Chapter 6: Staggered

Raven moaned softly as she felt a hand slide up the side of her hip and cup her breast. Her head was spinning in the haze filled room. The taste of stale beer and cigarette smoke filled her mouth as she realized she was entangled with Gregory in a lustful kiss. The blaring music suddenly overwhelmed her. She raised her arms and grasped Gregory's roaming hands and pushed him away in sudden disgust. Her partner reluctantly backed away. While he was inebriated he still realized trying to force something on her was risking a catastrophe; besides there would be time for this later. Raven sidestepped him and quickly staggered towards the door.

Gregory turned and slowly lowered himself into a hunched position over the bar and watched Raven struggle across the room. "Remember our deal," he shouted to her. She did not acknowledge him then quickly fell through the front doors and onto the street.

Raven staggered out of the bar and into the cool night. She lunged forward not sure how she had arrived in her current predicament. Her head throbbed but the fresh air returned some of her senses to her. She turned to make her way away from the bar when she came face to face with a pair of street thugs.

"Look what we've got here," one of the goons said with a leery smile. "Does the pretty lady need a lift home?" The two began laughing to themselves as they closed in on Raven.

Raven opened her gait and tried to steady herself. She swayed slightly as her mind raced in a drunken fog trying desperately to find a way out. If she used her powers now she risked destroying a whole city block.

Raven reluctantly raised her hands. Before she could do anything her opponent's faces were suddenly consumed in absolute terror. Raven felt a warm wind lightly wash over her back as the sick smell of sulfur sent her into a fierce coughing fit. Her opponents quickly turned and fled.

Bending over, Raven tumbled roughly onto the ground. She heard the clapping of horse hooves on the sidewalk. She slowly rolled over and looked behind her. Sol Palus emerged from the shadows. "Well, you picked a hell of a time to show up," Raven slurred. She pulled herself awkwardly to her feet then stumbled forward falling into the creature's neck. Raven wrapped her hands around Sol Palus to steady herself. She took several labored breaths then tried to pull herself up on her steed.

"No good," she gasped. "Get down."

The beast reluctantly lowered himself onto the glass littered sidewalk. Raven awkwardly threw her leg over the Nightmare's back and took a seat. She grabbed the creature's mane and pressed her legs together.

"Let's get out of here," she roughly commanded. Sol Palus grunted and gently raised himself from the sidewalk; dark blood trickled from his front knees. Raven raised her hand as she continued to sway slightly. She could filter her powers to her mount and take flight but in her condition she would be at the absolute mercy of the Nightmare. The beast's origins gave her slight pause but she felt she had no choice.

Into the night sky the pair sprang. The cold air washed harshly across Ravens face as she slumped forward. Her stomach tumbled in agony as they flew across the city. Raven closed her eyes but that only seemed to make things worse. She quickly reopened her eyes and tried to focus on a distant object.

The Tower lights came into view. "No," she cried in panic, "I can't go back like this. Someplace, anyplace, just not home." Sol Palus veered to the side as Raven fought off another wave of nausea.

The pair landed on the familiar bluff overlooking the ocean. Her steed gently lowered himself to the ground and Raven slid off sighing in relief as her feet were firmly on the ground once more. She gently swayed back and forth trying to figure out what to do next.

She awkwardly fished out Morpheus' phone and inspected it. Raven rubbed the phone between her fingers as she contemplated calling the immortal. A sudden scowl crossed her face. "YOU AND YOUR FUCKING DREAMS HAVE RUINED ME!" she shouted in rage. The ever painful dreams of her unborn sons were certainly his doing. She stepped forward towards the precipice and heaved Morpheus' phone into the sea.

Raven gasped as she her foot slipped out from under her. She felt her stomach drop as she tumbled forward. Her shoulders jerked backwards as she struggled to regain her footing. Sol Palus had the end of her cape in his mouth and was pulling her back to safety.

Raven stumbled backwards and fell on all fours as her stomach wretched its contents onto the grass. She coughed and spit as the vile smell and taste hit her. Slowly she raised herself to her feet and took several deep breaths trying to clear her head. Sol Palus stood stoically watching his master. She had to get home and back to the sanctuary of her room.

"Down," she commanded. Sol Palus grunted then lowered his body onto the ground. Raven remounted her steed. The Nightmare pulled himself up slowly as Raven tightly grasped his mane. The pair stood momentarily looking out over the dark ocean. Raven took a deep breath of the cool night air, raised her hand and channeled her energies to her mount. Together they leapt into the night sky.