Fan Fiction ❯ Embracing the Darkness ❯ Chapter 1 - Two Weeks Earlier ( Chapter 1 )

Author's Note - After reading several stories using the concept of a vampire Raven, I thought I'd try my hand at it.

 

Disclaimer - I have never and will never own Teen Titans

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1: Two Weeks Earlier

 

For my whole life, I've been the outsider, the “Goth,” the creepy one (as Beast Boy so eloquently put it). Like a single grain of pepper accidentally mixed in with a handful of salt, I stand out. I suppose I'd lived that way so long I couldn't even begin to imagine living any other way. However, whenever looked at my friends and how much more colorful, how much brighter their lives were, I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of jealousy. They had these unusual characteristics and abilities yet still managed to enjoy relatively normal lives along with the things normal people enjoy. I, on the other hand, had to pay a price for my physical prodigy.

 

To put it simply, my telepathic and psychokinetic abilities are driven by emotional intensity. The stronger the emotion, the stronger, and unfortunately, more uncontrollable the resulting burst of energy. As a result, I am in a constant battle with my own emotions. I have to keep them under strict control for fear of what could happen if I expressed them unchecked. In addition, I was in constant conflict with an evil that dwelled within my very being. I knew someday that darkness would win out either by my own volition or the will of some outside force.

 

It is for this reason that I cherished the time I had then because everything seemed so finite. My whole life had been based on maintaining a control over my mind and body, therefore, when this happened to me it didn't change my outlook on life a great deal.

 

How long ago had it happened by then? Was it a week, a month, or maybe it had already been a year by then. For me time no longer seemed to exist, the days seemed to blur together. But still, despite all that I could vividly recall how it happened.

 

 

It was a night that started just like any number of others before it. My late night ritual was proceeding like it always had. After having dinner with the others I'd take the time to meditate one last time, a cup of tea at the ready on my nightstand. Afterwards I'd spend the rest of the evening reading a book from my private collection. I'm a bibliophile I happily admit it. I'd imagine I'm probably one of the only people my age that prides herself on having a rare book collection. Less than half of them are really worth anything, but to the right collector that would still place their value at hundreds of thousands of dollars. I wonder if Beast Boy would think more highly of them if he knew that?

 

My evening meditation period would normally take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Normally I'd be finished by around 7:30. On this particular night, as I lowered myself from my cross-legged levitated position over my bed, it was no different. During my meditation I'd stop periodically for a sip of tea while it was still hot. Now I drank what little was left in the cup and, finished for the night, headed over to my bookcase. The volume's titles, etched into the binding and highlighted with gilding, greeted my like old friends from their respective shelves.

 

The evening ritual continued as I selected one to read briefly before turning in. As I was becoming absorbed in my reading I was suddenly interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps outside in the hall followed by a sharp pounding on my door.

 

“C'mon Raven, it's movie night,” a certain changeling stated far too enthusiastically for my tastes.

 

Instinctively I slammed my book shut and hoped he heard the dull thud it created. I hoped he could feel my annoyance radiating through the very door that separated us. In my heart I knew he meant well by trying to get me to participate, but at the time I couldn't help but feel he did this to spite me.

 

Giving Beast Boy the chance to knock once again, perhaps showing a little impatience at my total lack of a response, I crossed the ground between the door and myself. Upon opening it I found him standing there with an impossible grin on his face, holding a single DVD case in his hand baring the unmistakable logo of a nearby video rental store. I'd seen all I needed to in order to figure out what type of movie would be playing.

 

“You'll never believe this. I went to the store looking for a copy of “Space Leech 4: The Mini Series and they didn't have it. But I didn't give up and I found this,” he said holding up the video case. “I got the last copy of `Wicked Scary 2: The Second Coming - 10th Anniversary Special Edition!' I'm pretty proud of that myself. So, you coming?”

 

The movie's title caught my attention rather easily, the memory of the prequel's affect on me still fresh in my mind. “No thank you, good night,” I said hoping to end this quickly and return to my book.

 

“Aw, come on Raven. This thing has everything you could ever want in a movie.”

 

“Really, let me guess. It has cheesy dialogue, a simple plot involving some monster killing a bunch of idiotic teens in the most horrible ways imaginable complete with the undeniable possibility that one of the actresses is going to show some skin. You're right, what more could I want from a movie.” I hoped my sarcasm was as scathing as I was trying to make it.

