Breaking Point

Chapter3: Minor Turbulence My Ass!

I rubbed my wrist where the stupid holo-ring rested. I hated the weight of it, so unnatural, making my arm feel somewhat restricted. But Cyborg had said that I needed to somewhat change my appearance, and I, being stupid, agreed. My chakra was gone, but that was about all that I'd let Cyborg change about me. I had considered taking the evil thing off, but I knew that would only hurt his feelings. I couldn't stand the thought of being in a different country, and not being used to my appearance.

Then again, I wasn't Starfire, and I never said people had to look at me. Nightwing had made me change out of uniform and into civilian clothes, which Starfire was more than glad to help with. With a simple black long sleeved shirt, a pair of dark wash jeans, and blood red flats, I had boarded Jump Air with only one suitcase and a back pack.

Sighing, I lowered my tray, placing my sketch book on top, and unbuckled my seatbelt. I hated fricking airplanes. It could possibly be because of the bland tan color of everything, the fake happiness of the stewardesses, the food, which many comedians are right about, and also how annoying the people were. No offense to them or anything. But, lucky me, I got stuck in the back with the screaming babies and loud talking business men. Not only that, but I had walked by a woman and her daughter, and as soon as they saw my hair, the woman covered her daughter's eyes and gave me a dirty look.

"Hello, this is your captain speaking. You are now free to move about the cabin." My eyes combed the area, looking for something, anything, to draw. I was the only one in my row of three seats, which was nice, seeing as I got the window seat. Behind me were three businessmen, all in suits, talking very loudly to each other about how they 'couldn't possibly merge with Wayne Enterprises' because it would make them look 'weak'. In the row across from them sat a woman who was trying to feed her fussy baby. I didn't blame the baby, after all, the pilot was doing a horrible job pressurizing the cabin, and my ears were popping like crazy. Behind her was a group of many other ordinary people, or at least they looked ordinary on the outside. That was the other thing about airplanes: Being around this many people, confined to this cabin, and all of their auras would've been making me go nuts.

However, thankfully, Cyborg's little holo-ring also neutralized my powers while I was wearing it. My eyes darted to the small window, and I took in the view. The Atlantic Ocean stretched vast and open beneath us. Waves crashed against each other, frothing and foaming like rabid animals. It was beautifully terrifying, in a way, almost ethereal. The sun was setting as we continued across the water, painting the sky a million different colors and shades.

The people in front of me were just like those in the back: all different races, some foreign, some American, almost all of them older than I. Though, the row in front of mine held a young gentleman. I wasn't entirely sure how old he was, but something about him seemed familiar.

My violet eyes widened as I realized it was Johnny Rancid. How he was out of jail and sitting on this plane I had no idea. I knew that I couldn't use my communicator on the airplane, considering that it sent out the same frequencies as cell phones. I had counted on the fact that I was going to a different country and no one being able to notice me. I hoped to Azar that he didn't glance back. I didn't want him to start a fight and end up causing the plane to crash, or something worse. Bowing my head, I allowed myself to sink further down into the fuzzy, grey seat.

I glanced across the aisle, and noticed for the first time that the row across from mine was occupied by another young gentleman. He, too had taken the window seat. He had put up the arm rests to the other chairs so that he could place his back against the curved wall, eyes closed. I could just barely see the white, plastic coated wires that belonged to his iPod sticking out from his black jacket. I followed their path up to his face, studying him. His eyes were closed, making him seem relaxed, and his naturally spiky, stygian hair was stuck up in all directions, as if he had been wearing a Halloween mask.

I watched curiously as he bobbed his head to a soundless beat, his lips moving, though I couldn't tell what he was mouthing. The baby behind him continued to whimper as my pencil moved across the white page.

I hated the color white. It was too blank; yet I also loved it, because there was so much that could be done to it, to fill that space that was devoid of color. Occasionally, I would glance over to refresh my memory. Though he seemed to be very relaxed and laid back, there was something about him that gave me the impression that he was on edge. What about, I would never know.

Suddenly, he hooked his fingers around the wires and pulled them out, letting them rest against his black jacket. My eyes trailed down his arms, which happened to be very well defined, and to his white shirt...What the heck am I doing? I snapped my eyes away immediately and silently cursed as my cheeks grew warm with the sudden rush of color. Keeping my head straight down, I allowed myself to glance over out of the corner of my eye. He had stood up, rolling his arms. I estimated that he was about fifteen inches taller than me as he moved around his row. Instead of heading to the bathrooms, like I had assumed he would, he stopped at the row behind his, towering over the woman and her baby.

