Ello! Minion here! First I would like to thank all of you amazing readers and reviewers for your wonderful support and imput into my story! I hope I can continue to please you all in the future!
That said, this chapter has another reference to the 2005 film 'Red Eye' with the hotel 'Lux Atlantic'. It's a wonderful movie and I encourage all of you to watch it!
Also I do not own in any way, shape, or form Batman with that in mind, enjoy!
Chapter 23 Dr. Crane POV
I opened the door to the hotel room expecting to be met with darkness and perhaps a sleeping silhouette of Revis in bed; however, I did not expect to see Revis waiting patiently in a high backed chair turned away from the writing desk where a small lamp gave dim luminance to the room.
I raked my eyes over her form as if I could find a physical clue as to the reason she sat there unmoving and unflinching from my gaze. Instead, her expression was a bit strange: marring her blank face were the two cold orbs of frigid ice and a sharp warning of gold. It was rare that she should assume such a look, least of all to me.
Wishing to dispel this nonsense as soon as possible, I securely locked the door and safety latch before approaching her, "Revis...I did not expect you to be awake at this hour."
Her gaze flashed to the glowing clock resting on the bedside table declaring the time to be around 1:30 in the morning. She smiled briefly as if she found great amusement in the hour yet soon turned back to me, her expression as serious as Death itself—the pun weighed heavily on my mind as she spoke, "I find that old habits are hard to break—Especially the circadian rhythm I've developed over the years."
I cleared my throat before continuing, "Very well then, perhaps it is best that you are awake," her eyes narrowed, "for now I may make amends."
She scoffed at the prospect, "Amends? So even the most arrogant of men grovel before Death?"
I clicked my tongue in disapproval yet retained my prized composure, "I'm not here to grovel but rather I come bearing a gift I believe you will find most enchanting."
She abruptly stood before gingerly crossing her clothed arms—Odd, she rarely wore long sleeves…
"A gift? I don't—"
I cut her off by reaching into the inner pocket of my suit (I still could not help but marvel at the crisp feeling of power that such luxury clothes brought) and withdrew a small trinket, allowing the gold chain laced with black to hang from my hand in order to better reveal a bauble of a crow's silhouette almost an inch tall and half an inch wide, "Surely the presence of a creature of Death will prove that I have no ill intentions?"
She barely gave the necklace a second glance before sneering at me, "This is no different than roses after a fight; not only is it a pointless trifle but accomplishes nothing. You were better off throwing your money into a fire."
Such a troublesome woman! Could she not accept the gift without such unnecessary bickering?
"Come now Revis, is it truly so difficult for you to accept a gift without analyzing every aspect of it?"
She boldly walked forward and spoke mockingly, "Oh please forgive my doubts when I am so accustomed to only receiving poison."
I raised an eyebrow, "As you can see, there is no poison here."
She regarded me with disdain, "Yes, only a sadistic doctor who has tortured me for months without any inclination of sweet intentions."
I broke the remaining distance between us until she was forced to look up to meet my eyes.
How weak she was compared to myself! Honestly, what was the point in fighting when it was so obvious she could not win? No matter the odd resemblance to Madeline, Revis was of no great concern yet it seems I need to once more 'woo' her if my plans were to amount to greatness.
I tilted my head, "Oh? I seem to recall a different set of events in which you volunteered to test—"
"Only under threats!"
"Threats?"
"To the crows," she glared at me fiercely, "You would have—"
I looked deeply into her eyes, "So then, is it not fitting that I wish to mark a new chapter of our lives with a crow? No longer are you testing poisons, instead you're advanced to a greater calling under my careful direction. I had only thought to give you a peace offering of sorts."
She paused before exhaling and retreating to the plush bed in order to lower herself upon its soft frame as if she needed to collect herself before continuing.
Not allowing such an ample opportunity to pass, I too sat down leaving barely any space between us. Without giving her time to protest, I leaned forward, "If I may?"
Her eyes flashed to mine, the harsh look fading in favour of uncertainty yet I continued to near her as I unclasped the necklace and slowly wrapped my hands behind her neck in order to once more secure the necklace in place.
