College Life

By Rose

Jackalobe is back, bitches… rawr.

Miss me? You know you did… sort of…

…

Yeah, okay-

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN THE TEEN TITANS! Or anything for that matter…

Dedication: To Roy, for making me the happiest girl alive.

Honorary Band: Nightwish (I love them so much)

Chapter Fourteen: Sweet Sorrow

The loud bang reached Faith's ears, and she knew her rescuer-

My Angel

-was dead. She just felt it, as she lay on the cold and dirty red and white tiled floor. There was a single wool blanket beneath her, and nothing more. Blank, cracked, red-rust stained walls stared back at her whenever her green eyes passed over them. The ceiling dripped every once in a while, satisfying her thirsty throat whenever she needed liquid. (Despite the fact she had no idea what the liquid was)

Oh I am so sorry, I could have saved you…I could have let you live, Galfore didn't need to send you… I am so sorry…

It was what she really believed. That Jenny, the same Jinx that had had hurt her friends and had publicly spoken of her evilly, was an Angel. And not just any Angel, the Angel Galfore said he would send to her, whenever she in trouble. Wherever she was.

Tears leaked from her nearly lifeless green eyes, the same eyes she tried to keep open. That girl… with the distressed pink eyes and pale, ivory skin. With her sorrowful words, and comforting embrace. A choked sob escaped from Faith's throat, and she loathed herself for being captured again.

Why again? Why is this happening to me? Did I do something wrong? Whatever it is, I'm sorry! I'M SORRY!

"I'm so… sorry," she croaked, barely audible. Delirium from her illness had caused her wild hallucinations, and random flashbacks. It made her weak, sick, and ate up her body on the inside. Her cold hands clutched her arms tightly, and her eyes began to droop.

So… tired… Faith moaned inwardly. Her last strength was growing thin, how long had it been since she had slept? Since she last laughed, or smiled?

It had been only been barely two days… but it felt like an entire lifetime for Faith. Every minute she felt time drag on, not giving her any sympathy whatsoever… The days were the worst. If she listened hard enough… so hard, her entire body tensed and rigid, she thought she could hear birds, or the rustle of nearby trees, or a car passing by. And when she thought she could hear them, or even just imagine them there… she screamed.

She let her voice rise as high as it could go, as loud as it could be, until she could imagine the birds singing louder, or the trees blowing harder. Or a car speeding faster to get help.

Anything to make her know, she wasn't alone.

I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone I'm not alone -

She forced her dry, cracked lips to form the same words, over and over… as though repeating them a thousand times would make it somehow come true.

Suddenly, startling Faith, the door began to unlock. Her eyes darted to the door, and she shivered.

Please no…

The door began to open, and her chest stung with fear. She shut her eyes tightly, hoping if she closed them tight enough, she could disappear. If there is a god, I will… if anyone loves me, I will.

But of course she didn't, and dread filled her as the door opened.

Things will be okay

Faith kept her eyes closed, hoping to pass it off as sleep.

Be hopeful Starfire…

Faith's numb, nearly naked body shivered, but not from cold. Not even from sickness, she didn't think so at least. It wasn't even fear… it was-

Don't ever stop.

Faith. It was faith… things were going to be okay… be hopeful… something Galfore had told her on his deathbed.

Her grass green eyes opened bravely, clearing from their fog-like gaze, for a brief moment. Her mind was filled with distorted memories, as she heard a figure step towards her. Memories of two days ago. From the Night where she received a kiss from one of the people she adored most.

(Loved)

To the morning where she had gotten so ill confused

(Lost)

To the minute she heard the cruel words…

(Confusion)

To the moment she was captured…

(Terror)

And to the start of the slow end of her misery-

(Fade)

Flashback- (Short Biography Included)

Faith Andrews was only sixteen when the person she loved more than anyone in the world died. All her life, she lived in a gorgeous home, in Switzerland, just outside of the large city of Bern. It was a crisp and cool, and beautiful area… with mountains so tall, they cast shadows for miles. A place where deer, elk, rabbits and many other animals were familiar to the land. She grew up in such a place, with cold seasons, even in the summer- where she and her older sister Kara (A/N: It's a different name, but I happen to like it), younger brother Ryan, would leave their parents to travel to the warm islands of Barbados.

