Nearly two years ago during the late shift at work I conceived the idea for this story and now 50 chapters later i would like to thank everyone who has read this story. It means a lot to me especially those who have been with me since the beginning. So now I present the final chapter of 'The Riddle of Love'.
A cage. Elizabeth's back pressed against the bars of one of the walls as she stared out across the room. Cuvier was keeping her in a cage. Granted it was a fairly large cage. There was just enough room for her to lay flat and stand properly. Instead of a nicety it was more likely so she couldn't kick easily out the bars by using the other wall as leverage. There was no sense of time in her cage with hardly any light Elizabeth could barely see the outline of another cage one the other side of the room but she didn't need light she could smell that it was Alyssa. There was a moan from Alyssa and Elizabeth perked up.
"Alyssa," she whispered, "Alyssa."
"Elizabeth?" Alyssa's voice was coarse from either not enough use or too much screaming.
"Yes, yes it's me. I am so sorry Alyssa, this is all my fault. If I hadn't called you…" Elizabeth trailed off as tears started streaming down her face.
"Don't cry." Alyssa whispered, "don't waste the water." Elizabeth quickly stifled her tears.
"Alyssa, Alyssa you have to listen to me. I don't know what they've done to you but they're going to give you something. Either pills or in food I don't know but you must take it, it is the only chance you have of surviving the process."
"Process? You mean…?"
"Yes, and I am so sorry."
"It's okay you can't stop them."
"But you shouldn't be involved!" Elizabeth banged her fists against the cage. "This is all my—I told them you should be in good condition for the process so they should start treating you better."
"I don't care about me."
"Don't say that, Alyssa. You have to survive; you have to care until I can find us a way out of here."
"And if you can't?"
"Then until someone rescues us. The Riddler knows I was taken."
"And you trust a criminal to save us? What makes you think he cares that much about you?"
Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably in her cage. "I know, I just know."
Elizabeth tugged at the chains binding her hands together behind her back and to the wall several feet behind her.
"Why am I here Cuvier!?" She yelled at the ceiling. At least half an hour ago Cuvier's men had collected both and Alyssa from their cages. One had led Alyssa off while the other two had dragged Elizabeth into this pit like room and chained her to the wall. Up above her she could see the faint outline of what seemed to be a viewing platform and she could barely make out the overhead lights attached to it.
Elizabeth stopped her yelling to pull at her chains again. The metal had begun to chafe her wrists however her sweat had started to loosen them as well. She was just starting to feel her hand begin to slide partially out of the chain when the lights overhead flicked on blinding her.
"Miss Howard, I'd stop trying to escape if I were you." Cuvier's voice came from above her on the platform and Elizabeth glared up at him despite the blaring light.
"Why did you bring me here Cuvier?"
"Didn't I tell you earlier? My donors need more proof that the serum works, you're here to show them what you've got." Elizabeth narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything as the only door in the room opened and two men came in dragging between them another man. They dropped the man in the middle of the room and stood by the door without a word. The newcomer groaned and turned over revealing the man's face and it was one Elizabeth recognized. It was Cuvier's man Daniel, the one who had tried to kidnap her in the alleyway, the one that had shot her.
"You see, Elizabeth, Daniel here is scared of you, terrified even, which means he is no longer useful to me. You are going to kill him." Elizabeth stared at the man who was trying to get off the ground his legs collapsing underneath him telling her that he was drugged.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I will let my men have their way with you friend." Elizabeth schooled her face trying not to let any emotion through but she could still feel her eyes burning with rage.
"Very well, answer me one question first though."
"Anything," Cuvier said breathlessly and Elizabeth could perfectly imagine the twisted smile on his face.
"How did you know where I was? I was hiding with the Riddler we should not have been easy to find."
Cuvier laughed. "It was easy actually; hell hath no fury like a woman scorned or in this case two women. Apparently the Riddler's henchgirls didn't take kindly to being tossed out on the street, replaced by another woman."
"I see."
"Good if there are no further questions, boys." The men by the door moved and removed Elizabeth's chains.
"He's drugged it's not going to be a very fair fight," Elizabeth said standing properly. "I could have easily taken him like this before your serum."
