Mutilate

•5•

            Rain cascaded down onto the roof of the Titans tower. The mage still sitting, trying to process what had just happened. Her own boyfriend had just walked out on her. Leaving her in the dark, gloomy rain that once soothed her.

   Damian couldn't believe what she'd said about her life. 'The world would be better' those words continually played over and over inside his mind. Batman's son paced his room. Trying to understand what would make his love think like that. Yes, he had seen what was said about her in the news, but it shouldn't affect her in such a way that makes her feel useless. She's stronger than that. She had to be. What would he do if she wasn't as strong as he thought? He only hoped that he was right about her strength.

Wet trails were left behind Raven. Her clothes soaked in salty rain, desperate to be removed and dried. As she walked to her room she removed her drenched cloak, taking the weight off her back and shoulders. Her head was down so she couldn't see anyone in front of her. Allowing Damian to come up and trap her wet body in his arms. "Angel...you're freezing." He said trying to warm her up. Her chattering teeth gave him the willpower to walk her to her room so she could warm up.

Once inside, the teen hung up her cloak on the door handle while she peeled her soaked leotard off and replaced it with warm pajama pants and a sweatshirt. Damian held the two articles of clothing as he opened the door saying, "I'll put these in the dryer. Try to warm yourself up more. I tell your still cold." The door clicked shut behind him, leaving her alone. She took action with her free time and rolled the sleeve up. Giving her space to do her dirty work. She counted while she made skinny lines on her arm, beads of dark red blood popping out of some of them. She sighed a breath of relief. Standing up, she walked to the bathroom and washed off her blood from the pastey skin. A dry towel was the fastest way she could dry the water off. And to close the cuts. She set the towel down and rolled her sleeve back down to hide the evidence. Her bathroom door opened, with Damian on the other side, now staring at her. Her eyes swelled with tears making Damian pull her into his arms and out of the bathroom. The son of batman fell to the ground with Raven when her legs lost all strength.

"I've got you Rachel..." She shook as she cried in his arms. Her head rested against his chest, "Angel..what's wrong?" He asked worried about her sudden sob. "I..I don't know Dame.." she lied. Deep down, she knew exactly what was wrong.