Upon leaving professor Cook's office, I called Clarity.
"Sable! Are you hurt?" She called frantically into the phone as soon as she answered.
"No… I'm mostly fine. I have a headache coming on though." I heard her sigh in relief on the other side.
"Glen and I have been freaking out all day! The police called us late last night and you were on the news and…" Clarity trailed off and was breathing hard.
"Calm down Clarity! I'm fine," I said quickly before she started crying. "I'm going to go home and rest up now, okay?"
"Okay… Glen and I will drop by later," Clarity said finally.
"I love you," I said quietly. "Thank you for everything."
"Bye," Clarity said, hanging up.
I reached my apartment at four in the afternoon. It felt as if the last eighteen hours of my life had stretched out over a week. I was exhausted, to say the least. My head was throbbing, I was hungry, and my head voice was continuing to taunt me.
I was relieved to be getting home. I was planning on calling the week off from the bank for recovery, and then I'd return to help.
Before I opened the door, I noticed that the light seemed to be on. I couldn't say for sure, but the peephole seemed to suggest so.
I inserted the key into the lock and opened the door. My apartment seemed normal, other than my table lamp being on and a green-clad Rogue reading quietly on the couch.
"Edward?" I asked quietly, exhaling slightly. I didn't really want or need an overbearing guest tonight.
"Good Afternoon, Sable," he said, looking up from his book.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, not in the mood for small talk.
"I figured you wouldn't mind. I needed somewhere to hide," He replied simply.
"You do realize that the police are investigating me because of my connection to your crime today, right? What if they come here?"
"Please, Sable. The police aren't going to even give you another thought. They have much bigger fish to fry than a civilian who was held hostage for a morning. Once they're done questioning you, they're done. You are off of their bucket list," He explained. I just sighed.
There goes my excuse to make him leave, I thought. Edward turned back to his book.
"I have no feet, yet I can move. I have no mouth, yet I need sustenance to survive. You rely on me, but I seem to do more harm than good. What am I?" He asked as he turned the page, looking very content.
I just sighed and started to think. No feet, but it moves. Snake? Snakes have mouths though. I shook my head and though more. I'm a geologist, so what do I know there… Continental plates move, but they don't have feet. They don't have mouths either… Plus, they cause dangerous earthquakes.
"Continental plates?" I guessed, holding my breath.
"No. I was looking for a car. I can see where you are coming from, however." He smiled suddenly, laughing under his breath.
"What's so funny, I asked, finally giving up and sitting on the other end of the couch.
"Oh, I just find it amusing that a geologist would think of Continental Plates. It says a lot about you."
"And your incessant questioning reflects your character," I pointed out, getting a smirk from him.
"So… how did your police questioning go today?" He asked nonchalantly, closing his book and tucking it into his suit coat.
"Fine," I said simply.
We finally just sat there, a heavy silence between the two.
"You're being awfully quiet tonight," I commented. "You almost never stop talking."
"I'm thinking," He answered back simply, shrugging.
"While you think, I'll go make some dinner," I said, getting up and instantly regretting it. My head started to throb worse than ever and the floor started spinning beneath my feet.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked, suddenly reaching out and steadying me.
"I'm fine…" I sighed, rubbing my temples. I started to stumble towards the kitchen when Edward stopped me.
"I don't think that I want you near knives and a stove right now. Go lie down. I'll make dinner," he said, helping me sit back down on the couch. "Harley did a real number on you, didn't she?" He asked, laughing quietly.
"A little bit…" I said with a sigh. "You're going to hold this over my head for some time, aren't you?" I asked, as I sat down.
"Probably," He answered, grinning. "But then again, that's just in my nature."
"Riddle me this!" I heard edward interject over a dinner of tomato soup and toast. "Anyone can take me as long as I'm on someone. What am I?"
"I don't want to solve a riddle right now, Edward," I sighed. "I have a headache."
"And? Your brain isn't turned off, is it?" I sighed, and let myself think.
Only can be taken if it's on someone… I shook my head and sighed. My mind was blank.
"I've got nothing. What is it?" I asked.
"Come on now don't just give up," Edward coaxed, smirking.
"Fine," I sighed, taking another bite of toast.
Pickpocketing? I don't think so. What else is taken… Photographs...
"Okay, Edward. Is it a photograph?" I asked.
"Not quite. Photographs don't have to be on someone to be taken," he explained, smirking. "The answer, you see, is very simple. The answer is pity."
"Oh," I said. "Makes sense."
There was again a silence hanging over us.
"No witty comment from you?" I asked, smiling a bit. "You usually spend the time after an incorrect answer bragging and gloating.