 

“Ha, I knew you'd see things my way. Hurry up if you want a seat.” Apparently it hadn't been.

 

I sighed deeply, becoming more exasperated as the conversation continued. “I'm not interested Beast Boy. Now, good night.”

 

As I turned allowing the door to close, the changeling tried briefly to hold the door open. “Come on Raven, I promise you'll love this movie, its got…”

 

“NO!!!” He leapt back away from the door; finally realizing his prodding was only annoying me. The door finally closed and I could hear his footsteps continue down the hall at a much slower, more deliberate pace than they had before. He was apparently quite crestfallen from his failure to draw me out. But…. I just couldn't that night. All I wanted was to relax with my book. All I wanted was a little peace and quiet just for tonight. Yet, it appeared that I was to be denied that as well. A big loud movie meant big loud volume, which meant big loud reactions from an attentive audience. This meant either forcing myself to watch the movie with the others or finding something to occupy myself for the next ninety minutes.

 

I chose the latter. A little fresh air and a walk would do me some good, despite how late it was. Slipping on my shoes and wrapping my cloak around my form, I left my own room and made my way to the tower's main living space. As I entered Beast Boy was already in the middle of a longwinded speech to the others about how Wicked Scary II (etcetera, etcetera) was way more of a cursed film than the previous one was or some such rubbish.

 

Once he had finished his explanation I finally spoke up. “I'm heading out for a walk, I'll keep this if anything comes up,” I held up my communicator to prove I wasn't so desperate for some quiet-time that I'd leave it behind.

 

“Friend Raven, are you sure you wish to leave? Beast Boy has purchased a movie of horror and is about to present it to us. In addition, we have popped corn and carbonated beverages and unhealthy sugar candies,” Starfire spoke with a rather content looking Silkie resting in her lap.

 

“I've already been through this with Beast Boy. Thank you but no. I just want to get out for a little bit if that's alright.”

 

“Sure its cool. Just be back before ten unless you wanna get locked out,” Cyborg spoke without turning away from the television.

 

I nodded my approval of his terms and turned to leave. Just as I was about to enter the stairwell on my way down to the main hall I was stopped by the soft yet sudden utterance of my name.

 

“Raven?”

 

“Yes Starfire?” I turned acknowledging the red-haired Tamarinian.

 

“Your refusal to join us in watching Beast Boy's film of horror does not stem from what happened the last time we viewed such a film, does it?”

 

“No,” I lied, “it's nothing like that. I just don't feel like a movie tonight. I'll see you in the morning.”

 

“Are you sure Raven?”

 

I nodded, “You'd best hurry up or else you'll miss the beginning.”

 

“Very well friend Raven. Do be careful, though.” It seemed funny at the time, telling me, of all people, to be careful. I didn't see any danger at all. The time was 8:30.

 

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It was a beautiful night, the kind of night that, if enjoyed properly, can stay fresh in your memory for long afterwards. The sea was sparklingly calm, not a cloud in the sky, there was no moon but stars simply littered the heavens like diamonds sewn into an elegant sheet of black velvet. It was on just such a night, almost a century ago, that the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank killing 1500 of her passengers and crew. Certainly history proved that nights like these could belie their benign appearances.

 

Across the bay from Titans Tower was McGauvrin Park, a large accumulation of nature's wonders no doubt named for some influential philanthropist. I would come here by myself on occasion mainly for the enclosed garden within which proved to be an enjoyable place for meditation as well as simple relaxation. Approaching the park from the bay one would first come upon the beach, at this time of night completely deserted. Then the terrain rose upwards sharply leading up to the park itself. The garden itself was a large rectangular maze encompassing numerous arrangements of flowers. During the daytime hours it was a veritable cornucopia of colors, sights, and sounds. At night it lost this effect but it would still suit my purposes well.

 

After ascending a flight of stone steps from the beach I came to a section of the park's paved walkway. To my right stood the tall brick walls of the garden, which seemed almost forbidding at this time of night. They were covered with plant growth in areas that gave them a feel that was in keeping with the park's atmosphere. It was a haven for the natural world in a city overrun with many signs of industry and technology. The elements of civilization took a back seat to the flora and fauna just as the vines and covered the brick walls.

