Mazes Of Red

CHAPTER 36: Termoil

RED HOODS POV

I stayed silent, my face a mask of shock and paleness as her words echoed in my head.

"The second Robin." It couldn't be a coincidence. She had to be my Lauren.

My mind raced connecting the dots, the truth hitting me harder than any blow ever could.

I stood, my movements stiff, gathering my things with a mechanical efficiency.

I had to get out of here away from her away from this overwhelming realisation.

Not because I was mad but because I needed to process this. She was my Lauren. I had finally found her.

I put my helmet on the familiar weight a small comfort and walked towards the front door.

I didn't care if anyone saw me. I just needed to leave. The cool night air hit me as I stepped into the hall but it did little to clear my head.

"You're a coward!" she shouted from the door her voice cutting through the silent hall "You can't even trust me!"

I turned anger flaring up masking my confusion and fear. "Why the fuck should I? A pathetic truth isn't gonna change my thoughts" I spat back, my voice harsh and biting.

"You're an asshole," she retorted her eyes blazing. "You don't get to use my door. Scamper out the window the way you came."

I scoffed pushing the door open with more force than necessary and stepped out slamming it behind me.

The sound echoed in the quiet hall a punctuation mark to my frustration.

I stood there for a moment, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away, replaced by a gnawing regret.

I wanted to go back in too apologise to explain but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Instead I turned on my heel and walked away each step heavier than the last.

As I walked my thoughts were a chaotic jumble.

Memories of Lauren from the past mingled with the present the stark reality of our situation.

I had searched for her for so long and now that I had found her I was too scared to confront the truth.

Back in my safe house I stripped off my gear the weight of the night's events settling on my shoulders.

I stepped into the shower the hot water a stark contrast to the cold knot in my stomach.

Her words replayed in my mind the truth she had admitted the anger in her eyes.

She was my Lauren.

My heart clenched at the realisation. I had finally found her but I had pushed her away.

I leaned against the shower wall letting the water cascade over me.

I remembered the times we had spent together the laughter, the arguments the quiet moments of understanding.

The realisation hit me like a ton of bricks: I had to make this right. I couldn't let my fear and anger ruin the second chance I had been given. But how? How could I face her again after what I had done?

Lauren's POV

I watched him leave my anger simmering beneath the surface.

My breaths came in harsh bursts I grabbed my hair letting out a noise of pure frustration.

My eyes fell on the first aid box and before I knew it I hurled it at the door.

It hit with a satisfying thud but it did little to ease my anger.

"Asshole," I muttered, flipping the door off with both middle fingers.

I took a deep breath trying to calm myself.

Slowly, the anger ebbed away replaced by a weary sadness.

I turned to the board I had made for him, my anger bubbling up again.

With a sharp tug I snatched a blanket and threw it over the board covering the evidence of my obsession.

I moved quickly cleaning up the mess my mind a whirlwind of confusion.

Why had he reacted that way? was he hiding? The questions swirled around but there were no answers.

Tired and frustrated I dragged myself to bed hoping for some semblance of peace.

But as I lay there staring at the ceiling, his words echoed in my mind.

He was hiding something something big. And I was determined to find out what it was.

I replayed our conversation over and over dissecting every word every nuance.

The way he had reacted to my confession about the second Robin—it was too intense too personal.

There was something more to this something I was missing.

I turned on my side the cool sheets a small comfort against the heat of my frustration.

Memories of Jason flooded my mind the way he had always been so guarded so secretive in the beginning .

There was a similarity in Red Hood's behaviour that I couldn't ignore.

Could it be? No ...it was impossible... Jason was gone.

But the thought lingered refusing to be dismissed.

I got out of bed unable to sleep.

I walked to the covered board and hesitated before pulling the blanket off.

The pictures, the notes the connections—they all pointed to one thing: Red Hood was hiding something huge and I was getting closer to the truth.

My fingers traced the lines of my mind map connecting the dots my resolve hardening.

I needed to know.

I needed to understand why he was so reluctant to trust me why he reacted so strongly to my revelation.

And if he was who I thought he might be there was a chance I could finally get the closure I had been seeking for so long... maybe live the life i had dreamed of....

I took a deep breath, my mind made up.

I would confront him.

I would get my answers one way or another.

But for now, I needed rest.

I climbed back into bed my mind still buzzing but my body exhausted.

As I closed my eyes I vowed that I would uncover the truth no matter what it took.

AUTHORS NOTE

AAAAAAA im back sorry for the long wait i broke my laptop but that wont stop me hahaha.

thanks for reading