(A/N) This chapter is super long so you might wanna get comfortable =]

Chapter Twenty-Five: Bury Me In Black

(Rachel Roth's POV)

"Ms. Roth, I think we both are well aware that this is a very serious situation. If you would only cooperate we can bring this to an end."

"I don't know how else you expect me to cooperate. I've answered all of your questions, listened to everything you've all had to say, so why am I still here?" I asked impatiently.

The officer hesitated, his eyes searching through my expression without mercy but I held firm. They had nothing against me, he knew it, the officers hiding behind the one-way mirror knew it and more importantly I knew it. I would be out of this dull room within the next five minutes and I was certain of it.

I watched closely as he inhaled deeply, leaning back into his chair trying to attempt the classic 'I'm the law' demeanor of dominance. "Look,... I'm not saying you have anything to do with your father's disappearance from the hospital, although... it is somewhat unhelpful that you cannot give us an alibi as to where you were between the hours of..."

"Enough!" I snapped at him, his eyes responding in an unnerving response. "The only reason I don't have an alibi is because you and your entire fleet of officers have kept me and my friends here for days interrogating us and depriving us of sleep. So after two days of incessant deliberation on my part, of what happened that night to the best of my knowledge is it so hard to believe that I went to my friend Richard Grayson's penthouse suite and took a long and well deserved nap? You asked him, he told you I was there." I laughed exhaling heavily and lifting a hand to my temple. "I just... I understand you are just doing your job, following procedure or whatever, but..." I focused a forced display of exhaustion and emotion over my expression, a single tear breaking from my eyelid. "I can't... I can't handle this right now. It's bad enough to have the idea that the bastard is wandering the streets... yet again." I shook my head with a sarcastic emotional laugh. "If anyone is in the wrong here it's you and your men. Where was the security over him? How is it he managed to slip between the laws fingers once again?" I stood, pleased with my ability to seem so scared, so nervous. "Now I know none of you can actually keep me here so if you'll excuse me... I have to go back to my friends and comfort them over the latest mistake in the police's inability to sustain one man... one very dangerous man whose got his eyes set on me and my friends."

"Ms. Roth... we are only doing our job."

I laughed. "Yea well, it's about time. A little advice... it's better to catch problems before they are carried out... not wait until people are hurt or dead to charge in and take credit for doing nothing more than picking up the pieces."

"We'll have someone escort you..."

"No... why don't you all just focus on the inevitable truth that if my father isn't found... people are going to die."

I came to halt as the officer called to me. "I have to ask you one last time." He said in a stressed tone, the fact that he, himself, was frightened of my fathers sudden freedom becoming far too obvious to me. He stepped to me, his gaze studying mine once again. "Do you know where your father is?"

There was a moment of silence as I stared up at him unflinching. "No."

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Welcome to the best day of my life. I managed to evade the law in a big way, those idiotic pigs having no clue what was going on, which was fine, it's what I needed in this moment. My only problem... I was being shoved into a room by Gar at the first step of me returning to the penthouse suite.

"What?"

He looked to me wide-eyed and nervous. His voice only confirming his pathetic display of emotion. "I just... Rachel this isn't good." He hesitated. "Wait... how did you... how are you here? I may have been asleep when the police came but everyone told me they took you."

I rolled my eyes. This was my problem, Garfield Logan. A problem in more than one way to be exact. The first, he knew too much, the second, all I wanted to do was to pick off where he and I left off yesterday. What can I say, I somehow found his helplessness attractive. Inhaling deeply I said, "Look, I told them the truth and now..." I placed my hands out at my sides in a shrug. "They let me go."

His large green eyes narrowed at me. "I don't understand. I know that you ..."

"I told you... you don't know what you saw last night."

"But you were there Rachel. I saw you... and then ten minutes later the alarm is going off that an emergency exit was opened and Mr. Roth was missing."

I smiled. "I don't know where he is."

"Of course you do."

"No..." I shrugged again... I really didn't by the way. If that's confusing to you... good, it's suppose to be. I sighed and stepped toward him placing a hand upon his shoulder. "Why don't you really think about what I actually said to you."

He hesitated. "You said that..." I laughed to myself as his brows burrowed against the floor now. "You said that ..."

I rolled my eyes. If I were to wait for him to put the pieces together that I'd be waiting forever. "Look, I said I'd fix the mistake I made that night he attacked us. I told you I would risk everything, even a life in prison to see him die... and I will, once I find him."

"Wait ... wait... wait..." he began again, blocking my path as I tried to leave the room. "No... you made it seem like you knew where he was. I asked you if it was worth it."

"And it will be."

"Then why would..." he scratched at his head which was struggling to think. Which in my opinion, Gar thinking was more of a struggle then most. He waved a finger at me. "You said everything is as it should be... do you really expect me to believe you had nothing to do with his disappearance?"

"I tried to tell you, you didn't know what you were talking about." I laughed, sure, I may not have been lying in this moment, same as at the police station, and sure, I was obviously avoiding some details in the situation, but the point I'm trying to make... I wasn't lying, not even in the slightest. Which was perfect because Gar was easily manipulated. I could avoid the reality of the situation forever with him if I had to. "Look, to you, my father disappearing from the hospital seems like a great big coincidence... but for me... it's nothing more than an opportunity. I will find him Gar and I will bring his end. No matter how long it takes."

"You can't ..." He paused as my expression remained unflinching before him, as if I was not in the least bit concerned with the events to come. "Look me in the eye and swear to me... swear that you don't have even the slightest clue as to where he is?"

"Right now... no, I don't."

"Swear it. Swear it on your life." I opened my mouth to quickly oblige with his request but fell silent as he shook his head. "Wait... no, ..." he snapped his fingers. "Swear it on Kori's life."

My brow raised. "What does Kori have to do with any of this?"

"You may care about all of us but Kori... Kori's life you value above all others. So swear it."

I rolled my eyes. "This is so childish."

"Swear it Rachel..." he shrugged, his eyes pleading for me to do so. "... and I'll believe you."

It was this moment that I paused, overlooking his delicate features that were submerged in fear. Then, inhaling deeply I smiled. "I swear on Kori's life..." I leaned my head toward him. "I don't know where he is."

