Chapter 28: The Monster Mash

A man alone against a city. I have tried to reach you. But all previous methods fail. Until tomorrow, when you finally come. Who are you? Are you just like me? Could you be in some building close by. Or in some warehouse across the water, waiting for your light to hit the sky? Would I know if I saw you? Will you be my friend? Am I awake or am I dreaming?

Edward felt the comfort of pressure on his lower back as his face succumbed into a pillow. His eyes opened barely to the light of morning shining through the bedroom. Max straddled him, already wide awake clearly. Playfully tickling the back of his neck and shoulders.

"Wakey wakey, goober," her voice the sweet and content energy he loved waking up to. Max continued to glide her hands down his upper back to his armpits, where he finally jolted and groaned a smile.

"Wake up! You have work, you know." She got off him and her footsteps went into the bathroom. She said a bit louder, "I gotta go to the store and get Halloween candy, I didn't even decorate. Kids don't really go trick-or-treating at apartments, do they? Should I get decorations, too? Maybe not…"

Then Edward shot up, his sleep vanishing in a blink. Today was Halloween.

He stumbled into the bathroom with Max as she tied her hair before the mirror, soon to wash her face and brush her teeth. "We're only gonna be here for like… two more weeks. Is there really a point in celebrating Halloween? I'm going to that party tonight, I won't even be home. Would you hand out candy?"

Edward took off his shirt, getting ready to take a shower. Once again, lost in his own world leaving Max's words as background noise. "Edward?"

"Huh?"

"Can you hand out candy tonight if I get some?"

Edward took off his pants and glasses. "Uh. I won't be home tonight."

"Why?" Max flummoxed, then brimmed a grin, "You wanna come to the party, too? You'll be the hotdog to my banana?"

"No, sorry. I gotta work late."

"Again?!" Max raised, "Jesus, they really are milking you for all you're worth."

He started the tap and asked her casually, "So, how's the book coming? I haven't really been keeping up with you about that."

"No, it's fine! It's good. Chapter 26 is well on its way. Did you read the drafts I sent you?"

"Of course," he said behind the shower curtain, "I loved it."

Max was a bit setback by the monotonous response, "You didn't read them, did you?"

"I'm sorry, Max. I've just had a lot going on."

"Hey, you know what, that's okay. You can read it when it has a hard cover, how about that?"

Edward replied, "Exactly."

"I still got that publicist thing coming up! It's after the weekend. You're gonna be there, right?"

"What publicist thing?"

Max spread toothpaste on the brush and yelled back, "You know! The interview! With Vicki Vale, the 'Vale Show' or whatever. Personally, can't stand it myself, she uses way too many teeth whiteners. Rosanna set it up to promote the book sales."

Edward peeked his wet head around the curtain. "Like TV? You're gonna be on TV?"

"Yes! I swear, we've been living on two different planets, lately. I've been telling you about this for weeks because I've been shit scared. Are you going back into the dark place?"

"No," groaned Edward, pulling back behind the curtain.

"You sure? You've been a little spacey."

"Zach's got me on a load of accounts, and he keeps adding more."

"So what? You're going to be leaving in two weeks, just say no, and move on."

Edward explained, "No, because if they fired me, I'd be getting a fraction of my severance and a shit reference. I gotta play ball until we leave, I'm sorry." He finished and turned off the tap. He pulled the curtain and affirmed, "But I'm happy for you, Max." She handed him a towel with a smile as he continued, "Really, I am. This is going to be great for your book. Once were in Omaha I promise you'll have my whole, undivided attention. Everything is going to be fine."

Max asked him softly as he stepped out the shower, "So, you'll come?"

Edward kissed her right cheek and said, "I'll try my best to be there. If I can't, I'll make sure to get to the nearest TV I can find and watch it. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Max beamed a grin and kissed him with tenderness, forgiving and secure – embracing him unconditionally, despite the differences in their lives. Soon it would be irrelevant and put to rest as their move to Nebraska inched closer. Leaving all the glower of Gotham in the rear view forever.

