The tower was calm since the birds left, more so than it had been in recent weeks. Her fellow teammates, of course, tried to ask her some general questions, but to no one's surprise, she didn't really give any. She'd just mentioned they be wary of Terra while she was out and to keep her sedated. Robin added he'd be back shortly and he'd have his communicator on if anything were to occur.
He'd informed Cyborg earlier that day that he'd gotten a call from Detective O'Brien, requesting to meet with him. Robin reluctantly accepted, but only because the detective agreed to meet off the record. It had now been about a half hour or so since they'd left and in their absence the tower was quiet.
Cyborg had spent a good part of the day monitoring Terra's vital sign's, which brought him much worry. She was extremely underweight and her heart rate was weak for a girl of age and stature. He was very aware that if enough stress were put upon it she could suffer a massive heart attack. The thought only gave him an eerie reminder of how real the situation was. He still had trouble grasping the idea that something so horrible and unreal could actually be infesting the body of his friend and teammate. Just the idea that evil could (if given the opportunity) engulf you in its wrath, only made him shudder with fear and repulsion. Disbelieve was something he quarreled with, especially over such a sinister thing, but the surreal images he'd been forced to look upon, only altered his reality.
Beast Boy, much like his fellow teammate, found himself asking similar questions, but his were more culpable in nature. He himself could not stomach the idea that he was losing the person he loved most to something he could hardly believe in, let alone fight. He asked himself how he could been so blind. She'd been slipping way in front of his very eyes, yet he chose not to see it. In the back of his mind he knew she was becoming less and less like herself. He witnessed her withering away, like a wildflower dying out in the cold, but was sightless to the hand that oppressed her. In frustration, he blamed himself for her loss and found himself caught in the idea that if he'd just spoken up sooner, he could've prevented it.
Still, the two young men found themselves staring off into nothing with only silence to keep them company. It was as though nothing could be said as neither wanted to speak of the horrors they'd witnessed or the guilt they faced. Cyborg rubbed his neck sheepishly, looking down at the test results in his hands, still trying to make sense of them. When he finally looked up he saw Starfire entering the room. He couldn't help but notice how tired she looked and how much her physical appearance had changed. Her red hair had become lifeless and possessed little body, her skin no longer holding its luster. Even the way she held herself was different. Her head hung lower and her shoulders seemed to roll forward as though she were trying to sink herself. Her mentality just seemed smaller, weaker, and even sickly, but no one really knew why.
"Star, are you alright?" he asked no longer able to hold back his concerns.
"I fear not, friend Cyborg," she replied with little feeling. "I have little desire these days."
"I've noticed, I think we need to do some tests, maybe we can—" he was cut off by the young alien as she held her hand up, requesting his silence.
"That is not necessary. I know there is nothing medically wrong with me. I fear that the cause is something we do not understand, and in truth, I feel little will to care," she sighed with hardly a hint of emotion in her dull eyes.
Cyborg and Beast Boy both flinched at her tone.
"Star, don't say that, there is always—"
"Hope?" She questioned. "Not always… not anymore. There is not any point." She looked back at her friends with a desolate and lifeless stare. Her new outlook more broken and bitter than anyone could have ever imagined.
"Star, you can't just give up like that, you have to keep going," Beast Boy pleaded.
"Why must I? There is not much I have left."
"You have us, Star." Cyborg replied, causing her to stir, but not greatly.
"For now, but like friend Terra, I fear our time here may be cut short."
"What are you talking about? Where are you going?" the green boy asked, wounded by her words.
"Somewhere I can be by my lonesome. I do not wish to be in the company of others at this time."
Starfire retreated down the long hallway leaving her bewildered and somewhat defeated teammates behind. Beast Boy stood up to go after her, but Cyborg stopped the young man.
"What are you doing, Cye? she needs us," the changeling spat.
"Just give her some time. She's not herself right now, just let her cool down."
The green boy looked up to the mechanical man, a painful protest in his eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of."
333
Raven stood shaking her head at the idea, almost hell-bent on refusing. "I'm not getting in a car with you," she insisted as King looked back at her with annoyance in his eyes.
"Then how else do you propose we get there?" He glared at her hardly amused, hoa patience running a bit thin.
Raven Laughed. It really was a good question. It's not like she could teleport there. She had no idea where they were going and even if she did, she still had no connection to it. She sighed heavily and looked back at King who was looking over at her from the driver's side door.
His head rested on the roof, his arm crossed beneath his chin. "I don't want to go there any more than you do, believe me," he said with little desire in his voice. "You're just gonna have to trust me."
"That's asking a lot," she scoffed looking away from him, her eyes drifting off into the distance.
