Disclaimer: I don't own "Batman Begins"
There are some people in this world who wake up remembering what they had done before their eyes close. Others cannot remember until they are fully awake.
I am among the few who cannot remember anything at all when dosed with anesthesia.
Cold concrete against my sweaty cheeks was the first thing I felt when I was allowed precious time in reality.Why did my neck hurt at one side? Why did my face feel hot as I was going on a never ending battle with a sickness in my stomach? How come I could not remember anything? My brain was so fuzzy, I could only recollect that my name was Sarah and that I was twelve years old.
Nothing else...Nothing at all.
Voices echo above my head, accompanied with the symphony of loud, vibrating footsteps as they circled around me. The loudness...the footsteps were so loud, it hurt me. I wanted it to stop. My fingers barely moved in my attempt to cover my ears. A simper that sounded small and barely audible was the only thing that proved to me that I was still alive.
The voices were talking about something...It was badly distorted, that I was almost thought that I was just hearing nonsense in my delusional head. I could only make out a few words like "account","money","password","bat", and "poison". Nothing resided in my memory at the moment to connect these strange clues together. Whatever they were, I knew it would not be good. An evil floated above me in the darkness as I felt someone's cold eyes looks at my helpless unconscious face. It was chilly as it ran up and down my spine with a familiar tingle of fear in each shudder, Slithering voices licked my ears as they became clear as a snakes unfaltering hiss,
"She stays in here, unless otherwise," Someone I knew from my nightmares commanded.
"You sure no one knows we're here?" asked a deep, new voice.
"Of course! The whole community was taken into quarantine days ago. No one ever comes here now because they think that Scarecrow buffoon, or whatever they call him, will come and kill them,"
"But you--"
"Yes, I know. I've seen him once before, but that was for a business deal and he didn't have the mask on. I gave him 5 thousand dollars if he gave me video footage I needed. The deal ran through perfectly, along with a certain...bonus"
"Like what?"
"...Let's just say that if we use it to our advantage, we'll only be charged with computer fraud"
If I was able to, I would just cry out in fear. I didn't know what could be worse: Knowing what they would do to me or not knowing at all. Mallets were playing at a fast tempo on my heart, trying to see if it could accelerate up to a high rate of fear. I wanted to scream out for help, but I knew that I could be trapped in the middle of nowhere. Numbly, I prayed in my foggy mind that someone knew where I was, come find me, rescue me, and take me home
...Or wherever home was to me. I wish that if I wasn't still suffering from the drug that had me unconscious, then I would be able to remember.
"You said she'd be easy to kidnap," snapped the deep voice all of a sudden. "You never said she would fight back,"
Fought back? I fought back? What did I do? What had I done to try and save myself?
"So she learned a few moves," that familiar voice spat. "She's still the same little, naive brat she was since the day she was born,"
He knew me. Whoever had kidnapped me knew me. Why couldn't I remember anything? Why am I here? What did they want from me?
The voices became distorted again. The incoherent sound that passed their lips made became babbling nonsense to me once again. I think tears of fright, confusion, and sadness rolled down my heated chicks before I slipped back unconscious again. As I blacked out, I wished to be in someone's trusting arms before it was too late.
When Bruce had received a call from the police at Wayne Enterprises before an early morning meeting with Lucius Fox, he knew it would not be good news. The moment he heard Sergeant Gordon say that Sarah was kidnapped late last night, he thought he would at first just stand there, still gripping the phone next to his ear. But he quickly pulled together, asked Fox to stay behind in case he needed anything, and practically ran out of the building to his car, on the way to the Farris Mansion. Gotham Police were already there, investigating the grounds and some of inside. They had the Farris family being questioned with the security guards and, if there was any, possible suspects along with them. Bruce didn't ask what happened when he received the call. He slammed the breaks on his black expensive car when he pulled into the driveway that was already inhabited by other cars, one or two of which belong to Gotham City Police. Ripping off his seatbelt, he almost kicked the door open as he found Rachel Dawes rushing out to meet him. She had been called down too to be questioned as well, considering that she and Bruce were friends with the girls dead parents.
"Rachel" Bruce almost shouted as they hurried to the door.
"Bruce," Rachel followed him in a quick pace. "Remember: As far as we know, she's still alive. I'm sure of it,"
"What happened?"
"Ally Farris noticed Sarah wasn't in bed this morning," Rachel explained as they dodged a few investigators. "She wasn't anywhere. All they found was their dog. He was lying on the grass out front with a broken leg and blood on his fur,"
Bruce stopped and grabbed Rachel by the arm, almost in a rough manner. He stared at her with a worried look.
"Rachel--" he started slowly.
"I don't know if it's her blood," Rachel interrupted. "They've sent a sample in to be tested"
Though she didn't show it, the tremble in her voice was enough to convince Bruce that Rachel was getting ready to cry. He pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back as she sobbed on his shoulder.
" I saw the blood," she managed to say through a small sob. "...They--They found a needle on the ground...He had to drug her so she wouldn't scream..."