Edward jested, "You know, you're taking advantage of me. I'm naked."

"You have a towel! I can't kiss you when you're naked? Who made up that rule?"

"It's only fair if you're naked, too."

Max blew a laugh and said suggestively, "Ah, equality. I get it," she started to take off her shirt as Edward helped her. "We got time, right? I'm sure two minutes is nothing."

Edward scoffed, "I'll have you know I've been getting better!"

Max fell into laughter as Edward giggled into her neck, pulling her up onto the sink counter.

It was nearing 5pm, and soon the streets would be brimming in children donned in their favorite characters, feared monsters, and make up. Halloween was known for being a thing of notoriety in Gotham, especially for crime. Criminals would blatantly run the streets in masks to hide their identities. Holding up stores or drug deals. Upper West was one of the few spots in the city crime was effectively battled, so for the honest families just wanting a good holiday for their children, they'd bring them there. It was the home of the Mayor's office, Wayne Tower and overall Gotham's wealthy. Many families were pooling down the streets, eager to get their trick-or-treat out the way quick before the scheduled rainstorm arrived.

For Max, she was on her way back to the Sim. A Halloween party with Manny and his partner, and a few friends made from the Times. She was pleasantly surprised many at the Times missed her company and still yearned to keep a friendship. Manny, especially, wanted to soak in as much time with her as he could before she left Gotham.

When she arrived in a shameless parody costume of a banana with white pom poms, she received some less than pleasant glares from girls in their skimpy nurse and rodent outfits. She wasn't dressed to impress, her costume was what sparked joy, and that was good enough. Manny, dressed as Frank N-Furter, came over with a yowl of glee.

"Max!"

Goo Goo Muck from The Cramps was playing in the bar with the growing chatter of patronage. The scents of booze and fried foods rose up, filling Max with that all too familiar sense of freedom and spirit she enjoyed with Manny plenty. The Sim was far busier than the last time she was there, thanks to the Halloween festivities. Manny asked her in a chuckle, "The fuck is this? What is this? Your first dildo?"

"No! I'm a banana! Not just any banana. I'm the damn Peanut Butter Jelly Time banana. With the pom poms? You know," she started to dance and sing, "It's peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time!"

Manny erupted in a laugh, "Of course, you'd pick the weirdest fucking costume out there."

"Well, duh. What do you think I am? Lame?"

The amount of Batman impersonators in the bar was profound. Seeing the city's masked vigilante swigging whiskey or eating a tray of hot wings was painting an amused grin on Max's face. If only Edward was here to see this.

"Where's your man? Am I ever gonna meet this guy before you both drive off into the sunset?"

Max hummed in disappointment, "He's shy. Like I said, he doesn't like parties."

"His loss is my gain, I get the peanut butter banana tonight," praised Manny as he pulled her to the bar. "Steve is coming, he's held up at work but he'll be here soon."

The night progressed into swift drinking, dancing, and revitalizing Halloween classics playing on the stereo. Manny and Max's chatter became more sottish and full of hysteric laughter – a night that was surely becoming the highlight of their shared adventures. Something that would leave an impression in Max before her departure to Nebraska. One of her last good nights in the city. Then in a blink, the night curdled far different.

Max almost didn't notice the convoy of racing police cars flying past the Sim patio. Their sirens and lights an obvious roar towards Upper West. The music couldn't drown them out as they did, catching all in the bars attention. An ungodly amount of cruisers, to boot. One that raised concerns. A few patrons checked their phones to ensure loved ones were okay, including Max, shooting Edward a text.

"Hey, you still at work?"

Manny commented, "Jesus, what was that about?"

Then a few patrons started rambling. As they checked their phones, breaking news stories notified.

"The Mayor is dead!"

"Don Mitchell was murdered in his own house."

"Yo, check the stories. Someone killed the Mayor!"

