Fan Fiction ❯ In The Mind Of Another ❯ Welcome Back To Haley’s ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Since I obviously don't own the copyright to Teen Titans, I'm taking advantage of the Fair Use Clause of the Copyright laws to write a story with them in it. Who knew the government would protect the little guys? Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

 

Chapter 3:Welcome Back To Haley's

 

Robin stared, unsure what to do; he was looking at his home… Haley's Circus. It was right there in front of him. He could do little more than gasp. Red X watched him, “Well then, I see you remember the place. Now all you have to figure out is how I fit in.” Robin was shocked back into his senses, looking back at Red X. He growled, and Red X sighed, “Well, might as well give you the first clue.” He threw down several balls, creating a wall of smoke between himself and Robin.

Robin stumbled through the smoke, coughing and blinded. When he finally escaped, X was gone. How was that a clue? He growled and continued on.

 

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Raven looked down into the center circle, where it seemed she could view Robin as he went through the maze that was the circus. Red X sat next to her, appearing from nowhere, she turned and looked at him confused, “Why are you doing this?”

Red X turned to her lazily, “Because he needs to know. Now, I was wondering, why is it that I can read yours and Robin's minds?”

Raven's eyes went wide, “What?” her voice was louder than usual.

“How else would I know what I looked like in the hospital bed? Something tells me, little miss gothic, you should sit this one out. Besides, Dickey should figure this out alone. It's about him, not you.” Red X looked back to the center circle, watching Robin walk through the games area. He would be leaving soon to `help' Robin along.

In her heart, she knew he was telling the truth, even more disturbing, she knew that he knew that she knew… this was going to get frustrating quickly. The fact he could access her powers on any level disturbed her a great deal, at which point he looked over to her to her and chuckled, “Don't worry, just don't think any dirty thoughts and things will be fine.” Her eyes went wide and a thought popped into her head that she truly wished to suppress, Red X almost reeled, then chuckled, “My my, you certainly have interesting ideas!” He winked at her and then disappeared while Raven grimaced and cursed herself for falling for his childish ploy.

 

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Robin walked warily between the game booths, who knows what Red X had done to them? The lights activated on the strong man test, as a bolt of metal flew up into the air and hit the bell. Red X cheered slightly, apparently enjoying his success. Robin charged him again, Red X turned and tossed the mallet into his chest, knocking him down and driving the wind from his lungs. “Kid, you HAVE to get off that whole one track mind thing you've got going. Here's your next clue, all you have to do is make the little piece of metal hit the bell.” Red X paused and put his hand to his chin, then pointed to the lever on the ground, “And, since I don't think you're all that smart, you use the mallet to hit that, not the metal bolt, got it? Good.” Robin was standing up when Red X disappeared, leaving him standing in front of a giant `Test Your Strength' game.

Robin growled, this wasn't the time for games… but… he frowned, Red X was running things here. Robin grabbed the mallet and lifted… but nothing happened, it was far too heavy to actually lift. He strained, pulling as hard as he could to lift it, but it was all in vain. He gritted his teeth, putting all his effort behind one last pull, but it wouldn't budge. “Having a bit of trouble there, bird-brain?” Robin turned, looking around rapidly, but Red X was nowhere to be seen, “Well, dummy, why don't you look up?” Robin sighed and looked up, Red X was standing on top of the bell, “Maybe you'll work better with incentive?”

All of Robin's rage and frustration came to fore and, with the greatest effort he could achieve he lifted the mallet a few inches off the ground. Sweat poured from his brow and he strained to get to the lever before he dropped it. Red X watched him, “You know, I lifted that thing on my first try.” X yelled to Robin, mockingly, “There are pansies that can lift that thing!” Robin struggled, trying to ignore Red X's mocking tone but finding it increasingly difficult as his blood began to boil, “Maybe I should start calling you flower boy instead of bird brain?” With a monumental effort, the mallet was lifted a few more inches to reach over the lever before, with a great sigh of relief, he dropped it. The metal bolt flew up into the air, hitting the metal railing, skidding and finally, just barely, hitting the bell. The bell tolled loudly, but Red X was gone. A hand fell on Robin's shoulder, he turned to see Red X standing behind him, fist pulled back, “Good job Dick, here's your prize!” Robin didn't have time to dodge the punch that sent him sent him sprawling to the ground.