"We'll find her," Bruce comforted her. "We both promised Jennifer we'll look after her and keep her safe"
Letting out one last sob, Rachel nodded, composing herself to be calm. Bruce held her there for as long as he wanted, before they had to go into the parlor where they would be questioned. The thought of his goddaughter being kept somewhere in the hands of what could be a merciless killer made him practically angry and deathly worried. She could still be unconscious or awake(both could be very unpleasing scenarios for her), cold, hungry, tired, and in the dark with a sick feeling in her gut that she would die. He knew some part of her was still afraid. That's what made her liker her mother. When Rachel pulled herself together, Bruce quietly ;ed her into the parlor. Commissioner Loeb, along with Sergeant Gordon was standing on front of the fireplace, looking at a row of certain people. A few security guards stood close to the door, next to the Farris family. Ally;'s face looked apple red, her cheeks stained with previous worry as her eyes dropped sleepily, her head on her father's shoulder. Mrs. Farris had an arm around Nathan, as he stroked one of the other dogs fur for comfort. Sitting in a dark green arm chair was Edgar Mason, his hand in a cast from what Batman had done. Discreetly, Bruce smirked as he remembered the wonderful feeling he had as he crushed that creep's hand. Sitting next to Rachel on a couch in the other side of the room, Bruce was spoken to by Commissioner Loeb.
"Mr. Wayne" he nodded. "Thank you for coming. I'm sorry it couldn't be on better terms,"
"Dear commissioner," Edgar said in a sick, polite voice. "Could you tell us what happened to the poor girl?"
Even though she was though to be almost asleep, Ally shuddered of Edgar's tender voice and snuggled closer to her father. It was a wonder no one had died from fear of hearing that awful man speak. There was a slight pause before Commissioner Loeb explained everything.
"What we've gathered from the forensics team," he started. :We found a few samples of blood on the dog's--Genghis, correct?--fur and muzzle area. We've already sent some in to be analyzed. The result should come in an hour or so. There were also traces of burnt rubber on the driveway, and anesthesia in the needle the children discovered outside. Mrs Farris, did your children touch it when they found it this morning?"
"No," Mr.s Farris.softly replied with a shaking head. "We were with them,"
Loeb nodded and continued after a bit of silence.
"...I'm sorry to say that we have no leads, and ready leads, or suspects to the kidnapping. Mr. Wayne, we've already questioned everyone else here, and all seem to be clear on their alibis. You woudn't mind if I ask you a few things wouldn't you?"
Bruce was about to reply when Mr. Farris spoke.
"Wait a second," he interrupted. "We have a guard missing...Where's Ethan?"
"Peak?" Gordon spoke up, asking Ethan's last name. He's clear. Crashed his car in a ditch last night on his way home,"
This had aroused the young billionaires interest a bit. It was a bit strange to dins that the missing security guard just happened to get into a car crash around the time of the kidnapping. Unfortunately, he also had to see the typical reasons: It was a nasty storm last night. The roads would have been extra slippery and anyone had to have been cautioned to drive safely. When the reason for Ethan's absence was explained, Mrs. Farris put a hand to her chest, her brown eyes full of worry.
"Goodness" she exclaimed lightly. "Is he all right?"
"Just a broken nose and a nasty gash on the leg," Gordon reassured the group. "The only serious damage was done to the car. We've checked out the auto shop down in the city,"
"Mr. Wayne," Commissioner Loeb got back to the questioning. "Do you know anyone who would want to harm your goddaughter, or use her as bait to get to you?"
"...Well," Bruce let out a calm breath of air. "As far as I know, the only person that would harm her is Mr. Mason,"
"I was just bailed out this morning," Edgar replied smugly. "But until this unfortunate event blows away, a hearing for me can't be scheduled"
You can assume Ally wanted to nastily comment ti that, but she shouldn't. Her parents were with her, and it would not be plot...Well, forget the reasons why she shouldn't, because her daring mind and mouth were going to run away with her. Sitting up from her fathers warm, safe arms, Ally glared at Edgar as though as he was as evil as he could get, without knowing that he possessed the cold heart of a ruthless murderer.
"Well," she said, almost snapping sarcastically. "What do you want to show for it? A stupid medal?'
"Allison," Mrs. Farris scolded softly.
Ally did nothing to protest as her father quietly pulled her back into his arms. She didn't are what she said, but she was glad she had done so. Someone had to do it. All she did was merely take the burden. Deep in her hear, Ally knew her parents were not mad at the disrespect she had shown to a guest in their home. Edgar, as predicted, did not approve of this kid of behavior. Especially when it was directed to him. And by a child, nonetheless. Leaning forward in his chair and ice cold glare targeted the twelve year old brunette from Edgar's eyes. Frightened a small bit, Ally leaned in closer to her father, still as a statue to turn away from that soul-devouring look.
"You know Jonathon," Edgar slithered. "You should teach your children more about respecting their superiors"
Mr. Farris pulled his daughter closer, defensively.
"Don't tell me how to raise my kids," he shot at him almost shouting.
Bruce had watched all this in quiet interest. There was something in Edgar's eyes and in Bruce's heart that some part of all this wasn't true. The story didn't make any sense. And he wanted it to. Standing up, he held up his hands, in a calm defense for peace between the two men that would argue if no one stopped them. They all had to focus
"Gentlemen, please," he said softly. "That's enough"
Mr. Farris seemed to calm down as Ally looked up. Edgar just smiled thinly, in a heartless way. Looking up at his priceless platinum gold watch, he stood up, exhaling as if he was exhausted from all this.
"Well," he said to all who was willing to hear. "I'm afraid I must leave you. I have a doctor's appointment in half an hour. Commissioner, Sergeant, Mr. Farris...Mr. Wayne,"
All four gentlemen did not return any goodbyes to the snake that was leaving the Farris man-ions. The women and children had mostly been quiet through all this. The clock chimed noon on the old grandfather clock. Waking up half asleep Nathan, Mrs. Farris rose from her seat.