"If it makes you feel any better, I understand why you don't trust me. You shouldn't. Not after what I did to you. I'm sorry."
"Then why'd you do it?" she asked leaning against the old Cutlass with intrigue.
"Because I do what is asked of me. It's as simple as that."
"That's not a very good reason."
She opened door and slipped inside, a heavy sigh leaving her lips as she sat on the cool leather pulled the door shut.
King shook his head and slid into the driver's seat of the '79 Cutlass. He looked back at Raven before turning the key waiting in the ignition. "You still don't trust me do you?"
"Nope, but I trust that you know enough not to fuck with me again, and that's good enough for me."
"And that's it's good enough for me." He turned the key and the old car came to life.
The sound of Glen Danzig's voice cut through the silence with its low serenade. King threw the car in reverse, pulling out of its parking space and headed for the road.
Raven sat back, looking out the window at the old building as she began to ponder all she'd previously witnessed. The thoughts of the verses and words began to tangle themselves in her head. She thought about what King had said earlier when she'd asked why no one gave straight answers.
"So King, you said earlier that "I wasn't listening," care to elaborate?"
He smiled and looked back at the violet haired girl. "It's simple really. We tend to see things a certain way and when we do, it can occasionally blind us," he replied peering down at the radio. "Take this song for example. Most people think it's about religion because the narrator has taken a challenging stance, asking the question, can you protect your children from me. He taking the stance of content, and challenging censorship. All too often parents what to protect their children from the world and what deem evil, but is it really? Who are they to say? "
Raven tuned her head and cracked a smile. "I know this song isn't about religion, but I get your point. People misinterpret what they hear because they don't actually hear it…" Shit, she thought, quickly recalling something the Red Haired witch said. "You wouldn't happen to have a pen and paper would you?"
"Yeah, in the glove box."
Raven muttered a thank you and quickly retrieved the requested items and began to write down her thoughts. She said I was crass, much like the Raven, she said silently, writing down the word, realizing her interpretation was wrong.
"She meant cras not crass," she muttered and crossed out the English variation, recalling the Latin term. This term being pronounced very similar to its English descendant, only this variation meant "tomorrow."
She pondered the thought, trying to bridge the gap that loomed in her mind. "You, dear Raven, are the daughter of 3 and the being of 9, but 9 is not your name" Ok so 3 means Trigon, I am Trigon's daughter, I already know that, and I am 9 so that makes sense or does it?" She paused and pressed the pen to her lips in thought staring at the number and words she'd scribbled down, ponder her meaning until it finally hit her. "I named you Raven…"
The words hit in the wave of an old memory. Her mother had told of Odin the Raven God, a figure in Norse Mythology. He had many daughters called valkyries who'd take the form of ravens and fly to meet the end of bloody battles to accompany the fallen Norse warriors to the afterlife. It was because of this that ravens became associated with warriors and were seen as a symbol of strength. And were often interrupted seen as angels. She'd also mentioned that ravens can make a vocalization that resembles, cras, cras. It's because of this sound that some cultures thought the bird to have a gift of clairvoyancy. This ultimately gave the creature an image of wisdom and knowledge.
Raven = Tomorrow… Future? But that can't be cause 9 means the end, doesn't it? She even said that as long as I'm alive, I'll never be free of Him. "As long as you take breath," My flesh belongs to Trigon. Does that mean I'm not actually damned to Hell?"You trying to decode over there?" King asked peering over at the young woman deep in thought.
"Basically," she replied rubbing her brow. "I just realized I never learned that woman's name, the one with the red hair?"
King looked in the rear view mirror and winced. "That's because she doesn't really have one, at least not anymore."
"How do you lose a name?" Raven asked puzzled.
"Each Fate used to be human, each died of unfortunate, yet fateful circumstances. Each one has a curse to symbolize their death to keep them tethered to their humanity. "Melissa, as we call her, was burned at the stake under the rein of Mary Queen of Scotts. However, before she was set a light, she was tortured to give-up her coven. It was during her torture that she received a horrible head injury, resulting in the loss of her memory. Upon receiving her death she was cursed with the loss of her identity. She has no recollection of who she actually was. She was buried unidentified in a pompous grave along-side the poor souls of the accused and forgotten..."
"That's horrible," Raven sighed, remembering tails she heard from Azar as to why her people fled this plane. "What about the others?"
