Hello to everyone i have an announcement... Over 1'000 views! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favourited, followed or just reading it it means so much. am i overreacting? probably but hey over 1,000 views in less than a month and the fact its only my second story is amazing! So this chapter is moving Alice along and i'm not going to say anything els about it. I may not have made this clear earlier but if your wondering the hatter i've tried to picture is the one from TAS except in real life if that makes any sense and the joker looks like heath ledger's joker (RIP always remebered) but has the TAS edge to him. Okay so the song tha's in this chapter i only heard a couple of days ago but it describes Scarecrow so well i ahd to add it in. I recomend you listen to it but you don't have to i'm not going to force you into anything *Rubbs hands together with evil laugh* but it is good and it does describe Scaredrow well though it may just be me. I have used some of the lyrics anyway. I hope i didn't bore ya with all of that so now on with the chapter!

Alice sat at the all too familiar table and watched as Crane lowered his book and stared at Alice with his new glasses. She didn't know how to begin and hoped he had something already prepared, by his silence her theory was not to be. Though the card had said they needed to talk it was incredibly hard to begin the long conversation and Alice soon found herself uncomfortable, she pushed any negative words in the back of her head and began with a question.

'Why did you lie to me?' His face showed a second of confusion as he contemplated what she meant then instantly replied.

'Because I'm an idiot.'

'That is the most stupid thing you have ever said to me, no, scratch that, the most stupid thing you have said is 'why do you fear me?' Now I'm going to ask again why did you lie to me?'

'I didn't technically lie; I don't tend to interact with Hatter so I thought he was just an obsessed, delusional man. I only saw his darker side when you came into the picture; I saw how possessive he could get. I worry about your welfare; now that I see him properly I think he could potentially harm you or even worse kill you.'

'You're a psychiatrist for Christ sake! You should know not to judge a book by its cover, I told you he was dangerous and you didn't believe me, even when he shoved you into the wall! Jonathan I don't want a fight but I did tell you.' A smirk appeared on his features which only infuriated Alice further.

'So it's back to Jonathan is it? I thought it was Mr Crane.'

'If you even think about kissing me again I will use your own fear toxin on you! Also I was tired of saying Mr Crane all the time, the only reason I did it was to annoy you.' Crane folded his arms and uncharacteristically winked at Alice, she felt the urge to punch him square in the face but kept control over her limbs and muscles.

'Don't worry that was just curiosity and to be fair I like older women.' Alice inwardly smiled at his idiocy.

You've just left that wide open for me Johnny.

'You like older women huh? What about fifty or better yet ninety.' His smirk was gone and irritation shone in his blue eyes, he obviously didn't have a comeback as he slammed a fist onto the table which made Alice jump from the suddenness.

'Damn you! How on earth do you come up with idiotic stuff like that? It is absurd to say the least. I don't even see the point in having a relationship as all women do is nag in your ear all day or ask for money to buy worthless junk.'

'I resent that. Basically your saying is that you are a lonely sadistic man that has never been loved, I pity you Johnny.'

'Grow up.'

'Make me.'

'You just watch me.' Crane moved like a flash and pinned Alice to the ground like Scarecrow had, though this time it was only fake wrestling and Crane wasn't as strong as Scarecrow (even though they shared the same body). Alice tried to look angry but only laughed at how much Crane failed trying to intimidate her.

'All that training must have escaped that large brain of yours Jonathan. You are less intimidating than a child with a stick; at least the kid knows that it hurts when he uses the stick to poke people.' Crane was uncomfortable from his actions and Alice knew the only reason he was doing it was to avoid another argument, even though the playful Crane was a happy change she knew it was uncomfortable for him. Before she asked him to be himself she wanted to humiliate him and it made her face light up. Crane noticed the devilish grin and was distracted for a few seconds which was enough for Alice to act, she gripped his skinny arms and pushed them to the side so he lost his balance then turned him over so she was the one pinning him down. She gripped his wrists and placed them on both sides of his head.

Finally some payback Alice thought darkly.

Crane didn't seem overly amused and tried to shake Alice off but it was no use.

'Get off me!'

'What's the magic word?'

'I'm not joking Alice get off of me now! Fine…fear.'

