Author here! I only own my OCs!

Wow, that was quick. I feel like something's missing… a clever quip perhaps?

Nah… I'm too lazy…

[Exhibit A- The result of a three-day weekend]

#**********#

I sit by myself, eating a lazily prepared sandwich. Everyone else is training, but Robin told me I should take a break. My ankle doesn't even hurt that bad, but he insisted.

I can hear faded voices from down the hall. I guess relaxing is better that training, but I feel so inexperienced compared to the rest of the team, and I want to learn how to actually throw a good punch.

Client had said that I was supposed to be stronger. For some reason, that makes me feel as though I failed somehow. But it wasn't my fault my body rejected the serum, it was Stormer's.

Ugh, even saying his name makes anger flash in my chest. I can't believe that man was capable of all those horrible things. If he's still alive, he won't be when I'm through with him.

Is he even still alive?

No. I don't want to think about that right now. He has to be. He has to be, so I can kill him. I want to be the person he last sees. That will never happen if I don't grow stronger.

I stand up and march to the training room. Who cares what Robin thinks? I'm not hurt. I'm fine.

Why didn't the injection work? If it did, I could kill Stormer easily. At the same time, it would make me an even bigger freak than I already am.

Why can't this just be over with? Am I freak or not?! Do I want my powers or not?! What is it?!

Robin stands at the entrance of the gym.

"Rush? What are you doing here? I told you to-"

"Yeah, yeah." I push past Robin and approach a punching bag. He follows me with concern in his eyes.

"Cyan-"

"I'm fine. My ankles not sprained? See?"

He surprises me when he grabs my arm and pulls me aside roughly. He looks truly angry with me.

"Cyan, stop acting like you're okay- you're not. I didn't pull you out of training because you were hurt physically, but because you're-"

"Crazy? Is that it?" I snap at him.

"Let me finish!" He practically yells at me. "You are hurt. I can see it in your face every single day. Every single day since I met you. You act as though nothing's wrong but I know how much pain you're in. Nobody's invincible, and those who act like it are just damaging themselves even more. Stop acting. You have to face this."

I stare at him, completely at a loss of words. He lets my arm go, which hurts from the pressure- but not noticed until now, and points to the door.

"Go to your room, relax, and take some time to think. Please. I'm asking you as a friend, not a leader." He says to me.

I silently leave the gym and go to my bedroom. I sit on the desk chair and take off my mask, rubbing my eyes. What is he asking of me? To face what happened? I can't do that. I'm not strong enough. I'm not. If doing that will help me, then I can't be helped. I just can't. Forgetting it all will be easier. Remembering is hard. I try to forget to become a better person, can't I do that? What's the point in facing it? It won't make me stronger, I'll just be burdened.

I lay my head on the desk and close my eyes. Why can't this be easier? All I ever wanted was to make a difference for people, without being different. Why is that so hard to do? What's the point of this?

Why can't I just start over?

#**********#

"I love you, mom."

Mom looks over to me from her spot on the park bench.

"Love you too, Candace." She returns her shaded eyes to her book.

I scan the playground. It's empty, except us two.

"Where's dad?" I ask mom.

"At a meeting." She answers absently.

I glance down at my bare feet. I laugh as I wiggle them in the sandbox.

"Mom!"

"No shouting, Candace. What is it?"

"Where's my wheelchair?"

Mom carries a bowl of cereal to my place at the kitchen table. I ignore it, and push the wheels of my wheelchair away from the table. I scoot over to the living room, where dad is reading a book. He doesn't look at me as I move past him and go to the unlit fireplace. There's something stuck in between the burned logs, but I can't reach down far enough to dig it out. My eyes turn to dad, who's staring at me fearfully.

"Don't touch the fire, Candace Dawn Ross." Dad says, using my full name.

"What?"

"He said don't touch the fire, Cyan." Mom warns.

I look down, the crimson fire dancing around my fingers. I quickly pull them away, inspecting my hand for burn marks.

"Cyan Ross, we have to go, the rest of the team is waiting." Robin says behind me.

I turn around and see him standing there with my parents. I lift my hand to my face, feeling the smooth plastic of my mask.

"Okay, let's go." I tell him.

Mom reaches out and grabs hold of my arm.

"Candace, where are you going?" She demands.

"Don't touch me!" I scream at her. "I'm not Candace!"

"Yes, you are." She tells me.

I look up at her from my wheelchair, Robin is gone.

"No, I'm not! Leave me alone!" I stand up, and run across Jump City to meet my teammates. In the distance, Robin stands at the Titans Tower with the rest of the group. I'm running as fast as I can, using my super speed to get there.

"Candace, where's your family?" Cyborg asks me.

I clench my fists and summon my energy.

"I don't know what you're taking about. I'm Cyan Rush." I growl.

"Rush." I hear Raven's voice echo through my mind.

I turn towards the voice. I'm all alone now, there's darkness all around me.

"Rush," Her voice repeats.

Wake up.

#**********#

I slowly open my eyes. They feel heavy and wet. I must have been crying. The memory of the dream fades as I try desperately to remember the details of it. I glance over to the window- the sun is setting.

Cyan, are you getting this message?

I hear Raven's voice in my head. She knows I can't communicate back, but I try to somehow let her know I am. I calm myself so she can sense I'm listening.

Okay, I can feel your emotions, are you feeling alright?

I try to stay neutral, but she must sense the tension in my mind.

You seem very distressed. Your emotions are everywhere- it was throwing off my meditation.

Sorry my feelings were distracting you, Raven. I scoff inwardly.

What are you so upset about? You've been crying, haven't you?

I retreat back under the covers, as if I can hide from her voice.

Fine, don't tell me. I can wait. Just know, Rush, that you can talk to any of us.

Whatever. I can feel her presence in my mind leaving, and I try to go back to sleep. My mind wanders as I slowly drift from consciousness.

The Titans know more about me than I've ever wanted them to- but is it better that way? Can they help me get through this?

No, I don't need help. If I just forget about the past, I'll be okay. I know it.

But how can I forget, when every time I see myself, the memories rush back to me?

#*********#

Done! Tell me what you think in the review section! It would be greatly appreciated! And if you're wondering why Cyan's dream was so confusing, just remember- it's a dream. It's supposed to be confusing.