Little uncertain about this chapter, but enjoy anyway

I glanced around the bathroom, adding to the bag of supplies I had 'borrowed' from around Bane's room. So far I had clothing, a book, and a blanket. Having been homeless before, I knew what would be needed.

I passed the mirror, having to double take when I saw my neck. Going from left to right, over my windpipe, was a very 'Bane' sized handprint. It looked like somebody had painted my neck in red—I took a closer look around the edges where it was already starting to bruise.

"Damn it."

My throat ached and I cursed my easily bruised body, but didn't dwell. Already forgetting my forlorn reflection, I stuffed a few more essentials into my bag, then stuffed said bag behind the fridge.

Now we play the waiting game.

From previous experience, I knew Bane slept deeper than anybody I had ever met. Shocking when one considered his profession, but then, I suppose he felt this room was secure enough to sleep deeply. Whatever the reason, it meant that the best time for me to slink past everybody would be at night time.

I glanced quickly at the digital clock Bane had brought me; it wouldn't be long before he would retire for the night. He would spend several hours each night before sleep in his room; most of the time he made sure I stayed here with him. But on occasion I was ordered out; I had no idea what he did during that time.

Grabbing one of my novels, I slumped on the bed and stared at it for a moment and then looked properly around the room in confusion.

Bane has been getting me an awful lot of stuff lately.

Over the past few weeks he has slowly filled the room with things I might like. New novels, comfy chairs and even a bookcase were moved in while I patched up his men for him. In some strange way I had a feeling that he was trying to thank me. But then again, I would more likely to stay warm and safe here if it was more homey. It did make me wonder exactly why he kept me though; surely he could find ano—

"Why so contemplative, small one?

Startled, I finally noticed Bane in the doorway; God only knows how long he has been watching me for. The man seemed to move surprisingly silent for one so large.

His eyebrow rose, he was expecting an answer.

"Why is this room full of stuff for me?"

I never could seem to stop myself from asking an honest question.

Bane didn't answer me.

I elaborated, "I mean, you said I wasn't a captive. But, here I still am." I gestured around me, "and the room is full of stuff to make it feel more like a home."

When he still didn't answer I sighed softly and mumbled never mind. It was only when I sat down in a chair that Bane deigned to speak.

"Do you dislike what I have given you?" He moved into the room until he stood in front of me.

I didn't dare show how frightened I was, it was easier to just keep a blank face for the moment.

"No, I simply question your motives." Head tilted, I looked him in the eye. Then it hit me. "Stockholm syndrome. That's what you're trying to do to me, you want me to want to stay."

He smiled beneath his mask. It was a cruel smile.

"Is it working, small one?"

I thought for a moment. Has my attitude towards Bane shifted? The truth was that it had. I was terrified that he would harm somebody else for my attitude problems, but I no longer saw the man as an immediate threat to my health. At least, that was the case until he threatened earlier on.

"No." My answer came out too quick for it to be anything but a lie.

Chuckling, Bane moved away from me and towards the fridge. Reaching inside he grabbed out a bottle of water and walked into the bathroom. Nearly every night he would grab something to eat or drink and move into the bathroom to consume it. Every time he did I could hear the slight hiss and click of his mask being taken off, but I was always too frightened to have a peek. Today I stood up.

Bad, evil idea…

Slowly I edged towards the open door, I knew it must be a test and one that I had passed for a few weeks, but I just had to know. Poking my head around I stared at Bane, I could see his entire face through the reflection in the mirror. Barely biting back a gasp, I took him in. He was… handsome.

Shockingly plump lips were wrapped around the bottle of water, as he took a gulp I watched his throat move and moved my hand to mine. When I finally looked back up his eyes were meeting mine.

"Crap."

Gasping softly I flew back into the bedroom, milliseconds later Bane dwarfed the doorframe of the bathroom. His mask was still off.

"Did you enjoy the show?" He moved into the room further. Unconsciously, I took a step back. "I have to admit, I had hoped that you would resist your curiosity for a little longer, but I cannot say that I am surprised."

My eyes hadn't left his. I was carefully trying to match every move of his to mine, so I could keep a safe distance.

"What is wrong, small one?" His lips tilted up in a mocking manner. "You cannot help but stare at the scarred monster of The Pit."

He was mocking himself and I frowned because of it, then it sunk in what he said.

Scars?

He was right. Somehow I had totally missed the jagged lines that slashed through his mouth and nose. Even I could tell that the healing job had been botched, it seemed like half of the scars had been sealed with fire and the other half with stitches that became infected.

"I wasn't staring at the scars. I didn't even notice them." Even to my ears my voice sounded shocked, and I was.