'You can be such a grumpy granddad sometimes. Don't you dare Scarecrow!' Alice scolded as Crane's eyes changed into a darker blue which Alice now knew was the first sign of Scarecrow, his eyes softened and Alice let go of his wrists. They both walked back to the table and sat in their usual chairs.

'Not a word to anyone about that, and don't call me grumpy granddad ever again.'

'Come on Jonathan, it was just a joke and anyway even Harley could beat you.'

'She hasn't got the brain cells to try.'

'Watch it straw man. She is quite clever once you get to know her.' Crane just scoffed and rolls his eyes.

'I have unfortunately known her longer than you and she can't tell the difference between an insult and a compliment. She is a typical blonde and believes whatever that clown says.' Alice huffed and raised an eyebrow; she crossed her arms over her chest and watched as Crane cleared his throat.

'Stereotype much? So your saying all blondes are as dumb as a monkey, Mr I'm better than everyone else. Out of the frying pan into the fire straw man.' He opens his mouth to retort then closes it realizing that it would be best to keep quiet; Alice was in a battle mood and had every comeback in the book. Alice let the irritation disperse from her blood before she let Crane speak again and when she did the whole room changed into a serious almost clystropoehbic atmosphere. It was the part of the conversation that Alice was dreading the most, time to talk about the Mad Hatter. Crane opened his mouth once again and when he did Alice closed her eyes not wanting to see his business face, nothing was spoken and Alice opened her eyes to see Crane with his mouth shut firmly and his gaze on her. Alice looked closely and saw he wasn't really looking at her instead he had a dazed glint in his eyes. It dawned on Alice that he was talking to Scarecrow, it was weird to know a conversation about her was happening inside his head and she couldn't hear a word of it. As she watched his emotionless face a thought came into her head then a song soon followed, Alice tried to hide her laughter but Crane quickly snapped out of his gaze and stared at her properly.

'And what may I ask is so amusing?'

'Sorry Jonathan…It's just that I know a song that describes you and Scarecrow almost perfectly. I can't believe I never thought of it before or Joker for that matter.'

'And what song would that be?'

'The singer is called P!nk and…the song is called Split personality.'

'Well that explains your poor choice of music I suppose.' Alice stopped laughing and her facial expression darkened.

'Excuse me?'

'I remember quite clearly that on the morning of your second day at Intensive care you began singing to yourself. The song was somewhat…Disturbing.'

'Your one to talk. Disturbing my ass! It just so happens to be the song my mother used to sing to me when I couldn't sleep. I admit it's different but it has a moral.'

'Would the moral be 'Don't talk to strangers that sing about murder being beautiful and don't follow them into a dark forest'?'

'No and that is far from funny. The moral is that even if your life is filled with pain and sorrow there is always an escape, that's why I sing it because that is what I believe in. I don't believe in god, if there was a god why would he let so many innocent lives be tortured and taken in gruesome ways? Why would he let the evil walk free? I don't believe in the devil or Satan but I believe in demons… Demons are your past regrets and the terrible things you have committed. Demons follow you to remind you until one day you end up taking your own life because you can't stand reality. Demons are the things you fear, they are not unseen forms that slam doors and possess you, they are you. They live in your head and whisper things; it is not a mental disorder to have a demon inside your head because it is part of you. Jonathan sometimes I think Scarecrow is your demon and when you wear that mask you let all the anger and hatred out. You take it out on other people because it is your escape from reality; you did something in your past that gave you a strong demon, so strong you think it is a mental disorder. You attacked me because you were scared I was changing you. You were scared because you thought you had feelings towards me, feelings you don't understand and that scares you. Deep down you are a sensitive and scared man but you choose to hide behind a mask to escape the reality of it, you hide from yourself.' Alice took in a deep and needed breathe after the speech and expected what would happen next. Not knowing where all that had come from, the film before must have had some excuse towards it but what she had just said she would soon regret.

Sometimes I wish I wasn't always right.

Crane's eyes blazed with fire as he intentionally slammed Alice into the wall and grabbed her wrists, circulation stopped and her wrists throbbed from lack of blood. Crane's breathing was loud and (seriously?) demonic; he was in such a rage that Alice was close to melting into nothing as everything burned like the room was set on fire. She shut her mouth tightly and closed her eyes as his yelling began; Alice pictured her father with a vodka bottle in his hand, tangling threatingly.

