Okay, new chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, Batman, or Slade.

Chapter 11

The faculty, staff, and some of the students at Camden Hall Academy were worried about young Robin Slade. It wasn't a secret that he had come there angry with his father and probably wasn't there by choice at all, and some problems were beginning to become apparent.

His schoolwork was fine, but he showed little enthusiasm for anything. Even his martial arts class failed to interest him, and according to the letter the boy's father had sent, his enjoyment of the martial arts was unbounded. His appetite was practically nonexistent, and his sleep was scanty at best. He visited the nurse often, complaining of headaches and stomachaches. Prefects reported him being awake until late at night, and the housemother of his dormitory reported hearing his having nightmares when he did sleep. He received letters from his father, but he crumpled them up as soon as he had read them. He wrote back, but they were usually short notes rather than real letters; an unpleasant duty to be dealt with and then gotten as quickly out of the way as possible. After writing one of the letters or receiving one he seemed depressed and apathetic.

His friend Mike knew how bad things really were. After the first two weeks he noticed that Robin would sometimes daydream, and he rarely looked happy. He was reluctant to talk about his dad or anyone else from home, for that matter. Occasionally Mike would talk to him and then insert a question about home, but Robin would always clam up and refuse to mention it. If Mike persisted, then Robin would change the subject.

The thing that scared Mike the most happened one night when he was on his way back to his room from the kitchen. He had badly needed a midnight snack, so rather than wait for breakfast he sneaked down to get something to eat. He was almost back to his room when he saw a white figure ahead; moaning and walking slowly towards him.

His first thought was "Ghost! I'm seeing a ghost!" but he realized that he couldn't see through this "ghost." As he drew closer to it, he saw that it was Robin.

"Robin!" he said, wondering what the heck his loopy friend was doing out in the hallway this late at night without heading towards the kitchen. "Rob, what's the matter?" he asked when he wasn't answered. "Why are you moaning like that?"

Robin didn't answer either question except for a moan. He simply walked past Mike and continued down the hall.

I can't leave him alone like that, Mike thought, so he quickly turned and followed him. Every now and then, Robin would turn slightly, wave his hand as if to push someone or something away, and then continue on.

He's sleepwalking, Mike realized. Sleepwalking? Why? What was bothering him? Was it a nightmare? Should he get the nurse or the housemother?

Mike was saved the decision. Too late he saw Robin approach the stairs and as he saw Robin fall, he yelled for help, rushing down the stairs after him moments later. Praying that his friend wasn't hurt, Mike reached his side and looked him over as he heard rushing feet coming towards him.

"What's happened?" the headmaster demanded as he clattered down the stairs in his slippers. "What are you two doing out of bed?"

"He-he-he-" Mike squeaked, suddenly spotting an evil-looking bruise and gash on Robin's forehead. His friend was awake now, yes, but he was moaning in pain this time. "He's hurt, and he was sleepwalking I think, and I didn't remember the stairs until it was too late and--"

The other teachers were arriving by then and thank Heaven, the nurse did as well. Mike had never felt so relieved. She ordered a teacher to fetch a stretcher and neck brace, and told Mike to come with her once Robin was settled and was being rolled towards the infirmary.

She sat Mike down in her office, phoned the doctor in the village, assured him that she didn't think there was immediate danger but would like him to examine the boy nonetheless, and then asked Mike what happened once she had hung up.

"Don't worry," she said, smiling reassuringly at Mike. "I don't care what you were out of bed for. Your room is down from his, isn't it?" At Mike's nod she continued. "Well, we'll just say that you heard something and decided to see what it was. What was he doing when you found him?"

"He was just walking down the hall, moaning a little, and he'd wave his hand a little bit," Mike said, still sounding a little spooked.

"Could you demonstrate?"

Mike did so, and the nurse nodded. "Then what happened?"

"He reached the stairs and fell," Mike finished lamely. "Do you think he was sleepwalking?"

"It sounds like it," the nurse said speculatively, "and I know from the housemother that he's been having nightmares. Has he told you anything?"

"No, he always clams up if we get onto that subject," Mike said rather helplessly. "Is he going to be sent home? I don't think he wants to see his dad."

"We'll see what the doctor says after he and I have spoken with Robin. Why don't you stay here tonight?" she suggested. "That way you'll be near him to reassure him if he wakes up again."

Tired enough to agree, Mike collapsed in the bed she pointed out to him. He drifted off to sleep despite his intentions to stay awake, and the nurse took up her position nearby. There was something bothering this boy, and it was her duty to find out what it was.

Well? You like?