Hey guys! I'm sorry it took me a thousand years to update! lol ;) but here it is! Chapter 9!
Chapter 9: Mysteries
My day didn't end too well. None of titans were happy with what I did. In case you're wondering, it's not because they caught me in the infirmary. It's because...well, allow me to explain what happened...
Before the titans returned from their mission, I slipped into the main room to fetch myself a quick snack. Even though I just ate dinner, my tummy was still grumbling for more. I passed by the cabinets, realizing they were still childproof locked. I hadn't had those delicious bacon bits in so long and I knew exactly where Starfire kept them. With all my might, I jumped up and broke the plastic knob with my teeth. I squirmed my way inside the cabinet, desperately searching for those treats. In my head, I heard the hallelujah chorus singing once I found the bag sitting behind the crunchy oats. Without hesitation, I tore it open and scarfed down as many treats as possible. They were so delicious! I couldn't stop eating them. I lost control and went completely insane over them. I have never felt so hungry.
I was halfway done with the bag when I heard the titans come in. I didn't expect them to be home that early! I quickly wiggled my way out of the cabinet and rushed towards the door…and then I felt it coming. I gagged and gagged and the treats found their way on the ground below me.
So here I am, trapped in a dark, cold crate in the Tower's basement. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I was in here. I've committed worse crimes but Starfire never punished me like this. Even after I've chewed her stuffed animals, peed on her bed, tore up her clothes, she always maintains high tolerance for me. I wish the other titans were like her, they should realize that locking me up won't keep me from doing it again.
Cyborg provided a blanket, a bowl of water, and one of my old chew toys. It wasn't enough. If they expect me to survive the entire night in this thing, they should have given me more essentials. I stand on my legs and started crying with all my might. I wailed at the top of my lungs, but no one heard me. I gurgled sadly and curled up in a ball…
Suddenly I heard the door open. I raised my head and caught a glimpse of the hallway light. I spotted someone's silhouette traveling down the staircase. Whoever it was, I was happy that someone answered my call.
Wait...What was she doing out of bed? And why was she awake at this time of night? As she approached the cage, I realized she was still wearing her pink, long-sleeved nightgown and white woolen slippers. Her hair was tied back in a long fiery French braid and for the first time all week, she looked wide awake.
I pressed myself against the cage, just waiting for her to bail me out. She let out a soft chuckle and reached down to set me free.
"Alright Silkie" She whispered, kneeling down to undo the latch. "Let's get you out of there"
Once she opened the cage, I jumped into her arms and started licking her face. She smiled at me and hugged me tight. Her warm embrace filled my heart with happiness.
"Oh I missed you too, my little bumgorf" She whispered. Her thin fingers stroking my back "How much mischief did you get yourself into…? Hmm?"
I lowered my head in embarrassment, uttering a gurgle out of guilt. I wanted the other titans to tell Starfire I was good these past few days but as usual, she didn't care. She pulled me closer, kissed my forehead, and continued to cradle me in her arms.
"Don't worry about it" She said "I know you must have been miserable without your knorfk'a"
Knorfk'a is another term for "parent" or "guardian". And yes, of course I was miserable without her! The other titans tried taking care of me, but to be honest, they did a pitiful job...Well they tried, but they could have done better.
Starfire carried me out of the basement. I pressed my face against her chest and listened to her heartbeat. It was pumping extremely fast. It almost sounded like loud music blasting through a set of speakers. I looked up at Starfire and noticed she had a serious look on her face. She was thinking about something…But what could it be?
"Come on" She said "Let's get back before we get caught."
She pulled me closer and started to fly towards the staircase. Thankfully, it wasn't a long journey. The titan's infirmary was located right above the lobby.
She placed me on the bed and climbed in. I watched her turn off the lamp before pulling the covers over the both of us. I looked around the room and realized no one else was here. That's surprising. I thought I would at least find Robin, snoozing away in the green armchair again. It's been a while since we were completely alone.
We both lay awake in the dark hospital room, do we sleep? I don't know. We spend the majority of the night snuggling and thinking. The only sound in the room came from the annoying air vent buzzing near the window. It's no good. One minute, two, three pass, and my eyelids refuse to get heavy. The more anxious I am to find sleep, the more it eludes me.
I stopped trying after several attempts and I refused to lie still for the rest of the night. I waited a little longer to make sure Starfire was asleep before slipping out of the room and explore. But before I jumped off the bed, one of her soft hands touched my back.
"Oh please don't go, Silkie" She said "I don't want to be alone tonight"
I was surprised that she had been awake all this time, but I couldn't deny her request. I crawled over to her and nudged her face, letting her know that I'm still there for her. I'm glad to know that she couldn't sleep either. I guess there's something about tonight that kept us both awake. Starfire shifted her position and turned so that she faced the window. Even though I've seen it a million times, I found the view outside to be breathtaking. The moon glistened in the navy blue sky, illuminating the water that surrounded our tiny island. The lights of the buildings shine endlessly and every now and then, the feint sounds of car horns ringed through my eardrums. Even at night, the city was just as lively. There is never a time when it was quiet.
"It looks beautiful out there, doesn't it?" She asked me.
I gave a small nod, what's not to like? The city itself was big and beautiful, as one might expect, composed of a series of buildings spread across the land with gorgeous mountains in the backgrounds. I have so many memories of that place, our long walks through the park and city. I can't wait until she's well enough to resume our daily schedule. Hopefully it won't be any longer.
I turned my attention to the clock on the nightstand. Unlike the mumbo clock, this one told time with bright red numbers. It read 12:59 before all the numbers changed to 1:00. Boy it was really late...
