32 Productions Presents…
A HIVE Team StoryThe HIVE Team In…
"Descent into Madness"
Chapter One
Asylum
Doctor Denise Steiner walked down the halls. Her red hair was tied up in a bun neatly. She wore a blue power suit, heels, and a small pair of glasses at the end of her nose. They were for reading, but they were small enough that she could wear them all the time without looking through them unless she had to. Her face had a respectable amount of make up on. Young for her profession at the age of twenty seven, she was eager to make her mark. She was looking forward to this appointment. The patient was a real mental case…if I may use a technical term. The patient seemed to have regressed into some sort of primal state. He didn't soil himself and he practiced reasonable hygiene, but his eating habits, his speech patterns, and even the way he walked was less then human. If she could rehabilitate this one…she could be famous! How many people had this patient murdered? How much human flesh had he devoured? If she fix his brain, who knows? Maybe she could get transferred to Arkham and work on the Joker! Oh, she'd do better then his last doctor, she could say that much with certainty. Given that he couldn't speak, the patient had to sit at a computer and type his responses. He was a surprisingly quick typist, but his spelling left much to be desired, or so the guards had told her. Strangely he put up no struggle to come to this session. He would try to kill somebody every chance he got, but this time he made no moves at all. Perhaps he realized the futility of the situation. She arrived at the session room and the guard buzzed her in. The patient was separated from her with protective glass. Bright lights shone down on every corner of the room, leaving no shadows at all. Even the chairs had lights installed under them. Apparently the abundance of bright lights weakened his ability to control shadows. Even if she did cast a shadow, he couldn't use it. Denise noticed something the reports forgot to mention. Why, she couldn't imagine. He had dog ears. The sides of his head were visible so it was obvious that he had no other ears at all. Surgical implants, perhaps? She'd have to ask him. She looked at his information sheet. He was labeled "John Doe". I guess nobody bothered to ask his name. She turned on the intercom system. Speaking in a soft, friendly tone, she began the session.
Denise: Hello. My name is Doctor Steiner. You can call me Denise. What's your name?
The patient quickly typed in an answer.
Patient: (computer text) shade.
: CUE THEME :
Asylum: Session Room
Shade? That was an odd name. No doubt a nickname of some sort. There was something unnerving about how he stared at her. His eyes were odd looking. They were grayish silver, but the weirdest part was that even the whites of his eyes seemed actually be gray. Nowhere near as dark as his irises, but still gray. His face was expressionless. He just seemed to be patiently waiting for her next question, his hands already on the keys.
Denise: Shade? Is that a nickname?
Shade: wats a nikname?
Well, they were right about his spelling. Still, was it possible that he really didn't know what a nickname was or was he just messing around? Well…given his appearance, he didn't look well educated…so…
Denise: A nickname is sort of an alias. It's something friends call you.
Shade thought for a moment before responding.
Shade: then no. Your not my frend. why wood i want you to call me shade if it wasn't my name?
That sounded logical. Still, he took the definition of a "nickname" very literally. It was hard to gauge his intelligence and educational level. She supposed that wasn't too important at the moment.
Denise: Maybe so, but I'd like to be your friend.
Shade: how many times have you said that dokter? how many patients have been fed that lyn?
Wonderful, he was a smart ass. Either that or he was attempting to analyze her just as she was attempting to analyze him. It was hard to take somebody who called you "dokter" seriously, intellectually speaking. His grammar seemed to be as bad as his spelling. It was a wonder he had proper punctuations at the end of his sentences.
Denise: Now, Shade. This isn't about me or any of the other patients. This is about you.
Shade: hardly. this is about becoming famus. in some respects your worse then i am. at least i don't lie about my intetions.
This was getting nowhere. Denise decided to just move on to the questions.
Denise: I find it sad that you don't think I'd want to help you. Do you feel that most people are like that? Lying and only looking out for themselves?
Shade: the honest
peeple are sadly a minority. do you reely think otherwise? the
poparatzy are a fine xample. trashing peoples lives. lying in wait
just to get a pictre of them doing something that coold be taken as
wrong. doing all that they can to anger them then writing noncents
about them being hotheaded and tempermental.