A wave of relief washed over him and he leapt toward me tossing his arms around me in an awkward hug. I allowed him to linger for a moment then I shoved him back with a laugh. "You're so weird."

His squeal of a laugh sounded once more, a laugh I hadn't head for quite some time, as we entered the living room. I looked to Kori who was in a complete sense of shock and horror, her eyes draining with tears as Dick held her close.

I paused staring down at my phone.

KOMI: Perhaps a vacation in Oregon would be a nice getaway.

I smiled, the timing of everything falling around me was so perfect.

I cleared my throat, all eyes turning to me now. "I think we should all just... get out of here. Get out of California for a while."

The boys looked as though they weren't all that interested, but they weren't the opinion I needed to convince. I looked to Kori, forcing a comforting smile. "We could go up to cabin for a few days. Get some fresh air... if you want."

Her large beautiful green eyes paused in thought.

"I don't know about that..." Dick began, his hand caressing Kori's arm affectionately.

"Actually..." Kori's whine took to the air, interrupting Dick. She looked to me with hopefully eyes, and don't think me so horrible, I felt bad for her, what she was going through, but it would all be over soon. She nodded. "Actually, I think that sounds like the best idea. I don't want to stay here."

"Are you sure Kor?" Dick asked in a concerned tone.

This was it. I knew once I had convinced Kori that Dick would follow her anywhere and I knew from there, Gar would follow me, and Vic he would go to support all of us, he was never one to be too negative about anything. Kori hesitated, a moment of hesitation that was testing my patience.

"It's just... last time this happened we stayed in California and Mr. ... and he found us. I just don't think it could hurt to get away for a little while."

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"Sister dear." Komi's annoying tone of voice greeted us at the front door of Kori's house.

We had all agreed that a night in the mountains would be perfect, a great chance to rekindle as a group which was struggling in a unsturdy friendship. Gar and Vic had traveled back to their homes to gather a few belongings for the unplanned trip and I would have done the same but I had to see Komi. The only issue was that Dick was attacked to Kori at the hips at the moment and it would be close to impossible to tear her away from Komi for a brief conversation that was of high importance for me right now.

"I'll umm... I'll grab you a few things from your room Kori." I said with a comforting smile. "Just spend as much time with Komi as you can before we leave."

She smiled, thanking me then turned to Komi, their conversion echoing off the walls as I made my way upstairs.

"Alright so I found the keys to the cabin in Oregon so... just try to be safe sis." I heard Komi say, then it was silent.

I quickly packed a suitcase of warm clothes for Kori then stepped into the hallway leaving her belongings against the wall and entered Komi's room. There it was on the dresser, the whole reason I needed to be here. I lifted a thick manila envelope with my name on it beneath my sweatshirt and began to make my way out of her room when she entered the room behind me.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a whisper. "Where's Kori and Dick?"

A smirk surfaced on her face as she lowered her voice to match mine. "Don't worry about it. They're on the phone with Bruce asking permission to use his private plane."

I smiled. "Perfect, now I don't have to worry about security."

"Exactly." She said sitting down on her bed with a proud laugh. "I have to admit... I never would have thought you had it in you, but... I'm glad you came to me for help." She pointed to the envelope. "All the information is in there."

"Are we going to have any issues with your contact?"

She laughed, laying back against her pillow. "No... I gave him fifty thousand to keep his silence..." she shrugged in confidence. "... and a little something extra, but that's nothing for you to worry about. Everything is in place, just try to get there quickly."

I nodded. As much as I despise Komi as human being, she was helpful in the situation I was in. In fact, she had practically offered to help me plan all of this. Her help was only a result of Kori and I knew it, she knew I was aware of it, but it didn't really matter, things were coming together. The police were informed that our group of friends were going to Oregon for a few days in hopes they would find my father, and while I knew they wouldn't it was a great excuse to leave the state without suspicion, Kori's overly dramatic personality selling the delivery of said plans to the police quite well. The only problem I had now was the issue of time... and how it was running out.

I stepped to Komi's bedroom door in a rush when she called back to me. I turned to her in annoyance but she ignored it.

"You might enjoy the perks my bedroom in the cabin has to offer."

I rolled my eyes. "Alright..."

"No..." she shouted, causing me to turn to her once more. Her brows raised suggestively, as she tried to relay the severity of her words to me once more. "I said, you might enjoy the perks my bedroom has to offer."

I paused for a moment studying her features and as she smiled, I understood. "Alright... I'll keep that in mind thanks."

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(Kori Anders' POV)

I can't help but draw attention to the fact that this moment, everything around me was far too familiar... and I think you know why. I mean, haven't we been through all of this before? The fear, the anticipation, the vulnerability at knowing our biggest enemy was on the loose once again, it was all just too much. And it's not as though I've even had time to recover from the last time something like this had happened. It had been less than a week since Mr. Roth first reentered our lives and only a few days since he last tried to attack me. I had this numbing sensation in my brain, but, could I really classify it as numbness? I don't know, it was far more unexplainable then I can even begin to comprehend myself. While it made most of my body respond in numb motions, as if everything around me was happening slowly and yet as if they had already happened before. It was eerie to be in a place in my life so submerged in the idea of déjà vu. I felt as though I had no control of what was happening around me. I don't know, I suppose I just felt this intense amount of anxiety rippling through my veins in an undying force, and no matter how much I tried to ignore it... it was there, constantly.

I couldn't explain it... I was completely consumed by fears that weren't necessarily anything to be scared of. I found fear in everything. I was hoping the cabin in Oregon would serve as the perfect distraction from the obvious fact that Mr. Roth was on the loose again. I mean, how is this even possible? I can't help thinking this was all just a bad dream that I had yet to wake up from, which I knew wasn't true, no, because my dreams were much darker than this and at least by now, if it were in fact a dream, I'd already be dead. I'm pleased at least to say that I hadn't suffered any hallucinations lately and that my sleeping was becoming more useful. That's not to say that I didn't have the terrors overcome my dreams, altering them into nightmares, no, they were still there, just a little less aggressive since I personally decided to raise my intake of sleeping pills. It sounds dramatic but since I had been taking them my mind was slightly clearer and the amount of sleep I was able to get before the nightmares would wake me, was helping a lot.

