There is a tree, by day,
That, at night,
Has a shadow...
—"Tenebris" by Angelina Weld Grimké
Her eyes glanced at the computer clock and her gut clenched in excitment. Lunch break was only minutes away. It'd been hard enough to focus on her work before, now the anxiety was tenfold. Would Jon like the deli? What would they talk about? Would he kiss her this time? She felt like a girl about to go on her first date, and she had to chuckle softly to herself at a thought that raced through her head. Her mother had always wanted her to snare a doctor.
Yet his prestige wasn't what attracted her, no Jon's ability to be both bold and shy had caught her. He listened and she knew he was at least physically attracted to her, she could see it in his eyes, especially when they darkened.
She stood up to head to the bathroom to quickly make sure she still looked put together, but the moment her gaze happened to glance to the entrance doors, she froze.
Instantly she felt ice trickle down her spine.
He was back! And there was no denying it wasn't the guy she'd been seeing for over a week now. His outfit was one he'd worn before. He was still wearing his dark glasses, but the cap was gone revealing his graying brown hair. She stared at him and soon enough, he was doing the same to her. Her stomach fell further now in anxiety, but she shook her head. She needed to get her act together.
Maybe she was misjudging him. Sure, he looked creepy, but that didn't mean he was stalking the asylum or anything. Maybe he needed help. She took a deep breath. This was Arkham Asylum and if someone was in need of help, she shouldn't ignore them, think they're stalker, and then shy away. She began walking to the entrance.
"Excuse me, sir," she called from the door and smiled kindly at the man, "I've noticed you out here before. Do you need anything?"
The man removed his glasses and Becky saw his blue eyes catch the sunlight. He smiled charmingly.
"No, but thank you, Miss. I'm merely trying to gain my bearings; does a Dr. Jonathan Crane work here?"
Becky nodded, "He does, are you an acquaintance of his?"
"You could say that. Thank you, you have nice day, Miss. I'll return at a more convenient time."
Becky watched him nod his head and then turn and go. She watched him until a gentle hand took her shoulder. She whipped around and met the figure of Jonathan. His eyes were watching the man now.
"Do you know him?" Jonathan simply asked in conversation.
Becky shook her head, "No, but he said he knew you, even asked about you. Do you recognize him?"
"No, did you get a name?"
"He left before I could." Her face puckered in confusion. "I wonder what he wants."
Jonathan shrugged, "I don't know. I'm sure if he'll eventually come back. You ready for lunch?"
Becky grinned, easily pushing what had just happened out of her head. She nodded and Jonathan smiled and held the door for her and they left.
Lunch date next chapter, it would have been this one, but my muse had other plans. She wanted Ra's to make a small appearance before he shows up again.
In other news, I've caught myself up in chapters! I hope to start receiving your reviews again once I upload Ch. 28. Thanks for sticking with me through the revisions. I hope you like slower pace that I took for now. The countdown 'til the reintroduction of Ra's ultimate plan starts now during which there may be another date between the two.