"I know that's why he's not the only one you're fighting." The door opened again and two more men were shoved through it. Elizabeth recognized them but just barely, Hit-man and Triple M from the pit fight. "These men are fighting for their lives. I believe that gives them a good enough advantage. Good luck, Miss Howard."
Blood ran down Elizabeth's face and dripped on to the ground. She couldn't tell if it was hers or from the three men that lay dead on the floor around her. Her head pounded as her consciousness returned and she became aware of her surroundings. Elizabeth tried to stand but a sharp pain in her leg prevented her. She looked down and saw a knife sticking out of her leg. With a quick tug she pulled it out and tossed it across the room. A repeated sound from above her caught Elizabeth's attention. Cuvier was clapping.
"Wonderful. Wonderful! Oh watching the videos was one thing but seeing it live…Beautiful."
"Insane," Elizabeth grunted, "monster."
"Yes, my beautiful monster."
Elizabeth growled her fingers digging into the ground. "You are the monster! You are insane!"
"No, he is a genius." A new voice joined Cuvier up on the platform and Elizabeth went very still trying to figure out who the newcomer was.
"You like it then, Captain?"
"Oh yes I believe our boys will find great use for this formula."
"Oh Captain, my Captain," Elizabeth said looking up at the platform with murderous eyes. "Who are you Captain? Who are you that you would fund such a vile project?"
The Captain laughed he sounded southern, Texan perhaps. "I'm just the emissary for the money but we've met before Miss Howard."
"What?" Elizabeth's voice was sharp her teeth clicking together harshly on the 't'.
"It was years ago, years and years, you were about to go off to the academy, my son danced with you."
"Your son? Oh God! Really!? Really!? The US fucking military!" Elizabeth stood through the pain and kicked the corpse next to her with her good leg. "I am a US citizen you are supposed to be protecting me!"
The Captain laughed again. "You think the military is for protecting citizens? The military is for protecting American interests, the people, are irrelevant; even people who are related to Colonels. Mr. Cuvier here is going to help bring in a new generation of soldiers with your help. Thank you, Miss Howard for doing your part to keep our interests safe. Mr. Cuvier, keep up the good work, I'll be back in a few weeks to check up on your progress." The clip of measured footsteps sounded across the platform and out the door.
"Excellent," Cuvier rubbed his hands together. "Now let's get you cleaned up. We want you to be at your best for the other tests."
Elizabeth's head pounded and her vision was blurry. There was small and familiar pressure on the side of her neck and suddenly the room came into sharp focus. Elizabeth growled as the adrenaline rushed through her veins and strained at the manacles around her wrists. She had grown complacent enough that Cuvier didn't need many chains to keep her from attacking or attempting to run but he was still wary of leaving unsupervised for long.
"Wake up Elizabeth," Cuvier said slipping the syringe into to his lab coat's pocket. "It's time for the trial run, you don't want to miss it do you?"
Elizabeth's hands clenched and her eyes narrowed but she didn't dare say a word unless she lost her chance to see Alyssa. She didn't know how long she had been here but during the days, weeks, months, she had only seen Alyssa a handful of times. Each time it looked as though her friend was being kept in decent condition. Elizabeth didn't know how she looked but if Alyssa's face was anything to go by the few times she saw her, it wasn't good.
Cuvier opened the door and a waft of air brought Alyssa's scent to Elizabeth. Her friend was led into the room. Alyssa was holding her head high but Elizabeth could tell she was scared. She gasped as she saw Elizabeth on the floor and went to run over to her but a sharp pull on the chain around her wrists stopped her.
"If you survive this you may see her." Alyssa was led away and Cuvier approached Elizabeth.
"You may watch," he said unchaining Elizabeth from the wall. "But try and interfere and I will slit her throat while you watch. Understood?" Elizabeth nodded and Cuvier smiled. "Very good, come along then, let's see if your theory is correct."
"God damn it!" Edward swore throwing the coffee mug in his hands against the room. Nothing. There was nothing on where Elizabeth might be. It had been two months and it seemed as though she and Cuvier had disappeared off the face of the planet. Edward ran a hand through his hair for the hundredth time that day as he looked over his notes. He had plenty of information but every led, every possible whereabouts had turned into a dead end.