"Ally," she turned to her daughter. 'Why don't you and your brother go upstairs and get dressed into some more comfortable clothes?"
Obeying to their mothers wishes, Ally and Nathan walked out of the parlor, their heads low with weariness and worry. Half the morning, Nathan had cried, petrified of what would happen if their friend would never be rescued. As they walked out into the silent hall, he turned to Ally. He knew that h could always looked to his big sister for comfort.
"Ally," he meekly started. "So you think that batman knows Sarah's been kidnapped?
"...I don't know," Ally answered softly.
"If he did, would he save here?Would he come for her, like Sarah said he always would? Sara said--"
"Nathan" Ally interrupted.
Ally was resisting the urge to shout. But this wasn't the time. Secretly, she wished she could be liked Nathan. Always hoping that there was something good out of something horrible. Always looking in places where there were things that were worth gold: Golden information or words of wisdom that would lift their spirits by gently angelic wings. She never had faith in things like this. And Batman only came out on cool windy nights. How can he know that Sarah had been taken away when they had only found out this morning? Giving up, Ally was about to tell her brother to go upstairs and change when sh heard something. A voice in the room next to them. Edgar's voice. Growing curious, she gave a light push on Nathan's shoulder.
"Go on upstairs, "she said softly, not taking her eyes off the door. "I'll be there in a minute"
Nathan did not question his sister as he quietly mope up the cold stairs. Hears were beating faster, heads grew warmer. Ally took a deep breath as she came closer to the closed door. She was sire that Edgar was on the other side. Squatting in front of it, Ally pressed her ear against the wood However she never thought that the words that were tickling her ear were part of a devious plan. Part of a devious truth.
"Yes," Edgar sounded happy. "They were eating out of the palm of my hand. The look on Wayne's face was gold. Solid gold!...Excellent. So they'll be getting the ransom message at the police department in a few minutes?...Perfect...And she's still unconscious?...Listen to me Ethan Peak. It's like this: If Bruce Wayne doesn't want to see his goddaughter found dead on the 6 o'clock news, he'll be sure to bring that 2 million dollars to me by midnight. Every last penny of it,
Before Edgar even finished, Ally 's back was up against the wall, a hand over her frozen open mouth. Her green eyes were filled with terror. The man Edgar was talking to was Ethan, their new security guard. But how could they know each other? Ethan was barely new to working for their family, and he was so dumb he coulsn't even unlock that guardhouse with the one key he was given. And Edgar was smart enough to...Of course! It all made sense: Since Ethan wasn't that smart, no one would ever suspect him even if he didn't say that he had a family emergency or gotten into a car accident. And Edgar was arrested last night so no one would suspect him either...
"Oh my gosh!" Ally though to herself. "While Ethan was in jail, the police must've let him use that one cell phone call they always give out., Edgar must've called Ethan and...they kidnapped Sarah! They're the ones who were behind this!"
Ally looked at the door with a shocked looked. Most of it made sense. The evidence partially fitted in, but she'd worry about that later., Footsteps came closer to the door.Gasping, she raced upstairs to her room. Hurrying as fast as she could, she put on some clean clothes. She had to beat Edgar before he left., Almost tripping, Ally started racing down the hallway slid down the banister, and leaped off before Edgar could fully open the door. Jumping in front of him, Ally slammed the door closed with a dark glare.
"Going somewhere?" She snipped at him.
"Please get out of my way," Edgar replied with a cruel gin.
"Not until you tell me where Sarah is,"
Edgar looked almost frozen on the spot. Ally thought she had him cornered, but he still kept that creepy grin ON his face. With his good, cold hand, he pushed Ally aside gently , opened the door, and walked out of the Farris household. Ally scowled. Now ways he was walking out with the answers to her questions. With a confident look, she stood tall as she practically sprinted after him. She was now positive that he was the one behind this.
"What did you do with Sarah" she shouted.
Stopping in the middle of the bright green front lawn, Edgar turned around to face the brunette with a ticked look on his face.
"Why do you assume that I am the kidnapper?' he growled coming toward her.
"For a lot of reasons," Ally too her ground. "You've always hated her; you've been on her back ever since she inherited that money! I bet your hand isn't even broken!"
"Why would I fake and injury?" Edgar was no yelling.
Ally spreaded her arms out midway, rolling her eyes.
"Oh gee" she exclaimed sarcastically. "I don't know. Maybe because your just stupid like that, you big oaf!"
Before she knew it, Ally was lying on the ground, holding her head as it started throbbing. Edgar gad grabbed the back of her head, by the hand that was supposed to be broken, pushed her toward the bar of the tree and let her fall. She was right. Edgar was faking the injury. As she felt drops of sticky blood on her fingers, she was grabbed bu the arm by Edgar's "good" hand. and pulled toward his cold, dark, and angry face. Instantly, she was locked in a trance, afraid to scream and cry for help.
"Now you listen to me you little brat," he almost shook her, with a threaten ting boom in his voice. "I am this close to getting that money, and you'll keep your mouth shut if you want your dear friend Miss Chante to live, and if you want to live to see the 7th grade!"
Ally couldn' move. She thought her heart had stopped. She couldn't even hear herself breathe. All her fears had been realized. The ice in his voice and chill stare in his eyes had proved Edgar to be the villain in this confusing masquerade. She could hear the rushing of her feet behind her. Her family and Sarah's godfather. This would've been her chance to spill everything, if Edgar didn't start cowering up what had previously happened.