Kara Andrews couldn't be more different from Faith. Where Faith was patient, Kara was restless. Where Faith was kind and polite, Kara was wild and blunt. Faith was an empathetic, quiet girl. Kara was a born party animal and was rather self-centered.

She and Faith had never really gotten along. Faith had always been there, as a shoulder to cry on, to listen to Kara's problems or distresses, to be patient, and to help out. But Kara didn't know how to be a sister… or she just didn't want to be one back. Whatever the reason was, Faith gradually gave up the dream of being close with her sister.

But it didn't stop her from being a friend back to her sister.

Ryan Andrews… was an immature, self centered, obnoxious boy, with no intention of being more than an annoying brat to Faith or Kara. He was lazy and rude, so much that even Faith was short with him often. He was smart, though. In fact, supposedly, his IQ was off the chart, and was believed to be a genius. Faith did her best to be a good sister to him as well. Often she brought him food when she had noticed he had skipped a meal, or made him breakfast. She even, once or twice, took care of him when he was sick.

Faith never got a thank you, or any sign of affection for that matter, but it was moments when he was asleep, she would slip into his room quietly, and kiss his forehead. Just to let him know she still loved him, despite his efforts to make her life miserable. The only sign of love he ever showed her was whenever she brought a boy home. Ryan, much to her annoyance, made it his main goal to get that whoever that boy was out of the house, and to make him run out of the house… with absolutely no intention of coming back.

He often would ask Faith, to simply just stop dating, claiming she was, "Too innocent for any guy's appeal," Kara would often respond with a nod, and Faith would sigh, throwing her hands into the air in frustration, as her older sister would begin to reprimand everything too 'innocent' or 'prudish' in her personality or wardrobe.

The mother of the house was Adara. She was a true vision of beauty, with long black hair, deep green eyes, and a tall, slender figure. She was a ballet dancer, in her thirties and twenties, but stopped after she became a dangerous alcoholic. Vladimir, Faith, Kara, and Ryan's father, and she barely fought. In fact, they barely spoke to each other.

Adara's movements were shaky, her words often slurred and incomprehensible, but her intentions were usually calm and soothing. And for Faith, that was enough.

Faith, Kara, and Ryan's father… Vladimir Andrews, was a strict man, with simple ways and simple rules:

1. No dating until you were in College

2. Follow the same dress code you would follow as though you were in school. (Which was, basically: no tank tops, no miniskirts above the knees, no spaghetti straps, and no halter top, and so on and so forth…)

3. No crude music

4. No foul language

5. Parents are to be treated with respect

6. Curfew: 10:00 on the dot on weekends, and 9:00 on weekdays.

7. Dinner was at six o'clock, and if you did not show up, you were sentenced to a week without any TV.

8. And most importantly… All children must have intentions of attending College, and getting a respectable and important job.

Kara had broken every single on of these rules, and Ryan was a sworn rebel against nearly all of them. Faith was the only one who had stayed within boundaries lines (at least, to her parent's belief). It was strict, but Faith hadn't ever questioned them… not until her Uncle Galfore had requested that his sister, Adara Andrews, would send her children to visit him, in Barbados.

Right after he had made the request to Vladimir, the following week, when Kara was ten, Faith was nine, and Ryan was seven- they were all sent to the beautiful, exotic islands of Barbados… and continued to go every summer for six years.

It was he who taught Faith English, and it was he who pushed her to attend College in America. It was he who taught her to not depend of her unreliable sister, or her opinionated father, or her uncaring mother, or even her arrogant brother. It was he who showed her the beauty of things around her, living and inanimate… from the millions of stars, to an exotic red butterfly, to a single white rose.

He was her teacher, but also her friend. Galfore brought her out of her shy shell, and into a bright, incredible world.

Faith had always adored him, more than anyone in the world. He was her role model; she valued his opinion more than anyone else's. The site of him frightened or shocked almost everyone, with his broad, sturdy shoulders, tall stance, thick red beard, and scar across his right brightly colored green eye.

It was he who had changed her life for the better… and would change it for the worst all in an instant.

