A/N: Okay here we go, we are diving into the last bit of the story, let's hope I can bring this around and finish in record time.
Chapter 18
Cat and Mouse 2
Robin ran faster then he ever had in his entire life, he jumped over fallen trees, and leapt over a large gorge. He had to put as much distance between him and Slade as he could.
He was sure any minute he would hear the man clawing through the jungle after him, but if he could just get to the river.
Suddenly a tree beside him exploded and Robin went flying forward and was slammed into a rock by the force of the explosion. He looked up thankful that the tree had not shoved its splintered shards through his torso.
He saw Slade standing on top of the ridge he had just descended. The man was very close, but it would take him at least five minutes to get down and then negotiate the gorge. Robin wrapped his belt around his waist as Slade slowly lowered his laser gun that he was holding.
"So we are using weapons now?" Robin called with a smart-ass tone.
He turned and fled before Slade could say anything or take another shot. He was going to win this time; Slade was not going to stand in his way. And no matter how lonely or desperate Robin got he would not cave to his desire and sleep with that man again.
"ROBIN!" The roar of Slade's angry voice rang through out the jungle and Robin suddenly wondered whether this had been a good plan or not.
He pulled a thin cable with a hook at the end out of his belt and started to swing it around and around as he ran. He swung it up and it latched around a tree branch. He pulled himself up quick and then hauled the cable up and replaced it in his belt.
He pushed himself back against the tree's thick trunk when he saw Slade emerge from the bushes.
"ROBIN!" He yelled, the boy could see the sheer anger and seething hatred on his face. For the first time in years Robin feared for his life is this man caught him. Suddenly Robin heard a noise on the horizon and looked.
A chopper!
Robin gasped and then covered his mouth with this hand, he looked down and he locked eyes with the man who was chasing him.
The boy couldn't move, in that one lone stare he felt all of Slade's anger and frustration and agitation blowing up around him. If the man got a hold of him he was skinned.
They both looked at the chopper, which flew overhead, and then Robin looked back down towards Slade and they both in that instant knew what the other was thinking.
Who would get there first?
Robin bolted through the treetops just as Slade turned and kicked up dirt on the ground. They raced like they never had before, Slade running to stop his rightfully earned trophy from escaping and Robin for his freedom.
It was neck and neck the whole way but one thing Slade had forgotten about was not only the gorge but also the ridge. Robin was already up in a tree; he jumped from a branch to the top of the ridge completely surpassing the gorge.
Slade was forced to find the narrow area of the gorge to jump and then he had a five-minute climb. Robin was on the ground running as soon as he hit the ground from the trees.
As he flew through the jungle his heart pounded, his legs grew weak. He felt like at any moment he may pass out from fatigue. He hadn't moved like this in almost three months. His heart was pounding in his head and he wasn't sure he was going to make it. But something pushed him forward.
As he reached the crest of the hill he felt the wind from the chopper pushing at him. A man in a white suit was stepping out, he turned and looked in Robin's direction and surprise crossed his face.
Robin almost smirked at the thought of what the man must be seeing. A half naked boy in jeans with a bright yellow belt who was dirty and sweaty running at him with big deer in the head lights eyes sprinting like this was his last chance.
It was his last chance, and he would make it, no one, not even Wintergreen or Slade would stand in his way. That's right, the old man's name was Wintergreen. Robin was less then ten feet from the man and he lunged.
There was a popping sound and then a sharp pain in his right arm. His whole body jerked as he fell short of Wintergreen by less then two feet. His arm was reaching for the man's shoes in a frozen state of agony. His head turned with a very sharp jerk to his air here he saw a dark protruding from his skin.
His world started to spin and he saw the dark form appear from the jungle, "No." he whispered so quietly he himself almost couldn't hear it.
"Will… go in the house… now." Robin couldn't move, he couldn't turn his head, he felt like he was melting into the ground. He heard somewhere in the dark distance a door open and close and then felt a large hand wrap around his throat.
He was pulled up and hung like a dead animal in Slade's all to dangerous grasp.
"So… back at square one. The irony of this isn't that you tried to run after I finally allowed you to have a little trust. The irony is the fact that I just shot you with a stun dart that was made using the juices of that wonderful yellow fruit that you are all to familiar with. And though I loved our little romp through the jungle… it seems that some punishment is in order… enjoy your little nap because when you wake up… you won't like what I have in store for you."
Page Break
William Wintergreen sat on the white couch and looked through the newspapers, the Titans still had no hint on where their leader might be, and they were sure getting antsy.
William looked up with an un-amused face when Slade walked through the door carrying a limp looking Robin.
"You know, shooting him like that won't get you very far."
"He was going to attack you and steal the chopper, I don't know about you but being stuck on this island for the rest of my life is NOT something I am particularly interested in experiencing. Especially with the neighbors and the storm seasons."
"I thought you were going to exterminate those native…. Things…. last month."
"Change of mind I suppose…. Robin made a few very valid points about their existence and I feel I should look further into their being before I decide whether I should end them."
"Yes, about the boy… what are your plans?"
"He has behaved very erratically… I feel some form of punishment is in order. I just don't know what."
"Before you decide to kill him or punish him, I think you should take into consideration the fact that you not only pulled this kidnapping plan of yours out of your ass, but also took him away from his friends, hunted him like an animal as well as decided that debauchery was your current national pass time. He is sure to be confused and hurt and scared… not to mention pissed off and angry at you. I suggest what ever the punishment is you either do one of two things."
"And what is that my oh so pious friend?"
"Either make it so painful he will never disobey you again, which would probably include leaving scars on that beautiful body of his, or you make it so amorous that he won't be able to leave you ever again even if he wanted to."
"Interesting ideas."
"I suggest the latter since the boy seems to thrive on acts that are selfless, humorous, or vivacious. He seems to have a thing for matters of the heart."
"Have I ever told you that you are my favorite butler?" Slade said slowly walking up the steps.
"You could stand to mention it more." And with that William went back to reading his paper.
A/N: Oh so! What could Slade's plans possibly be? What could his punishment be? Next to chapters will fill you all in. And then this story will have come to an end.