Raven and the Titans Vol. 1

"Down the Rabbit Hole" (2/4)

Chapter 3: "Down the Rabbit Hole" Part 2/4

I glance around the room almost in disbelief. The illogical fragment of me expects to see sable shapes dancing in the most pitch-black corner of the four-walled chamber just waiting for me to place any of my limbs near them. The room isn't completely dark as a faint, red glow radiates from the small clock on a table near the bed. As my eyes widen slightly from shock, a drop of fear makes itself at home within my heart causing it to pump faster because the eerie, scarlet lighting reminds me of the color of his eyes.

Trigon... I- He's- That was horrible.

I close my eyes and recall all the spoken words exchanged between the two of us. However, the dialogue isn't the single memory that returns from that meeting. The rush of adrenaline, the terror of standing in his presence, and the pain from being tormented accompanies the words. My hands start to tremble. My body perspires adding a thin layer of salty moisture over my skin leaving my palms sticky and sweaty.

Stop it! If I were to show emotions, my body would be surrendering to my heart. I might as well put a bow on my head and deliver myself to Trigon. Think reasonably!

I squeeze my eyelids tighter and slow my turbulent breathing. I compel my heart to cease its erratic speed and return to a quiet, faint, constant, harmonic tempo.

I'm not there. He's gone from my mind. I'm in bed. He's not here.

I press my palms to the surface below me feeling the resistance of the bed's springs to assure myself I'm in my apartment. I fan out my fingers seeking the softness of the blanket, and I find it nestled in the form of a ball on my left side.

Ah, I must have tossed it aside during my slumber. It's good to be back.

My hands roam to my throat, my head, and my chest. With my index finger, I poke at each area finding no tenderness from any bruises or cuts. Relief floods my body and mind, and I open my eyes and glance at the stupid, digital clock.

Great. Now, I'm reduced at being scared of a clock. Ridiculous... Well, it's three fifteen in the morning. For the sake of all that's magical, I won't be able to sleep again tonight, and frankly, I'd rather process what I've learned. Time to meditate.

I toss my legs to the right side of the bed and slide off. My dressed feet keep me from feeling the cold from the tile even though I know my socks might accumulate dust and dirt. I walk into the bathroom, flick the switch for the mirror lights, and head towards the sink. Turning the labeled knob for cold water, I allow the water to run through my fingers as I move my hands under the torrent coming from the faucet. Once the temperature is cool, I cup my hands and splash the revitalizing liquid on my tired face.

I don't even want to look at the mirror. I must look like a mess. Luckily, I'll have my cloak. I won't let the others see my wrecked appearance.

Grabbing a blue towel from a rack situated on the wall left of the sink, I dry the water near my eyes. I leave the rest of my damp face alone, so I can relish the feeling of the air hitting my face, which sends marvelous shivers down my shoulders and arms.

I walk back into the bedroom mindlessly heading towards the double-door closet. Knowing I'll find a simple, black backpack on the left side of the closet, I push the door handles downwards and pull the doors revealing the inside of the mostly empty closet. The doors groan in complaint as I pull them causing the room to be suddenly filled with the sound of harsh and loud creaking. Moving towards the left and bending my knees, I lift the backpack by one of its straps and hoist it onto my right shoulder.

Standing, I perambulate towards the window nearest to the closet to check for the current phase of the moon. Raising one of the bars of the blinds, I see the moon in a waxing gibbous stage. Content, I draw the strings on the right to raise the base of the blinds. As I pull the cord, the bottom rises, so the room gradually becomes brighter with every inch. Planting my elbows onto the windowsill, I lean forwards while placing my right cheek onto my right palm to study the floating mass of "cheese".