Warning: Mature content!
XXX
Diana rubbed her tired eyes. She was glad Crane had allowed her to stay in his office. She felt relieved. She looked up when the door opened, and Crane entered. She saw he was holding two cups.
He gave her a kind smile, and walked over to her. He took a seat next to her, and handed her one of the cups.
'I hope you like tea' he said.
She nodded faintly, and lifted the cup up to take a small sip. He sipped his own coffee, but kept his eyes on her. She felt unnerved, and felt herself blush at feeling his eyes on her.
'Thank you' she softly said.
He placed his hand on her knee, causing her to flinch in unease. While she felt a bit more comfortable with him now, she still couldn't allow him to put his hands on her. Only Adam was allowed to do that.
'You're welcome' he spoke.
'Please don't' she softly asked.
He removed his hand from her knee immediately, making her look up. While his expression was blank, she saw clear regret in his eyes.
'My apologies' he said.
His eyes found hers, causing her blush to deepen even more. She cast her eyes down on her lap.
'I can see a lot of pain in your eyes, Diana. You went through a lot' he spoke.
She froze. She took another sip from her tea. Tears prickled in her eyes. She didn't want him to find out what happened to her at home. He had no right to know. He couldn't help her.
'You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But just so you know, I'm always there to help my students' he spoke.
She put her cup on his desk, and got up.
'Thank you for the tea' she softly said before heading past him, and leaving his office.
Once she was outside, she desperately wanted to go home. While she knew Crane tried to help her, she only felt panicked he tried. What if he called her mother? What if he told her he was onto something? She'd be punished. She wanted to be spared from being alone. She couldn't lose her mother.
XXX
Crane sighed deeply as soon as Diana had left. She was scared, he could tell. He had to win her trust, no matter what it took him. She had to trust him, so he could pry her away from her so-called best friend.
'At least she's willing to be in the same room with you'
'It's a start'
'Only the start, Johnny-boy'
He chuckled, and seated himself at his desk. He picked up the handkerchief she had returned to him. He smiled fondly before rubbing his thumb over the fabric. She had been so thoughtful. She wouldn't have returned it if she didn't care.
He thought of how he had read her journal earlier this day. He was determined to make her stepfather pay for all he had done. And not just that, he had to find that boy whom had cornered her so cruelly, and had made her cry.
He clenched his teeth at the image of her, helpless and defenseless as that boy as he held her up against the lockers. Her eyes filled with tears at being trapped against a man, being forced to endure their selfish desires.
He had told her he would see the headmaster, but in reality, he would find that boy, and use his toxin on him. He wouldn't hesitate to do so tonight.
'I'll find that boy, and punish him. He'll know better than to touch what's mine' Crane silently thought.
'You're awfully stressed out, Johnny. Ever since you laid eyes on young Diana, you've been rather frustrated'
'I'm aware of that' Crane sighed.
He thought hard and long, and came to realize how much Diana fascinated him. Despite all the abuse she had suffered, she still held that innocence to her. The way her cheeks would flush with color at seeing he was looking at her, how she avoided eye-contact, and only had her face blossom with more color if she accidently met his eyes, the way she fidgeted with her hands in his presence.
He smiled at the thought of her image. She was so young, so beautiful. Everything about her captivated him, and made his heart beat faster. He hadn't guessed he would be infatuated with her so quickly. But she simply had something that had drawn him in; he couldn't place it.
He looked up at the door opening, interrupting his thoughts. One of his fellow colleagues entered.
'One of your students got themselves into a massive amount of trouble. I suggest you come with me' he spoke.
Crane immediately feared Diana had gotten into trouble. He went after his colleague, and found Adam in the hallway, fighting the boy that had previously assaulted Diana.
'You piece of shit! How could you do that to her?!' he snarled.
The other boy pushed him off him, causing Adam to fall hard against the lockers. From a distance, he saw Adam had a nosebleed.
He went over to the young boy, and held him back before he could assault his opponent again.
'Get off me! He deserves it!' he yelled.
Crane looked Adam into his eyes, not trying to hold back the clear disgust he felt for him.
'If you really want to help her, stop this. He'll want revenge on her because of what you did' he spoke.
Adam's eyes widened. He let go of him.
'I'm afraid, Mr. Fischer, you're going to be suspended. This is your second fight since you got into this university' he said.
'You can't! She needs me' Adam objected.
From the corner of his eye, Crane saw Diana, her eyes wide as the realization sunk in.
'You should've thought about that sooner, Mr. Fischer. I don't tolerate fighting, and neither will the headmaster' he spoke.
He found himself being pushed away by the young, blond man, and saw him storm past Diana. She remained frozen for a few moments. When his eyes met hers, her cheeks instantly reddened with embarrassment. He walked over to her, his hands behind his back.
'Why did you tell him?' he asked.
'He had the right to know' she softly objected.
A deep sigh escaped him. Didn't she realize she was doing exactly what he wanted? While he wanted to get rid of Adam, him not being in her class would cause her to feel alone.
'Go home, Diana. You've went through enough for one day' he spoke.
Her eyes widened slightly. She obviously didn't want to go home. He knew she'd be even more victimized once she got home.
'I'm fine' she lied.
'I can tell you're not. You're tired, and you need to take it easy. Right now, you should only focus on trying to forget all those bad memories' he told her, hoping she didn't suspect anything.