Robin grabbed nose gingerly, it wasn't broken, but it sure didn't feel pleasant. He opened his eyes, he was in a darkened alley, how'd he get here? He looked around a second longer and his eyes went wide: in front of him stood Batman. Batman? What was he doing… Batman reached for him, not to help him up, but to lift him up. Robin didn't know why he reacted the way he did, throwing himself away, then getting up in a darkened alley and running. He couldn't control himself, he looked back to see the dark knight following him. Why was he running from Bruce? It didn't make sense. He was forced to look forward and found himself directly in his own path. Robin gasped as realization hit him. This wasn't him this was Red X! This was one of Red X's memories. He was watching threw Red X's eyes, “Didn't they ever teach you that crime doesn't pay?” The world stopped for X, he knew the voice. Red X knew that voice from somewhere; he had heard that voice before… Red X's eyes widened in realization, but Robin didn't allow the thief's halt stop him, throwing a punch directly into X's nose.

The scene disappeared and Robin returned to the carnival. His own memory of that event started to edge its way out of Robin's mind, trying to push itself to the forefront. He remembered it, the thief, a purse-snatcher, it had been a slow night and he was the only thief they had caught. The thief had acted weirdly when he had spoken to him; he had stopped and starred, not even attempting to dodge the fist that had broken his nose. Robin had been… a little over zealous in doing it, he knew, but the thief had left himself open. He hadn't thought about it, just another dumb crook…

 

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Raven glared at X, “Why did you attack him?”

Red X sat down to her again, “Did you see the memory?”

Raven frowned, “Yes, but that's not the point…”
Red X glanced at her, “You're a really bad liar, you know that, right? Memories linked together, it's the best way I can do it, and you know it.”

Raven watched him warily, “You're not going to hurt Robin again, are you?”

“Do I detect a sense of want?” Red X asked her, cocking his head to the side. She glared at him, and he chuckled, “Oh, of course not, you can't feel for anyone, no one ever gets into your head. You know, except me.” She turned away; he was enjoying this far too much. “Of course I do. You see, Raven, I've always found you intriguing.”

She paused, then looked back at him, his mask was gone and he was smiling, “What did you mean by always?”

Red X shook his head, pressed the button on his belt, and disappeared.

 

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Robin continued looking on, seeing a run down stage at the outskirts of the games of chance. He blinked and found himself watching a performance from the back of a crowd. It was a magic show, some minor parlor tricks, pulling a rabbit out of a hat, sawing a lady in two, or something like that, Red X didn't seem to care, not really taking a good look at the man. He was too busy moving through the crowd picking pockets from unsuspecting patrons. Robin couldn't believe X would show him something so trivial until he had a yanking feeling from behind. He was pulled back by… “Dad?” Robin gasped, it was his father grabbing Red X by the shoulder and pulling him from the crowd silently.

“What did you think you were doing there?” Mr. Grayson asked him earnestly, no hint of anger in his voice.

“I can't say…” Red X's voice was childish, and he seemed more upset as things went on.

“Now come on son, I know you, you're not a thief…” Mr. Grayson smiled and Red X turned and looked away, ashamed.

“Hey! Get away from my kid!” It was the stage magician, rushing from his performance to see Robin's father.

“John, I caught your kid stealing.” Red X tried to run, but was held fast by Mr. Grayson. Robin tried to see John but couldn't get a good look at him; Red X was terrified, trying to get away from Mr. Grayson before his father arrived. “I'm not going to turn him into the police, but I am going to put these wallets in the lost and found.” Red X had turned away, and… he was crying? He knew what was coming. John thanked Robin's father and waited until he had left. Red X never even turned to look at his dad.

The first smack hit Red X on the back of his neck, followed when Red X was turned around and then smacked across the face, “What did I tell you?” John followed it up with a series of smacks to the face began, “Don't get caught! You listen to me you little shit!” Red X was silent, outside of a few whimpers… another slap across the face, a strong one. “And stay away from the Graysons.”

