We walked quickly towards the closest exit, one which would not be occupied by bane. The walk turned into a run, many watching as we shot past them. We ran underneath the VIP area where the Mayor glared intently at us yet didn't catch on. I wished he had.
We made our way into the foyer area. It was a large open space filled with mainstream restaurants and coffee shops.
Boom.
The concrete beneath our feet shook. This was shortly filled with screams of terror from staff and workers who ducked under the closest tables and chairs.
It was time.
We were the only ones standing. I placed Johnny on the floor and we went to walk onwards.
Men in bullet proof vests ran towards us. Guns in hand they headed towards the stadium, obviously his plan was beginning. Three walked up to Johnny and I causing my boy to tremble a little.
"Come with us Jane."
"No!" I shouted.
"Jane ... " they grabbed Johnny out of my hand and pulled a gun to his head. "Come with us and the boy won't get hurt."
How can I get out of this?
Get Mad. Get even.
I threw my hands out and ice shot forward. The men jumped back in shock. Johnny screwed up his face and began to lift tables and chairs around him. Opening his eyes, the shot forward at the guards causing them to fall backwards.
I grabbed his little hand and sprinted towards the entrance. We could make it back to Bruce's and find somewhere to hide.
As we pushed through the doors we were met by more guards with heavy artillery and cars that looked similar to the Batmans.
"Miss Pennyworth." A deep voice, almost as smooth as Morgan Freemans spoke up. "For the safety of the people of Gotham you need to come with us."
"Why? If you let my son and I go then we can leave here"
"But that's not what Bane wants."
"I don't care what he wants. Just back off!" I angrily shouted back which caused sharp icicles to encircle Johnny and I. They rose to the sky like a bird frozen in flight.
"Miss Pennyworth, Gotham needs you to stay with the mad man." He reached over the icicles and pulled me close. "We don't even have the batman now, you need to stay with him and save the city." He whispered with concern.
"Mum! No it's a trap!"
"Johnny lets just go. We'll have to hope to God that the Batmam returns soon."
If we'd have carried on running then we would've been shot down. It was our only option. With guns pointed into our backs we were edged into the centre of the stadium.
"Now, this bomb is armed! This bomb is mobile! And the identity of the triggerman is a mystery. For one of you holds the detonator! And we came here not as conquerors, but as liberators to return control of this city to the people. And at the first sign of interference from the outside world, or for those people attempting to flee, this anonymous Gothamite - this unsung hero - will trigger the bomb. For now, martial law is in effect." He paused as we approached. Johnny clenched my hand and I squeezed back. We were terrified.
"Return to your homes, hold your families close, and wait." As we approached he put both arms around our shoulders. No way we could flee now. "Tomorrow you claim what is rightfully yours." He kissed me on my head (well I guess that's what he tried to do.) and dropped the microphone by a dead body.
Whilst being escorted out, he pushed me behind making Johnny go ahead.
"You think you can run away from me? You think you can escape with my son in your arms." He hissed in my face.
"He was never your son!" I shouted. Our heads turned as my boy looked over in disappointment.
"What have you become?"
"I've become the saviour that Gotham needs."
"You've created a nuclear bomb and expect us to survive? Some father you claim to be." He shoved his hand towards my face and clasped it tightly around my neck.
"I am necessary evil to destroy this ghastly city. I'm doing it to die. For real. But next to the people I love most."
"Love, or are forcing to love?"
I fell to the floor gasping for air.
"I'm trying to get you to cooperate Jane, maybe beating you is the way to get the message across." I went to crawl forward but heavy black boots crushed my hand. I yelled in pain and tucked my crushed hand close to my face.
"Why won't you ever listen Janey?" He thrust the black boot into my stomach several times. Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't cast ice to stop him, I was in agony.
Picking up my tear stained face he spat again. "Do you get the message now?" A slow nod and a tear told him to stop.
He began to walk away. I curled up in a ball and caressed my broken hand. Right, it had to be myright hand. I could barely breathe taking short gasping breaths to refill my lungs with the oxygen which had been kicked out of me.
No crying. Not now.
As I curled up even tighter something lifted me up towards the sky.
I was being cradle carried by the very man who inflicted this pain. Why? Who knows! I looked behind me and saw hundreds of Gothamites running towards there cars. Many of them made eye contact with me, perhaps they thought I held the trigger.
We gradually moved closer to a heavy artillery machine of which we were to travel in.
"To Blackgate." Bane called.
Throwing me in one side, he clamoured in and began to drive. I curled into a ball in the corner keeping my eyes down. There was no way I would start a conversation, not when my stomach was aching and my hand was burning. We drove in silence until we arrived at the steps of Blackgate Prison, home of Harvey Dents criminals.
Bane walked out of the car and opened my door.
"Get out, you need to come with me."
I did as he wished. Who knows where Johnny is and I have a feeling if I slipped up he'd be dead in minutes. Press had gathered around the bottom of the steps of which we were descending, just me and him.
"Behind you is a symbol of oppression. Blackgate Prison, where a thousand men have languished under the name of this man," he held an enlarged picture of Harvey Dent up for the world to see. "Harvey Dent, who has been held up to you as the shining example of justice! You have been supplied with a false idol to stop you from tearing down this CORRUPT CITY! Let me tell you the truth about Harvey Dent from the words of Gotham's police commissioner, James Gordon."
