Trapped in Arkham pt.10

Thanks for visiting, and please...come again.

Now I see the real person behind everything tonight, and I may never have seen or heard this “Hush” guy but he must be dangerous to rile Batman like he did.

I feel like I should be on the side lines as Batman and Hush are glaring at each other, only Hush, from what I can tell, has a smile on his face as he does. Unfortunately I’ve been forced into the middle of all this.

“Don’t tell me you’re that surprised, Batman.” Hush says, keeping his pistol aimed at him.

“Aside from seeing you’re still alive.” He says back. “But why go through all this, Hush? What’s to gain? Even you know this plan to take Gotham would...”

Before he can finish, Hush says “It was never about taking Gotham. That’s just what I told Joker to say, to get enough of the others to come running to him.”

“Then why? Why all of this?”

“To get to you of course.” Hush answers, making Batman look in subtle shock and anger. “You see, Batman, I’ve been planning this for some time, even to the point of posing as one of the doctors to get close enough to Joker to explain everything to him. I wasn’t that difficult as I’m sure you’d understand. I knew that you and everyone in the GCPD would come running to try and take back control of the island. So I needed a few insurances, like Joker’s bomb threats. But even I knew you were too smart for that, so I went for a contingency plan.”

“Bane.” Batman realizes. “He went along with your plan? I’m curious what you said to make him believe you.”

“It’s not what I said, it’s what someone else, a business partner, if you will, offered. I wasn’t sure who exactly to get in touch with mercenary, so looked and found someone who could. And even one who was willing to see my plan come together, as long as it meant he had his own cut of the takings.”

“Who?” Batman demands.

“I think the little lady here knows who I mean.” Hush says, making both of them look at me.

At first I don’t know what he’s referring to. I don’t think I’d know anyone with.... oh no... that’s who he went to... And that’s why he sent me here. He didn’t do it out of some ironic punishment. He did it because he was sure I’d die here, that I’d be torn to pieces or anything just as bad by someone locked in here. It was all his own personal joke...

“....Sabantino...” I say, making Batman realize the plan more now.
 
“Precisely.” Hush continues. “He provided the means and the motivation for Bane to keep you occupied,” he indicates Batman, “and to let everyone else have a little fun. And that was the other part that made this all the better. I knew you’d be so determined to make It here, but you couldn’t let Bane tear the city down while you did. Oh no, the Batman couldn’t leave his city, his people, in danger. Plenty of time for enough people to suffer, here on Arkham, while you desperately tried to reach it as fast as possible. Tell me, was it killing you inside the whole time? Knowing that you left so many to die here?”

Batman doesn’t answer, but I can tell he’s holding back from saying yes. I can understand where he’s coming from, being Gotham’s dark knight and all. Not being able to save the people who trust him could be a bit of a low blow.

“That’s what I thought.” Hush says. “Although there was one thing that interested me out of everything tonight. You.” He points at me, making my heart drop for a moment. “Don’t think I didn’t catch on to your little tromp throughout the island while all hell had broken loose. I must say, you made it pretty far for one like you.” Before I know it, he’s pointing the gun towards me. “But not far enough.”

He fires and I hold my arms up out of reflex. I look away and don’t see when Batman leaps in the way, taking the bullet. I look when he falls to the ground, and I’m still alive, before kneeling down to see if he’s ok.

He’s still alive. Thank God. His armor must have Kevlar in it to take that kind of shot. There’s even a large mark over the right of his chest where it hit. He gets up in a fast motion and throws his bat-rangs at Hush, who only shoots them down with two shots from his pistol.

“Ha!” he says. “Stubborn as always. Well I think I have the perfect solution for that.”

He holds up his little controller in his left hand and presses it. This makes one of the cages at the very end of the room open up. Batman and I look and see the door slide open before seeing who it was inside.

I’m surprised as ever to see it’s that Killer Moth guy I saw get taken away by Man-Bat. He looks like he went through his own little hell from that experience. His helmet’s a little bent up here-and-there, one of his wings is broken and dropping, and his costume is torn around the right arm, left leg, and left shoulder, exposing some of his skin.

He staggers out and sees what’s going on before saying “Yes! Finally the deadly Killer Moth’s potential has been realized! I thank you, Hush, for giving me this chance to...”

