Hi! Just one review? C'on, I know you can do better than that.
Anyway, this it. I'm finally done! Now, if this page seems different from the earlier chapters, it's because I wrote this one almost two years after I wrote the eariler chapters. The songs I used were Under Pressure by David Bowie and We Are the Champions by Queen.
Enjoy!
Pressure pushing down on me. Pressing down on you no man ask for. Under pressure – that burns a building down. Splits a family in two. Puts people on streets…
Eve frowned. There was something familiar about this place to her but she couldn't put her finger on it. She was standing in a white room one wall had large glass windows that were mirrored so she couldn't see through. She turned slowly, examining the room when something clicked in her mind. If Eve had been able to see, she would had seen that this was the very room that she confessed her dreams to Dr. Crane.
It's the terror of knowing. What the world is about. Watching some good friends. Screaming 'Let me out'. Pray tomorrow – gets me higher. Pressure on people – people on streets…
"I was wondering when you were going to remember." Scarecrow laughed as he stepped through a door and closed it tightly behind himself. "Don't you remember? You told me about your dream of the green death. Jonathan gave you pills to take but you never took them, did you?" He asked as he cornered Eve in a corner and stroked a finger along her cheek.
"No." Eve replied softly before gathering her courage. "You still wanna hear me scream?" She shot at him as she slapped his hand away.
O.k. chippin' around – kick my brains around the floor. These are the days it never rains but it pours…
"Not anymore." A chilling smile spread across his face and Eve shivered at the sight of it. "I'm going to use you. I have plans for you my dear. I think I might have fun with you first and when I'm done with you, I'll use you to bring the Batman to me."
"I won't let you."
"I love your bravery, my dear. It's so… endearing." Scarecrow commented, one hand toying with a lock of Eve's hair. Eve wilted under his touch as she pressed herself against the wall trying to get further away from him.
It's the terror of knowing. What this world is about. Watching some good friends. Screaming 'Let me out'. Pray tomorrow – gets me higher high high. Pressure on people – people on streets. Turned away from it all like a blind man. Sat on a fence but it don't work. Keep coming up with love. But it's so slashed and torn…
"My poor Eve. You take so much upon yourself, you can't save the Batman no matter how hard you try." Scarecrow sneered as Eve turned around so that her back was to him and she was facing the wall. She cringed when she felt his hands grasp her shoulders in a painful grip.
"I'm coming for you, my dear." He whispered in her ear with an evil delight. "For all you know, I'm standing in your lovely loft watching you sleep at this very moment… what pleasures we can have together… all you have to do is give yourself up to me." Scarecrow tucked the lock of hair behind Eve's ear as she jerked away.
Why – why – why? Love love love love love…
"My dear scarecrow, empty threats like that don't scare me." Eve said as she turned back to Scarecrow and glared at him. "I'd know if you're there."
"Would you?" Scarecrow smiled harshly when she hesitated, just the briefest of moments that would have been missed by normal people… but Scarecrow wasn't normal. "I thought so. You know I'm coming for you."
"Yes, I know."
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking. Can't we give ourselves one more chance? Why can't we give love that one more chance? Why can't we give love give love give love give love give love give love give love give love give love. 'Cause love's such an old fashioned word. And love dares you to care for. The people on the edge of the night and loves dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves…
"Don't you ever think that'd mean I'd plan something? I fooled Poison Ivy and I can trick you." Eve said as she stepped forward, driving Scarecrow backwards, each word was thrown at him like a weapon that could harm. "I refuse to be weak! I won't! I dealt with being blind and yes, I still cry at night whenever I think of the beauty I can't see anymore. I refuse to let you though, a worthless monster bully me any longer!" Eve shouted.
This is our last dance. This is our last dance. This is ourselves. Under pressure. Under pressure. Pressure…
"Brava, Brava my dear, I was starting to get worried that you lost your nerve." Scarecrow laughed as he clapped his hands slowly startling Eve that she took a step backwards suddenly unsure of herself again. "I want you to plan something. I want you to try to trick me my dear. I'd love nothing more then anything then to have this battle of wills between us." He laughed.
"What have you planed?"
