Harley made one final attempt to get Joker's attention. And of course failed to do so. Her strength was slowly depleting, her fists throbbed from pounding on the door. Carefully Harley made her way across the dark room and stumbled upon the mattress laying on the floor.
She layed down on it, her body aching as the effects of the fear gas began to wear off.
"Don't you love me?" she sobbed quietly, "Why won't you save me?"
Holding herself closely in an attempt to find comfort, Harley Quinn passed out.
"Oh, oh, oh my God," Jonathan swatted at the invisible crows flying around him, "Get away!" he shouted, "I know you're not real! I think..."
It had been about an hour since Joker forced fear toxin into his already delicate nervous system. Crane's brain seemed to be adjusting to reality again, but not completely. He didn't hope for much, considering the brain damage Batman had given him from a concentrated dose of the stuff. Not to mention there were no anti-psychotics in his system, instead there were various other drugs. And he had absolutely no idea what Scarecrow snorted, sniffed, smoked or swallowed. He didn't want to know.
A few disturbing images and invisible attackers plagued his mind off and on. But at least now part of him was assuring the other part that none of this was real.
Scarecrow had not returned since the fear gas, clown incident. Coward. Jonathan hated him... and yet he couldn't live without the alter ego.
The former doctor couldn't quite recall when the Scarecrow was "born". It was a slow fade, little things here and there that developed the fear obsessed villain. He noticed occasionally enjoying his little experiments in Arkham Asylum. They'd at times inspire a smile or a few giggles when nearly nothing else could. From there the problems grew. Scarecrow put words in his mouth, uncharacteristic comebacks and comments. He knew it was wrong, but he could not resist. Scarecrow was making him feel to damn good.
Jonathan Crane was never one to be considered "cool"... or even average. From grade school on he was considered a bit of an odd ball, a misfit and with Scarecrow made him something else entirely. He was confident, in control and powerful, he liked that. There had been so many things in Jonny's life he had no control over.
Jonathan never thought the alter ego could turn into an official case of insanity. Things like that just were not supposed to happen to him, he was far to brilliant.
He blamed Batman for that. The fear toxin quickly ate up the little sanity he had maintained. Scarecrow wouldn't leave and Crane realized his "imaginary friend" was not as great as he thought.
And that is what somehow reduced him from respected Arkham Asylum psychiatrist to this. He was now wondering blindly through the filthy underbelly of Gotham known as the Narrows while hallucinating that he was being attacked by killer birds. Sad. He was not even sure where he was, or even where he was going. At this point he did not care. He would actually prefer to find his way to Arkham. The thought of a small cell with a locked door and a handful of anti-psychotics was quite comforting.
"Stop! Stop it!" Jonathan stumbled and fell as he fought of the imaginary flock of black birds.
He groaned on the wet black top and attempting to stand despite his dizziness. The suddenly some one grabbed him. He choked slightly as the aggressive stranger yanking him into a standing position by this hood.
He assumed this could only mean her was being mugged, the situation could only get worse after all.
"I have nooo money at all," he raised his hand in the air, "Seriously I-" he stopped.
It was not a mugger gripping his sweatshirt. Or at least he didn't think it was, it seemed to be Batman. Still, there was a strong possibility this was just another hallucination.
"Is this real life?" Crane slurred slightly at the man in a bat costume.
"Yes," he growled.
"How do I know that? How do I know I'm not imagining you?"
"What happened to you?" Batman asked gruffly, noticing Crane's strange behavior.
"The Joker happened," he sighed, assuming he was talking to a figment of his imagination, "He sprayed me with fear toxin,"
"Where is he now?" the vigilante demanded to know.
"Why? In the neighborhood, decided to pop in for a little visit?" Crane responded, vision swimming and morphing the Bat's face, "I dunno why I'm even talking to you... you probably aren't even real," he heaved another sigh, "This town may not be real, the Joker; spraying me with fear gas may never have happened. I may just be lying in Arkham Asylum sedated out of my mind-"
Batman slammed Jonathan against a nearby building side, "Where is the Joker?" he roared.