Bane frowned for a moment and tilted his head; I had a feeling that he was regarding me in a new light. Then he was gone. I could hear him rummage through the bathroom before I heard a familiar 'click.' He walked back into the bedroom, this time giving me no chance to backup as he crowded me.

"You think to turn me against my cause? By pretending to feel compassion for me, perhaps even affection?"

I was stumped, then frightened when his hand rose and started fingering the marks he had left on my neck.

"I do not require your compassion or anything else, not when I already have hers." He spoke with such reverence that I instantly knew who he spoke of: Miranda.

Banes continual touching of my neck and the faraway look in his eyes was making me nervous. An angry Bane I could deal with, maybe even playful, but this was a whole other ball game.

"Why do you keep the mask on?" My voice broke through the silence. Bane stiffened instantly and lowered his hand, he did move away however.

"I am only remembered when I wear the mask." He touched one of the valves of it. "It also keeps me well supplied with medication."

It barely took me a second to understand what he meant. The scars must cause him perpetual agony, the slight hiss I always heard from his mask was pain medication flooding his body.

Despite the danger I was facing, I tilted my head and looked him up and down once.

"You don't feel much of anything do you? No pain."

It seemed like a sad kind of life to live. For me, pain reminded me that I was alive and human, and that I hadn't become one of the many monsters who fed off of Gotham's suffering people.

"Do you believe pain to be important?"

I thought for a moment then shook my head.

"Not for somebody like you."

He stared down at me for a moment, and then moved away. I shuddered slightly at the loss of body heat, but otherwise did nothing to portray how bat-crap scared I was.

Then, for the first night in a long time, Bane actually left the room and me to my own devices. Slowly, I sunk to the ground, panting slightly, and the awareness of how close I had come to tipping my captor over the edge sunk in.

I only moved from the floor when I heard Bane's heavy footsteps returning hours later. Stumbling slightly, I jumped into the bed and huddled in my corner. The light in the room had dimmed greatly, but Bane didn't seem to have any difficultly moving around the room. There were a few thuds, his heavy vest being removed, and then silence.

He must have known that I wasn't asleep, but he didn't say anything as he shifted me slightly so it would be a more comfortable sleep for him. I was used to this by now. The mattress dipped as he moved behind me, and my body rolled into the side of his and I found myself in our usual sleeping position. Me on my side facing away, with him on his back with one arm spread as a pillow for me.

I waited until his breathing went deep, and then waited nearly another hour to be sure. Finally, after deeming it safe to move, I rolled away from Bane and sat up slowly. Subconsciously, I breathed in a sigh of relief when he didn't move at all. Too scared to wait any longer, I grabbed my bag from behind the fridge and darted out the door. It shut silently behind me.

The corridor was deserted, but I still moved carefully as possible down it. Terrified at any second I would hear Bane's footsteps following me. My journey went undisturbed as I walked through the hallways, searching for a manhole. Any people I did run into didn't look twice at me; they were too used to seeing me walk around un-escorted. Eventually I came to Bane's lair; I had expected this so wasn't entirely shocked. There were many more people in here-more than I would have expected-including Barsad.

Struck dumb with my own stupidity, I stared at him for a second and he at me. His eyes darted to my rucksack and narrowed in suspicion.

"What is it you a doing here, Clara?" His tone left no doubts that he knew exactly what I was up to.

"Uhh," as I scrambled for an answer, Barsad flicked his finger and one of the men left the room, to get Bane no doubt.

Stalking ever closer Barsad looked down at me accusingly. Guilt was suffocating me, but I couldn't allow my plans to be disrupted, it was far too dangerous for me to stay here. With my once friend moving closer, I shifted back towards the railing. Behind me I could hear rushing water, I dared a glance down.

Sewer system seems extra flowy today…

"Was it so horrible for you here, Clara?" Barsad obviously wasn't bothering to hide the hurt in his voice; we had become quite close.

"It is far better to be underground here then amongst the sewage up there."

I didn't miss the irony in his speech, but it didn't stop me from hoisting myself up onto the railing. Guns crocked all around me.

Gunna need a miracle to get out of this one

And it came. Loud clunking announced him first, and then I sensed his eyes on me. Slowly, I looked over at the man who had kept me captive in the dark, even if it was for only a few weeks, then mental torment would probably last a lifetime. At the noise of him I wasn't the only one who looked, several of his men turned to face their leader. I took my chance.

Dropping backwards I landed with a disgruntled OOMPH on the wet concrete, and then I just held on for the ride. The high water swept me down the drain quicker than I would have liked. I could vaguely hear shouting and then the firing of guns. Shrieking, I held my hands over my head. A pointless endeavour, one of the bullets nicked my arm.

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!

But the rushing water didn't stop and I was swept down the sewer, bloodied arm and all.

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Xoxo

Future