I felt her sharp inhalation as the cold metal touched her warm skin but hid my smile as I trailed a finger along the chain, brushing past her neck teasingly until I was at the crow itself which I gently pulled so that the slackened chain was taut.
A small whisper of inaudible syllables escaped Revis when she leaned away slightly, the sound of lace crinkling filled the breathless silence. I glanced down and saw the black lace of the skirt she wore. Black lace—
I looked into her sweet eyes framed by long ringlets of chocolate and caramel, her cheeks were aglow with a beautiful blush. My hand raised slowly in order to cup her face as I leaned in to kiss Madeline—
A breathless cry of shock sounded before I took her lips in a passionate kiss, my hand rising so that I was able to bury my fingers into her hair.
Instantly I was transported to the dance that night as I rewrote the events. We were atop the roof of the school, Georgia stars shining brilliantly as I held her in my arms uncaring of anything else but the quaint woman in my arms. She clung to me as well, her fingernails digging in my arm painfully—What was wrong, Madeline? Bo and Sherry didn't exist in this secret world. We could finally—
I was pushed back as Madel—Revis fixed me with a look of utmost contempt which was merely a flimsy veil to the pained want in her eyes.
"What—"
Holding in a gnawing desperation to return to that moment, I quickly spewed the first thing that came to mind, "Memento Mori."
She passed in confusion which I used to kiss her once more—
She attempted to push me away yet I firmly grasped her hands in order to interlock our fingers as I stared forcibly into her eyes, "Memento Mori, remember your mortality. I believe it is time we both accept our mortality and cease our pointless struggles to usurp the other."
Her eyes were wide as she fought to find a strong argument, "You love someone else— "
I tightened my grip on her hands until she winced in pain and turned her head away, "I have accepted my mortality and the importance of conveying one's true desires but it seems you are still struggling, Revis."
She shook her head before raising it and speaking in a shaky, disbelieving tone, "You don't desire me."
I said nothing for a while as I leaned in until our foreheads met and I could feel the heat of her breath against my lips, "It is you who cowers from any aspect of your mortality. You cannot accept your own earthly attachments and so you shun mine."
Her lips trembled with fear, such delicious fear, yet I could only think of the genius of my manipulations. She was correct in assuming that I did not desire her yet she was also incorrect in assuming that I loved Madeline. Her death was unjust and still twisted my innards with pain and regret yet it was foolish to hold such an attachment for someone dead as dirt.
Madeline had died before I could begin to love her, back in a time when I was able to feel such weak emotions.
Love was irrational and notorious for giving mankind a reason to copulate, deceive, and slaughter in a pointless cycle caused by the yearning for a simple chemical reaction. I refused to take part in such pathetic trivialities but it had been weeks since Revis last declared her morbid love for me and I needed to ensure that her emotional attachment had not faded.
As much as I was loathing to admit her mild competence, I did not desire the strong willed woman to turn her demented rages upon myself. It was far better to kill my silly attachment to Madeline while ensuring Revis' undying devotion despite my reluctance to pursue any physical advances. Even more frustratingly, I would have to take caution to ward off any possibility of bringing her past traumas to mind as I continued with my plan.
Inwardly sighing, I once more pressed my lips to hers, threateningly squeezing her hands as a warning to not attempt to free herself from my advances.
Sickeningly enough she allowed the 'romantic' endearment with only slight hesitance.
How was it possible to feel such joy and rapture upon viewing her as Madeline yet feel such revulsion upon seeing her as my troublesome patient?
Unable to continue, I broke apart in favor of turning her hand so as to reveal her wrist. Gently, as if she were something fragile, I breathed along the exposed skin, my lips occasionally brushing against her thrumming pulse with the light pressure of a butterfly's wing.
I peppered her wrist, especially the silver scar which marked the spot she had intentionally cut her wrist with a scalpel so long ago, with kisses so tender I felt nauseated but reassured myself that it was better than sharing a proper kiss.
While she initially tensed as I lowered my mouth to her wrist, she now relaxed and stared at me with a look akin to hesitant wonder.
I shifted my grip on her hand in order to shower my affections upon the scar of the burn across the edge of her palm. Due to our hands former embrace her hands were warm with a slight hint of moisture.
How repulsive.
I paused, my mouth a mere breath away from her skin as I gazed at her with an intense look, staring into her eyes without reserve.
