Quote the Raven

Realization Destination

Depression is a horrible monster terrifying enough to take down anyone and anything. It eats you alive, bit by bit until the only thing left is your bare emotions. You can only hide these feelings of the utmost sadness for so long before someone finds out, before it grows obvious to the public. That's how Garfield Logan, aka Beast boy, viewed his current situation at least.

He was never the greatest at hiding his emotions in the first place, but a false smile and a corny joke normally sealed the deal...unless, of course, you were shooting the breeze with Raven. He remembered it like it was yesterday, the words that changed his entire perspective on sadness, and possibly life itself. How could he forget when it had caused such an impact?

Squirming uncomfortably in his sheets, (undoubtably soaked by a cold sweat) he flashed back to those simple words, the words that kept him chained away from society. It simply started out with the usual meeting in the living room where the shades were drawn high.

Robin,unfortunately, probably wanted to discuss training over breakfast again. With this turning out to be true, the day had gone without a hitch at first. After the unanimous leader's obstacle coarse spiel, everyone was enjoying the merriment, freedom, and sunshine. That was the illusion created, at least. The chirping of birds and rocky terrane reminded him of the joy he had experienced with a certain Blond Titan...Until the incident, that is.

He had slipped up, letting his downcast reach farther than his thoughts and into his features.That was all it took for the sorceress to finally voice her opinion. "Beast Boy.", She called quietly. Dang it all. Had he been found out after his precisely executed charade seemed to work so well?

"Hmm?" The shapeshifter retorted with a carefully crafted smile. She stared into his eyes for moment before continuing, asking bluntly, "Are you really happy?"

The nail had been hit directly on the head. "O-of corse! As a clam!" He retorted before promptly taking the form of the mollusk. She had peered directly through his act and did not hesitate to ask again.

"This isn't a joke, Beast Boy." She said firmly. "Are you really happy?" Her intense gaze petrified him. It was as if she could see into the depths of his very soul. He gave a nervous chuckle after poofing back to his original form.

"We'll yeah!" He said, voice dripping with the sad attempt of false giddiness. "I'm smiling, so why wouldn't I be, right?" As she looked at him with a knowing gaze, he began to tremor slightly from the pressure. Unable to maintain eye contact any longer, he instead looked at the floor as she spoke.

"Just because you're smiling," she began sternly. "Doesn't necessarily mean you're happy." his eyes widened and his shoulders stiffened as these words pierced his ears. She had most definitely seen through to his inner core and thoughts.

The room suddenly grew dead silent, still enough to hear a pin drop. Abruptly, a voice cut through the uneasiness like a dagger. Raven spoke tentatively, saying, "I didn't mean to upset you, I just noticed something was off. Don't take it that way, alright?"

At first he thought she must have read his emotions, but the expressions of his teammates told him otherwise. It was only then that he reached up to touch his cheeks, only to find a steady stream of tears announcing his pain to the world.

"Beast Boy..." Cyborg said, taking a step towards him. He had to get out of there. Now. Letting out little moans of uneasiness, he immediately took the form of a house fly, the smallest and quickest thing he could think of.

They would certainly try to find him, there was no doubt about it, but when you're a changeling, hide and seek is a singe. The first place they'd probably check would be the Doom Patrol headquarters, so that was out of the question. The park was too cheery, too full of people, as well as the arcade.

His little mind raced as he flew without a purpose or direction. Then it hit him. The team knew the source of his unpleasant string of night terrors, so why would he flock to the very place that caused them? A shiver ran down his minute body. It would hurt, but... He had been meaning to pay his respects anyway, so he might as well kill two birds with one stone.

So he flew, invisible as the night, swifter than the wind. The future was inevitable, but all he really wanted to do was escape to the past, the past before her betrayal. That's what makes humans so odd in perspective to prosperity. They can never look ahead, only behind.