"Jane was hung after the disappeared of her daughter. She was a woman who used her beauty to marry well for position in Victorian society. Her husband, however, felt her to be a little eccentric. She became obsessed with her vanity and began looking for ways to combat her aging appearance after giving birth to their daughter. He found the behavior disturbing and tried to have her institutionalized, but he conveniently died before he could fully pursue the matter. Rumors spread that she'd been practicing witchcraft and sacrificed the little girl after she vanished. Jane was dragged out of her home and hung by an angry mob with no judge or trial. For her supposed actions she was cursed with vanity. She sees herself as a lifeless crone and goes out of her way to make sure the rest of us don't. She sees herself for who she is."
"That sounds horrible, but fare," she replied, finding the punishment suiting since she had the sinking suspension that Jane was actually guilty. "What about Abigail?"
"Abigail, now that one is a little different and I think you should ask her yourself. All I can really say about Abigail's curse is that she never actually lived."
Raven tilted her head back in question. "What does that even mean?"
"Don't worry Raven, you'll find your answers as they come to you. It's just a matter of the right time."
Raven shook her head and rolled her eyes at him, taking a moment to realize they were beginning to leave the city limits. "Where exactly are you taking me?"
"Not far outside the city. The area is more remote and underdeveloped, but it makes for a nice drive." King replied.
Raven looked over at him and reached into her empty coat pockets. She knew what she wished to find was already gone and she wouldn't receive it until Abigail was finished with her.
"Are you sure I can't have my communicator back?" She asked in a slightly hopeful tone.
King looked back at her with a hint of regret, but covered it quickly. "I'm sorry Raven, if I had it I'd give it to you, but unfortunately, for that reason, Abigail didn't trust me with it."
Raven looked away from him and let her gaze drift to the road ahead. "I just wish I could let them know I'm okay."
"Your friends don't need to worry about you; nothing will happen that isn't supposed to."
333
Starfire walked down the hall toward her bedroom. Her body ached in a way it never had and only added to the bittiness that crawled beneath her skin. I feel as if I am dying, she thought as she wandered the dark hallway with little motivation.
In a moment of weakness she let her body lean against the wall, but even the contact screamed for her nerves to riot. She let out a light groan and silently damned herself for not being able to push forward. She'd fought many battles and received many injuries, yet none of them ever provided this breed of suffering. Her will to progress was gone, and only a little shred of honor seemed to voice itself in the back of her mind. You must keep going. It is not of the impossible. The sting of regret began to build in her eyes. "Then why do I feel that I cannot?" She asked aloud to no ear. Her brittle voice echoed down the hallway and faded into nothing, vanishing without a sound.
She took a deep breath and winced at the pain that trembled through her ribcage. "Maybe I should let friend Cyborg run "the tests" on me," she asked herself, struggling to pull herself to her feet.
Suddenly she heard a faint cry like the sound of a child whimpering in the distance. She remained still for a moment and tried to locate the direction of the sound. The cry didn't make any sense to her and she took into consideration the possibility she was imagining it. She moved toward into the dark shadows where it was coming from, every step like shattered glass to her bones.
"Hello, please state your presences," the alien girl grimaced, making her way down the dark hallway.
Her eyes fell on the elevator at the end of the hallway, as it was overcome by sinister shadows. The crying seemed to be growing louder—more potent. Starfire found herself growing cautious as she was unsure of the sound's origin.
"If there is anyone there, identify yourself at once please?" she damned weakly, slowly approaching the elevator.
Without warning the door slid open and she jump back, freezing with anticipation. To her surprise, and relief, there was no one there. The elevator was unoccupied, causing her to let out a light sigh of solace. Until suddenly a dark shadowy creature scampered out from the shadows and into the elevator. Its movements were unreal, making the young woman shudder as they had an almost broken child-like quality to them. The thing kept itself well hidden in the darkness and took cover in the corner of the empty chamber.
Starfire found herself frozen for a moment of disbelief, but managed to push herself forward. The crying became louder as she peered into the elevator, keeping her defenses up. She peered inside and to her shock it was empty, but the cries still continued only now they were calling her name.
"Please, help mem Starfire, please she'll, find me," A soft childish voice whimpered.
Starfire entered the empty lift and placed her ear to the wall. "Are you out there, who are you?" She questioned when she heard the elevator door close behind her. Startled, she tried to run for the doors, but was too late. They closed, keeping her trapped inside.
She began trying to pry the heavy doors open, but found her strength far too diminished to do so. The lift began to move and descend down the elevator shaft. She tried pressing the buttons to get the elevator to stop, but found it was set on its destination—the medical wing.
She panicked, and tried using the emergency switch to notify the others, but found it was "out of commission." In defeat she slammed on the doors hoping they'd stop, but they didn't. Not until they reached the place they were set on taking her.