We had been on the plane to Oregon for two hours before arriving. I felt bad though because Dick had hardly been able to sleep since I came back with him to the hotel in California and the entire plane ride he had finally taken to opportunity to catch up on his rest. Sure, I knew he was forcing himself, denying himself sleep in any normal occasion but now that he was certain there was nowhere for me to run or to be found, that I would remain buckled in the seat next to him, his mind had finally calmed and allowed him sleep. I wished he would stop worrying though, not because I needed him any less but because it was wearing him down. He hadn't left my side for more than the time it takes to make a quick bathroom break and when he was around me he had this constant hold on me. I'm not saying I wasn't comfortable with it, of course I was, I had never felt closer with him. The only problem was that I couldn't shift in my seat or use the restroom without him tightening his grip on me. It was as if, in his mind, if he let me go I would vanish, and to be honest I felt that way sometimes myself. And it may sound a little much, but for me it was nothing short of adorable. To know that he cared so much for me, put so much effort forward to ensure that I was ok... it was beautiful.

After an hour drive from the airport to the actual cabin my family owned, we had all finally begun to relax. We sat within the large living room, huddled beneath our own blankets, Vic sparking a fire while Gar served each of us a freshly made cup of coffee. We sat for a long while trying to avoid the fear each of us had at today's sudden turn of events, and for me, while I still was very much afraid I felt somewhat at ease to be away from California, at least for the present moment.

"Well..." Dick's voice sounded in an attempt to hide his obvious, well obvious to me, amount of stress he was under with Mr. Roth on the loose. He looked to me, sending a kiss to my cheek, his arm tightening around my waist as he drew me closer. "... how about a movie?"

Rachel sighed, her disinterest in the plan becoming quite apparent to all of us. She stood. "If you're all going to lay back and zone out into a movie then I'm not going to feel bad in catching up on some sleep."

"Are you sure?" Gar said.

Rachel paused, raising a brow at him. "Yes... I am... so don't get any ideas like before and come and try to wake me up with some lame excuse." I smiled up at her as she glanced over at me, her previous display of irritation for Gar wavering, a comforting smile dancing across her lips now. "I'll see you in the morning, Kor. If you need anything..."

"Don't worry." I smiled even brighter now. "Get some rest, you look tired." I leaned back into Dick's arms and sighed, my eyes wandering over the cozy surroundings. "This was a great idea Rae."

"Alright... how about a horror flick?" Gar suggested as Rachel vanished into the hallway.

"Really... you really think a horror film is appropriate?" Dick said, directing a glare at Gar and motioning to me slightly.

His eyes flickered to mine nervously. "Right... uh..."

"How about an action film?" Dick offered. "Nothing can go wrong there."

I looked up at him, his smile so charming in this moment. "Or... how about we play it safe and keep it a comedy?"

Everyone looked to me and quickly agreed. I hated that they were all so concerned with upsetting me or making me feel slightly uneasy or unsatisfied or...

Sorry, this keeps happening and as much as I try to ignore it, I can't. Ever so often when I can start to feel my medication wearing off, my darker thoughts which had previously fallen numb to action, were beginning to spark in me again. I had quickly learned that it was the same nauseous feeling that overcame me each time. I would brush off the emotion at first but it would only sharpen. In any normal occasion I would simply tug on Richard's hand and pull him away from the group and quickly take my medication but we were in the middle of a movie now. It was already late in the day, the sun already on its descent, and I was feeling otherwise comfortable and cozy in Dick's arms so I did something I probably shouldn't have... I dismissed the medication, for now. I knew once the movie was over, especially after out long and emotional day that we would all retreat to our rooms for the night and I was content with waiting until then to take it, not thinking too much about it.

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I awoke in a panic, the intense sensation of strangulation suffocating my every nerve. As my eyes settled over the dark room I remained in I realized the only break within the silence was my struggle to calm the frantic breathing that scraped back and forth in my lungs. The terror I was experiencing in the nightmare I had was far to real for me to be so easily calmed and yet the moment my brain came to the realization that Dick was still asleep beside me, that seemed to do the trick. I was thoroughly surprised my gasp of air as I awoke so suddenly had not made him alert. I felt myself smile at his dimly moon lit features. He was so amazing in his sleep, his dreary eyes and wandering mind had finally come to a halt giving way to a world of dreams, he seemed nothing short of peaceful.

I swallowed hard then wiping at the bead of sweat which had developed across my forehead I carefully lifted myself from the bed and slipped the large boots beside me over my feet, my spinning mind guiding me into the attached bathroom to my right. As I entered I shut the door behind me and allowed myself time to bask in the cool chill of the night as the icy stone tiled floor lingered below me. I took a deep inhale of breath, my body beginning to relax slightly.

"It was just a dream." I whispered breathlessly to myself as I stepped toward the sink.

Turning the sink on slowly, I paused ... my mind which had just began to cool off was now spiraling in a queasy feeling. Clearing my throat I dismissed the emotion and leaned my upper body over the sink, dousing my face with a wave of water. The cold water instantly desisting the heated feeling over my forehead. Gripping a small white towel on the counter beside the sink I dabbed it across my face, leaving it slightly damp. Then there it was again. It rose in me like a undefinable sensation of fear, fear of what? I don't know but it made me uneasy. This was the feeling I would get whenever the hallucinations would begin and it was starting to frighten me. Whenever these visions occurred I felt unlike myself, unable to stop them, unable to even understand them and yet they continued in a relentless surge through my body, through my sight.

I braced my palms down upon the sink, my shoulders slouching forward in an attempt to calm my breathing which had begun to pick up again. My eyes flickered to the small prescription bottle of pills Dick had retrieved from the hospital for me, the realization finally hitting me that I had forgotten to actually take them before I fell asleep. I tried my hardest to ignore the shivering that invaded my body, which was denying my own ability to remain still, remain unshaken in this moment and it only seemed to worsen by the second. My tremors had begun again in my hands and I suffered through my inability to be patient in a moment like this. My hands tightened around the medication bottle trying to pull the lid free, a simple task and yet I was struggling, my mind clouding further beneath a veil of confusion. The urge to vomit was heightening within me and I felt the sharpest sensation that I might pass out.