“But…” Red X protested in the same childish voice, never once looking up. Another smack across his face, harder than before, sent him sprawling to the ground.

“I have more performances today.” John said, “Don't fuck them up, or you wont be eating dinner.” Red X looked up, tears still in his eyes, watching his father, a man in a black suit, walking away. Robin still couldn't get a good look at him...

Robin whirled, back at the empty and worn stage where he had been moments. Red X was standing on it, watching him, “Hi Dickey boy.” he said jovially, completely unfazed by the somewhat disturbing memory he had just thrown at Robin.

“You knew my father?”

“Well, yes, but that matters little compared to the fact I knew you.” Red X said, leaning forward on stage.

“You were forced to steal?”

Red X nodded, “I was.” He jumped down from the stage, “I'm a thief, not a villain. I've told you that before.” He said calmly and walked right past Robin towards the big top, then disappeared again.

 

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Raven stared at the center stage, the memory that had just been portrayed repeating itself out in her mind. In a warped way…

“Interesting thought, both of our fathers being monster in a different way… I like it.” Red X chimed in from behind her. She sighed and lowered her head, “Oh, Raven, don't beat yourself up. It was a nice sentiment, but I really don't think my dad compares in any way to the ruler of all evil, however much I may hate him.”

Raven rolled her eyes, “X, I wasn't trying to compare our fathers together.”

Red X jumped, twirled in air and landed in front of her, “Oh, of course not. You were just trying to understand why I'm such a…” He tipped his head to the side, “bastard?”

Raven frowned, `you're not… that bad…' the thought popped into her mind knowing that he would be able to see it. The fact he could read her thoughts was getting far more frustrating as time wore on.

Red X looked back at her, his mask had disappeared again, he looked her in the eyes and smiled, “Yes I am.” He chuckled, looking back at the center stage; Robin was making his way towards the big top.

Raven watched Robin as well, trying to get her mind off Red X. He smiled, “Let me help you with that.” He said and disappeared again, leaving Raven rolling her eyes.

 

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Robin kept moving threw the circus, things were still bigger than he remembered, and things were becoming more run down… he looked off to the side to see a decrepit looking wagon… and the door. He ran to it. There was a small layer of paint above the door where, in flecked and broken white paint he read The Great Malnor. Gingerly, he grabbed the handle and twisted, but nothing happened, the door didn't work. Robin tried to pull it open, but nothing happened, it was shut tight.

“Well, you found something important, you just don't know what to do with it. Which is odd because you puzzled this out before.” It was Red X; his voice was coming from the other side of the door.

“Why doesn't this door open X!” He put his foot on the wall and pulled, but the door still didn't move.

“You're not doing it right Dick, you have to figure this one out all on your own.”

Robin gave up on the knob and started feeling around the rest of the door. Where was the catch he used before? It took him nearly a minute to find the latch hidden behind a wooden outcrop. The door swung open and a tall, thin man in a black suit confronted Robin. He didn't even have time to react as he received a fierce smash across the face, knocking him right off the step and onto the soft grass behind him. “What did I tell you? Stay away from the Graysons! What do you do? You act all buddy buddy with their kid! You can stay outside tonight.” Robin knew it was another one of Red X's memories, but something didn't seem right… he… something nagged him at the back of his skull but he couldn't figure out what. It was then that Red X shifted, sitting up and looking over… Robin gasped, it was him, much, much younger, just a kid. He was trembling, and Red X looked away.

“Hi Dick…” he stared at the ground for a moment longer then looked up; Red X was acting as if nothing had happened.

“He hit you?” Dick Grayson asked, looking worried.

“Don't worry about it.” Red X said coldly, and looked away again, “Hey, you wanna go raid the cotton candy?” He said, looking towards the cart where they made it, “Come on.” He waved and ran for the booth, not waiting for a response, seeming to know that Dick would follow.

The memory ended and Red X stepped out of the small, dingy wagon. “We were friends?” Robin watched him warily.