 

A paved walkway ran along the wall towards the entrance, a large archway leading into the garden. On either side of the opening, the two halves of a poem were etched into the masonry. Combined, the two halves read “whosoever enters here let him beware for he shall nevermore escape or be free of my spell.” To my minor disappointment I found the entrance blocked by a large steel gate. The area had been closed for the night to keep out vandals and loiterers, although the barriers effects had proven to be limited. However such an insubstantial obstacle would not impede me, being neither a vandal nor a loiterer. Using my powers I phased through the gate glad to be at last within the confines of this peaceful place.

 

I'd now have enough time for a short walk before heading home. At the far end of the garden stood a small faux-Greek temple, eight columns supporting a rectangular roof over what had once been a fountain. I decided that would be my destination. Drawing my cloak in around myself to keep warm against the chill of the night, I started.

 

At this time of night everything was bathed in darkness. Not even the brightest flower could stand out at this time of night. Without any lights in this area of the park, all I had to keep me company were the vague shapes of floral arrangements here and there and the impenetrable silence that surrounded me. Yet, I could not shake the feeling that something was amiss. As I continued deeper into the garden I felt an unmistakable sensation of instinctive unease. But “I don't do fear.” I wasn't about to let this send me flying back home before that horrid movie ended. I'd sooner spend the night in this place.

 

After a short while of walking I finally reached the structure at the far end of the complex. Clearly it had seen far better days. The stonework was cracked and chipped in numerous areas. The steps leading up to the building could hardly be called steps. The banisters had long since fallen over and been removed entirely. There were areas on the steps that could only have been ruined (as far as I could tell) by someone hammering away at them with a sledgehammer. Thankfully, the structure itself was still standing, although the ceiling had caved in slightly around the center. Enclosed sitting areas located at the far corners of the garden complex itself were derelict and filled with trash and refuse.

 

I imagined how this place must have looked decades ago when it was in a much better state. I imagined pristine stone steps decorated on either end with intricately designed banisters each capped off with large pots overflowing with flowers. The steps would lead upwards and between the columns into the structure itself. The ceiling would be vaulted as well as painted with the image of a starry night with angelic figures positioned at the four corners of the rectangular image. In the center of it all was a small fountain. Although today it had long since been deactivated and had filled with rainwater and filth I could imagine how it had appeared in better days. It would have been filled with crystal clear water, water you could practically drink for its purity. The fountains basin would be decorated with light blue tiling and the water would flow from the mouth of a….I could not, for the life of me, imagine what stood in the center of it all. I guessed it was some sort of statue but could not guess the type. It was long gone in any event, the iron fittings all that remained.

 

As I stood before the ruined fountain, wondering what could have stood there, the answer came to me not from my own mind, but from a voice emanating from behind me.

 

“It was a cherub, if I remember correctly, miss,” the voice was that of a soft-spoken male, perhaps middle-aged, and had the tinge of a British accent to it.

 

Instinctively, I whirled on this unknown presence, thrusting my hands out before me, black energy crackling at my fingertips. It was here that I saw him for the first time. His form was merely a dark silhouette outlined against the night sky, yet I could discern that he was caught off guard the sudden manifestation of my power.

 

“I apologize, I didn't mean to startle you. I'm afraid they locked me,” he said holding up his hands as if in his own defense while backing away slightly. “I've been wandering around here aimlessly for the past few hours until I saw you walking about so I followed. Again, I apologize for frightening you, it was not my intention.”

 

“I don't do fear,” I lied again. “You simply caught me off guard, that's all.” By now I had relaxed from my attack stance as the stranger fell back from his defensive posture and had drawn closer to me to the point where, even in the dark, I could make out his features. He was only slightly taller than myself, his hair styled in a conservative fashion. He wore a dark overcoat over his business suit while his gloved hands gripped a silver wolf's head cane. His face had the appearance of a man who had aged considerably and probably didn't want to age any further. His eyes were slightly sunken into his skull yet it wasn't so prominent that it was grotesque.

 

“Oh, my. You're Raven of the Teen Titans,” he exclaimed upon recognizing me. “I consider it an immense honor to meet you, of all people, in such a place. The exploits of you and your comrades are legendary. This city must owe you a great debt of gratitude.”

 

After shaking hands for a moment I interrupted his excitement, “Well, you know my name, so may I know yours?”

 

“Why certainly, I am Barnabas Collins, at your service. I haven't been to Jump City in a great many years and it saddens me to find the garden at McGauvrin Park in such a state of disrepair. In all my years I would have never though that things would degrade to the point that the roof over the fountain here would cave in, let alone that some foul criminal would steal the cherub statue.” As if reminded now of how we'd started this conversation, Barnabas turned and walked steadily towards the dead fountain. He moved rather slowly as he walked, as if he had all the time in the world. He moved and sat on the partition surrounding the display and motioned for me to sit opposite him.