'You know nothing about psychology! You know nothing about me! Don't just suddenly decide you know everything and tell me all of it is in my head! Demons don't fucking exist and mental disorders do! You can't explain science with idiotic myths, my past has nothing to do with my disorder! When will you just bloody grow up and realize that the world isn't black and white, it is red! Red like blood because the world is bleeding and will never stop because of children like you who believe in shit like there is a tunnel at the end… There is no tunnel only black and death! I don't care what you believe in anyway. There is no point in telling you what I think because you are too dumb to understand a word of it. I am not scared of anything. I am the master of fear! Lord of despair! Cower before me and witness terror! I AM THE GOD OF FEAR!' Alice opened her eyes and floods of tears escaped and she didn't hide them or stop them, her throat was sore and her lips were dry. Her wrists throbbed viciously and were numb, no sensation what's so ever. She opened her mouth and only a shattered whisper escaped.

'And you wonder why people are scared of you.' His eyes still glowed with anger but he let her wrists go and forcefully pushed her away, her blonde hair obscured her vision but she didn't want to look at him anyway. All the respect she had for him disappeared in seconds, along with what was left of her insanity. She shakily stood up using the wall as support; a thought went into her head before she spoke again.

I must have a death wish.

'Ichabod Crane. Is that what your classmates called you? Ichabod crane, creepy Crane… Scarecrow. What about your parents? Did they fight? Did tiny Jonathan have to listen to them yell at each other? Was your father an alcoholic? Did he beat you and your mother? What was it Jonathan that made you so cold… so lonely?' Alice waited for a long hand to grip her throat and strangle her but it never came and her throat was spared, Scarecrow was sitting at the table his hands covering his face. His black hair stuck to the skin of his face that wasn't covered with sweat, he looked hopeless… he looked in despair. Alice waited by the wall not daring to get any closer to the broken man in front of her, though she doubted that her shivering legs would let her leave the wall. So many thoughts and feelings went through her head as she stared at Scarecrow.

Have I made him realize what he is? Have I broken him? Why do I want to hug him and tell him it's alright? What have I done to Dr Crane? What have I done to Scarecrow?

Alice merely stared at Scarecrow through glazed eyes and fallen blonde hair, considering the noise that Crane had made no one comes or bangs on the door. Either Dr Arkham has told the guards to only enter when Crane is actually strangling Alice or there aren't any cameras in the rec room, Alice goes for option two. It is too quiet. Not one bird sings from the branch by the window. Not one scream from an inmate. Not one manic laugh from The Joker. It's too quiet.

'My father killed my mother and buried her in the crop field outside our house.' Scarecrow's voice is quiet and empty, Alice wonders if he realizes he's saying it out loud. 'I was only six when it happened, he wasn't an alcoholic… he was an ordinary Gotham man. She however was a slut; she cheated on my father behind his back though she did a sloppy job of hiding it. Most of the time I was at home when she brought a stranger into our house but whenever I asked who he was, she would simply tell me it was none of my business and that if I told dad it would break his heart. It wasn't long before he found out and they had a massive argument, she blamed me about how demanding I was for attention and told him she needed a release. My father being a naïve man believed her but it did not help his anger and I heard something heavy being thrown and her body thump on the floor. He came storming up to my room and found me sitting up in bed, he grabbed my collar and shoved me downstairs. I remember seeing my mother's body lying on the floor… her eyes glazed and lifeless. He took the body and me outside into the night air. He took care of me first… we had an old barn by the crop field and my father was an undertaker so he used the barn as a workshop to create coffins. He put me inside one of the coffins and closed the lid. I lay there for hours. Scared that I would die from lack of oxygen. Eventually my anger made me force the lid open and I could breathe, I stumbled outside and found crows everywhere. They pecked at my bare feet as I walked back to the house, in the end I had to run to escape the birds. I came to a clearing where none of the crows would go and I found that a Scarecrow was keeping them at bay. I stared at its face and that was when I heard the voice that would soon become Scarecrow. I heard it as it spoke about my mother and how much I hated my father. In the end I became so angry that I snatched the Scarecrow's head and killed my father in his sleep. I slit his throat like you did to your father.' Alice now knew he was talking to her. 'I burned the house down and placed the knife so it looked like he killed himself, I made it look like he did everything. Then I ran away with the voice still in my head.' He finally looked up at Alice and one small tear escaped his dazzling blue eyes. Alice found her legs strong once again and walked swiftly towards Crane and hugged him tightly, he returned the gesture with a less strong hug. Both stayed that way for ten minutes before they finally let go of each other. Alice looked at him and saw his hair was still stuck to his face so she brushed it away quickly.