Red X shook his head, walked down the steps and sat next to Robin who was still sitting on the ground, “Yes. We were best friends, actually.”

“Your father was Malnor the Magician?”

Red X paused, then snorted and looked away, “You can't choose your parents Dick. Yes, it was Malnor, the `magician'…” he snorted again, then looked back at him.

“I didn't remember this.” Robin said, eyeing Red X warily, “How do I know you didn't just make this up?”

Red X laughed then messed up Robin's hair, “You don't kid.” Robin grabbing his arm and squeezing, not looking pleased in the least, “Get up, there's more for you to see.”

Robin reluctantly let go of Red X's arm. Red X got up, held out a hand and Robin grabbed it, standing up. Red X smiled, “Still there.” Robin pulled away and felt a sharp pain in his hand, he looked down and saw red.

“HEY! What did you…”

Robin blinked, things had gone into another memory, Red X was gone and he, a young Dick Grayson was running forward, holding his hand.

“You ok?” Red X said, trying to see if there was anything wrong.

Dick Grayson sniffled looking at his hand, “I cut myself by accident.”

Red X chuckled, “Come on, gimme your hand.”

Dick Grayson looked up at him, “Why?”

“I have something special to do, maybe it'll help.” Reluctantly, Dick held out his hand, it was cut, but not too deeply. Red X paused, then reached into his pocket and took out a small knife. He opened it up, put it in his hand, closed it into a fist, and then pulled it back. “Don't worry, it'll heal…” Red X murmured to himself, removing the knife from his palm. He had a cut running across his palm; blood was beginning to pour out. He looked back up to see Dick Grayson watching him with shock.

“Why did you do that?” The kid said confused, pulling his own hand back and away from X. He was upset, still whimpering at the pain in his hand, “I asked you to help me… I cut my hand…” He looked down at the cut and sniffled.

“Trust me.” Red X held out his other hand, “I want to show you something, come on.” Dick reluctantly put his hand in Red X's. In a moment, Red X grabbed it with his other palm, their blood coming together at the cuts. Dick stared at as Red X finally released it, then looked at Red X stunned, “Dick, we're blood brothers now!” Red X chuckled, then took grabbed the kid, “Now, let me fix that cut…”

The memory ended and Robin stood there looking at Red X, “What… was… that?” The pain in his hand had gone down a great deal, but he still felt as if it had been cut.

“Don't believe me? Take off your glove.” Red X said, pulling off his own glove as he talked.

Robin lifted his hand, looking at the glove, it was stained red, but it was otherwise unmarked. He glared at X who didn't seem to notice, flexing his now naked hand. Robin pulled off his glove and looked at his hand, he didn't see anything… there wasn't any blood. Just a thin line… “That's it.” Red X said, looking over.

“So, this is why you came here? This is how you know so much about me? Because we're `Blood Brothers?!' I thought you were a thief, I was wrong. You're just insane!”

Robin nearly laughed at Red X who quickly turned away, “I have my reasons, that was small among them, but you know what I'm showing you is the truth now.”

“No I don't, all I know is I have a small scar on my hand.” Robin said, and pulled the glove back onto his hand.

Red X paused, looked back for a moment, “You're going to wish the rest of my memories were as pleasant as that.” His voice was tired and he seemed to hunch over so slightly as he said it. He pressed the button on his belt and disappeared.

 

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“So, you're the magician's son?” Raven said, not bothering to look for X.

“I certainly have his talent for making things disappear, don't I?” Red X said, appearing directly in front of Raven, staring into her eyes.

She raised an eyebrow, “Is that why you've been calling my magic tricks?”

Red X nodded slowly, “Yeah… force of habit, I guess, but hey, maybe you could teach me a thing or two.”

“No.” She replied in a monotone voice.

Red X, his mask disappearing as she blinked, was smiling, "You're cute when you dismiss people out of hand, you know that, right?" She looked at him for a moment, his mask wasn't on, and he was smiling, her eyes went wide, "Well of course I'm hitting on you. It's hard to get you out of my mind." He said and winked, then disappeared.

