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Robin couldn’t sleep as he waited for the next ghost to appear.

He was still sitting on the edge of the bed and glancing back at the clock to see it had now change to 1:58 a.m. Two more minutes and he’d have to contend with another ghost, and he was still trying to shake off the experience with that last one. He was just bracing himself for whatever was to come next. At least his stomach was starting to feel better, if still a bit throbbing here-and-there.

He heard the click as the clock struck 2:00 a.m. It was time. Robin looked around the room, even peaking behind the curtain between both beds, but did not seeing anything.

“Huh.” He said to himself. “Nothing.”

Just as soon as he’d finished saying so, a feint light came from the window of the door leading out of the medical room. It grew a bit brighter now and Robin could tell that was not the usual light made by the ones in the hallway. But then the door itself opened up and Robin only stood there waiting to see what would happen.

“Well come on, Rob.” Someone called from outside the room. “Come in and know me better, dude.”

Robin hesitantly walked towards the door and slowly saw as he wasn’t walking into the hallway he expected to, instead it was a whole other room he went in.

It was a fairly large square room with at least six tables set to the sides. Each of them had cakes of all different sizes, some had baskets with wine and candy, others had presents as well. There were other piles of presents laid about here-and-there. There were streamers hanging down from the ceiling and confetti all over the floor and some scattered on the tables. At the very end of the room was a large blue banner reading “Happy Birthday” with a big chair set under it. Sitting in the chair was, what Robin figured, was the ghost.

He reached him and said “I guess there’s no point in thinking you’re the real Cyborg, right?”

The ghost shrugged and said “Nope. But it could be worse. I could’ve been Beast Boy.”

The Ghost did indeed look like Cyborg, but like the ghost of birthdays past he was dressed differently than Robin’s friend. He had a large red bath robe on that covered his arms and his most of his legs, except his metal feet hanging out below. And on his head was a birthday cap.

“So you are...” Robin began to say.

“Ghost of Birthdays Present.” The ghost answered. “How’s it going?”

Robin, actually enjoying this one’s presence so far, smirked a bit and said “Okay, I need to ask: what’s up with the get up?”

“Well the whole idea’s having a birthday suit. And let’s be honest, do you really want to see a ghost with nothing but a hat on?”

Robin chuckled a bit and said “Now I’m definitely glad you didn’t look like Beast Boy.”

The ghost and Robin began to laugh as he got up from his seat and walked over to him, clapping him on the shoulder.

“You see, man?” the ghost said. “That’s one of things about a birthday: tends to bring out the happier moments in life. At least when people want to accept those happy moments.”
Robin seemed a little down casted as he turned away and said “Well, sorry to say, but I tend to be one of those people who doesn’t.”

The ghost only tilted his head, feeling sympathy towards Robin, before holding his shoulder and pulling him closer. Closer to the point he was hugging him with his one arm and his strength was squeezing Robin.

“Hey, no sweat.” The ghost said before releasing Robin, who was rubbing his shoulder. “Trust me, by the end of tonight, you’ll be singing a whole different tune, my friend.”

Robin shrugged and said “Guess I got to go through with it. So what exactly are you supposed to show me?”

“Well this being your birthday,” the ghost began “and I being a ghost of the present, best thing to do is to see...”

“Is what my friends are doing for my birthday?” Robin finished.

The ghost gave a fake frown and said “Well fine, Mr. Know-it-all, if that’s the way you’re going to be, then I’m not showing you want your friends intend to get you for presents.”

“But aren’t you the ‘ghost of present’?” Robin pointed out coyly.

The ghost only laughed again and said “You’re getting good at it, but don’t push the luck. What do you think those other ghosts showed Scroogy what he was getting for Christmas?”

Robin gave a slight nod at the truth in what he said before saying “Fine, fine. So where first?”

The ghost only smiled and snapped his fingers before the scenery around them began to change.

Soon enough Robin found himself and the ghost standing out in the middle of the street in Jump City. It was either the morning of the middle of the day as the sun was still out and people were out and about going on with their lives. Just as he’d realized it, Robin saw a car heading right towards him and he didn’t have time to jump away. He just held his arms up an braced for impact, only for the car to pass right though him as if it, or maybe he, were made of smoke.