"Oh goodness, Miss Farris," Edgar's voice was ripping sweetly as he helped Ally up with his "good" arm. "Let me help you up on your feet,"
"What is going on here?" Mr. Farris demanded
"You stay away from me!" Ally let out a shuddered yell towards Edgar.
Bruce and Rachel looked at each other quizzically as Ally was gently picked up in her father's arms. The poor girl started crying on the man's shoulder, her whole body shaking with uncontrollable fear.
"Sweetheart," Mr. Farris lovingly rubbed his daughters back. "What's the matter?"
"Dear Ally was just coming to apologize for her behavior," Edgar answered the father's quest in. "She just couldn't find the words, started clawing at her head and broke down crying,"
"No!" Ally choke out as she lifted her vigorously shaking head. "No! That's not true! That's not true! He hit me! He hit me with his right hand! Look!"
As Ally was telling her side of the story, Bruce eyed Edgar's seemingly broken hand. Come to think of it, the skin that was visible through the blue wrapped up cast didn't look swollen. It looked just fine. But his thoughts were delayed as Mrs. Farris shook her head.
"Honey," she laid a hand on her daughter's wet cheek. "You've been through so much this morning. I think you should--"
"But it's true!" Ally protested through tears
"If I may, Carol," Edgar addressed Mrs. Farris. "She probably was upset over the fact that poor Sarah was taken away, and was under the impression that the kidnapper was somewhere around here. Now, I don't suppose, if there's a school counselor at Gotham City Private to help her with her emotional problems--"
"Liar!" Ally screamed.
"Jonathon," Mrs. Farris said calmly. "Take her inside. She's upset,"
With Ally's face buried in his shoulder, Mr. Farris carried his daughter inside. Bruce was now deep in thought as his arm wrapped around Rachel's shaking figure. There was something in the child's voice that reeked with fear, confusion, and the truth. Sometimes, all everyone needed was a young voice and discover the darkest clues with a light heart. Mrs. Farris didn't say anything as she escorted Bruce and Rachel back to the house, leaving Edgar to go to his car and leave. In Rachel's teary, confused eyes, Bruce could tell she was thinking the same question he was: Was young Ally Farris telling the truth? All was quiet when the front door closed behind them in the house. The faint sobs of Ally echoed from her room, at least a house story above them. Nathan was now sitting on the steps of the grand staircase, his head quietly buried between his arms and knees. As Commissioner Loeb came out of the parlor, Mrs. Farris excused herself, and took her son back upstairs, quietly guiding him with her hands on his shoulder.
"Mr. Wayne," Loeb's face looked both blank and worried. "We have a problem. I just got off the phone with the police department. But the good news is, we've got the blood test results back that we found on the Farris's dog: It's not your goddaughter's,"
Although relieved, Rachel's heart was still at a very low level.
"What's the problem?" she asked meekly.
Loeb sighed. Whatever the problem was, it wasn't going to be as horrible as a punch to the face. It was going to be worse.
"...We just got a ransom message from the kidnapper," Loeb said with a heavy voice. "He wants the inheritance money Sarah received when her parents were killed. And if he doesn't get all of it in less than 12 hours, meaning back to the original amount the inheritance was before taking money out for those two train tickets, he'll kill her,"
Bruce's grip around Rachel tightened as a gasp sounded from the District Attorney's lips.
"Commissioner," she started. "You need to get Gotham's finest on patrol now. Sarah could be out there. You just need to get them to form a search party immediately!"
"We can't," Gordon was coming out of the parlor, stepping into the conversation. "This guy has thought of everything: No funny stuff, no police, and no Batman. The only way he'll let Sarah Chante go free is if the money is hand delivered by Bruce Wayne himself,"
A deadly silence filled the area. Deep in thoughts floated in everyone's head. They were all stuck in a land mine infested field. One wrong move, and the whole operation would end up with a life being taken away...Bruce nodded...
"All right," he took out his cell phone from the inside of his suit pocket. "So be it then,"
"Mr. Wayne," Loeb was shocked. "I'm sure you would rather see another alternative than to lose--"
"I don't want another alternative, Commissioner Loeb," Bruce looked up as he started dialing. "I want my goddaughter home,"
The police men left Bruce and Rachel, assuming the billionaire was calling the Gotham National Bank. But to Rachel's confusion, he had called Wayne Enterprises.
"Fox," Bruce said into the cell phone. "Bruce Wayne. I need your help. Sarah's in trouble. Do you think y can investigate a few things for me?...Good. Now listen to me carefully..."