Before he can finish is grand speech, Hush puts his gun away and says “Hold that thought.” Before taking out a small handheld crossbow from under his jacket and firing it.

A small needle-like object hits Killer Moth right in the shoulder, making him land on his back from the force of the shot.

Batman shouts “No!” after seeing this, while I only cover my mouth with both hands, thinking Moth dead. “Why? Dammit why?” He yells at Hush.

He merely tosses the crossbow aside and says “What? You’d think I’d let him out just to kill him? That was a syringe filled with a specialized mutagen. I think you know what that means, right Bats?”

I hear Batman say “No...” before he and I both look back to see Moth acting odd.

He twitches and rives on the ground before he starts to giggle. Before I can realize what’s going on, Moth starts to change before me. His limbs grow out and become more insect like, some of his fingers and toes forming together to become claws. He rolls on his knees and suddenly large insect wings sprout from it. I can see bug antenna growing off the top of his head too. He finally turns to where Batman and I are and I can see he’s growing on top of changing. He’s slowly reaching about eight or nine feet tall while he rips of the rest of his costume to reveal a more humanoid-incest body underneath. He finally throws off his helmet and a shriek at the sight of his large red bug eyes, his massive pinches and his grotesque mouth filled with teeth.

“Say good bye to Killer Moth...” I hear Hush say. “...and hello to Charaxes!”

Batman pushes me behind him as Charaxes give out a roar, which sounds like a mix between a humans and one a giant bee might make with its wings. It comes at both of us but Batman throws another bat-rang at his face and hits him on the side. Charaxes only acts annoyed by this as he comes closer and lifts one of his clawed hands at us.

Batman pushes me out of the way before grabbing it with his hands. I’m on the ground and look back up to see Batman holding on with both hands as he struggles with Charaxes claw. He manages to throw it to the side, making the giant bug miss, before punching him in the left eye. He holds it in pain and backs up.

Batman looks around and see Mr. Freeze’s gun on the floor nearby and runs over to it. Just as I get back to my feet, I see Batman pick it up and aim it at Charaxes, who’s only now just recovered from that shot to the eye. He fires it and manages to get Charaxes against a wall when he does, freezing only his limbs and wings. Once he’s done, seeing Charaxes struggle to get free, he tosses the freeze gun aside.

Before I can run over to him, something grabs me from behind, puts a gloved hand around my neck and a sharp metal scalpel against my windpipe, making me go stiff in fear of being cut. Batman turns in time to see me in Hush’s grip, unable to get out.

“I give you credit.” He says. “You always manage to impress me with your moves. Not that it helps in anyway, because you always have the same weak spot: innocents.”

“Let her go.” Batman says. “She’s not involved in this.”

“I’m making her involved.” He retorts, keeping the scalpel on my throat. “Sometimes more pawns are needed for the game to go in ones favor.”

Just then the sound of ice breaking makes us all look to see Charaxes breaking free from his icy bonds. He only roars before looking at Batman, who I now see is practically surrounded by this.

“Well look at that.” Hush says again. “Looks like my pieces is still in play. Your move.”

Batman just stands there, I’m sure he’s considering his options. As much as I want to tell him not to worry about me and just stop this mummy bastard I know he won’t want that. He’ll do whatever he can to see both of us make it out of this alive. Or at the very least me. That’s how he is. That’s how he’s always been, given all the stories I’ve heard about him.

“Get rid of the belt.” Hush says. “I don’t want any more surprises.”

Batman does as he says, reaching down and taking it from around his waist. I don’t think Hush saw it, but I can see him taking something out of one pockets and then palming it so that he can’t see. I say or do nothing and just hope that he knows what he’s doing.

Batman tosses it aside and Hush says “Good. Now as an honorable sort that I am, old friend, any last words?”

“Just one.” Batman answers, holding up what it was he palmed.

It’s some kind of small black device that reminds me of a beeper. A red light on it is blinking and Hush is looking at it oddly, trying to figure what it is. Before he can tell, there’s a sudden familiar monstrous shriek from above.

“Surprise.” Batman smirks.

Man-Bat crashes through another glass window just as Batman turns and tosses the beeper device at Charaxes. It hits him on the chest and the giant insect doesn’t even realize what it’s done before seeing Man-Bat flying towards it. Both give their own monstrous roars before colliding together.