 

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Robin took a few tentative steps forward… it was right where he remembered it. His home. He and his family had lived there until… until… Robin turned away, this was all just a fabrication, all just a lie. “Sometimes, is it that bad to live a lie?”

Robin growled, “Red X, I don't need to know anything more about you. You're just some psycho whose father worked at the carnival with my dad, nothing more.”

Red X shrugged, “Possibly, but you don't know that yet, there's still more I have to show you.” With that, he got up and entered the Grayson's home.

Robin scowled, Red X was doing this to goad him in, to show him another one of those stupid memories of his… Robin looked down, and pulled off his glove. The scar was there, he could see that much, but what did it matter anymore? Even if this all was true, it had been nearly a decade since they'd met and talked, and X was a thief now anyway. A thief because his father turned him into one… Robin frowned, taking another look at the small scar across his hand and then pulling his glove on.

He walked towards the steps and was hit by an overwhelming feeling of cold, the world was frozen around him, the ground was covered in snow, he was freezing. Or, rather, X was. Thoughts ran threw his head, `I can't go in there… dad will kill me…' and `If I don't go in there, I'll be frozen like a Popsicle before morning.' Shivering, Red X took a few more tentative steps and looked into a small window, Dick was watching his father intently, his father threw his arms up, another story. Dick told him some… usually something about monsters being defeated by the good guys… it was sort of nice, and Dick seemed to be enjoying it. That's when Mr. Grayson saw him. Red X's eyes went wide as Mr. Grayson looked at him confused. `Gotta hide…' Red X threw himself to the ground, trying to duck under the window, then tried to scurry away and out of sight.

The door opened and Mr. Grayson walked out. X could hear him coming from behind, “Jack? What are you doing out here? It's freezing.”

“I… I… wanted to see if I could hang out with Dick?” It was a horribly blatant lie, and X knew it, but it was the best he had.

Mr. Grayson would have laughed if he didn't have a mask of concern on his face. “Stop lying to me, I hate when people lie to me. And why do you have a black eye?”

Red X, or Jack, looked away, “I fell today… nothing major.”

Mr. Grayson put a hand on him, “Why don't you come inside?”

Red X pulled away sheepishly, “I can't, I'm sorry, my dad…”

“Don't worry, I'll talk to him.” Mr. Grayson smiled and Red X reluctantly agreed.

Dick was surprised to see his friend there, which was obvious, but was happy to see him. Mr. Grayson talked to Mrs. Grayson in the other room for a few minutes and after finishing a story, in which a high wire circus acrobat saved a city, they told Dick it was time for bed. Mrs. Grayson brought out a bowl of soup, which `Jack' devoured rapidly; warm food wasn't a pleasure he had in the past few days… Red X couldn't remember being this happy…

“That black eye didn't come from a fall, did it Jack?” It was Mr. Grayson, and he sat across from Red X. Red X's eyes went wide and he swallowed the last of the soup as well as a lump in his throat.

“Yes… of course it did…” Red X said defensively.

“Jack… is your father hitting you?” Mr. Grayson asked. Red X shuddered, then looked at Mrs. Grayson who put a hand on his shoulder.

Red X's jaw trembled oh so slightly, they knew, it was obvious to them. He couldn't lie, even if he did it wouldn't do any good, “I… he only does it when I don't do as I'm told…”

Mr. Grayson nodded, “Then you must be bad an awful lot, I've seen you hang out with Dick, you always have a bruise or two. I was kidding myself to think it just boys being boys…” He sat back on his chair and looked at the ceiling for a moment, pondering what to do.

“Please… please don't tell… I swear… I'll stop hanging out with Dick, I promise.” Red X said frantically, tears starting to pour from his eyes.

Mr. Grayson looked down, a bit confused, “Why wouldn't we want you with Dick, he's your best friend. Don't worry Jack, don't worry, that's fine…” Mr. Grayson said, and took a step forward, “How about you stay here tonight?” Red X's mouth dropped, more out of sheer surprise than of anything else.

“I… thought you hated me… dad said…” Red X slumped back into his chair, everything was so confusing, “… that's why you pulled me away when I was stealing for him…” There was utter silence as Mr. and Mrs. Grayson thought over his confession. They looked at each other and nodded.

