I sprinted towards the gate of Wayne Manor the moment the car stopped, refusing to wait for Oswald and Butch. They had brought a rocket launcher with them. I didn't ask them where they got it, but hey, it's Gotham. And why is Gotham so foggy every night? I complained in my head as I struggled to see where I was going.

My eyes caught Azrael lying on the ground and he's waking up. And I saw Jim, Bruce and Alfred not so far away from him.

"Jim!" I shouted, running towards them while avoiding Azrael. "He's up. We've got to go," I added. But Jim idiotically attempted to shoot Azrael even though his gun is empty. Azrael smirked at us. Where is Oswald? What took him so long?

"You should know by now that bullets don't kill this monster, Jim."

I sighed in relief when I heard Oswald's voice. Azrael turned around to the source of the voice.

"My last one got stuck in your throat so I'm thinking about shoving this one somewhere else," chatted Oswald as he showed the umbrella in his grasp. I scrunched my nose as the words reached my ears. "Jim, a little tip for next time: always bring the right tools for the job."

I saw Butch came in a dramatic appearance with the huge weapon in his hold. "We've really gotta go guys," I urged.

"See you in Hell, Theo," Oswald said his final words, while Butch aiming the rocket launcher in the direction of Azrael. The problem is we are also in the same direction so I rushed the others to move. We took cover behind a car.

Azrael exploded into pieces once Butch opened fire. I stared in horror at the remaining dust on the ground. An uneasy feeling crept in my stomach. Does this make me assist a killing? The question appeared in my mind. No, I was just trying to save my friends.

Oswald and Butch approached us but still keep a distance. I warily eyed Oswald. The limping criminal sneered at us in satisfaction. "You're welcome. Let's go Butch. Oh, and my most upmost gratitude, Sarah."

"You bring the Penguin here?" Jim barked at me. His nose flared in anger. Excuse me for trying to save lives. We all know that Azrael won't stop until he accomplished his mission.

"He was going to this place even if I didn't tell him. I mean, there's Butch," I defended. "And I was trying to save you guys. I saved your life, Jim, again."

"Well, we're safe now, Detective Gordon. There's no need to get angry at the lady," Alfred said. I flashed him a weak smile for supporting me. But I was still not relief that I just let Oswald came here to kill Azrael.

I took a deep breath and put on a serious expression, staring hard at Jim's eyes. "Oswald saw Azrael's face in the news. That's why he's back in Gotham," I informed. "To kill him."

We heard a phone buzzed. Jim pulled out his cellphone and answered the call. It was Bullock and Jim updated him what had happened in Wayne Manor.


I should have expected that they would hide the fact that Oswald had blown Azrael to pieces. I was watching the live news from Uncle Nate's room in the hospital. I snickered as Bullock squirmed in the interview with the press. It was too obvious that he didn't like being the leader of GCPD. Maybe he'll respect Uncle Nate more after this.

"How long are you Acting Captain?" a female reporter probed.

"Until, literally, the second someone else wants the job," he replied after pausing for a few seconds.

I let out a loud snort at his answer, while slapping my thigh. Watching Bullock being put on a spot is quite hilarious.

"Someone's having fun."

I turned my gaze to Uncle Nate. He had awakened. I turned down the volume of the TV.

"Sorry. Did I wake you up?" I loudly whispered in mischievous tone.

"I bet Jim and Bullock are having a good time without me there in the precinct to check on them," he said, looking at the muted TV. Pursuing my lips, I placed a hand on his arm.

"They are worried about you. They are doing the best that they can to arrest Hugo Strange before he creates more monsters. That Azrael man killed four of your men," I countered. I stared at him for a while, observing his facial expression. "Please let me help them."

It was his turn to snort.

"Since when are you asking permission?" he retorted. I fell silent at that. Uncle Nate was never pleased with my antics. "You're spending too much time with Jim and Bullock, endangering yourself."

"Like Bruce Wayne said; a concerned civilian. I like that phrase. I'm a concerned civilian as well. If I ever got caught in action with Jim and Bullock, I'll just say that I'm a concerned civilian, because I am." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"There are laws that need…" he gritted his teeth. Oh-uh. His patience had depleting so he might bark soon. I had to go before he does.

"I want you to know that my purpose of doing all of this is the same as yours. Arresting filthy criminals for the safety of Gotham. I believe what I'm doing is just," I explained, strapping my crossbody bag.

"By breaking laws?" he breathed.

"Then arrest me."

And I left.


I was in Arkham again, trying my luck to meet Edward. Even the guards remembered my face already. I waited in the lobby area until I was called. They really need to repaint the walls and change interior designs. So dull and gray. If this is a healing place, then it should be full of colors so that the inmates and staffs are happy here.

