I tapped my foot. I twiddled my thumbs. I played the Alla Turca on an imaginary piano. Anything was better than crying. Anything was better than feeling like this.
The room was too empty. It was driving me mad. My clothes also bothered me. I'd been changed and washed while I was unconscious and I was wearing a hospital gown with an open back.
Was I going to appear at child welfare services with my butt showing to the world?
And what had happened to my knee? When would they take the stupid bandage off it?
What was going on!?!?
A while after that a lady came in. She had a mask on so I couldn't see her face. Great. Another mystery.
She asked me how I was feeling and I told her I was fine, if a little bored and worried.
It was the same lady from last night.
She listened to my breathing and heart.
Then came the checking of my leg. I didn't like it.
Every time she moved it it hurt. I must have fallen on it harder than I thought.
Maybe I would be better off without my leg? I tried to point out to her.
She just gave a smile and shook her head.
"You'll be fine with some physiotherapy." She said
"What happens next?" I asked.
I hadn't been completely satisfied with Batman's answer. It had some gaps in it. Like pretty much everything.
"Well, unfortunately you caught a type of pneumonia that can't just be treated with pills. You're going to need intense physiotherapy for at least six months to clear out your lungs."
"Oh." I said. Bugger.
"At least they can fix your knee while they're at it." She tried to cheer me up.
"I guess. How much longer will I have to be on a drip?" I croaked. I was still coughing like a chronic smoker
"Another three days, at least. Sorry." She said
"So I'm stuck in here for another four days?"
"No. We'll have you transferred to a hospital some time."
"Thank god. This room is sending me mad."
This lady was very easy to talk to for someone who I knew nothing about. I probably should have been more guarded but she was the first friendly face i had seen since they took Steve away.
We sat and talked for a while. I even laughed once. Company was something I was missing. After a while the woman glanced at her watch.
"I should go then. Oh, yes. I was told to give you this."
She handed me a book. It was a copy of the hobbit.
"Thank you. And tell him thank you as well." I said, and settled down to read my book.
Maybe the batman wasn't as dark as he pretended. Maybe he was human in there as well. Somewhere. Not that it was any business of mine.
It was time. He'd used up most of his fort eight hours.
He crept in to the cell. The girl was sitting and reading. She hadn't even heard him enter. He used all his skills to remain silent. If she didn't know she was being sedated the sedative would work quicker because she wouldn't panic. It was better if she was relaxed for this.
He snuck up beside her. She hadn't noticed.
He slid the needle into her IV's cross tube and was about to push the plunger when she spoke to him.
"Sedative? G'night, then."
He didn't answer but emptied the syringe. She didn't have time to say anything more.
Her head slumped to the side. The sedatives effect was immediate. She was unconscious. Leslie came in and removed all the tubes except her IV, which was detached from its machine and bag. The remaining tube end was secured to her arm with tape and a cap put on the end. It would be reattached when the girl went to hospital
He was about to pile her limp form into the batmobile when Leslie tapped him on the shoulder.
"You might want to give her a jacket or something. Its cold out and that gown doesn't even make her decent, let alone warm"
Batman grudgingly draped a spare cape over her before buckling her in and propping her up with pillows.
Kids, they're so much fuss, he thought, so much you have to do just to keep them alive.
He drove carefully to the police station, taking the corners far slower and gentler than usual. The last thing he needed was to give the kid bruises. If she were awake he wouldn't have to worry because she wouldn't risk smacking into the door. Even with the seatbelts on it was still very rough.
He just wanted to get it over with. Drop the kid off at the police station and have her moved to the hospital. Then he could go and get some rest and update his files on the computer. Then he wouldn't have to live with the guilt of abducting and hurting a kid
He pulled in behind the police station.
Ah. Here was a problem he hadn't anticipated. How would he get into Gordon's office with his unconscious burden? His usual trick would be impossible with his arms full.
He'd bring Gordon to him then.
Batman locked the batmobile and fetched Gordon.
Gordon looked like he hadn't slept in days. He'd also been smoking again. Batman could smell it. He gave the usual jump when batman appeared but he looked too exhausted to say anything.
He followed batman downstairs and out to the batmobile.
Upon seeing its occupant Gordon frowned.
Obviously, thought batman, his feeling guilty about sending her off with me to have god knows what done to her.
"She's been sedated. Should wake up in an hour." He said.
He handed Gordon a folder.
"Her medical records. She had pneumonia. She's been treated but she should sent immediately to a hospital for further treatment."
"And the antidote to the virus?"
"The pneumonia created the antidote."
"So she was innocent." Said Gordon
"Excluding armed robbery and resisting arrest."
"Kids these days"
There something important he was forgetting. Oh yes, that was it.
"Make sure the hospital doesn't give her penicillin."
With that he carried the girl into the police department. An ambulance was rung. Gordon looked around from the phone but batman had gone.
He was left with an unconscious girl who was not going to be a happy camper when she woke up. Also, his pipe tobacco had mysteriously disappeared.