Mr. Grayson kneeled down in front of X, laying a hand on his shoulder, “Jack, Dick has a bunk bed, I know it's not much, but it's better than the couch.”

Red X stared at him, blankly, and then shook his head, “… but beds are for big people.” The sound of the bowl shattering as it hit the ground drew his attention to Mrs. Grayson, but then Mr. Grayson shook his head and guided him to the empty bed.

Robin stared a bit shaken by experiencing that, it was far more vivid than the other dreams. Red X was watching the fire, there was still shards from the broken bowl on the floor. Robin watched him for a moment longer before realizing his mask was off. “Was that real?”

Red X nodded, “Yeah, I'm somewhat surprised you don't remember… your family died a few nights later…” He looked back at the fire, contemplating something, but not saying what it was. He shook his head, “I think it's time we went to the big top…” He turned and walked over to Robin, almost in a daze. He walked past him, reaching the door and leaning up against the frame.

Robin watched him warily, “Why are we going to the big top?”

“Because… there's more to it than you know.” X's voice was hollow, the energy sucked out of it, as if he was struggling to keep talking. Robin watched him exit his home and walk towards the big top for a moment longer, took one last look around his home, then followed. They walked in silence, Red X wasn't telling any jokes or tossing any insults around. Robin looked around, the outskirts of the circus had become blurred, the world had changed, the memories of this place were faded and distorted. For the briefest moments Red X disappeared and Robin swore he saw Zucco, the bastard who killed his parents, following someone, but then he disappeared behind a tent. Robin dashed over, but Zucco was gone… he shook his head… he must be seeing things. Red X looked back at him shook his head and kept walking, motioning for him to follow. Robin watched X carefully, his entire persona had changed, there was something Red X wasn't telling him, and he knew it.

When they finally reached big top, it was massive, far larger than anything Haley's had ever had. Robin stood at it in awe; this was his home when he was younger… “Ah, memories, the good times...” Red X's voice faltered slightly and he walked past Robin, “and the bad…” Red X looked up as well, “It's just as I remember it, a bit larger, probably, but this is how I saw it as a kid…” Red X walked through the empty ticket taker entrance, Robin following.

Walking inside, Robin saw Raven in the bleachers, watching him. He didn't know what to say… he had hated her so much earlier for helping Red X and… he felt awkward and ashamed as she looked at him and cringed slightly. Red X shook his head and made his way to where Raven was sitting, motioning for Robin to follow.

Red X reached the seat first, and nearly fell into the seat next to Raven, “Raven… I'm sorry, for everything I said… and for lying to you as well…”

Raven watched Red X, confused, “When did you lie to me?”

Robin sat down next to Red X, Red X looked over to him and frowned, “I would compare my dad to your father…” With that said the world blinked and they were in the stage where Red X was sitting.

A smaller man in an extravagant suit took the center ring, “I am proud to announce the FLYING GRAYSONS!”

Red X was sitting down, “Oooh I can't wait…” His voice was filled with childish enthusiasm. He watched the Graysons walk out, take a bow, and then climb up to the top of the arena, ready to perform death-defying stunts.

Robin's mind blared, `this… this… no…'

The man in the circle waved his hand, “Remember folks! The Graysons are so talented they don't use a safety net! They're the greatest of the great!”

Red X hadn't shifted view away from the Graysons, mumbling to himself, “I know that already…”

The Grayson's began their performance, and they truly were acrobatic wonders, but something was wrong. Red X got up staring; he could see the rope was frayed. Just as he started to yell, the wire snapped, and the Flying Graysons plummeted towards the ground… Robin tried to look away, but nothing he could do could end the horror of that scene. Red X stared at them for a moment, laying on the ground lifeless, then looked up to where a young Dick Grayson stood, looking down at his dead family. Red X's heart dropped, `Dick…' he was pushed from behind and stumbled, but managed to get to his feat a few seconds later before being trampled. Some people rushed past him, some sat covering their children's eyes crying That's when he saw him. “Dad?” His father, Malnor was standing on the opposite bleachers… even from this distance, X could see he and was smiling.

