Instincts: A Roven Story

Chapter 9: Rescue

Something had been bothering me. "She couldn't have... Wouldn't have... Shouldn't have..." I glared at my reflection in the mirror as I realized she did. "At least she's alive..." I sighed. "It's time to tell the truth Cyborg." I looked at my reflection one last time before I left to break my promise.

I entered the common room the same time Jinx ran in carrying Robin. "What's going on?!" Starfire was the first to reach them. Jinx put Robin on the couch where he writhed in pain. "What's going on!" Star repeated. "Slade... He's killing her!" Tears spilled out of Jinx' eyes. I gulped. It was now or never. Without knowing where she'd been we could never know where she is now. "Um... Guys..." I slowly began. "What is it Cy?! Can't you see we are in the middle of a crisis?!" BeastBoy snapped at me. "I know where she was hiding!" All eyes snapped towards me. Even Robin quit moaning for a moment. "Well... not really where... But I know who she was with." "Why didn't you speak up sooner?!" Robin pulled himself from the couch and grabbed onto my shoulders rage boiling in his eyes. "Because I didn't want to believe it! And... I promised her... I swore I'd never tell anyone." "Where. Was. She?" Jinx was cornering me now also. "With her father."

*Wayne Manor, Gotham*
"Robin you can't go there." He looked at me sternly. "I go where I have to." I returned his gaze. "She left of her own accord. I warned you about trusting her. And now look what's happened. I won't let you risk your life again for someone who doesn't care about their own." I stared into his cold yet caring gaze. "I'm going. You can join me, or you can remain here. I never thought the Batman would deny helping a man keep from losing the child he raised." I knew I had struck him deep in the heart. "Fine." He glared down at me but it didn't matter. I had won.

*Transylvania*
"This is where Raven's been hiding?" Star looked at me fear glistening in her eyes. I looked to Cyborg for conformation. He solemnly nodded. "How do you know?" BeastBoy whispered. "Why you? Why not me?" This he spoke louder. "It wasn't.. It wasn't her choice to tell me. I found traces of a high energy being during our fight with Slade. I confronted it and met someone who I thought was nothing more than the monster of a horror film. He told me he came to check and make sure his little girl's life was in capable hands. Then he was gone. I made Raven tell me about him." Cyborg wouldn't meet anyone's gaze but BeastBoy kept pressing him. "How did you know where this place is then?" His voice grew even louder. "He came back... After she was safe he came to see me. He gave me directions here. Told me if anything ever happened to her again that I'd better come find him... or I'd live to regret it." By now Cyborg looked like he'd died again. "Why don't you tell us so-" "Silence!" BeastBoy was cut off my a menacing growl. In front of us stood a palish grey giant with snow white hair and unforgiving red eyes. "Where is Raven?!" The giant grabbed Cyborg and lifted him high into the air. "Where is my daughter?!" Underneath us the ground shook causing Star to fall. I grabbed her and shielded her with my body. That's when I caught my first glimpse of those behind this great beast. A tall slender woman stood emotionless with four girls and a boy about my age. "Sl-Slade.. ha-has.. h-her.." Cyborg choked. The massive monster released him. "We will get her back. Come with me young man." He motioned to me before having a servant named Natasha get the others settled in rooms so they can freshen up. At first Jinx was hesitant about leaving the monster and I. She clearly wanted to be present when any information regarding Raven is shared. Slowly she conceded to leaving.

"So Robin." I have no idea how this man knows my name. "Where is she?" He flew at me and pinned me against the wall. "I- I don-don't kn-know." I gasped for air. This crazy monster was suffocating me. "Yes you do! You know exactly what's happening to her. You are giving off her energy. That is how I haven't killed you yet. This connection between your minds is saving you. Think hard child. Focus. Find out where he is hiding my little girl. This bond won't save you forever." His eyes glowed red and he tightened his grip. I squeezed my eyes shut trying to drown everything else out. Maybe he's right. Maybe if I focus hard enough I'll be able to find out where she is.

"Robin..."

I heard a faint voice. "Raven?" I mumbled aloud. "Raven tell me where you are."

"It's dark... And cold... And loud."

"Raven! Raven I need more information than that." I cried out.

"I'm moving..."

"Raven? Raven what do you mean?" I began getting more and more frantic as her voice got softer and softer.

"He's coming... Find me Robin..."

"Who's coming? Slade? Raven where are you?!"

She didn't respond. I heard a sick twisted laugh followed by a shrill whistle. Then nothing. All was silent. Slowly I opened my eyes.

"Where is she?" The monster thundered. I couldn't respond. I let my head fall onto his hand that was clasped around my throat. I replayed everything she said over and over again in my head. Dark, cold, loud, moving. And then that whistle. I tried to think of where she might be.

"Sir..." I breathed out slowly. "Where's the nearest train station?..."