I rolled my eyes, guessing that he was complaining to her about the child's incessant weeping, listening closely as his voice carried over to my seat.

"Excuse me ma'am, but I couldn't help but notice that you seem to have your hands full." My brow furrowed, and I wondered where he was going with this. "And I was wondering if you would like some help." I swiveled my body, eyebrows arched in disbelief. I had met very few people in this world that would be willing to help people, not including my team. Speculating his motives, I watched, waiting for the mother's reaction.

The woman, a long, curly haired brunette that looked very stressed out and tired, bit her lip, no doubt wondering about the stranger in front of her.

"I don't know..." The baby continued wailing in her arms.

"Ma'am, there are hundreds of witnesses on this airplane. I swear to you on my father's grave that nothing will happen to your child." That seemed to remove the tension from her shoulders as she handed her baby over, though she was still hesitant.

"Are you sure that it wouldn't be a bother?" She smiled at him timidly.

"Not at all. I used to take care of my younger sister." He switched the baby to his left arm, slipping the bottle into it's mouth. "Boy or girl?"

"Boy. His name is Jericho." Proffering his hand, the woman shook. "I'm Claire Wilson."

"Nice to meet you." He nodded once at the woman, and headed back towards his seat. I quickly glanced over at him. Why hadn't he given the woman his name? He was smiling down at Jericho, who was done eating and cooing at the man. I turned my attention back to my work, which was rapidly filling the formerly blank page. There was only one thing missing from it. Just as I started to rough in some oval like shapes, I felt a chill run down my spine. Someone was watching me.

My eyes darted to the side, and I felt the young man's eyes boring into me. It wouldn't have meant anything to me, after all, everyone had most likely glanced in my direction one or more times, but he was just sitting there, with a vacant expression on his features. He didn't even try to hide the fact that he was staring. Normally I would've thought that that was rude. But right now, it was just plain unnerving. It felt like his eyes were staring right into me, that he could see everything. My gaze connected with his, and I felt a jolt run through my blood. Jade colored eyes burned into mine, unrelenting. Now the feeling was intensified, and I felt exposed. Only, now, his mouth was twisted into a smirk.

Embarrassed, I continued to sketch, trying to get the hardest part right. I ignored him, leaning over my drawing, my bicep resting on the trey, fingers threaded through my hair. I was comfortable. In the zone.

Abruptly, the plane jolted to the side, causing my pencil to dig into the paper and slide off quickly. Even without my powers, I sensed a presence moving towards me. Panicking, I was too late to throw my arms over my drawing, and a rough, calloused hand shot out and grabbed it. I grabbed the end of the pad, deciding that I wouldn't give it up without a fight, and shoved my foot into the seat as I turned my body.

It was the spiky haired punk that had been sitting across from me. He still had the baby, Jericho, in his left arm, while the other held part of my sketch pad. It annoyed the hell out of me that he thought that he could just come over and try to take it from me, but not as much as the smirk that seemed to be forever plastered to his stupid handsome face. He just sat there, holding onto it, while I kept tugging it my way. Was I really that much of a wimp without my powers? Sure I didn't have that much upper body strength, but...Still.

I hissed angrily in his direction. That only seemed to cause his smirk to broaden. With one small tug in his direction, my hands held only air. I bumped back against the seat, realizing how tight I'd been holding on, and let out a sigh while trying to regain control of my emotions.

"Hmmmm..." I just about lost control and punched him in the face as he plopped down next to me, causing me to scoot over more towards the window. "You know, this would be the best drawing I've ever seen, but..." My eyes slid over to where his face was hidden behind the pad, scrutinizing it. He peeked over the square, and once again I felt a small shock run through my system as he held my gaze. No one ever held my gaze. Usually, when I gave someone a dirty look or glowered at them, they looked down or away. Not this guy. I noticed that there was a small silver ring in his right earlobe. "But I don't remember having this on my chin." Flipping the pad over towards me, He pointed to where I had been working when the plane had undergone minor turbulence. A large, jagged line ran across his chin and off of the page.

"Screw you." I said as I wrenched the pad out of his hand. He smiled.

"She speaks!" The baby had once again started to quietly whimper, and the young man began to bounce his arm jovially. I rolled my eyes. "So... Why'd you decide to draw me?"

"You were the closest."

"What about him?" He gestured to the seat in front of me, where the corrupt Johnny Rancid sat.

"What about me?" The black haired, grayish skinned man turned around, looking down at all three of us. His yellow teeth twisted into a sick smile. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" He was looking at me now. Shit.