'Thank you Miss McGuiness.' Alice smiled and hugged him again but let go straightaway. He went to speak again but Alice stopped him before he could with a finger pressed gently against his lips.

'I think that's enough talking for today Jonathan. I knew Hatter was dangerous but part of me needed someone to comfort after meeting Scarecrow, he was there and if it had been someone else I would have stayed with them. Now you Jonathan Crane are going to stop acting like a child. I know your past, you know mine. I think it's about time we both grew up and realized that we are both insane and both have demons. I will tolerate Scarecrow if you tolerate my beliefs deal?' She stepped back and held out a steady hand, he stared at it for a few seconds then shook it. They both trusted each other. Alice sat across from Crane and began to read the book that Crane had been reading before she had come in.

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, `and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice `without pictures or conversation?' So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. There was nothing so VERY remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so VERY much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually TOOK A WATCH OUT OF ITS WAISTCOAT POCKET, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.

In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again. The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well. Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to see anything; then she looked at the sides of the well, and noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was labelled `ORANGE MARMALADE', but to her great disappointment it was empty: she did not like to drop the jar for fear of killing somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she fell past it.

`Well!' thought Alice to herself, `after such a fall as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling down stairs! How brave they'll all think me at home! Why, I wouldn't say anything about it, even if I fell off the top of the house!' (Which was very likely true.)

Down, down, down. Would the fall NEVER come to an end! `I wonder how many miles I've fallen by this time?' she said aloud. `I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth. Let me see: that would be four thousand miles down, I think-' (for, you see, Alice had learnt several things of this sort in her lessons in the schoolroom, and though this was not a VERY good opportunity for showing off her knowledge, as there was no one to listen to her, still it was good practice to say it over) `-yes, that's about the right distance-but then I wonder what Latitude or Longitude I've got to?' (Alice had no idea what Latitude was, or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to say.)

'Jonathan… Why are you reading Alice in wonderland?'

'Just to see if you are anyway like Alice. You may look the same but your personalities are completely different.' Same old Dr Crane again, Alice was thankful. His features were back to their normal matter-of-fact way and he was calm, though his voice had an edge of emotion like he was content. Alice didn't press on it and was glad to see she hadn't completely broken him, he spoke one last time before anyone entered.

'Alice you are not insane. You are… making progress.' Alice didn't or couldn't reply and stayed quiet for the remainder of their private time. The Riddler was the first rogue to enter the rec room. He looked pissed off and annoyed and Alice struggled not to laugh.

'Hey touchy Eddie! Joker still singing?'

'Really!? How could you tell? Stop calling touchy Eddie!'

'What ya going to do? Riddle me to death?'

'Don't tempt me.' He mumbled and sat by the chess board; Alice walked over to him and sat opposite leaving a confused Jonathan behind her and a confused Riddler in front of her.

'Game of chess. If I win I get to call you Touchy Eddie for the rest of my time in Arkham. If you win I'll tell The Joker to leave you alone.' The Riddler seemed to contemplate the deal and scratched his chin. A smug smile appeared on his face and he set the chess pieces up on the board. Crane walked over to them to watch the game, when The Riddler was distracted by his chess pieces Crane whispered in Alice's ear.

'Have you ever played chess before?'

'No.'

'How do you plan to win then?'

'Beginners luck. It works with poker why shouldn't it work with chess.'

'You've played poker?'

'Dad used to make me, he needed the cash for alcohol and he was too stupid to play himself.' Riddler let Alice move her piece first and she was already getting confused, a smile appeared on The Riddler's face. Alice glared at him. The game is on.

'How could ya lose to Alice Riddler?'

'Beginners luck Harley. Simply beginners luck.'

'Shut up Alice!'