I hear Hush say “No!” before I take the opportunity to escape.

I catch a glimpse of Batman going for his belt and Hush reach down to grab one of his guns before I act. Just as Hush pulls out his gun I grab his hand with the scalpel in it, pull it away from my neck, and then bring it to my mouth where I bite down. Hard. He screams and pushes me away before dropping his scalpel and holding his hand.

“You filthy little bitch!” He says before I feel his hand backhand against my face.

I fall back on the ground and feel like something was almost broken from that smack. I try to pick myself up, feeling a bit of spit or even blood fall from the corner of my mouth where he hit. I look to see Hush pointing his gun at me now, and very angered look in his face after what I done. I may end up dying now, but as long as it means he doesn’t win.

Before he can fire, a familiar bat shaped object swings in and hits his hand, knocking the gun out of it. I look back and see Batman running towards both of us, now with his belt back on. Hush only growls before Batman jumps up to kick him.

Hush moves out of the way and tries to punch Batman when he lands. Batman blocks this and manages to get a hit on the side of his torso. Hush takes the hit and tries to kick his side, but Batman manages to catch it and spins him in the air before making him land on his stomach on the ground.

I back away, on the ground, from the two fighting only to be drawn by the noises of Man-Bat and Charaxes fighting. I look back and see both of them struggling with each other, Man-Bat trying to bite the giant bugs arm while he blocks his wings flapping at him. I watch as Charaxes, still retaining some of Killer Moth’s thoughts, seems frightened by Man-Bat as he manages to bite one of his arms. He shrieks before knocking him away. I can even see that little device that Batman used to draw him here is broken on the ground. This is now a fight out of instinct for Man-Bat.

Charaxes, I’m guessing more out of fear than instinct, flies up towards the roof to get away from Man-Bat. The giant mammal monster follows and grabs onto his back before both go crashing through another glass window of the ceiling. I can only hear one more roar from Charaxes before that’s the last I either see or hear from either of those monsters.

I turn back to see Batman and Hush, their fight moving to one point of the room after another, as they are still locked in combat. Hush managed to land a blow against Batman’s left side of his face, only for Batman to grab his hand and lock it under his arm before kicking Hush in the stomach. Hush lands on the ground, holding his stomach, before recovering and getting to his feet.

He stands and says “Let me guess, some sort of high sonar frequency do-dad to get Kirkland back?”

“I have another one in my boat.” Batman retorts, now both circling each other at this point. “That’s how I drew him away to begin with. I may not have been ready for you, but I’m always ready for anyone here.”

“Clever as always.” Hush says. “But you never figured how to take enough steps to be ready for anything. That’s why you lose.”

Before I realize it Hush is standing right near the freeze gun and reaches down to pick it up. He aims and fires at Batman, who manages to duck away before he can be hit. He fires again, Batman dodging. But I can see Batman is being forced to move further away from Hush instead of towards him. Ne needs help.

I rush from Hush’s left and grab the freeze gun, trying to pull it out of his grip. He struggles with me for a moment and I hope it gives Batman the time he needs to get closer to Hush. I try to look over to see Batman, but that gives Hush the opportunity to knock the end of the gun in my shoulder. I fall to the ground and look to see Batman trying to reach Hush thanks to my distraction.

It fails however as Hush manages to point the freeze gun and fire it at Batman before he could reach him. Batman is stuck in a block of ice around his body, expect for his head and his left hand, and is trapped. Hush laughs as he throws the gun away and walks up to Batman, pulling out a second gun he had under his trench coat.

I crawl over and try to fire the gun at him, but it won’t work. I’m guess out of fuel or whatever this thing runs on. Or just my rotten luck again. I look around trying to find something, anything, to use to save Batman before Hush gets the final blow on him.
But then I see something. The one thing that’ll work. The sign that maybe my luck’s starting to change.

Hush holds the gun under Batman’s chin and says “End of the line. No more mishaps. No more surprises. Nothing from you anymore.”

“Congratulations.” He says back. “Out of everyone I suppose you finally have your personal vendetta against me appeased?”

“As Aristotle would say, ‘The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain’. Well I’m ending my pain today. The pain that you and your family brought on mine.”