Josh Mason sat in a private jet plane that would take him and his mother, Elaina Mason, to a new home in Metropolis. It was better than the three hour drive to it from the small town he had ran to. When he first arrived there, he went to his destination that would keep him safe. The family he stayed with for the very few short hours was very kind to him. They had a teenage son who was practically the town hero, considering all the strange things that happened around there that took a negative effect on the citizens. It made him wish he ad an older brother. Everyone was nice to him, even when some of the teenage boy's friend wondered why Josh had come to Smallville all by himself from the grand city of Gotham. When the hours went by, Josh had grown worried for the safety of his cousin. She was supposed to call and let hims know she was on her way there. He was just about to ask for help, when Smalville's Sheriff came. The way she spoke to the farm family about Josh and his cousin's situation sounded tired but well rehearsed, almost as if she had been to the well-known farm more than once in the past few years. Josh was just relieved to hear that his cousin, Sarah Chante, was safe and that his father had been taken into custody for child abuse. Even when his mother said that they would move to Metropolis and away from the horrible the moment she came to Smallville to pick her son up. The whole first 30 minutes she had gotten there, she was holding her son in her arms, apologizing to him over and over that she had not been there for them, or had noticed the bruises sooner. The only twinge of fear that he still had was if Gotham police did or did not know that Edgar murdered his Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Luke. Poor Josh wasn't even strong enough to tell Sarah that Edgar had an accomplice that would spy on her whenever she was Ally Farris's. What would happen if...? No. There's nothing wrong. He knew Sarah was back with Bruce Wayne. It what she wanted, and she got it. Edgar was away from them both. No harm was going to come to them anymore. Sighing to himself, he settled into a small feather pillow, grabbing the remote to a TV that sat in a case bolted to the wall. It was a nice place. Some rich guy lent it to his mother and him for an easy trip to their new penthouse. Apparently, he owned some "popular" corporation. It was called...What was it?...LuthorCorp? He didn't know, nor did he care. The guy was bald and gave Josh a creepy vibe from the moment they met early that morning. There was nothing on television, so he just turned on the news for no apparent reason, as he slouched in his chair, his head slipping from that comfortable pillow to the cushioned seat. How boring it was to watch the news!...But also how interesting when a developing news story tapped his ears.
"We've just received a breaking story from the Gotham City area," the anchorman said to anyone who was watching. "Earlier last night, a kidnapping of billionaire Bruce's Wayne's goddaughter, 12 year old Sarah Chante, took place at an anonymous friend's house..."
Josh immediately sat up, a worried look on his face as the report continued on. The only relief he received was that there was evidence that Sarah was still alive. But he knew he couldn't just sit around and do nothing. He was the only one who knew the truth. The only one that could save his cousin from a horrible death. All he had to do was speak up for once.
"--Police have no suspects," the report continued. "All out thought's and prayers go to Gotham's--"
"Mom!" Josh shouted to his mother, who sat in the lounge area behind his seat. "Come quick!"
I had a dream before I woke up again...No, it was a nightmare. A horrible one that I still have to this day. My whole body had tossed and turned in my sleep through the cerebral torture. I stood in an alley in a bad part of the city, almost feeling the cold night air in my dream. I wasn't alone.
FLASH!
A couple was walking around in front of me. They barely seemed to notice me, but I felt a comforting peace in me blossom. Tears in my eyes, I realized that I must be seeing my parents. It felt wonderful to see them...but I felt like I've had this dream before. I could sense the uncomfortable aura around me as my parents and I hear a noise in the dark alley where we stood in. A gun that had turned off it's safety told my dad that they were in trouble. He immediately grabbed my mother's elbow, pulling her behind him as they watched whatever was behind me in horror. I didn't want to look away from them. Their faces were the only things that were familiar to me.
"Jennifer!" my father urged my mother. "Get outta here! It was a trap!"
BANG! A bullet whizzed past my head, missing me in the rush and met the forehead of my father right between his fading blue eyes. Waves of sadness filled me as I saw the life float away from my father with the fatal blow of the fact that I would never see him alive again. It tore me apart as I heard the shatter of my mother's screaming.
"Luke!" she cried out with a red face. "No!"
Another shot passed me and a second bullet hit my mother in the leg. I watched her collapse to the ground in pain, crying with anger hinting in her face. She started to crawl away into a brick corner by the rusty dumpster, trying to escape the vengeful murderer. I watched him go past me in a dangerous walk, holding a gun in his hand as he still aimed it at my mother...The initials EM/AG winked at me in the cold darkness...Edgar Mason...Adam Gerons...Both in the for of one man, sharing the same amount of cruelty, with half a black heart each to make a whole deadly one. Both acted as one in the murder of my parents...And possible my murder as well...I remembered everything now...
"Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer," jeered Edgar as I watched him mock my ailing mother. "How long has it been since I last spoke to you?"
"Shut up!" my mother said through her teeth, trying to ease her pain.
Heartlessly, Edgar laughed/
"That hurt Jenny," he mocked again as he put a hand on his chest. "That gets me right in the heart,"
"It would if you had one," Mom spat. (Go Mom). "...You killed my husband,"
"And I'll kill you as well," Edgar still held the gun. "As soon as I tell you what will come to pass after I do so,"
Horror immediately filled my mother's teary brown eyes.
"Sarah," she whispered my name. "What did you--"
"I give you my word dear sister," Edgar shook his head in a sickly loving way. "Sarah's fine, warm and safe in bed with a book in her arms...not knowing that she'll wake up in a few hours an orphan and put in my care,"
"I swear on my life, if you ever hurt her--" my mom started threatening.
"You'll do what? Rise from the dead and protect her, like the true, loving mother you are?...Your promise means nothing if you're swearing on your life,"
Anger rose up to my cheeks as I watched this. How dare he say these things to my mother! How dare he mocks my family! How dare he killed my parents! How dare he!
"I'm sorry it had to come to this," Edgar readied himself.
My mom, still holding her leg, shook her head as tears freely glowed down her red, sweaty cheeks.
"No you're not," she almost sobbed in anger. "...You won't win Edgar. There'll be someone to stop you in the end: Someone who will take care of my daughter,"
Edgar shook his head as he turned off the safety. My mother closed her eyes, waiting for the fatal bullet to join her in her spilling blood. No mom. Don't do this. Don't let hims do this to you and dad.