"I'm not in the mood today," he said dismissively.
"Hey, Edward?" I asked, thinking. "You know they day that we first met?" In the alleyway. The Joker was robbing a bank there, wasn't he?"
"I do recall something along those lines, yes," he said, raising an eyebrow at me.
"What were you doing there? Were you and him allied?" I asked.
"No. I sent a riddle because I meant to have The Joker arrested. He had backstabbed me last month, and I saw a chance at revenge."
"Does he know about what you did?" I asked, a little worried. "The Joker is a dangerous man…"
"He undoubtedly has figured it out. My riddle's presence was all over the news," Edward said, not seeming half as worried as I was.
"Then why did you help Harley break him out? He'll kill you!" I said, more than a little shocked.
"I doubt that he'll kill me. He doesn't have half the brain to do so." Edward seemed at ease. He'd probably dealt with a similar situation beforehand.
"Alright then…" I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Am I the only one that finds it funny that I somehow ended up with a bunch of criminals as friends?" I asked him.
"We're only criminals to those of lesser minds, of course," He said, making me laugh. "And no. I myself find it amusing that you have somehow tangled yourself up in the… shady side of Gotham."
I glanced at the clock. 6:00 PM.
"I'd better call the bank… I won't be reporting for work today," I muttered, pulling out my cell phone.
"Kington Bank Counter. How can I help you?" Dahlia asked in her cheery voice.
"Hi Dahlia. This is Sable," I said.
"Oh, Sable! Are you alright? I saw what had happened on the news today…"
"I'm fine… I just won't be at work today. I can barely think straight," I told her softly. "I'm really sorry…"
"It's fine. Kaylee and Reed both said that they could come," Dahlia answered sympathetically.
Kaylee and Reed must be made of steel!I thought. They'd been hit over the head as well.
"I have one more question," I said quickly. "Did our bank loos any funds?
"A little. Nothing too crippling, but some of our money did disappear."
"Okay then… I'll probably be able to come tomorrow…" I added.
"Bye Sable! Get some good rest!" Dahlia said before hanging up.
I sighed and turned back to Edward who was reading his book again.
"Who took the money, Edward?" I asked, drumming my fingers irritatedly.
"Technically, Harley did. However, the money was for Crane. He said he needed extra funding to pay for his chemicals and whatnot."
"Tch. Of course." I muttered, leaning backwards in the couch in a more comfortable position. "I'll have to have a word with him later."
I jumped up in surprise as a loud knocking came on the door.
"Hide!" I hissed to Edward who nodded and shut himself in my closet.
I made my way to the door, the world spinning a bit as I walked. I shook my head and breathed deeply, trying to dispel the nauseous feeling. I reached out and carefully opened the door.
"Hi Sable!" Clarity said, practically tackling me.
"Calm yourself child!" I said, laughing a little. "I'm not feeling well at the moment."
"We said we'd drop by," Glen said, shuffling in himself. "Are you doing okay?"
"I'm fine, other than the headache. It'll be gone by tomorrow though," I told them, sighing. "You guys really don't have to worry so much about me.
"Did you have a guest over for dinner?" Clarity asked, pointing at the two empty bowls sitting on the table.
Shoot. I forgot about those! I thought frantically, looking for an excuse.
"Yeah… Professor Cook came over a little while ago. I guess I forgot to clear away the dishes," I said, trying to act natural. Somehow, I kinda felt as though I'd need some lying skills later on down the line. I'd have to work on it.
"Glad to see that you are doing alright, Glen said, nodding to me. "Do you need help with anything?"
"Not really. I plan on turning in in about an hour or so. Hopefully I'll feel better in the morning," I replied simply, getting a bit antsy. I liked talking with my family, but not when a criminal is hiding in my closet less than ten feet away.
"Well, sleep well then," Clarity said, giving me one last hug. "We'll see you tomorrow."
I sighed in relief as I shut the door and hobbled back to the couch.
"They're gone now, Edward. You can come out," I called out, but still keeping my voice low. the last thing that I wanted was to have the neighbors come snooping around.
"Is your boss going to go along with that little lie if questioned?" He asked. "You need to be careful about that sort of thing."
"He'll go along with it. He's friends with Jonathan anyways, so he's done his fair share of lying as well," I pointed out. "I'm gonna turn in now. Sleep sounds wonderful. I guess that you can stay here on the couch.. just try to stay out of sight if anything happens."
I then got up and shuffled to my bedroom.
Author's Note: Hi everyone! I finally got this chapter finished. It's a bit longer than other chapters, but I'm still pretty proud of it. I do think that The Riddler was a bit out of character at times, but I tried. See you all soon!