Denise: What about
police officers? They put their lives on the line.
Shade snickered.
Shade: yes and wat do they get? power. the badge they where is a simbal of authority. they carry guns nightsticks and other weapons. in the end it's never about the lives they save. it's about they power they have. the same applies to firefighters and parametics.
Interesting. He obviously suffered from a form of paranoia. He seemed to believe that everybody had some sort of ulterior motive. A result of childhood trauma…or perhaps it was instilled into him by his "fellow" Titans. The idea that these cold blooded killers could actually care for anybody seemed laughable.
Denise: That's a real negative way to view life. How long have you thought this way?
Shade sneered and typed.
Shade: i think it started when my mother chained me outside at the age of 3.
Denise: Why did she do that?
Shade: that's wat you do with animals, dokter. chain them up and make them behave. kids thru things at me. they laffed and jeered. they felt nothing for the poor boy who was so negelated that he was never even potty trained.
Now this was getting interesting! Maybe she could even make a book out of this case!
Denise: That doesn't answer the question. You're not an animal, Shade.
Shade hesitated before responding.
Shade: hearing that reminds me of my sister. she never hurt me. she helped me. taut me to talk. then they broke my voice.
Broke his voice? Maybe his vocal cords are damaged. It would explain the fact he could make noises, but not articulate words properly.
Denise: How did they break your voice?
Shade: do you belive in a hiher power, dokter? carma perhaps?
Damn, there he went again. Just went things were starting to move along, he started asking inane questions again. He stared at her patiently, waiting for his answer.
HIVE Tower: Main Room
Red X sat at the computer, typing and scrolling through information rapidly. Krystal came in, dressed in a bikini and flip-flops. In her hands were a set of those protective eye thingies for tanning booths. You know, the things that help prevent your eyeballs from melting or something. I don't remember. She looked around and sighed.
Krystal: Where IS everybody?
Red X: I believe they said something about seeing a movie.
Krystal dropped the goggle things and her bottom lip started to quiver. She ran up behind Red X and shook him.
Krystal: They went to the movies without inviting ME!
Red X: It's a horror movie.
Krystal: …oh. I don't like horror movies. They give me nightmares and ruin my sunny disposition.
Some times she actually did like horror movies. Other times it was action movies that bothered her. Her movie preferences changed as often as the type of books she read in her spare time. It seemed to change as sudden as her moods. She stopped sniffling and smiled again.
Krystal: Guess it's just you and me then, eh?
Red X: …Krystal, I'm very busy.
Krystal: Doing what? Minesweep?
Red X clearly wasn't playing minesweep, but it was the only common computer game Krystal knew. In fact, it was clear he wasn't playing anything at all. Krystal scanned what information was on the screen.
Krystal: Oh, I see. You're looking for the Titans.
Red X: They've been quiet for too long. One of their own has been captured and they've done nothing about it.
Krystal shrugged.
Krystal: Maybe they don't care.
Red X: Possible, but unlikely. While they clearly despise everyone else, the Titans seem to have a certain bond. I'm especially surprised that Raven hasn't tried anything.
Krystal: …I don't like Raven. She almost killed him.
Red X: She almost killed all of us.
Krystal tapped her chin for a moment.
Krystal: Oh yeah. I forgot about that. …what a bitch. Hey, wanna come tanning with me?
She held up her arm which was incredibly pale like the rest of her.
Krystal: It suddenly occurred to me that with my powers, I shouldn't be so pale. I can create a tanning booth out of anything! I could even make a tanning room!
Red X: …no thanks.
Krystal rested her chin on Red X's shoulder.
Krystal: (whining) C'mon…
Red X: This is more important then a tan. Besides, I don't own a bathing suit.
Krystal: Borrow one of mine.
Red X stiffened slightly.
Red X: But…you're a girl.
Krystal stood up straight and put her hands onto her cheeks in shock.
Krystal: Gasp! Yes, I said "gasp". So that's why I can't find my Adam's apple! And I thought I lost in it in a bizarre bagel related accident!