"The chances of that happening," Edgar spat. "Are very slim. Goodbye Jennifer,"
BANG!
My eyes flew open. I sat upright. Gasps of fear heaved in and out of my mouth as my memory returned. Of course. I remember being kidnapped in the middle of that horrible storm. I remember discovering the gun under those dark floorboards in my Uncle's office. And I remember coming to the conclusion that it was my Uncle who killed my parents weeks ago.Wildly, I looked around the place I woke up in, and I crawled in a corner, frightened. The walls that surrounded me were a dirty white color, mold almost splashing the opening cracks from what could've been the effect of a previous explosion.A foggy mirror with dashes of dusty spots all over it was on one wall, and I could barely see my face on it. As my blurry vision from the sudden harsh awakening cleared, I could decipher my reflection. My hair wasn't in a ponytail anymore, for it had fallen off during my unconscious stage, leaving my Blondie hair in wavy curls when it dried up from the rain. A new bruise was on my left arm had grown dark from hits I still have trouble remembering when I received them.I eyed it carefully, but when I moved to touch how painful it was, I saw another bruise on the side of my neck. However, it was bigger than the other new one, and a darker purple, with a shade of a pink-grey color at it's edges. Suspicious, I moved slowly to stand up, but then I almost collapsed. My legs were still wobbly and feeble from the drug I was given as a side effect, but that didn't stop me. Digging the tips of my fingers into the cracks of the walls, I pulled myself up a bit more, and slowly stepped toward the mirror, using the wall to support me. When my fingers made contact with the mirror's cool surface, I found myself looking at a girl I didn't know. The fright it gave me sent shudders crawling up my goosebumped skin. I touched the bruise and winced harshly at both the sharp pain and the stabbing memory of the needly being plunged into my neck. With unsteady footwork, I stepped back, away from the image of that girl in the mirror in fright and looked around again in my dark prison. It's horrifying atmosphere was suddenly familiar to me. Crawls of discomfort took over my body as I suddenly found out where I was.
"...Arkham," I could barely hear my voice. "I'm in Arkham Asylum,"
A chilling chuckle from behind me echoed with an evil presence. I gasped, jumping and immediately taking refuge in a nearby corner, cowering in a sense that my fear would protect me. I had not noticed the dark shadows disguising a particular corner in the holding cell until someone stepped out of there. Edgar's eyes gleamed with a cruel fire dancing about in them. I could've sworn that there was a weapon of some sort in his hand when I took first glance, but a small sense of relief took over me when I saw it was just the cast
"I was hoping you would wake up soon," Edgar commented as he walked slowly, with a sigh of enjoyment in his face. "It'd be a tragedy if you never did...but then again--"
"What did you do to me?" I dared to interrupt in a small voice.
A look of fake concern spreaded on Edgar's face
"Oh," he mocked as if he was hurt. "Sweetheart--"
The way he called me that made me shudder with fright. It was positively terrifying.
"I did nothing of the sort that could cause you harm," he continued. "I just merely had my associate bring you here when I wasn't able to...he said you put up a noble fight. You actually left him injured enough to life to his new employers that he was in a car accident,"
I shook my head, already disbelieving a word he was saying to me. This couldn't be happening. When would I wake up from all this? When would I actually wake up from this nightmare and safe in someone's arms? I want to hear someone, some guardian angel, a clear and loving conscience guide me to a safe harbor that would have me go on safe passage on a ship toward the feeling of security. This man had already caused me harm from the moment he pulled the trigger that took my parents' lives'.
"You killed my parents," I said, taking heavy breaths. "...You killed them in that alley. I saw the gun in the black box...I saw the initials on the holster after Josh gave me a clue..."
Edgar's eyes were burning through me, bu I barely looked at him. That old familiar sensation of daring acts was growing inside again...And this time, I embraced it with open, but weak arms.
"Tell me," I almost spat. "Was it Adam Gerons or Edgar Mason that killed them?...Or is there a third person in your delusional that I don't know about?"
In a lightning bolt flash, Edgar's casted hand was mere centimeters away from my face. The fingers that stuck out trembled as it resisted the urge to smack me. By instinct, I had turned my head away when I saw him raise his arm. By pure insanity, I dared to look at him when no fresh pain was inflicted on me. A grave silence surrounded us in a dark feeling when no words shattered it in time to save an uncomfortable moment of no action. Edgar put down his arm, and just stared daggers at me.
"You think you're so smart," he sneered. "But you're not,"
"I never said I was," I argued.
"...Well, then, here's a bit of knowledge for your simple mind:...Do you know how priceless the look on your godfather's face was when he learned of your kidnapping? How much I heard the District Attorney cry after seeing the blood on that mangy mutt? How scared your little friend Ally was when I threatened her not to tell anyone what she found out and hit her across the face?"
My eyes were wide. Ally knew. But how? How was she able to discover the secret I shouldn't have kept? I let the question alone as I started to glare. Hot anger was burning my feverish face and the way I looked would kill Edgar right where he was standing.
"Stay away from Ally," I threatened. "Don't talk about Rachel that way again; Don't get Bruce into this,"
That sickening grin crawled on Edgar's lips as he removed his trench coat from the heat, letting it drop to the floor with a strange clatter. The only interest it aroused in the room was me as I wondered what it was. Still having that curious expression, I looked back at my Uncle, who had rolled up the cuffs of his sleeves and removed the cast he had on his perfectly fine hand. It was no surprise to me at all that he was faking. He was the type of person to do that sort of thing.