As I finally ripped the lid free I shook two pills from its contents and forced them into my mouth, lowering myself to the sink once more as I partook of a mouthful of water to down the pills. My mind was receding into the darker sections of my thoughts once again and I was doing everything I could to escape the path it was on. I reminded myself of my friends, the fun we had all shared in today, the fact that Richard had become even more of a strength of mine, the fact that I was out of Jump City, the fact that...

"Fuck!" I shouted to myself through gritted teeth.

No matter what I tried it was as if my mind was stronger than my own ability to wield it. I was in a rising battle against myself. I had no control over this moment, my mind taking on a confusingly 'mind' of its own, I don't even know if that makes sense but this is what was happening. I could feel the shaking of my limbs becoming more frantic, more intense as I looked up to my reflection in the stationary mirror before me which hung over the sink counter. I watched as my eyes widened, I couldn't explain it. I mean, it was me, my reflection, and yet it wasn't. It was ... changing, right before my eyes. I knew it wasn't real, I knew I must have been hallucinating, and yet this undeniable truth did not fade the altering image staring back at me.

I shook my head in an attempt to snap my mind back to reality but it was to no avail. My reflection was molding into a different version of myself and what was even more frightening was that I knew the consistent expression on my actual face had not changed, even as my reflection taunted back at me. My eyes were narrowed the entire time moving closer to the mirror, never feeling more insane in my entire life. The mirrored image of me sparked a demented light behind my eyes which I never thought capable of conjuring on my own. It was as if death was staring back at me, as if, if I had died that night this is what would have remained of myself. Dark circles hung below bloodshot eyes, even the usual green tint of my eyes had darkened into a sea of forest green shadows, my brows hovering over a cold unflinching gaze . My lips were chapped, faded along with the unusual hue of my skin which had receded into a pale, hollow sunk in form. It felt like a scene from a horror film. I could feel my breathing run scarce even further, and yet my reflection remained dark and unblinking, the sight beginning to frighten me more now and yet I couldn't look away. The lights in the bathroom, which I knew were in reality unchanging seemed to flicker and as the mirrored image curved at the lips in a devious smirk slowly I felt my body lung back against the wall in fear. The numbness that once consumed me had faded and I lowered myself back against the wall and onto the floor, my head in my hands.

I could feel tears streaming down my face mercilessly but I made no noise. I was determined to rid myself of this feeling, this consuming emotion that had refused to subside. Then it happened... you know, a moment when something occurs before you and you know it's probably not really there and yet you follow it anyway. I realize I keep drawing attention to the fact that this whole moment felt like a movie but its true. It felt like an outer body experience. My logic, everything screamed what I was seeing wasn't real that it wasn't anything aside from my own demented thoughts, and it was as if while I was pleading with myself to return to Dick and attempt another round of haunting nightmares in comparison to what I was doing at this moment... I couldn't stop it. I had stood to flee from the bathroom when I noticed a small dark crow perched on the towel rack on the wall behind me in the reflecting mirror. My eyes narrowed and as I turned to the towel rack there was nothing there, but back to the mirror again... it was. An estranged emotion developed over me as I leaned toward the mirror, extending a hand to the nonexistent blackbird and it shifted, fluttering its wings until it repositioned itself away from my approaching hand. I froze... it was as if it was trying to evade my touch, it didn't make any sense. I was so confused as the image of the bird in the mirror faded into nothing but the plain wall behind it, and even more in shock as I turned away from the mirror once more, finding the bird staring back at me now, its small body fluttering before my vision. I jumped, a hand striking against my chest as I tried to quiet my outburst of fear. I was crazy right? That's what this is? This is what it must feel like? I'm just going crazy, I've lost my mind? ... there's no doubt now, I was.

What happened next ignited a hurricane of conflicted thoughts and emotions that swept crossed my mind. The crow took flight out of the bathroom and as my body responded in following after it, I couldn't stop myself. My legs felt numb to my control and I knew I shouldn't be following it but it was as if I was in some sort of trance. My body continued out of the bedroom being drawn to the creature as I followed the demonic red eyes of the black bird as it hopped down the hallway. I shook my head, my eyes blinking feverishly as it suddenly vanished, leaving me standing outside Rachel's room alone and unaware of even why I was here. Again, my body continued to move without my permission, entering Rachel's room. As I noticed it empty it was now that I became myself again. I stared down at her untouched bed and sighed. I wasn't sure what was going on, where she could be at this hour, or why I still remained in her room in the first place but as I swallowed hard, turning to go back to Dick's bedroom my eyes froze over a large painting which took over most of the wall it was stationed upon. The image that stared back at me was the same dark crow, its red eyes wide and its wings stretched out at its sides in mid-flight. I stepped to the picture with the irresistible urge to trace my fingers across the demonic eyes, thinking this must have been why Rachel chose this room. It had always been Komi's choice room whenever we visited here and it screamed both of their dark personalities.

As I removed my hand to turn away, I paused. The picture frame had somehow moved toward me at an angle as if on a hinged door frame. I hesitated, passing a glance behind me before pulling the thick golden frame toward me on one side. What I found only made this night ever more strange... a descending set of stairs which stretched off into darkness. I thought about leaving, the sight of this only rising the fear within me but I entered against my better judgement.

I descended the staircase in an unnatural and uncomfortable amount of darkness for a long while before a chilled breeze of air rushed toward me. I narrowed my eyes at the presence of a thin horizontal strip of light, like one behind another door, came into view. I stood now just before a frozen to the touch door, my hand hesitant to reveal what I might find on the other side, but I knew if anything this must be where Rachel was, what else could explain her disappearance?

Shoving the door open a wall of brisk night air charged me. Placing my hands around myself in a hug to keep my unclothed arms warm I stared out at the cold night scenery before me. I wasn't sure what purpose a secret corridor leading out into the night would be necessary for but this is what it was. It was now that I noticed a set of footprints which had begun to slowly wither away at the mercy of the harsh blowing wind. I knelt, lowering a hand to the prints in the thick snow and immediately recognized them as Rachel's signature boots of choice. What could she possibly be doing out here? She was going to make herself gravely ill by exposing herself to the relentless weather around us.