(Three years ago…)

Faith felt the familiar whooshing feeling in her stomach, as the plane began to glide down to land. The young girl next to her was listening to music loudly, and wouldn't take her eyes off the window, as the land to appear closer. The exotic islands peaked out from the clouds, and seemed to glow.

Despite the odd, sick sensation she was currently going through, Faith smiled.

She was back… her green eyes quickly followed her grin, and she mouthed the words to herself, 'I'm back.'

And she was. Just as the new violets began to peak out of the ground, as the warm breeze of summer blew throughout the trees, Faith Andrews would return to Barbados each summer.

She unbuckled her seatbelt eagerly, a strange feeling suddenly born in her chest. No more waiting for her sister to put on her make up, or no more waking her crabby brother up… this time she had her Uncle all to herself.

Faith Andrews smiled wider.

(Present Time)

The streets of eastside Jump City were dark with night's presence, and those walking about glanced nervously at each other, jumping at every sudden movement or noise. An uneasy silence filled the air, and twenty year old Lacy York kept her eyes down, trudging past all strangers and ally ways.

Sarah said this street was the street full of screams… Her thoughts suddenly appeared inside her mind like a hushed whisper. Sarah said this was the street where they like to prey on girls… Lacy ducked her shoulder length white-blonde hair into her face, as another stranger walked by her.

They? Oh give me a break, all that crap is made up just to keep people away from walking in on drug trafficking… Screw Sarah, I'm hungry and it's a twenty minute drive to any other restaurant! Lacy snapped at her meek conscious, and shuddered. When did it get so cold? It was warm and sunny but three days ago!

Stupid temperamental weather… Lacy griped moodily. It made her nervous to walk around this late at night, what if her roommate was right?

Usually, Sarah had their room stocked with food, so they wouldn't have to go out. She was a nerd, to say in the least, always studying or volunteering. But she was sweet and cared for Lacy, obviously. Though Sarah's caring disposition would almost always annoy Lacy, who usually accused Sarah of being a worry wart, Lacy missed her roommate. Sarah had gone back to her hometown in Oregon to attend a funeral for her grandmother, and wouldn't be back for a week.

So here I am, Lacy thought, unhappiness glowing from her bright gray eyes. Hungry as a starved animal and got my handy-dandy pepper spray in my sock just in case of…

She wouldn't allow herself to finish that sentence. She approached the street, and look to her left.

There are no damn cars, why do I even bother looking? She wondered to herself, irritated with her caution. It was a habit, and every time she didn't do it, an annoying voice inside her head chided, 'You didn't look both ways!'

She scowled for no particular reason, and glanced back at her right. As she stepped into the street, she did a fast double take.

Wasn't there a… a man there? An armored guy…? She thought, looking wildly around her.

Not a soul around here.

I-… I could have sworn there was someone there!

Shaking her head, she continued walking, occasionally throwing glances back behind her. As she turned to face forward, a choked gasp erupted in her throat, and she stopped abruptly. Two guys stared directly at her, hoods pulled over their heads, the shadows hiding their faces. They were about four yards away from her, and didn't move.

Lacy backed up, fear growing steadily. She turned to walk in a different direction, and the two stepped out and walked behind her. Her gray eyes widened, and she burst into a sprint, not sure where she was heading-just to get away from them. They began to run behind her, and she ran faster, picking up her feet as fast as should could, breathing heavily.

She turned a swift corner, and looked back to see if they were still following her. The stores and buildings had no lights on them. There was no grass or plants either. Not a sound or voice was heard around her, besides the sound of her feet hitting the street as she ran.

She looked back behind her, just as the two hooded men turned the corner, walking so silently and so slowly-it almost looked like they were gliding.

Lacy turned back to run, just as she ran into another tall, hooded person. She fell back with a yelp, landing on her back, and screamed, "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!"

She tried to back up, and run-but the tall figure stepped on her chest lighted, pushing her breasts into her chest painfully. "Stay still…" he murmured. The two other hooded figures behind her pulled her shoulders to the ground.

"Until we're done with you," the one on her right added, snidely.

Done with me? She whimpered inside her mind. The pain in her chest didn't numb, and she cried out for him to get off. He only put more weight on her, as the two others yanked her shoulders still.

"Slit her throat?" one of them croaked.

