There is something that has been bugging me for a while. People read my stories, but they do not leave reviews. The reviews are one of the main reasons I am doing this. Whether you like the story or not, please leave a review. That way I know people are actually reading this, and I can figure out ways to improve. If I don't start getting reviews, I might stop uploading my stories.
"Zoé? Zoé, wake up."
Zoé awoke to someone shaking her shoulder, and looked up to see Zane standing over her. She swatted his hand away and sat up.
"You fell asleep at work again." Zane said, tsking. He sat a cup of coffee down in front of Zoé, then dragged the extra chair over and sat down. "Honestly, when's the last time you went home?"
Zoé smiled gratefully and picked up the coffee, taking a small sip.
"I think I went home Monday." She said, twirling the little straw to better mix the creamer.
"It's Friday. You've been here all week, and you aren't even supposed to work today." Zane rested his elbow on the table and his chin in the palm of his hand. "I don't see how you can stand to be here all the time, surrounded by all these insane people."
"It doesn't bother me. I like being here, where I can help if something goes wrong. I can't do that if I'm at home."
Zane nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense, I guess." He said.
Zoé smiled, then stiffled a yawn. Zane reached behind him and picked up a bag.
"Here, a change of clothes. What you're wearing now looks so... Slept in."
Zoé took the bag and got up to go change in the small bathroom. There was a brush and a ribbon in the bag as well. She ran the brush through her hair and quickly tied it back into a ponytail, then walked back to her office. When she got back, Zane had already left, leaving behind a note that said 'Don't over work yourself, and go home tonight! -Z'. Zoé smiled and tossed the bag into a corner.
The intercom screeched, and Zoé paused to listen.
"Attention Arkham administration. A new arrival is being escorted into the building."
A new arrival? Zoé looked up at the intercom, then rushed out of the room. She caught sight of one of the guards and waved at him. He turned to face her, and she recognized him as one of Zane's friends. She was pretty sure his name was Alex.
"Hey. What's going on?" She asked.
"They've caught the Joker. He's being brought in by the Batman himself." Alex replied. He sounded excited, and Zoé had to admit that she was a little intrigued. The Joker, being caught this easily? That never happened. Even the timing was strange. Blackgate prisoners had just been transferred to Arkham due to an explosion.
"I can't believe they caught him. Again." Zoé said, leaning against the wall. Alex shrugged.
"Maybe he saw the error of his ways." He suggested.
"The Joker? Doubtful."
"Hey, it's possible. Everyone has a conscience, even if it is buried deep inside them."
"How philosophical. But I still don't think that's it. Something isn't right." Zoé looked around the long hallway, trying to figure out why things felt so wrong. "I just don't know what yet."
"Don't you have to see patients today?" Alex asked, running a hand through his spiky brown hair.
"I wasn't even supposed to come in today." Zoé admitted. "I fell asleep filling out patient files." Alex nodded.
"Well, take it easy. All this working isn't good for you." He said. "I'll see you later. Gotta get back to-" He cut off suddenly as the alarm signalling a prisoner escape went off, then stopped and abruptly as it had started. Whatever he said next was drowned out by gunfire from just around the corner.
Alex cursed and took off down the hallway, leaving Zoé by herself. She stood there hopelessly for a moment, surrounded by the sounds of gunfire and yelling.
"Zoé!" Someone yelled from behind her, and Zoé whirled to see who it was.
"Zane! What happened?"
"It was all a setup. The Joker got away, and he's released all of the inmates! Even the explosion at Blackgate was part of the plan, so he could have more people on his side."
"I knew something wasn't right..." Zoé muttered, looking at the floor. Zane put a hand on her shoulder.
"Have you been alone this whole time?" He asked. Zoé shook her head.
"Alex was here, but he ran off when the alram started."
"Which way?"
Zoé pointed down the hall in the opposite direction. Zane pulled out a pistol and pressed it into Zoé's hand.
"Go hide." He said. "If you see an inmate, shoot them. If you hesitate, they won't show you the same mercy."
After giving her a brief hug, Zane sprinted down the hall to join his friend in the fight.
"Be careful." Zoé called, but he was already too far away to hear it.
