The Strange Apprentice- Book Two

Chapter 9

When I got downstairs to meet everybody, they were all chatting with each other. Beastboy and Cyborg couldn't stop starring and admiring the Sanctum. They were trying to touch the relics, and had to be stopped by Doc by force ( By which I mean, with a spell) I couldn't hear what Starfire and Raven were talking about, but whatever it was, Raven wasn't really into it. I noticed that she also had dark circles around her eyes, which wasn't that difficult to notice because she had a really pale skin. She obviously didn't get enough sleep last night to, but she didn't want to show it. Curious girl, Raven. At first sight she always looks in a bad mood but that's just the way she is, it's her way of controlling the great power inside, that comes from her emotions. I saw her meditating last night before i went to sleep, the way she fights the darkness inside of her it's remarkable. As for Robin and I, well... we sat apart from each other, I couldn't face him right now. Doc arrived in last, when he did, he raised a hand and everybody shut up:
- Alright people, whatever Nightmare is planning we have to find out quickly, or else a lot of people can get hurt, Nightmare grows stronger everytime he plants a new bad dream in someone's head so there is no time to waist, now, what is that we know for sure?
- Me! Me! I know!- said Beastboy raising his hand excitedly- we know that he is giving people nightmares that it's causing people to think a new mental illness has been developed.
-Correct, what else?
-We know he has this terrifying beast doing damage cross country, although we don't know why- said Cyborg with a serious face.
- This is typical of Nightmare, that monster is probably just a distraction to take our minds off the real problem, which is the people. But what does he stand to gain with a new illness?
- Maybe we are not approaching this the right way- I said confidently- Why do people have nightmares to begin with?
- It's a manifestation of their subconscious to their darkest fears- said Damian, interrupting me.
- Exactly, and from what you just told us Nightmare becomes more powerful everytime he plants a nightmare on someone's head. Nightmare doesn't feed from people's dreams, it feeds from their fear.
- This new illness is going viral around the world- Raven interrupted- the more people he scares, more powerful he gets.
- If this disease get's known worldwide it will provoke mass hysteria and people will leave in constant fear. Unlimited power... that's what he wants, and if he succeeds with this plan there will be no way of stopping him- concluded Doc.
- There has to be something we can do- said Starfire, always hopeful.
- I can't see how. How are we supposed to eradicate fear from the face of the earth? It's impossible!
- Maybe we just have to give people a reason not to be scared- Damian said, with his eyes glowing like he had just invented the light-bulb or something- If we can prove to the world that this is not a real illness, then people won't have reasons to be afraid.
- That creature that you have been chasing, we have to confront it, extinguish it in front of people and somehow link it to the nightmares, then, people will see that we have their backs and won't be scared anymore- Doc concluded once again.
- We have been trying to do that for years and we were never successful- argued Raven.
- Maybe we just have to handle it in a different way- suggested Beastboy- what does darkness fears the most? Light ! Maybe we just have to shed some light to that feller...I might have an idea- he said with a naughty smile. Then he told us his plan. It was brilliant actually ( for Beastboy I mean) and we all agreed to put in action in the next day. We spent the whole day prepping for this and after our little briefing each one went their own separate ways. I went home, my parents were going to kill me for spending to much time outside of the house and not studying enough,not that I need it but I have to at least make an effort. When I was walking home, my bracelet started glowing. That could only mean one thing:
- Are you going to follow me all the way home?- I asked to the air.
- You can't blame me for trying to keep you safe, love- said John, coming out from behind a dumpster.
- Actually I can, I told you to stay away from me- I replied after turning around to see him in a really bad shape.
- You should know by now that i'm not good at picking up orders, specially the ones that don't allow me to see you. You look tired, are you ok?
- Don't pretend like you care John, I don't have time for this.
- Why? What's going to happen?
- We are taking down that creature for good, I have to be sharp for tomorrow, so i'm going home, and get some sleep. Goodbye John.
- Is Boy Wonder going to be there?
- Yes, he is, and we are not having this conversation again.
- Where do you even know this guy from? He is from Gotham!
- I lived in Gotham all my life, until a couple years ago we had to move in, because the city was getting to dangerous. I had already got accepted to the NYU, so my parents took the opportunity.
- Why did you never tell me this?
-You were out there, to busy caring about everyone except me. I guess I never told you.
- How many times do I have to apologize?!
- They will never be enough!! When will you realize you screw up?!- my eyes were starting to water, but I couldn't let him see me like this, so I quickly rubbed them- I really thought we had something, and in a matter of seconds you threw it all away. There is no going back now. Goodbye John.- and I walked away while tears rolled down my cheeks and my faced turned hot and red. I don't know if he had gotten the message, but one thing I knew for sure is that those words had hurt me more than him.