"NO." My voice was too loud. Crap, I didn't think he would recognize me that easily. "I mean...No." The idiot next to me seemed to take this moment to catch on to what was happening. He threw his arm over my shoulder, and I jumped a little in surprise.

"This is my girlfriend." He turned his face toward mine, grinning like there was no tomorrow. Oh, I was so gonna fricken murder this guy as soon as we got off of this metal death trap.

"Really? I've never seen that many people with purple hair and eyes." Rancid seemed to contemplate this. "In fact, I've only seen one person like that and—"

"It was a rebellious teenager thing I did when I was sixteen. Everyone thinks I'm trying to copy that what's-her-name with super powers." I said quickly. I just wanted this over with. His arm was burning through my jacket, and I shivered. Noticing this, he pulled me closer to him. Luckily, Johnny boy dropped the subject and returned to watching The Proposal.

I let a breath out through my nose, and the tension in my shoulders released. We had about six hours left until we reached Prague, which was more than enough time for a nap. I shrugged spiky's shoulder off, and gave him a pointed glare; which he returned without a problem.

"What? You owe me, Sunshine." I rubbed my eyes, thinking about Red X. Now I owed two people? No way José. I didn't ask him to stick his nose in my business.

"Go away." He humphed, and got up, working his way back towards the baby's mother. I was surprised that he didn't put up much of a fight.

"Fine. No need to get your panties in a ruffle. I was just trying to help." I ignored this, and stopped a stewardess on her way to the back, asking for a pillow. I didn't have a blanket, which sucked because, despite how many people there were crowded into this small space, it was freezing. Putting all of my armrests up, and laying down horizontally, I prepared for sleep to slowly come. Though, surprisingly, it didn't take long for me to drift off. Though, within minutes the pleasant blackness of sleep morphed into a horrible nightmare.

Black surrounded me, enveloping even the best of my senses. I could feel blood dripping down my arm, no, blood was dripping from everywhere on my body. It hurt, like no other pain I'd ever felt before. My holo-ring was still intact, ensuring that I couldn't heal myself without pulling it off. I didn't have the strength to undo the clasp. And I knew, just knew that I would bleed to death here, and my friends would never know, because my communicator was in my bag, which the men had stolen. I felt another wave of fear crash over me, heightening my senses and feelings. Yes, I, Raven, was going to die because I was unable to defend myself.

I heard a noise off to the left. Probably a street cat looking for a meal. Unless the men had come back to finish me off and get rid of my body. That thought sent another shard of fear twisting in my heart. Dear Azar, what had I ever done to deserve this? Something touched my neck, and I jolted, trying to get a scream to pass my lips this time. Because if I was going to die, I wasn't going down without a fight.

But I knew it wasn't one of them, because...then he spoke.

"It's alright little bird. You can let go now, you're in safe hands." As I felt the world blurring at the edges, I had no choice but to comply.

I gasped, my eyes popping open. It was black outside, as was the cabin of the jet. Many of the other passengers had followed my example, including Claire Wilson, who once again had her child. I ran a hand through my lavender locks, sitting up. As I moved, something tumbled to the floor. I reached down to grab it, my fingers enclosing around something soft and warm. It was a black jacket, like mine, but larger. As I pulled it up, I caught a whiff of something pleasant... Black Licorice?

I glanced over to see the man across from me in the same position that I'd been in while sleeping. He looked the same, minus the jacket he'd been wearing earlier, which I now clutched in my pale fingers.

Biting my lip, I quietly stood up, walking over to drape his jacket on him. I paused, watching as his previously calm face contorted into a mask of pain. He mumbled something, and though I couldn't make it out, his voice was laced with agony. It almost made me feel bad for him.

CRAAACK!

Lightning whipped the sky, and a resounding crash of thunder shook the jet. I grabbed onto the seat in front of me as the plane began to roll and shake violently. I was wrenched from the seat and thrown into debonair gentleman's lap, who immediately sat up, head whipping from side to side in confusion.

"Good evening passengers, we're experiencing some minor turbulence at the moment so if you would please buckle up and—SHIT!" The expletive echoed throughout the cabin as there was another violent shake. The young man quickly pulled himself out from under me, and slid my belt into place before I could protest. Adeptly, he clicked his belt into position as he wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me tightly against him. I didn't object as my stomach dropped, the nose of the plane angling downward. The pilot hadn't bothered to turn the speaker off, as he was more worried about righting the airplane, so we could all hear his panic as he and the other pilot yelled invectives back and forth. And believe me, there's nothing more terrifying when you're on an airplane than hearing that you might die.

"PULL UP! PULL UP!"

