I am way ahead with this story, surprisingly xD
Woot! No procrastination for me! :D
-Anii
Chapter 11: "Tell me I'm forgiven say you'll always be mine. Say that everything is over tell me I'm fine."
― The Thespian by Alesana
Raven thrust back the covers, frustrated beyond belief. Nightmares continued to torment her every time she closed her eyes and she was tired of waking up in a cold sweat. She glanced at Beast Boy, who was sprawled out on the his pillow.
Silently, she slipped off of the bed and slid her hoodie over her head. She shoved the room key into her single pocket and stepped out into the outdoor hallway, her shoes in her hands.
She hopped on one foot down the hallway as she tugged on her boots. She took in a deep breath of the night air as she stuffed her hands in her hoodie pocket, her fingers playing with the little silver key inside.
Her body slowly lifted off of the ground and she flew towards the city's nearest rooftop. Her hoodie disguised her well enough but rooftops were the safest mode of travel as things stood now. She dropped on a tall building's roof and trotted across its surface in a slow and even pace.
She climbed the edge and leapt to the next rooftop easily. The pathetic exercise soothed her the tiniest bit, pushing away the horrific flashbacks from her nightmares. Raven shuddered at the thought of those terrible dreams.
While she was sleeping, the sight had been enough to wake her up but once she was awake, she couldn't remember much beyond fuzzy images. She remembered seeing water and hearing her own screams. Then she remembered trembling hands covered in fresh blood but she couldn't for the life of her put the pieces together.
She puffed out a sigh and continued with her nighttime walk over the city's rooftops until she heard the shuffling of feet. She spun around, her hands forming into two tight fists in her pocket.
Her keen eyes noticed the shifting shadow behind a vent on the roof just beside the one she currently stood on. Raven sucked in a deep breath before calling out to the shadow. "I can see you."
The shadow rippled before vanishing altogether. Raven's eyes narrowed but she chalked up the disappearing shadow to her insomnia. She spun back around and her nose bumped into a solid wall of muscle. She craned her neck to find a well-built man glaring down at her.
She attempted to back away, putting her hands up slowly, but the man grabbed her. Before she could blink, he was swinging her in a circle. She dug her feet into the ground to try and stop herself but he was incredibly strong.
He spun her around like a rag doll until, finally, he just let go. Raven called forth her powers to help her fly as she went over the edge of the rooftop when something hard smashed into her back, knocking the wind out of her lungs.
Her body crashed to the ground, sandwiched between the object that had hit her on the way down and the cold, dirty alley floor. She lifted her head to see the man perched on her back. Before Raven could react, the man was gone. She blinked several times and rolled onto her back, searching the narrow alley for the shadow man as she took in deep breaths around the pain in her ribcage.
She found him when she climbed to her feet and looked into the dark section of the alley, away from the street lights by the alley's mouth. She gasped as she heard a loud hiss. Water sprayed into her face and a terrified scream clawed its way out of her throat as she threw her hands up to block the majority of the water.
She forced down her terror momentarily to use her powers to form a barrier of dark energy. Water bounced off of the wall she had created and Raven shuddered as the water-soaked into her clothes. She flew straight upward and placed herself on another rooftop, taking off at a run as soon as her feet touched the ground.
She tugged on the door handle of the apartment complex that lead to the floors below her feet. Unfortunately, it was locked. "Shit." She hissed through clenched teeth.
Raven dashed over to the edge of the rooftop and launched herself from the protective railing. She heard the man behind her, his heavy boots clomping on the rooftops as he chased after her. Her eyes scanned the quiet area for a safe hiding spot. She let out a small breath of relief as she caught sight of a half-formed building just ahead and to the right. She flew to the construction site, abandoned for the night, and landed smoothly on a beam open to the night air.
Her breaths were ragged pants as the adrenaline increased her heart rate. Her hands grabbed fistfuls of her hoodie, ready to claw the wet garment off, but she froze. I can't rip this off. It's my disguise. Just relax, Raven. Re―
Her thoughts were interrupted by the crunch of footfalls below. She glanced down to find the shadow man climbing the beams at an alarming rate. Raven leapt from beam to beam until she reached the more finished portion of the building.
She slid through a doorway silently. Walls and ceilings locked her in, save for the one wall which gave a floor to ceiling view of the city through smudge-free glass.
She bit her lip, slinking off into the shadows of the room as she heard the metallic clip of footsteps on the beams outside. She held her breath as a hulking figure strode through the doorless doorway. His head snapped to the side, stark white teeth standing out in the darkness of the room. "I can see you."
Raven stepped out of the darkness, her hands clouded in black energy. "Who are you?"
The man didn't answer, he just lunged at her. She easily stepped out of his way but his heavy body smacked into the window wall, leaving a fresh crack in the once perfect surface.
"What do you want?" Raven hissed, dodging him once again.