He thrust a white piece of paper in my face and leant close, leaning me to an angle as of he were about to sweep me off my face and kiss me. "Read it ... Johnny will be safer if you do so."
I trembled a little and took a small cough, which hurt my stomach, before I read what was before me. "The Batman didn't murder Harvey Dent, he saved my boy then took the blame for Harvey's appalling crimes so that I could, to my shame, build a lie around this fallen idol. I praised the mad man who tried to murder my own child but I can no longer live with my lie. It is time to trust the people of Gotham with the truth and it is time for me to resign."
I shuddered a little inside, taking in the words I'd just spoken. Sounded a little ironic to be honest. Bane snatched the words out of my hand and pushed me further up the steps. Looking out beyond the press he called towards the prisoners.
"And do you accept this man's resignation? Do you accept the resignation of all these liars? Of all the CORRUPT?" The prisoners inside roared with approval. Oh no, what have I done?
"We take Gotham from the corrupt! The rich! The oppressors of generations who have kept you down with myths of opportunity, and we give it back to you... the people. Gotham is yours. None shall interfere. Do as you please. Start by storming Blackgate, and freeing the oppressed! Step forward those who would serve. For an army will be raised. The powerful will be ripped from their decadent nests, and cast out into the cold world that we know and endure. Courts will be convened. Spoils will be enjoyed. Blood will be shed. The police will survive, as they learn to serve true justice. This great city... it will endure. Gotham will survive!"
The machine in which we drove to the prison began to slowly rise off the ground and was thrust into the side of the prison, giving room for those to escape.
"Johnny ..." I gasped.
"He's apart of our army now Jane. We can be a great family together."
I went to run but I was held back by his strong hands. I was trapped with no one who could help me. My heart sunk a little at that thought and I limped along behind Bane as we walked towards our new home.
"Where's my son?" I asked once I'd caught my breath back.
"Always with the same questions Janey. Don't worry, I won't hurt him. I can't hurt my boy. You, on the other hand ..."
He rose his fist in the air and froze there. I guess he was just watching my reaction. I just melted into a crouch position on the floor. I felt safer that way.
"Glad I've got my message across, now come along. I have a job for you."
I would've retaliated but with the way I felt, I knew that being beaten was not going to help us escape. He lifted me up so I was draped over his shoulder and began to run towards the edge of the city. I looked back on the chaos he had created.
Families sprinted into their homes with bags of shopping in their hands. Kids skipped around with no clue what was happening. Thugs in orange jump suits smashed glass and broke into the poshest of houses while the owners were thrown onto the street and beaten. Dogs ran amuck and the odd familiar face looked at me and ran away. They were scared of me. They were scared of him. They were scared of what had become of Gotham.
We arrived at the sea front. Onwards was a lump of debris which had fallen from the bridge above. No one could escape, unless they had a speed boat and a bunch of weaponry and were not afraid of killing everyone. I was placed on the ground with the mask towering above me.
"Use your gift to ice the water."
I hadn't fully registered what he asked and looked on with a blank expression. He kicked me in the stomach and pulled my jumper so we were eye to eye.
"Ice the waters, bring snow upon this disgusting hell hole."
I did as he asked. Slowly I rose from the ground, clutching my stomach as I did so. My right hand, still mangled from earlier had a little spark left so I could complete the task.
Bending over towards the cold water I placed my hands on it. Nothing happened. Panicking, I rubbed my sore hands together and placed them in the water. Still nothing. Panicking further I threw my hands forward. Still nothing.
"Is there a problem Jane?"
I violently shook my head. If hands don't work then maybe ...
I placed my foot above the water and it froze into a solid ice block. Placing both feet delicately on this ice, I took another step, and another. I could do it, I could run away! But I couldn't as I didn't have Johnny with me and Bane would personally shoot me down. I slowly crouched and shut my eyes, beginning to think.
"Don't think angry, think free. Think of when you first rode your bike wi out mums help. Think about when you first learnt to swim." Something stirred inside of me. "Remember back to your first trip to Gotham. You were small, probably no older than four years old and you were playing in the Manor gardens with Bruce and ... Rachel! They were running around and you were following, trying to join in there game. Bruce stopped and pulled a funny face yet kept on running until he fell down a hole. You and Rachel carried on to find him and eventually ended up running back to get his dad. Do you still remember how scared you were? Think of after and how great you felt when he came out of the hole. He hugged Rachel and picked you up. He span you around and you both fell down. That summers day was perfect." I opened my eyes and the water surrounding Gotham had frozen over. Snow fell from the skies and lightly dusted the destruction of the bridge jutting out the ice. A slow clap from behind disrupted my thoughts.
"Well done Jane. You can now know where your boy is."
My hand began to tingle. Looking down I'd noticed it had fully healed and was stronger than before. My stomach felt a little better but altogether I had my spirit back. I strutted towards Bane with a smirk on my face.
"Where's our boy then?" I asked. Perhaps flirting with him may get me off this island.
"Back at the Manor. Our new home. Bruce won't be needing it any longer."
My insides pushed sideways at that thought. I've got to find Bruce. Johnny would know! But don't show it in your face.
"So be it." I smiled. "Race you back?" Before he had time to say anything I sprinted towards the Manor. Looking down I noticed the trail of ice following me.
Speed.
I shot off, gliding across the ice. I would be home so quickly we would have time to find Bruce and act normally afterwards.
Well, whatever normal is now.