His attention turned to his computer where he had hacked into the police's report database. There were several new cases of murders and mysterious deaths since he had checked this last night and one in particular caught his attention. Edward's mouth went dry as he read.
Name: Unknown
Sex: Female
Age: late 20's to early 30's
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Notes: waiting on coroner's report for cause death, preliminary suggests exsanguination, and DNA results for identification are pending.
Edward ran his hand through his hair again and fetched himself another cup of coffee. When he had returned the case had updated.
Name: Alyssa McKenna
Edward chuckled in relief but his relief died away as the bells of familiarity rang in his head. He nearly dropped his current cup of coffee as he rolled his chair violently over to his desk and pulled out Elizabeth's file. He paged through it violently before coming to stop on one of Elizabeth's more cheerful sessions. She was talking about her best friend in this one, a friend called Alyssa McKenna.
Edward swore under his breath and let the file fall back into the desk drawer. He ran a hand through his hair again and slammed his fists on the desk. He didn't want to but he knew what he had to do.
The Batsignal shone over Gotham city from the roof of the police station. Batman swooped in landing on his usual gargoyle. When he didn't see the Commissioner standing on the rooftop he paused.
"Gordon?"
"No, not Gordon, not today, Batman." Edward braced himself as the Dark Knight leapt from his perch and slammed him against the railing. "I'm not here to fight."
"I don't believe you."
"Believe it or not it is the truth. You my search me if you like, I have no weapons, no tricks." Batman released the front of Edward's blazer and quickly ran his hands along his sides and back.
"See I told you, I'm not here to fight."
"Then what do you want Nygma? I doubt it's to turn yourself in."
"I'm here because I need your hel—assistance," Edward straightened his tie awkwardly as Batman stared at him hard. Since the vigilante wasn't going to say anything Edward continued, "You see over two months ago, Elizabeth was taken. It was Cuvier, however, try as I might his and more importantly her whereabouts keeps slipping through my fingers. Her best friend has just turned up dead and I believe it is time you made good on your promise to her and found him."
"Why do you care what happens to her?"
"Because—" Edward's answer was cut off by the stairwell door bursting open and a wild eye Gordon came rushing through.
"What is it? What's wrong," he asked looking around for Batman. He spotted him and the Riddler and withdrew his handcuffs. "You could of just brought him to the front desk like usual."
"I didn't bring him, he turned on the signal."
"What for?"
"Elizabeth Howard is missing, taken by Cuvier." Batman grabbed Edward by the arm and dragged him over to Gordon. "Take him to lock-up. I'll see what I can find on her."
"No." Edward said pulling away from Gordon before the handcuffs could close around his wrists. "I will find her with you."
"Bullshit," the Commissioner said making to grab Edward again but Batman told him to wait.
"Why? Why would you want to rescue her? Why should I let you come?"
"Because…God damn it! Because I care for her! Because she is more than just my puzzle she is…because much as I am capable of the feeling I believe I l-love her." Batman and the Commissioner both stared at the Rogue their jaws slack. Edward stared at Batman hard, his eyes a flame with emotion.
"Yeah right," Gordon finally said grabbing Edward by the arms and handcuffing him, he didn't resist but continued to stare down Batman.
"Wait." Batman said breaking Edward's gaze and fixing instead on Gordon.
"What do you mean 'wait'? I'm taking him in."
"No. Let him go. I'll keep an eye on him."
"What? You don't actually believe his bullshit, do you?"
Batman turned his attention back to Edward who hadn't taken his eyes off of him. "If we find her I will bring both you and her to Arkham without a fight, agreed?"
"When we find her I will check myself in."
Edward looked over at Batman. It had taken them nearly two weeks but they had finally found a solid lead and now they were playing the waiting game outside the warehouse; waiting for some sign of Cuvier.
"There." Batman finally said after a few hours of silence. Edward came over to the ledge and followed Batman's gaze. Two men had stepped outside the doors and started smoking, as they smoke they were talking but Edward couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Should we get closer to hear what they are saying?"
