Time-jump, for the story's sake! Let's get ready for the real plot to begin!
The two weeks following my new job were much the same. I moved into my own little apartment and happily lived my life going between the university, the bank, Bright Skies cafe, and my own little home.
It didn't take long for Edward to figure out that I had moved. He came the day I moved in and asked me riddles for over an hour. He called me or came to see me in person most every day.
He was also just about my closest friend in the entire city, even if he did get on my nerves occasionally. Even so, I could tell him most anything between riddles, and I knew that he wouldn't judge.
Then again, he probably knew everything about me anyways.
Harley had called me a few times. (I assume she'd gotten my number from Rick, but who's to know?) She was a lot more bubbly now, as she was forming a plan to save 'her puddin', and seemed to think that it would work. She was cherring up every day, and often wouldn't shut up about 'Mistah J', no matter how much I didn't want to hear about how he murder so-and-so.
She also kept saying that she wanted me to meet her friends 'Red' and 'Selina', who I could only assume to be Poison Ivy and Catwoman.
I had seen The Scarecrow a couple times, as he seemed to come visit Professor Cook quite often, but any conversation we had was brief.
We had a decent conversation one time about psychology. I'd read a book on a few mental disorders in my spare time once, so I was able to keep a halfway decent grasp on what he told me.
I was getting more and more comfortable with these so-called-criminals, as much as I hated to admit it.
As for Rick and I... well, we went out for lunch a couple of times, but we both were too busy to take anything too seriously.
Being a teacher's assistant kept getting more and more fun. The class was getting into some really fun topics- namely fossils, and Professor Cook always seemed so excited to talk about it.
And working at the bank hadn't been too bad either. I knew what I was doing now, and Kaylee and Reed were fun colleges.
When an unidentified robber tried to break in one night, I found out something about Kaylee. She was a star hockey player. Let's just say that the robber didn't leave without a broken bone or two.
And now, it was almost Halloween. I could feel the excitement stirring through most everyone's veins as the days turned colder and the leaves dropped faster. Pumpkin spice filled the air, and the wind seemed to nip at your cheeks more than normal. It was a striking scene, to see the normally downcast city lit up with gold and red and orange.
I was cleaning up my work area as The Scarecrow strolled into the lecture hall on October 30th.
"Professor Cook went to go make some copies of project directions," I explained. "He'll be back in a minute."
"Hello, Child. I assume that you are ready for the holiday tomorrow?" He said, nodding his head to me.
"I'm giving my first lecture to this class tomorrow. We're talking about the Triassic Period," I said, smiling at him. He didn't usually try to engage in conversation.
"Miss Quinzel seems to want to see you tonight. She would like to invite you to a… party of sorts," he said, his icy eyes watching as I packed my papers neatly into my bag.
"I can't. I have another job from 9:00 to Midnight, so partying isn't really an option," I said, shrugging.
"Ah. I see," he said, smiling secretively. I just shook my head, thinking it was one of his little quirks.
"So, Scarecrow… what do you do on Halloween?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going. Professor Cook really wanted me to try to be friends with The Scarecrow.
"Please, call me Dr. Crane, or Jonathan if you really have to," he said, sitting down at the front table and gesturing for me to sit as well. "And to answer your question, I plan to run some tests tomorrow night."
"I… see," I said, raising my eyebrows. "You don't test on children, right?" I asked, biting my lip.
"No. That would be… inhumane." He smiled coldly. "I only use the drunkards passed out in the alleyways. There are so many of them during a holiday, after all." I shivered. His eyes were unsettling.
"You know, I have started to make a new prototype of fear toxin that is based purely on sound. Rather than seeing your worst nightmare, you'll hear it. That is, if all goes well," he said, raising his eyebrows.
"And why are you so proud of this?" I asked, challenging him. I wasn't so scared of him anymore. He seemed to have no interest in testing on me. Then again, people can be deceiving.
"Just think… you hear what you fear most, but you can't locate it. It tugs at your mind… imagining it coming behind you, when it never really is there. The paranoia alone will drive people insane!" He said, playing with his spider-like hands.
I involuntarily shuddered as I imagined what he described… knives.. other sharp objects. I never liked them. Even scissors could put me a little on edge.
"Ah, Jonathan. It's good to see you," I heard Professor Cook say as he walked in. "I am looking forward to your lecture tomorrow Sable," he told me jovially. He had been in a good mood ever since we'd gotten into fossils. It seemed to be his area of expertise.
"Thank you professor. I suppose that I'll be heading home now. You two enjoy yourselves," I said as I headed for the door.
"See you later, Miss Tate," Dr. Crane said behind me, his voice dripping with ice.
"I'll take the lobby," Kaylee said as soon as I had walked into the bank.
"Alright. Is Reed here yet?" I asked, looking around the little lobby.
"Surprisingly, yes. He was on time today," she said, a smile creeping across her lips. "He's in the back. Just go ahead and join him."
"Okay. See you later, Kaylee," I said walking slowly into the backroom.
All was quiet. There was no enthusiastic 'hello!' from reed.
"Hello? Reed? If this is some joke, I swear I'll kill you," I called into the darkness. I reached towards the wall and flipped on the light.
Reed was collapsed on the floor in a heap.
"Reed! Answer me!" I said, kneeling next to him and checking him over. He was breathing and had a pulse, luckily. "Kaylee!" I yelled, waiting for her to come barreling in. She'd know what to do.
Nobody came.
"Kaylee?!" I called again, my voice faltering. I was afraid… so afraid.
"Heya Sable!" I whipped around, only to come face to face with Harley Quinn.
"H-Harley! Did you do this?" I asked, breathing heavily and pulling out my gun. The security cameras were going to see all of this up, and I wasn't about to lose my job. Luckily, they were visual-only cameras.
"Geez, no need to have a firearm. They'll be fine in a hour or two," Harley said, brandishing her own weapon- a giant hammer.
"Why are you here," I asked, feeling my heart calm down as Harley talked with me like it was completely normal. She was a lot happier this time.
"I'm here to take you to our party!" She said, grinning like a madman. Well, she technically was one.
Go! My voice said, pushing me forward.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "I can't go."
"Sure you can!" Harley said, kicking me in the chest, sending me sprawling. She walked over and cuffed my hands together behind my back. "We'll just have to make it look like you were abducted. I've got it all worked out," she said.
I just blinked rapidly, still dazed from the blow to my chest and barely able to take in what was happening.
"Harley… this isn't a good idea… I need to stay here," I murmured as she pulled me up.
"We need your help!" She whined, giving me puppy dog eyes. I sighed, and hung my head down.
"What do you need my help with?"
"Breakin' my Puddin' out of Arkham, silly!" She laughed, poking me in the back.
"No! I am not helping you commit a crime!" I said, starting to struggle. "Let me go!"
Harley just sighed, and pushed me out of the bank doors. I looked at Reed's limp form and shuddered. I was friends with a obsessed psychopath.
"Didn't give you a choice," Harley giggled as she struck me on the back of the head with her hammer. I gasped in pain and collapsed onto the floor, my vision darkening just as Harley picked me up and started to run.