Passersby were Looking at Me

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Claire woke with a start, her heart pounding, a thin film of sweat covering her face.

She took a great gulp of water to ease her dry throat and calmed down almost instantly. Claire shivered, trying to put her dream out of her mind.

Gingerly she touched her nose, the thick fabric plaster still secure. It felt about twice the size of her face but at least it didn't hurt. Even her wrist looked better.

Claire got up and washed her face in the sink before looking at herself in the mirror. She sighed, pulling at her hair; it could do with a wash. She tried not to think about a hot shower or brushing her teeth as she paced the length of room, ignoring the meal left by the door.

She was going out of her mind. She rolled her neck, trying to think of something, anything to do. She was wide awake and didn't fancy trying to sleep again after her dream.

Claire sighed and edged towards the bars, trying to see along the corridor.

She shifted her weight back and forth trying to build up her courage before calling out. "Doctor Crane?" Nothing. "Doctor Crane!" She breathed in deeply. "Jonathan!"

Half way through her yell a large bald headed man appeared in front of the bars. He stood at an impressive six foot three and towered over Claire, blocking out the light from the hallway. Claire jumped back a little, startled.

"Yes Miss?" He said politely, his eyes dark and dangerous.

"Who are you?" She stammered, feeling self conscious.

"My name is Winson, Doctor Crane said that I should keep watch today." Claire frowned in confusion. "Is there anything you would like Miss?"

The question threw her and she stood for a moment, simply opening and closing her mouth. "Erm, could- could I see Doctor Crane, please?" She finally managed to mutter.

Winson bowed his head slightly. "I shall contact him now Miss." He said politely, before turning to leave.

"I don't suppose you could let me out too?" She asked.

Winson smiled. "I'm afraid I can't do that Miss." Claire couldn't help but smiled back and watched Winson walk to the right and out of her line of sight.

It too about five minutes, Claire counted the seconds out of boredom, before Johnathan came into view.

She regretted her actions almost instantaneously. Crane's eyes were dark and frustrated. He was wearing a black suit trouser with a white shirt but no jacket or tie. The first two buttons on his shirt were undone and his sleeves were rolled up. His hair was slightly unkempt. Even in Arkham Johnathan had paid attention to how he looked and presented himself, his more relaxed appearance seemed alien to Claire and she couldn't help but wonder what he had been doing.

"Yes Miss Lamont?" He said, his voice as cold as a winter's frost. He opened the door and walked a few steps into the room. Claire noted that it definitely was not locked.

"I'm sorry to bother you," she rushed her words, a familiar panic sickening her stomach. "I'm just- just... bored."

Crane stared at her for a moment, his gaze fierce and unnerving, before his expression softened slightly. He almost looked sympathetic.

"Would you like a book?"

Claire nodded, still on edge. "Yes please." Crane smiled a little, manors seemed to please him. He left the room without another word.

After a few minutes Winson appeared again.

"Doctor Crane would like you to have this," he pushed an old fashioned looking book through the gap at the bottom of the bars. "He also apologises for the light, it may not be best suited for reading." Claire picked up the book, in the half light she could make out the gold embossed cover. 'The Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Stories'. She laughed quietly.

"Well, his book choice sure does suit him."

"Sorry Miss?"

Claire looked up and smiled. "Nothing."

"Very well Miss." Winson turned to leave.

"Wait," Claire swallowed, she had hardly spoken to anyone over the last few days. Just seeing someone other than Crane was comforting. "Thank you." Winson bowed his head again. "Do you work for Johnathan?"

"I'm afraid Doctor Crane has given specific instructions Miss, I am not allowed to engage you in long conversation." Winson bowed once more before leaving Claire disheartened and alone.

She sighed and sat on the cot, opening the book.

It took her longer than usual to read. Even angling the book towards the hallways gave her very little light to read with, causing her to paw over the pages, double checking that she read every word correctly.

"Miss Lamont?" Claire snapped to attention, broken out of her thoughts, Johnathan stood before her, holding a small paper bag. It was unnerving how easily he could creep up on her.

He had changed his clothes and was now wearing a dark brown suit and tie, his hair neat and brushed.

"How are you finding the book?"

"It's good, thank you." She sat up and after doubled checking what page she was on, closed the book. "It's very..." She paused, struggling to find the right word.

Spit it out.

"Like me?" He smirked, raising one eyebrow.

You're more Hyde than I am Johnny.

"I was going to say apt." His smirk widened.

"May I sit?"

"Yeah, of course." Claire quickly shifted over to one side of the cot, her legs crossed. She looked a little flustered.

So polite. Scarecrow snarled.

The drugs must be working.

About time Johnny-boy. I'm not sure how much more of this playing house I can take.

We still have a while to go yet.

"Thank you Miss Lamont." He sat next to her, the cot dipping slightly with his weight.

Claire swallowed; her nerves were getting the best of her. She had to gain his trust, had to play the long game.