I stood, repositioning my posture before lifting a foot forward, my movements slow at the crunching snow beneath my feet. I followed hesitantly into the night, my skin tightening against the merciless cold. My gaze snapped back and forth at my surroundings, there was still no sign of Rachel but I couldn't help realize how horrifying the towering forest trees blanketed in snow had become from their usual comforting beauty they displayed during the day. The moonlight forced its luminescent glow through the tree branches, icicles reflecting a gloomy view back to me, making the scene become far darker around me. I stepped into a small path within a section of huddled trees glancing down at the footprints wishing they weren't leading me further into the darkness, but I followed as they continued on. My breath was visible now, like a misted fog that hovered over my vision and I could feel my limbs begging me to turn back.

The colors of night sprung to life even further. Black, blues, fogged whites... they all surrounded me, the mood around me becoming eerie. The only sound was that of my heavy breathing and the crunching of my uneven footing as I forced myself through the snow. Then, just as I was beginning to feel as though someone was following me, a small dark plank of wood upon the floor, where the footprints came to a halt, came into view. It was off the beaten path slightly to my left but I knew this is where Rachel must have been. And this is what I mean about the whole 'scary movie' scene I was living in. Logically I was telling myself not to proceed, to turn back, to question Rachel tomorrow about all this because this definitely did not seem normal, but again... I went anyway.

I knelt before the wooden plank, dusting off a large amount of snow which clamped tightly over a metal handle and I pulled the wood which was obvious to me now was a door, and I paused staring down into a dimly lit room. I looked back behind me hoping someone would be there to stop me, that Rachel would appear and return back to the house with me, but it didn't happen. Bracing my hands against the top of the wooden frame I nervously fixed a foot down on one of the cobblestone steps, losing my balance and falling at the charge of a group of bats that fled from the room. I sat, sore and irritated at the bottom of the small staircase and I stood immediately at the realization of a shadowed flicker of a lit candle against the wall. Inhaling deeply I brushed off the small amount of snow against my legs from my fall and moved deeper into the room, my fear sparking at an increased alarming rate. There was a familiar stench in the air and I knew it wasn't Rachel.

"Rachel?" My shaky voice called out to her.

No answer.

I rubbed my hands together sending a warm breath against them to return some of the feeling in them. My eyes widened and I came to a pause noticing a black crow perched on a pile of wood in one of the corners. Its head tilted back and forth from side to side at me but it didn't move aside from that. Anxiety was all I felt now, it was as if I was walking to my death, that was the only way to describe the emotion I was drowning in now, and yet, like the genius I am... I kept going. I kept telling myself I was only here to find Rachel, to bring her back with me so I could sleep knowing she was ok, but then another reel of thoughts came rushing across my mind. I fought off the urgency of a possibility that Mr. Roth had come after her and I would be the only help she had by seeking her out like I had. Then it happened, I peeked around one last corner, my eyes becoming aware of a larger room.

A small, somewhat crazed laugh surfaced from me as I stared back at Mr. Roth, his drained body shackled back against one of the cobble stone walls. There was no way this was real, the hallucinations I was seeing had obviously taken a pause from me and were now taking the form of my greatest fear. My laughter fell silent as his figure moved slightly. Unwilling to stop myself I stepped toward him. Why? I don't know. Maybe it was because this vision of him was shackled and that gave me piece of mind that he could not attack me, or maybe because I needed to clarify that the sight of him wasn't real... again, I don't know.

I glanced around the room quickly in search of Rachel but she was nowhere to be found. The tightness in my chest as I returned my attention back to Mr. Roth's figure heightened. I slowly extended a shaky hand out to him. If I try to touch him the hallucination would fade... right?

Wrong! As my hand jabbed at his shoulder his body awoke in a frenzy of growls. His burning black coaled eyes flared against my presence which had lept back against the floor. I released a blood curdling scream which echoed off the small rooms' walls as I fell back against the hard floor, scraping and pulling myself away from his glare. I thrust myself back against the wall opposite him in a wave of emotion. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I couldn't do anything but cry against the tremors which consumed me now.

I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't believe that he was real, that he was right here in front of me. He had to be a hallucination, he had to be.

"Kori!" I heard Rachel's voice sound in a scream.

My eyes snapped to hers, my words barely understandable through my weeping. "What... How... fuck... Rachel what is this?"

I could not comprehend the amount of calm she remained in as she sent a quick glance to her father who struggled against his shackles now. She inhaled deeply, stepping in front of my view of MR. Roth, and knelt before me. "It's alright Kori."

I shook my head, the amount of tears flooding from my eyes were almost too painful to speak. "I... how could you..." I released a loud whimper. "... this isn't real. Tell me this isn't real." My brows burrowed further. "He isn't here. I'm seeing things again right... right?"

My head gave wave, falling into my hands as I wept harder at her response.

"I can't explain right now. I'm going to fix everything Kori. You'll never have to see him again. You weren't suppose to see him now."

I shoved her back then stood, my body leaned back against the wall for support. "How could you... how ... why did you do this?"

She stepped closer to me, a hand upon my shoulder. "I'm going to end it all. All of it Kori."

"How am I ,... how do you expect me to..."

"You can't say a word to anyone."

I shook my head. "The cops... you lied to them. It was you who took him from the hospital... wasn't it?"

"No I didn't... but, as I said before I can't explain right now. You need to go back to the house and..."

"How? How can I walk away from this unaffected? That son of a bitch scarred me enough as it is... now this?" I inhaled deeply, the straining whine of my voice sharpening in pain. "What if he... he could have escaped, killed all of us in our sleep..."

"No..." She said with a large amount of confidence. "I've kept him heavily sedated up until I can figure out what my plan is."

I couldn't handle this anymore, my body was beginning to convulse in a sharp amount of heaving. I ran from the room entering out into the frozen night again, falling to my knees in the bed of frost beneath me, my body giving way to the rising fluid in my lungs. I didn't throw up much because I hadn't eaten a lot today, so my body was mostly dry heaving in a painful attempt to discard every amount of pain I was in. I moved slightly out of the path of my vomit and remained bent forward against my knees, my hands bawled into fists against the ground, my chest heaving, and my eyes pouring tears into the snow below me. Even as Rachel came after me I refused to move. I could hear the echo of my cries carry on with the wind around us but I didn't care who heard or who would find us. I couldn't contain the amount of agony I was in... it was gut wrenching and I felt like I would not survive the morning with the amount of emotion that stung at my being as of right now. I was mortified.