“It was never mine or any others.” Batman retorts. “That was yours and yours alone, Tommy. You just could never accept it.”

Hush only sneered at him before saying “You know what they say... ‘sometimes the truth is too hard to swallow’.” He holds the gun up under his chin higher before clicking back the clock. “ I guess this is my final checkmate, Bru...”

Before he can finish I hit him with the weapon I found: Maxi Zeus’ bolt. It’d been lying on the ground near where the Joker dropped it. I was lucky I used the right trigger hidden at its end to fire a single bolt at him. Hush gives out a cry of pain before dropping to the ground.

I look in surprise at what I did before dropping the rod and walking over to Batman. He struggling to get out of the ice and manages to break his left arm out before punching at the other frozen area to break them. Once he’s fully out he lands on the ground to his knees, me holding him by the right arm to help him up.

He gets to his feet and says “Thanks.”

I nod and say “Well...you know. Guy as crazy as that....guess he needed, well, you know, a little...shock treatment.” I say with an awkward giggle. I see Batman not really phased by the joke before I say “Yeah I know.”

********************

At least a half hour later the police had arrived and secured the island. I was only with Batman for another five minutes, while he made sure none of the other villains could get away and Warden Sharp was alright, before disappearing. Thankfully the cops arrived less than a minute afterwards to find what had happened.

I’m sitting on a bench under one of the trees closer to the entrance out in Arkham North, a blanket over my shoulder and down my back, a cup of hot coffee in my hands, and still in this ridiculous Alice in wonderland dress. In look out at the Intensive Treatment building and see two cop cars parked out in front along with an ambulance van. There’s also a helicopter patrolling the island from above that passes by our section of the island before moving on. I remembering see more cars and vans move out to the other parts of the island and take comfort in knowing that everything is being secured.

Nearby me, near of the cars, is Commissioner Gordon, just as I’d always see him on T.V. An ordinary white shirt with a black tie, decent blank pants, a trench coat and a hat to match. I see his heavy mustached face, with those squared glasses over his eyes, as he talks with one of the cops informing him of something. Once they leave he looks over to me and gives a reassuring smile.

Just then another cop, or maybe detective given how he’s dressed, walks over to Gordon. He’s a bit overweight and sloppy looking, with heavy stubble on his cheeks, his hair looking greasy under his hat, his dark yellow shirt un-tucked from his blue pants, and his grey coat button around his waist barley holding.

I can see he’s about to talk to Gordon so I just look down at my drink and listen.

I hear Gordon first say “You have the update, Bullock?”

“As best as I could get, Comish.” Bullock says. “Turns out Cash was holed up in some underground section of the island. Part of some water control system booth they have for the place.”

“How many did he have with him?” Gordon asks.

“About ten doctors and five other guards. We also found a couple of janitors and orderlies hiding in one of the rooms of the med building. They were lucky no one came looking around there.”

I take in that news a little rough for myself. Turns out Cash and some others were still alive and I never even knew about it. I feel a little like an idiot for not considering it beforehand. Maybe a lot could’ve been avoided if that were the case.

“And the prisoner count?” Gordon asks, changing the subject.

“Not than many of the lower level patients left, sir.” Bullock said. “Those that didn’t get it when this whole hostile takeover went down were hiding away or just waiting around, muttering to themselves.”

“What about the max security ones?”

“Well aside from the ones we found in the Pen waiting for us, along with the Warden and the girl, we found some like Nigma and Day tied up  near the entrance, Guess your Bat friend managed to beat them before they could try to make a break for it. We got Tetch along with those people he used his mind gadget stuff on sitting in the gardens, along with Dumpler.They pulled Walker and Kirkland from out near the docks, both back to normal and passed out. Guess they bruned through all that junk that made them all monstery during their little tango. We’re handling those survivors now. Also got word from down in the sewer system. They found Croc half dead and chained up down there.”

“No sign of Grundy I take it?”

“Not a thing, Comish. He’s anywhere by this point.”

“He’ll come up again. Don’t worry. Any missing?”

“So far we only count Dahl and Crane missing. Aside from Grundy that is. The boys are checking the rest of the penitentiary to see if anyone else is gone.”

Both are silent for a bit after this. I can tell they’re looking at me. I guess they both wondering if I heard them or if I’m alright.

