The Cruelest Letter: X

Here is the next chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed.

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Chapter Three: Tortured

Ravens nausea had finally subsided, but her powers still remained amiss. She had not seen Red X since yesterday, when she had first woken up. She felt angry still, but at the same time wished to just leave. She was getting really hungry, and her stomach was growling painful moans. She felt dirty, and wanted to take a shower and meditate. She sighed, hoping the titans would find out where she was soon.

"Hungry, Raven?"

Raven looked up to see Slade. Her eyes opened in surprise. Slade and Red X? She narrowed her eyes. She had always pictured Red X as a lone worker. Slade was wearing his mask still, holding a small bowl of soup with no spoon.

"Why the fuck am I here?"

Slade shook his head, "Now Raven, don't you want some food? You need to be a little nicer."

"So starve me." Raven refused to give in to him.

Slade brought the soup over to Raven and threw it harshly onto the ground. He grabbed her chin and glared into her eyes.

"You could make this situation a little easier for yourself. But you just can't quit being a bitch." He let go of her chin, but only to pull out a small, deadly sharp pocket knife.

Raven's stomach dropped as she felt him press the knife to her throat. If he pressed any harder, she'd bleed out. She knew he wanted to see her cry, beg for mercy. She let out a moan as he let it slice her neck a tiny bit, letting deep red blood seep over it.

"Please..." She cried out at last. She knew she had to stay alive.

Slade laughed, "Will you place nice Raven?"

She nodded, tears streaming down her face.

Slade released her throat from the blade, but moved it down to her stomach. He cut of the bottom of her shirt, revealing her flat and tiny waist. She couldn't help but screech out in pain when he cut a fist sized 'S' on her lower stomach, a little under her belly button. She looked down and watched her blood flowed freely out of the deep cut.

"Don't forget who owns you, Raven." He held the knife to her throat again, "You're no longer a titan. You're a thing, a tool. My tool. Don't you dare forget that."

He put the knife back in his pocket and turned to walk out of the room. Raven had stopped crying and just sat limp, breathing through the searing pain.

"Oh, and Raven, Red X will be back to feed you later. I suggest you keep up the nice attitude."

He laughed as he left the room.

"Find anything yet?" Robin asked his fellow titans impatiently.

Starfire shook her head sadly. She had not been at all cheery since Raven went missing. Cyborg shook his head too, sitting down in defeat.

"Well where is Beast Boy?"

At that very moment, a gasping for breath Beast boy hurried into the room. He was out of air, and practically collapsed on the couch next to Cyborg. He was holding a note up, motioning for Robin to take it.

Robin grabbed it, his eyes widening at he read it.

Looks like you've failed as a leader, Robin. Can't even keep your own team.

I bet your wondering where and who I am. ABC 123 Robin, time is running out.

Robin scowled and almost ripped up the note until Cyborg stopped him, warning him that there might be finger prints on it.

"ABC 123? What the fuck does that mean?"

The others had no time to respond as the titan siren went off. Even though they were having others protect the city, they still tried to check out the situation when they could.

Starfire floated over to the computers, "There's commotion going on at jump elementary. Should we go?"

"There's kids there, c'mon. We have to protect them." Beast boy looked at Robin, hoping he would agree. Robin nodded after a few moments of hesitation and they went off.

"Want some food sunshine?" Red X walked in with what looked like a sandwich, an apple and a bottle of water.

Raven's stomach called out for it, begging her not to mess it up this time. She sighed, knowing she needed the food. Also knowing that she'd have to play nice with Red X.

"Yes." She softly called out.

"Aww. Look at my sullen girl. Not so tough?" He stroked her cheek, "Looks like Slade got a little rough with you."

"Please just let me have the food." She stared at the ground, ashamed.

"I will." He smirked, "But first, you have to do one more little thing."

She looked up at him with pleading eyes, begging him to just let her eat.