"How is this supposed to help my mental state Batman... ow,"
"Where is the Joker?" he repeated.
"I-I'm not completely sure... I have an idea of where he's staying, but I'm not sure," Jonathan rubbed the back of his head, "If I tell you will you get me back to Arkham... assuming this is all real and I'm not already there,"
Batman paused for a moment, somewhat surprised that the Arkham Asylum escapee before him wanted to return, "Yes," he finally said.
"Okay," Crane took a deep breath trying to remember.
He had not paid much attention on the ride to the warehouse; hallucinations and scary henchclowns made that nearly impossible. And of course the former doctor had not taking the time to write down directions on his way out of the hide out.
"He's... in the Narrows," he stated the obvious, "The hideout is a warehouse, an abandoned one. It's really deep into the Narrows... by the docks I think,"
Batman grabbed Crane's wrist and began pulling him forward.
"Are you taking me back to Arkham now," he said stumbling behind the vigilante.
Batman growled a response, "You'll get back,"
Still keeping a tight grip on the former doctor's wrist Batman made his way out of the alley they were in.
"So are you taking Joker back to Arkham to?" Jonathan questioned, the drugs in his system making him unusually bold around the Bat.
"Why do you want to find him?" Jonathan repeated his question after being ignored.
"I have a bad feeling about Dr. Quinzel,"
Jonathan laughed slightly, "Pretty sure her title as a doctor basically destroyed by now. If you think you're going to rush in like a dark knight in shining Kevlar and save a damsel in distress you're in for a surprise," he warned, "Princess Harley Quinn doesn't wanna be saved. I feel bad for her... but trust me she's lost it. She loves that Joker," he sighed, "What are you doing now?"
The Batman had finally stopped dragging him along in front of a payphone. He began punching in numbers as he kept a firm grip on Jonathan Crane.
"Nine, one, one? Why are you doing that? You said you'd take me back to Arkham,"
"Jonathan Crane is tied to a payphone in the Narrows," was all the masked vigilante said before hanging up, He turned back to Jonathan, "Don't move,"
He removed some nylon chord from his utility belt on his Kevlar suit and tied it around Cranes wrists. The he attached the chord to the payphone.
"No, no you said-" Jonathan began to protest before Batman cut him off.
"I still don't know where Joker is. Besides, I said I'd get you there, I didn't say how. The police are coming, they'll take you to Arkham," Batman explained with his usual angry tone, he finished and turned to go.
"Wait! No! You- you can't leave me here, tied to a payphone in the middle of the night... in THE NARROWS! You're crazy!" Jonathan paniced, struggling against his bonds, "Come back!" he exclaimed to Batman, "I could get killed... or worse!"
The Bat stopped and looked back at the pathetic "Scarecrow", his big, blue eyes pleading. For a moment he felt badly, Jonathan seemed so small and afraid. It was very unlike his usual arrogant image. But then Batman pictured Rachel, his beautiful Rachel, half conscious and in fear thanks to the Scarecrow. Sure he had not killed her, not like the Joker, but he did intend to.
"This may not be real Crane, remember?" and with that he continued on.
I've brought you normal Jonny, sick Jonny, Scarecrow and now Jonny trippin' balls. I dunno, thought it would be fun. He's not like full blown Fear and Lothing in Las Vegas high but yeah. Jonathan Crane is portrayed as a druggie alot, I think that's funny with the fear gas and all. BTW I gotta give credit to a little boy named David for: "Is this real life?" If you've never seen it watch David after Denist on youtube. Its so funny, I just wish I had been that high after I got my wisdom teeth out.
SO anyway; Batman. I think Rachel is totally going to be an issue for him in the next movie (that is if she's really dead ooooooh). I think the character will be reminded that she's dead alot (or is she ooooh), so that's why I did the little grudge against Crane thing. Even though he did not kill her he harmed her and now afer Rachel's death; that memory is worse. Hence Batsy cruel behavior.
So one more chapter to go baaaaaaaw. It's bittersweet, I'm sad to end it but I feel accomplished at the same time. I'm also very excited to write the 35th chapter, its gonna be interesting....