'Now, now. We had a deal Riddler, or shall I say touchy Eddie.'

'That's not fair. You cheated!'

'Prove it.' Riddler slumped in his chair and pouted, Alice simply rolled her eyes.

Child

Hatter was next to her but she ignored him and focused on the grumpy Riddler in front of her. She had absolutely no idea how she had won but she was going to savour every moment of her victory. Something was nagging in her head, something she couldn't place. Hatter was his usual delusional self, Riddler was annoyed as usual, Harley was giggling as usual so…

Why I do I feel something is different?

Something someone had said put this confusing difference in her head, The Joker was laughing hysterically at Riddler's defeat as usual, Ivy was watering her plants as usual, Crane…

Crane! He had said something! He said I wasn't...Insane? That I was making progress.

Alice was growing up, she was acting like an adult and she was acting normal. She leant back in her chair and stared into space, realization taking over her senses.

I'm making progress. I don't want to leave.

'I don't want to leave.' Alice said out loud, every looked her way. That one sentence was exactly what she felt like at that moment.

I don't want to leave. I want to stay. Hell I've even started to enjoy Joker's singing. I would miss Harley's gossip, I would miss Ivy's advice, I would miss Riddler's riddles… I would even miss Hatter's manners. I would miss my best friend… I would miss The Scarecrow.

'What's wrong Alice? Why ya so quiet?'

'I think… I'm getting better.'

'What?'

'I'm becoming sane.'

'But that means you can leave… but I don't want ya to go.'

'I don't want to go Harley. I want to stay at Arkham Asylum; I want to stay in intensive care.' Harley started crying and slumped crossed legged on the floor, it was enough to make Alice smile. It had been only four months since her move to Intensive care and it wasn't enough. In that short period of time Alice had made one best friend, two friends, two enemies, three acaintences and one fairly nice doctor. It was too short.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe Dr Arkham will think I'm still insane and keep me here. Yeah right.

'Alice you know what I'm going to say don't you?'

'Yes Dr Arkham.'

'You are well enough to leave Arkham Asylum. You will have a small apartment in the narrows that will be paid for by the asylum until you have a secure job and able to pay the rent. We will not abandon you and I will visit frequently in the first few weeks to check you have adapted well. I can tell by you lack of enthusiasm that you have grown fond of your fellow inmates, one being Mr Crane. We can not let sane

people stay here as the number of ill patients are rising… I hope you understand.'

'I understand.'

'Good, I will see you tomorrow afternoon. One of our guards has kindly agreed for you to stay at his apartment and is allowing a month of no rental payments, Mr Williams is a kind young man and will help you adapt.'

'I'm just thankful you didn't say It was Bolton, if it was you would need to get a new head of security and I would be back in here before you could shout insane.'

'I see you still have your weird sense of humour.'

'Of course doc.' Dr Arkham chuckled then stood up and moved around so he faced Alice, he stuck a hand out and waited for Alice to shake it.

Not slimy with sweat as I thought it would be.

He opened the door to his office and walked with Alice down the corridor to the exit of the Asylum, the screams were like goodbyes as they walked. It had been six years since Alice first entered through the double doors, blood on her hands and crazed eyes. Now she was adult everything changed, she hadn't notice how tall she had gotten and could touch the low ceiling of the exit with her middle finger, before even if she jumped she wouldn't even be able to get half way. The receptionist smiled at her and Alice saw it was the same receptionist from when she first entered, age lines had appeared over her eyes and mouth and grey hairs were visible but it was the same woman. She had been shocked to see such a young child enter the Asylum and now it looked like she was excited but sad that Alice was finally leaving, Alice gave a small smile as she walked passed her and through the double doors. The coldness hit her like pelting rocks, a light breeze blew her hair to the side. The murky Gotham air was refreshing and replenishing, the sun shone high above and blinded Alice. Nothing could ruin that moment, Alice was finally free. Alistair was leaning on an old looking car, his arms crossed but happy to see Alice. He nearly jumped forward to greet her.

'Well looks like you're stuck with me, hope you don't mind microwave food I can't cook to save my life.'

'Neither can I. The only thing I can cook is a boiled egg and the last time I made one other them was over six years ago. Don't take this personally or anything but what is that?' Alice pointed at the old car and Alistair dramatically wiped a fake tear from his eye.