His speed was incredible but he seemed to be entirely human. She didn't want to hurt a human if she didn't have to. She bobbed and weaved as he swung out his fists to catch her in the jaw or temple. Raven felt the cool glass press against her back as he charged at her. Her eyes shot to the side. She wanted to dodge - should dodge. Then her eyes shifted to the crack. If I move, he'll break through the glass and hurt himself. That's a long drop for a human.
He took her moment of hesitation to his own advantage. He threw his body at her. The wind burst out of her lungs as his enormous body slammed into her hard. The glass against her back gave way from the pressure and shimmering shards of glass rained down on Raven as she and the shadow man fell.
He had her hands pinned to her side but her power of flight still worked. She used it to let them both land gently amidst the broken pieces of glass. She struggled against him as her toes pressed against the ground. "Leave me the hell alone!"
Without warning, he released her and disappeared entirely. Raven smoothed back her damp hair, her hood missing, as she glanced around for him. Cold water smacked into her back, bringing out another terrified scream from Raven.
She clamped her eyes shut and spun around, snarling and batting the water away. "Stop it!"
Her concentration was lost as the stream of water continued to soak her. She tried to conjure another barrier but her mind was too busy fighting against the fear taking control of her body.
"Stop!" Her voice was more frantic now but still the water blasted her.
"I. Said. Stop!" Without thinking, Raven used her powers to lift the scattered glass and launched them at the shadow man.
The water stopped instantly and Raven doubled over with her hand on her chest as her pulse rang in her ears. Her head snapped to the side, furry burning deeply inside of her. However, all traces of fright and anger dissolved immediately as she saw the man drop the water hose.
He stumbled back, clutching his stomach. Raven rushed to catch him as he tipped backwards, a whisper of breath passing over his lips. She eased him down gently onto his back, her eyes widening to the size of saucers.
She splayed her fingers out over the jagged glass shard protruding from his stomach. Her fingers coiled around it and she tugged as hard as she could, sobs shaking her shoulders. "No. No. No. Please, no."
The glass sliced open her skin repeatedly as her fingers slipped on the bloody fragment but she still urgently pulled at the sharp shard. Tears flooded down her cheeks as she gave up on removing the glass and attempted to heal the wound in the man's chest.
Unfortunately, her healing powers wouldn't come and it didn't matter anyway. The light in the man's eyes had winked out and he stared at her lifelessly. Raven's scream pierced the quiet night as she clutched her head between her hands.
After the long scream had died in her throat, Raven pulled her hands away. She stared down at her palms, which shook violently. Crimson blood soaked her entire hand, both hers and the man's. Choked sobs wracked her body as she pulled free her communicator with difficulty. She pushed a button and moments later, Beast Boy's face appeared on the screen.
He opened one eye and stared into the screen then turned to glance over his shoulder. He sat bolt upright, wide awake now. "Raven? Where are you?"
"I don't know." She replied, her voice cracking. "Can you please come get―"
Her bloody hand covered her mouth as another round of harsh sobs shook her body. Beast Boy's eyes widened. "Don't move. I'll find you."
••••••••
Raven closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythmic pulse of Beast Boy's heart as he carried her to their shared motel room.
"I already called the others. Robin and Starfire are back at the room. We'll get you fixed up." His voice sounded muffled, as if Raven were submerged under water.
No sooner had he spoke the words, the door flew open and Starfire rushed out. "Raven!"
Raven winced at the sound of her own name and buried her face into Beast Boy's bare chest, feeling the tears well up in her eyes. Beast Boy had carried her all the way from the construction site in nothing but his boxers. He didn't complain once about Raven being soaked, cold, and bloody. He didn't crack a single joke either.
Beast Boy handled serious situations with jokes to ease the tension and avoid the pain inside of himself. But the jokes made Beast Boy who he was. She'd never admit it, but not hearing Beast Boy tell jokes made Raven feel even worse.
He gently set her on the queen-sized bed and stepped back as Starfire knelt beside Raven. Robin stared down at her, his arms over his chest. He spoke quietly to Beast Boy as Starfire whispered soothingly to Raven.
Raven sat solemnly on the edge of her bed in the motel room as Starfire carefully and tenderly wrapped her shredded hands.
"Raven." Robin spoke softly but urgently. "What happened?"
"Someone attacked her." Beast Boy answered when Raven didn't.
Robin was trying desperately to be gentle. "I need to hear it from her."
"I killed someone." Raven whispered.
"He attacked you." Beast Boy snapped. If she wasn't going to defend herself, he would. The thought nearly made Raven smile. "You didn't jump in a pool of water yourself."
"Raven." Robin whispered again, kneeling beside her. "I need to know the whole story."
"I couldn't sleep." Raven replied, her voice faint. "I was walking around on the rooftops and I saw a shadow man out of the corner of my eye. He kicked me off of the roof we were on. Then splashed me with water."
Starfire's head tilted to the side. "How could this shadow man have known you had a fear of water?"
