Chapter 11 – Thoroughly Hopeless

The dog was dead. Robin felt sure of it. And he knew it was all his fault. He had no right to do what he did. Cyborg was right; he should have just asked about X then ran away and never looked back.

He thought about turning around to make sure the dog was alright, but whether the dog was okay or not, he was the last person that old man would want to see—unless he had wanted to murder him. In that case maybe he ought to go back; an eye for an eye was only fair.

Even if the dog wasn't dead, Robin should be killed anyway. He just got in the way, now. He couldn't save the team and he couldn't stop X. He was alone and lost; there was nothing he could possibly do.

But he recalled times he was separate from his team and he still managed to win. What made this time any different?

He was without his mask.

Beast Boy's harsh words ran through Robin's head. He was entirely right; he had to deal with it. It shouldn't affect him, and if it did not nearly this much. So why was it?

What did the mask mean to him?

It didn't matter—he didn't have it, anyway.

The humid evening air made his entire body clammy. It was going to make him go mad…

…if he hadn't gone mad, already.

o-o-o

"Even if Robin is running the entire way, we're going to be here a while," began Cyborg, "Anyone know how we can pass the time?"

"Um…" Starfire thought for a moment, "A word game?"

"Dude, do you really think Robin's running? He's probably taking his sweet time."

"I know," Cyborg sighed, "He's probably hitch-hiking."

"I never thought we'd be talking about Robin like he's a complete loser," considered Beast Boy, "We've said he takes things too seriously, that he's obsessed with bringing criminals down, that he just never stops—man, he wasn't perfect, but I miss him, now."

"Maybe you were right on the target when you said he was a new Robin, because without his mask he isn't the Robin we know," the half-robot said.

"I know; he's a whole different person!"

Cyborg moaned, "Maybe we should just follow X's advice and go to sleep. Even if he got here before sunrise he's not gonna put up a fight against Red X."

"Man," grumbled Beast Boy in his cage, "I wish I brought my GameStation Moveable."

"If Robin doesn't come through for us, it's the end for those kids."

Sitting himself down, Beast Boy stated in a serious tone, "No matter who he is right now—Robin or not—he better do something."

She wanted to tell them they were wrong about Robin. She wanted to tell them that he would come soon. She wanted to tell of a fierce battle that would take place between Robin and Red X that would leave Robin the victor. She wanted to assure them that the children would be safe after Robin secured the antidote for their syndrome.

But Starfire doubted all of this, herself. So she said nothing.

She scanned the room and found Raven in the same position on the floor. Starfire hoped Raven was alright; X had said she was only asleep.

Red X had flustered them all so much after capturing them and separating Robin from the team. She felt terrible thinking about it, but she had nearly forgotten all about the children.

They had been in similarly utterly hopeless situations before, but it never mattered so much because Robin made hope. Starfire had always felt that Robin could accomplish absolutely anything he wanted to, even though he was without any superpowers. He was determined and brilliant; now Robin, himself, seemed even more pathetic than the situation.

There were several instances nearly identical to this one where Robin stood alone, but he always performed better than the four others as a team.

"We can't just sit around waiting," Beast Boy said, "There's got to be something we can do."

"I'm a torso, Starfire's stuck in goo, you're in an electrified cage, and Raven's still passed out," Cyborg lamented, "I want to help as much as you do, but there's nothing we can do." Rolling his eyes he added, "The only one capable of doing anything is Robin."

"Please," Starfire finally spoke up, "do you not feel you are being a bit too harsh on Robin? He is not acting like himself—this is true—but stopping to eat was a mutual decision."

"We're not blaming Robin for getting us trapped," he explained, "But Robin's gotta get over himself."

"Ugh," the shape-shifter sulked, "Now that you mention it, Star, I feel terrible for wanting that food."

"Oh—No, I did not mean to put any guilt on you!"

He sighed, as did Cyborg. Any conversation stopped as each reflected on all that had happened thus far that evening.

o-o-o

Step.

Step.

Step.

Step.

The monotony, alone, was brutal.

He paused on the side of the road to wipe the sweat from his worried brow. Robin couldn't think of a time he felt any more alone. A glance behind him revealed the farmer's market was no longer in sight. And the buildings ahead of him just looked so far away.

He bent over himself, rubbing each hand upon their corresponding aching leg. He proceeded to take his left hand and reach it up towards his head. Grabbing a clump of hair, he pulled a knot out; even though it hurt his scalp, he quickly reached in and pulled again.

He examined his left hand. He still had his gloves; he now felt very thankful X had not taken them away, too.

He really had to be on his way; even if he felt he could do nothing, he had to try. With his right hand he picked off a couple strands of hair that had come out, but they stuck to his moist gloved fingers. He shook his hand until they came off.

Robin straightened himself a bit, only to assume a nearly as hunched position as he began walking along the route, again.

o-o-o

"Robin, please come soon," Starfire whispered to herself.

She was answered by a far off rumble of thunder.