Chapter 8
As the weeks passed, Batman couldn't rid his mind of the orphans. Still very concerned with the welfare of the poor children, he check in nightly on the two young boys who were still in intensive care at Gotham General Hospital. Luckily, the rest were rescued with minor bruises but the ghoulish matter still ate at him. The constant reminder shook him and he decided on a trip to Arkham Asylum to see the Joker.
Arriving out of the black nothingness of the sky, Batman approached two waiting guards at the asylum's entrance. As the tall, broad men led him inside through several corridors, Batman kept his vision focused on one thing, not allowing the other inmates to taunt or ridicule his presence.
Walking down a large gloomy hall inside the great asylum, fluorescent bulbs flickered overhead, casting shadows throughout the foyer. Once he arrived at the entrance of the high-risk prison ward, a guard knocked twice as the colossal steel door opened. Not seeing the man who allowed him access, the Dark Knight continued to follow his escorts down the decaying concrete passageway.
Passing several rows of indestructible glass, the sealed cells contained some of Gotham's most dangerous psychos. Directing his attention forward, he ignored the slurs and chants from the inmates surrounding him. Encaged on his right was the Mad Hatter, Scarecrow and Victor Fries, also known as Mr. Freeze. Two-Face, Calendar Man and Poison Ivy were housed on the left with the shape shifter Clayface imprisoned at the end of the hall in a specially made cell designed without seams to hold him.
With peripheral vision, he noticed the cells were dark, the lights out, unable to see his foes. Finally arriving at the Joker's cell, a note taped on the inside of the glass peeked his interest. Glancing over it, he realized that the Joker was expecting him.
Immediately, grim laughter echoed throughout the entire ward. Without warning, the Joker's face smashed up against the glass, scaring the guards whom jumped back. Striking a big smile for Batman, his yellow teeth and red lips pressed against the glass, leaving behind an imprint.
"Well Batsy, what took you so long? I knew you'd be here," the Clown Prince started, stepping back to gaze directly at the Dark Knight. "Hmm… turn that frown upside down dear Batsy. Had a bad night?" he mocked, holding his chin with his thumb and index finger braced on his cheek.
"Shut up. I want to know what your motive was. Why those children?" the Dark Knight wondered, his tone not designating any sign of concern.
"Look pointy ears, I won't be here for long so I might as well," he laughed, retreating to the steel bench to rest. "See, the truth is that I had big plans. The wretched brats were bait to lure you into a one on one fight to the death. But plans changed and I had to do what was necessary," the clown said proceeding in slight laughter.
"Necessary? You killed a young boy. For that you will pay," Batman threatened, his hand clamping into a fist.
"Pay Batman? When I escaped last time with Harvey and Clayface, I was going to become the king of Gotham," he jumped up, throwing his arms in the air and started pacing. "The Clocktower was to be a great diversion for the city while the three of us took over the underworld. But you got in the way," his voiced darkened, his pacing continued. "You always get in the way but even though you ruined my underworld ties, your precious tower still fell. Next time it'll be worse. I promise you Batsy, next time it'll be one of us. You or me, this town is too big for the both of us. One of us will have to go," he followed up with his own threat, swaying his arms menacingly.
"Joker, I'm not interested in your future plans. There's a city-funded movement to tighten the security of Arkham, which means you won't escape again. It's over."
"Don't be ridiculous Bats, Arkham is only the courts alternative to prison. I doubt that my insanity even plays a role in the reason I'm here. I mean what makes you think they can keep me here?"
"They will Joker, count on it," Batman declared, folding his arms in defiance.
"You're wrong, you overgrown excuse for a flying rodent. They can't keep me in here like some captive animal. I will get out and when I do, I will have my revenge," the clown argued, jumping back into the darkness, his laughter rising.
"It's pointless to argue with you," exclaimed the Dark Knight, turning his back to the cell. Infuriated with his obnoxious foe, he ignored the guards and raced from the wing, out of the asylum. Heading for the Batcycle parked outside, behind the massive gothic institution, he continued on his nightly patrol.
An hour later, the Dark Knight rode through downtown Gotham on the Batcycle, and for some reason he found the city strangely quiet. Speeding past the plaza, he eyed a couple of bums that made shelter at the demolition site where the majestic Clocktower once stood.
As he slowly passed a dark alley, he eyed it for any potential threat and just as he was to speed on, he noticed a mysterious shadow which appeared out of nowhere.
Catwoman? What's she doing downtown? he wondered, steering his bike into the alley.
The high-resolved cat burglar never operated outside the East End of Gotham, he found it unusual for her to be stalking these grounds at this hour with the Riddler loose.
With great haste, Batman departed from the Batcycle trying to stay as quiet as possible. As he spotted her on a fire escape, she leapt from sight. The only place for to hide was on the roof and as he swiftly climbed the rundown fire escape, he found her waiting for him.
"So we meet again Batman," the lustrous woman said with excitement, cracking her leather-clad knuckles before jumping off the edge of the building.
Racing after her, he leapt from the building as well and parachuted down to the street, mere seconds after his foe. In midair, he swung his feet forward, colliding with Catwoman, tackling her to the cold concrete.
Crashing in unison, Batman pinned her to the ground from behind but with a slick maneuver, she freed her hand and stabbed his chest with her claws, then delivered a successful blow to his head. As he fell over, she rose to her feet with great agility. Lunging on top of Batman, he quickly threw her off.
"Come around here often?" Batman inquired as he arose from the street.
"Leave me alone. Stay out of my business," she countered, landing a swift kick to his ribs.
As the Dark Knight stumbled backward, Catwoman sprang to the other side of the street. Moments later, she climbed up the side of another building but before she could reach the top, Batman shot a grapple to the roof and soared there with incredible speed. Without fail, Catwoman presented herself seconds later.
"What do you want with me?" she posed, hands on hips as she prowled the edge of the summit with ease.
Keeping her every move in sight, he slowly answered, "Just you and the Riddler."
"Oh him, well… you can forget it," she purred, jumping from the ledge to a squatting position. Erotically rising, she stepped closer to him, her feet in lined as if dangling on a tightrope.
"Help me bring him down," he started, not moving as she approached. "You know this situation better than I do. It would've been easier before but now I hear he's got respect in the crime community."
"So you're saying you need my help to nab Eddie; what do I get in return?" Catwoman remarked, smiling coyly as she wrapped her bare arms around his neck.
Before he could push her away, she abruptly pressed her lips to his, paralyzing his expected refusal.
"Not that," he declared, finding the strength to push away his rival and former flame.
"Well Batman, I'm a woman who knows what she wants and if you give it to me, perhaps we can make a deal but no… you won't do that will you?" she retorted, cocking her head to the side, her blue eyes locked with his. "Well then, we'll see what happens," she finished, leaping backwards again and again, performing a series of back flips that any gymnast would envy. Blowing him a kiss, she dove from the building and vanished.
The Dark Knight hurried to the edge to see if he could find her, but found nothing. His hand moved to his utility belt and within an instant the Batcycle awaited him below. He leapt off the structure, and landing effortlessly on the bike he sped away into the night.