I shoved an arm at Rachel as she knelt beside me, trying to console me. She stood on her feet now, her voice raised. "Don't be like this Kori. You're going to ruin everything. Can't you see I'm doing this for you?"

My heart jolted in anger at her comment. Standing now, I fought back my tears, ignoring the cold of the night and I approached her with a glare. "Fuck you. How dare you try to put his on me."

"Kori... I..."

"No!" I yelled shoving her as hard as I could back. I could tell she was becoming angry with me even more so now, but I didn't care of the consequences. She tried to brush off my act of anger toward her but I kept going. I stepped closer to her, shoving her back again, then again. "I hate you. How could you put me through this? How could you bring him here?"

"Stop!" She yelled back at me, taking a shove at me now. She waved a finger at me in warning. "Shut the fuck up or someones going to hear you."

My mind snapped now, and I don't even understand why I couldn't hold back the intense amount of anger I felt, it was almost as if I had blacked out in a rage. Sure this was a tense situation but I would never want to truly hurt Rachel, and yet I did...

I stepped to her in an aggressive manner, no words necessary to relay the message I wanted sent. I brought an open hand across her left cheek slapping her hard, her body stumbling back more in shock then in response to the slight amount of pain from my contact.

"Don't do this Kori. I have no patience for you right now. I'm not your enemy... he is."

"Patience? For me?" I laughed. I could feel my blood boiling against the frozen wonderland around us. I laughed once more as she turned away, my tongue striking words I didn't actually mean, nor did I believe. "Fuck you Rachel. You can't change what he's done, everything that's happened up until now is your fault." A rise of satisfaction set over me now as she paused, her back still facing me. "You and your pathetic excuse for logic has caused all of this. Not going to the police in the first place when he first escaped, not being prepared when he attacked, letting him live the night he tried to kill me and Terra..." I shook my head, the tears still flowing. "... and now this... you're practically giving him his freedom. All it would take is him escaping and he'd win this game he's playing with all of us. This is the most careless thing you've ever done."

She shook her head, a hand fixed upon the jaw I had struck. "I'm not asking for your approval in any of this. It's already done, I'm already..."

"What? What Rachel? You're already doing what? ... you plan on killing him?" I laughed again. "Can't you realize you're more like him in this moment then you've ever been?"

"Take that back!" She shouted teeth clenched, but I couldn't I was far too over the edge to be brought back now.

"Why? Does it scare you to think that I'm right? That you're..."

At this her pale figure turned to me, her eyes red with anger as she lunged at me. My body was immune to any pain she could inflict upon me and it was obvious by the amount of anger she was in that her body was responding the same way. I felt her thin body collide with mine with immense force, sending both of us to the floor now, me on my back fighting off the wrath of her fists as they pummeled down at me, and her hovering over me attacking me in this helpless position. As her fist connected with my jaw I raised a hand to the side of her face, using all my strength to push her off of me and onto her side. With my body free to movement once again and the presence of her left hand which gripped at my shirt trying to pull me down I pressed the hand against her face harder, burying it in a layer of snow. Before I could react I came face to face with the bottom of her boot as it struck me against the chest, sending me to fall back a few feet from her. We were both standing now, leaving no amount of hesitation before we lunged at each other again. She came toward me with a mean right hook that, to my surprise, I managed to evade and got the second good strike to her face. I heard a small crack within her jaw at the connection of my fist to her, but it didn't make me pause in concern for her pain, and it only fed her anger. This was the moment I hated my long hair, I felt her hand grip within my long locks and pull my head toward her as her knee met my stomach, knocking the wind right out of me. I'm not sure how, but as I curled over in pain, my mind flashed quiet for a moment, a slight pain erupting on my shoulder and then an intense amount of pressure on my back as I found myself shoved back against one of the thick tree trunks, a rainfall of snow escaping the branches over head down upon us as we continued the exchange of aggression with one another. It was at this point that I blacked out, I could feel each of us still clawing and punching at each other relentlessly, and the truth was the anger we felt in this moment was intense, especially considering the situation we were in the middle of, and while I wasn't sure how long this fight would go, I was ready to keep fighting until one of us was victorious. Which... that feeling, that hate I felt for her in this moment, I think you would agree... it wasn't me. I would never hurt Rachel, ever. Now if only I knew what was really wrong with me, or at least if I could stop myself in this situation.

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(Dick Grayson's POV)

I shifted in my sleep as an undefined noise traveled to my ears. I was dreaming of current situation we were all faced with, most importantly Kori. This was something that wasn't suppose to happen. This was a time in our life that everything had just gone from bad to worse over night. It was hard enough to imagine how Mr. Roth had managed to escape the hospital but what was even worse was the toll it was taking on all of us. My main concern was Kori, she had spent the morning in tears, her fear of the possibility that Mr. Roth would seek her, or any of us out, to finish what he started was tearing her down. And it was killing me that I couldn't make her feel safe. As it were, before the events of his disappearance were announced I was with Kori constantly, not wanting to be away from her for even a second, and yet, now I felt as though I was suffocating her by my presence. I was certain she would have appreciated a moment to herself to think, but I just couldn't give her that. I was only satisfied with her safety when she was in my arms and that's the way I planned to keep it.

"Dick! Wake up!" A loud yell from Gar as he burst into my room sounded, making me becoming alert immediately.

I turned to my side and finding Kori gone I leapt from my bed, Gar following me now as I entered the hallway in a panic.

"I can't find Rachel." Gar said.

"Where's Kori?" I growled. "They're probably together but still she shouldn't have..."

I paused as Gar and I came into the living room finding a frantic Vic stumbling and trying to force a pair of large boots onto his feet. "Your fucking right they're together. You can't hear them beating the shit out of each other?"

My eyes widened, pulling a pair of my boots on quickly and stepping out into the chilled night. I could hear the shouting and fighting now in the distance on the far side of the house. I ran as fast as I could, Gar and Vic right beside me as we raced around the side of the house. The voices and screams of violence coming from Kori and Rachel were still at a short distance, their bodies still out of visual. When we finally reached them we found Kori shove Rachel back against one of the thick trees mercilessly, and Rachel lunging at Kori again, her nails digging into the side of Kori's neck. Both were covered in each others blood, the sight alone frightening me. What was happening to them?