"Not necessary." Batman suddenly stood and walked off the ledge gliding down to the two men and taking them out quickly.
"You're not leaving me here," Edward muttered running over to the fire escape and climbing down it as fast as he could. By the time he had reached the ground Batman had already slipped inside the building. Edward followed the vigilante and was able to catch up to him as he took out a couple more men.
"Go back Nygma."
"Not a chance." Batman stood and although he was only a couple inches taller than Edward he seemed to tower over the Rogue. "I will rescue her."
"Do as you wish but," Batman reached into Edward's jacket and removed his gun, "no guns."
"Well what are waiting for then, let's go." Edward pushed past the Dark Knight and walked down the hallway holding his cane at the ready. Batman passed him taking out most of the men along the way. They searched the first two floors coming across what looked like a laboratory crossed with a torture chamber but no Elizabeth and no Cuvier either.
As Edward stepped over a pool of blood in the "lab" he spotted a door half hidden behind a curtain. "Batman, over here."
The door was locked but a few seconds of Edward's fiddling and it swung open. The door led to a dark staircase. Without hesitation Edward descended the staircase. If anything the smell of blood and rot seemed to grow stronger with each step. When he reached the bottom Edward fumbled around for a light, he finally found it and switched it on. A single overhead light flickered on casting a warm glow over the nauseating scene it revealed.
Great arcs and splashes of blood covered the walls of the room, scattered across the floor were stripes of rotting meat, pushed against one wall was a large cage, and there in the corner of the cage was a body curled in the fetal position. Edward and Batman both approached the cage cautiously. The person in cage stiffened at the sound of their footsteps and moved from their hidden position slightly. Edward caught the sight of steel grey hair matted with dirt and blood.
"Elizabeth?" At the sound of her name Elizabeth curled back up in her ball now shaking. "Dear god." Edward and Batman rushed over to the cage, Batman reached the door first and undid the lock easily. The door swung open and he entered approaching Elizabeth slowly. Elizabeth shaking even harder now but she froze as Batman touched her gently on the shoulder.
"There's something around her neck." Batman brushed the hair away at the base of her neck revealing a thick metal band. "It's a shock collar."
Batman fiddled around with the lock for a few seconds there was soft click and collar fell off into Elizabeth lap. Elizabeth seemed to relax and Batman urged her to her feet. Then Elizabeth launched herself at Batman slamming him against the wall of the cage. She was snarling and clashing her teeth.
"Elizabeth!" Edward cried. This caught her attention and she released Batman. Now she rushed at Edward and tackled him to the floor. Elizabeth knelt on his chest her fingers digging into his skin through his clothing. Edward looked at her face. Her eyes were wild and her face twisted, Elizabeth looked feral.
Elizabeth sniffed and her grip loosened. She sniffed again this time bringing her nose to his chest. When looked at him again her eyes had softened and she was no longer snarling. Tears formed at the edges of her eyes.
"E-e-ed-edward." She croaked out. "A-alyssa st-still here m-must find. I-I kill him." Elizabeth growled out the final word. Without warning Elizabeth stood and ran up the stairs. Edward sat up and looked at Batman who was now trapped in the cage as Elizabeth seemed to have somehow shut the door behind her. From somewhere above Elizabeth screamed Cuvier's name. Edward's eyes snapped to the staircase and he ran after her.
"CUVIER!" Elizabeth's scream echoed across the warehouse. She knew he was here she could smell him. She needed to find him. Find him and kill him. Elizabeth sniffed the air. "There."
Cuvier was trying to escape. Elizabeth ran after him he was messing with a set of keys trying to find the right one for the door he was trying to get out of and now he was out of time. Cuvier blanched as Elizabeth grabbed his collar and pulled him back from the door flinging him as far away from it as possible. Reaching into his pocket Cuvier pulled out a small remote control and pushed the button wildly. Reflex caused Elizabeth to pause at the sight of the remote but when the searing shock of electricity didn't follow she laughed.
Murderous intent seeped from every pour on her body as she walked slowly towards him her dark laughter never ceasing. Like the coward he was Cuvier's body had frozen in terror. The petrified man was mumbling to himself while tears poured down his face.
