Red X Returns

He wants you alive

Once again, Dustin awoke to constant sound of the monotone beeps of the machine. He was in the infirmary again, his wound in his side bandaged up tightly, making it slightly hard to breathe. He moaned a few times, getting the Titans' attention. Then he opened his eye, squinting at first, then opening them fully. To his surprise, only Robin and Starfire sat there beside his bed. He reached for the glass of water on the table next to him. His fingers were only inches from it but he couldn't reach. Starfire quickly handed him the cup and took it from him when he was finished.

"How did I get here?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly. He watched them warily as they stood in front of his bed, Robin wearing a serious look on his face.

"You alerted us. When we arrived home, we found you harmed quite horribly," Starfire explained quickly. "Do you not remember?"

He shook his head. "The last thing I remember is my side bleeding for a few seconds, then black. Nothing after that. I had a nightmare, then I woke up here. Wait, what happened with Cinderblock? Did you guys win? Is Steel City safe? What about Titans East? And Cyborg and Beast Boy? What-"

Starfire laid a hand on his shoulder. He stopped quickly, looking up at her. "You have no need to worry. Cyborg and Beast Boy are safe as well as the Titans East. And the Cinderblock is no longer a threat to Steel City."

Robin chimed in, noting something about Dustin's attack. "Looks like you were knocked out by Red X."

Dustin groaned and threw his head back, cracking his neck. He was really getting tired of the constant knock outs by the infamous Red X. Didn't he have anything better to do than harrass him? He stabbed him in the side for pete's sake! But Dustin needed to be more on guard of himself. He was too at home. He would need to be alert at all times. "Guys, I'm really sorry. I-" Then it hit him. "Wait a minute, I didn't alert you guys. I was in the third floor hallway. My communicator was on the kitchen counter."

Starfire and Robin looked at each other, concerned. "Then the Red X saved you?" Starfire asked, her tone questioning.

"He must've," I replied.

Robin shook his head, "He keeps coming after you. He needs you for something, Dustin."

"But...what?" he asked dumbly. His secrets weren't safe anymore. Sooner or later, they were going to jump out into the open.

"I don't know," Robin stated, "but whatever it is, he needs you alive for it. Otherwise, you would've been dead by now."

Dustin chuckled halfheartedly. "Heh, that's comforting."

"Red X is working for someone. He's not smart enough to plan these things out like this. I bet I know who he's working for."

"who?"

"Slade."