Author's Notes: Ahhh I'm sorry! Puny chapter right here. I would have combined it with 9 buuut I didn't remember this chapter til I had already posted 9. Oh well though, it is pretty important despite its small size. And I ASSURE you, it is the last tiny chapter. I figured I'd post this one faster than usual since school starts again in a few days and guess who put off all her homework until the last second? Heh, good guess.
Chapter 10: Discovery
That night, as usual, Starfire returned to the room. After falling asleep wrapped in Robin's arms, surrounded by warmth and love, she switched to the cold loneliness of her haunting dream. But this time, there was a striking difference - it was no longer dark. Only once before had the lights illuminated her prison, but now they were back on, blindingly bright. She blinked her eyes several times to adjust, looking around at the blank walls and the machinery to her left, making the familiar electrical sounds she now heard every night.
"Oh, how nice of you to join us." It was the voice. The voice she had recently come to dread more than anything.
"No…" She muttered in disbelief.
"But yes. Hmm, it's rather early, only eight o'clock. Peculiar. Normally you wouldn't be here at this hour." Suddenly, from the opposite side of the room, the white wall slid open, revealing a dimly lit hallway in the background. A figure cloaked in black appeared, calmly stepping into the room, the wall closing behind him. Starfire struggled, but soon remembered the clasps that connected her to the table.
"Mmhmm, you think you'd learn after a while." He chuckled, drifting over to the helpless girl's side. He turned to one of the machines, typing something into its computer.
"Please… at least tell me what these are…" She looked about, seeing many different types of what looked like medical equipment. The person didn't respond, continuing about his work. She lifted her head up to see herself now that it was bright enough, and what she saw made her choke on a breath of air. Though not much had changed from about a month ago, she was still plugged into these machines through tubes and wires, there was one difference that boldly stood out to Starfire.
Her belly had a slight, but noticeable, bump.
"Wha-what?" She asked breathlessly. The man in disguise laughed, enjoying her confusion.
"I know, my sweet Starfire, look what's happened to you." Even though Starfire was taken aback at this discovery, she felt fury flow through her body at his endearing nickname for her.
"Oooh, accelerated heart rate, hmm? Do I anger you, pretty girl?" He spun back around, moving his hand up the length of Starfire's neck, causing her to shudder uncontrollably. She shrunk back as far she possibly could, trying to escape his reach. He typed a final code into the machine, causing it to whir louder than before. "Ready for the night. You're doing well. Just a few more months, and I'll get what I want." With this, he left the room, the lights shutting off behind him. Starfire laid on the table in absolute shock and terror, the rest of her dream passing by in a dimension that held no time.