“Yo!” The ghost shouted at the car. “Where’d you get that license? A cereal box?”

Robin only recovered and said “I don’t know who you ghosts get used to this kind of stuff.”

“Years of practice.” He answered. “Trust me. You have that much time on your hands.”

“So why are we here?” Robin asked.

“Look for yourself.” The ghost answered, pointing out someone to Robin.

It was Beast Boy, walking down the sidewalk to the right of them. He seemed in a bit of a hurry as he went down, passing a few people who recognized him.

“Beast Boy?” Robin said after seeing him. “What’s he up to?”

Robin began to follow BB, the ghost following as well, before both saw him going towards a cake shop. He acted almost like a spy as he looked over his shoulder before walking inside. Robin and the ghost looked in from the display window and, thanks to whatever supernatural abilities the ghost possessed, they could easily hear what was being said inside. BB walked up to the counter, where a man dressed as a chef was waiting, and still acted all secretive as he leaned forward.

“I’m here for....It.” he half-whispered.

The chef looked around and leaned forward before saying “Dire quoi?”

“I’m here for the package.” BB continued. “My personal package?”

“Je ne vous comprends pas, personne peu vert.”

BB, annoyed now, dropped his secret act and said “Look, I’m here for a pickup under the name Robin. You know, Robin? ‘The Boy Wonder’ Robin?”

“Je pense que vous n'avez plus besoin des gâteaux. Tu as l'air assez malade comme il est.” the chef said annoyed. “Mais je serai de retour avec votre commande de toute façon.”

He walked into the back and BB stood there for a moment, tapping the glass display and seeing some of the other cakes that were already made before. The chef then returned with a box and placed it on the counter. BB opened it, expecting it to be what he wanted, only to have a annoyed look before looking back to the chef.

“Dude, this isn’t what I ordered.” He said, turning the box around to show the cake to the chef. “I said for ‘Robin’, not Rubin.”

“Je n'arrive toujours pas à comprendre, petit homme martien. Vous devriez apprendre à parler français appropriées dans ce magasin.” He said back.

Robin only shook his head, while smiling at how silly this was, before a second chef walked out from behind a door leading to a backroom.

“Ah, monsieur Beast Boy.” He said, talking in English with a heavy French accent. He walked over and stood in-between BB and the first chef and said “So good to see you have arrived.” He spoke to the other chef, making him walk off into the back. “Do not mind him.” He said back to BB. “That’s just my brother. He’s not so good with English.”

“And apparently names too.” BB added. “So anyway, is it ready yet?”

“We’re just getting the finishing touches, sir.” He said. “It should be done in the next fifteen minutes or so. I mean you did give us quite the order to fill. I take it for someone special?”

“Well yeah.” BB began. “I mean it IS for Robin, you know. I mean the guys been so great. A great team leader, a good friend.”

“Ah, but of course. And you want to show the utmost appreciation, yes? I’m sure he will just adore his birthday now.”

BB rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and said “Well I’m kind of hoping he does. He’s been a bit....edgy lately.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I don’t know, I guess he just has some kind of issue with his birthday is all.”

“If that is so, why bother with such extravagant means?” the head chef asked. “I mean, how do you know he will actually appreciate such a special gift if he doesn’t like his own birthday?”

BB began to see some reason in his words and had that nervous and almost hurt look that said he might be right and he’s just wasting his time. The ghost looked to Robin who had a very concerned look on his face as he pressed his hands against the window.

“No.” he said. “Beast Boy I-I wouldn’t. I mean...”

“You mean?” the ghost asked.

“I...I mean...” Robin said, trying to find what to say.

The ghost only took his shoulder and said “Come on. We still have a few others to see.”
“But wait. What about Beast Boy? I mean does he not bother anymore or...”

“You’ll know when it comes to it.” The ghost answered. “Right now, we need to check on another friend of yours.”

Before Robin could protest any further the scene changed again and they were now somewhere else.

They were now in the middle of an electronics and entertainment store, in between a few rows of videogames, movies and CD’s. Stand amongst them, and the few other people looking around, was Raven. Her hood was down and she seemed to be browsing her was through one section of items after another.