"I CAN'T! IT'S JAMMED!" The pilot's voices carried throughout the compartment.

The young man's knuckles turned white as he gripped an armrest, his eyes squeezed shut. Around us, everyone was panicking, screams reverberating off of the metal walls.

"What would you do if you had only seconds to live?" I blinked; realizing that the words had come through the man's clenched teeth.

"I don't know." I said honestly, my heart continuing to race. It felt like someone was holding the airplane like a can of soda and shaking it with all of their strength. "What about you?" He angled his face towards mine, deep green eyes burning into mine. His breath was warm on my face as he leaned closer, lips hovering over mine.

"I'd tell someone the truth." My eyebrows went down in confusion, my eyes half closing. He opened his mouth to elaborate, but the jet jerked upward, causing our heads to slam back against the seats. We heard the pilot sigh in relief, and knew that we were clear of the storm.

"Sorry about that guys. Might want to keep your belts on, we'll be landing shortly." I cleared my throat and whatever-his-name-was pulled his arm out from around me. Okay. I was going to pretend that whatever had been about to happen never did. He hadn't been about to kiss me...Right? I mean, I didn't even know his name. And if I had been about to die, it would've been nice to get my first kiss...But not from him.

"So...What are you going to be doing in Prague?" It took me a minute to realize that he was speaking to me.

"Sightseeing." That's right Raven. Stick to the story.

"Really? Because you don't seem like the type that would go on vacation. You look more like a workaholic."

"What are you doing there?" Changing the subject was something I was never good at.

"Nope. Don't try to change the subject on me. I asked you first." Fortunately, the plane took that moment to land. As soon as possible, I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt, and sped over to my seat, grabbing my things and shoving them into my backpack.

As the others began to disembark, I made sure to slip in between a few other people, ensuring that I wouldn't see the other two young men again. I stepped out onto Letnany Airport's tarmac, and immediately began to walk towards baggage claim, but then found that I could not read any of the signs. I followed many of the other passengers, towards one that said: výjezd. It was black outside, except for the large lights that dotted the runway and buildings. I clutched my backpack tight as we walked through the door, and found myself out on the street, alone and confused. I turned back the way I had come, and soon became lost and frustrated. I passed three signs: zavazadla, toalety, and recepce, none of which had the English translation beneath them. Soon, I gave up and sat in a lone corridor, outside of two doors with the word toalety written on them in large, bold lettering, and began banging my head against the wall.

"Need some help?" The voice was mocking. Dear Azar, why did it have to be him?

"Nope." I opened my eyes. Yep. It was him. And he was once again wearing his black jacket, though it looked like he had a serious case of jet lag, which I too was starting to feel the effects of.

"Are you sure? Because you really look like you could use some help." I really, really wanted to wipe that freaking smirk off of his face. It was bugging the hell out of me. I exhaled noisily.

"Do you know where baggage claim is?" He grinned, as if happy we were getting somewhere.

"Yep, follow me." He turned and walked in the direction of zavazadla. "You have a place to stay tonight? Or were you just going to find a hotel or something?"

"I've got it covered." I knew I was being rude, especially after he had helped me more than once today, but he had that effect on me. He reminded me of Red X, actually. Always pushing people's buttons. We entered the Baggage Claim room, and I spotted my stuff. After claiming it, I rolled my suitcase out onto the road, waiting to hail a taxi, while ignoring the man beside me.

A cab rolled to a stop, and just as I opened the door, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"While you're in Europe, doing, well, whatever it is you're doing...If you want some company or need anything, anything at all, call me." He pulled my hand up swiftly, an uncapped pen waiting in his hand as he quickly and smoothly wrote something on my palm. I made a face, and pulled my hand away as soon as he was finished, throwing my stuff in the back and climbing in. He paused and knocked on the window, leaning his face down so that he could look me in the eye. Something still didn't seem right about him. There was something in his eyes, something about him that seemed so familiar.

"Be careful here. Europe is not the friendliest of countries." There was something about the way he said that, that made me think that maybe he had found that out the hard way. The driver took off, not a moment too soon, and we were speeding down the road. I looked down at my hand, a seven digit number written in elegant handwriting across it. As soon as I got to a hostel, I was scrubbing it off.

I looked back once in the mirror, and I could still feel his intense gaze connected to mine. Realizing that he was still speaking, I tried to understand what he was saying, but could only make out one word before he turned around, letting the streetlight wash over him, making him seem almost ghostly:

Raven.

Sorry about any grammatical errors and how long this chapter was. I didn't have time to edit it today, but I wanted to put it up!

Please review!

Love

-Knisley24