Kaldur was over at the pool letting his mind wander off. Where to he had no clue. His mind slowly went back in that cell. The smell of his own blood, the dripping of blood to the ground, and the words of an Atlantean poem leaving his lip. He heard the crack of the whip against his back. The words 'say it' or 'beg me' echo in his head. Loud screams left his lips. He shifted from his spot and his eyes slowly close. He breathing became labored and his whole body became tense. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he flinched away.

"Kaldur." A voice said, shocking him back to reality.

Kaldur lightly shook his head to rid himself of the memory. He looked up to see Roy looking worriedly as he sat down next to him.

"Hello Roy." Kaldur said while clearing his throat.

"You ok? You look like you were having a nightmare or something." Roy asked.

"I am fine. What do you need?" Kaldur asked.

"There are some people to see you." Roy said.

"Really? Who?" Kaldur asked curiously.

"Who do you think?" Roy asked with a smile.

Kaldur thought for a minute. He soon realized that it could be Tula anbd Garth. He got up quickly and practically ran to the zeta beam. He saw not only Tula and Garth, but his quen who was like a second mother to him. Tula and Mera let out a loud scream and Tula ran to him. He hugged her tightly even though his body was in pain. Garth walked up to him and tried to stop crying. Tula and Mera were completely crying their eyes out. Tula bawled into his chest. She missed her best- her brother. Tula soon let him and and Garth quickly embrace Kaldur. Kaldur was like a brother to both Tula and Garth. When they heard that he went missing, they had no clue what to do. They were worried and scared and angry. Garth never wanted him to go to the surface in the first place. In fact, they had a fight about his choice to be Aqualad.

"I have missed you brother." Garth said softly.

"And I you." Kaldur said as small tears brim his eyes.

They soon let each other go and he lets out a small sob to see his queen.

"Hello my queen." Kaldur said as he hugged her tightly.

All she does is sob into his shoulder.

"My queen please stop crying. You are going to make me cry." Kaldur asked as he started to cry.

"I am trying not to cry. I have missed you so much my son." Mera sobbed loudly.

He exhaled in relief and kissed her cheek lightly. They separated slightly and Mera got a good look at Kaldur. He was and still is like a son to both Mera and Arthur. Mera alone would have torn the surface apart to find her son.

"Kaldur, I hate to break up the reunion but the med bay is ready." Black Canary said as she wiped the tear in her eye.

"Of course." Kaldur said as he cleared his throat.

"We are coming with me." Mera said, well basically ordered.

Kaldur could not with her even if he wanted to. He along with Mera, his mother, and Arthur made their way to the infirmary. Kaldur sat down on the bed.

"Alright Kaldur, I need you to take off your shirt and pants." The doctor said.

"I really do not believe that you should be here for this." Kaldur said to them slowly.

"I am staying." Mera said firmly for all three of them.

"Very well. Do not say, I did not warm you." Kaldur said as he stood up and slowly took off his shirt.

Mera and Shalina nearly scream when the shirt came off. There were lashes going up and down his back. There were burn mark and stitches (thanks to Amanda) in the middle of his spine. He looked like a walking skeleton. There was blood still there but I was not as bad when Kaldur was first found. Tears rapidly stream down Mera's and Shalina's faces and Arthur faces went pale then to anger. He can't believe this happened. Kaldur took off his pants and cursed lightly when he saw that he leg was bleed. He accidentally torn through his stitches. The nurse cleans the blood off his leg and wrapped it lightly.

"My apologizes." Kaldur said weakly as he sat down.

The nurse smiled at him. The doctor went through with the examination. Kaldur tried to keep strong and not scream or cry but it failed with they try to examine his back. The second they touch his back, he screamed loudly in pain. Mera and Shalina rushed to him and try to figure what happened.

"What is wrong?" They asked as they fussed over him.

Kaldur shook his head as if he was trying to fight something his head. He let out moans and whimpers.

The cool blade was pressed against his throat. The blade nicked his gills and the bloody blade is plunged into his thigh. The gun is pressed against his temple.

"No please. Stop." Kaldur moaned in phantom pain.

"Kaldur relax." The doctor tried to sooth.

"Say it. Beg me to end it all." His torture said as hit him with the butt of the gun.

"No." Kaldur said softly as his whole body shook.

"Kaldur what's going on?" Mera asked worriedly.

The gun went off and Kaldur screamed as the bullet penetrated his leg.

Kaldur screamed in pain. Arthur came to his side and held him at arms length. Kaldur was in tears trying to fight his way out of his 'bindings'.

"Kaldur, my son breathe." Arthur ordered quietly as Kaldur's eyes open.

Kaldur tried to calm down. His sobs possessed his body and his put his head down. Arthur softly rubbed his shoulder soothingly.

"That's it. Just breathe." Arthur said softly.

Kaldur fought flinching at Arthur's touch. He never thought he would see the day, he was afraid of the man who basically raised him. He never wanted nor dream that this could happen.

"I am sorry." Kaldur said he kept his head down.

"Kaldur, look at me." Arthur said as he placed the side of his fingers underneath Kaldur's chin.

Kaldur fought looking up. He felt weak enough during his whole scene, he didn't need the disappointment and shame from his mentor as well.

"Kaldur, please." Arthur said softly in his ear.

Kaldur froze at the sound of his mentor's voice so quiet and weak. He could almost hear it tremble He lifted his head up slowly and tried not to look him in the eyes.

"I never want to hear you apologize for something that you can not control. Do you understand." Arthur ordered soft yet sternly.

Kaldur nodded slowly. Arthur couldn't stand to see his son so afraid. He tried to hug him but Kaldur lightly flinched as turned his head. This broke his heart. Arthur for now had to settle with placing a small kiss on Kaldur's forehead. He left the room, shutting the door. He walked for a 4 seconds until he collapsed on the ground, trying to hold on to the wall. The second the door closed, Kaldur instantly felt guilty. How could he deny the man who cared for him his affection.

"Can we finished this please?" Kaldur asked as his hand starts to shake.

"Of course." The doctor said as he continues his examination.

The doctor quickly finished the examination but had to see Kaldur again tomorrow. Kaldur went to his temporary room in the tower since he wasn't allowed to go home. He collapsed on his bed as gently as he could. He leaned on his head rest hugged his knees to his chest. He sobbed heavily into his knees out of pain, grief, and some other emotion he could not place. He cried so loudly that he could not hear the door open. He felt the bed move and he flinched into himself, causing him to wince, due to the several bruised or broken ribs. A woman's voice began shushed him quietly and a soft hand slowly rubbed his back.

"Kaldur." A soft woman's voice said.

Kaldur looked up and saw Canary looking at him with a soft, sad, smile. Kaldur lept into her arms and sobbed heavily into her shoulder.

"It is going to be ok." Carnay promised as she consoled him as best she could.

Kaldur honestly did not believe that it would be.