“Wow.” Robin said, seeing this.

“What?” the ghost asked. “That surprised a friend of yours is trying to buy you a present when you pretty much said you didn’t want to celebrate?” he said, almost as if pushing it in his face.

Robin looked a little cross at him before looking back to Raven and saying “No, I’m....just surprised she’s by herself, in the middle of the day, out in public and not trying to hide.”

“Well that’s the thing about friends. They tend to make some sacrifices for their friends. Especially when it’s a big important day for them.”

Robin looked up at the ghost, seeing he meant what he said, before looking back to Raven who was being approached by one of the store’s female employees.

“Need any help, miss?” she asked

Raven hesitantly answered “Well...I’m looking to find something for a friend. A birthday gift. But...I’m not really good with it.”

“Oh I see.” She said. “Boyfriend?”

Raven almost blushed and said “N-no. Just a ‘friend’ friend.”

“And what? No list or hints?” she asked. “No wonder you’re having trouble.”

“Yeah. He wasn’t exactly dropping any hints or anything like that when I asked.” Raven explained.

“Sounds like quite the friend.” The employee said sarcastically.

Raven sighed and said “I know he may be a little stubborn at times, but he’s one of the first friends I ever had. So I guess I sort of owe him that much.”

Robin was showing mixed signs in his face. He felt sorry for not being a little more forthcoming with Raven when she’d asked about what he’d want for his birthday, but at the same time he felt a little comfort in knowing Raven still thought of him as a friend despite how he acted. And it was true, he was there for her just as much as she’d been for him.

“Maybe I’ll show you some of our specials and see what you find.” The employee suggested.
Raven nodded and walked off while Robin and the ghost stood there.

“I feel like such an idiot now.” Robin said. “She was just trying to find out what I wanted and I...I just...”

“Sat there and didn’t answer while acting like a total jerk?” the ghost suggested. Robin only hung his head down before the ghost took him by the shoulder again and said “Let’s go. Still another stop to reach.”

As the scenery changed around him, Robin looked up and asked “What? Are we going to see the real Cyborg now?”

“What are you kidding?” the ghost said. “And ruin HIS surprise? No way, man. Let’s just say as much as I’d like to see someone as handsome as myself, checking in on him means running your surprise.”

“But what if he’s feeling all upset too? I need to know if...”

The ghost cut him off just as the scenery began to settle and said “Like I said, you’ll know. Right now I think you’ll want to see this more.”

They were now on the outskirts of the city, on a grassy hill, where Starfire was sitting on a rock and looking a bit disappointed and glum. Robin looked concerned when seeing his girlfriend in such a state before her communicator suddenly went off.

She answered it by saying “Yes?”

“Starfire. It’s Cyborg.” He answered from the other end.

Robin took a moment and gave an annoyed look to the ghost, who only said “Hey, I said you couldn’t SEE him. Didn’t mean you can’t hear him.”

Robin listened back to Starfire’s conversation as Cyborg spoke over the communicator and said “Where are you? I’m almost done getting everything set for the party.”

“I have been searching for the right gift for Robin.” She answered. “I have been to several stores, including the ones in the mall of shopping, but cannot decide what would be best for him.”

“I think it’ll be the thought that counts, Star.” Cy said. “No big worry I just got done with...”

Before Robin could hear what Cyborg had gotten him, the ghost turned his one hand into a blow horn, similar to how he real Cyborg might, and fired it right next to his ear for a second. Once she stopped Robin stuck his finger in his ear to make sure he could still ear good.

“What was that for?” he asked, annoyed at the ghost.

“Sorry.” He shrugged innocently. “Didn’t want to spoil it.”

Robin was able to hear when Starfire said “Oh that is a very generous gift for him.”

“Yeah. I just hope he likes it enough that it picks him up. Know what I mean?” Cy said.

“Yes I do. That is why I am trying to find the right gift for him.” She explained. “I am afraid that if I give him something less than satisfactory, he may become even more angered. So much so that he may even try to end the relation we are in. I’m so afraid that it might be possible.”

Robin saw that she had tears in her eyes and on impulse walked up towards her.

“Starfire, I wouldn’t do that.” He said, standing in front of her and kneeling down. “I’d still want to be with you. Honest.”

