AN: In the comics, Granny used a chemical cocktail to incite the birds.
SwordStitcher-Duct tape's fun to play with.
Just-Me-and-My-Brain-It was easier to steal the bulk pack.
Jasmine Scarthing-It's not paranoid if they're really after you.
Voodoo-Mutant-Child-There's more chairs to be had.
Fifteen year-old Jonathan Crane is startled awake by a bone-rattling BOOM of thunder.
He lies there, heart pounding, and opens his eyes. It's too early-or late, or whatever-to be awake. His eyes hurt from being awake too soon.
Rain taps relentlessly on his window and he reaches up to rest his fingers on the cold glass. Then he hears a noise downstairs.
He shouldn't, he knows he shouldn't, but curiosity gets the better of him and he gets up, fumbling for his glasses and shuffling to the door. God, he's tired. His wrist is a little sore tonight-it hasn't quite healed from his stupidity.
There's a light on in the kitchen. Granny? What in the world is she doing at this hour?
Quietly, hoping to god he doesn't get caught, he slinks to the door and peeks inside. What he sees makes him sick.
She has his suit-that one-laid out on the kitchen table. On the counter is a cutting board and a sharp butcher's knife. In her hand is a dead rat-a fat one.
She lays it on the board, picks up the knife, and lops its head off. She then picks up the body and begins to pour the blood onto his clothes, pausing every now and again to squeeze it or rub the blood into the fabric.
Once she's through, she picks up the rat's remains, carries them to the door, and collects her umbrella.
He goes to a front window and watches her go out to the old scarecrow. She drops the rat across its shoulder.
WHAPWHAPWHAPWHAPWHAP.
He shrinks back, his hands going to his face on instinct. But they're outside, not inside…attacking the scarecrow.
She turns away and he sneaks back to bed, badly shaken. He hears Granny come inside and begin her trek upstairs. Oh, god, she'll check on him, she's always trying to catch him doing something…
He gets under the covers and closes his eyes, trying to even his breathing. Sure enough, his bedroom door opens and he feels her come inside. Even breaths, even breaths…
His door closes and he rolls over. He won't sleep tonight.
BOOM!
Where is he? What's going on?
Lightning flashes behind his eyes. Is he in Arlen or Gotham?
There's a warm weight on his chest. Wherever he is, he's safe for the moment.
More lightning. Gotham. He's in Gotham. What time is it, anyway? God, what a nightmare…
BOOM!
Kitty moves a bit and he rubs her shoulders, half-hoping she'll wake up. She does and he runs a hand through his hair. Hopefully he'll be able to go back to sleep.
The storm is keeping him awake. He keeps expecting to hear a noise downstairs.
"Jonathan?" She sounds groggy. "Jonathan, love…" Yawn. "Is everything all right?"
"Mm-hm. Did the storm wake you?" Talking is harder than it is in the daytime.
"Mm-hm." She sighs and her fingers tighten around his shirt. "Nightmare?"
How does she always know?
"Uh-huh." He closes his eyes again. "Nothing interesting."
"Night, love."
He moves his hand to her lower back and concentrates on the rain.
Within five minutes, he's fast asleep once more.
THE END