Krystal laughed and sighed.
Krystal: Thanks for the update, but I was pretty sure of that already.
Red X: Then why would I wear one of …
Krystal slugged him lightly in the arm.
Krystal: C'mon. Not only do I have the smelling capability of a canine, but I'm gay. You think I don't know another girl when I whiff one?
Red X sighed and reached to his belt. Something clicked and magically her pronouns turned to a female's.
Red X: (female voice) How long have you known?
Krystal: The first time you washed your bed sheets. Your suit hides your scent pretty well, but your bed sheets couldn't. One day I had laundry duty and I noticed the scent.
Red X banged her fist on the arm of the chair.
Red X: Damn it. I should have known!
Krystal: It's not your fault. Seriously, to have fooled the people you live with this long is amazing. I mean, you have to shower, possess certain items not exactly fit for males, and other such stuff and nobody caught on but the girl with the super sniffer who caught a whiff of your bed sheets?
Red X sighed and turned the voice changer back on. Better safe then sorry. …and now Red X is a he again. See how it works?
Red X: This stays between us, alright?
Krystal: Yeah, sure. …so I guess you don't want to tan with me?
Red X: No.
Krystal sighed and stood there for a minute, watching Red X type.
Krystal: …so…are you cute?
Red X suddenly misspelled quite a few words as his hands reacted to his shock.
Red X: What?
Krystal: Under that mask. Are you cute?
She struck a dramatic pose…as dramatic as she could look in a bikini anyway.
Krystal: Or are you a horrible acid burn victim, forced to wear a mask to hide your accursed scars from a world that would surely shun you! The cruelty!
Red X: I'm not gay.
Krystal: See, I didn't ask that. I'm not asking you out or something. Jeez. What is it with people? You assume because I'm gay that I'm going to hit on YOU? Aren't you flattering yourself? Now would you answer the question?
Red X: …I'm not bad, I suppose. Now stop talking about it, okay?
Krystal: Sure, sure. Welp, off to tan. Join in if you want.
She picked the goggle things off the floor and walked off, whistling.
Red X: Daddy isn't going to like this…
Asylum: Hallway
Denise wasn't happy. She had spent the rest of session discussing religious beliefs. All she learned was that he didn't have a good childhood. No details, just that he was abused and neglected. The talk about his sister did interest her though. As she recalled, his sister was actually a member of the HIVE team. Since Shade wasn't being forth coming…maybe she could help. According to the files, his sister operated under the name "Krystal". Something to do with her ability to use light or something. It had to be easier then talking with Shade. She still had a headache from trying to decipher his typing. And doesn't he know he has to CAPITALIZE every letter at the beginning of a sentence! ARGH!
Shade's Cell
Shade shook of the sedative they gave him when they moved him from the session room and sat up. That went well. Raven would be so proud of him! A little information to whet her appetite, then ask her questions. She'd answer them just to get more information. Now he knew that she was an Atheist, single, and evidentially greedy. "Here to help him"…bah. What kind of fool did she take him for? He wasn't some stupid animal that could be easily tricked. He scratched his ear with his foot…at least he tried to. They made him wear shoes…bastards. He hoped his friends would wait a little longer before saving him. Just a little more fun with the doctor, then he'd be ready to leave.
HIVE Tower: Main Room
Red X's search was interrupted by a phone call. Not many people called them. Sometimes he forgot they had a phone in there at all. Before he could answer it, Krystal appeared in a flash of light, dressed normally. She snatched the phone up and stuck out her tongue at him.
Krystal: Hello, Dave's Auto Parts. How can I help you?
Denise: Oh…er…wrong number.
Krystal burst out laughing when she heard the click on the other end. She hung the phone up and held her gut as she kept laughing. Red X sighed.
Red X: You know you shouldn't do that.
Krystal held up a finger to indicate that she needed a minute. Before she could calm down, the phone rang again. Since Krystal was still laughing, Red X answered.
Red X: …Hive Tower.
Denise: Yes, I'd like to speak with Krystal, please. This is Doctor Denise Steiner at the Jump City Hospital for the Criminally Insane.
