"And moving through a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear." –The Lady of Shalott

Chapter Four: Panic

Robin opened his eyes, startled. He could've sworn he had heard Raven, had felt her even. But, when he looked towards her bed, he saw her lying there, as still as ever. She hadn't moved. Now, he was sure of it.

He groaned as he stood up. Sleeping in a chair wasn't the most comfortable thing he'd ever done, and now his back was paying for it.

"What's wrong Raven?" He whispered, "Why won't you just tell me?"

She was so beautiful, just lying there. That, he couldn't deny. She had always been beautiful in her own way. Sadness, in its own special form, was beauty. It just seemed like no one could see it but him.

Raven whimpered, her eyes fluttering open. She was awake, finally. After three days of tiptoeing across the line between a frail life and a warm death, she had finally chosen sides. She had chosen, inadvertantly, to live.

"Raven?" Robin asked, his voice still a whisper. Her purple eyes shined with unshed tears as she focused in on him. "Oh God, you're okay!" Robin exclaimed, and before he could stop himself, he had thrown his arms around Raven in a warm hug.

"Robin?" She asked, "I need to breathe." Robin stepped back, rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh, right." He said, smiling. "I'm just…glad you're okay." Raven smiled back, and the vase of flowers next to her bed melted.

She giggled nervously, sending the curtains flying. They twisted themselves together and then burst into blinding green flames. Rolling her eyes, she muted her expression.

"So am I." She replied. She motioned for Robin to sit down next to her. Confusion swept over her face as she saw what she was wearing. Pink pajamas with...God forbid…kittens on them.

It took every ounce of control she had not to a) scream in horror, and b) rip them off.

She gulped. "What am I wearing? And who undressed me?" Robin could hold in a laugh at the look of sheer terror Raven had on her face at the present moment.

"Those are Starfire's pajamas. She dressed you. And did your hair, by the way." Robin stifled hysterical laughter.

Raven's eyes grew wide as she scrambled out of bed to the mirror. It was horrifying! Her hair was pulled up into pigtails that sat up high on her head, and there were pink ribbons dangling from them. Yelping in terror, she shook out her hair and ripped out the ribbons.

They scattered on the floor, where they were trampled.

"Starfire will be most disappointed." Robin said. He couldn't stand it any longer. He laughed until he cried.

Standing up was harder the second time, Raven noticed. Before, fear drove her to move. But now, she had no real reason to get up, save to go the mirror. Some reason that was.

She noticed a newly applied IV hanging from her arm. Cream colored liquid dripped sloly from it. Realization hit her like a truck.

'Oh Gods,' she thought, panic overcoming her once again, 'They're feeing me!'

Now, she stood up without any help. Ripping the tube out of her arm hurt, but she'd rather have that small pain than get fat again. It was disgusting, really, the liquid spraying all over the room from the sudden lack of pressure.

Within the next few moments, things were blowing up as Raven scrambled to find a scale.

Thoughts raced through her head. Where is the damn scale? What did she weigh? How could they do that? Whose idea was it? How should they die?

Finally she found one, hidden in a low cupboard. It was dusty, and she sneezed as she blew the fine powder off.

Stepping on it, her heart pounded. Did she really gain that much?

The numbers that appeared before her caused her step off the scale in horror, effectively tripping and landing ####### the ground again.

106. She had gained 5 pounds. This was unacceptable. 5 pounds?! How long had she been gone?

She stood up, took a deep breath, and left the room, hell bent on revenge.

A/N: Sorry that was so short. Really, I am. I'm just in a bit of a hurry right now. I'm writing around…four fics at this moment, and I'm a bit panicky. Did it come through in the story? Review, my adoring fans!