Raven shook her head helplessly. "I don't know. But I ran away to a construction site. He ran into me and we broke the glass. He grabbed a hose and kept splashing me." The tears welled behind Raven's eyes and her lip quivered. "He wouldn't stop. I just wanted him to stop."
Raven bit her lip, trying to regain her composure before continuing. "I used my powers and shot the glass shards at him. One stabbed him. I tried so hard to get it out and heal him. But my powers-" Raven choked on her words and rested her head on her knees.
She felt a gentle hand stroke her back as Robin whispered. "Take me to the body, Beast Boy."
Starfire spoke softly to Raven as she dabbed the water off of Raven's face and even handed the pink moth larva, Silkie, over to Raven in an attempt to cheer her up. As Raven stroked the little pink glob's stomach, Robin and Beast Boy returned.
"I don't get it." Robin shook his head, his eyes scrunched together. "Why would a human attack her?"
"Human?" Raven launched herself on to her feet, dumping Silkie from her lap. "Did you say he was human?"
Robin nodded, unable to meet her gaze. Raven rushed forward, grasping Robin's shirt in her fists and shaking him frantically. "He wasn't human. He couldn't have been human. I mean, I thought he was human but he wasn't! There was no way he could have done the things he did if he was human." She rambled.
Robin gripped her wrists firmly. "Raven. Stop."
She turned to Beast Boy, her violet eyes wild and panicked with an underlying thread of helplessness. The changeling's gaze shifted to his feet as he mumbled, "We saw the body, Raven. He was human."
"That's not…That's not possible!" Raven's grip on her self control was slipping. "No. No!"
Robin grabbed her by her shoulders. "Raven, calm down."
Raven sealed her lips shut as a sob nearly escaped. Robin stared down at her, speaking softly. "Why don't you spend some time with your mother?"
"But-."
"We can handle this, Raven." Beast Boy insisted.
Starfire rose to her feet and smiled at the empath. "Yes. Please rest, friend. We will investigate."
"Raven." Raven's eyes shifted back to Robin, who had an encouraging smile on his face. "I'm sure your mother would love to see you."
Raven's head hung in defeat and she pressed her forehead against Robin's chest as she whispered. "She would."
Robin gently pried Raven's fingers from his clothing. "We know he was trying to hurt you, Raven. We know you were scared. Try not to blame yourself too much."
Raven made a snort of contempt as she rolled her eyes. You're one to talk.
However, she didn't argue. She grabbed her duffel bag and slung it over her shoulder without another word of protest. She placed her hand on Silkie's tiny head as Starfire held him in her arms, apologizing for dropping him.
The tiny pink blob gurgled in response and wiggled its legs.
"We'll call you if we need you." Robin tossed Raven a reassuring smile. "Have fun, Rae. Relax."
Raven nodded as she dashed away the tears from her cheeks. "Be careful."
Dark energy wrapped around her figure, taking the shape of a her namesake, and then blinked out as if a switch was flipped. Raven opened her eyes to find herself standing in the middle of her mother's living room.
Arella turned around to face her daughter, a white dove perched on her forearm. She stroked the dove's pure white belly as she smiled at Raven. "Welcome home."
Raven shifted uncomfortably. "Could I…stay here for a little bit?"
Arella's thin eyebrow arched. "Why do you need to ask to stay in your home?"
"I just don't want to impose." Raven cleared her throat and walked down the narrow hallway to her old bedroom.
She dumped her duffel bag on to her bed, which creaked as Raven sat on it. She sighed, placing her head in her hands. I can't believe he was human. He kept up with me so well and he was ridiculously strong. How could I have killed a human…
Arella rapped her knuckles against the door frame. "I made you some tea if you'd like it."
Raven held out her hands, a shaky smile on her lips. "Thanks, mom."
Arella smiled as she stepped into Raven's dark room and placed the cup in her daughter's hands. "Would you like to go for a walk with me once you get settled?"
Raven nodded. "A walk would be nice."
Arella nodded and slid out of Raven's room. Raven could sense her mother's curiosity and she loved Arella all the more for not drilling her with questions. Raven tipped the cup back, spilling the tea into her mouth. She swallowed her mother's homemade drink and stared absently at the blank wall before her. She licked the insides of her cheek, tasting the sugar left behind from the overly sweet tea.
"This war is getting to all of us." Raven whispered aloud, recalling Beast Boy's words back in the hotel.
Her head bowed. That's exactly what this is - a war - and the outcome scares me to death.
She rose to her feet, downed the rest of her mother's tea and stepped into the kitchen where her mother was. "Ready for that walk?"
Just a head's up, If I change to another person's POV, I will most likely do it like this:
- Beast Boy -
Blah, blah, blah. Words, words, words.
- End Beast Boy -
The next chapter won't be from Beast Boy's POV (sorry!) I just used him as an example haha
If there's no heading like that, assume it's from Raven's POV -Anii