Chapter 12

Edward sat in Dr. Quinzel's office in his usual chair feeling glorious. He felt empowered, and he felt the smartest he had felt in years. The moment Commissioner Gordon informed him Alberto Falcone was behind bars, he felt ecstatic.

"So then my sentence is being shortened." Edward looked at the older man curiously.

"Yes, it's being shortened. Is that all you can think about, Edward?" Commissioner Gordon asked furrowing his brows.

"I won't lie, its all I ever think about." He crossed his leg over the other, "Continue though, I want to hear how all my help worked for you."

Commissioner Gordon sighed and continued. "Mr. Falcone was caught by three officers. One officer was camped out inside of Mr. Brampton's house and the other two were ready at both ends of the hallway making escape impossible."

"I take it Mr. Brampton was one of the people to be born on Good Friday?" Edward asked.

"He was. We had police posted at the other man's house as well just in case he chose them as a victim. We uncovered his switchblade, and that alone was enough evidence for us. The man will be in court in a few weeks, and he will be tried. No judge or jury can possibly let him walk, even if his father is one of the richest men in town." Commissioner Gordon informed him.

"I'm glad to hear that." Edward said honestly.

"Thank you for all of your help, Mr. Nigma. We appreciate it." Edward smiled a little at this.

"My release will be all the thanks I require Commissioner." He stated.

"You will be released, however..." Gordon started, "We know what you did Edward. We may not have the proof required to put you away, but we will be watching you very closely. Keep your nose clean, and you can live a normal life with society again."

"I have no intentions of committing murder. I am cured of my insanity, and I would much rather put my sane mind to good use." Edward informed him.

"Your release will take place in four weeks. I will have your paperwork signed and ready soon enough." Dr. Quinzel told Edward sounding happy.

"We won't release your name or credit you to the press. With a man like Carmine Falcone as Alberto's father, its likely we'd be putting you at risk." Gordon informed him.

Edward smiled and nodded, "Of course. Thank you."

"Have a good few weeks here, Edward." Commissioner Gordon nodded to him.

"If we meet again it will be under better circumstances I'm sure." Edward smiled slightly as he watched Gordon leave.

"You're a smart man Edward, don't let us throw you back in here, or jail. Take care." Commissioner Gordon said before exiting.

Edward looked at Dr. Quinzel proudly, "I'm a free man."

"Almost. I'll have to do one more session of therapy on you, and then your paperwork can be processed." She informed him.

Edward nodded, he was too ecstatic to get his release to deny anything now. "Whatever you wish doctor. We could do that now even." He suggested.

"Now would be wonderful." She pulled out his file, "I just have a few more questions."

"Ask away." He nodded to her.

"Do you feel like you've overcome your former mental illness since you've been working under my care?" She asked.

"I have. I feel much better, and my mind functions much more orderly. I don't have outbursts anymore either." He stated calmly.

"Good." She wrote something down, "I assume you're still denying that you've murdered people."

"I am. I will deny it until the day I die." He stated simply watching her write something else down.

"Will you continue to take your medication even after your release from Arkham Asylum?" She asked him.

"I will. It helps keep me elevated." He nodded.

"Do you feel like you'd be a danger to yourself or anyone else if you're released?" She asked him.

"No. I don't feel like that at all. I never have." He looked at her watching her write.

"Alright Edward, I'll file all of this information. You just have to promise me one thing." She looked at him sincerely, "You can't hurt anyone once you're out. I don't care if you think you're tricking me about murder or not, I mean it... if you're caught and sent back here I won't sign for your release again."

Edward stood up, "I solemnly swear no one will die at my hands upon my release." He nodded.

"Nor in death traps you built." Harley clarified.

Edward smirked a bit, "Nor in death traps I've built. I'm not a murderer. I promise." He turned to leave the room.

"You better not be lying, Edward." Dr. Quinzel said filling out the rest of his forms.

"Don't worry. I'm not." He said before exiting her office feeling like a free man for the first time in over a year.

Edward held his good mood for the rest of his weeks in the Asylum. Roberta spoke to him about how much she was going to miss him once he was gone. He only half believed her as he knew it wasn't very likely anyone was going to miss him once he was gone. The void would be filled soon enough with the newest patient, and his leaving freed up another room for a new patient.

Heading out of his cell on the day of his release he was escorted by two guards down the long hallway that led to the room where his belongings were kept. Simultaneously Edward watched three guards dragging a screaming man down the hallway, "You'll pay for this! You'll never keep me here! My father will break me out! I swear it! I swear!" He yelled angrily.

"Shut it, Falcone. You're going straight to solitary." One of the guards said tugging him by his arm.

Edward locked eyes with Alberto Falcone before passing him on by. It reminded him of his own first day in Arkham Asylum. He screamed and raged on for hours at a time stating they couldn't keep him. Edward was right of course, but they did have a good two years of his life under their belt that he couldn't get back.

It was no matter, he had learned a great deal about himself while incarcerated, and he wasn't about to go back to the way he was. He would keep taking his medication, and soon enough his life would be in proper order.

Edward was given a box of things taken off him on the day of his capture. He walked behind the curtain and pulled off the Arkham uniform and pulled on his black slacks and shirt before he put on his dark green jacket. Setting his hat on his head he sighed with relief; he missed that hat.

Once he had his belt on and his shoes he put the rest of the loose items in his pockets and nodded to the guards, "Goodbye Arkham..." He said before exiting through the heavily guarded door.

He breathed in the scent of the air and waited for his cab to pick him up. Getting in the back of the cab he smelled the faint scent of cigarettes lining the inside of the car. "Where to?" The man asked gruffly.

"One forty-seven Parkwood drive." Edward said heading straight for his safety deposit box.

"Right away." The man said as he began to drive away leaving Arkham Asylum behind.

"...HelloGothamCity..." He smirked as it came into view once again.

Reviews anyone? Thanks for sticking with me :)