Trapped in Arkham pt.3

Split personalities

I walk to the edge of look balcony in front of the entrance to the penitentiary and look around the Arkham West area and see the damage done by the riot.

I can see some of the less violent patients walking around in certain places. Some are sitting on the benches, others are standing around near one of the medical vans in the parking lot that’s been flipped on its side. I can even see some walking around and talking to themselves or talking to what I can see are dead bodies of guards that are lying on the ground here-and-there. I feel sorry for them, thinking they probably have no real idea what’s going on around them. Just like Maxie. I can see the medical building and notice the large neon D is broken and hanging off over the entrance.
 
I then remember the docks and look over hoping to see a boat still there. I see the boat still where it was, only now it’s halfway underwater. Guess Joker planned for all the stops. No other option but what I had planned, heading for Intensive Treatment. I look over and see the door leading to Arkham North and walk over.

As I walk I pass by a few of the patients. Some watch me go by and give smiles and waves. Others are still muttering to themselves, one I even see hiding under a bench  two others are sitting on. He looks scared out of his wits over something. For a second I stop and think about he looks how I feel right now. I keep going on, giving a few awkward waves and smiles while walking by.

What also catches my attention is something written on the wall. It’s made out in green paint that makes it stand out more from the brown wall it’s on. It reads “When the world is against you, where is the safest place to hide?” I have no idea who it’s for or what it means, if it’s for me. All I know is that I have a good idea who wrote it and don’t want to have to deal with him now.

Just then the voice of the Joker comes over the loudspeakers again. This time his voice is echoing more since I’m outside and more speakers are set up. One is even right over my head so when he speaks I have to cover my ears for a second after the sudden burst of noise.

“Attention, Arkham.” He says. “Attention. We have this breaking news bulletin for all you happy go-lucky nut-balls and serial killers out there, enjoying this fine night. The new owner of Arkham Asylum, taking on the title of Warden Joker, has decided to christen this momentous occasion with a big fun filled fiesta. That’s right, boys and girls, your uncle J it having a big party tonight and all are invited. Wait, what am I saying? All invited? Now we can’t go about looking uncivilized letting any sort of unwanted rabble trying crash in. So tell you what, kiddies, I’ll be handing out private invitations for those who want to attend tonight’s big bash. So anyone who wants in, come to the Mansion over on Arkham’s east end and pick it up yourself. But just a word of warning, we only take the best tonight. And invitations are limited. If you wanna try your luck in the high life, sample some sardines and finger snacks, get your ass over there now. This means you too, Cash. I’m giving you this one chance to accept me as your new leader and who knows. Maybe I’ll get you a nice new hand. One freshly carved off from some slob who doesn’t need it anymore. How about this good doctor I have with me? Hmmm? Ewww. From the looks of his penmanship he’s probably better off. Harley? Have you got the tools?”

Suddenly I hear Harley Quinn’s voice say “Right here, Mr. J. One old fashioned medical saw all nice and shiny.”

I listen as I hear the doctor screaming “No! No don’t do it! NOOO!” only to hear him scream a second later.

“Well good news, doc.” Joker says. “Looks like you’re a south paw now.” He then finishes with one of his horrid laughs, starting off low before going into a higher cackle.

Everything goes silent and I find myself leaning against the wall of the penitentiary to catch my breath. I think how as bad as my situation is, at least I’m not some plaything for the Joker’s sick little acts. For now at least. It takes me a moment but I finally regain myself before walking on.

I get closer to the door before seeing another body, this one propped up against the second door of the penitentiary leading to the visitors entrance. It’s not a guard. It’s a doctor. He seems familiar to me, making my knee down to look. It’s the doctor who escorted me to my cage with the orderlies, the one I met before Dr. Sale.

I can see bloody bullets holes on his chest and a dead expression on his face and feel sorry for him. This makes me think back to everyone else I’ve seen dead. What’s going to happen to their loved ones once they hear that they were killed by the same psychos, murders and monsters they were supposed to keep in check? How would their parents feel? Their spouses? Their children? Their....daughters.....

I can’t think about that now. I straighten up and keep walking on. There’s a moment where I look to the windows to the doors the body was left near. I could swear I just saw some shape, some shadow, in there. For a second I look to try and see if I was right or if it was just my imagination, but then I think maybe it’s better if I think it’s the latter then get the mistake of finding out it’s the former in the bad way.

I keep telling myself to keep walking and I do what I say. I’m so close to the door now, it’s only  few feet away. I can see the light that used to keep it bright before it broken, making it and at least five feet around it look darker. It doesn’t stop me from walking closer and closer to it. Just as I reach it I suddenly hear the sound of a gun clocking. I’m all too familiar with that sound and stop dead in my tracks.

“That’s right.” I hear someone say. “Don’t go moving any muscles now. Hands up and turn around sos I can see ya.”