The doors slowly slid open and Starfire could again hear the childish cries and pleas for help as they echoed through the long hallway. She stayed put a minute and tried to press the button for the main floor. To her dismay nothing happened; she'd have to either take the stairs or call Cyborg for assistance. She stepped out of the elevator, leaving it vacant and entered the medical wing.
The stairs where at the end of a hallway to her right. It wasn't that long of a walk, but in her condition the fatigue would be too much. However, the service phone was only on the opposite side of the supply closet. She moved forward nervously, her heart racing and threatening to beat right of her chest. She's never been this frightened before, even in the face of nearly losing her life. There was different here, something so evil that held no honor and no code. This was something wicked, it would devours her soul.
The cries persisted and again she heard her name being called only this time, it was more urgent.
She held her breath and looked back, trying to find the odd creature she'd seen only moments ago. "What is it you require, what is your business?" Her voice was fragile and shook with fear, a small cackle rising into the air, but with no visible source.
In haste, she tried to step around the corner, when something fell to the floor in a black mass. Starfire gasped and felt her eyes go wide. The creature was crawling viciously across the floor dragging its body along the tile as though wounded.
Starfire let out a faint scream as she watched the thing make its way to the far end of the hall. Once it reached the metal door it reach for the handle and opened the entry way. It slid down the door and hobbled inside as Starfire cautiously followed behind. As she entered the room, the creature sat up only to dissolve into thin air. Its black essence rising like smoke, then dissipating into nothing. Starfire froze horrified as she looked on at the macabre sight. But it wasn't until she laid her eyes on the bound girl that she realized she'd entered the lion's den.
The girl was sobbing miserably, like a weak animal caught in a trap. "Oh Starfire, please," she murmured, "these straps are too tight, I can't feel my hands." Her voice was weak and brittle as pleaded for mercy, the sound pulling at alien's heart strings.
"I do not think that is wise," Starfire replied.
"Please Star, the straps are cutting into my skin. If they're on any longer my hands will go dead," she whimpered trying to capture the alien's sympathy once more.
Starfire could see the tears streaming down the girl's face as they played to her weakened judgment. "I do not think Friend Raven would approve. I will ask Robin what he thinks when he returns."
"Starfire you know me, I'm your friend." Terra begged, letting the pain flow through her eyes. "And since when do you need Robin's permission to make your own decisions? You don't even belong to him anymore." The girl hissed. "Please Star you know me—I'm asking you as a friend and I need your help. I only need you to loosen them."
Starfire thought about the girl's plight and she couldn't help but feel sorry for her. The sight of her alone and fearful, thrashing about in what looked like unbearable pain only made her more sympathetic. Terra was, after all, still her friend, and she couldn't let her friend suffer.
"Maybe I can just loosen the restraints?" she mused slowly moving toward the frail looking girl.
"Oh, thank you Starfire, I owe you my life," Terra cried with a sigh of gratitude.
Starfire cautiously placed her hands on the heavy leather strap that bound her left hand. She took one last look at the deathly looking girl and let the buckle free. She held the strap tightly for a moment as though waiting to see if the girl would stir which she didn't. She then began to slowly release the tensions, still keeping her eyes set to the girl. For a moment, she looked down at the strap to fasten it and exhaled the breath she'd been holding. In this moment, she'd let her guard down and without warning Terra jerked her hand free. Stunned, Starfire reached out to take hold of the free limb, but was caught by a swift hand. The Girl's small fingers wrapped around the alien's now frail wrist tightly, and pulled her down.
"I knew I could count on you, Star, you're just so sweet and caring… to a fault." Terra smiled eerily.
"Unhand me at once!" Starfire demanded, trying to free herself from the creature's grip.
"Oh what's the matter my dear, do I remind you of someone? Someone who has been very cruel to you?" The thing laughed in amusement, with every chuckle slowly becoming lower and more demonic. "You know you almost remind Us of your sister. Only she, unlike you, has the venom to become a queen," They thing spat.
"Stop! I do not wish to hear your deceit," Starfire commanded trying to pull free, but suddenly felt a burning on her skin. She began to cry out in pain as the demon's grip tightened.
"It's not deceit We are speaking girl! We are telling what will become of you!" They growled. "Yes, you will one day wear the crown, but you will not have it for long. Your sister will depose you and when she does, your people will turn on you."
Starfire screamed in both revulsion and pain as the smell of scorched flesh filled her nose. Sinister laughter was ominously present, echoing around her as she fought with what little strength she had left. But to her dismay, she couldn't break free of Them.
333
Cyborg and Beast Boy remained in the common room. Both Titans unsuccessfully trying to find any configuration of words that could provide even a hint of a comfort.