Red X figured out what she wanted immediately. He looked down at Krystal as she wiped a tear from her eye and stood up.
Red X: It's for you…and it's about your brother.
Krystal's smile faded and she took the phone from him.
Krystal: Hello?
Denise: …Dave's Auto Parts?
Krystal: Yeah, it was funny when I said it. Is this about my brother or not?
Denise: Yes, I'm his doctor, Doctor Denise Steiner and…
Krystal ran her fingers through her hair nervously.
Krystal: He's still there, right? He didn't escape, did he?
Denise: Yes, yes, he's still here. Don't worry about that. We're taking every precaution.
Krystal wasn't reassured, but if he really was still there, that was a slight load off her mind.
Krystal: So what do you need?
Denise: Information. He's being…difficult. I'd like to hear about his childhood. He only told me so much
Krystal looked over at Red X as he typed at the computer.
Krystal: …I don't feel very comfortable talking about this over the phone.
Denise: I understand. If you could come by here tomorrow…say…1:15, we could discuss it in a more…private setting.
Krystal: …can you help him?
Denise: I can't say for sure. All I can say is that doing so will be much easier with your help.
Krystal: …I'll be there.
Denise: Wonderful. I'll tell the people at the desk to expect you.
They hung up. Red X looked over. Krystal's face was solemn, her usual smile gone. She walked over to the couch and leaned on it with one arm, running her fingers through her hair with the other. She looked distressed.
Red X: …are you alright?
Krystal: …she wants me to go in tomorrow and tell her about Shade's childhood. He won't talk about it on his own.
Red X: …is that legal?
Krystal threw her arms up into the air.
Krystal: I don't know! I guess so! I'm his sister, why can't I help them to help him?
Red X: Calm down.
Krystal: Dammit, I just wanted a hotdog from the fridge. Now I'm not hungry anymore.
Red X stared at her. The way she was holding herself…it said something. Beads of sweat on her forehead…slight tremble in her arm...
Red X: …you're afraid.
Krystal: …I…I don't want to go to an asylum. I'm afraid they'll find out I belong there.
Red X: Why would they think that?
Krystal turned and walked toward the door.
Krystal: Because I do…and you know it.
Asylum Entrance: The Next Day
Krystal took a deep breath and sighed. She really didn't want to do this. Her heart pounded as she opened the door and went in. She approached the desk.
Krystal: Uh…hi. I'm Krystal, here to see Doctor Steiner.
Guy at Desk: Proof of ID.
Krystal sighed and snapped her fingers. The light from the desk lamp left the light bulb and formed a card that said "Krystal" on it. The letters were formed from spaces where there was no light.
Krystal: Does this count?
Guy at Desk: …down that hall, take a right. Third door on your left.
Krystal mumbled her thanks and went the way she was told. It was an ordinary looking office. Diplomas on the wall, books on the shelves…what you'd expect, really. The doctor herself was at her desk.
Denise: You must be Krystal.
She stood up and extended her hand.
Denise: I'm Doctor Steiner.
Krystal glanced at her hand.
Krystal: Can we hurry this up? This place creeps me out.
Krystal wasn't usually a rude person, but if she was upset, other people would know. Now she was upset. The doctor sighed and gestured toward a chair. Krystal sat, her leg moving up and down nervously. The doctor sat in her much more comfortable looking chair behind the desk.
Krystal: What did he tell you?
Denise: Not much. Simply that he was abused as a child.
It was a lie of course. Shade had mentioned a few things, like why he couldn't speak. She just wanted to see if Shade was telling the truth.
Denise: If you could elaborate on that, I'd appreciate it.
Krystal: …abused…that's putting it mildly. We were born minutes apart. Two sides of the same coin, they said. He was darkness, I was light. The whole yin yang thing, you see.
Krystal sighed and rubbed her eyes. She hadn't gotten much sleep, anxious about this meeting.
Krystal: Thus, it was assumed that the boy who had a shadow leap from his body and writhe around before disappearing was the evil one and I was the good one. It was bullsh…er…wrong of course. We had powers, true, but inside we were ordinary children. Our powers were discovered at around the age of three. Our mother took Shade outside and chained him to a tree. It was a miracle that he didn't die from exposure to the cold of winter or the heat of summer. …or maybe his powers simply wouldn't let him die.