He opened the brown paper bag and pulled out a sandwich.

"Would you like some?" He offered her a triangle. Claire stared at it for a moment. "It's not poisoned." He gave a small laugh at the bright crimson flush that appeared on her cheeks.

"I didn't mean-"

"I know you didn't."

Is there going to be more of this sap Johnny?

You knew the plan.

"Here." He gave her the triangle before biting into his own. Claire took a bite, chewing slowly. She felt oddly calm in his company, almost reassured. She frowned slightly, surely she could be terrified. She should be trying to escape.

"You don't strike me as the kind to have a packed lunch." She said smiling. He smiled back at her and butterflies flew in her stomach.

All this smiling Johnny. It's sickening.

"How's Scarecrow?" Claire asked meekly.

"He's..." Tell her I'm looking forward to ripping her apart. "Fine."

"I guess I'm not exactly flavour of the month."

Johnathan paused, trying to be diplomatic. "Not really."

Understatement of the fucking year.

Claire gave a small smiled. "Can't say I blame him."

He swallowed. "Can't say I blame you either."

Laying it on a bit thick eh Johnny?

I'm laying it on the correct amount to get the desired reaction. He snapped.

"How are you coping? I'm afraid this isn't the best accommodation."

Oh good, ask her if she likes being locked up, brilliant move.

Shut up.

"Well a toothbrush would be nice... and a shower." She said politely, fiddling with her hands. She looked up at him suddenly. "Can I ask you a question?"

That is a question.

"As many as you want."

Don't tell her that Johnny, she'll never fucking shut up.

"When you sprayed me with the toxin in the interview room,"

"Yes?"

"I don't remember much after that, I mean, I don't remember being afraid."

And instead of counting her blessings she wants to know why?

Interesting girl.

You're idea of interesting is mind numbing Johnny.

She finished the small sandwich and Johnathan handed her another.

"Well, it was a very primitive mixture," Crane adjusted his glasses. "I think the toxin wasn't quite mixed correctly, it overload the sense and acted like a sedative."

Claire thought it over for a moment. "Lucky me."

Crane grinned in amusement. "Yes, I would say you were."

Why isn't she asking why we took her?

She bidding her time.

Claire was surprised at how forthcoming and easy to talk to he was being, she let her guard down ever so slightly.

"How did you do it?" Her voice was calm but her hands shook slightly, even though they were balled into fists, betraying her.

"Do what Miss Lamont?" Johnathan asked, even though he knew perfectly well what she was talking about.

"Escape Arkham."

He smiled cruelly. "It's a simple matter of having friends in the right places."

"Like Brent." She said bitterly, trying to control her anger.

"Like Mr Brent, yes."

"And someone in the police department?" She asked, nervous of the answer.

Little Miss Butter Wouldn't Melt In Her Mouth isn't as thick as she looks.

"Of course." He mused.

"Who?"

"Who do you think?"

Claire thought hard, someone had to have put the note on her desk and present circumstances it was stupid to assume it was not connected.

"Micheal Davis?" Crane shook his head.

Cold.

"Try again."

A sudden chill ran down her spine, her eyes wide. "Andrea..?"

Warmer.

"I'm afraid your red headed friend is almost as incorruptible as the commissioner himself."

She breathed a sigh of relief before looking at Crane.

Put the dog out of her misery.

"Detective McKenzie." Claire felt sick, the first wave of nausea was from knowing someone she had worked with and trusted could betray the police department so. The second wave was from the realisation that id Johnathan could trust her with this information then her future looked bleak.

She tried to cling to the idea that he could be lying and that he could have easily killed her already. But it wasn't much, if any, help. She had almost forgotten that Crane had been the man to lock her up, to attack her.

"I'm afraid I have to leave you know." He said, getting up. "But I shall see you soon."

When is this mind fucking niceness going to end?

Claire nodded and smiled.

"Goodbye Miss Lamont." He turned to leave.

I am going to bore a hole in our skull so I can escape Johnny.

"Doctor Crane?"

"Yes?"

"Why am I here?"

Showtime.

He smiled. "All in good time, and call me Johnathan Miss Lamont."

There was a large empty space when he left; Claire wasn't sure why she missed him. She curled into a ball on the cot, buried her head under the grey scratchy blanket and slept.

When she woke there was a tray with a sandwich, toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste.

She couldn't help but smile as she swung her left off the cot to reach the tray and kicked the water bottle over accidently.

To her horror, Claire saw that she had left the lid off, water bled out of the top onto the concrete floor. She grabbed Johnathan's copy of 'Jekyll and Hyde' with lighting speed and inspected it before placing it on the cot. Thankfully it was not wet.

Sighing, she grabbed the bottle. Most of the water was gone so she walking to the sink, taking care not to slip on the now wet floor, and filled it up from there. The water tasted a little different but was serviceable.

She stared at the grey blanket, a plan beginning to form in her mind.