"Not yet," he answered, "Don't let her move…" The hood was still over his head, and somehow managed to hide his face, though he looked down at her easily. His voice wasn't familiar at all as well.

I don't care if I know him or not, he is not doing ANYTHING to me!

In a moment of bravery, Lacy shrieked as loud as she could, "SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!"

The foot on her chest swiftly lifted and kicked her square in the jaw. Her mouth exploded with pain, and she whimpered, trying to wriggle out of the two men's tight hold on her shoulders. The Two only held her more tightly. She struggled, kicked, and shrieked, but still no sounds were heard around her. Helpless tears fell down her cheeks as she gave up.

The man showed no expression other than satisfactory. "You're very pretty," he said, somehow managing to make it sound like an insult. "Don't be scared," (A/N: Under aged readers: I'm going into detail, it's not going to be pretty. I'd skip if you're not comfortable)

Lacy clenched her fists as the two holding her down slipped off her coat and lavender blouse. The tall man, their leader she assumed, straddled her chest, and hung his face over hers. Still she couldn't see his face. He ran his fingers through her blonde hair. The way he touched her felt like a burn, but was tender. He traced a single finger across her soft cheek, and touched a tear that was sliding down from her right eye.

The man took out something from his pants pocket, and made a jerking motion with the hand that held it. A silvery red-stained blade popped out, and her took a lock from her hair, and cut it. He carefully placed it in his coat pocket, and turned back to her. He held his blade at her chest, and held the tip at the very middle. He added slight pressure, and Lacy winced. She had never been good with pain…

He lifted the knife. It left a small red dot in the middle of her chest. But it stung all the same. With a swift, sudden motion, he swung the blade across her chest. Lacy's gray eyes widened, and she expected the pain to burst horribly. (A/N: Oh shit… I only just realized that 'Lacy' is actually spelled 'Lacey'… so if you see her name spelled either way, know that it's the same person… thank you!)

Instead, her pink satin bra was shredded, and tossed aside.

Her jeans were pulled down, in a quick motion, and the chill air raised goose bumps on her arms and legs.

Her cotton pink underwear was removed next, sliding down her smooth legs-letting off a short burst of her scent. The man removed his hood, revealing a shockingly handsome face. His brown eyes stared into her frightened gray eyes.

The eyes of a person were always the first thing to attract her… and strangely enough, his sort of did. They were an earthy brown, shifty, but stared at her in a strange emotion. She couldn't see it, and she didn't understand why he was pulling his hood down.

I've seen his face! I can identify him-…

She understood. He was showing her his face, to tell her that she was never going to get the chance to identify him to the police…

He was going to kill her.

She heard him pull his pants down… Lacey closed her eyes, and waited for the pain to come.

And when it did, she let out such a scream of pure agony, it scared her. It was so helpless, almost like a child's fearful wail.

I… I can't breathe…oh my god, OH MY GOD! She whimpered

She suddenly cried out desperately, as more pain exploded into her. But it was silent for one of the two hooded figures holding her down had suddenly shoved a dirty cloth suddenly into her mouth. Her breath was in pants, and it was hard to get through just her nose.

Sweat and tears pour down her chest, down her neck, down her chest. Each rapid movement was like a burst of pain shooting through her like a dash of fire.

I'll never see my parents again- I'll never finish college, I'll never thank my family or my friends, I'll never get married, or have kids, or fall in love-

She whimpered as the scent of blood reached her nose. It hurts so bad… I think I'm… I think I'm bleeding, oh my god…I can't, it hurts…I can't breathe…

And finally, like a sign of god, she passed out from the pain.

Moments later, the man stood, and zipped his pants back up, no expression showing on his face. But he leaned down, and whipped a fresh set of tears, leaking from her closed gray eyes.

"I'm done," he finally said, faced the two other hooded figures that were still holding her arms down. "Your turn,"

One hour later

Robin stared, beneath his the closure of his mask, in heavy malice as the one of the thugs dragged the girl into an alley way, like old trash. He didn't flinch, but his heart stung painfully.

She didn't deserve to die

Of course she didn't, but it… it was just another sacrifice he needed to make. Just another one that led him closer to Faith, wherever she was-

Dead

-or alive.

