Chapter Eleven

I had my hair up in a messy bun with curls sticking out, a light coat of make up, some simple black dangling earrings and a matching necklace. I just slipped my shoes on before heading back to the bakery.

I had been there this morning and finished the decorations for the cake that I will put on the cake when I arrive at Wayne Manor where the party is being held.

But before that, I wonderfully woke up in the arms of my new boyfriend. I was really nice. I had to ruin it though because I new he was running late and I never set my alarm clock. I sat there for a good five minutes trying to decide how I wanted to wake him up before I decided on just kissing him. Plus I couldn't resist, he actually looked happy sleeping there, and he doesn't look happy often.

"Morning," he greeted as he opened his eyes and I pulled away from the kiss.

"Morning. You are running late," I said throwing my watch at him. He looked at it then got out of bed.

"I have to go. I'll see you later, I might be home late tonight," he said. I nodded. He gave me a kiss before leaving my apartment and I heard him go into his.

And now here I am running into my bakery dressed like I'm ready to go to a wedding or something. My employees whistled and cat called to me and a couple of the regular customers clapped as well. I curtsied and felt like I was on What Not Wear.

"Now back to work," I said and went to the back. My chefs cheered when I entered and I nodded to them and rolled my eyes. I put my bag down and threw my chef's jacket on.

"So I'm in charge?" asked Gabe wiping his hands on his apron.

"Yes, Gabe is in charged tonight. I have to stay for the whole party and I don't know how long it is going to be. If you have to lock up, then take the money as well. I should be heading over there now. Be good," I said warning all of them. I put the cake and decorations in the trunk of my bakery's van. It is a black van because white vans freak me out, and our company logo was on the side. I carefully drove out to Wayne Manor on the outskirts of town. I hate driving in the city with all the starts and stops, but I can't carry the cake to Wayne Manor, that would be crazy.

"Miss Tassel how good to see you," greeted Alfred as he opened the door. He carried the decorations in while I held the cake. He led me the party room and there was a small circular table with a white table cloth where the cake would be placed. I carefully put it down and Alfred left me there to finish the cake. I finished the cake and took my chef's jacket off. My gum paste flours were covered in powdered sugar and that got all of my jacket so I had to take it off. I put my things back in my van and re-entered the manor.

"It looks marvellous," said Alfred touching up the party room.

"Thank you. SO where is the birthday boy?" I asked.

"He just stepped out for a bit. The guests should be arriving soon so if you want to sit somewhere and wait you may. I have to go check on the caterers," he said, "excuse me." He bowed out and walked down a hallway. I looked around the room then made my way over to a chair and sat down. This party was boring me already and it hadn't even started yet. I started thinking about Jonathan and what he must be doing now. It must be something important if he is going to be home late.

Guests started arriving and commenting me on the cake. I recognized a lot of them because I've made a lot of cakes in the past years and many of them were for these rich people. Bruce Wayne still had not shown up yet, which I did not find strange. It seems as if Alfred planned the whole thing.

I was almost asleep in my chair when there was word that Bruce had arrived and everyone started singing Happy Birthday and he finally entered the room, grabbing a glass of champaign. I clapped with the rest of the guests and Bruce began to mingle. Being here the longest I had drunk a lot of water, I'm not a big fan of alcohol, so I made my way to the bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror and thought I looked very different. I'm never use to wearing make up. I was washing my hands when my phone rang.

"Katrina Tassel," I said as I dried my hands.

"Miss Tassel do you know Jonathan Crane?" asked a gruff voice on the other end.

"Yes, why?" I asked suspiciously.

"You are the only contact in his cell phone. He has been arrested and locked up in Arkham and we would like you to come down for questioning," he said. I had to take time to process this.

"Oh, sure, when would you like me to come down?" I asked.

"As soon as possible, it is urgent," he said. I found this as the perfect escape from this dull party.

"I'll be right over," I said. As I flipped my phone closed I heard a large crash. I looked at my phone, first thinking that it caused the sound when I saw smoke coming in from the crack under the door. I opened the door and a beam was blocking the doorway. I squeezed under and saw that manor on fire. I quickly found an exit and held my breath as I ran through the smoke.

I gasped in a breath of fresh air once I was outside. I took a couple more deep breaths before getting in my van and driving to Arkham. There was a bit of traffic but all things were clear once I got near the bridges. I parked outside and headed in to the Asylum, trying to fix my appearance. My hair was a bit askew from running and I had a few smudge marks on my arms from the fire. I went inside and headed up to the floor where patients were held.

I found the room where Jonathan was and saw him in a straightjacket. It was a strange sight to see. I knocked on the window and he just kept looking off to the side. That's when I heard footsteps. I looked and saw a SWAT team.

"Who are you?" asked one of them.

"Katrina Tassel I'm here to see Crane," I said thinking these were the guys that called me. The one who talked to me nodded to the other and he made a reach for me and grabbed me. I struggled and tried to get free but to no prevail. I watched other SWAT member go inside Jonathan's cell and throw the mask at him. He looked up at him and then I made eye contact with him. I could see now this was not Jonathan. This was someone else who has taken over Jonathan's body. I knew this was just my luck. Just then all the other prisoners were released and I was very scared.

"Crane do you know her?" the SWAT member asked him as he walked out after being released from his restraints. He took a long look at me and got a look on his face as if trying to remember me. Then he nodded. I was released, but I just stared at Jonathan, or whoever he was. He might have recognized me but that doesn't mean something went wrong. I kept trying to think of what could have caused this when I remembered the toxin. He must have taken some in.

The SWAT members left and I was left standing there with Jonathan in the empty hallway.

"You're Crane's girlfriend," he stated, his voice a little more rough but not much. I nodded.

"Who are you?" I asked with an emotionless face.

"Scarecrow," he said. He put the mask on his head then left down the hallway. I watched him and knew Jonathan was gone. There was a chance that the toxin will wear off but when that will happen I do not know. I walked out of Arkham and saw all the criminals running amuck. I became nervous when all of a sudden the manhole nearby shot up and a steam came from in side. The world had finally gone insane, and is taking the rest of us with it. I ducked down as the steam swirled around me and I could hardly see two feet in front of me. I didn't know what the steam was but I was not planning on breathing it in.

I started moving trying to get to my van and I was almost there when I had to take a breath. I did and I will never forget what I saw. It was my worst fear, and then I knew what the steam was. I scrambled to get in my van. I got the door open and inside. I started it up and drove, badly I might add, to try and get out but I saw the bridges were up. I was trapped. I sat there waiting until I couldn't take it anymore and I passed out from the amount of toxin that my body had taken in.