Blood of the Skull

by Savy160

Do you want to talk about it? Jason, please talk to me. What happened? That's one thing Jason refuses to address: his past. But when an old enemy returns and threatens a certain Baby Bird; he has no choice, but to confront the past. WARNING: This story contains abuse, suggestive themes, self-harm, suggested rape, violence, and language (mainly from Jason). Not Slash. Completed

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Jason's POV

Less than a minute was left until midnight. I waited anxiously for the phone to ring. I stared at the overturned furniture and my shattered, blood stained table. Why did I have to leave him alone? Damn cigarettes! Dick is going to kill me if something happens to Tim. Bruce will kill me if he ever gets back from that Batman Inc. shit.

My thoughts were interrupted by the song Radioactive. Tim has got to change his ringtone.

"Hello Jason." My former deceased nightmare greeted from the phone.

"What do you want! Where's the kid! I want to talk to him!" I roared into the phone.

The next moment a bloodcurdling scream filled my ear. It was from Tim.

"Stop! Leave him alone! Let him go!" I cried.

Tim's cries fell silent.

"There, you heard the boy. Are you done giving orders?" he asked calmly.

"Just let him go. He doesn't know anything. He's just a kid." I pleaded.

I heard Tim start screaming again. He was screaming louder now. More pain was being inflicted.

"Are you ready to listen now?" My nightmare asked.

"Yes." I whispered.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes… Master." I spit out the last word slowly and venomously as if it were poison upon my tongue.

"Very good. Jason, my brother, my soldier, my chosen one, and my successor betrayed me. You remember the punishment for treason. Don't you?"

I felt my heart jolt. "I do." I croaked.

"How would you like it if the boy took your punishment? What would you do if I killed him in your place right here, right now?"

"Please don't. He's just a kid. He doesn't know anything. Don't hurt him." I begged.

"You care for the boy, don't you? Tell you what, I'll let him go. If you win my game." He replied shrewdly.

I felt my heart jolt wildly. This is not a game I want to play. This is a game no one can win. There are no winners; only survivors. And death is the only survivor. No one can win against death.

"If I win you'll let him go, but if you win-"

"If I win, then you will die like you should have and I will have no further use for the boy. He is weak. We must destroy our weaknesses, remember? However if you win, the boy goes free. But, either way, we both know how this is going to end." He called out triumphantly.

"What do you want me to do?" I wearily asked.

"I will send you several destinations by using clues. The game and the clues will grow harder after each checkpoint. You will retrieve me the object I desire from one of the locations. Choose my object carefully. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out just what I desire, before you reach the end. Oh, and Jason, this is about us. We need to be alone. No police, no Batman, no Nightwing, no Robin, and no Red Hood. You are to play as yourself. No outside help is allowed. Remember, I'll be watching every move you make. Should you disobey me, I'll kill the boy and take another you care for. Perhaps the youngest child, or the Gypsy, or your father will be taken next. Do you understand my rules?"

"Yes master. I understand." I growled through clenched teeth.

"The game ends at midnight. If you are not there at the end, then I will presume you forfeit. And the boy will take your place. You have a little less than twenty-four hours remaining. Your starting point is at the beginning." He declared before the line went dead.