Birdcage

Chapter four

Robin's expression still showed his concern but was now mingled with confusion.

"You don't know?" He waited for her to continue but she just seemed more distant.

"It's hard to explain." Robin let out a long sigh before shifting his weight some on the edge of her bed in an attempt to get more comfortable.

"I doubt there's anything you could tell me that would seem weird considering everything we've been through." He did have a point.

"It's kind of like when you have a vivid dream. Every detail created by your subconscious. But usually when you wake up you forget it…but this time it feels like I never woke up," she rubbed her eyes tiredly, "and now it's as though I'm dreaming even when I'm awake…see things from my dream…I sound crazy."

"Is that where this guy came from? Your dreams? Or did he show up while everyone was gone?"

"I think, i..it started in my dreams and then I saw him this morning when we were out…I've never had something like this happen before."

"Maybe not exactly…" Robin quietly commented trying to stifle a small grin.

"That was a long time ago and it's not the same thing," she reminded him knowing what situation he was talking about.

"You were able to create something from your fear so having this guy come out of your dreams to bother you in reality isn't that far fetched. Right?" Before she could answer the color in the room shifted slightly. A dark crimson inked through the door and into the room from the hallway. Raven shifted herself away from the door catching Robin's attention."What's wrong?" She shook her head back unable to answer him. She had a hard time understanding this feeling but she knew it was bad. "Hey, Raven. Is everything okay?" By now he had her by the shoulders and was trying to get her to look in his direction. "Tell me what's going on?"

"Perhaps I can explain it," the deep voice caused Robin to turn towards the door as Raven watched the thin shadow enter the room. Raven's shoulders stiffen at the sight of him. Robin noticed her move back even more, closer to him. He went into action standing from the bed, pulling his staff out from and extending it towards their unwelcome guest.

"Who are you," he demanded. The slim man walked over pushing the end of the weapon away. He moved swiftly towards the hero who had placed himself between the stranger and Raven. Despite how much he towered over him, Robin returned the glare he was receiving.

"My name is inconsequential. I am simply here for my prize." His cold gaze shifted to Raven.

"You're right," Robin answered causing Raven to inhale sharply. "Whatever your name is doesn't really matter because you're leaving and she's not going with you." The man in front of him left out a soft chuckle.

"And you're going to stop me with your little stick here?" He lightly swatted at the tip of the staff again. Robin was quicker than expected as he swung his weapon back and managed to hit the guy in the side of his face. He stumbled and lost his footing. Before Robin could hit him again he felt Raven's arms wrap around his midsection from behind and darkness swallowed the two of them. Suddenly they were in the living room downstairs. Raven collapsed on the couch letting out a shaky breath.

"Why'd you stop me from fighting him?" Robin turned back to her.

"Something about it just didn't feel right, like you were in way over your head," she told him as she leaned forward and brought her arms around her shoulders.

"Are you going to tell me who he is now?" He had an annoyed quality to his voice. She shook her head and closed her eyes.

"I don't know." Her voice came out quietly.

"Raven!" He finally turned completely around to face her. "He wants to take you away to who knows where. If you really think I can't beat him then we need to know who we're up against and what our plan is. You have to know something, anything about him and why he wants to ta you." It was hard to tell whether he was more frustrated or angry at this point but there was definitely an edge in his voice.

"Look, I explained where I think he came from, it's not like there was some formal introduction," her tone matched his at this point. He placed one hand on his hip while running his fingers through his hair.

"We at least have to get him out of the tower." Before either of them could come up with a solution Raven felt something unnatural shift in the room again. Robin's expression went from aggravated to shocked. His one hand dropped to his side while the other clutched at his chest. The excruciating pain had creeped into his rib cage before he even felt the dark presence behind him.

"I have no plan on staying, just want what I came for," the uninvited stranger leaned over his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "And you're not going to stop me, right?" He emphasized his statement by closing his fingers slightly causing Robin to let out a stifled groan. It took Raven a couple of seconds to figure put what happened. There was no blood, not even a wound but she could feel his pain as he swayed on his feet. Her dream's creation kept Robin from falling forward as he reached an arm around to hold him up. He made a faint attempt to pull away but the tightening in his chest increased. "Now now, I wouldn't move if I were you. Not unless you want me to squeeze harder."

His statement confirmed Raven's concern. His other hand was deep inside Robin's chest, gripping his heart. He must have phased his arm through Robin's back. Her friend didn't seem to know how to react and possibly didn't even understand what was going on. His breathing had become shallow and she could feel his heart rate starting to slow.

"Robin," he barely brought his gaze up to meet hers before his head swayed to one side and he went limp in front of her.

Author's notes:Would love some more reviews. I'm still trying to figure out what to call the guy from Raven's dream and wouldn't mind some suggestions.