CHAPTER SEVEN

Later that night, after his family had went to bed, he came back out and they talked. Samantha told him everything, from what she could remember at Arkham to when she'd left the farmhouse. Gordon took it all in with the look of a man who was sure he was dreaming and would soon wake up. The only thing she didn't tell him was about her new dietary preferences. It was bad enough he had to see her as a mutating zombie thing, he didn't need to know she was a murderer and cannibal as well.

"So you're saying the accident at the lab and the Joker's escape from Arkham all at the same time is just a coincidence?" he asked incredulously.

"I guess. It had to be. He had no idea about me being there."

"And you went to him after you...you..."

"Yeah. I don't know why. Well, I do know but I can't explain it to you."

"You don't have to Samantha. He sent us a tape, before we found you two in the Narrows."

"I can only guess what was on it." she murmured, looking away from Gordon's gaze.

"Right. Well, I won't even ask why. I can't pretend to understand so I'll just let it go at that."

"I used to know him." she blurted out. "A long time ago. He didn't have the scars. I'd forgotten about him until he said something...and then I realized."

"What? Samantha, that could be our break...we could find out who he really is with that information."

"His name was Jack. I don't even remember his last name. Started with an N maybe. Look, that's not important right now. The tape that was played on tv.....when he said he was gonna get a family and he knew my weakness....I'm pretty sure he was talking about you and your family."

He had been afraid of that but hearing it from her only confirmed it. "Jesus Christ, I've got to get them out of here Sam....we can't just sit here and chat while....."

"No. It's fine." she interrupted. "He wanted me to deliver myself up to him and he knew that was the only way I'd do it. So just be calm. I'm not going anywhere, I won't let anything happen to you or your family."

Gordon laughed. "How can you stop him?"

"Oh I can. I'm not a human anymore. Look at me!"

"Sam....I need to know what you're planning to do if he shows up here. Because I'm this close to making some calls. I'm not going to risk my family's safety."

"If you get the entire Gotham PD out here it will just make him escalate. He'll take it as a challenge. You can call your bat friend if you want but I don't think he'll take too kindly to me. And the sight of him will definitely whip the Joker into a frenzy. He's obsessed with him, just like he is with me. But for different reasons."

"What is it with you two anyway?"

She shrugged. "Honestly? Not a clue. It has something to do with when we worked together. I was nice to him? Fuck, I don't know. There's the sex thing but it goes beyond that."

"That's enough." Gordon said curtly. His revulsion was clear.

"I know I've disappointed you. And I'm sorry. But know this, that night I called you and told you he was at my house....I did it because he threatened you. If I were such a terrible person I would have let it slide. But I couldn't. And that night in the Narrows, he wanted me to escape with him, then he was going to blow that building up with you and those men and Batman in it. But I couldn't go. Even if I hadn't been shot I wouldn't have gone. He knows you're my weak spot, that if I have to make a choice I will choose you every time. And he hates it. He'll use it against me."

She glanced at him and smiled sadly, then looked away in embarrassment. For the first time that night she looked like the old Samantha, the woman he'd befriended.

"Thank you." he said.

"You don't have to thank me. I like you. And as for what I'll do if he shows up.....I'll turn myself over to him. Maybe that'll appease him. If it doesn't I'll kill him. I should've killed him before I left but I couldn't. Since he insists on making a problem of himself though........"

"And if he brings his thugs?"

She grinned, unintentionally showing her sharp teeth in her eagerness. "Leave them to me. Actually he may have a hard time convincing them to get anywhere near me."

She was wondering if he would even show up. What if she were wrong? But that was impossible, the message had been for her. The Joker had known she wouldn't stay in the forest for long, that she'd come back to the city. He knew she liked tv and would see the tape.

And the sick crazy thing about it was that she was looking forward to this.

She inhaled deeply, smelling the damp air, hearing the sleet tapping onto the sidewalk. Samantha no longer felt cold or heat but she imagined Gordon was freezing. Seeing him looking so confused and miserable made her feel guilty for bringing him into this mess.

"Do you have your gun with you?" she asked softly.

"I have two." he answered and she laughed.

"Well keep the second for yourself. I don't get hurt easily and I have natural weaponry." she held her clawed hand up and noted the look of pity on his face.

"It's not so bad." she explained. "Really. I don't want drugs anymore and I feel better than I ever did when I was alive. Of course I'm losing my looks but....oh well. Sacrifices, y'know?"

For the first time that night he laughed and shook his head. "You can just roll with anything can't you Sam?"

"Don't have much of a choice do I? Anyways...I'm extremely strong, I see pretty well in the dark, my senses are better, I don't feel much in the way of pain. Can't beat that."

Of course she was making light of it. In another week there would be no telling what she might become. What scared her more than anything was losing herself, becoming an animal. And now the doctor was dead....if there was a way to slow the transformation down she'd never know.

A black SUV prowled down the street, headlights off. As it neared Gordon's home it slowed to a crawl.

"Stay back and watch the house." she told him and moved through the yard, sticking to the shadows as she went.

The vehicle stopped. The windows were tinted and even with her superior eyesight she couldn't tell how many people were in it.

She wanted to keep watching but leaving Gordon was foolish so she came back to him.

"They're parked. Can't tell how many are in there."

"It could just be kids." he said. She nodded but she knew it wasn't.

"Whatever happens....trust me." she told him. "If I leave with him, if you think I'm in danger don't interfere. Just let me go."

He said nothing, unwilling to make that promise.

A rustling sound came from some nearby bushes and they both spun towards it. It was only a large dog.

A dog.

"Scruffy? You found me?" she whispered and saw the stubby tail wag in response.

"What the hell is that thing?" Gordon asked in horror.

Scruffy's hair had almost completely fallen out, revealing shiny gray skin criss-crossed with veins. His eyes glowed like yellow lanterns and ropes of drool dripped from his fanged mouth. Despite his appearance Samantha was happy to see him.

"Well he was a dog until I bit him. My bite spreads something, like a virus. It can either kill something or turn it into a monster or it can do nothing. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I bit the Joker. It should be interesting to see how he's doing."

"Why didn't you tell me........." Gordon started furiously and she shushed him. Someone was coming.

She motioned for him to stay back and crept towards the footsteps. The gate to Gordon's yard creaked open and she heard an angry hiss at the noise. Mumbling, someone apologizing.

Idiots, thinking they could sneak through without her hearing them. There were five of them, trying to move quietly and about as subtle as a herd of buffalo in their heavy boots and long coats. If she could tell which one was the Joker she could grab him, without him the other men would be useless. Unfortunately they were all wearing those damn clown masks. She'd have to go by posture and body language. The important thing was making sure they didn't get anywhere near the house.

One of them straggled behind a little, his gait a combination of limp and a jerky scuttle that reminded her of a spider.

Gotcha she thought smugly and, silent as death, crept up behind him.

"Looking for me?" she whispered.