Chapter 7-Never Coming Home

For the remainder of the day, Beast Boy stayed locked in his room, unless the alarm sounded and Robin told him to come. It was around dusk when a knock shattered the silence that lay around him like a somber blanket.

"Who is it?" Beast Boy answered irritably.

"It is Starfire. Please, friend, might you wish to join me in the room of mainness? I was hoping you would join me for…" her voice trailed off.

"For what?"

"Forgive me…I am not to reveal the reason because we…"

"You…?"

"Come with me, and I shall show you." Beast Boy reluctantly opened his door and followed Starfire to the main room. He opened the door, revealing the darkness behind it.

"What am I looking at?" Beast Boy asked in a peevish tone. He flipped on the light.

"SURPRISE!" Cyborg and Robin roared as they sprang out from in front of the sofa.

"What the…what's all this?" Beast Boy questioned in wonder as Starfire jumped up and down, clapping and giggling. He sat down on the couch.

"Well…you were feeling kinda down so…" Robin started, and his voice trailed off. Cyborg finished, "we decided to throw you a party to try and cheer you up. We were going to get Raven, but she wasn't in her room."

Beast Boy shifted uneasily. "She's probably out wandering again."

"She has left us a note to let us understand her absence." Starfire held up a small sheet of paper half covered with Raven's neat, slanted handwriting.

"Oh, well…let's take a look." Robin took the note and read it aloud:

Dear Titans-
I have gone to help Beast Boy (even though Robin told me not to). I will bring him back. Somehow. We'll be back home soon. I'll be okay—don't follow me (that means you, Robin). See you when we get back.

Your friend,
Raven

Robin looked up from the letter, and his confused gaze matched the others'. Beast Boy looked away, trying to hold back the tears filling his eyes.

"Soooo…where is she now?" Cyborg asked, and all eyes turned to Beast Boy. No one spoke.

"Beast Boy, did you see Raven before you came back?" Robin asked.

"Who cares? She'll come back…" he responded half-heartedly.

"Beast Boy, I need to know."

"So what if I did? You weren't there. For all you know, she could've told me she'd come back later."

"Perhaps if you did see our friend, she must have told you at what point she would come home?" Starfire queried.

Beast Boy chuckled from his misery; his voice showed pity for them, and tears appeared in his eyes. "You just don't get it, do you?"

"Get…what?" Cyborg wondered aloud.

"She's not coming back. She's dead! It's all my fault. She's never coming home! Never! NEVER!" Beast Boy ran out of the main room, sobbing wildly. Robin started after him, but Cyborg put his hand on his shoulder.

"He just needs time." The Titans sadly went their separate ways, going into their rooms to slumber restlessly.

He was running—just a little further! Only a little ways left—he would be free. Forever! Nothing could hold him back; not the darkness around him nor the shouts of Slade as he ordered him to stay. Through the inky blackness around him he could see a light, shimmering before him—the outside! Just a little ways left—he would be free!

It was a scream—one scream—that stopped him dead in his tracks. "Beast Boy!" she cried, "Help! Please!" He turned, spinning round and round, but could see nothing in the depths around him. The sound came—the horrible sound of bones cracking—crushing—splintering his thoughts. It possessed his mind, and he groaned with sundering pain. No…he couldn't think…he couldn't breathe…he couldn't move. He fell to his knees, crumpling as her screams sung in melody with the dizzying sound of snapping bones, tearing flesh, pouring blood, and cruel gears that refused to pause, the orchestras together hissing in harmony, confirming his fears.

Tears filled his eyes as he moaned. He could hear Slade's footsteps as he appeared out of the pitch black around him, his mask splattered with blood. Beast Boy gazed up at Slade as he towered over him. Slade reached for him…he grabbed his shoulder…

Beast Boy jolted upright in his bed. Panting heavily, he gazed through wide eyes at the dark and empty room about him. No one's there…It was only a dream…he thought. He could feel the presence, despite his vain attempts to soothe himself. Someone was there—watching him; waiting for him to slumber once more.

His pale face was dripping sweat—everything was: his clothes, his pillow, his bedsheets. Beast Boy lay down on the sweat-soaked pillow, and cried.

Beast Boy was still crying the next morning as the sun slowly began to illuminate his once-pleasant room with a sleepy bluish light. His clothes, pillows, and sheets were drenched with sweat and tears. Finally as the sunlight burst into his eyes and the sun rose above the city, Beast Boy sat up, wiping the tears from his eyes. Slowly, slowly, he climbed down the ladder at the end of his bed and, faltering awkwardly, left his room.

No one spoke as he entered the main room. An uneasy feeling floated above the room like a miserable cloud. It hung over Beast Boy as the Titans turned away to busy themselves with various activities.

After a few minutes, Robin spoke in a hushed, timid voice to Beast Boy. "Hey, um, Beast Boy…how you doing?"

Beast Boy glared up at him for a moment before irritably responding, "Peachy." With this, he stood, turned away, and left for his room. When he reached the door to the main room, he lingered there and stared about the faces of the Titans. They used to be my friends. They tried to help me. Theywaited too long. I killed Raven. It's my fault. Now, I can only bring them pain.

He wanted to tell them, but he could feel the lump rising in his throat. Finally he spoke in a hoarse, choked whisper, "I'm sorry." He walked away. After a few moments, the Titans could hear him running with an awkward limp to his room. His door slammed shut.

Author's Note: Only one chap left (as far as I know)! I've actually had this done for a long time (the rest of the story too) but I haven't put it up because I'm not happy with it. But it's a hopeless mess, so I'll let you guys judge if it's good or night. Sorry to tell you, but the ending will be a cliffhanger. I think this story is sooo cool, but the sequel is going to blow you away (I hope)! Don't ask what he apologized for—you'll find out in the last chapter. I won't tell! You're just gonna have to wait. The ending won't be as climactic as I'd hoped, but…it still should be pretty good!