Alex looked around the room one last time. After she'd first awoken here confused and afraid… a stranger in a strange, new world, she'd adapted and survived, and now she'd be leaving its gloomy walls. With a switch of the lights, she left the room. Walking down she hallway, she noticed the nurses glancing at her while giggling. She put her head down and walked faster down the hallway. With luck, she'd never deal with them again.
Alex paused in front of Pam's door. Pam hadn't talked to her since they'd found out about "Franny". She knocked on the door anyway. The worst Pam could do is tell her to go away, and despite the shock of finding out their friend wasn't who she said she was, Alex missed them both. A part of her suspected that Pam felt the same. To her surprise, Pam opened the door.
"Are you here to tell me that you're actually a secret government agent?" Pam asked sarcastically.
"Nope. I don't have the qualifications for that. Just an ordinary freed inmate stopping by on my way out," Alex replied, and Pam turned around and walked back to her bed. But she didn't close the door.
Alex walked inside the room and shut the door behind her. Pam's demeanor slowly changed from angry to tired as Alex got closer.
"Aren't you angry too? Is it just me?"
Alex thought about it for a moment before answering, "I was. It's only natural to feel betrayed and upset… Our friend became someone else… She lied about who she was and was giving our information to people we don't know or trust."
"Exactly!" Pam said, throwing her hands up in frustration. "So… why aren't you mad anymore?"
Alex looked at Pam's pleading eyes and answered, "Because I saw Franny in the courtroom that day. It wasn't just the fact that she testified for me… it was that she believed in her words. Dr. Harleen Quinzel isn't Franny, but that doesn't mean everything was a lie. She cares about us, Pam. I know she does."
Pam crossed her arms and muttered, "I don't know what to believe anymore."
"And that's okay," Alex said as she gently touched Pam's arm. "It's okay to be mad. It's okay to be upset. That's perfectly fine… but don't forget that I care about you too. That hasn't changed… and it won't change. I'll be waiting for you when you get out. I survived being stabbed just to go camping with you. Don't disappoint me now."
Pam chuckled and replied, "What about the carnival? I guess we can sit that one out…"
"I think we should go. Even without her. In the memory of our dear friend… even if she doesn't want to associate with us anymore."
Pam held onto her hand and said, "I think I'd like that… just please don't forget about me."
Alex firmly held Pam's hand in hers and promised, "I don't think I ever could, Pam. I'll see you soon… on the outside."
Pam's eyes shone with tears, and she dropped Alex's hand. Alex walked slowly to the door. Pam focused her gaze out of the window as Alex shut the door behind her. With her few belongings in hand, Alex walked to the front of the building. The guard looked up at her and waved her through. With a deep breath, she walked through the scanner and through the door to freedom. Carl had told her that there would be someone to guide her to a secure location. They didn't trust Jeremy. After the hearing, he'd thrown a huge fit in the corridor and had to be taken away by security. Finding a secure place to stay while "Elizabeth's" lawyers got her back her money and home was a huge relief.
Unfortunately, it had been Carmine Falcone who had offered his services. Alex didn't know how much she could trust a mob boss, but she knew that if anyone could keep her safe in Gotham, it would be him.
"Miss Arkham!" a voice called, and Alex turned to see a thin man limping toward her with a cane.
Alex took a step back and looked back at the asylum.
"Don't worry, Miss Arkham," the man said and flashed her a smile. "My name is Oswald Cobblepot. Mr. Falcone has ordered me to ensure that you get to your place safely."
Alex hesitated, and Oswald sighed and continued, "I know it's probably hard for you to trust an unfamiliar face. Mr. Falcone would have loved to accompany you, but he's… a little busy at the moment. Here take this."
Alex froze as he handed her a switchblade.
"Feel free to use that should you feel threatened."
Alex gripped the knife tightly and followed the man to a black limo. What other choice did she have? At least she had something to defend herself. If they planned on kidnapping her, she doubted that they'd do so with so many witnesses right in front of the asylum, which undoubtedly had plenty of cameras pointed in their direction.
Oswald gave her a smile as she followed him inside the limo and looked around. Even in her previous life, she'd never been inside a limo. As she took a seat, Oswald held up a bottle of soda and a bottle of water. Alex took the soda and thanked him. Out of the window, Arkham Asylum got further and further away. As she turned back to Oswald, she watched his face shift back to a smile.
"Any questions, Miss Arkham?"
"Lizzie… you can just call me Lizzie," Alex said and continued looking out of the window. "Unfortunately I don't remember this city, so I doubt that I'd know where we're going even if you told me."
"Oh, yes, I heard about your condition. Just let me know if you need any help getting around. I even know some great places to chow down."
Alex gave him a small smile and replied, "Thanks."
Oswald seemed to catch the hint that Alex wanted to sight-see on the way to their location and went quiet. Alex wasn't quite sure what to think of him. His smile reminded her of a used car salesman, lacking warmth and exuding too much excitement. She clutched the knife close to her.
The car finally pulled to a stop in front of a large apartment building. It looked high class. Alex hesitated as Oswald got out of the car. Going from a room in an asylum to this felt like a huge prank. When they got to the apartment would there be a camera crew waiting for them? Oswald gave her an expectant look, and Alex crawled out of the limo and followed him inside. As they got into the elevator, there was a man in a uniform that pressed the button for them. Alex gave him a little wave as they got off the elevator and headed for the apartment. Oswald unlocked the door and dropped the key into her hand. Holding the door, he gestured for her to go inside first. She hesitantly walked inside the room.
The apartment was as spacious as she'd expected. High ceilings and classy furniture made it look amazingly out of her price range, and she felt almost afraid to touch anything. Oswald looked at her expectantly as though waiting for her approval.
