Hello readers, this is Reaper of Heroes. I know it has been a long time for the old readers who saw I had updated this story; as for the new reader's thanks for sticking around this long. Also, incase the old readers didn't notice, there have been changes to all the previous chapters. I simply went back through and edited out some of the mistakes I had made, and removed all the Authors Notes. There will be more information at the end of the chapter, but for now enjoy the story.
Robin was sitting in the waiting area of Gotham's Premier Hospital. He had gotten a call from one of Anny's friends that she was here, and that Anny wanted him at the hospital with her. He didn't wait a second, bolting out the door, Green Arrow on his heals. Now he was waiting for one of the nurses to get him permission to enter Anny's room.
"Robin," Arrow said, placing a hand on his arm, stopping it from shaking. He hadn't even realized he was shaking at all. The world around him was faded, unimportant. The only thing that mattered to him at this point was Anny.
"She's going to be fine, the nurse said so," Ollie tried to console, but Robin just turned away.
"I'm not going to believe the doctor, not until I see her for myself." Oliver nodded, understanding what he was going through. He had been a similar situation with Roy once. Roy had gotten severely hurt in combat, and had to be rushed to the hospital. Ollie had been inconsolable until he confirmed what the doctors had said with his own eyes.
As they sat there in the metronome of electronic beeps and footsteps on the cool tile floor, a nurse walked out and approached them.
"Robin you may go back," she said, motioning for him to follow her. As both Arrow and Robin stood up the nurse stopped them.
"Only Robin is allowed back, by the patient's request. I'm sure you can understand that Mr. Arrow." Oliver nodded, sitting back down. Robin gave him a look that acted as a silent thank you between the two. Robin knew that most of the other League members would have insisted on going back with him, but not Ollie. He understood that Robin wanted some alone time with Anny.
Robin followed the nurse back through the electronically locked door and through the halls of the hospital. They were covered in plain white tiles, showing a distorted reflection of the thrift store paintings and inspirational posters that were sporadically placed along the halls. Robin looked at an elderly woman sitting on a chair, shaking almost violently. She seemed to be in grief, probably from the loss of her husband as she was repeatedly stroking her wedding band. Robin shook his head; he needed to turn off his analytical mind, because that was none of his business. His business was with Anny, and he needed to focus on her.
"In here," the nurse motioned for him to enter the room on her right. Robin thanked her before entering and finding Anny asleep. He looked at the doctor that was hovering over her. It was a few minutes before the doctor noticed him standing there.
"Ah, hello," he said, holding out his hand to Robin who promptly shook it. "She just fell asleep, but you can stay in here," he motioned to a small, padded chair in the corner.
"Thank you, but what happened to her," Robin asked, concern in his voice. He had no idea why she was even in the hospital, just that she had been brought here by her friend in critical condition. The doctor opened his mouth as if to answer him, but stopped himself short. He began again, but slower than before.
"She wanted to tell you herself, she said it was important that she told you. I am not one to deny a simple request, so you'll have to wait until she wakes up." Robin nodded at the doctor as he left the room. Sitting in the chair the doctor had pointed out earlier, Robin studied Anny's sleeping form. Her chests slow rises and falls, the way her nose wiggled as she breathed, and then the bandages on her right wrist. They were wrapped tightly from her hand to almost halfway to her elbow. It was the only bandage on her person, unless there were some covered by her off white hospital gown. But Robin knew that wasn't the case, he just couldn't understand why. She had seemed so happy, with him, her friends, and her life. But here she was, asleep in a hospital bed after attempting to commit suicide. Between the bandage and the doctor's behavior, he knew it was the only answer.
"Why didn't you talk to me Anny, I could've helped," he muttered to himself.
"I didn't talk to you because suicide wasn't the original intention," Anny's soft, faded voice said from her bed.
"Anny," Robin gasped, standing up and grabbing her hand. "What happened? Why,"
"Did I attempt suicide," Anny finished with shame in her voice. "I don't know. It wasn't the original intention, but I guess I knew it would happen. I left some letters taped to my apartment door, that's how my friend found me before I died. I was wrong, I know that, but I was also under the influence." Anny broke down, crying. She hadn't meant for it to go that far, she really hadn't, yet she had let it. How could she have let herself go this far? Was it even worth it any more? She really had feeling for Robin, and she wasn't sure if she could betray them for money anymore. But if she didn't betray him, she'd be betraying the Joker and Harley; and she didn't want to be on their bad side.
"Well at least you survived," Robin tried to console, kneeling on the ground. "I can and will help you. I really can, but you have to let me."
"Robin, there's something else," Anny began, planning on telling him about the baby, or rather the baby she'd lost.
"Yes," Robin asked. Anny detected the slightest hint of happiness in his voice, and was unable to tell him. She couldn't destroy that, not with something he didn't have to know.
"I'm sorry I lied about being swamped with school," she said with the vile taste of guilt in her mouth.
"Shhh, it's fine, it's fine," Robin said. "I get it; I've been in your position before. Maybe not this exact position, but I get it. I've been there." She nodded at him, before slipping back into sleep.
And that is it, hope you all enjoyed it. I know it's short, but I can't just jump back into a story with a long chapter. Future chapters will be longer, and I do plan on finishing this story over the summer. Sorry about not updating during the school year, but it was a hurricane of life and school work. I plan on updating about every week, but I am going to make sure it is good quality, and since we are on the subject of good quality; I am looking for a permanent beta. I need one to help me catch my mistakes that I miss. I need one who will beta all my Titan's stories this summer, which is two at this point. If you are interested in being my beta please PM me.
Also, because it is a subject I deal with constantly, and because it was implicated into the story, I feel like I need to talk about suicide. Not a lot, but a little. I deal with suicide all the time; it's just kinda intertwined into my life; between my friends, me, and other things. I'm kinda the rock, the person everyone talks to when they need help; but I can't always help them. I've had a few friends die because of suicide, so if you need help please talk to someone. It doesn't have to be an adult, just someone you trust. I guess that's my public service announcement, but it was required.
Reaper of Heroes