A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for your support so far. Today I've been trying to think about riddler but instead I have saw in my head. So seeing how I shouldn't besmirch the name of Edward Nigma, I might wait a little before I write again. So essentially that means reading his awesome appearance in Gotham City sirens volume one. (I have it in tp) But don't worry, I have a few chapters already done. If anybody has an idea for a riddler 'test' feel free to let me know. Also 1Superman4Me, is that a good thing or a bad thing? I based some of Kates dialogue and personality on my own sister.
Kate takes a breath and smiles an uneasy smile at her sister. "You'll get us home. I guess there isn't any real reason to panic..."
"Oh, child I wouldn't say that."
Kate jumps at the voice from behind her and Elena unconsiously begins to slowly back away. Kate ignores her and turns to face a man that Elena instantly reconizes no matter how many different adaptions she has wittnessed. Kate gulps but crosses her arms in anger as the man steps out of the shadows.
"You can't just go around doing that to people. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
Elena pales slightly. "Um...Kate..."
"Not now, geez, I know this place is full of freaks but come on..."
"Kate..."
"I can't go five minutes without some weirdo trying to scare me?"
"Kate!"
"What?!" Kate stops her tirade to shoot a glare at a very frightened Elena.
"You have no idea...who that is...do you?"
Kate gets slightly wide eyed and glances from the man smiling in excited anticipation to Elena.
"Hes...someone important?"
"Yes."
"Is he that heart guy you were talking about?"
"No."
"Then...who is he?"
The man clears his throat and casually takes a step twords Kate. Kate quickly moves to stand next to Elena.
"Perhaps you should watch more informative television like your sister appears to. But I shouldn't expect such a thing from mere children. Would you mind telling me what you are doing in the Narrows at this time of night?"
Kate is temporarily lost for words so Elena speaks up.
"We aren't from Gotham and we got lost on our first night here. I won't let it happen again. So, I'm sure you have better things to do than be bothered by a couple of kids so we'll just be on our way."
Elena turns to walk away but is stopped the the man grasping her shoulder and giving it an intimidating squeeze.
"Child, how old are you?"
"Seventeen...sir."
Elena can practically feel his smile widening from right behind her.
"Your sister?"
"Fourteen sir. Now I should be getting home."
"There lies my dilema. I go out on this fine evening in search of new subjects for my reaserch. Then I happen upon two girls in peak physical condition feigning bravery..."
Elena gulps and turns back around to face the man.
"But would't you want older, more mature subjects?"
"No, I've found the young have a much stronger reaction. You are using false bravery as a mask, hiding behind your true fears, I wonder wht they could be. The possibilities...and how I'd love to hear your screams as you cower before me."
"No, you don't want us, I have a terrible scream. Really weak and..."
Kate finds her voice once more. "What are you talking about? The last time I jumped out of your closet you sounded like someone straight from a horror movie."
Elena shoots Kate a glare. Kate shrugs appologetically. "Well its true. So who is this guy anyway?"
Elena gulps. "Dr Johnathan Crane."
"Who?"
Elena huffs in annoyance. "Scarecrow!"
Kate gets wide eyed. "You mean the freak you have a cru..." Elena cuts her off by covering her mouth with her hand.
Crane raises an eyebrow before releasing his grip on Elenas shoulder. She lets go of Kate as Crane smiles contently at them with his hands behind his back, earning a shiver from Elena.
"You mentioned that you are new to this city, I detected the slightest accent. Out of curiousity, where are you from?"
Kate begins to answer. "A..."
"It doesn't matter." Elena cuts her off.
Kate gives Elena a questioning look before Elena turns once more, only to have Crane pull her back by her hair. She lets out a pained cry and Crane glances between both sisters.
"Are you both quite finished?"
"Yes."
"Very well then."
In a flash he has both of them in a firm grip by their arms. He holds up a syringe and moves to Kate.
"You may feel a slight pinch."
Before Elena can realize what Kate is doing, Kate manages to squirm free and runs down the street away from them. She pauses to glance back for a moment before continuing to run. Elena watches her in shock, distracted from Crane injecting her with the sedative.
...
Kate stops to catch her breath a few blocks away from where she had essientially left her sister to die. Only now is the realization that she has no idea how to act around the criminals of the city is hitting her like a ton of bricks.
"Crap."
After taking a deep breath, Kate resumes walking away from the direction of her sister.
An hour later hope begins to diminish.
"Come on...how big is this stupid city?!"
...
Elena whimpers slightly as the light makes her head throb as she wakes up. She finds herself laying on a cold surface, she tries to sit up but finds she is unable. It isn't long before she pieces together that she is strapped to some sort of medical table.
"Dr Crane?!"
A few minutes later, he emerges thru the door on the other side of the room with a serious composure on his face. As he locks the door, Elena gulps and struggles vainly to escape the wrist and ankle restraints.
"It would be appreachiated if you would make some attempt to calm yourself."
Elena lets her body slump against the table in defeat before turning her head to carefully watch Crane as he calmly walks over to a table containing several different beakers of chemicals.
"I'm going to die tonight, aren't I?"
"Most likely."
Crane closely examines one beaker in paticular. Elena gulps as Crane smiles at what he is doing.
"Any chance you could maybe let me go?"
"I have been developing a new form of my toxin. How will I be able to proceed if I don't have a test subject?"
Elena smirks.
"You know...I actually had a bit of a crush on you."
Crane pauses for a moment before continuing, still not looking at her. "Is that so?"
"Yes...its a shame you have to kill me..."
"Its for the greater purpose of my reasearch."
"I know. I mean, thats probably why I'm not flipping out. I know why you are going to do it and I accept that. The study of fear is much more importnt than some kid like me. I just...I wish people would miss me..."
"Parents?"
"No. I bet my dad would just...turn my room into an office. He doesn't care, never really did. Hes a perfectionist. And rather than accepting me, he blames me anytime I do anything different."
Crane pauses and glamces over at Elena.
"I know hes never loved me. I'll never be as perfect as Kate. She plays sports, goes on dates, gets perfect...everything. Meanwhile dad just continues to pretend like I don't exist. He ignores me day and night. Hasn't even achnoledged me other when necessary for two years now. But now that I'm gonna die, I guess I'll never show him that I don't need him."
Crane stands and walks over to Elena. He pushes a loose hair behind her ear and smirks at her.
"Do you honestly believe you are the first of my subjects to plead for sympathy?"
"No. I don't want any. I know you never show mercy of pity on your subjects. Thats why I want to help you."
Crane studies her face for a moment before speaking.
"I'm listening."