Batman: Darkest Knight

Chapter 3: Nightmares

"So, there's nothing you can do?" I asked.

"We're doing everything we can. We're using every available tactic we can." Commissioner Gordon said, trying to pacify me.

I knew him by reputation and I knew he would do his best but I was afraid that his best wouldn't be good enough this time. Ra's Al Ghul kidnapped a man right out of his home and his neighbors did nothing. It made me worry not only for Matt but for myself.

"I know. I'm sorry, but this is…bad." I said pacing back in forth in front of him, "Commissioner, this is really bad."

"I know he's your friend…"

"No! You don't understand. Batman came to me, he was talking about how Ra's Al Ghul marked me and how he might come after me." I explained, "I think I'm the reason he took Matt."

Commissioner Gordon frowned at me and turned away, talking on his walkie talkie. He called out some numbers that I didn't comprehend. Police numbers that I should know but I didn't. Even if I had known them, my mind was on sixty and I was afraid.

Gordon turned to me, "We need to keep you under police detail. Cars outside your apartment and two men outside your door." He said, "We can't take risks. If what you're saying is true then you're in very real danger."

I nodded to him, "What can I do to help him? Matt." I asked.

"I don't know." Gordon said, "Let's go."

I turned and walked out of the apartment with him, taking one glance back to see that the forensics team was still examining the apartment down to every last detail. I thought I saw one of the guys give me a quick wink. I ignored it and wrote it off as me being deprived of sleep.

My bed was comfy. I fell asleep remarkably fast. I know people would ask how I could possibly fall asleep but it was quite easy. After a dream I couldn't recall, I was awakened from my sleep by whispers.

I sat up in my bed, cold sweat beading off my forehead and stared straight. I immediately knew that something was off. I wasn't sure how I knew, it was just a feeling. I'd been having this feeling before anything that went wrong lately.

I walked over to the door but paused before opening it. I stared at the door before jumping back as what looked like needles barged through the wood. The door knob began to rattle and I moved towards the staff. Behind me I could hear the door open as I grabbed the staff and turned to feel something being blown in my face.

The feeling of fear was so great that it sent me falling to the floor. I closed my eyes as the feeling terror rose in me. I opened my eyes to see a scarecrow staring at me. The scarecrow had huge, vicious teeth and maggots and flies hanging about its mask. The Scarecrow wore a hat that looked as if it had seen better days.

"Behold the king of fear." The Scarecrow said as he stood with his sickle in hand.

"Dr. Johnathan Crane?" I asked, recalling his name.

"Scarecrow." He scowled.

I felt as if I were about to jump out of my skin, as if the maggots were crawling across my skin. I was afraid beyond belief but I knew what this was. It was the fear toxin that he used and I had to keep myself level-headed or I could die from fright.

"Scarecrow. What do you want?" I asked.

"I've been employed to do a little scaring." He said, "But you're a curious subject."

"Why is that?" I asked swallowing a lump.

"You're not afraid." He said, "Or you hide it very well. I'm guessing that the toxin is killing you inside."

"Who employed you?" I asked, trying to look away from him.

Scarecrow crossed the gap and stood before me. He took my face in his hands and opened my eyes, "You're not curious how I got in?" He asked.

"I'm assuming that you dosed the guards. And used that freaky 'crane' style of combat to knock them unconscious." I said quickly.

"My my, but you are an interesting subject." He raised his sickle, "Pity, you would have put me on the map."

I closed my eyes, ready for him to bring the sickle down on me. I only opened my eyes when I heard a crash and looked over to see a dark figure bouncing around with the Scarecrow.

The Scarecrow was swinging his sickle wildly at the dark figure. I watched, trying to figure out exactly who it was. It wasn't Batman.

Moonlight flashed against the chest of the dark figure, revealing what looked like a red bird. I watched in awe as the figure slammed Scarecrow around and finally let him drop to the floor. The figure turned to me and walked over, untying me.

"Nightwing? All the favorites are coming out tonight." I said, "Thank you."

"No problem. Batman sent me to look out for you." He said with a nod.

As we were talking, Scarecrow regained his sickle and lunged at us. I pushed Nightwing out of the way and grabbed the sickle as it was coming down, flipping him over with the momentum. I rolled on top of him and punched him in the face before turning my attention back to Nightwing, who looked a bit shaken.

Nightwing quickly moved over and cuffed Scarecrow's hands. He returned to me with a vial and handed it to me. He explained that he assumed that I'd been dosed with the fear toxin and I nodded, downing the cure.

"Batman told me what's going on…"

"I wish he'd tell me." I smiled politely.

"He's tracing Ra's Al Ghul, to help your friend." Nightwing explained, "He's the world's greatest detective, I'm sure he won't be long."

I nodded, "The guards. They probably need some tending to." I said headed for the door.

"Right." Nightwing said as he followed me.