FLIGHT ✔P.M. ₂

chapter fifteen

ROBIN DIDN'T TRUST the god's words. In time for what? Did it have something to do with the bracelet that he now wore? He still hadn't moved, and he was surprised himself that he'd been able to stay still for so long.

The demigod eyed the three new people warily. He hadn't seen them before, but they were all wearing the same symbol on their clothing - HYDRA's icon. His eyes narrowed. What did they want with him? Better yet, what did Morpheus want with him?

The white man with the irritated expression, who seemed to be in charge, waved his hand lazily. "Get on with it," He said in a thick accented and bored voice.

Morpheus just smirked. With a click of a button on a small device he held in his hand, the plan was put into action.

A sheering pain shot through Robin's body. He bit his tongue to stop him from making a pained sound. He thought about using his powers, but Morpheus warned him not to. Why was he listening? Because he's a god and could put him to sleep for years if he wanted to.

The pain only got worse. He couldn't explain the feeling. First there was the piercing where the bracelet was, small needles digging deep in his skin. That was the least of his worries. His entire body felt as if it was being burnt from the inside out.

He dug his nails into his palms, deep enough to draw blood. He grit his teeth. The man, the leader, Robin presumed, didn't seem impressed. He snatched the remote from the god, who looked about to protest. Before he could, the man pressed another button. The pain got worse.

Robin let out a weak whimper. He felt on fire, and not in a good way. Unlike Leo, he was definitely not fireproof.

Morpheus was quick to notice the pain the boy was in. He snapped his fingers, and the three HYDRA executives fell to the floor, fast asleep. The god took the remote back, and broke it. He then rushed inside the cell and took off the bracelet. It didn't do much to help.

Robin was still in pain. It was too late - the liquid had been injected into him already. He couldn't stop himself for letting out a cry of pain, salty tear staining his cheeks.

Morpheus winced at the sight. It was unflattering. Robin never looked so vulnerable, that much the god knew. With a sigh, he prayed upon the only person he knew would help. Apollo.

In a matter of seconds, the sun god was there, looking as handsome as ever. Tan skin, golden hair, blue eyes, he looked dreamy. At least he would to humans. Robin and Morpheus? They didn't even bat an eyelid.

Apollo was quick to notice the young boy's state. He turned to the dream god. "What in my father's name did you do to him?" He demanded, pushing the other man up against the wall to the side of the cell.

Morpheus seemed hardly phased, though he was a bit worried. "It was them." He gestured at the unconscious bodies on the floor with his head.

Skeptically, Apollo released him and went to Robin side, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Not a second later, the liquid was gone and evaporated into the air.

Robin took a minute to calm down. Even once he stopped crying, his breathing was still heavy. He nodded in thanks to Apollo, who was then gone in a flash of light.

There were a few beats of silence, no words spoken. Morpheus looked at the boy intensely. "I'm sorry," He said.

Robin ignored him. "Where's my sword?"

Morpheus opened his hand, and the necklace appeared. Robin snatched it from his hands and fastened it around his neck. He pulled himself to his feet, using the wall as support.

"Still think HYDRA's the right fit for you?" He asked sarcastically, a deadly glare on his face. It almost made the god flinch, but he kept a poker face.

"I have to admit, you may have been right," He said painfully, as if it hurt him to admit.

Robin scoffed. "Yeah, no shit," He said with an eye roll.

"You may have been able to convince me, despite the bad things I've done," The god continued, ignoring the boy's comment. "Others are after you, son of Zeus. They will not be so easily persuaded, if at all."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "You call that easy?" He  asked in disbelief. He felt like he was dying just mere moments ago, and he called that easy? Yeah, right.

"You still want to get out of here, do you not?" The boy nodded. "Good. Follow me, and remember not to use your abilities."

Morpheus led Robin out of the room, and once out the door, snapped his finger. They started to run as the previously unconscious HYDRA agents awoke. They ran through the maze that was the base, the footsteps of the agents fading as they were too close to keep up.

They soon arrived at a collapsed part of the base. Morpheus pulled the door open, and the two had to be careful not to trip on the rubble.

Robin froze upon seeing a familiar body in the rubble. It couldn't be... No, that was impossible. Despite telling himself it wasn't possible, he had some doubt in his mind.

Instead of heading straight for the exit, he went to see the body. It was unmoving and cold. Dead. Surely enough, when he got a closer look, his fears were realized.

It was Glenn.

"No, no, no, no," He muttered to himself, frantically checking for a pulse. Glenn couldn't be dead. It wasn't possible. Glenn was one of the strongest and most fearless people he knew. There was no way he would be taken down by a collapsed ceiling. He shook the man's body, trying to wake him. He couldn't possibly be dead, right? Let's be honest here. Glenn helped defeat a demigod cyborg, searched everywhere to find his friend whom he hadn't even known for long, and risked his life for people every day. Robin didn't know anyone with purer intention. The man was a saint.

The sound of pounding footsteps drew nearer, but Robin didn't care. Morpheus did though. He pulled the pink haired boy away from his friend's body, despite his protests and the kicks he threw.

Tears streamed down the boy's face once more. He didn't stop struggling, not until they were long gone. They were settled deep in the forest now. Robin was sitting against a tree, hugging his knees. Morpheus watched him worriedly.

He sat down beside the boy to provide comfort. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "I'm sorry about you friend, but people die." Yeah, so he wasn't the bests at comforting people.

Robin shook his head, his eyes staring forward, not at anything in particular. His vision blurred with tears that refused to fall. "Not him. He had a future. He was a good person - a great person." He sniffled. "Why do the best people always have to die?"

Morpheus wasn't sure how to answer. He didn't get attached. He was immortal. Instead of answering, he stood back up and offered the boy a hand. "Let's get you home."