Oh wow. Wow. I mean it. This is by no means sarcasm. One review for all of chapter 2. Wow. I feel like this is totally a good use of my time. Yeah fucking right.

Sarcasm. God I love you.

Ocelot The Revolver: Way to go. Only reviewer. You must feel so special.

So yeah, I'm obviously rather bitter and uhappy right now. Why? Look in my profile. I'm posting short essays in there on some things I've been thinking about. This is one of those things. Check back there you 1-4 people who may/may not have read this. I'll be updating that at least once a week or so.

So here's the next installment in my waste of time activites.

The Price Of Death

Chapter 3: Wits and Lies

I can't stay in this corner forever; I've already been here for too long. I've heard footsteps go by my door, they're looking for me. No one has come in yet; no one has even tried to speak to me. Most likely think I'm still recovering.

Footsteps again, heavy ones. Must be Cyborg. A light knock on the door sounds as his voice pierces the door,

"BB? You in there?"

"…"

Should I alert him to my presence?

"Yeah. I'm here."

"You ok? Haven't seen you all day. It's getting kind of late. Just want to check up on you."

"I'm fine."

Lies. Lies make everything better.

"Don't worry about coming out, you're still recovering from yesterday. Just relax, okay?"

"Right."

I am recovering from yesterday, but not from the incident that he speaks of. He thinks that I'm physically injured. My pain transcends the body.

"Alright, see ya around BB."

I don't bother to respond, I can hear the heavy clunk of his feet as they drift away, to head off to the next big thing that he has to take care of. Probably tell the team how I'm doing.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips; I've outwitted them for now. How long can I keep this up though?

"Beastboy, good to see you up and about, especially so early."

Grunting a response at Robin I head for the stove, to try and prepare for my breakfast. My eyes are still heavy, they feel empty. Empty like his were.

Not even the warm fragrance of tofu cooking in the morning can lift my spirits; I'm too far sunk in the depths of despair. I only want to get out of here, before he figures out that something is wrong. I don't want them to know what I did. The dream told me what I fear most. The titans will turn on me as soon as they find out. They'll turn on me, just like all the others. Just like all the others I meet.

Brushing past Robin I head for my room, the gym, the roof, I don't know where. Robin hasn't said anything to signify that he noticed anything unusual. Good. I must be better at this façade than I thought. I just need to be alone, to figure out what I'm going to do. It's been two days since I did what I did. I need a plan; I need a way to keep this from them. I need to escape from this. I need to leave. I need to feel free.

I need a walk.

The crisp air of the morning fills my lungs and breathes life into me. The sun is barely risen, casting golden lights throughout the sky, illuminating the clouds into a kaleidoscope of beauty. Inhaling deeply I close my eyes, and feel the world around me. All is at peace now, the people still sleeping in their beds, the animals beginning their days, doing their business before the interruption of man's world.

I feel the life of the world flooding into me as I walk through the park. I can hear the early morning chatter of birds in a tree off to my left, while ahead a squirrel dashes about collecting nuts.

It's so calm, so… so… wonderful. Words fail me as I stare at the world awakening before me. Never before had I noticed the delicate beauty of a tree leaf, or the endless charm of a bird's song. Even the cars of people beginning to hit the streets no longer seem the cold, drab, uniform boxes I once thought. Life has been breathed into anything and everything that I see.

A bench comes into view as I come around a corner in the path. Taking a seat on it I lean back and close my eyes, relaxing all my muscles. I haven't felt this good in days. The friendly morning sunshine hits my face as it breaks though the clouds. Its gentle warmth covers my body, deluding my thoughts, bringing fatigue to my eyes.

I'll just stay here for a few minutes, then I'll go back to the team.

Yawning I open my eyes again. Panic rips through my heart as I realize that I fell asleep. What time is it? Shielding my eyes I look up, the sun is almost halfway through the sky. Shit.

The wind stings my eyes as I fly towards the tower, cursing myself the whole way.

"Hey BB! 'Bout time you showed your sorry face around here!" Cyborg laughs heartily as he pounds his palm onto my back, almost knocking me to the ground.

"Yes, please tell us friend, where have you been?"

Starfire appears to be the only one obviously concerned. Robin is scowling, and Raven isn't even paying attention, reading a book on the couch of the common room.

"I fell asleep in the park, sorry guys."

"Well you missed morning practice, and the briefing on a case the police have asked for help with."

"What case?"

Robin lifts his arm behind him and pushes a button on the remote, never once breaking his gaze.

On the television the newswoman appeared, holding a stack of papers in her hand, looking professional. Pushing another button Robin brought the volume up so we could hear the woman.

"… Police still have no leads in the homicide case where a homeless man was found dead in a warehouse on the south side. Autopsy reports confirm that he died of a combination of severe malnutrition and blunt force causing the spinal cord to snap. Police have been combing the scene for the last two days but have found almost no evidence…"

The rest of the report was lost on me as my head spun. In my stupor of calm I had forgotten about the murder. Guilt began to wash over me again in waves, numbing my thoughts.

No! No time to be guilty, got to focus, got to keep cool, got to keep in control.

"That case."

Robin's words bring me back to the room, to the world of now.

Blinking rapidly I try to keep calm in my voice as I speak. "How are we helping?"

"We are not helping. I am. You and the others are to resume normal obligations, but without me. I'll be working directly with the police, as I have the necessary…" He pauses for a moment, grasping in his mind for the best word to describe his relationship with Batman. "… Abilities."

"What about Cyborg? He has all the gadgets and all that, why not have him search?"

I don't want Robin investigating. He's too good. He'll find out, and he'll tell the others.

"If you had been here, you would have known why. Ask Cyborg later, I have work to do."

With that Robin took off to begin his investigation. Turning to Starfire I feel a look of confusion slip its way across my face.

"What's his deal? I was late, things happen. Big deal."

Raven chooses to answer my question, ignoring the fact that I was speaking to Starfire.

"It's you. You lack maturity, focus, concern, all the traits he has. Your lack of concern bothers him, troubles his soul. He envies your carefree attitude."

"Humph. Like that's true. Robin, jealous? Yeah, right."

"Think about it. You went for a walk in the park this morning, and fell asleep. Robin has been pacing back and forth, worrying about you, about this case, and about his ability to solve it. He's begun to obsess over it, like he did Slade. Like he does to everything. He has once again taking things far too seriously. And yet you were asleep, dreaming your little dreams, relaxing, doing nothing. You had no problems, no goals, no test to prove your worth. Just a nap on a sunny morning. Who has the better situation? Of course he's jealous."

Grunting a response at Raven I retreat back into the realm of my thoughts. There was very little evidence according to that woman, which is great. Even if there were some, it would be hard to go back. I don't remember leaving anything, tearing anything, it should be fine. I should be fine. Just in case though, I need to keep tabs on Robin, make sure he doesn't get close to the truth.

The game of wits has begun. And I'm going to need all the energy and effort I can muster to stand a chance. This'll be fun.

I got nothing for down here except the usual, "don't be a hooker, review" stuff. So yeah. Be cool, review.

Not like anyone's going to read this ruddy story anyways...