturbance. In order to prevent further damage imposed by the cause of this said disturbance, we led the villain to the ocean where an explosion occurred as a result. Among the debris that had shot from the ocean was a body. Because of the flames from the explosion, the corpse is in no way recognizable to the person it once was. The only form of identification is a badge. We're nearly certain that this was one of the personnel the night of the jailbreak. We can only assume the others faced the same or similar fates of, in one way or another, being dumped in the ocean."
Some had looks of disbelief. Others were in shock. Many had tears forming in their eyes, while Robin tried best he could to avoid seeing the young woman in the back who had broken down and cried.
"So you're telling me that my husband is dead," cried another new widow, "and that's all? You can't even find his body?"
"It's not likely any more bodies will turn up," started Robin, "but a memorial service is planned for next week followed by the burial of the found victim. That's Satur—"
"How did you let this happen?"
"You don't even know who killed them?"
A man who had lost his wife cried out, "What am I supposed to tell my four-year-old daughter at home?"
Still trying to maintain control, Robin stated, "The Teen Titans won't rest until we've learned exactly what has happened."
"FORGET THE TEEN TITANS!"
"We're supposed to feel safe with a couple of kids looking out for us?"
"I don't care what they can do; they're teenagers and they're irresponsible!"
"The Teen Titans failed us!"
Lowering her head in dishonor as a few tears formed in her eyes, Starfire glanced over at the policemen standing alongside them. They did not try to defend the name of the Teen Titans. They did not attempt to calm the crowds. They did not even reprieve Robin from his post at the microphone. They simply watched him being grilled, muttering their own negative comments towards the team to themselves.
Another in the audience yelled, "Why should our taxes go to them if they can't protect us?"
Finally giving in to his shame, Robin dropped his head low as the barrage of remarks continued. The other Titans also felt the same disgrace; even Raven was ashamed, though she hid it well. Cyborg put a hand on Robin's shoulder and led him away from the microphone.
A policeman blocked the back exit ordering, "Get back up there and answer them!"
Now on Cyborg's shoulder came Starfire's hand, and Raven clasped the Tamaranean's other hand.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos," she spoke, as a raven-shaped aura engulfed them and teleported them home.
o-o-o
There was an assortment of questions, but any few answers discovered remained cryptic. What exactly happened to Beast Boy? How had the jailbreak been executed? Would the Teen Titans ever find out?
Upon their arrival to the Tower, everyone retreated to their own respective areas and kept to themselves.
o-o-o
While the others reflected on their guilt, Raven stared at her physical reflection in the Mirror of Azar. While she felt the same remorse and shame her teammates did, she still wanted answers for her own personal problem. She wanted to know what she wouldn't let herself know. But she knew this much: going there wouldn't solve anything. It would just toss more questions on the pile. And she still did not know why that bird had hummed "Nevermore" as she left the day before.
o-o-o
Robin, too, was sick of questions. They could only assume the rest of the night shift had suffered the same fate, but what if they didn't? If he learned that even just one was alive it would be great news. For one thing, it would mean a human being could continue living. For another, the team would feel just a little less guilt. And lastly, he could interrogate the person to learn exactly what had happened.
Was it Slade? Was Slade being used as a scapegoat? How was it executed? What was the motive?
How did Beast Boy tie into it?
None of it was clear. None of it made sense.
They did not even know if all recruits had suffered the fate…
…of "Never—Nevermore".