Max investigated this further only to have it confirmed. That someone had actually murdered Don Mitchell. The Mayor she recurrently wrote about. The Mayor she despised, even so, she was not glad. If anything, she mourned for his family.

Being in a bar full of political journalists, it naturally created a bit of uproar. Some even leaving so they could get the story before other news outlets did. Some time had passed, and no text messages from Edward. Max had lost her drive to continue the festivities further.

"Hey, it's like 3am, I'm gonna head it." Max said to Manny and Steve, who were both entranced in their phones.

Manny asked, "You okay getting home, honey?"

"Yeah, I'll get a taxi."

As she watched more police cars race up the hill through the window of the cab, she continued to text Edward, before relenting and calling. She didn't want to be the suffocating girlfriend, but in matters like this when the city seemed to be going into chaos, on one of the most dangerous nights of the year, she felt justified. She was still a bit intoxicated, but was gradually sobering the more chaos unravelled. Accompanied in all of this, she caught the loom of the Batman's sign in the sky. Only sharing light on the most volatile nights.

Finally the phone picked up, greeting first the heavy rattle of rain and vehicles honking and whirring on his end. He was clearly on a busy street outside. "Edward?"

"Hey! I'm sorry, I'm trying to make it home. There's so many people out right now."

"Are you okay?"

Edward seemed a bit surprised at the question, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"Where are you?"

"Uh, just got out of East station. Making my way home, now."

Max started to panic, "That place is so packed with crime, babe. Take a taxi."

"That's not gonna help me. Look, I'm almost there, don't worry. Why do you sound freaked out, did something happen?"

There was an obvious shake in Edward's voice, but Max chalked it up to the cold rain and walking on his end. "I'll talk about it at home. Just get home."

"I am. I love you."

As soon as Max got home, she was sober enough to make it to the Westinsons Apartments door herself, run up the stairs, and sprint for her apartment. She firstly yelled his name when she came inside a dark stead. No lights just as they left it. No sign anyone had been home.

"Edward?!" She whispered to herself fearfully, "The fuck? Where is he?"

She pulled for her phone again, seeing the time getting close to five in the morning. Yet, he wasn't home. She called his number again. Then again. No answer. She went to check his activity on Nigma, usually he'd use it as another avenue to communicate if he had no service. Then a news video caught her attention. It was the first on her feed, featuring a dreadfully familiar face the head of a press release about the recent murder of Don Mitchell. Commissioner Savage.

She pulled off her coat and kicked her boots off, then sat on the edge of her bed and pressed play.

"Tonight a son lost a father, a wife lost a husband, and I lost a friend. Mayor Mitchell was a fighter for the city, and I will not rest until this killer is found. This was a truly senseless crime, but we are actively pursuing every investigative link we have in order to identify the individual responsible."

Another face, a far more kinder face, stood to his right. Lieutenant Jim Gordon. Cameras flashed and boom microphones bobbed in the footage. A gathering of importance to the death. Perhaps a sign of unity, at last? Max stayed hopeful that at least one good thing could come from this, would be the corrupted officials realizing the good will out. That to keep their own necks safe, they need to take action to protect Gotham, or the public outcry will become violent. Max knew quite clearly this was a crime planned and fuelled in hatred for the system. In fact, she was surprised assassinations or even just attempts hadn't happened yet.

"At approximately 11:30pm, we believe the perpetrator used the skylight to enter Don Mitchell's home. While his wife and child were out enjoying Halloween, he was murdered alone with brunt force trauma to the back of the head. The killer proceeded to use duct tape across the victim's head, leaving a vague message 'no more lies' written in red felt. Don Mitchell also appeared to have his thumb severed at the time of the crime. We urge the public if they have any knowledge or tips to offer the GCPD at this time, the line will be open and anonymity provided."

Max hushed to herself, "Jesus Christ."

She shuddered at the depravity, as in many instances of depraved murders, once was never enough. Then the front door finally clicked open, sending her from her bed in relief.

"Edward?!"