She lowered her head, tears glistening in her eyes.
'Yes sir' she mumbled softly.
She turned around, and slowly left. He felt guilt strike his heart. She looked so broken.
He looked around him, seeing that boy that had assaulted her, glare at him.
'Go home, Mr. Duncan. You're suspended as well' he hissed.
'What for?' he asked.
'For assaulting a junior. Now get out of my sight!' Crane snarled.
The boy jumped slightly, and left rather quickly. He kept his eyes on him, determined to use his toxin on him. Tonight…that boy would meet his faith.
XXX
'Fucking asshole' Adam grumbled.
Diana flinched at his sudden hard voice. She dapped a cloth in warm water, and handed it to him. He held it to his nose, and scoffed.
'I fucking hate Crane. Who is he to tell me what to do?' he snarled.
She shifted.
'He helped me after that senior had attacked me' she argued very softly.
Adam cursed under his breath.
'He's a psychopath. He taunted and insulted you during his classes' he said.
'I shouldn't have told you. You wouldn't be expelled if it weren't for me' she said.
'It was worth it. He got expelled too' Adam argued.
Both looked up at Adam's mother entering.
'Are you staying for dinner?' she asked.
'You can stay here tonight, Diana. Or forever if I care. I doubt they'd even miss you' he said.
Tears filled her eyes.
'Thanks a lot' she snapped.
His eyes widened.
'Shit. D, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that' he apologized.
'Diana. You can stay here, you know we always welcome you' his mother interrupted him.
She shook her head.
'I should go home' she softly said.
'You have a home here too, D. I promise you'll enjoy it' Adam tried.
She got up.
'I'm sorry, I have to go' she softly said.
She walked past him mom, tears in her eyes. No matter how badly she wanted to stay at Adam's place, she just couldn't.
XXX
When Diana got home, she saw Michael's car stand in front of the house. Her stomach turned. She simply entered her home, her body trembling with fear. She listened to the television, hearing he was probably watching football.
She went into the kitchen, and made herself a sandwich. She was starving, since she didn't get to eat that much. She looked healthy, but barely. She was thin, almost unhealthily so. She knew girls would die to be so thin, but she wouldn't mind gaining a few pounds.
She froze at hearing heavy footsteps come closer to the kitchen. She looked up when he entered. He narrowed his eyes.
'You're home early' he noted.
'I…I got sent home' she rambled.
He came closer to her, only to press her up against the counter. She wrinkled her nose at smelling smoke on his breath.
'Why?' he asked.
'They…they wanted me to take it easy' she squeaked.
He touched her face, making her flinch in disgust and fear.
'Your mom's working late again tonight' he paused, a smirk forming on his face 'Which means you are going to entertain me' he finished.
Her eyes went wide.
'No…no please…' she pleaded.
He grabbed her arm, and dragged her out of the kitchen. He brought her to the stairs, and slapped her hard on her behind.
'Put on those red lingerie you got for your birthday, and then get back downstairs. It's been a while since you wore those' he laughed.
With tears in her eyes, Diana walked up the stairs, and went to her room. She got changed, and felt humiliated that he would do this to her.
She looked at herself in the mirror, hating her body for being so provoking towards her stepfather. If she hadn't looked this way, maybe he wouldn't have hurt her.
She let out a weak sigh, and went downstairs. She found him in the living-room. He chuckled. He motioned her to come over to him. She did so hesitantly. Her heartbeat fastened in fear at seeing him unbuckle his belt.
'Get on your knees' he commanded.
She kneeled down in front of him, biting back her lip at being forced to listen to him.
He unzipped his pants, and freed himself from his underwear, making her turn her head away at the revolting image.
'Don't be so shy, Diana. Come closer' he taunted her.
When she didn't do as he said, he yanked her closer to him, making her sit between his legs. He grabbed her at her hair, and forced her head between his legs.
Diana cried and squirmed in his grasp as he humiliated, and used her. Tears freely spilled from her eyes at being reduced to this level. To do this to her stepfather, being forced to open her mouth, and do as he told her…it was revolting.
XXX
'What if it doesn't work?'
'Stop whining, Johnny! You worked long and hard on this toxin, it will work'
Crane watched the entrance of the club he had watched his prey enter. He planned on gassing this boy, and punish him for deciding to mess with him.
He waited, and waited, hoping this boy would show up soon.
When he did see him, he swiftly pulled on his mask, to avoid getting caught, and to be recognized. He followed the young boy as he headed into an alleyway.
He felt the batch of toxin burn inside his sleeve. He knew it was worth it. He had to do this. This boy wouldn't ever put a hand on his Diana again.
When this boy turned around, he shot out his toxin. The boy got dazed, and fell to the ground. As soon as the toxin took its effect, he started screaming.
He smirked from under his mask.
'May I have the honor?'
For once, Crane agreed to his other half's request.
'Of course' he responded.
From a distance, he heard the boy scream and cry as Scarecrow tortured him, his smirk never fading. Revenge was sweet.
XXX
Poor Diana! She'll all alone now that Adam is gone. And Crane, you little bastard! How could you?!
Anyways, special thanks to Trudes193, for helping me with this chapter, you're the best!
Have a nice day!
~TheOneWithTooManyInterests