"Please Nikki, let me go."

"Chance. Hand over the mask then we'll talk. I'm not in the mood today."

"It's been a week, you honestly haven't found it yet? What a moron."

"My hand is finally normal, thanks a lot jerk, tell me where it is before scarecrow has his turn at interogation. Maybe he'll put you out of your misery if you tell me now."

"You're just sick. I don't know what lies that freak told you but if you let me go, the police will go easy on you."

"I'm not a traitor. Apparently you like having your ass kicked or maybe you actually want to die. He is a doctor, you know."

"Why should I care about that?"

"Because he knows how much you can take before you die."

Scarecrow walks in.

"I'm starting to think this idiot is suicidal."

"It would certainly explain his utter stupidity."

Scarecrow walks past chance so that he's towering over Alex, who's tied to a chair.

"Where is my mask?"

"What's wrong? Too hard to find it?"

"I just wanted to give you a final opportunity to confess."

"Now why would I do that?"

"Because the longer it takes us to find it, the most testing we'll be doing on you and the more anger will be taken out on chance, who you've taken a liking to."

"Go nuts on your little slut, I couldn't care less about her."

"Don't insult her. You're the reason for whatever happens to her. But as I'm sure you can understand, however she takes out her frustrations on you is none of my concern."

Alex's expression turns grim.

"Let her go."

"So you do care about her. Would it comfort you to know that she's here of her own free will?"

"Why the hell should that make me feel better?!"

"She will do whatever I tell her to. She is my loyal apprentice. For example, if I were to tell her to inject you with the diluted dose of toxin I gave her this morning..."

Chance walks over and stabs a needle into his neck. She looks over at scarecrow and he nods at her. She then pushes down on the plunger before pulling out the needle. Alex starts screaming moments later. Scarecrow rests his hand on chances back and leads her twords the door.

"Are you really going to hurt me?"

"No. But he doesn't have to know that. You've made it clear that you won't let the subject out again."

"Thank you. I'm sure we'll find your mask soon enou..."

Chance is tackled to the floor from behind and Alex flips her over before he begins frantically clawing at her. Nails dig into her torso and scape off skin. She let's out a scream of pain as one of his nails scrapes across the right side of her rib cage. What feels like an hour is only two minutes before chance frantically searches her belt, without her sickle, and finds the needle she's searching for. She pulls off the protective cap with her teeth and stabs him in the arm then pushes down on the plunger. Moments later he collapses on top of her. Chance shoves him aside and gets back up. Scarecrow watches her with curiousity.

"Won't alter the effects of the toxin. He can't move except to breathe and blink. I haven't tried it on a human before."

"Quick thinking. Excellent job. I'll need to examine you."

Chance glances down at herself and frowns.

"First my dress is ruined, now it looks like I wrestled a lawnmower."

"It can be repaired. For now I need to make sure he didn't cut deep enough to require stitches. At least now we know how he managed to escape."

"How?"

"He's double jointed. He simply struggled until something popped out of place and he got loose."

"So what now?"

"I'm sure there's a strait jacket lying around here somewhere."

Scarecrow walks out of the room with chance limping behind him.

"The good news is that most of them will heal completely over the next week. You'll be sore, but you should be fine."

"So what's the bad news?"

"The one over your ribs will require stitches. Is it safe to assume thats what made you scream?"

"Yes dr crane." Chance replies slightly annoyed.

"Do you want the sedative or not?"

"Yes sir, I'm sorry." Chance relaxes against the metal table.

Crane picks up a syringe and cleans off the skin between two of her ribs.

"This is going to sting."

"Just get it over with."

He gently eases the needle in and pushes down on the plunger. Chance hisses and grips the edges of the table.

"I thought the whole point of a sedative was to NOT hurt."

"Would you rather feel stitches over your ribs?"

"No sir." Chance loosens her grip in defeat.

"Then try to hold still."

Chance smiles to herself as she secures the final stitch in her costume.

That idiot actually made it better.

She makes sure the door to her room is locked and gets changed into her costume. She pulls out her ponytail and feels how long her hair has gotten with surprise. Once dressed she leaves her room and walks into the living room where crane is rubbing his forehead in frustration.

"What do you think?"

He stops and looks her over.

"It suits you."

Chances face drops slightly.

"Thanks for your enthusiasm."

"I'd like it much better if I had my mask."

"He can't hold out forever. When he's had enough, he'll tell us where it is."

"I know."

"I can't tell you how sorry I am, this is all my fault."

"Only partially. Stop blaming yourself, you've learned your lesson."

"Okay. Can I get you something for your head? I know he's probably shouting more than usual."

"Asprins in the kitchen, thank you."