I do as they tell me, putting my hands up and then slowly turning to the source of the voice. I can see who it is, given the lighting, but the first thing that comes to mind is something with two heads. The shadowy figure in front of me as two lumps, one lower than the other on its left side. One thing I can see is the glint of the gun barrel looking down at me.

“That’s it. Nice and easy like now.” I hear him say. “Now then I...” he stops and suddenly I see the lower head look up and say “Hey, dummy! Move into the light, will ya? I can’t see the dame good enough.”

Just then I see the higher head look at the lower and say “Oh ye...yes, sir.”

I see the figure move into the light, and the realize what I was thinking was a second head was really the head of a wooden dummy. The other head belong to some skinny looking guys who I know I’ve seen before somewhere.

The guy was a little bit shorter than me, with very round oversized glasses on. He was balding with white hair around the back of his head. He wore an inmate suit but had a stylish white bow around his neck and what looked like a white dress shirt underneath.
The dummy he carried was dressed like something out of an old 1940’s mobster movie. It, or rather he, was wearing a black suit with white styled lines going down. He even wore matching pants and a hat that had a white band around it. He was wearing a black dress shirt and a white tie as well. But in his hand I could see an miniature, old fashioned tommy gun, of all things, and wanted to think it was fake like him. But the glint of metal still coming of its barrel said otherwise.  What stood out most was how life-like the dummy’s face was, even the odd carved in scar going over his right eye and down his cheek.

Once I hear both their voices...or is it only one...? But either way once I hear the voice that comes from the dummy, so deep, commanding and a little vile, I can’t see how it belongs to the man who’s voice is so timid and meek. I could swear there’s more than one person talking and yet I know in the back of my mind it’s one and the same.

“There. That’s better.” I hear the dummy say. “Now then, what’s yur name, Blondie? And don’t try ta lie ta me. I got a second census about these things, and knows when people are tryin’ to give me the run-around.”

“Uh, that’s ‘sense’. Mr. Scarface.” The ventriloquist said.

“Quite, dummy.” the Scarface puppet says, looking up to his holder. “When I want you ta talk, I’ll pull yur string.”

That’s when I finally realized who this was. I’d heard talk about this guy for some time, even seeing his face on the news once when he was caught. He’d put together a small gang that managed to gain a small reputation after stealing a lot of high priced goods and never leaving a trace that they were there. His name’s Arnold Wesker, and for the whole time I knew about him I remember him always saying that it was “Scarface’s” idea. That’s when I also realize who the little dummy is too, and know I’m dealing with yet another freak.

“Ye...yes, sir. Mr. Scarface, sir.” Wesker says, sweating a bit and pulling on his collar.

“Good. Now where was I?” Scarface says, scratching his chin with his free arm, thanks to Wesker of course. “Oh yeah. The name?”

I keep my hands up while saying “Sam....Samantha.”

“Sammy huh?” he says. “Cute name. Like that nice keister you got there. Am I right, dummy?”

I look with a bit of disgust at what he said before seeing Wesker blush and say “Oh. I...I don’t want to embarrass the lady, Mr. Scarface.”

“Ah whatda you care? Womens like compliments like that.”

I‘m feeling both awkward and a bit sick hearing this so I try to speak up.

I look to Wesker and say “Look, I don’t want any trouble. I...”

“Hey!” I suddenly hear Scarface say, making me look down at him out of reflex. “Whataya talking ta him for? I’m in charge here! I’m the one doing all the talking! And I’m the one with the tommy here!” he indicated his gun in his hand. “This lame brain’s just around cause I need him to wash my drawers ever now and then.”

I only look in more confusion before saying “Uh...okay...”

“Now I’ll be asking all the trivias around here. Fer starters, what’s yur game with the clown?”

“Wh..what?” I end up saying.

“Don’t try ta play all doey eye innocent little princess with me, girly. I knows what’s going on around here. I betcha yous was trying to get back to the Joker sos he can try and take my turf.”

“Wait....what?”

“Yeah that’s right. It’s all coming tagether now. Well let me tell ya right now, sweetheart, Arkham’s west side belong ta me. Got it? I any givien it up for nobody. You know what happens to people who try ta walk in n my territory? They get a lead shower! Like this!”

I saw him turn and then looked in shock as I saw he was aiming for the patients around the area. I wanted to run at that moment but was too scared, even more once I saw him open fire on them. Some were killed instantly, others were only hit in the knee or the shoulder. Of the few that weren’t hit they either ran or just screamed or stood where they were. I was still horrified that he’d killed them to begin with.

“You...you killed them. They were just confused people.”

“Well ya know what they say, cutie pie.” He kept going, turned back to me now. “All’s fair in loves and war. And this is a war right now. Now you tell me, blondie, what’s the Joker’s game? Is he gonna try and take my turf?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have anything to do with him.”