"Just one little kiss. You're a nice girl, aren't you?" He placed his lips close to hers, "Show me that you know you're mine."

Raven leaned forward and pressed her lips against his, immediately hating herself for doing so. She felt disgusting letting a criminal get their way, but if she refused, she wouldn't be fed, and she needed her strength.

"That's a good little bird." He cooed, holding up the water to her lips. She drank quickly, savoring the liquid. He held up the sandwich for her, letting her eat a few bites. He then fed the apple to her, letting her eat the entire thing.

"You're being so sweet, Rae. It makes me regret having to make this little video."

Raven looked up in fear, "W-what?"

"Just stay still Raven, it won't be that long. This is one of the first messages, so it won't hurt too much."

Before Raven could say anything else, Red X pulled out a video camera and grinned at her.

The titans arrived at Jump Elementary, looking for the cause of the trouble. Instead, they just saw empty classrooms. Everything was fine, peaceful in fact. A janitor was one his way out, about to lock up.

"Wait!" Robin called, making the old man jump, "We need in here."

The janitor frowned, but knowing they were the titans, let them in.

The titans wandered through the halls, noticing nothing wrong. Robin growled, pissed that this is what was keeping them from looking for more clues on finding Raven.

"Why did our siren go off?" He demanded, pissed. The janitor had told them that nothing had went wrong, that in fact, today was a day off for the children.

They stopped as they saw a small pool of blood. They followed it into the kindergarten room. Everything was in order, but there was a television with a VCR that was pulled out into the middle of the room. On top of it, blocks were placed. ABC and 123. Perfectly lined.

They walked up to the TV and examined it. A small sticky note was attached the the VCR. Play me, it spoke.

"There's a message." Robin said, narrowing his eyes.

"Well, dude, play it!" Beast Boy nervously huddled next to Starfire, whose eyes were as big as saucers.

Robin gulped and pressed play.

The titans watched as they saw Raven, who looked severely bruised, fragile and dirty. A leg kicked her ribs, making her cry out in pain. A hand grabbed her wrist and twisted. She cried openly, her tears falling down in pained streaks.

"Better try harder titans. Your little bird no longer flies." A disguised voice spoke, laughing after.

Robin felt his heart drop as he clutched his chest, not able to contain his own tears. He punched the TV, making the glass shatter everywhere. He barely noticed his bleeding knuckles as he again punch the VCR, destroying the tape.

"Let's go." He didn't wait for the others as he ran out of the building, getting onto his motorcycle and speeding away.

He let the wind whip his face, blowing away any tears that fell from his eyes. Why did Raven had to be taken away? He wished so badly to instead be in her place. He didn't know if he'd be able to live with himself if Raven died. He wasn't sure if it'd even be worth it. Raven meant a lot to him, and he realized it now more than ever. He was more than just his best friend. And he had to find her, no matter what.

"The titans received the message." Red X told Slade, after he'd gotten back from the elementary school.

Slade nodded, satisfied, "Yes, good. And how is Raven?"

"Alive, but very weak."

"Also good. Feel free to do what you want with her, she's your issue for now. I've trained the apprentices well, but if Raven's powers come back, she'll be able to kill them all with sheer willpower. Fortunately, Trigon is still happy with us."

"Right. Well, i'll be leaving the next clue tomorrow. Hopefully bird boy will care enough to try and figure it out."

Slade laughed at him, "Care enough? Sometimes you can be dim. Robin is in love with her, and he'll stop at nothing to find her. That's what makes this plan flawless."

Red X narrowed his eyebrows, Robin in love? He had a strong hatred for the dressed up traffic cone, and now he had full advantage of his girl. And he would take that advantage.

"You said I can do what I want with Raven?"

"Anything that doesn't kill her or cut off any limbs." Slade responded, not paying much attention.

Red X grinned. He was going to give Raven a little rest from her chains.

Okay, theres the update! Please review with ideas, as i'd like a little help.

As a warning, next chapter will probably be a bit graphic.

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