Disclaimer: I don't own Batman or any character/plot associated with him. That would be amazing, but it's not going to happen. So this is as close as I'll get. Ashley Beringer is a made up character; she is not based on anyone I know nor was she created based on a real person. Please review; my first fanfic, so please don't criticize me too hard.

A week passed after Ashley's first encounter with the Scarecrow, and she was soon transferred and forced to help the new arrivals in Arkham Asylum. It seemed Batman was on a winning streak; he had locked up most of the mob and returned plenty of his enemies to the asylum. As the numbers of inmates went up, the harder it was for any employee to sit around and twiddle their thumbs; everyone was working to keep the asylum from going "mad".

Ashley kept track of every villain that found their way back to their original cells: there was Two-Face, the Riddler, the Joker, Harley-Quinn, Poison-Ivy, Ra's al Ghul, the Mad Hatter, Mr. Freeze, the Penguin, and so many more that she never knew existed. Batman had many enemies, as she soon found out for they all planned horrible things to do to him if they ever escaped.

One day Ashley was strolling through the halls of the asylum, getting ready to clock out. It had been another long day of controlling patients, feeding them, making sure they were washed, and still having to evaluate their mental progress. The asylum needed every available person they could to help, and Ashley had been the one who offered her energy the most.

She was speaking to a co-worker about her day when another co-worker ran up. He was panting heavily, as though he had been running for his life. His short blonde hair was soaked with sweat and his ears and face were red from running. He tried to collect himself, taking deep breaths.

Finally, when he caught himself, he blurted out: "Ashley, come quick! Scarecrow is out of control. He only wants to see you…" the man's hair and eyes were wild. Fear engulfed every aspect of this man. Was this what Dr. Crane found fascinating?

The co-worker beside her gasped, "What happened Mark? Are you okay?"

Mark, who was obviously very shaken, nodded, "Yes, I'm fine, Sarah. But Ashley needs to get to the interview rooms right away… Scarecrow refuses to let anyone near except you. Ashley… he got a hold of some fear gas…"

It took a moment for the severity of the situation to sink in. How did the Scarecrow manage to get his hands on some scare gas? That was locked up tight in a completely different part of the building than where he was being held.

Ashley stated this, and was laughed at by a nearby patient sitting in their cell.

An arrogant laugh, as though the person thought he knew everything that was going on, "You people really are dim, aren't you? If the answers aren't right in front of your poor pathetic face, then they obviously must not exist," a face appeared from behind the bars of the small window in the door.

It was the Riddler. Although he had been stripped of all his green belongings, one could tell from the eyes, hair, nose, and egotistical attitude that that very man was the Riddler himself.

"You're… you're the Riddler…" Ashley said in disbelief. She hadn't been able to meet the man face-to-face, considering how busy the center had become. And yet here he was!

The Riddler rolled his eyes before using sarcastically saying, "Well, you must be one of the intelligent ones… do tell me your name so that I can know who it is that speaks so naively,"

"Ashley," she nervously answered.

"Ashley Beringer?! I've heard loads about you," he adjusted to look at Ashley a bit clearer, seeing as the window could not give him a full range of the hall, "Oh yes, so you are…" he muttered to himself.

Ashley turned to the other two and whispered, "Why do they all know my name?"

"I'm sure the question you desire answered is how, not why," Edward spoke up, trying to catch the girl's question, "however, I believe that more trying problems are ahead. Ah, but a riddle for you before you go gallivanting away… When you have me, you feel like sharing me. But, if you do share me, you don't have me. What am I?"

Ashley looked at Sarah and then at Mark with a puzzled look. She had never been good at riddles or puzzles. Well, she was good at them, but she just never had the want to think about them. To her, they were a waste of time.

But not to the Riddler, who watched her intently.

She decided to guess: "…A… shadow?"

There was a silence.

"It's a shame that Scarecrow has requisted us to keep you safe, otherwise I would have killed you for that. A shadow? Really? You weren't even trying!" he crossed his arms and looked to the left, as if insulted.

"Well, what was the answer then?" she asked, not wanting to insult a super villain.

The Riddler smiled and looked at the girl on the other side of the door, "It's a secret…!"

"Oh, that's very mature!" Mark spat angrily, "C'mon you guys; we don't have time for this. Scarecrow might have gassed that whole building by now. Let's get a move on," Mark grabbed Ashley's arm roughly and began dragging her with him. Orders were orders. He needed to get her to the building where Scarecrow was, one way or another.

"Ouch, hey! Let go of me!" Ashley struggled and then ripped her wrist from his grasp, "I can take myself, thank you."

Mark shrugged and looked to Sarah for some reassurance. When he couldn't find one, he changed his gaze to Ashley to apologize. But she had already stormed off. Mark and Sarah dashed after her, afraid to leave her alone after the Riddler's comment.

"Ashley Beringer?! I've heard loads about you,"

All the while Edward Nygma watched and chuckled. She was smart, he could feel it. It was just a matter of time before he could witness it completely. At that moment, she was in a hurry, not focusing on his puzzling puzzles. The next time, however, he expected an improved answer. As for the Mark gentleman… Scarecrow wouldn't be happy to hear what the man did to Ashley. The very girl whom he had asked be protected from harm.

Poor Mark. Never understood a riddle in his whole life either. Too bad he wouldn't have any time left to spend it on solving riddles whenever Scarecrow found out about his "unnecessary" roughness.

With that, the Riddler chuckled himself to silence, content with the enigmas building and warping in his fragile mind.