 

“Yes,” he continued, “it was a bronze cherub mounted directly in the center where you now see the ruined base and broken piping. I was here the day this place opened, you know. It was beautiful to say the least. Everything was brand new, unspoiled, pure and refined. I cannot even begin to imagine how anyone could be so callous as to let it this place fall apart like this. Yet, I can imagine the miscreants whose combined efforts over the years ruined this place. They have no respect for anything. They defecate in the already putrid water; they destroy for the mere sake of destroying. They commit debaucheries in the sitting areas when they get the chance, leaving behind used condoms and other such rubbish. They know neither respect nor dignity. To my mind those who commit the acts themselves and those who sit idly by and do nothing are equally guilty.”

 

“You don't sound like much of a people person Mr. Collins,” I said interrupting his rant.

 

“I'd imagine you aren't much of one either, Raven. Why else would you abandon your friends to wander aimlessly around this derelict at this hour?”

 

“I have my reasons for valuing solitude. I honestly don't hate other people. I have my friends and I'm happy to be with them. Its just that I wish…”

 

“That you had people around who are more like yourself, am I correct? People who would understand you. You really do stand out from the other Titans.” I couldn't help but remember hearing this line of dialogue before. The dragon Malchior had used this pitch, this weakness on my part to manipulate me into freeing him from his literary prison. I didn't feel like talking about my personal problems anymore after that, especially with a total stranger.

 

“I suppose that's part of it. But still, I don't see a reason to blame people solely for this place falling apart,” I said returning the conversation to its origins. “Things simply fall apart over time. Nothing lasts forever.”

 

“How very true,” he stared thoughtfully at the filthy water in the fountain. “The passage of time is the force that can tear down even the strongest of buildings and reduce even the strongest man to a trembling old wretch. I suppose that I simply dislike change and look for some force to blame other than natural decay. We always feel the need to look for scapegoats, people to blame when something goes wrong. We are far more comfortable placing blame on human error than on simple coincidence, it gives us the illusion that we have control over this very mysterious and capricious world that we live in.

 

But, enough of my thoughts about society, what about you Raven? How do you feel about change? How do you feel about time and its affects on the world,” he now started speaking in a disturbingly excited manner, as though he were trying to make some profound impression on me with his words. “How do you feel about growing old and decrepit while the world around you becomes more and more unrecognizable with each passing decade? If you could, would you stop time now when you're happy with your beloved friends would you?”

 

With that he awaited my response in silence, quietly yet intently studying my face. The unease I had felt earlier was starting to return to me beneath his striking gaze. I wanted to leave; I wanted to head home even if that movie was still playing. Yet, at the same time, I couldn't help but consider his words. There was a change I did despise, one I would love to put off indefinitely. The day was fast approaching when I would lose in my battle against my evil self. I truly wouldn't mind if I could stop time to avoid that moment entirely.

 

“I suppose if I could, then I would,” I finally spoke only to hear no response at all. Barnabas had vanished entirely while I had been lost in my thoughts. I stood up and scanned the scene wondering where he had gone. There was simply no way he could have left so quickly without my noticing, let alone with the garden's gate locked from the outside.

 

A sudden powerful blow to the back of my head knocked me forward onto the stone floor. I fell at such a rate that I didn't have the time to put my hands out in front of me so I fell face first into the cold hard ground. A terrible, chronic pain engulfed the back of my skull as well as my face. I couldn't move, I couldn't think, all I knew at this moment was that I had to stand up and defend myself at any cost. As I attempted to pick myself up a vice-like grip encircled both my wrists and pulled my arms out behind me.

 

It was now or never, I had no choice but to attack. Not caring what damage my powers would do I immediately began uttering my mantra. “Azarath, Metrion, Zinth…” I was halted in the middle of the recitation. Even as my eyes glowed white and dangerous black energy formed in my hands, the body of my attacker, who no doubt was Barnabas, pressed firmly into my back as he bit down with great force on the left side of my neck. I couldn't help but yelp in pain as his teeth pierced deep into my skin. The true nature of what was happening hit home with a force that exceeded even the blow I'd received from the monster's cane. “Vampire,” was all I could manage to gasp against the pain.