She's alive, I know it He thought furiously, and he stared back at the three. One of them pulled out a cigarette, and turned to Robin's direction. Luckily enough, Robin had long been a master of hiding in the shadows, and was unseen. Automatically, Robin recognized him. Tall, good looking, and Asian, with long black hair held back in a pony-tail, and deep, shift brown eyes.

He left the shadows, and walked up to the three. "So look who Satan coughed up from hell," Robin ridiculed cockily. "Blade," he announced.

'Blade' looked up at him, and grinned. "RedX, welcome,"

Robin didn't return the smile. "Or shall I just call you Ryo… that is your name afterall."

Blade's smile didn't disappear, but a small one grew on Robin's, as he asked, "And what's this? You rape girls in your spare time?"

The two hooded men turned to face Robin, and Ryo's mouth twitched. "Maybe I do, X," he replied smoothly. "Quite entertaining, don't you think? These girls are so much more obedient than hookers…" he made a jerky movement with his wrist, and his switchblade suddenly appeared in his hand. "Besides… I like 'em young and fresh," Of course he referred 'fresh' to girl's who were still virgins.

Robin-RedX- smirked, and answered scornfully, "Only you would know, and look her! You've got your lackeys."

The two beside him still had their hoods up, but anger vented from them. The one on the left of Ryo's arm twitched toward his pocket, and Robin just stared at him. Probably to grab his dagger or gun, or whatever the hell they carried these days…

Ryo shrugged, "But of course you would know of being a lackey, wouldn't you… my Robin?"

Robin's cool, cocky composition fell apart instantly.

So they did have Faith… no one else called him that other than her

Ryo grinned. "Oh yes, we do have her with us. Does that leave your brain at rest? How many nights have you spent wondering, pondering where she might be? Dead? Alive? Raped?"

Robin stared at him, emotionless. "Two, in fact,"

Ryo chuckled at his response, "You see, that's the difference between you and me, X… you're blunt and honest… and I'm just a little more difficult to read," His brown eyes laughed at him, and he continued. "Because to live in this world… and to live with these kinds of people, you really shouldn't wear your emotions on your sleeve,"

Robin didn't say anything, as Ryo continued to laugh. After a few moments, he answered loud and clear, "No… Ryo… Blade, …the difference between us is that, I-," Quick as the change in wind, he pulled two daggers from inside his metal soled boots and flung them expertly at the two beside Ryo, and killed them instantly.

Robin bit back a flinch.

I'm not the bad guy… I'm not the bad guy, it's to save Faith…

Ryo didn't flinch, but his smiled disappeared and his laughter died.

Robin flicked his wrist, just as Ryo had done. Like magic, the bow staff appeared in his hands, and he extended it. He continued, "I did not choose to become a worthless servant to evil and crime… unlike you, one of the many weak and worthless who fall into temptation of being heartless,"

Ryo didn't speak, but fingered his switchblade. "…You want to know where she is, don't you?"

Robin stared. "I want to know where she is, and you will tell me,"

Ryo smirked, "Or what?"

"Or you die,"

"…Die huh?" Ryo shrugged, "So I die. Who cares?"

This time, Robin smiled. "And not only will you die, but that girl you just 'killed' yourself will die too,"

For the first time, Ryo looked alarmed, and Robin continued. "How long have you been watching her, Ryo? Admiring her, longing for her, wishing to hold her in your arms…?"

Dangerous malice glittered in Ryo's eyes, but Robin didn't stop. "Hmm, what was her name, Ryo? What was her major, what was her favorite food? How did she taste, Ryo?" his voice was taunting, and continued to mock Ryo.

"…You bastard…" Ryo's words suddenly whispered out, glazed with hatred.

Robin laughed loudly, and pretended to lick his lips. "Did she taste suuuuucccccuuuullleeeent?"

Unexpectedly, Ryo lashed out, his dagger nearly slicing into Robin's shoulder, if Robin had not dodged to his left, a moment later. Robin moved left and right, as Ryo flung his blade, his fists, and even his feet at him. Both were near equal in Martial Arts skill, and so the battle was rather long and difficult.

The fight continued for minutes…

Robin swung the tip of his bow staff at Ryo's head, who ducked-just as Robin brought the other end of his bow staff into Ryo's recently ducked face. Ryo caught it, and swung it over him, throwing Robin over his shoulder.

