Chapter Fifty-Six: "Single?"
"What are we going to do?" Starfire asked.
Robin continued to scan the house. "Raven, do you think you can get the girl out of there, without causing Johnny to shoot?"
Raven thought about it, "Probably."
"Then let's do that. The rest of us will try to keep him occupied.
Raven turned into her soul self and went back into the house. This time, unaware that Johnny knew exactly what she was going to try and do.
He quickly moved the girl into another part of the house.
Before he left he looked at her with pure madness, "You make the smallest sound and I will end your life." He threatened.
Tears poured from her eyes, but she remained silent. Johnny Rancid went back to the room he was in before, waiting for Raven.
Raven, not noticing that Johnny was behind the open door, walked slowly into the room. As soon as Raven was clear of the door Johnny closed it, holding the gun up. Raven had an expressionless look.
"What are you going to do with that, shoot me?" She asked plainly.
Johnny took a few steps forward, "If you listen to exactly what I say I won't have to." He smiled evilly.
Raven rolled her eyes, "Are you aware that I can freeze time? Azarath Metrion-"
Johnny's eyes widened and before Raven could say the last word of her incantation he started shooting.
"-Zinthos." Raven finished.
The bullets started slowing down, but two of them grazed Raven's arm. She didn't even notice as she slowly walked towards the door, blood dripping down her arm. She found the room that had the scared teenage girl. She untied her and picked her up.
As she walked towards the front door, she noticed that someone else was in the living room with Johnny Rancid. She sat the girl down on the nearest chair and walked towards the living room.
"Hello?" She asked into the room.
Cyborg stepped out, "Hey Raven." He smiled.
She looked around bewildered. "I thought I stopped time. How are you still . . . moving?" she asked him,
Cyborg beamed, "I don't know, everything and everyone started slowing down and just stopped. The strange thing was, this crystal-" he held up his necklace, "-it glowed and it's like your magic had no effect on me."
Raven decided to talk to him later about this issue, "What are you doing with Rancid?" She asked him.
"I'm tying him up right now, and then we'll take him to the authorities." Cyborg continued with what he was doing.
Shortly after tying the last knot, time started in again. Johnny began to freak out.
"Where'd you come from? How'd you get in here?" He asked frantically.
Cyborg smirked, "Magic. Now you're going to jail."
Raven, Cyborg and Johnny Rancid exited the building. The teenage girl ran straight for her mom and they hugged, tears streaming down both of there faces.
Beast Boy walked up to Raven, "Oh my gosh!" He exclaimed.
Raven stared at him, "What?"
Beast Boy's mouth dropped open, "You're bleeding!" He pointed at her arm.
Raven looked at it, "So I am." She said smoothly.
Beast Boy was worried, "Raven what's wrong with you? You haven't talked to me in over a week, and you don't even care that you're bleeding. What's going on?"
Raven didn't say anything; instead she just by passed him and started walking towards the tower.
Terra walked up to Beast Boy, "What's her problem?" she asked.
Beast Boy looked at her sadly, "I don't know, but I have a feeling I've been dumped."
Raven heard his remark; well her Love side heard it.
Raven walk back to him and tell him he hasn't been dumped!
No.
What?
You heard me.
Raven if you don't turn around I'm going to take control over your body!
Is that a threat or a promise?
Starfire and Robin were sitting on the couch. Robin was holding Starfire, while examining her ring. Starfire just watched him move his fingers across it.
"Does the ring trouble you Robin?" Starfire spoke up.
Robin faked a smile, "No, not at all." he lied.
Starfire knew better, "Robin I know something troubles you, and judging by your interest in this ring, I believe it is the source of your worries." Starfire sat up and moved a few inches away from him so that she could see his face.
Robin sighed, "Starfire, I think that ring is a threat."
Starfire grew angry and confused, "A threat? What kind of threat does a piece of jewelry hold Robin?"
Robin looked at the television, watching some people talk about how wonderful this new and improved product was.
"Starfire, last night, I removed it from your finger to take a good look at it, and you, well, your heart beat slowed and your breathing was irregular. I'm afraid it's going to kill you."
Starfire gasped, "Robin what does this mean?"
Robin shook his head, "I don't know, but if it did that to you, then who knows what it can do and what it's going to do to both you and Raven."