Denise: Wouldn't let him die?
Krystal: …he was only three. How do you think he got food? His powers would hunt down animals on their own accord. He was still sucking his thumb, he had no idea how to control his power anymore then I did. I remember seeing it when I was five. I watched as they attacked a rat like a snake, crushing it in its coils. Shade devoured it like an animal. That was when I first realized how badly he had it. So I tried to talk to him. He just stared. Being five, it took me a minute or three to realize he never had anyone around to teach him anything. That and the smell kind of told me that. So I taught him. I couldn't really potty train him, seeing as how there was a certain lack of an actual potty…but I did let him know that crapping in your pants was bad. I taught him how to talk next.
Denise: Tell me more about the abuse. Tying him to a tree is more neglect then anything else.
Krystal sighed.
Krystal: …he was beaten regularly. When something went wrong in the house, he was blamed. …kind of funny, but it was only Mom who beat him. Dad ignored him completely. "The lamp broke. That evil boy must have sent a shadow into it!" Punch punch kick kick hit with a stick. I stuck up for him sometimes. Mom loved me too much to hit me. The kids were no better. They flung rocks, dirt, even bottles at him. I tried to stop them too. They weren't as kind as Mom. They started to beat me up too, but nowhere near as bad as he got it. Years went by and it was always the same thing. Then one day he had enough. He told them to leave him alone.
She held her head, tears trickling down her face.
Krystal: …I…I didn't defend him. I didn't know…didn't think it would come to what it did. They beat him worse then ever before. One of them tied a cord around his neck tightly. His larynx was nearly crushed to the point of uselessness. From then on making noise hurt slightly…but talking was unbearable. He couldn't do it. So from then on he just grunted, snorted, growled, and other easy noises. The one time he really needed me…more then any other time and I didn't help.
Denise rubbed her chin. Interesting indeed.
Denise: Why didn't he use his powers to defend himself?
Krystal: …because that was what they hated. If he used his powers on them, he'd be proving them right. Besides, his powers scared him. He ate the animals they caught, but he didn't like watching them die. Three days after the…incident…they came back and taunted him again. …by this time we were eleven years old. For eight years he put up with constant abuse...and he couldn't hold on for another day. They threw a rock at him and it hit him right between the eyes. Blood trickled down his face…and he went nuts. He leapt at them, pulling against the chain. This just made them laugh…until the shadows came up and cut the chain. He slaughtered them. All of them. …and I just watched. I was shocked. I couldn't move. It was like watching a movie. I couldn't believe it was real. I snapped out of it as he began feeding on a boy his age. Kylti-kin or something. It was him that tied the cord around his neck. I tackled him. I couldn't watch him eat someone. He attacked me…almost killed me. At the last second he clutched his head and ran away. He lived on his own until he got here, I guess.
Denise: …I see. Where did you say you were from?
Krystal: You wouldn't have heard of it. It's…very remote. Most people don't even know it exists, let alone where to find it. To be honest, I couldn't find it myself.
That would explain why nobody ever reported the murders of the boys…or how people could be so uneducated to believe a boy was evil just because he was different. Such primitive thinking…
Krystal: That's everything I know.
Denise: The scars on his body…
Krystal: …are from the beatings. The mark on his neck is from the cord. Can I go now? Like I said, this place gives me the creeps.
Denise: Would you like to see him?
Krystal paused midway in standing up.
Krystal: …no…I…I couldn't. He'd hate me. I did this to him. I brought him here. I just…I don't want to see his hate confirmed in his eyes.
Krystal disappeared in a flash of light.
Krystal: (echoing) No matter how much I want to see my brother again.
Denise sighed and sat back. Well…now she knew why he was a vicious killer and mute…but why did he join the Titans? What prevented him from attacking them as viciously as he attacked everyone else? That was the key to his rehabilitation, she was sure of it…and therefore the key to the world of fame and fortune.
END PART ONE