“I don’t buy it. I think yur just trying to save yur little hide from getting turned inta Swiss cheese.”

“I swear I have no idea!” I plead at this point.

Suddenly Wesker’s the one talking now, saying “Mr. Scarface, maybe she’s telling the truth.”

Just then Scarface smacks the gun into his face. I can hear a loud smack when the metal hits his cheek.

“Shut up! I said I’d be doing the talking around here. Get me? So don’t go interrupting me while I’m prosacating here.”

“Th..tha...that’s ‘prosecuting’, Mr. Scarface.” Wekser stammers while rubbing his cheek with his free hand.

“Whatever. And don’t go putting words in my mouth neither.” He finishes with Wesker and looks to me before saying “So what’s yur game, Sammy-bam? You gonna come clean about the Joker’s plans, or do I have to shoot it out of ya?”

“I don’t know! Please, just let me go!”

He just stared at me for a moment. I wasn’t sure what was going through his mind. I mean....Wesker’s mind...right? Whichever. I don’t know what he might do next. For all I know this could be it. He might just open fire right now and leave my body in the ground like all those others.

“I know what Imma do.” He finally says. “I’m gonna waste you right here and now, and then leave you out on the clown’s doorstep. Letting him know not to mess with Scarface!”

That was what I was afraid of. I can see Wesker moving the hand so that it can reach the trigger. I hold my breath as the dummy looks at me with those wooden eyes and the barrel comes up to point dead in my face. Not like this. It can’t end like...

“Hold it, Pinocchio.” Someone says.

All of us, meaning me, Wesker and even Scarface, all turn to see someone standing in front of the door to the penitentiary. It’s Two-Face. He looks just like he was when I saw him last, only now he’s wearing is famous two-sided suit and pants and shoes to match. One half is all white and clean looking, even down to his clean shoes, while the other half looks as it’s been through a fire including his shoes. In his ugly hand he has a gun pointed at Wesker and the dummy, in his normal hand is signature coin that he’s flipping around and in-between with his fingers.

“Dent!” Scarface says, seeing him. He aims his gun at him, saying “Shoulda figured you’d be trying to cut in on my ground.”

I can’t help but dart my eyes back-and-forth between both of them. Here I am stuck in the middle of two dangers men, both with case of too many identities, and the guns are already drawn. At least Dent doesn’t seem to recognize me from before, but that doesn’t mean he still won’t try anything.

“You think you can out beat us, Scarface?” Dent says. “In case it’s not clear enough, we’re taking over.”

“Not on your life, scab-face! Arkham West is mine! And I ani’t sharing with nobody!  You hear? And I ani’t giving it up for no clowns, no icemen, and no deadbeat D.A.s like you!”

Before I know it Two-Face puts away his coin and pulls out another gun from behind. I dive out of the way in time before the first shot is fired. I huddle on the ground with my hands over my head while I hear the gun fight going on behind me.

From the sounds of it, both managed to find cover before either were hit. I could be wrong though and maybe one of them was hit in the shoulder. I only peek my head up to see in front of me. There’s a large boulder a few feet in front of me. If I can make it I should be fine until they eventually die down.

I crawl over to it, pulling myself with my arms while my body drags on the ground. I manage to make it in time and lean against the side, catching my breath at another near death experience. I peek out to try and see what the fight must be like, while not trying to have my head blown off in the process.

I can see Two-Face managed to take cover behind the archway where the door was. Wesker was hiding behind a large display sign near the door out of here and too Arkham North with Scarface sticking out and firing his gun before ducking back down.

I recoil and try to think what to do now. My only way out is block by a two madmen with guns firing at each other and I can’t risk being caught in the middle. I think if I try I can sneak around and try to make it to the other door to Arkham East, but the road leading to it is still in the way of the fight.

I then look over to the medical building, thinking I could take the chance to hide there, when I see someone I’m, for once, relived to see.  It’s that lady doctor, Myers, I’d met before. She’s hiding behind some turned over garbage can and looking out to see the two fighting.

I’m about to yell to her before thinking that might not be a good idea. One of those crazies might see her and shoot. Instead I wave to her, trying to get her attention. She sees me, thank God, waves back. I gesture with my hands that I need to get over to her. She nods before looking around to see what I can try. She points over to something and looks back to me, meaning she’s found something. I peek out to see she’s pointing at a parked med van down the road, which is close to a set of stairs I could climb to make it over to her. But that would mean me risking to go out and make my way down to the van before being shot.

I hope your curse doesn’t get me here, dad...

I nod to her before looking back to the fight. Now Two-Face is firing at Wekser. I guess this will have to be my chance. I wait until Dent stops firing before instantly rush out from my hiding spot. I rush past the area where the two are fighting, thinking I’m in the clear.

“Hey!” I hear Scarface yell out. “Where you think you’re going?”