I immediately leapt at Kori pulling her away from Rachel who instinctively tried to take advantage of Kori being held back and lunged toward both of us. Before she could successfully charge at Kori again, Vic had pulled her into his grasp off of the ground holding her at bay. As he and Gar dealt with Rachel, I turned my attention back down at Kori as she fought against my hold on her.

"Let me go dammit!" She yelled, her voice rasped and angry in a frequency I had never heard from her.

I positioned her back on the ground, forcing her to face me now. I shook her shoulders slightly trying to get her to see past her red glare which focused on Rachel still. "Stop! Stop!" I inhaled deeply as she looked up at me now in a glare. "What the fuck do you think you two are doing? Why are you even out here?"

She ignored me looking back at Rachel who struggled in Vic's arms. "I'll fucking kill you, bitch!"

Lifting Kori into my arms again I pulled her out of Rachel's view and released her once more, my voice raised. "What the hell is wrong with you Kori?"

She lifted her arms, shoving me back. "Fuck you Richard." Her breath heaved at me as she wiped a hand across her bloodstained mouth. She released a growl into the air. "I can't fucking do this anymore. I can't be around her. She..."

I stepped to her, trying to ignore the hurt her words and behavior had put me in and I put my hands on either side of her face, holding her still against my gaze. "You don't mean that. Kor... this is Rachel... one of your closest friends. This isn't you... this... this is not who you are. You love Rachel."

My mind-set into further concern as her eyes widened over mine, tears beginning to flow, her entire demeanor softening, and receding into regret. It was as if she had been possessed by something, her anger not really meant to exceed the lengths it had.

"I ... I don't... I..." She shook her head staring down at the blood on her hands now. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I just... I..." She paused staring up at me now horrified at the acts she had committed as if I was judging her. And in truth I was, just not in the way she assumed. I was concerned not indignant to her. She slowly backed away from me toward the house. Her tears consuming her now. "I just... tell her I'm sorry. I don't... I didn't mean to. I just..."

As she broke into a run back toward the house I followed closely behind her. I didn't understand what was happening with her but I knew she couldn't be alone. I was actually afraid she might try to hurt herself. I knew whatever was happening to her, whatever she was going through had caused her to lash out at Rachel violently and I knew she would hate herself for what she had done.

"Kori." I said breathlessly as she entered our room now, her body shaking uncontrollably.

She rushed into the bathroom and knelt before the bathtub, sparking the faucet to life immediately. I stood, horrified at her appearance and trying to figure out how to help her let alone react to this behavior. Her fidgeting hands positioned themselves under the flowing water, her fingers scraping at the blood which stained her skin. Her weeping became heavier now and it was as if she couldn't hear me calling her name, she was so consumed in the red liquid that taunted back at her vision. It was a disturbing sight to see her clawing at her own skin now as if she was immune to any amount of pain.

Inhaling deeply I lowered myself beside her and took her hands into mine finally resulting in her acknowledging my presence. The pain in her eyes tore at my composure but I had to remain calm and comforting to her in this moment, at least until I understood what was going on with her.

With a small sniffle she looked up at me. "There's so much blood." She shook her head, her brows burrowing even further. "I don't... I can't get it off. It wont..'

"Shhh..." I said calmly, puling her head into my chest and caressing a hand through her hair. "Its alright Kori. Its alright."

"I didn't mean to hurt her. I would never hurt her. I just... I wouldn't..." She cried, looking up at me as if to convince me.

I nodded. "I know. Its alright. Whatever your going through,... I'm here. I'm right here and we'll figure it out together." I fixed a hand against her cheek with a warm smile. "I promise, everything will get better. I'll do everything I can."

It was now that her voice fell silent, releasing nothing more than cries into my shoulder, her body convulsing in my arms as she fell prey to incessant heaving of stressed breath. I lost control in this moment. Seeing her in so much pain was causing an intense frequency of emotion through me that I found almost unbearable. The most important aspect of my life was suffering and I felt completely helpless. I could hear her muffled voice reach out to me and what I heard her say only made this scenario harder.

"Make it go away... just make it stop. I can't make it go away. I can't take it anymore..." She pounded a closed fist softly against my chest. "I'm just so tired, I can't... I just can't..."

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It was several hours later and Kori was finally asleep. I had managed to calm her weeping long enough to get her all cleaned up and situated in my arms until her exhaustion from constant crying finally gave way to a deep sleep. My mind in this moment was scattered. I didn't know what to do to help her, how to make her feel better and it was unnerving. I needed to be the one to fix things, she expected it from me, she looked to me for relief from this and I was at a loss. There was nothing on my mind other than finding a way to help her through this... but how?

I fell from my thoughts at a soft knock against the door. I looked down at Kori who remained unaffected my the know and I slowly resituated her upon the bed and made my way to the door.

"What?" I whispered back at Gar who stared up at me with a stressful sigh.

"I'm just checking on you and Kori."

I nodded. "She's finally asleep." I hesitated. "How's Rachel?"

He shook his head nervously. "I don't know man. What ever happened between them ... I just.. I don't get it. Why would they lash out at each other?"

I sighed, leaning my weight against the door frame, hesitant to respond.

"I think..." I looked to him as he continued. It was far too obvious that he was unsure of what would happen should he continue with his words.

My eyes narrowed, suddenly curious. "What? Tell me?" He hesitated. "Gar if you know something..."

"Alright... fine... but, I don't know really how much I actually know."

I felt anger rise in me now. IN a situation such as this no one should be keeping secrets, especially when Rachel and Kori were trying to bounce back from their attack against Mr. Roth. I stepped into the hallway with him and quickly found Vic, asking him to keep an eye on Kori until I returned. Then, once I was certain Kori was under watch I followed Gar as he led me to Rachel's room. It shocked me to find Rachel had not cleaned her appearance up. She remained coated in blood upon her clothes and the few open wounds upon her mouth and brows.

She was pacing, her furious glare snapping to me. "Why is he here?"

I sighed. "I'm just here to help."

Her eyes widened over Gar now and it rose suspicion in me. "Help with what exactly?"

Gar shook his head taking a step back. "I haven't said anything..." I raised a brow at Rachel as I noticed her composure relax now, then reignite in anger as Gar continued. "...until now."