Her breath caught, as expected, but I didn't waste the opportunity. Huskily, I whispered, "Memento Mori, Revis," before raising myself up to gently push her down against the bed while smothering her qualms with a heated kiss.
Releasing one hand to assist me in shifting my weight atop her so as to not frighten her—Ha! What an absurd notion!—My hand accidentally caught the rough lace of her skirt which revealed the silky texture of her black leggings.
I felt her started gasp which (thankfully) broke the kiss yet I calmed her with a tender hand smoothing out her hair as it spilled across the pillow enticingly. Her eyes were mesmerizing in their seemingly green colour, a colour so similar to Madeline's...
"Memento Mori," I whispered as I pushed forward to kiss along her neck, contradicting her erogenous zone with the slightest of kisses, I eased myself to whisper in her ear, "Surrender yourself to your earthly desires."
Weakly, she lifted a hand and trailed a trembling hand along my face. I tolerated the action as I directed my attentions to her necklace which had slid to the hollow of her throat as I pressed her down against the padded bed.
Softly, oh so softly, I pulled the chain down once more until my hand brushed against the fabric of her long sleeved shirt. Her heart pounded, the wet thumping of the organ seemed almost audible as I slowly unbuttoned the first impediment of her shirt.
Hoping to distract her I began showering her cheek, neck, and collarbone with the barest of touches as my hot breath left a burning trail of desire. Already, I could feel her body temperature rising in response to my affections. The second button was easily disarmed and quickly the third and fourth fell as well.
Carefully, I lowered myself upon her, attempting to place as little weight atop her as possible lest she feel threatened by the quick succession of events as I finished unbuttoning the black shirt. For good measure, I focused on giving 'loving' attention to the three scars parallel to each other in a manner that resembled claws on the soft curve of the top of her breast. She gasped in shock yet upon looking into my eyes she calmed.
"You are mortal, Revis," I spoke softly, my lips brushing against the blood red camisole she was wearing underneath the shirt, "Accept your yearnings. Lose yourself to me."
Uneasily, she backed away causing the shirt to part on either side of her and began to slide off her shoulders alluringly.
Annoyed, I kicked off my shoes before advancing on her retreating form on my knees. Surprisingly, she also raised herself up to her knees to intercept me. Now the black fabric was pooled around her elbows as she tried to placate me.
Not in the mood for her petty struggles, I leaned forward—What?
I blinked in confusion before closing my eyes as I realized she had kissed me. Even stranger were her hands as she ran them across my shoulders and down my chest, leaving an odd twist in my stomach.
It wasn't until I felt her fingers nimbly unbutton my suit—no doubt stripping the dead gave her much practice—did I realize her true intentions. Before I could protest, she shed the outer layer of my suit and tossed it on the other side of the bed.
Impishly, her hands travelled to my back where they unknowingly caressed a multitude of scars caused by hardened beaks and sharp talons. I shivered unwillingly at the memory, hating her for indirectly—Who's to say she hadn't purposefully done so? With her talent of reading energy, there's no telling what she had already discovered as our skin had touched!
I opened my mouth, ready to unleash a torrent of harsh insults who I found my lips otherwise occupied. She pressed herself against me, her lips momentarily dominating mine as one hand ran through my hair and the other rested atop my shoulder searing the thin fabric of my shirt with the heat of her hand.
She broke the contact in order to lower her head against my chest and embrace me tightly, "Jonathan..." she whispered.
Oh Madeline...
My fury melted as I recalled the feeling of her in my arms.
Allow me to make this night memorable, let me erase the stains of your blood atop the hard, unforgiving cement.
I held Madeline tightly, returning her heartfelt embrace as I rested my head atop of hers, savouring the feel of her hair against my cheek.
She gently disentangled her arms from my body, reminding me of my previous desires.
I lowered myself against her, my tie falling against her chest earning a smile at the action. Madeline leaned back as I pressed forward, I took the edges of her shirt, momentarily pausing at the odd feeling of rounded plastic under fabric—No, it was only my imagination. I swiftly stripped her of her shirt allowing it to fall to the floor already forgotten as my hurried movements forced her to fall...