"…forgive me Lord for my sins, spare me your wrath and accept me into your arms. Jesus Christ, please, oh God please, save me from this monster I have created…"
Elizabeth fell silent and halted her advance. Cuvier fell to his knees before her crying, begging for his life. She looked down at the worm with a cool expression. His tears began to slow as she simply stood there watching him. A small glimmer of hope shone in his eyes and then Elizabeth struck.
She jumped on him forcing him to the ground. Straddling his stomach Elizabeth smiled very widely and clicked her teeth together menacingly. She ripped at his clothes tearing his shirt and lab coat away from his body. Elizabeth ran her nails along his exposed flesh leaving thin trails of red and blood welling in several places.
"No, no, no." Cuvier sobbed struggling to get out from under her but failing miserably.
"No, no, no." Elizabeth mocked as she dug her nails into stomach tearing away small chunks of skin. "NO!"
She bit down on the soft flesh around his nipple, blood rushed into her mouth as she pierced the skin and with a violent jerk of her head she ripped away a great chunk of meat. Cuvier screamed his body thrashing.
"Shhh," Elizabeth cooed pressing a finger to her bloodied lips. "I've only begun."
Cuvier whimpered as Elizabeth pushed her fingers inside the fresh wound digging her way to the bone. "Oh no, I'm too high, I'll have to start again." Elizabeth bit Cuvier again this lower on his abdomen her teeth sliced the skin but she wasn't able to get a grip to pull the meat away. Shrugging Elizabeth tore at the cuts with her fingers wedging her way inside until she could feel the layer of muscle give way to soft organs. She looked at Cuvier who had gone silent. The man had passed out.
"No, you don't." Elizabeth removed her hands from his innards and grabbed the vials of adrenaline Cuvier kept in his lab coat pocket along with the syringe he had used on her countless times. The man buckled underneath her as she delivered four times the normal dose into his system. Elizabeth smiled and tossed the chemical off to the side. Cracking her fingers she plunged her hands back into Cuvier's stomach.
"I said I would choke you with your own intestines." She said as she took hold of his large intestine. "But that sounds so boring now." Elizabeth removed her grip choosing to travel upwards instead.
"Let's see, stomach, liver, ah here." She pushed past his diaphragm and under his lungs. Cuvier wheezed as drawing breath became very difficult. He coughed and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Elizabeth giggled at the odd feeling of the diaphragm moving around her arm. Slowly her hand inched towards its target. She could feel her goal pumping wildly as it knew its end was near.
"Did you know that the human brain is still conscious several seconds after the heart stops? I'm sure it's the same if the heart is removed." Cuvier's heart pounded franticly against the cage of her fingers. Elizabeth smiled manically and wrenched her arm out of Cuvier's chest. She gleefully took in Cuvier's face as he took in the image of his monster holding his own heart outside of his chest. Then as the consciousness faded from Cuvier's eyes Elizabeth began to laugh while tears streamed down her face.
Edward stood silently. Watching. Watching as Elizabeth completed her gruesome revenge. He watched as she shoved Cuvier's heart into his own mouth and beat his dead body with her fists. And he watched as she stood and gave the body a final kick in the groin. His shoes clicked against the cold concrete floor as he approached Elizabeth who was now leaning against the wall with her head down.
She looked up as Edward crouched in front of her and she smiled softly. Edward recoiled slightly at the sight and smell of her. There was a large infected looking gouge running across her right eyebrow, she was covered in blood both old and new and her entire body was caked in a layer of dirt except a few streaks of tear washed skin on her face. Straightening his face Edward removed the handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her so she could wipe away the blood and tears from her face.
When Elizabeth had finished cleaning her face Edward helped her to her feet. As he held her arm he could feel its thinness. Edward took off his jacket and wrapped it around Elizabeth's shoulders making sure the collar did not touch the electrical burns that encircled her neck. The sound of a swooshing cape told Edward that the Dark Knight had finally arrived. Batman looked down at Cuvier's body and then to Elizabeth's bloodied arms. His eyes narrowed under his cowl and Elizabeth's muscles tensed.