"Would you do anything to keep your godfather alive?" Edgar interrogated cruelly.
My heart almost stopped. Those words were poison to me ears. Words I didn't want or never thought I would hear. When I wasn't saying anything, Edgar continued, speaking in a way that he relished the sound of his own voice. And in this case, I'm pretty sure he does.
"It is a quarter 'til 10 o'clock p.m.," Edgar looked at his watch. "You were unconscious for almost 24 hours moaning for someone to come find you in your sleep. In 2 hours and 15 minutes, which will be midnight, you will be begging for a rescue...Unless you do this one little thing for your dear old uncle,"
I rolled my eyes, a rebellious tone coming to my mouth for a short visit.
"Well," I said sarcastically. "You've got the old part right--"
Edgar's foot suddenly collided to my stomach with a harsh kick. Crying out in pain, I collapsed to the ground, holding myself, coughing with tears in my eyes. I wondered if it was possible that a lung was damaged since I wasn't sure if I was breathing at all. Edgar's anger went up a spark.
"Let me make this perfectly clear!" he snapped. "If you don't give me the inheritance money that rightfully belongs to me by midnight, I will take you out to that alley myself, and give you a far worse death than your parents!"
I wasn't paying attention to him, but I did hear the inheritance money bit...He kidnapped me for money! How dangerous could this possibly get? I was breathing harder. I was scared. If you were in my position, you would be too.
"You should consider yourself lucky," Edgar turned toward the old rusty door. "At least you won't be able to see your godfather shot in the head by the stupid mistake I know you wouldn't dare to make,"
"Leave him alone!" I managed to scream out.
No. Don't kill Bruce. Please. Don't do anything. He's all I have left. I beg you Edgar. Please. I said in my head.
"You think I'll listen to you," Edgar gave one more sneer. "But I won't...Ironic...I just thought of something..." Edgar chuckled before continuing. "Do you realize that if your mother wasn't adopted as a Mason that you wouldn't be here?"
What? Did I hear right? My mom's adopted? What the heck was coming out of this psychotic man's mouth? Painfully, I looked up at Edgar through wincing eyes. I could hardly breathe. I could feel a bit of blood on my side seep through my pink tank top, making a deep red spot before clinging to my hot skin from the impact if the kick. He showed no emotion at all. I said nothing, continuing to glare at him.
"You have until midnight to cooperate," Edgar gave one last threat. "Your godfather as well. Think carefully. Your life may depend on it,"
And with a harsh slam of the door, he was gone, leaving me alone again to wait for my doom. Sobs tempted to pass my lips, but I allowed no access. I was back to the beginning of my story. Back to square one. If I screamed for help, no one would hear me. If I cried, no one would comfort me. All alone, on the ground with a pain in my side, and no one knew where I was. Silently wishing that no harm would come to Bruce, I rested my head hoping that sleep would claim me long before I reached the moment when I would suffer the blow of a gun. My eyes desired the sweet heaviness of a magic sleep, longing to linger in the comforting darkness. But then a strange thing had caught my eye. Edgar had left his trench coat in my room and I remembered hearing something clatter when he had thrown it aside.
"Curiosity kills," I told myself.
My own mind did not heed my words. Gathering what little strength I had in me, I pushed myself with my legs, scooting as I painfully held my side over to the other side of the holding cell. Draping the long coat over my shaking legs, I dig into the big pockets, searching what item could possibly interest me. I found something...
A cell phone.
It had a signal.
I gasped with a sudden light bulb in my head.
I was able to call for help.
"Are you sure about this sir?" Alfred asked his master over the phone.
"As sure as anything," Bruce confirmed, walking the halls of the Applied Sciences Department at Wayne Enterprises. "We don't want to risk any harm to Sarah,"
"Sir--"
"Everything will be fine. Trust me. If Sarah's all right, we would know,"
"Mr. Wayne," Mr. Fox called from ahead
Bruce looked up from his conversation, nodded to himself, and hung up the phone as he hurried toward his accomplice. Earlier in the day, Lucius Fox had been asked to put his forensics skills to the test. Over the course of 10 hours, he had managed to bring Ethan Peak';s damaged car to the lower garages of Wayne Enterprises. From the moment he had heard of the strange absence of the new security guard, Bruce knew that there was something wrong with the alibi that was told to the police. The car came damaged in the front with broken glass from the windshield still clinging to the smooth dashboard. Dents had demolished the bumper tarnishing the shine it once had, and flat air bags had deflated hanging over the steering wheel. To you and me, it looked like a pretty bad crash had befallen the brown 1970 Mustang. But to Lucius Fox, it was clear that someone had taken a baseball bat and swung it repeatedly damaging the car to its present state. When Bruce had been told, his confirmations were being connect by the minute. There was certainly something about this Ethan Peak that played a part in he kidnapping of his goddaughter. Making his way toward the work table, where humble Fox studied some samples he had found in the backseat through a microscope, Bruce was ready to gear more details is about the unconfirmed crime that Ethan Peak might have made.
"Anything?" Bruce asked hopefully.
"Yes," Fox pushed the microscope to his boss.
Bruce took the liberty of investigating what his right hand man had discovered. Through the eye piece, he looked at the confiscated samples from Ethan Peak damaged car while Fox explained the findings.
