Chapter 8: Spark Of Evil
"This is Vicki Vale reporting to you live tonight from Haly's Circus where just hours ago was site of American fun and entertainment turned deadly when mob enforcer Tony Zucco and his men took the circus hostage killing the ringmaster and a couple acrobats in the process. The Batman saved the day or night I should say once again by defeating the armed as they were robbing the patrons. The youngest of the group of acrobats, Richard Grayson survived the ordeal and I'm getting word has agreed to stay with billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne, who was in the audience during the time of this event, for the time being. Another person was severely injured tonight during the takeover. The circus' special effects worker, Garfield Lynns received serious third-degree burns and is being treated at Gotham General. We'll have more info on the story later on. This is Vicki Vale reporting for Gotham Insider.", Vicki Vale said while on the news. That very same news report was being broadcasted all throughout the city, even at Gotham General where Garfield Lynns was in a hospital bed and on a respirator after being seriously burnt by one of his own devices. At least 90 percent of his body was covered in terrible burns and scars. His lungs were also somewhat damaged and he at times had to breathe heavily in between when he speaks to catch his breath. His brown hair was completely gone except for some patches which were now grey. He had always loved fire and was fascinated by its power and how ironic is it that he almost dies by the very thing he loves most. He kept reliving what happened that led to his current damaged state over and over again in his head and remembered every second of the pain he felt in great detail. And what's more disturbing is the sick pleasure he got out of it. He felt as if he had gotten cleansed so to speak by the flames that ravaged his body even if it left him horribly scarred. Other than scarring his body, the fire that consumed him also scarred his already damaged psyche even further. "I can't just stay here in this germ-infested hellhole. There's work to be done.", Lynns said to himself as he unhooked himself from all the machines and got out of bed. He then snuck away when the coast was clear and escaped the hospital through the emergency exits. His accident at the circus only made his pyromania even worse. He escaped to a nearby fireworks factory where he took refuge and began to formulate a sick plan in his mind. A plan that would involve cleansing Gotham with fire just as he saw himself to be cleansed. "Those jerks at the circus said my effects were too much. Said that I got too careless. The fools never understood the true power and beauty of the flame. After tonight, even though I no longer have my good looks, I was blessed by knowing what it's like to be one with fire. I'll show all of them how great it is. I'll show them just how wrong they were about me and my art.", Lynns said in a sadistic tone. He then utilized the tools and equipment in the factory to get to work on some personal projects of his own twisted design. Meanwhile back at the hospital, word got out that Lynns had escaped when he was being treated for his burns and this alerted the presence of the GCPD. Commissioner Loeb and Captain Gordon wanted to stop by anyway to see how Lynns was doing but didn't expect him to just run off like this. "And so no one saw him leave at all?", Loeb asked a nurse. "No. We all thought he was sleeping. No one saw him leave at all.", the nurse said. "How about his injuries? How severe were they?", Gordon asked. "Pretty bad. He received serious third-degree burns covering almost his entire body. The doctor had already rubbed him down with aloe vera and antibiotic cream, but was planning to cut away as much dead skin as possible. We offered to give him some painkillers in the meantime, but he didn't want it because he said he liked the pain for some reason.", the nurse answered. "Well, let's fan out and find this guy.", Loeb told his officers. As they were all about to leave Gordon stopped when he heard a familiar voice speak to him. "I take it Mr. Lynns isn't a fan of hospitals. Then again, lots of people aren't.", Batman said. Gordon turned around and saw his dark friend. "I guess not. I take it you have something you want to share?", Gordon asked. "i did some digging on our badly burnt special effects worker and it turns out he is quite the little devil.", Batman said. "How do you mean?", Gordon asked. "He was orphaned when he was really young after his parents died in a fire which started his fixation on fire. He was constantly being kicked out of foster homes because of his severe pyromania and has had quite an impressive juvenile record, mostly centered around arson.", Batman explained. "And yet, he got employed as a special effects and pyrotechnics guy. Apparently, people don't do their homework.", Gordon said. "And even that led to more incidents in various cities that the circus was in. His effects injured performers and a little girl during these shows.", Batman said. "I'm surprised they didn't fire him right after those accidents. If they were accidents or if he wanted to hurt people on purpose.", Gordon said. "My point is that I believe it's really important we find Lynns as fast as possible. I fear that his little accident may have only escalated his obsession with fire.", Batman said. "Well, he was seriously injured. I don't think he can do too much harm in his state.", Gordon said. "Don't be so sure, Jim. This man has clearly shown signs of being a sociopath in his past and will most likely do no good while he's out in the city.", Batman said. "I'm sure we'll find him before he does anything, if he does.", Gordon said. "Hey, Jim. Loeb wants you back at the station. Let's go.", Harvey Bullock shouted. "Coming, Harvey.", Gordon responded as he turned away from Batman to talk to his friend. Batman was gone once he turned back. "I'm still getting used to that.", Gordon said to himself.