Robin landed gracefully, and swung his leg out kicking Ryo's legs out. Ryo landed, and rolled away as Robin brought his fist crashing down where Ryo's stomach just had been, a second ago.

"What's the matter Ryo?" Robin growled, as he flung his bow staff into Ryo's jaw. "Nervous?"

Ryo snatched the bow staff with one hand, and pulled Robin closer to him, and with his left, slashed the armored uniform. It left a scratch across the chest.

Ryo kicked him back. "What's this really about Robin?" He ducked as Robin attacked him with his fists. "Are you really that desperate to know where that girl is?"

Robin finally nailed him in the eye, just as Ryo kicked him back into the wall. He groaned as his head bounced off the brick. "You lousy hypocrite," he spat, but his head spun painfully, "Why don't we make this much simpler?"

Unexpectedly, he slammed grabbed Ryo, and flipped him around into the brick wall, his bow staff pressed against his throat hard. "And I'll use small words so you understand…" he mocked, his upper lip twitching in a look of obsession and hate. Ryo's brown eyes glared at him.

Robin glared back. "Tell me where Faith is, or I swear-I'll kill that girl-,"

"Lacy… okay? Her name is Lacy," Ryo spat.

Robin continued, "Tell me where the fuck Faith is or I'll tear Lacy apart, piece by piece, and afterwards-shower you in her blood… because isn't that what you want?"

"If you touch her," Ryo's muffled voice barked, "I'll kill you, but not before killing that girl who you seem to be so taken with,"

Robin loosened his grip on Ryo's throat slightly. "You are a very creepy guy, you know that? You are obsessed with the girl, you rape her, but you'd die for her? …Where do you see logic in that?"

Ryo smiled bitterly. "It's very simple, actually… whatever I want, I get… and whatever I want, I protect… it's perfect logic, really,"

Robin said nothing. After a few moments, he finally answered, "I won't touch her. Just tell me where Faith is,"

Ryo stared at him. He clutched his blade in his left hand, fingering it loosely. Suddenly, there was a moan.

Lacy was regaining conscious.

Ryo's eyes widened, and then narrowed. "Fine… she's at the old frap house, down past the woods, okay?"

Robin nodded, releasing him.

"…Why's this girl so special, Robin?" Ryo demanded, "What's she to you?"

Robin looked away, "Everyone has a weakness, Ryo…"

They departed from each other, no more words exchanged. Ryo was a part of a large and fairly well known gang, mostly local. They did jobs for people like Slade or Blood (the president, and starter of major drug dealing corporate). He had been a part of it since he was thirteen, and had many different jobs…

He was a messenger, a delivery man, an assassin, and a drug dealer all in one.

Unknowingly, Lacey had sparked his interest when she accidentally tripped him. Just as he was about to pull out his switchblade (Since, at that time, he was in a horrible mood, and not ready to deal with stupid women...) she had gasped, those magnificent gray eyes of hers widening in shock,and had apologized loudly, helping him up.

It was the first time any female had willingly touched him.

And as he watched her, she continued to intrigue him...

That's what made her his obsession.

Robin, however, was linked to Slade- one of the most dangerous men in the country. Since he was sixteen, Robin had been forced to be his apprentice… taught to steal, assassinate, and torture all who Slade assigned… women, children, elderly…

Robin shut his eyes tighter, as he walked silently into the shadows.

Where he was doomed to stay, for the rest of his life.

…You know what? I give you full permission to bash me, for not updating quick enough. I have no real reason, other than stupid personal crap… so go ahead.

Go crazy.

But I'll still love you all! (So, HA!)

A friend of mine got reported for answering reviews, so for the love of all that is holy, DON'T ANSWER REVIEWS!

NONE OF YOU!

JUST DON'T!

:) Hope you all have a pleasant Turkey Day!

Oh, and the next chapters will be about Faith and Robin… much will be revealed!

(And if you didn't guess it, there MIGHT be a small creepy/demented romance between Lacey and Ryo. Nothing big, this is mostly Robin/Star focused on the next few chapters…)

All my fun, fluffy love-

;-)

-Authoress, Jackalobe