“How she doing?” I hear Bullock ask.

“The girl just went through a night of hell and managed to leave with only a few scarps and bruises. She’s probably endured enough horrors to keep anyone awake at night. I doubt she’s ready to go on happy picnic after this, detective.”

“Right, chief.” I hear Bullock answer.

“Just go check with Warden Sharp for now. Report on anything else.”

“Got it.” Bullock says before walking off.

I hear footsteps come towards me and stop before Gordon asks “How you doing?”

I hesitate before saying “I think you got the idea when you were talking with your detective friend.”

“Yeah. Sorry about that. Bullock’s a good man, he just needs more work around the edges. Mind if I sit?”

I nod and move over for him to have room. I look and see as he sits and then has a concerned look as he turns to me.

“We, uh... we found Dr. Myers in the Warden’s office. I’m afraid Jason Sale wasn’t lying. A heavy blow right to the back of her head. Instantaneous.”

I look down, holding back from crying or anything like that, before saying “I wish I could’ve done something...”

“We always do.” Gordon says. “But it never helps to dwell on what we could’ve done, only what we can do. Take you for example. At least we managed to clear your name.”

“Guess I can appreciate the smaller things, right?” I ask, still looking down.

“Speaking of smaller things,” Gordon says, sounding a bit more enthusiastic. “a mutual friend managed to find a few lose documents and payment plans by a certain individual who’s being charged for this crisis.” I look up him to see a calm smile before he says “Sabantino won’t be able to slip his way out of this, Ms. Dawson. He’s going to court and being put away for a long time.”

I smile a little at this before saying “Thank you. I... I needed to hear that.”

He nobs before seeing something nearby that catches his attention. I look but don’t see anything before turning back to Gordon. Suddenly I hear a low hum and he takes a cell phone out of his pocket.

“Oh. That’s my daughter calling.” He says, standing up. “I think I’ll leave you to ponder with....other thoughts for now.” He says, winking.

As he walks away I lean back on the bench and sip my coffee. It’s silent for a moment, aside from the sirens and helicopters in the distance, but at least it is enough for me to hear what I’ll probably need to hear.

“You don’t have to hide you know.” I say, not looking away from my drink.

I still don’t look but I can tell he’s there, behind the tree. Using it’s shadows to hide in the darkness like he probably always does.

“I still didn’t get a chance to thank you, again, for saving me.” I say.

“If anything I’m the one who should thank you.” He says. “You acted under pressure and made the right choices. Not many can do that, especially after what you’ve been through tonight.”

“Well I figured it was time to stop being scared of everything and start taking action.”

“I can understand that.” He says. “I’m also sorry for your losses.”

“I know I only knew her for so long, but Emily Myers was still a good...”

He cuts me off and says “I wasn’t referring to just Dr. Myers. I meant what happened during your childhood. It can be rough knowing your parents are dead, especially when one is killed in front of you.”

“Is that how you knew about me?” I asked.

“Let’s just say I was aware of your father’s disappearance for a while and only now managed to find the connection with Sabantino’s rise to power. Wish I’d found out sooner. Maybe a lot of things could’ve been avoided tonight.”

“Well... like Gordon said, It’s not about what could’ve been done, but what can be done now.”

“My thoughts exactly.” He says.

I suddenly feel something being placed at my right. I look and see it’s a file folder with a few papers inside. I open and start to go through it, seeing a bunch of documents and the like.

“What’s...?” I tried to ask.

“I looked through Sabantino’s files and found a few important papers you’ll find interesting. There’s also a number for a good psychologist. I figured you’ll want some consulting after tonight. She’s usually more for children, but under the circumstances I think Dr. Thompkins  should be able to help. And there’s one other thing.”

I flip though more papers before finding the “other thing” he mentioned. It’s my father’s will I look through and skim a few lines before seeing something that perks my heart up in a beat.

“He left you everything, Samantha.” He says, still in the shadows. “Even what was your mother’s in the event of her death. It was made out a week before he was killed.”

I start to tear in my eyes and smile before closing the folder and hugging it, saying “Thank you...thank you so much....”

I feel a hand on my shoulder before he says “You’ve had enough pain in your life, Samantha. It’s time to start healing.”