Beautiful ringlets of hair flew back enticingly as she gave into gravity's pull, closing her eyes against the motion...only to open them, her face alit with silent laughter as her fall was cushioned by the plush bed.
Oh Madeline...Sweet, sweet Madeline.
This is right: her and I, together, in a room so far away from the terrors of the world.
Smiling, feeling the purest of joys, I readily met her lips enjoying the plump feel of those slightly scabbed lips as we playfully fought for dominance. I let out a groan of contentment as she easily pulled my tie, unraveling the tight collar before unbuttoning the first few buttons of my longsleeved shirt then letting the loose fabric of my tie fall freely, landing atop her bare arm where it covered the raised, pink scar along her left arm.
Yes, there should be no reminders of pain...Here, in this special, secret place, there should only be peace and passion.
Oh Madeline...Precious, precious Madeline.
I worshiped her body, not a moment was idle as I tenderly held such a fragile, precious woman in my arms. Madeline responded with an equal degree of gentleness as if fearing this wondrous moment to disappear leaving her alone, cold, dead—
No! Madeline was here, alive, in my arms.
I paused in my affections feeling the warmth of our bodies as we sought comfort and sanctuary in the other. Eying her with reverence, I spoke softly, soothing the timid uncertainty marring her lively, lovely face, "This is real, you have my word that I will not betray you to the cold world."
Undiluted light, raising my once fallen spirits, rushed through my veins. For a moment, I feared the pulsating rays of amazement and admiration would be apparent as if it were shining through every pore—and perhaps it did for Madeline saw something within me but she wasn't scared, rather she basked in the emotion and returned the sentiment in words so sweet my scarred hear threatened to break anew, "I love you, Jonathan..."
I shifted off of her in order to lie beside her, propping my head up with one hand as my other caressed her face still glowing with the love she just professed.
I lacked the words to convey my emotions so instead I replied, "Sleep now, there's an important meeting three days from now at the Lux Atlantic Hotel."
She nodded sleepily, forgiving my blunder as I reminded her of the world outside these walls. Sluggishly, she turned on her side and burrowed herself into my arms while turning her back till it faced me. Once more, I marveled at the moment but a growing feeling of discontent, dare I say sorrow, began to rise.
Shaking off the feeling, I lowered my head toward hers in order to kiss her cheek once more as I whispered, "Goodnight Madeline..."
So overcome by the events of the day she barely had the energy to mumble her reply before falling into sleep yet a stab of icy realization washed over me as her reply of 'Goodnight Dr. Crane' echoed in my head.
For a moment, I was seized with the irrational desire to shake her awake demanding to see evidence of the wonders I had marveled at just a few minutes ago but I knew by the bone aching loss accompanying my logic that I would only see Revis, muddled from interrupted sleep.
Damn her! Such trickery! Why—H-How can she so callously refuse me my Madel—
Madeline is dead.
A harsh ache wore my chest raw as I laid down on the soft bed holding someone who for all intents and purposes was more repulsive than the decayed corpse which Madeline must resemble nowadays.
Disgusted, I quickly tore my body away from hers yet by a small mercy she remained asleep. Unable to stomach the situation, I hurried to the clock in order to suppress the alarm so she would not awake for a long while.
I sneered at the time: 4:38.
Had I really spent so many hours with that filth!
Snarling in contempt, I stepped sideways in order to journey to my luggage when a rounded object stabbed my socked foot with a small modium of pain. Peering down curiously, I retrieved a capped syringe of an opaque white liquid with faint streaks of diluted red...What was a syringe full of lethal toxin doing on the floor?
Immediately, my eyes traveled to the sleeping form of Revis but I quickly discarded the notion. She lacked the cunning and will to think of leaving me let alone hold thoughts of killing me!
No matter, I would simply return it to the appropriate satchel with no harm done. Yet I would need to move quickly if I were to meet my contact at the appropriate time.
Hurriedly, I packed a sufficient amount of clothes (including the discarded suit jacket on the bed) and other toiletries into a smaller suitcase. Trusting that Revis would be sensible for once and wait in the prepaid room until I returned, I journeyed to the door, my mind already focusing on the events of this new day.
I paused as I appraised Revise one last time...then closed and locked the door behind me.