Wait, what was that next to the clock? It looked like a small dinner tray with leftover crumbs! I lounged forward to get a better glimpse of the tray. There was nothing left except a large chunk of pumpkin pie. I climbed over her shoulder to get a better glimpse at it, and then I heard a loud thud that came from outside.
All the sudden, Starfire shrank back and let out an ear-piercing scream, one that was loud enough to send me tumbling off the bed. What in the world just happened?! I quickly retaliated and jumped back on the mattress, only to discover her fear-stricken eyes looking directly towards the window. I turned around, and that when I saw it. There was a shadowy figure hovering over the glass. Oh my gosh, what was that thing?! It was nothing like I had ever seen before.
Its yellow eyes glared directly at us. They attempted to dig their claws through the glass. I studied the creature carefully and noticed that it had four arms and about 2 hands on each arm. It tried to break in the room, but apparently the glass was too thick. Starfire pulled the covers tighter over us and lit up and starbolt in self-defense. I was ready to attack if it ended up getting through.
Starfire leaped out of bed and crept closer to the mysterious creature. The moment her Starbolts illuminated its silver skin, it leapt away from the window, vanishing out of our sight. It was gone, but we were both petrified about what just happened.
The tamaranean princess dragged the blankets off the bed, clutching them tightly around her trembling body. I stay close to her, backing her up in case it decided to come back. My heart skipped a beat when I heard the door opening behind us…
Starfire turned around, and fired a starbolt. Robin ducked, as it hit the steel door. The ball of green energy bounced against the walls in the room. It shattered a lot of equipment and knocked several tables over. In the end, it almost looked like a tornado breezed through the room.
"Starfire!" Robin shouted recovering from her impetuous act "What in the world?"
"There was someone in my window!" She shouted pointing her finger towards it. I stay on my guard, just waiting for that creature to crash in the room and attack at any moment. The more I examined the window, the more I realized the glass looked untouched. I kid you not. After everything that just happened, there wasn't even a scratch on it. Robin walked over and pulled the curtains back. He starred out that dreaded window for about thirty seconds.
"There's nothing out there" He said "you must have had another bad dream."
"It wasn't a dream!" She shouted "it was trying to break in and attack me!"
Robin sighed and pulled the window open, poking his head out to get a better look. Immediately a cold breeze flowed through the room, and my naked body couldn't handle it. I pressed against Starfire hoping that her body warmth would protect me. Thankfully it wasn't long before Robin pulled his bead back in and closed it.
"I'm sorry, Star" He said "I didn't see anything."
"You don't believe me?" She asked.
Robin pulled the curtains over the window; obscuring our gorgeous view of the city "We'll talk about it in the morning" He said "you need to get some rest."
Starfire hung her head and slowly made her way back to bed. I couldn't believe Robin didn't listen to her, but there wasn't any proof that someone tried to break in here. He helped her back on the mattress, tucking in her limbs in like a baby doll's. She looked over at that window in fear, expecting that creature to come back the moment he leaves.
"Please" She asked, latching her hand over his arm "stay here with me tonight."
She almost sounded like a young child desperate for protection against the monsters. The more I think about it, the more I realize how odd this situation is. Starfire is making such a big deal about this, but has she not defeated scarier monsters? If Plasmus leaked through the cracks, she probably would have defeated him without fear. The Starfire I know is a brave warrior. There was something about this creature that really spooked her.
Robin starred into her deceiving puppy-dog eyes. I'm pretty sure she'll have a meltdown if he said no. But like I said before, He wants to be the best boyfriend ever, no matter what the circumstance.
"Okay" He said "If it makes you feel better."
Starfire smiled and scooted over to make room for him on the other side of the bed. Robin noticed this gesture and his face turned bright red "Uhh Starfire?" He asked "What are you doing?"
"I'm giving you room to lie down!" She said. Robin started to laugh nervously, running his fingers through his jet-black hair.
"What's wrong?" She asked him.
Starfire may be more sophisticated, but there are still some things that she doesn't know. She doesn't realize that allowing her boyfriend in bed is considered inappropriate on this world. Robin didn't say another word. He allowed her to figure it out on her own.
"Oh" She said in embarrassment "I'm sorry Robin."
Robin smiled "It's alright" He said "I'll just sit over here."
He walked over to the armchair and tried to get settled in it. Starfire and I watched him; we both knew he didn't look satisfied sitting there.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Oh yes, of course!" He lied "Don't worry about me, just try and get some sleep."
"Alright" She said "I'll leave some room for you in case you change your mind."
"Thank you" He said "Now go to sleep…"
Starfire smiled at him before closing her eyes. She did what she promised and left a big gap on the other side incase Robin wanted to lie down. As for me, I lay across her legs, and tried to stare through the curtains. I try to keep an eye out for any more shadowy figures.
After about twenty minutes, Robin gave up trying to fall asleep in that chair. He eventually walked over and claimed his reserved spot on the bed...I knew that was going to happen. He wasn't going to sit in that chair all night. Let's just hope that the other titans don't find out about this.
The moment Robin's weight hit the mattress, Starfire scooted as close to him as possible. She wrapped her arms around his body, and rested her head against his broad chest. Robin seemed intimidated at first, but then his muscles slowly relaxed and then he got comfortable...They manage the darkness, wrapped in each other's arms, guarding against dangers that could descend at any moment. I'm glad Starfire was able to get some rest tonight. As for me, I still couldn't get my mind off that mysterious creature. For the rest of the night, my eyes were glued to that window. I felt like I needed to protect Starfire and keep a good look out. There was something strange about that creature…
…because I knew for sure that it wasn't from this world.