She didn’t hear what he was saying, obviously, making Robin a little uneasy knowing that everything he said was for nothing.

Cyborg suddenly said over his communicator “Hey, hey don’t think like that, Starfire. Look, just go out, get him what you think is best, and I’m sure he’ll like it. If it means so much just think of something, I don’t know, extra special to him.”

Starfire seemed to ponder on this before repeating “Extra-special....”

She stood, making Robin stand as well, but before he could see anymore the scenery was starting to change again.

“No. Wait!” he said, watching as everything dissolved. “Starfire!” he said, reaching out for her as she dissolved as well. He kept looking around and saying “I need to see what she does. I want her to know I don’t care about the present. Just her. Why can’t you show me?”

Robin turned back to the ghost who looked very different now. He looked like Cyborg only very older, the human part of his skin looking withered, the metal plating and armor on his body looking a little rusty here-and-there, even his clothing looked tattered and even the birthday hat her wore was bent.

“Because that’s all for the future.” The ghost answered. “I can only show you what’s now, not what will be.”

Robin examined him and said “What’s happening to you?”

“Funny thing about the present,” he began “it only lasts for so long. Same goes for me.”

“But...but there’s still so much I need to see.” He pleaded. “I mean do they still care about my birthday anymore? Does everything go well? I...I don’t want you to go yet.”

The ghost only smiled and said “I think someone famous once said ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.’
Sometimes you need to savor you gifts, Robin. Because before you know it...they disappear.”

As he said this, the ghost slowly began to fade away. It wasn’t like he was dissolving like the scenery had done before, it was more as if he was being erased out of existence by whatever otherworldly powers brought him to begin with.

“Be seeing you, Robin.” The ghost said in its final moments. “And hey....happy birthday.”

With that, the ghost of birthdays present was gone, and Robin was again alone.

Instead of being back in the medical room, Robin found himself in the middle of the city at night. It was very dark and the entire place seemed abandoned. No cars on the road, no late night partiers or robbers on the streets, not even any animals in the area. It was very quiet. The very frightening type of quiet.

As Robin looked around he knew he was supposed to now face with the third and final ghost. But as he kept looking around, he saw nothing. But it was the fact of not seeing or hearing anything that had him on such edge. If this was going to be anything like the story, this ghost would be the worst of all.

Robin didn’t see s his own shadow began to contort itself and change. As it did it slowly picked itself off the floor and grew and grew. Robin could feel that cold shiver down his spine which made him slowly turn to see as the ghost was now fully formed and looming in front of him.

It had a long dark robe of blue that looked very familiar to Robin. It’s face was hidden by the hood of the robe which showed nothing but an empty black space. Same was said for its body, which was long and slender, given how tall it was, but nothing could be seen of it. Just an empty black space. There was also the familiar red and black clip on the robe near the shoulder as well. And just as Robin had finished examining the ghost, a green Raven crowed from above before flying down and perching itself on its shoulder.

Robin, trying to stay calm in this one’s presence, said “Ghost of Birthdays yet to come?”
It did not answer, only gave a very low nod with its head. The crow let out a small caw as it did.

“Had to be Raven, didn’t it?” he asked, seeing how the ghost did resemble his friend. “Even the crow is a good touch.” He pointed to it. “Didn’t think Beast Boy would be involved.”

He was trying to show he had no fear of the ghost despite it, or perhaps she, not saying a word and having a very intimidating feeling about her. The closest thing Robin had to a pair of eyes or a face to identify with was the crow, which acted like any animal would; sitting and cawing while looking down at the potential food it things were to go awry for it.

There was awkward silence for a moment between both Robin and the ghost before he said “So...I guess we should go?”

In answer a hand reached out from the darkness below the ghost’s cloak, startling Robin for a moment. It looked a bit like Raven’s hand only a little more skinny and pale, as if on the very of becoming a living skeleton of an arm. It reached out, held him by the shoulder, and started to lead him on as both walked towards one end of the street.

In Robin’s mind he was a race of questions mixed with fear. No knowing what horrors this ghost would show him, or what vision he might find himself haunted by. He just wished the ghost would be like the others and talk to him at least.