Red X was overwhelmed by a sense of disgust, `how could my father smile at this…?' He watched his father slowly turn and walk away, completely unfazed by the tragedy in front of him. Red X stared at his father, then turned away.

The memory ended and Robin and Raven stared at each other, then at X who was moving his mouth, but didn't or couldn't speak, instead he looked down, finally managing to say, “… there's more…”

The big top was empty, outside of X, who was pulling up some wires from the ground. The end was cut and Red X stopped for a moment, before taking it. Hearing footsteps he whirled, trying to hide the rope. Malnor stood at the outer rim of the circle. “They're not coming back, their kid is gone too, gone to live with some millionaire. Lucky bastard…” He said stonily.

“He watched his parents die Dad…” Red X said, his voice somewhat unsteady.

Malnor sneered, “Still better off, his parents…”

“Don't you dare talk about his parents!” Red X's voice became somewhat shrill as he yelled, “I was with them! They told me about what you were doing and why it was wrong!”

Malnor's approached slowly, pulling the worn white glove from his hand, “They filled your head with lies…”

“You kicked me out and they took me in! They gave me food, actual food Dad! They let me sleep on a bed! They were better people than you'll ever be.”

Malnor's eyes narrowed, walked up and smacked his son across the face, X moved his gaze back to Malnor and was hit again, but just looked back at his dad, “You will obey me.” His father snarled, raising to hit him again, but this time Red X grabbed it before it hit. Malnor growled and pulled, but Red X held firm, but another yank pulled it from his grip, “They're dead, not listening to me is not going to bring them back. And if you ever touch me again I'll…”

“What will you do Dad? Guide someone to cut my wire?”

Malnor balked for a second, and Red X growled, “I don't know what you're talking about.”

Red X held up the cut end of the rope to his father's face, “I saw you, I saw you leading that thug in through the park. I didn't realize it until it was too late, tell me why you did it.”

Malnor growled, “I don't have to tell you anything.”

“But you do… I saw you… and I'll tell the police.”

Malnor chuckled, and brushed off the cuff of his jacket, “That wouldn't matter, I already told them I saw him sneaking in.”

Red X lowered the rope, the hate drained away leaving only a sickened sadness to it, “Just tell me why… Why did you do it?”

“You know, the day after your little adventure, Mr. Grayson came to see me, he said he was going to try to get you taken away from me.” Red X's eyes widened, and Malnor smiled, “I couldn't allow that to happen, now could I?” Malnor raised an eyebrow and watched his son, “A lucky… break that Zucco managed to get past security and to the tent, isn't it?” The sickness that hit Red X was amazing; he slumped to his knees and vomited. Bowing his head, he had gotten his best friend's family killed… that's when a solid kick to his side hit him. He flipped over and Malnor stood above him, “Don't ever touch me again, boy. Get up, we have to pack.” Red X groaned and Malnor walked away.

The memory ended and Red X sat between Raven and Robin. There was no sound, Raven was far too shocked to say anything and Robin just sat and stared forward. Red X had lowered his head into his hands. The silence was total, but slowly Robin got up and walked to the center stage. He stood where his parents had fallen, where his life had been destroyed so many years ago. He looked up at the cut rope, then nodded. “Raven… I think it's time we left.”

Raven nodded slowly then walked down to the center stage. Usually, she was able to read emotions from a person's face, looking at Robin she wasn't even sure she would have been able to figure out what Robin had been feeling if she entered his mind. He held out his hand, she grabbed it and the world disappeared.

Raven gasped as she re-entered her body, the weight of all the emotions had weakened her and she nearly fell unconscious from the continuous strain and the monumental effort and energy she had used to bring Robin and her back safely. Robin looked at her and hugged her, “Thank you Raven.” Raven was barely aware he had grabbed hold of her. Everything was so hazy, her eyelids felt like stones. Her head drifted down upon his shoulder and she fell asleep. Robin held her up, lifting her into his arms. She was fast asleep. With a smile and a tear, he took a few steps and gently put her down on the bed Red X had been on when they entered the room…