Forever Lost

1

Robin.

Her screams echoed through the darkness.
"Robin!"
I searched frantically for the one I loved. The sinister laughter of Slade echoed in my head.
"Leave her alone!"
One scream after another of an innocent friend. Friend; possibly more than that but it didn't matter at this point. All that mattered was finding her. It was as if I were in a giant maze. Every corner I turned, every dead end I faced, there was another path. More screaming.
More laughter.
They were slowly and agonizingly getting louder and closer. 'It's going to be ok.' My consciousness tried to reassure me and help me keep my sanity, but it was merely a whisper in my clouded mind.
Then I saw her; in a pool of crimson color. Her blood. Her glowing scarlet hair was now faded and covered her face. Cuts and bruises covered her beautiful body that I had come to love. Before I could analyze her anymore, I ran to her side and placed her limp body in my lap while supporting her head with my arms. Her uniform was torn and I noticed that it was revealing more than it should. Anger arose inside as I realized the reasoning behind her torn and disheveled clothes. I gently moved her hair from her face and it revealed the cuts and the injuries she had sustained in the few hours I had been dreaming. But at the same time it amazed me. Though she had physical injuries, her emerald colored eyes still sparkled in this dark setting. Her pink lips formed a weak smile and she placed her fragile hand on my cheek.
"Hi Robin."
I smiled and a tear fell.
"Hey Star."
Our words of exchange ignited a small spark of hope deep within. Her voice sounded so distant even though she was lying in my arms.
"What has he done to you?"
She flinched as I used my glove to wipe away some of the  blood from her cheek.
"He has done nothing to me. Physically yes, but mentally I do not hurt like I do on the outside."
She always tends to amaze me. How can she stay so positive in such an awful situation?
"It's going to be ok. He won't hurt you anymore. I won't let him!"
Laughter.
My head swiveled back and forth looking for the source. Looking for him.
"Hello Robin."
Starfire's eyes widened and she shook in fear. Instinctively I held her tighter.
"It won't work you know."
My brow pulled together in confusion.
Laughter.
"Trying to protect her. Can't you see? I've already won. She says her mind is fine, but even if the wounds heal on the outside, the wounds in her head can never fully heal. Memories of the pain, the torture, the heartbreak, will always remain. Come on Robin, you should know this, considering you watched your own parents die."
The scenes from the terrible night played through my mind. Although the room was cloudy, the memories were crystal clear.
"Leave her alone Slade, she's done nothing. It's me that you hate, hurt me instead." Laughter.
"But don't you see Robin, I am hurting you."
Somehow Slade appeared before us and pulled Starfire's head back by her hair. She whimpered.
"With every-" he slammed her head against the ground and I was frozen in place, forced to watch.
"-single ounce of pain-" another slam of her injured skull.
"-she receives!"
He finished her with a twist of her neck. All I could hear were my screams and the sickening crack of my love dying in my arms.

Someone was shaking me and I quickly woke from my sleep.
"Robin wake up please. It is only the bad dream."
My fear turned to relief and my fist unclenched my black sheets. I worked to catch my breath as I hugged Starfire. Once again she saved me; from myself. We pulled apart and she handed me a wet towel to cool my nerves. It was the usual routine. Every night she would wake me from my screams and stay with me until I was finally able to fall back asleep. The nightmares only got this bad after we returned from Tokyo; and through all of it, Starfire has been there.
"Would you like to sleep with the Silkie?"
A weak laugh escaped my chapped lips and she handed me the water bottle from my side table. I eagerly gulped down the smooth drink.
"No thanks, I'll be ok. Thanks for waking me."
She smiled and it was only then when I saw her face. The moonlight showing through my window revealed the faint dark circles appearing below her lively eyes. I am running her ragged.
"Is there anything else that I may do to ease your nerves?"
I shook my head.
"No, thanks Starfire. I really appreciate you helping me."
She smiled again.
"Of course Robin, you are my best-" she paused and swallowed.
"Friend."
She walked out of my room leaving me in the dark. We both knew what we wanted. But neither of us knew how to achieve it. We are a couple, everyone knows, but I've never had a girlfriend. I've always cared more about being a hero rather than being human. But I can't truly be a hero if I'm not happy, and Starfire makes me feel things I haven't felt since I was a child. Things I haven't felt since, since my parents died. No matter what age I turn, the memory will always be as sharp and vivid as the night it happened.