I actually got this done for today :)
There's violence at the end of this chapter. It's not graphic but I found it more upsetting to write than other violent scenes so far (possibly because of the circumstances it occurs in) so I'm putting in a warning.
I'll try get the next chapter done as soon as possible but I am in the middle of my exams.
Also the chapter names for this and the last chapter were mixed up but I've fixed them. The last chapter is named after a song by The All-American rejects. Here are the words in case people haven't heard it:
Back me down from backing up
Hold your breath now it's stacking up
Etched with marks, but I can deal
And you're the problem and you can't feel
Try this on, straightjacket feeling
so maybe I won't be alone
Take back now, my life you're stealing
Yesterday was hell,
But Today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you would be,
That face is tearing holes in me again
Trust you is just one defense
Off a list of others, you don't make sense
Beg me time and time again
to take you back now, but you can't win
Take back now, my life you're stealing
Yesterday was hell
But Today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you would be
That face is tearing holes in me,
but today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all the things you put me through
I'm holding on by letting go of you
And when that memory slips away
There will be a better view from here
And only lonesome you remains
and just the thought of you I fear
grip falls away
Yesterday was hell
But Today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you would be
That face is tearing holes in me,
but today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all the things you put me through
I'm holding on by letting go of you
0000000000000000000000
Bruce was exercising. Push ups. Sit ups. Punching bag. He was sweating. His knuckles were starting to bleed, even through the bandages he wore to protect them.
"Master Wayne."
He'd been so absorbed in pummelling the sack before him he hadn't noticed the butler entering the room.
"Yes Alfred."
"Sir, I think you should be watching the news,"
0000000000000000000000
"An unknown hallucinogenic gas has been released in several locations in the east of Gotham. Though similarities have been noted between this incident and the attack on the Narrows a year ago, tonight's gassings have so far been of a considerable smaller scale. Accurate information on the number of people affected is not currently available, however..."
Bruce switched off the large screen and headed for the cave.
00000000000000000000000000
Batman's first stop that night was Crane's makeshift laboratory. It was empty. He wasn't surprised. Returning to the tumbler he switched on the police scanner.
Reaching the site of the most recent attack he pulled on a gas mask and exited the car. People ran panicked through the streets.
It didn't take him long to find the Scarecrow. He was standing in the middle of an alleyway, reciting nursery rhymes at the top of his voice. He wore his mask and a tall pointed hat. Combined with his ragged clothes it really did make him look like a scarecrow. And he'd managed to find a scythe somewhere, long and sharp looking.
"Jonathan."
"Ring a 'o rosies, a pocket full of posies!"
From somewhere nearby a scream sounded.
"... we all fall down!"
"Jonathan."
He cocked his head to one side, noticing him for the first time. "Hello Bat-man." He giggled, the sound tinged with hysteria.
"I'm bringing you back to Arkham."
"No you're not." He leaned on the scythe, watching the other man over the top of the blade. "Humpty dumpty sat on a wall..."
In a flash Batman had knocked away the weapon and with his other hand grasped Crane's narrow wrists. He pulled off the burlap mask, was about to throw it away when he noticed something. "There's no air filter in this. Did you gas yourself too?"
"Why of course I did." He laughed again. He was shaking noticeable but his voice was calmer. "It's not like there was much damage left to do. Anyway this gas isn't as good as before, without the blue flower."
"Why did you do this?"
"To help."
"To help??? By terrifying people??"
He nodded. "Fear is most basic of emotions. It's important. Fear stops people doing things they shouldn't. The bullies aren't afraid but I'll make them be. You should understand that. You use fear."
"I use fear against criminals like you, not indiscriminately!"
"Everyone needs to feel fear."
"You're insane."
"... well yes."
Batman started to drag him out of the alley. Crane struggled violently.
"You're going back to Arkham."
"No." He tried to twist out of the strong grip that held him but Bruce held on and felt the half-healed bone in Jonathan's wrist crack again. He winced but kept trying to pull away. "I won't go back!"
Batman took a syringe filled with sedative from his belt and jabbed it into the Scarecrow's arm.
0000000000000000
He woke up in straightjacket. His legs were strapped together. He could feel the meds running through his veins, fogging his thoughts. It was dark. The ground was soft.
'no...'
He tried to curl into a ball but the restraints prevented much movement. His broken wrist throbbed. His breath was coming too fast. The walls were melting, sprouting clawed hands that grabbed at him. Crows with bloody talons swooped from the blackness of the ceiling. He closed his eyes and it made no difference. Footsteps, muffled by the heavy door and padded walls but coming closer. He started to shake. The door opened. The beam of light that found its way into the cell seemed blinding. Three men entered.
Fists and feet. Tazors and batons. Screaming and blood.