"It looks… very nice."
Oswald's face dropped, and he said, "If there's anything you don't like, I can have it changed for you." Alex couldn't help but notice that it was fear that flashed across his face.
"No! It's not like that… It's just… a lot to take in at once. I didn't exactly have this much at Arkham."
Oswald relaxed and replied, "Oh, you just take your time to get used to it. I'm sure…" Oswald's phone beeped, and he excused himself for a moment.
While Oswald spoke in hushed tones, Alex took a moment to take a closer look at the apartment. She guessed that Oswald must have been in charge of making her comfortable. From the looks of things, he'd gone above and beyond. She wondered just what Carmine Falcone would ask of her for all of this luxury.
Oswald walked back into the room with a breathless smile and said, "Mr. Falcone will be here soon, so… uh, how about some coffee?"
"Ah, no thanks. I'm good… feel free to make some if you want," Alex offered, not sure of what amenities the apartment even had.
As Oswald frantically started to make coffee, Alex wandered into the bedroom. A picture of a sunrise decorated the wall. Birds dotted the horizon. As Alex looked closer into the fields, she saw the silhouette of a scarecrow ominously looking towards her. Leaning back away from the picture, she briefly wondered how upset Oswald would get if she took it down. She could always wait until he left.
The sound of the door opening caught her attention, and she walked back to the living room to see men walking in with boxes. Oswald's confused face told her that he hadn't known about it. Shortly after the men unloaded the packages, Mr. Falcon calmly walked into the room and greeted Alex with a smile.
"Miss Arkham… you don't mind if I call you Elizabeth, do you?"
"No, sir," Alex replied and watched as Oswald brought Falcone a coffee as Falcone sat down.
"Thank you. So… how do you like it?" Falcone asked, and Alex noticed Oswald glance at her nervously.
"It's very different from Arkham… It's nice," Alex replied as she sat in the chair facing Falcone's, sliding the knife in between the cushions.
"But not your style?" Falcone asked with a perceptive smile.
"I guess not, but to be honest, I have no idea what 'my style' would be."
"Young Oswald here will be more than willing to help you should you want to make arrangements. Isn't that right?"
"Oh, absolutely!" Oswald said with vigor. "Just let me know and I'll get you whatever you need."
Alex asked, "So.. I'm guessing that I can't leave the apartment?"
"Feel free to use the facilities amenities as you wish," Falcone said and gestured around the apartment. "Anything you need can and will be brought to you. However… it will be very dangerous should you leave the property without my men guarding you. I can protect you within this small community, but I cannot say the same once you leave."
"Is all of this because of what happened to Laura Thorne?" Alex asked, watching Falcone's eyes widen in surprise. "Her uncle believes I killed her, doesn't he?"
"He does. And, yes… This is all for your protection. Mr. Thorne is a stubborn man… but he'll see reason."
Alex adjusted her sleeve nervously but scrambled together enough bravery to ask, "What do you want in return for all of this, Mr. Falcone?"
Mr. Falcone touched her hand gently and said, "Already paid in full. Think of it as penance for leaving you in your brother's care for so long. I haven't received any news about Jeremy's shady business, but I have people who are on the lookout."
"Thank you, sir. How long can I stay here?"
"As long as you need," Mr. Falcone reassured her and stood up. "These boxes are for you. Your father asked me to hold onto them… Perhaps that should have helped me see that even he didn't fully trust Jeremy, but alas… Oswald will see to whatever you need. Hopefully this will be over soon, and you can return to the home that is legally yours. Now if you will excuse me… there are some… business dealings that I must attend to. Farewell."
Alex bid him goodbye, and Falcone quickly left. Oswald let out a breath of relief. Alex's eyes met his, and he quickly tried to explain.
Alex interrupted his panicked stuttering, "I can understand the pressure of having your boss check over your work, Mr. Cobblepot."
Oswald became less tense and replied, "You can call me Oswald… if you'd like."
"Thanks… Oswald," Alex said and looked over to the coffee that Falcone hadn't even touched. "Is there any coffee still in the pot?"
"Oh, yes."
"It'd be a shame for it to go to waste."
Alex got up and walked toward the kitchen. Oswald opened one of the cabinets and pulled out a mug for her. After putting in her fill of coffee, cream, and sugar, she collapsed into one of the big armchairs and turned to see Oswald standing and using his cane to prop himself up.
"There's more than enough seats here. Feel free to use one."
Oswald took her up on her offer and took a seat. Alex took a sip of her coffee with a happy sigh and relaxed into the couch. After a moment of silence, Alex said sheepishly, "So… I have a question that might seem… odd."
"Ask away," Oswald spoke up cheerfully.
"What do you know about Bruce Wayne?"
"Ah, well, he disappeared for a while," Oswald said thoughtfully. "He suddenly reappeared about a year ago. I've seen him at some of the parties Mr. Falcone attends… He doesn't have the best reputation."
"A rich playboy?" Alex asked, watching his face for the answer. "How about that."
Oswald seemed concerned and asked, "Are you interested in him?"
"No… not in that way at least. Just thought… maybe we're a bit alike. Rich, lonely orphans… or something like that."
Alex gazed out the window as she tried to figure out what was going on in this world. By the movie timeline, Bruce wasn't supposed to be back in town just yet, but Alex chided herself for relying on that. Clearly, the movie she'd seen and the reality she was residing in were similar but not the same. Still it wouldn't hurt to try to be friendly with Bruce Wayne. However, for now her movements were restricted and monitored. Making friends would have to wait. For now, she needed to gain knowledge of Gotham and this world in order to survive.
"Oswald, do you have some time on your hands?"