I brought a book with me as always to give to Edward. The guard had spent almost 15 minutes to check the book, as I if I would hide a weapon inside. Seriously they had seen me every week but they still didn't trust me. I stared at the book in my hand. Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I hope Edward will like this book, because I really adore Robert Langdon.

I heard footsteps from the hallway and stretched my neck to see who it was. I put on a poker face when I saw Professor Hugo Strange appeared, walking towards the main door. I can't show him that I don't like him. He noticed me and rotated his direction to me. I stood up when he was closing by.

"Miss Sarah. I admire your perseverance to meet Mr. Nygma," he asked. I never really get the chance to bump into him when visiting Arkham alone. I guessed his staffs must have told him about my frequent visits. Or he might have viewed the visiting log.

"Professor. Yes, I really hope he wanted to see me this time," I answered.

"Mr. Nygma is at detention at the moment for misbehaving," he informed, scanning my reaction when he said the sentence.

I lost my poker face and eyed him uneasily. "W-what happened? Is he alright?" I fretted. What did you do to him? I screamed in my mind. I couldn't let my real thoughts came out.

"He made an attempt to escape last night so we had to… isolate him," he responded, still studying my reaction. The subtle pause in his answer worried me. "There is an enormous amount of sadness in you, Miss Sarah. Perhaps we could talk in the future, I can help you." I inwardly cringed at his offer.

"No, thank you. So I can't visit him today?"

"How about I let you see him?"

"I can?" I blurted, the corners of my lips lifted a bit. However Edward never accepted my meeting and it made my smile flattened. "But he doesn't want to see me."

"Perhaps you two need to talk after everything that had happened. A closure." He stepped closer to me.

"He won't listen to me." I let out a sad sigh.

"You never know unless you tried." I began to fall into Professor Strange's words. I knew he shouldn't be trusted but I missed Edward. "I'll arrange the meeting for you." He nodded to his staffs and two men appeared each of my sides. "They will escort you to the room."

Suddenly, I heard scuffling from the corridors and immediately turned my head towards it. I freaked out as I saw Jim was dragged by two guards. He was also wearing the guard uniform. Oh my God, is he trying to sneak in here or something? What a bad timing. Why didn't Bullock tell me about this?

The two men on my sides quickly get a hold on both of my arms and I tried to pull my arms away. These men are used to handle Arkham inmates so they are strong and sturdy. I kicked the shin of one of the men but he didn't even flinch. Professor Strange must have wanted to capture me too since I was with Jim and Bullock when we barged in last time.

"You cheat! If you did something to Edward, I swear…" I got interrupted.

"Your infatuation to Mr. Nygma is simply irrational. It will only give you sorrow," he said, then signaled his staffs to bring me to a different place.


I didn't stop fighting as the two Arkham staffs carried me. My mouth didn't stop fighting as well. We arrived before an enormous metal door. They let me down and once my feet reached the floor, I attempted to swing my elbow to one of them. But he blocked it and embraced me from behind, locking my arms to my sides. The other man unlocked the door.

"Unhand me perverts!" I shrieked, rocking my body left and right. When the door opened, I was thrown inside and fell on my elbows and knees. I stood up and bang the door forcefully. "Come back here and face me! How dare you manhandle me! You think I can't handle both you? I'll…"

"Sarah!" A hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me. "Why are you here?"

"Lucius. Bruce. You're in this too?" I questioned, panting heavily from my vigorous shouting and fights. They must have desperate to capture Hugo Strange if they are involving Bruce in this plan. "I saw Jim outside, they dragged him to a different room."

"This entire thing is my fault," Bruce uttered, looking ashamed. "I'm sorry I got you into this, Lucius. It seemed like we're all going to die here." Lucius did not like what Bruce had said and told not to say those words. "I don't mind dying," continued the young Wayne. My heart broke when such a young man to be so willing to give up his life. "I mind that I got everyone involved. We don't even know where they keep Selina."

Selina is here too? I panicked.

"Bruce. You are a remarkable young man, but you didn't force any of us to do anything. We chose," Lucius consoled.

They were having an important moment and here I am, meddling into people's business again.

"Hugo Strange said that all this time I've been searching for the man who killed my parents… when really it was my own father. That he knew what he was doing. That I am my father's son." Bruce appeared to be emotionally tortured. He's too focused on finding the murderer of his parents.

There were still other information that I didn't know about the Wayne's family and Wayne Enterprise. Bullock had told me that Arkham might be affiliates with Wayne Enterprise but I didn't know in details. I only knew that Hugo Strange hired a contract killer to kill Bruce's parents.

"Bruce, your father had the courage to fight for what he believed in. And as long as there's life, there's hope."