 

The sudden rush of emotions and sensations that this action brought on broke all concentration I had mustered. The telepathic energy I had gathered, as quickly as it manifested, now dissipated. A strong suction suddenly sprang forth from the bite as I now felt my very life being drained out of me. I felt myself becoming weaker and weaker. I gasped for breath only to take in small panic breaths. Barnabas no longer needed to restrain my hands; they fell limply at my sides. He now needed to support me in this kneeling position I'd found myself in. All throughout this experience an impotent anger raged within me. If there was anything I truly hated it was being the victim, being placed into a situation over which I had not control. Now here I was, slowly dieing at the hands of this monster and unable to do a thing to stop it.

 

As time passed, as I felt myself weakened to a point at which I thought I would pass out, the monster relented, laying me down on my back and looking down upon me with an excitement in his eyes that only sparked my anger to new heights. I struggled to breathe with what little strength I had in my body and looked upwards into his face with blurred vision. As the monster wiped traces of my blood from his lips with a handkerchief, it was now that he finally decided to restart our conversation from where it had left off.

 

“I have found over the years, Raven, that a person's eyes can be quite eloquent. They can speak volumes about what a person is feeling or thinking at any given moment. Your eyes told me your answer to my questioning before you even spoke it which brings us to this moment and the question I am about to ask you. The question will require only a simple yes or no on your part. I can stop time for you Raven; I can make it so that change will never come for you. You will be immune completely to the ravages of time and of decay. I can do that for you Raven or I can simply leave you here to die, it's your choice. You can have a death that I imagine will make front-page news around the country or you can live without having to worry about that change you fear so. What is your decision?”

 

Looking back on this moment, I still am uncertain of what my decision would have been if I could have thought it over clearly. However, at that time my mind engulfed in a horrendous cacophony of stray thoughts and feelings. All I wanted at that moment was to survive this injury, to see my friends again, and to someday have my revenge on this bastard for doing this to me. I agreed to his proposition readily and without consideration.

 

Resting his cane on the floor nearby, he knelt before me and brought forward his right hand. Lightly tugging at the black leather material surrounding each finger, he began to remove the glove from his hand and pull back the sleeve of his coat to bare his wrist. He then proceeded to bit down on his wrist in such a way that blood now flowed freely from the self-inflicted wound. He now turned his attention towards me once more.

 

“Now, my dear, please do try not to scream too loudly. I think it is only fair to warn you that this will hurt a great deal. But the pain won't last. Try to think of it in the same manner as you'd think of receiving a vaccine. The injection will initially hurt, but you will be bettered by the experience for having gone through it.” In a single motion he thrust his bleeding wrist directly into my mouth and held it there with such force I felt that my jaw would snap under the strain. The monster then proceeded to clench his fist in order to force the blood to seep out at a greater rate.

 

It was to my utter revulsion that I felt the thick liquid flow freely into my mouth and slowly down my throat. I felt that I would be sick at any moment from this. However, I didn't have time to get sick, in fact I didn't have much time to do anything as the first searing hints of pain began to emanate from my stomach. As more and more of the monster's horrid blood entered my system the pain began to grow and spread throughout my entire body. It felt as though every fiber of my being was engulfed in a terrible inferno from my muscles, to my limbs, and even to my eyes and my very bones themselves.

 

By now the monster had removed his wrist from my mouth and merely sat and watched as I writhed in agony. I clenched my eyelids shut and all that escaped my lips were muffled cries, I'm rather proud of the fact that I maintained at least some control over that. Throughout this whole experience I could hear my heart beating louder than I had ever heard it. It was a pounding akin to the sound of a hammer striking an anvil. Less and less time passed between beats as my heart worked faster and faster to handle the emotional and physical strain my body was enduring. It eventually reached the point where I thought my heart would burst under the strain of it all.

 

It was then, as I felt that if this continued any longer I would go insane, it ended. The pain slowly dissipated, fading away like a bad dream. In fact, everything was slowly fading away. The sound of my heart beating had vanished completely. I could no longer feel the cold stone floor beneath me. As I opened my eyes, seemingly for the last time, I could see the monster looking down at me. He appeared now just as he looked the first time I'd seen him, nothing more than a black silhouette painted against an impossibly starry night sky. That image too began to fade until all I saw was darkness. I felt nothing, I heard nothing, and I saw nothing. All I knew was an endless void of darkness. “So, this is what its like to die,” I thought at last.