This Prison

Chapter Thirteen

Chat and Alert

What happened in the next few hours seemed blurred- like a dream. I felt dizzy, lightheaded. He was back. My brother. My family. My flesh and blood. My twin. I should have embraced him. I should have loved him, but I did not. To me, he was only my punisher. My damned punisher. Rorek, being the older brother (by four damn minutes), had always looked out for me as if he weren't my twin. He acted as though he was four or more years older than me. He'd always acted so mature. He was the prodigy to our mother. He would always call me home for supper and be sure I studied. He would even tell me to give my clothes to mother to patch! What did he care what my clothes looked like, anyway?

The three of us had gone back inside to find Arella to ask if Rorek could leave his duties as a guard. Raven was saying she wanted Rorek to go with us since he knew the spell better than she did. I tried to talk her out of it to no avail. I barely remembered finding the girl's mother and speaking to her. Hell, I barely remember telling myself to walk. My mind had been screaming Stop! Stop! He is your enemy! but my feet were not listening. They had a mind of their own.

I scarcely remember finding our way back to the portal. I do not recall the reactions of the other titans to Rorek's appearance. I do not remember eating dinner. Did I even eat at all? Did I speak to anyone? I was too busy thinking about my damned brother. The damned "prodigy". Why the hell was he here? How the hell was he alive? I can hardly remember saying goodnight or what the time was. All I know is that when I slipped into my room, it all seemed very real. Too real for comfort.

I laid on my bed with my hands behind my neck, thinking. I stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours. No sooner had I closed my eyes to attempt meditation did a knock sounded at my door. I let a smile slide across my face. There was no doubt it was Raven who was knocking on my door. In an instant, I hopped up from the mattress and rushed to open the door.

"I'm glad-- oh. It's just you." I said, staring at Rorek. He eyed my crestfallen face.

"I love you too." he replied sarcastically. He walked into my room without an offer. He sat on the bed and I closed the door. "I suppose you thought Lady Raven was knocking?" His eyebrow arched. I gave him a sour stare. "So my little brother's heart has been captured." He smiled.

"By four minutes…" I mumbled. He chuckled. I growled.

"So, brother, how did you meet such a girl?"

"What did you come here for?" I asked, trying my best to ignore his question.

"To talk to you."

"Oh?" It was my turn to arch a brow. I was ready to strangle him on the spot, but resisted the pulling urge. I could always strangle him once Trigon was dealt with. Rorek looked at me with sparkling eyes. I turned away from his stare. I found myself looking in a mirror. I looked into my own eyes and saw no sparks or glimmers or emotion. I was cold unlike my brother. I looked back at him with narrowed slits for eyes. "What did you want to talk about?"

"To tell you how I have survived all of these years and to ask why Princess Raven has sealed you in the book before." Rorek said simply. His eyes met mine.

"Go on."

He sighed. "You see, I used a spell."

"No surprise there."

"So that I would awaken should you ever escape from the book." He paused and met my eyes again. I nodded excessively to push him to go on. "But when I awakened two years ago, I could sense none of your powers. I assume the princess sealed you away before I was fully awake. But then, I thought the spell had malfunctioned. I could not preform it again; it is a spell which may only be used a single time."

"Like I care."

"So why did she seal you back within the book, Malchior?" Rorek questioned me.

"Get out."

"I only--"

"Get out." I repeated. He gave me a stern look. I returned it with a death glare. I did not want to relive what pain I had caused Raven. "Get out!" I nearly yelled, standing up. "You've been gone all this time and you expect me to--"

I was cut off by something I hadn't seen or heard in days. Red flashing lights filled the room and a siren blared. It was the alert. I dragged my confused brother from the room and went to the common room to find the team already assembled. Robin was typing on the keyboard, trying to figure out what the problem was. After a few seconds, he froze, looking up at the screen.

A flashing black "S" sat on top of a blue-outlined square that was labeled as pier forty-one (those that read Two sides of Law: notice my liking of pier forty-one?).

"Slade." Robin breathed. His fists were clenched and his masked eyes were narrowed. Beast Boy gulped. Starfire's laced hands shook slightly. Cyborg stood stern. Raven stood at the back of the group with wide, fearful eyes. And of course Rorek stood there, clueless.

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A/N: Oh my gosh! It's another short chappie! Sorry; I just ended it when there was a good cliffy…

Thankies to the readers and reviewers!