I smiled at Lucius' words. Bruce is surrounded by very thoughtful men. I suddenly realized that Alfred was not with Bruce. From what I know, he got hurt from Azrael's attacks. I suddenly imagined him fisting his hair, fidgeting in nervousness letting Bruce here alone with a non-violent man. He is probably nagging at Bullock or any detectives in the precinct.

All of a sudden there was a resonate sound from the speakers.

"Touching sentiment," a person commented at the speaker.

So this is how you're gonna do it, I thought. I gritted my teeth and narrowed my eyes towards the one way mirror because I knew that voice very well. Lucius demanded his identity and the whereabouts of Jim.

"Yeah. I would urge you to worry about yourselves right now," he mocked. "Jim Gordon has his own problems."

He dared to laugh. Like this is some sort of game. Why do I even try to visit him and send him presents every week?

"Oh, I like that look, my dear. You betrayed me and I'm going to make it even!" he continued.

"Stop this. It's not too late. Let us go," I pleaded. I didn't expect that he would be banding together with Professor Strange.

"But this is fun! Can't you feel the rush?" he exclaimed, and then giggled again. "So here's the situation. Professor Strange has tasked me with finding out how much you all know about what he's been up to and, more importantly, who you told."

"Show us Jim Gordon and Selina Kyle," ordered Bruce.

"Think you're not quite grasping the power dynamic here, Turtleneck," Edward spoke again. I noticed that Bruce was wearing a navy green turtleneck at the moment. I interjected Edward by remarking that turtlenecks are awesome. "As I was saying, we need to know what you know, and you're going to tell me. Or poison gas will spew from the nozzles above your head and all of you will die very… very painfully."

All of us observed the outlets at the ceiling. Is he really going to kill us? I thought in skeptic.

"I know this voice. He worked for the GCPD. He had a funny kind of name," Lucius guessed.

"There's nothing funny about my name," Edward retorted, sounding a bit annoyed.

"Edward Nygma does sound funny," I teased. I actually thought his name was cool but I was just trying to push his buttons.

"No, it's…" he paused to take a deep breath and I inwardly smiled in victory. "You know why Strange gave me this job? It's because he knows that I would kill all of you and not bat an eye." I didn't buy his utterances. I thought Professor Strange always wanted to experiment on humans so I doubt he would want us to die. We have more purposes alive than dead. "So, keeping that in mind… five minutes on the clock. Starting… now."


"I think this is when you should say, 'you look beautiful, Sarah,'" I teased. "Or do you want me to say it together with you?"

Edward's mouth was gaping like a fish and it was funny.

So we decided to have a dinner date in my place. We always eat together but not with both of us are dolled up and not in a romantic situation. I put on jazz music, dimmed the lights and put on candles, just like the ones in the movies. I just hope I'm doing this right.

He just arrived a few seconds ago and he was awestruck once I opened the door. It was like he froze there, not even taking a step inside. I felt a rush of confidence when he did that.

I actually didn't wear my headscarf tonight. I had asked help from Mrs. Weller to style my hair. Not that there are many things that need to be done since I have pixie haircut. I wore a short-sleeve long dress. It was peach on top and starting from the waist until down, it was black.

Edward was wearing a suit like always, but I have never seen that tie he's wearing now. I think he just bought that. And he looked dazzling, just like how I see him everyday. He also used perfume, because the moment I opened the door I was greeted by a waft of cedar.

"The food is getting cold, Nygma," I said.

"Sorry," he snapped out of his thoughts. "You just caught off guard. I thought you'll be wearing a headscarf. I mean you still look beautiful either way," he rambled. My cheeks felt hot when the words came out of his mouth.

"Okay. This is a bit awkward. Can we just start the dinner and chat?"

I was relieved that we were having fun talking over dinner. There were no mishaps and everything was perfect. I laughed at his jokes and he laughed at mine. It was an unforgettable dinner and the best dinner I had ever had.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked suddenly. I blinked for a moment because it caught me offguard.

"I… don't know how to dance. I skipped prom night and gala night back in my school days," I smiled sheepishly, hoping that he would dismiss it.

"Come on," he insisted, standing up and held his hand out to me. I stared at his hand in uncertainty for a few seconds and when I peered at him, he was staring at me with anticipation.

"I'm going to embarrass myself," I bashfully said, accepting his hand and stood up.

I let him pulled me to wider space near the radio. He said that we don't really have to dance, just move with the rhythm of the music. Just like embracing while swaying, he said, like it was the easiest thing in the world. What if I accidentally stepped on his toes?

He put my arms loosely around the back of his neck and then he rested his hands on my hips.

"Seem familiar right?" he snickered with a playful glint in his eyes. "And then… sway," he murmured, guiding my body left and right. "And just enjoy the moment." He tugged me closer to him and I closed my eyes, appreciating the warmth from him.


