Child of Phobos – Chapter Two
By Sunflare2k5
Scarecrow wasn't sure exactly what to write in reply; though he was
loath to admit it, he was actually feeling stirrings of fear. Annabelle
sounded welcoming for the moment... but what word might anger her,
or frighten her away? And with her, he'd lose his heir; an unacceptable
option! But he didn't remember enough about Annabelle to read her,
figure her out...
The best I can do, Scarecrow thought, is to be honest about this. I've
no need for tangled webs, not now... With that, he picked up his pen,
and began to write:
Dear Annabelle,
I actually do remember you to some extent; injury and illness have
unfortunately robbed me of most of those memories. But I remember
your kindness to me -- a rare gift, indeed. While I was surprised to
find out about Joanna, I am willing to be as much as a father to her
as is allowed. Arkham discourages contact with the outside world; you
might be allowed to visit, but minors cannot (for their own safety).
Pictures of Joanna would be allowed, though? I hope to see you soon.
He signed his name with a flourish, then folded the small letter into
the envelope. Now if the goons that Arkham called guards would
allow this letter to go through..? Some of them took sadistic pleasure
in destroying what few personal items the inmates were allowed. But
he couldn't do anything about that -- except avenge it, if it happened.
For a week, Scarecrow brooded over this. Even his chess games, the
only contact he chose to make with the other inmates, had become
sloppy.
"Were you trying to give me the checkmate?" Two-Face asked him.
Rather, Harvey did; Two-Face himself wouldn't have bothered with
the warning. "You left yourself wide open..."
Scarecrow blinked down at the board. "...so I did."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Hoping for a visitor," Scarecrow admitted, then winced at the sorrow
that appeared on Two-Face's unscarred side.
"Likewise..." Harvey muttered, then stood up and left the table.
"Forfeit." he added, in afterthought.
Scarecrow just stared at the chessboard a few moments longer, then
put up the pieces...
(to be continued)