Chapter 16:

On the Prowl

Melissa wore a tight black turtleneck sweater as she walked down the streets of Gotham City. Her hands were stuffed into the pockets of the navy vest she had pulled over the sweater. It violently brought out the color of her eyes as they flickered from one person to the next. She really had no preferences for the person to be a man or woman. The majority that she brought back to Jonathan were men though. They seemed to be the easiest for Melissa to get...

A few moments of eye-contact, touching their shoulders or arms gingerly, and that gentle but hinting smile. After that, it was "hook, line, and sinker". They just went down. Dropped lie flies. Only twice Melissa brought women back to Jonathan. One had been a prostitute that had tried to pick-pocket Melissa... not that she had any money with her, but it was the principle of the situation. The women simply needed to be taught a lesson. That was how Melissa saw it. Jonathan's serum provided for excellent punishment. The second women was some ill-dressed, dirty, drug addicted. She was strung out when Melissa found her. Sunken and bloodshot eyes, deathly pale yet yellow-tinted skin, oily hair. She had acted like a hag to Melissa as well when she first approached the woman. But, over a few minutes of calm conversation, Melissa persuaded the women to take a ride in a car with her. That provided for Melissa to see the factory for a third time.

Melissa and Charlie both decided that it would be better if Melissa went to the factory to check with Jonathan if the women would be fine to test on. Melissa had walked ahead of Charlie in long strides to meet Jonathan. Charlie lagged behind, helping the stumbling women. Melissa began to explain the state of the women and asked if she would due. Jonathan looked past Melissa as Charlie and the women neared then looked back to Melissa and his lips twitched it was seemed like a slight-smile of amusement and delight. "Yes, Millie." He reassured her, his hand on Melissa's shoulder. "She'll do just fine... It's good to test the reaction of the toxin in different sorts of people. I'm curious to see what the reaction will be, seeing as how she is already, obviously, with drugs in her blood. I wonder if the effects would be more extreme or lesser for her. " Jonathan nodded for Charlie to take her down to the basement. "Curious to see."

"Me, too." It slipped from Melissa's mouth as she watched Charlie and the women.

"Are you?" Jonathan questioned, looking back to her. There was a cool smile-or maybe it was a smirk- that rose to his lips. "Well, maybe you should what effects take place?" It was a question. Melissa answered with an eager nod. Melissa had watched from the safety of a corner of the room. She found it to be interesting and intriguing. When Jonathan put on the mask, looming over the screaming women, taunting her... Melissa could not help but smile. That smile turned into an amused grin. Her eyes were glued to Jonathan– well, actually the Scarecrow– and the women. It was then that she had stepped forward, away from the table and towards the Scarecrow, silently offering to help with anything that was needed. Melissa had loved it. She had soaked up every second of it...

Melissa bumped into a man that looked only a few years older than she was. He quickly grabbed onto her as if he was catching her from falling, even though it wasn't needed. "Are you okay there, Miss!" He asked in a mock-alarmed way as if she was injured. Melissa felt her annoyance grow quickly with him, but she held it back as she looked up to him. He wore a black stocking cap that said "Gotham U." on it. College student. The evening was slowly draping upon the city and it was the weekend. Judging from his big-man-on-campus appearance... She'd guess that he was on his way to one bar or another.

"I don't know." Melissa said in a flirting-pout way.

He let out a huff of air, "I'm really sorry. Wasn't even watching to where I was walking. Let me make it up to you... How about a drink?" Melissa smiled gently and nodded eagerly. This was all too easy for her. And so the two of them walked to the nearest bar, and he bought her and himself a drink. The drink was strong and disgusting and burned the back of her throat. He downed it in only one or two gulps before ordering another. Melissa, rolling her eyes, looked away from him. The pub was in dim light, and was loud with other people laughing and shouting and yelling. She took the vile from her vest pocket.

"Whatcha got there?" The boy questioned with a stupid grin on his face. Without waiting for a reply, he reached for it, roughly grabbing it from her hands. He held it up in front of his eyes, an eyebrow raised. "What's this?"

"It's, uh... It's sort of like... it's like a very strong drink." She leaned in, "It's illegal in the States, even."

"Really?" His fascination was rapidly growing about the vile, "Why?"

"Oh, well... It's just so strong."

"Makes for one kickin' time then, eh?" The boy questioned, holding it to his eyes again for inspection. Melissa nodded trying to put on the most encouraging smirk she had. "Well." He uncapped the vial. "Here's to you, beautiful." He throw his head back, throwing the liquid back into his mouth. It was then Melissa remembered what Charlie said about the amount and how long they'd be knocked out for. 'Moron' Melissa thought to herself, but her smirk didn't waver.

"Doesn't taste like it's... anything special." He said with utter disappointment, looking at Melissa for an explanation.

"Oh, but it is." Melissa reassured him, amusedly yet half-annoyed that he had drank all of it. "Don't worry, boy-o, you're in for the time of your life."

And from there, Melissa suggested that they go to a quieter place– the boy easily accepted the idea. She waved down a taxi, directing it back to Jonathan's home. They went in the back way, Melissa leading him for Jonathan's door. Once inside, the boy was in awe of the home. Melissa dismissed it as having wealthy parents. She told him to sit on the couch, to make himself at home. He did. Within a matter of moments, the boy was out cold. All there was to do after that was wait. Melissa figured that she may as well take to the time to wash-up.

All there was to do now was wait for Charlie, one of Jonathan's crew, or Jonathan to return.

It would be Jonathan who returned sooner than expected.

Author's Notes: Alright, it wasn't as short as I thought it would be. Wasn't sure on how to end this chapter. Hopefully you caught that whole 'flash-back' of Melissa observing the drug-addict women and the Scarecrow and her reactions to that? If not, try again... If you just love my story... Wait until the next chapter, love-ys. It's 3:11 am here, though. I really must be heading off or else I'd post that next chapter.