The speaker resonated again and it snapped me to reality. I don't know why I was suddenly reeling back fond memory of Edward.

"Okay… quiz kids, who's ready to play Life or Death?" he chirped. I shook my head to focus; the current Edward is not the one that I love. Snap out of it, Sarah.

"Sir, Mr. Nygma. This is absurd. The police know we're here. You can't kill us!" Lucius exasperatedly yelled.

"Edward, don't listen to Professor Strange. It won't do you any good," I attempted to persuade.

"Are you ready to play?!" Edward screamed. I guessed he was annoyed that no one what's to play his game. The three of us in the room glanced at each other. If we want him to let us go, we had to play by his rules.

"Yes," answered Bruce for us while I sighed defeatedly.

"Good. You have one guess. Five minutes to talk it over. Who runs Indian Hill? You have one guess. Think carefully, fellas. Answer correctly or die."

I cocked my head to the side because I genuinely did not know the connection of Indian Hill with all of this. I thought he was going to ask about Arkham.

"I'm sorry guys, but I don't know the answer for this one. I only know that Indian Hill is a waste dump," I apologetically said. Then I peered at the one way mirror. "Hey, Edward. Do we have multiple choices or something?"

"You have 60 seconds left. Who runs Indian Hill?" he announced. I rolled my eyes as he ignored my question.

Lucius believed that the answer was Hugo Strange, but Bruce begged to differ. "Wayne Enterprises," Bruce quietly said. "Wayne Enterprises runs Indian Hill."

I raised my eyebrow at that. Does the Wayne Enterprises own everything in this city?

"That's surmise," Lucius argued.

"Why would he ask that question if the answer was obvious? He wants to know what we know. Which is Wayne Enterprises."

"Is that your answer? Running out of time here," Edward pointed. Bruce settled with his answer with confidence. We waited nervously for the result of the answer. "Correct!" the inmate congratulated. I noticed Bruce and Lucius sighed in relief. "Wayne Enterprises runs Indian Hill. Bravo, Brucie. You're almost safe. Just one more question. You ready?"


I cocked my head to the side again as I comprehend Edward's quiz. Who runs Wayne Enterprises? Isn't it obvious that it's the board of directors, whoever they are? Since Bruce is still young, he can't be running a multi-billionaire business.

"60 seconds left," Edward giggled again.

"Nygma… how can we make you stop?" I weakly asked, staring at the mirror. At this time I almost lost hope. I really thought that we would lose this game.

"I'm asking question here, young lady. Not you. And there's no bargaining in this show."

I sighed and turned to the two persons trapped in this room with me. They were still thinking about the solution.

"It should be the board of directors, right?" I slowly asked in hesitation. I didn't know how much time had passed but Bruce and Lucius still haven't given the confirmed answer yet.

"I think so, too," Lucius said, but Bruce disagreed, again.

"You have 30 seconds left," Edward announced in an annoying tone. He is having too much fun in this game. "Who runs Wayne Enterprises?"

"Oh, the devil, maybe." Lucius stuttered. Bruce was getting frustrated by the limited time and his limited knowledge. "Is that the deal? Communists? Witches?" I watched as Bruce prancing back and forth, thinking about the answer. He angrily disagreed with all of Lucius' suggestions. He still believed that there's a big secret behind the question. "I've worked for Wayne Enterprises for ten years, there is no big secret. The board of directors runs Wayne Enterprises," insisted Lucius.

Edward announced the time limit again. We have less than 15 seconds now and the other two were still bickering about the answer. The fight only made Edward sounded eager. He wanted us to get it wrong.

"The board of directors," I calmly responded. Bruce stared at me with a crushed look. "You don't have any better answer, do you?" I placed my hand on his shoulder.

We waited until the time stopped ticking and when Edward stated that the answer was incorrect, I felt Bruce's shoulders slumped a bit. We expected this, but it still hurt when the result was announced.

"Oh, what a shame. The correct answer is…" he paused and there was a hissing sound. I looked up, thinking that he had switched on the poison gas. "Sorry, quiz kids. You lose. And what happens to losers?" He wouldn't, I thought. "Yowzah! Death by poison gas!"

The nozzles at the ceiling began to spurt the gas. He did it. He pressed the switch. It won't take long until the whole room to be filled with the gas. Edward laughed when he saw our dejected faces. We have accepted our fate. I'm going to die here. Edward really wanted me to die. I cried inwardly. I let myself crouched on the floor. I didn't even realize that I had fallen down. I was starting to have difficulties in breathing. It felt like something blocked my airway. My chest is burning. My vision started to get fuzzy and Edward's laughs seemed to be so far away.

Dear God, I pray for the health and safety of my parents and Uncle Nate and all my other friends that I cared of.

Dear God, please forgive me for what I had done that might upset You.