'This is a 1984 BMW 323i. How can you say such a horrible thing about such a classic car.' Alice laughed and found that even Dr Arkham was laughing.

'You should be an actor.'

'I tried but no one took me seriously. And on that note I think it's about time we left, I'm only on my break so I can drop you off then I have to come back.' Alice nodded and turned to Dr Arkham, how looked like he knew what she was going to say but she spoke anyway.

'Dr Arkham… is it possible that I can visit Dr Crane or the other rogues? If it weren't for them I probably would still be stuck here.'

'We do to Visits and you are welcome to visit whenever you like but I don't want it to make you come backwards, I want you to keep on progressing. I think it would be best if you don't visit for a few months, just so you can get used to the outside world. Now you better get going, don't want to make Mr Williams late now do you? Good luck Alice McGuiness.' He walked back inside without another word and Alice was left with nothing else to do except enter the old car. It was in good shape even from how old it was, Alice was in the passenger seat while Alistair drove. She stared at the rear view mirror as Arkham Asylum disappeared from view, Gotham city was in front of her and it frightened her, Alistair noticed how quiet she was but didn't say anything and left her to her thoughts. It wasn't long before they entered the never ending traffic and Alistair's calm demeanour was put to the test, he huffed and clawed at the steering wheel, he muttered words under his breathe 'Stupid traffic' or 'The wrong day to leave the Asylum' it was all rather amusing to Alice. They finally got to the narrows and the atmosphere changed for the worst. Though Batman had stopped a lot of crime over the years it was still not a good idea to walk the narrows at night, Batman was a wanted person himself. After the fall of the white knight or Harvey Dent everyone hated him, they said it was Batman who killed him and six others but it wasn't right, Alice knew it wasn't right.

Why stop the crime and Falcone and then turn to murder? The police are covering it up, something else happened that night.

'Alistair why do you live in the narrows? Surely you have the money to get a better place in the higher parts of Gotham.' Alistair continued to stare at the road when he answered.

'Don't trust the people there. Ever since Harvey Dent and that other district attorney Rachel Dawes died I have lost my trust towards the police. They covered something up and I don't like it. I'm guessing you know about the hospital that was blown up by the Joker. Well my Grandmother got ill and I sent her there, the police said they got everyone out but I never saw her again. I don't have anything against Joker about that, he's insane and loves chaos but the police are sane people and shouldn't lie to the citizens of Gotham just to save their own skin.'

'I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, if I'd known I wouldn't have asked. Not all the police are corrupt though, what about Commissioner Gordon? He was a good cop and still is.'

'He was the one in head of the operation. He may have been a good cop back in the day but now… apparently his wife has left him and taken his kids, now tell me why would she do that?' Alice was quiet seeing Alistair sad was enough but to see him annoyed just saddened her. For the rest of the trip they were silent and stayed that way until they entered the apartment. It was a clean and surprisingly big apartment, the living room was by a window which over looked most of the narrows and a sofa was propped her against the wall which you entered and exited the apartment. A small TV sat on the other side of the room and a coffee table was put in the middle, the kitchen was rather small but was enough to cook a meal for two, the kitchen overlooked a small wooden dining table. The walls were covered with posters and photographs, on the left of the kitchen three doors stood. Two obviously being the bedrooms and one being the bathroom. All in all it was a good apartment, Alistair kept the jacket that he was wearing on and quickly explained where everything was.

'So there is mostly microwave food in the fridge so if you get hungry just read the label and put it in, the bathroom is the door on the far right, there's a toilet, sink and shower in there. Also you can turn the TV on though I have no idea where there remote is so you'll have to look for that. I have loads of CD's so feel free to listen to them though I don't know what music you like, oh almost forgot your room is the one right next to the bathroom and there are spare cloths on the bed. I asked Harley what size you might be but she wasn't sure and seemed upset so I dunno if they fit. I think that's everything, sorry I gotta leave you like this but I don't think Bolton will let me off this once. I'll be back at five, see ya.' He closed the door behind him and left Alice in complete silence. The only noise was the cars outside and the chatter of the people outside, Alice walked over to the window and opened it onto a small balcony. The breeze made her fringe blow over her eyes, she pushed it behind her ear and watched as Alistair drove away. Her gaze rested on a young boy on the opposite side of the road, his blonde hair cut short, he only looked ten but his facial expression showed sadness. Screaming and yelling was heard behind the boy and he briefly looked behind him then sighed, he saw Alice watching him and she gave him a small smile. He half smiled back.