Rachel stepped toward Gar, her eyes wide but before she could reach him I stepped in front of her, separating the two. She looked up at me now, her teeth grinding in an attempt to suppress the frustration she felt. "Move."

"No, I need to know what the hell is going on around here. What would cause you and Kori to attack each other like that?"

She stepped back, pulling the hood off of her head and sighing heavily. "It was a misunderstanding. Everything's fine now."

As she sparked a cigarette I passed a nervous glance back to Gar who in response shrugged his shoulders at me. "Rachel... that didn't look like a mere misunderstanding. I know that you and Kori are having a difficult time adapting to ..."

"Fuck you Dick... you don't understand shit so don't stand there and act like..."

I was angry now, my voice raised at her nerve to expect the worst in me. I stepped to her, her responding in a slight chuckle. "Enough Rachel... what happened?"

"Your girlfriend wouldn't listen... so I did what ever it would take to silence her." She replied as she blew a cloud of smoke at me, her demeanor glazed over in carelessness.

Waving a hand in front of me to cast the smoke away, I shook my head. "I don't believe that. What were you two doing out there in the middle of the night?"

"I think I might have a clue." Gar said weakly.

"Shut it Gar!" Rachel snapped.

It was now that Gar surprised me. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating his thoughts then he raised his chest confidently and took one step toward Rachel and I. "No... I wont Rachel, not anymore. We're all involved in this now."

"Just tell me what the fuck is going on."

I raised a brow as Rachel smiled back at Gar, her tone of voice finding a more humor induced tone. "Go on Gar, tell him." She paused to take another puff of her cigarette. "Tell him and you can be responsible when he deals with the task on his own merely out of pure hatred and defense trying to protect Kori."

i turned to Gar. "What is she talking about?" Gar swallowed hard, glancing back and forth between Rachel and I. "Ignore her... just tell me."

"Uhh, look,... all I know is that Rachel had something to do with Mr. Roth's disappearance from the hospital."

My eyes widened over Rachel's smirk now. "Are you fucking crazy? Whats gotten into you? How could you..."

"I was gonna kill him too." She said with a sick, pleased smile.

"Was?" Gar asked in confusion.

Extinguishing her cigarette Rachel slouched down into a seat beside her, burying her head into her hands. "I just... Kori was right. I ... I had every amount of confidence possible gathered together in preparation for the task, there was no doubt in my mind that I would enjoy his death, lather his blood in my hands with satisfaction... but... after Kori said what she said, I cant help but feel she's right. Maybe... maybe this isn't what I want in the end."

Despite the anger I felt in this moment I tried to calm my breathing long enough to get the full story from Rachel. I knelt in front of her only after noticing her eyes glistening, fighting back tears. "Where is he Rachel?" As she looked to me I felt my body go numb. "He's here isn't he?" As she nodded I jumped to my feet and began pacing back and forth in the room now trying to come to terms with all of this. I shook my head. "So this... this is why Kori is so frightened? ... this is why she attacked you? ... She found him didn't she?"

"Yes."

At her words which delivered themselves to me so carelessly I stepped to her in a rage. I grabbed her by the shoulders shoving her back against the wall situated behind her chair. "How could you put her through this? How could risk her finding out... being in that situation of having to face him again? You know what she's been through... you..."

"Dick let her go!" Gar shouted, pulling back against my right shoulder.

I inhaled deeply focusing my glare on Rachel's for a brief moment then I stepped back. My hands rest over my head now as I tried to adjust to this new information. The amount of fear Kori must have felt, the anger she resulted to, everything made sense now. I had never been so upset with Rachel in my entire life and it was because she had hurt Kori. I knew Kori would be mortified by this night for more than one reason. Whether it be fighting Rachel or her stumbling across Mr. Roth somewhere on this property... it would haunt her.

"Where is he?" I asked, trying my hardest to bite back the rage I felt.

She stood, shaking her head. "I don't think that's such a good idea... especially not in your mood."

"He shouldn't be here in the first place Rachel, now where is he?"

Gar remained silent as she and I continued back and forth now.

"I had no choice. I had to bring him here. If I escaped with him anywhere else the police would be on my tail. They're already suspicious of me."

I laughed, unamused by her explanation. "As well they should be. Unfortunately you've just brought all of us in on this. Now, where is he?"

"You don't need to know, the less information you have..."

"Where?" I asked teeth clenched. "Rachel if you kill him, you're guaranteeing all of a long time in prison."

"I'm not going through with it alright. So..."

"Where? I wont ask again."

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We stepped out into the cold night, not much further from where we had found Rachel and Kori fighting. Rachel led us to a small wooden cellar type room hidden within the trees and as my eyes rest on Mr. Roth's shackled body something felt wrong. Maybe it was the way his body was situated in an unnatural manner, but there was definitely something off about him.

I knelt beside him cautiously and placed two fingers against his neck, his body unmoving against my touch. My body quickly became uneasy as the two began to bicker beside me.

"How could you bring him here? You made us all believe that you suggested coming here because you were concerned for Kori." Gar shouted at Rachel. "How... you lied to me. You said.."

"I didn't know where he was at the time you asked me. I had help on this, I wasn't alone. I would never lie to you Gar."

"So you were actually going to kill him? With all of us here? What was the plan Rachel? How could this not have eventually brought all of us in on this. We're all apart of this now, whether you want to admit it or not, or whether we like it or not."

Rachel growled. "I'm not gonna go through with it so you can stop bitching at me. I ... I was keeping him here until I figured out what my plan was but now things have changed. Everything will go back to normal now."

"Normal? Rachel... what is normal anymore? I can't... I can't believe this was ever an option for you..."

I sighed, looking to Rachel as I stood now. "What have you been giving him?"

Their conversation stopped as she looked to me. The expression on my face must have made her suspicious for her eyes narrowed. "A mild sedative... why?"

I ran a hand through my hair, a heavy exhale escaping my lungs. "He's dead."

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(A/N) Woo hoo, goodbye MR. Roth... trouble in paradise anyone? lol please R/R, Oh and sorry this is updated late, again, but for some reason the server was down or something like that. I don't know it just wouldn't let me access the site so...

Oh also, if you felt as though this chapter was moving too quickly, it was meant to be that way so don't worry, next chapter will draw back to this one in more detail. If that's confusing then... I don't know but it will make sense though lol Thanx for reading =]