Antonio Diego. It's been a long time.

I've seen him once before felt him, touched him back in Santa Prisca when I was a young girl. He was a famous luchador in our small town, famous for his skills and his bad attitude. Although he might get into a few fights and was quite a corinthian he always knew where his heart belonged. He'd volunteer in the local parish and help out during fiestas, it was impossible not to like him. I wonder though, what made him change all of a sudden? He was bad but he wasn't evil.

I remember it was during the summer, the flowering month of May that I first laid eyes on him.

"Isabella be sure to get those flowers I asked! And don't forget the honey your sister needs it!" Mama shouted from the veranda of our house.

"Yes Mama I'll be going now!" I shouted from below. My dress billowed with the wind.

Our home was far from the bustling village center of Santa Prisca. It was located up in the hills and we were surrounded by trees, mountains, and bodies of water. I loved it there. I picked a bougainvillea blossom and placed it between the folds of my ear. Now, time to get those flowers Mama asked for.

Mama has always loved those red anthuriums and hibiscus' but I have to say those white cordias are the loveliest of all. There is a valley just by the edge of the Lanzona River where all the wild flowers bloomed I remember swimming in the river from time to time. I loved bathing in the cool water after helping with the garden. The river licked the dirt off my body, I loved the feeling of the sun on my face.

By the river I could smell the scent of mangoes and papayas in the air while picking flowers. The feast of San Lorenzo was being celebrated soon you could smell the ripe harvests of a joyful people. Unbeknownst to my surroundings a solitary figure watched over me. I heard a noise in the distance and saw a figure of a man and from that moment on my life changed forever.

The first time we met the interview was cut short, an alarm sounded and every staff member had to evacuate the building, as usual they wouldn't tell us what was happening. They said it was another prison escape I've been at Arkham for some time to know that Batman had something to do with it.

The very next day I was back again at the entrance of the Class S cells. It was still the same as yesterday but now I noticed that it had the aura of an underground bunker I imagine this is what area 51 would look like. There were the monitors and the guards and the procedures I had to follow. Then the time came when Robert, the guard had to turn the metal wheel on the door as he reminded me that he left a chair in front of Bane's cell for my convenience. I noticed they were less uptight on me although still maintaining that strict demeanor. I guess it was because after the first day some psychiatrists never return. I walked steadily to the end of the cell and observed that some inmates were shouting my name, I found it a bit odd that they knew. The world of madmen is such a small place I should have gotten used to it by now. Leaning towards the chair I sat down and composed myself. I thought of introducing myself to the masked man sitting before me, we were separated by glass but before I could talk he went ahead.

"Dr. Isabella Alonzo, yes? I know who you are."

He was a large man, very well-built and toned. He sat in a chair and in front of him was a table with a chess set, he was obviously playing with someone as he slowly fondled the white queen.

"And you are Antonio Diego. Perhaps you also know my purpose here Senor Diego." Senor Diego? God, how awkward. I should just shut up.

"Please, call me Bane." he smirked. "Well, I have an idea."

"Where did you get the chess set?"

"Al Ghul was kind enough to send me this as a welcoming home gift."

"I didn't know you played chess."

"Think of it as one of my many talents."

I took note of this. The last time we met he was doing push-ups and now he was playing chess, those were two different things. Following protocol I had to ask basic questions although in the corner of my mind I wanted to ask him if he remembered me. It was the most menial 30 minutes in my day but after this, I thought, I can ask him questions related to my research.

It quickly dawned on me that I haven' t seen his face. "Why the mask?"

"My mask?" he said. He touched it as if he never noticed it was on. "The mask I wear is my identity, it is both a reflection of who I am and what I want to be perceived. My face however is another thing."

He was being vague.

"Isabella-"

"Please, call me Dr. Alonzo."

He smirked yet again.

"Isabella you want to know more about me don't you? You came here because that silly old doctor told you so. But instead of just telling you blatantly, because that wouldn't be entertaining, I'm going to tell you a story. . . about a young girl from Santa Prisca."

What's the story you ask? Find out in the next chapter! :)