I don’t look back. I just need to keep running for the van. I hear gunfire again. Don’t stop. Just keep moving. The van is right there. I feel one bullet rush past my head.
Don’t take any chances. Got to keep going. Then I feel it. One bullet hits my shoulder. I stumble in pain, holding my wound. I feel blood wetting my hands.

“Ha!” Scarface calls out. “I clipped her!”

I can’t let this stop me. The van’s right over there in front of me. I get back to my feet and run over, still holding my shoulder. I hear more gunfire, but none of its coming towards me. Must be Dent taking the opportunity to fire on Wesker. I reach the van and take cover behind it in time to hear Wesker crying out in pain.

“Mr. Scarface!” He whines. “I...I’ve been hit. Dent...got my leg. Oww.”

“So what?” I hear the dummy say back. “I ani’t gonna lose this fight, just cause you got a nick in the knee. Now you don’t start turnin’ cotton on me. Get yur ass up and watch my back! I’m not losing not fight today!”

Good. He’s too busy with dent to care about me anymore. That’s a good sign for me to keep moving. I hurry over to a set of stone stairs leading up to a ramp. I walk up and the ramp, also stone, leads towards where Dr. Myers is. I walk up and over towards her, half expecting something to go bad. Thankfully the curse hasn’t gotten to me now. I manage to reach Myers and instantly sit down behind the garbage can she used as cover.

“Are you alright?” she asks, kneeling next to me.

“Yeah...ow...no. I’ve been hit.” I manage to say.

I hear her say “Let me see.” Making me move my hand. She looks at it for a few seconds before looking back at the fight. “Come on. We need to get inside.” She tells me before picking me up.

I put my hand back over my wound while she holds my shoulders while leading me towards the doors of the medical building. We both push on one door, getting it open, and are finally out of at least one danger.

She leads me into the lobby of the building where a table and desk are already set up. She leads me over to the chair where I sit, still clutching my shoulder. While Myers takes a moment to move a small nearby bench in front of the door, I take a look around the room.

There’s two other desks, one still standing up and the other flipped to its side, with one having a few stacks of paper bound together and a broken computer device on it. Above there’s a T.V. screen that looks like the glass has been broken. I can see a lamp sitting on the floor over by the other table with its light flickering on and off. On both the left and right are two corridors leading to one part of the building or the other; one pillars near the left has a sign saying “Surgery” on it. I can see a few empty and broken wheelchairs and even an empty gurney nearby. Finally I can see a plaque on the wall, in gold, reading “City of Gotham. This unit was founded by. Bruce Wayne. The Bruce Wayne foundation for the criminal insane”.  

I look back to see Dr. Myers coming over to me before she says “Let take another looks.”

She pulls out a pair of glasses from her coat pocket and makes me move my hand to see. I sit there a bit anxious before finally asking a question.

“How did you survive so far?” I ask.

She doesn’t look up, still examining my injury, while saying “I was on my way over to speak with Warden Sharp in the mansion. Fortunately I was delayed when I was called here to handle an operation. Next thing I know sirens are going off, the guards are telling us to stay put, and then I hear gunfire going off. I was waiting for so long eventually I decided to go an check for myself. I left the other doctors where they were and went outside. I tried to make my way back to the mansion, but then I heard the Joker’s little announcement. I just waited out there thinking what to do. But then I saw Wesker with his puppet and hid again. And then...well I found you.” She finally stops and stands up straight, looking at me. “You’re lucky. Looks like you were grazed. But we still need to patch it up.”

She reaches down and starts to tear a bit of the end of her coat off. She wraps it around my wound, me only watching as she does.

“Thanks.” I say to her.

“Not just yet.” She says, tighten it and making me hiss in pain. “We still need to stop the bleeding permanently.” She then looked to the sign “Surgery” and said “That’s what we’ll need.”

I look at the sign and then at her before saying “You...you mean you really want to help me?”

“Of course.” She answers. “Why not?”

“Well...I don’t know. I..I just wouldn’t think you’d trust me. Being a patient and all.”

She only smiled and rested her hand on my shoulder before saying “Samantha, if I didn’t trust you would I bother to help you out of that mess?” I can tell she sees that look on my face that shows she has a point, before she says “I’m a doctor after all.”

I nod, knowing she has a point, before standing. She knows I’m ready to move and we both start to walk down towards the path to surgery.

As we do I can’t help but think about Dent and Wesker, how both of them are trying to kill each other when they’re so much alike. Both have two spate identities to them, one more expressed than the other, but both used to be ordinary men once. With just one identity to them. I start to wonder what it must be like, too have two have to names, more or less, is almost like having two lives. I guess one can be better than the other. A whole new life....I could use that right now....

No matter. I’m still dealing with the situation at hand. I may be out of the frying pan, but how long before I’m in the oven? I don’t know what will happen, but at least I’m content to know...I’m not alone anymore.