I reach and touch his hand or a moment, feeling the armored glove material, before he takes it away. Just a second later I hear Gordon coming towards me and look up to see him.

“The car’s waiting for you, Ms. Dawson, if you’re ready.” He says.

I stand and say “Ye-yes. I just want to say...”

I turn to say goodbye but see he’s not standing there. No one is. It’s almost like no one had been there at all. At first I think I might have imagined it all, some other effect from Scarecrow’s toxins taking effect on me, but I look down and see the file is still in my hands.

“But...where’d he...?” I start to ask before Gordon walks over and takes me away.

“It’s alright, Ms. Dawson. He tends to do that. And believe me, after enough times, it tends to get annoying.”

I walk over to the cop car waiting for me and look back on last time. Sill no one there but I know he was there, and right now he’s done so much for me. So much I feel like saving his life was barely able to pay back. But I know he’s not the type to ask for favors. Not unless he was part of the mob, which I’m sure is going to have enough problems of its own with Sabantino now doing time.

I only say “Goodbye...” before getting n and being driven back to Gotham City.

Back to my home, where I belong....

********************

It wasn’t until later that I hear news that Clayface had managed to escape from his cell and sneak out. Apparently he’d managed to take a gauds place after, somehow, getting them in his cell and killing them. Walked right out from under everyone’s nose. And they still haven’t found Scarecrow. The closet thing they did find was his mask washed up near the docks in Gotham. I don’t know if he plans to come for me, but if he does it won’t be anything like last time.

********************

It’s been over two weeks since that night, and I’m standing in front of one of the headstones in Gotham Cemetery.

It was hard going to Emily’s funeral, but I couldn’t let anything keep me away from attending. It did give me the chance to at least meet her family. It was just her father and brother at this point, both very nice men. I was also a bit surprised some of the guards, like Aaron Cash, and even Warden Sharp had come to pay respects. At least now she’ll be happier, with her mother...and Olivia.

Speaking of Warden Sharp, news is he’s trying to run for mayor. Apparently he’s using his whole experience of surviving Arkham as a means for his campaign. He’s also promising some new plan for the city that’ll revolutionize imprisonment plans. Not sure what it is, but I’ve been hearing enough rumors to know not everyone’s on bard with it. Guess time will tell for that.

As for me, things have been slowly putting themselves back together.

I never told before, but my father had me attend a lot of business practice classes during school. Guess it was more of his foresight at work as it came in decent enough handing when I was offered a spot with Wayne Enterprises. Apparently Bruce Wayne and I share a mutual friend who put in the word for me. Got me a chance to meet Wayne. A very decent man, if a bit odd at times. He also introduced me to Lucius Fox, who’s been taking time to teach me a little more about what goes on when dealing with the big business executive types. Given enough time, he says, and I may be able to take my father’s place on the board on day. I can only hope.

My father’s inheritance left me enough to help put my life back together, including my old home. I know what’s been left to me and know what I have to do to keep my father’s legacy. And so far I think all that’s been going on is a sigh of my father’s curse is breaking over me. Guess it had to end at some point. Just keep wishing it was sooner.

Dr. Leslie Thompkins has been a big help with my recovering. She seems to have a decent understand, not only about what I went through on the island, but also looing my parents. She did mention one patient of hers who took their parents death to much to heart and made a dark decision. I never asked who, out of respect, but I can’t help but wonder.

And now, to top it all off, I’ve become somewhat famous for what happened to me. Not exactly often when a normal citizen is stuck on one of the most dangerous places in the city, if not on earth, and comes out in one piece. I’m thinking of writing a book to tell what happened, maybe even give some of the answers the people constantly want to know. Hell, tomorrow I’m supposed to be interviewed by some famous reporter all the way from Metropolis. Hopefully this Kent guy is as nice as I’ve heard.

I leave my flower on Emily’s grave and start to walk out. I know I can never take away everything I went through that night. Every torment, every near death experience, every horror I endured. But maybe it’s for the better. Sometimes those things help make people stronger. And that’s what I intend to do, not be the cowering damsel anymore. In fact I’m off to start my self-defense class as it is.

But I can only hope that you, whoever you may be or whatever you may do in life, never have to go through what I did. I think you may not want to endure one night...

... Trapped in Arkham.

END