"Now," he started. "Notice the two hair samples. They look different. One of the black, the other--"
"Blond," Bruce confirmed softly as he stood up. "...Sarah?"
"I had hoped not," Fox hated to be the bearer of bad news. "I found a sample of dried blood on the backseat and compared it to your goddaughters from the black cloth you used for her cut from last night...They match,"
Bruce's teeth clenched in silent fury. Thoughts of his goddaughter's kidnapping were almost confirmed. But the only things he knew right now were that Ethan Peak was the kidnapper and that Sarah could be very hurt. The fact on whether or not she was alive would soon be revealed to him. With a defiant nod, he readied himself for any possible act he would have to do.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"No sir," Fox shook his head in a sad way
Bruce nodded again and turned the other way to head out of Wayne Enterprises. In order to find Sarah, he had to once again become Batman so that it was guaranteed that when he found her, she would be brought home safely. Problem was, he would always find Sarah because he would know where she was. He didn't know this time. If he did not get to her quickly, some strange place would be her grave. The plan was to become Batman, and come to Sarah to secretly rescue her without her captor realizing anything/ He would take her to a safe place, more than likely the penthouse in the care of Alfred and Rachel to help if she was seriously injured. If f he took her to a hospital, the kidnapper might get her there without Bruce being there. After making sure she was safe, Batman would transform back to Bruce Wayne and meet the kidnapper with a briefcase full of money...that would b traced to the police at any time. There was no way Bruce was going to hand over Sarah's future if her life was being threatened. As he grabbed the briefcase off a nearby worktable, Bruce's cell phone rand. Without even looking at caller ID, he answered it.
"Bruce Wayne," he said in an almost angered tone.
The only sobs Bruce heard in the phone was a scared sob on the other end. Almost confused, Bruce was about to ask who this was, until a familiar shaky voice stopped him.
"Bruce?" a girl sobbed. "Bruce, it's me--"
"Sarah?" Bruce started getting worried.
"Bruce, I'm in trouble--"
When Bruce had realized it was his goddaughter on the phone, he hurried back to Fox who had immediately set the phone on speaker as he wired it o a system where the could track the call's origin.
"Sarah," Bruce started in a hurried voice. "Are you all right?"
"Bruce, I'm scared," Sarah didn't answer his question. "I don't know what--"
"Sarah, Sarah," Bruce stopped her. "You're going to have to calm down and tell me if you're all right and if you're hurt,"
"I want to come home! Please Bruce! I'm--"
"Sarah, I promise you that as soon as I get there, I'll bring you home. Everything's going to be fine. Are you hurt? Where are you?"
"...He--he hit me...he kicked me down--"
"Who did?"
Bruce was getting anxious now. He tried to Sarah calm down as best as he could while Fox worked out the coordinates to the call's origin. If Sarah was on the phone for 30 seconds longer, Bruce would be able to find out where she was.
"Bruce, listen to me! Whether or not you bring the money, he'll kill me and he'll you too. You have to--"
Suddenly, Sarah stopped and there was a silence over the phone. At first, Bruce thought the signal was lost, but then he heard gasps. Frightened gasps. When he heard his goddaughters voice again, she sounded far away.
"Whatever you do, do it fast!" she screamed. "He's gonna kill me! Find me Bruce! Help me--!"
A series of horrendous coughing followed with gasps of much needed air.Then...screams of fright pierced over the phone.
"Crane's toxin!" Sarah had shouted. "He has Crane's toxin! Find Batman! You have to--Aah!"
The phone call was over. Just like that, it was as if the voice of Bruce's goddaughter had vanished into thin air. All Bruce could to was just stay still, almost terrified of what had learned so far. But his mind wasn't prepared of what he learned next.
"Sir," Lucius Fox had stirred him out of his thoughts. "...The call came from Arkham Asylum...From the cell phone of Edgar Mason,"
"Go away," I softly commanded to nothing in particular. "Go away. Please. Leave me alone,"
I had myself in a corner, my eyes closed, and my hands cradling my head to rid the mind of demons that emerged before out of nowhere. Everything that had happened in the past two minutes suddenly became a blur to me. I remember calling Bruce for help, this white powder blowing into my face, and screaming. I was screaming. There were creatures of darkness lurking about in my head, taunting and gnashing their bloodstained fangs at me hoping to have the glory of frightening me. Whimpering softly, I felt Edgar grab me by the collar and felt his foul breath hit my face with his threatening voice.
"Who did you call?" he growled.
My eyes were still shut. Sweat poured off my forehead. I was afraid to answer him his question.
"Please," I tried to loosen his grip. "Let me go. Leave me alone--"
"You called Wayne, didn't you?"
"No! I didn't! I swear!"
"Don't lie to me, you little brat!'
"It's the truth!"
"...Truth or not, you and your godfather die tonight!"
(A/N: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I finally updated. I am so sorry you guys! I didn't mean to make you wait this long. I was dealing with my own personal demons. Word of the wise guys: Stalking Psychotic Ex Boyfriends Can Really Change You. Kind of ironic too...I had a birthday party last year, and we were watching "Batman Begins" and picked characters from the movie. I was Rachel, he was the Scarecrow, and my old crush was Bruce...The old crush helped me out through this. Weird huh? Again sorry about the wait. And if you guys are confused about the Crane's toxin thing, and remember Sarah being inoculated with the antidote from a previous chapter, all will be revealed in good time. And don't worry. The rough draft for the next chapter is almost finished, so it won't be that long. I hope. Have a Happy New Year!)