"Do you think we should go talk to Starfire now?" Beast Boy asked a little cautiously.
Cyborg looked over at him a moment and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah we probably should, maybe we can convince her to let us try and help her." The mechanical man replied with a little hope. "Why don't you go check on Star, while I go change Terra's IV drip?"
The green boy looked away a little defeated at the thought. He hadn't been down to the ward all day and shuddered at images he'd experienced there. His heart still broke for the young girl he still loved and wanted nothing more than to save.
Cyborg could see the light flush of pain rush over his friend's face. He knew it was too hard for him to accept and couldn't blame him. In a sense he was watching her die and there was a good chance she was. In Cyborg's opinion it was a miracle she was still breathing at all, and he wasn't sure how much more her body could take.
"Yeah, I'll go check on Star," Beast Boy said in a quivering voice.
"This will all work out," Cyborg said, unsure how truthful his statement was, but felt his friend needed the hope.
The changeling smiled and walked off to the hallway as Cyborg turned to venture down to medical wing. He watched as his defeated friend disappeared down the hallway and hoped to God that his words were true. If anything happens to her I don't know what he'll do, he thought pressing the button to summon the elevator.
Beast Boy walked along the shadows, an unmovable sadness hanging over him. His helplessness and despair keeping him at a loss. He promised he'd always protect Terra and he'd never let anything happen to her again. Yet, it seemed it was a promise made in bad faith, possessing good intentions, but little realism. They were a force he couldn't fight and could hardly understand. Still, his frustration and anger boiled. Terra had already been through so much, how could the universe be so cruel to one person? Beast Boy understood why she made the mistakes she'd made. She'd only experienced betrayal from the people who were supposed to protect and love her. She had a rocky foundation and her morals where flawed. But she, at heart, was a good person who just needed someone to believe in her for once. She'd finally found a family to care for her and a place she could call home. But now, it seemed her happy ending would be short lived.
Beast Boy fought back the rush of tears that filled his eyes as he approached Starfire's door. You may not be able to help Terra, but a least you can still help Star—or at least try to, the changeling thought with bitterness.
He knocked at the door and called out her name, but received no answer. "Star, you in there?" His brow furrowed and he took a deep, worried breath. "Star answer me—Star?"
Finally with concern deep in his heart Beast Boy Opened the door and rushed into the dark room of pink and lavender furnishings. The smell of sweet fruit hung in air, but the room remained deathly still. "Star?" he questioned slowly. His eye fell on the bathroom door and the light seeping out from crack above the threshold. He hesitated a moment, but cautiously approached the door. He placed his hand on the nob and knocked with a worried fist. "Star Please, if you're in there just say something?" He pleaded to no response. "Star, that's it I'm coming in even if I have to break the door down!" But to his surprise the door was not locked.
The door slowly swung open to reveal the room to be empty. His eyes peered around the room with curiosity, and to his shock, he found the sight to be somewhat disturbing. To his right he saw Starfire's hair brush, its bristles filled with an overwhelming amount of red hair. His eyes fell on the sink where a few large locks of hair laid lifeless within it. This gave Beast Boy the impression that her hair must have been falling out. He thought about how traumatic it must have been for her to look down upon the handfuls of once coveted hair. Starfire was strong and lively, but it seemed she was withering away just as Terra was. And the lifeless strands were only a harsh reminder of how diminished she'd become.
He was quickly broken from his thought as a startling sound echoed off the white tile. He jumped, but soon caught his breath, realizing the sound was only his communicator sounding off. He pulled the object free from his pocket, thinking he'd hear either Robin or Raven's voice at the other end. But to his surprise, it was neither.
"B, get down here—now! We have a situation!" Cyborg shouted with fear present in his voice. In the background he could hear Starfire's horrified screams coupled with the harsh shrieks of the demonic force that was with no doubt wreaking havoc.
"I'm coming Vic! Just hold on," Beast Boy exclaimed in response to the horrible sounds that pierced his ears.
He quickly stumbled out of the bathroom and into the hall making his way to the elevator with great haste. He impatiently slammed on the button, demanding the door open. After a few moments it did so and he entered, once again hitting the button with force. His panic was now in full swing as his hands fumbled to hold on to his communicator. It fell from his hands and ironically shattered as it hit the floor. He looked down at it with despair as the door opened revealing the dark hallway of the medical ward. The sounds of screams and breaking equipment filled his ears, leaving him with a rush of fear. Get a hold of yourself, Gar. You friends need you—Terra needs you, he told himself, rushing out of the elevator and ran down the hall, ready for whatever life threw at him. Or so he thought.