He passed the wall to the hallway, taking off his coat. His hair and shoulders of his jacket soaked. Droplets of water still dripping down the lens of his glasses.

"What the hell! I called you a hundred times. Did you not check your phone? It's five in the morning!"

Edward made a long, sullen sigh before he glanced to her in sad eyes – regretful and imploring.

Max continued, "Did you see what happened? It's all over the news."

He was quiet, eerily so. Nearly setting Max into unease if not for their bond. Yet, in that short moment, it seemed there never was one at all.

"Honey?" Her voice went inward itself, timid and insecure. "Are you okay?"

Edward rubbed his hand down his face of water, and came down the hallway slow. Max continued, "Where have you been all night? Don't tell me work, because that's bullshit. What the hell is going on? Edward, you're freaking me – "

Then in an instant, taking the words from her mouth in a hold of control, Edward pushed Max against the wall. The first time he ever shown such aggression to the point it walloped air from her lungs. It was so alien she didn't realize he was ever as strong as he was. It froze her solid at first, mostly in shock. Then he pressed his lips into her own. Max didn't kiss back at first, she didn't know if she should, but the act of him taking her so dominantly was strangely melting her into submission.

"What the - ! Whats going on with you?" She murmured through his lips.

The fear was exciting, especially his hands journey to her buttocks. His squeeze was harsh and ached a little, but Max didn't push him away. If anything, she fed into it, pulling him by the collar of his shirt into her lips deeper. His tongue fought with her own, and the water from his glasses dripped on the bridge of her nose.

Then Edward took a hand under the front strap of her pants, not even waiting for clearance before burying two fingers inside. Max took in a sharp inhale, exhaling a moan into his mouth. He'd pull them in and out fast, roughly engaging more moans from her mouth. Their kiss broke just so he could take a look at her face. His other hand pressed into her neck, his torso holding her body against the wall. She pooled generously on his hand, not able to think or speak as he toyed with her haplessly. All she could manage was breath. Each breath breaking into a moan louder than the first.

Then he spoke in a dark yet soft croon, "I don't want to talk. Do you want to talk?"

He waited patiently for an answer. Max finally managed a 'no', and a timid shake of her head. He sighed, "Didn't think so."

Edward picked her up like a child with little restraint or struggle and dropped her to the bed. Max was utterly hypnotized. She wouldn't dare speak a word, fearful it would break whatever possession Edward was under. Perhaps ill thought, but she was relishing it. He pulled off her pants in spite, as if it was offensive. As if she was little more than a plaything, she jostled with his movements, proving behind the gentle and passive nature was a man far stronger than she was. He was honing it, finally. She was far more appreciative of it, letting that fear become excitement. Max had no inkling of where it was coming from, but she wouldn't question it.

He spread her legs and brought his lips between them, swimming in the water he inspired in her. He aggressively fed into it, much less for her benefit than his own. Even so, Max was writhing in her sheets, pulling them off the bed as she convulsed into the sensation. She wailed into the air, feeling the thrust of his tongue enter her with a dominance. His hands glided up her navel to pillow her breast – yet simultaneously keeping her held firm to the bed with his forearms. As if she was held prisoner, no choice but to follow his next steps. That she couldn't even arch her back in pleasure if he didn't allow it.

Only rarely was a certain beast awakened in Edward this way. Max had seen him a handful of times. All during their joined forces in exposing New Beginnings and Stone. Yet this was different. A complete shift that was as alarming as it was alluring. She was granted no time to battle or consider this as he brought her to the throes, only able to cling for breath. By the time she did, it's as if he knew it instantly. He shot up and pulled her legs to his shoulders, pushing inside her with little tenderness. A grunt and heavy breath was all he could speak, and it spoke loudly. His hand still planted to her sternum as a reminder she was to obey. Max looked up to him as her vision started to haze in euphoria. The colours from the dim light of her Himalayan lamp went vibrant. Yet all she could see was the monotonous and apathetic glare of his lenses staring back.