"Nygma." He said warningly. Edward's hands tightened around Elizabeth's shoulders.
"Come on Elizabeth let's get you cleaned up." He began leading her away towards the main doors and their impending Arkham sentence.
"No, no, have to find Alyssa, she's still here." Edward and Batman looked at each other and in the silence agreed now would not be a good time to inform her of her friend's death.
"Batman will look for her, come let's go."
"O-okay." They walked past Batman who followed them silently. When Edward opened the door they were greeted by the flashing lights of cops. Elizabeth stopped dead and pressed herself into Edward's side. Edward urged her forward leading her towards the ambulance. They were halfway there when a team of police officers wrenched them apart.
"Edward!" Elizabeth cried trying to fight the burly men but too much of her energy had been used up on Cuvier.
"Let go of me!" Edward roared as he was handcuffed. Batman did nothing to intervene but simply watched as the Riddler was shoved into the back of a police car and Elizabeth into the ambulance. The paramedics and cops forced Elizabeth down onto the gurney and strapped her in.
"Sedated her!" One of them yelled as he struggled to get Elizabeth's right arm into the strap. Soon Elizabeth's shrieks quieted as the drug took effect until all that could be heard was the Riddler's shouting and pounding on the door of the squad car. The Commissioner's car pulled up and Batman walked across the scene to debrief him. He stopped part way across as his foot landed on something soft. It was the Riddler's jacket. It must have fallen off Elizabeth's shoulders during the struggle. Batman picked it up looking at it intensely.
"So she was still alive." The Commissioner said as he joined Batman.
"Yes."
"And what about Cuvier?"
"Dead."
"How?"
"Miss Howard." Both Batman and Gordon watched as the Riddler, still yelling and pounding on the door, was driven off.
"Do you think he meant it, when he said he loved her?" His question was met with silence. Batman had disappeared into the night.
A red leaf drifted past Elizabeth's window the only source of colour in the bleak grey city landscape but even the grey buildings and cloudy sky were a relief from the white washed walls of the hospital. That single leaf was a terribly beautiful reminder of how long she had been kept by Cuvier. It was mid-October already, two and half months she had spent in that hell hole, two and a half months.
"Miss Howard? Miss Howard, are you still listening to me?"
Elizabeth's attention was drawn away from the floating leaf and back to the middle-aged man sitting on the other side of her bed. She didn't say anything but simply turned her head back to the man in a grey suit. That seemed to be all he needed as he then continued droning on and on about everything she didn't care about.
"Miss Howard! Pay attention please. This is very important, we're talking about your future here."
"I don't care about my future!" Elizabeth roared causing the heartbeat monitor to spike wildly.
"Miss Howard please calm down!"
"Stop calling me that!" The heartbeat monitor was beeping madly causing nurses to come and usher the man out. They tried to calm Elizabeth but when words wouldn't work they were forced to sedate her.
Elizabeth tugged uselessly at the shackles holding her to the bed. It was night and she could no longer see the leaves that blew past the window. Another shape moved past the window and Elizabeth became aware of another presence in the room.
"Miss Howard." Batman said from the corner.
"Don't call me that." She growled at the shadows.
"…Elizabeth."
"What do you want?"
"To see how you were doing."
"How kind," Elizabeth sneered. "Well as you can see I'm having a lovely time being restrained again."
"They believe you are dangerous." Elizabeth didn't respond. Batman moved from the shadows and placed something next to her pillow. She turned her head and was greeted by a wave brown sugar. It was Edward's jacket.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said a tears pricking in her eyes as the comforting scent enveloped her.
"Be careful Elizabeth, you never know when he will turn on you."
"It doesn't matter if he does." She said softly. Batman was silent yet his silence asked the simple question of why. "Because I love him that's why." Elizabeth closed her eyes breathing in the aroma of Edward and when she opened her eyes Batman was gone.
I will be continuing Elizabeth's and Edward's story in 'Puzzle Box Hearts' sometime in the late spring/summer. In the mean time feel free to read my Jonathan/OC story 'The Bookworm and the Beast' currently updating every two weeks.
Thank you again and I will see you later.