Chapter V

Who I want to be

Mento was holding him tight. He felt the boys breathe on his sweat back. Monsters after them weren't too quick, but there was something else, or maybe two things. First, take those "things" away from other people. Who knows if they can infect normal human into something like that… And he wanted to do this to his son. Mento hoped it's not too late. And that was the second reason. He had to take boy home as soon as possible and check him. His shoulder was still bleeding and Mentos T-shirt was too small to cover all boy, there was cold outside. He felt him shivering. Nothing weird, they've just took him from strange liquid, Boy was wet. Who knows how weak he was now, even a small infection can be dangerous.

- Here – Raven must've thought the same. She took of her coat and placed in on Beast boy's body- He's shivering.

- Thank you.. – Mento said panting. They were close to the forest. – What is it?

This was a sound of motorbike. Emil was close.

- Don't be foolish Steve! Do you even understand what are you doing?! – He took a gun. Mento turned back while he heard a "bang" sound. Then he screamed loudly and fallen on the ground.

- Steve! – Robot man come to him while Hamilton was taking Beast boy.

- Emil, Stop! – Mento begged laying on grass, with blood running from his foot. – Emil, you don't understand, It's not me who how no idea what he's doing! It's not a monster, it's my child.

- You're foolish Steve… - He was holding Beast boy, with knife near his neck. – Monster will always stay monster, Steve. Gabrielle thought the same… When we were working in star labs… She was so kind. I loved her, I really did… I still do. She thought that mutants can be humans, as you think… - He stepped back, now with tears dropping from his cheeks. – One day they brought to us another monster. Girl, about 14. She was slobbering while she was talking… But she understood everything. She knew where she is, she knew what was happening, she understood and commented everything. But she was still a monster. Ugly… Weird, slobbering monster! But my wife… No! She's normal, we can't hurt her anymore! I've almost thought it's true… I started to treat her better, even… Even taking care about her! Even LOVING THAT STUPID UGLY MUTANT! And… you know what? – He laughed mindlessly- One day, my foolish wife opened cage and took her off her chains… When I've found her it was too late. She was lying with blood around… And That… That THING! Was kneeling by her,. With her hand with my Gabrielles …! I've killed her. She stand up, stupid creature, wanted to say something, but… I had my little friend with me. – He looked at gun- I have no regrets. But no… Gabby wasn't death… She survived… As a plant. I knew that she will never get up again, never smile, I'll never see her again in the same way… But if she's not feeling anything anymore… Why shouldn't I use her…?

- You're crazy… - Mento said slowly. – That was your wife… Your only one… I remember her going to our house.. And you made THAT of her?! And you want to make THAT of my son?!

- Steve, Steve… It was the only way. – He rubbed Beast boy's neck with not sharp side of his knife.- He can be strong… Why won't you give him a chance? – He was going back, "zombies" came here already. – It's over, Steve. Give me boy and we can be friends again… It will be fun, like it always was… You will s-

Fall of pain, blood. Beast boy, looking at him just dig his claws into Hamiltons side. Man dropped his knife and Beast boy, finally, fallen on the ground with cry.

Beast boy started to grovel to friends. He was exhausted and in pain because of fall. Raven and Cyborg came to him in the same time.

- BB? Are you alright?

- Can you speak? –

- Cold.. – He mumbled. Cyborg took him gently. Without any order from their master, monsters stopped, looking around, not knowing what to do.

Robot man was holding Mento, in Doom Patrol's leader eyes was fear.

- Son…? Can you hear me? You recognize us?

- Mento… - He mumbled a little – It's so cold in here… I wanna home… - He Hugged Cyborg Tightly. Even his body have changed a little, he was still their little buddy.

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Beast boy was finally asleep. His body was still in pain because of fast growing, but truly he looked just 2-3 years older. It wasn't that bad like it could be, especially, because he didn't changed mentally at all… Well… Maybe he did, but not in way Mento thought he will.

How anyone can even think that after something like this, boy will be the same? He didn't talk much. Of course, Doom Patrol took good care of him. Rita even made him his favorite dishes, but pointlessly. Changeling didn't touch anything for two days, moreover, he couldn't sleep When he fallen asleep after some time all household heard his scream

Mento sighed. Maybe this time, just this time, the boy will get full rest which he needs. Mento will probably never know, what was happening to his beloved son while those two weeks. What could happen, if they would never found him? – Mento sighed again and left the room. Beast boy opened his eyes. He wanted his adoptive father to know, that everything is all right, even it wasn't. But he didn't expected somebody's else entering the room.

- You should be sleeping now. – Monotone voice said. – How long you want to practice that? – She sat next to bed looking at him. He was avoiding her stare. Quiet again.

Tick tock

Tick tock

Tick tock

- Well? Wont you tell me what happened with that cheerful, funny guy who I knew?

- You think I'm funny? – He finally spoke.

- If somebody ask me, I'll disclaim. – She said with little, soft smile under her hood.

Beast boy smirked

- Yeah, right… I can see that…

- Well.. You are irritating sometimes, but… Actually tower without you seemed so empty.

Beast boy looked at his hands.

- Raven… Do you think that I'm a monster?

- Monster…? That creatures which we sent to the Star Labs wasn't monsters for me, so you think that you are?

- They… wasn't?

- Of course, what do you think? It wasn't their fault that something like this happened. In Star Labs they're trying their best to bring them their normal selfs, but… - She looked at her shoes. These poor humans will probably stay like that forever.

- But Raven, I… I attacked him.

- Good.

He raised his ears. Was she crazy?

- If you didn't we'd never get you back home. You were brave enough to attack protecting yourself and intelligent enough not to kill.

- He was all right?

- He'll survive. … Beast Boy?

- Yeah…?

- We all are proud of you. But… Get better soon, ok? Larry said he'd prepare for you tofu burgers for dinner.

She left. But now Beast boy felt calm. Calmer than in all two weeks before… And now, finally, he was able to fall asleep for real.

END.

I hope you liked it. But… I have something more for you. A bonus chapter. Of course, if you want to…