'At least you have both your parents kid. At least they love you.' He sighed in disbelief and he shouted so Alice could hear him.

'They don't even acknowledge I'm there, I might as well be invisible.'

'Then get in there and tell them to stop. Either you act now or three or four years later they will be divorced and you will be stuck in the middle while they fight for custody.' The boy was shocked at how forward Alice was but he smiled and when his name was called by a woman's screeching voice he disappeared inside. Alice stepped back inside the apartment and closed the window.

Now what do I do?

Alice looked at the TV and saw two stacks of CD's hidden underneath it, she sat down and went through them. Most of them were rock or heavy metal which didn't appeal to Alice in the slightest, though as she was about to finish the second pile a CD caught her eye and a song made her smile. She put all the CD's back and found a CD player next to the TV. After five minutes of figuring out how to open and play the CD player the song came on and filled the apartment, Alice sat on the sofa and stared at the ceiling while the song played.

I do not trust, so I cannot love

(can't no man be trusted)

Oh no no no

And I would not dare to open up,

(this life of yours is dusted Pink)

Well my rent's past due and now my car won't start, I hate the bus,

(well aren't you glad you have somebody to talk to)

Tell me what do they see when they look at me,

Do they see my many personalities,

[Chorus:]

Can you help me?

Does anybody hear me?

Can they even see me?

This is my reality, oh oh

(can it be my turn now, is it my turn Pink)

Said I'll say it again, you're my only friend,

(I protect you from the world, I basically protect you from yourself)

Though I can't go on, I'm not satisfied with this being the end,

(this is just the beginning)

Tell me why can't I just reach up and simply touch the sky,

Tell me why can't I spread my arms and fly and fly and fly,

Tell me why can't I say this, why can't I do that,

Tell me what do they want from me, tell me how to act!

The chorus played twice and all Alice could think of was Dr Crane and Scarecrow. It was almost like the song explained the beginning of Crane's life with Scarecrow, how he coped or didn't cope. Only a few words would be changed and Crane would have his own song. Alice smiled as the last lines were sung.

Can you help me?

(talk to me, talk to me, don't ignore me, I can't take it)

Do you hear me?

Do you see me every time?

(oh calm down, it's not that serious, we'll be just fine without them)

It's all mine...it's my reality...it's just too much for me,

(you're my friend, you're my friend...Pink!...Pink!)

The song was a comfort but it also brought sadness, memories of the Asylum good and bad filled Alice's mind. She wondered if she could cope in the real world or would it be too much? Only time could tell. Alistair and Dr Arkham said they would help her but how far would they go? Alice wondered how quiet the Asylum would be without her, though the Joker would still be loud and insane everyone had a special spot for Alice and now she was gone would chaos follow?

'Too many questions.' Alice whispered to no one in particular 'Too many questions… not the right time.' She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep, today had been a new start and a new beginning. Tomorrow could wait as Alice slept on the sofa and dreamed of her mother, the kind woman she was, the English woman. The CD played and only finished when all the songs had played, the apartment was silent… the world outside was buzzing with activity, Gotham was waiting for Alice and it wouldn't be kind.

Alice is outta the madhouse no! Don't worry there will still be madness and chaos it is Gotham after all. This chapter is moving into TDKR territory but not completly, Alice needed to grow up sometime didn't she? Too soon? Well she has now, Alistair wasn't supposed to live with Alice it just sorta came into my head when i let her out the Asylum good thing i added a new character right? The boy if you don't know is the one from BB. To clarify i don't believe in god or satan and i struggle to believe in demons but not the way that Alice does i do however strongly believe in ghosts and i don't wish to anger anyone with what i've written and i believe that everyone has there own beliefs and i respect that. I think that's enough for now pls review! Oh hang on :( i don't own any of the characters except for Alice and Alistair the others are owned by DC comics or their proper owners., also i don't own the song either that belongs to the amzing P!nk.