Chapter 29:

"I need to go into the city to see Sidi and Aymara. I can't take this anymore," Adriana began to explain to Bruce about how she didn't fully listen to Sidi's instructions the first time she attempted to remove the curse in Adriana's mind. Hence, why she seemed intoxicated when they first met.

"That's not neccesary," Bruce shook his head. "I'm not upset or offended at all. This just took me be surprise and I'm sure you've seen the worst of what my mind has to offer."

"There was a girl," Adriana spontaneously recalled the joy she felt when looking at her. "Really beautiful girl. Is she your sister?" Adriana also remembered the girl's dark hair and intense eyes which reminded her of Bruce.

"No. She was a childhood friend of mine. She passed away almost a year ago," Bruce explained.

"I'm so sorry. What happened to her?" Adriana's mind was pained to think of something happening to this precious angel in her dream.

"She was killed," Bruce noticed Adriana's gasp. "The Joker killed her and attempted to kill the Mayor, Harvey Dent."

"Bruce, I'm sorry," Adriana's voice croaked. Bruce noticed that unlike her first apology, this wasn't one of sympathy. She sounded guilty.

"Adriana don't apologize like it was your fault. You had nothing to do with that," Bruce said in a smooth and calming voice.

"Yeah, but," Adriana didn't know what to say.

"You didn't even know who he was when this happened," Bruce warmed Adriana's hands in his.

"Why did he do that?" Adriana cried then realized the question was silly. There was never a reason. Adriana felt a little suprise when she looked up and saw Lucius in the doorway with Alfred. He didn't seem as tranquil as he normally was.

"Bruce, may I speak with you?" Lucius said quickly. Bruce turned around, clearly surprised too.

"Of course," Bruce said and turned back to Adriana. "I'll be right back." He stood from the bed and walked out into the hall with Lucius who shut the door quickly behind him.

"What's going on?" Adriana asked Alfred, who stayed in the room with her.

"Do I look like a mind-reader?" Alfred said sarcastically. "You do."

Adriana wasn't curious enough to read into what Lucius had to tell Bruce. But then again, Lucius was rarely at Wayne Manor. He came barely once a month and never unnanounced and suprising to Bruce. Now she wanted to know. She had to focus and hard as she did when she was trying to see what the Joker was thinking. Finally, after nearly breaking a sweat Adriana could see Bruce's thought's but not Lucius'. He was worried and kept repeating a name in his head. Someone else had been kidnapped by the Joker however no video was sent to the news station. It was sent to Comissioner Gordon to give to the Batman or to Adriana who he knew was alive. He wanted Adriana to come to him alone. He had Harri.

Bruce and Lucius entered the room again looking as though they didn't know how to break the news to her gently.

"I already know," Adriana said calming them. She began to shake her head. They would convince her not to go. Tell her that the would find Harri and that everything would be okay and that she needed to stay hidden and do nothing. But she couldn't. And in all honesty with herself, she didn't want to. She had to go to him.

"Adriana, you don't need to do anything. We'll handle this," Bruce said.

"Somehow I knew you would say that," Adriana laughed sadly.

"He won't kill her," Bruce assumed. "He didn't kill Ricard so it's unlikely he will-"

"I don't care. He will hurt her in some way, Bruce. I can't let that happen. And honestly, I think it's time," Adriana said.

"Time for what?" Lucius asked.

"Time for me to stop hiding like this," Adriana replied.

"He'll ask about the Batman's identity," Alfred jumped into the conversation.
"I won't tell him anything," Adriana said very sure of herself. "He'll have to kill me first."

"Your sister decided to visit you since she hadn't heard from you in so long. That's how he got her. No one you are close to knew about your false death since they aren't in Gotham to hear it on the news. He wants you to go to your house. Said there would be something for you there telling you where your sister is. If anyone else goes to the house or wherever he has her, he's threated to kill her," Lucius stated.

"Well then, I'm going alone," Adriana stood from the bed, feeling silly wearing pajama's in a room of dressed men with serious faces.

"Adriana, please," Bruce sounded pained.

"I have to, Bruce."