"I shouldn't spoil the surprise for you my dear." Scarecrow grinned as he stepped to the door. "You won't see me coming." He promised before laughed again as he closed the door behind himself, leaving Eve alone in the white room with a look of terror on her face. Then slowly the terror faded and a small half smile quirked at the corner of her mouth as she laughed softly.
"Wanna bet?"
Gordon shivered in the cold air and flipped the collar of his coat up for added warmth as he waited on the rooftop. He was hoping that Batman was out and would see him waiting but there wasn't really a chance that it'd happen… but he had to try. Gordon looked around and checked his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time but he was still alone.
"You're not using the signal." Gordon jerked at the harsh voice that suddenly spoke from behind him and he turned to find Batman standing just a few feet away, his cloak draped around him so that he looked like a pillar of darkness.
"I don't want anyone else to know." Gordon replied as he shoved his hands into the pockets and he could feel the piece of paper that brought him out this night.
"Why?"
"Eve told me to. She told me to wait here tonight and to give you a message." Gordon replied as his hand tightened around the paper, crumpling it.
"Eve?" Batman came closer. "Eve isn't dead."
"No… she planed for everyone to think that she died but she's alive." Gordon noticed that Batman didn't seem too surprised by the news and wondered how he knew. "Scarecrow's after Eve now though and she has a plan." He pulled the paper out of his pocket and held it out to Batman. Batman took the note and quickly opened it to read it. Gordon rubbed a hand along his forehead and when he looked up again, Batman was gone.
"Jeeves? Can you close the window? I'm cold." Eve murmured as she rubbed her arms before picking up a paintbrush and stroked the tip along the canvas. She smiled as she heard the widow creak as it was pulled shut and she started to feel warmer. "Thank you."
"Anything for you my dear." Eve jerked and dropped the paintbrush as Scarecrow's voice echoed through the loft and she leaped up, running for the doorway when she felt him grab her by the arm, swinging her around until she slammed against him.
"You! You shouldn't be here yet." Scarecrow laughed at her words.
"Even with that second sight of yours, you never saw me coming." He laughed as she struggled in his arms, beating her fist on his chest. "Now my dear, are you going to come willing or unwilling?"
"I won't!" Eve freed an arm enough to land a stinging slap across Scarecrow's face causing his grip to loosen enough that she was able to free herself. Instead of running though, Eve made her stand, it was no use running when you couldn't see where the enemy was, she'd might run right into him.
"Good. Its more fun this way." Eve yelped when he grabbed her suddenly, his grip bruising on her arms. "But how are you going to defend yourself? You are blind, my dear. You wouldn't be able to see me. Hmm…" He moved quickly as she tried to kick him and spun her around, pulling her to his chest. He leaned down so that he could speak into her ear.
"It seems that you are not completely clawless, you are still fighting. I love that about you my dear. You'd fight to the end."
"Let go of me!" Eve yanked against him but he was too strong, finally she sagged limply in his grip. "What do you want?"
"You know what I want. The Batman."
"Be careful of what you wish for, Scarecrow. It just might come true." Eve warned causing Scarecrow straighten with surprise.
"What do you have up your sleeve you little minx?" Scarecrow spat as he spun Eve around again and shook her until her teeth rattled against each other. "What trap had you laid for me?" He asked as his eyes narrowed, he could feel his carefully laid out plan was starting to fall apart.
"Me." With that soft reply, Scarecrow knew.
"You could have told me you were alive." Bruce scolded lightly when he finally found Eve sitting on the back of an ambulance with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and a cup of hot tea in her hands.
"Sorry." Eve smiled meekly causing Bruce to smile.
"I guess I'll have to forgive you then." He joked lightly as he sat down next to Eve and watched as Gordon talked to some of the cops. Scarecrow had been handed into the tender care of Gotham's finest and was now currently on his way to the Arkham Asylum where a room was waiting for him. Eve sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry about Pamela." Eve finally said after a moment of silence.
"I'll get over it." Bruce wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I should have known she was too good to be true."
"Did the cops find Ivy?"
"Yes. They picked her up yesterday. Which means you're safe now." Poison Ivy's room was actually just right across from Scarecrow's. The nurse shooed them away, saying that Eve was going to be fine all she need was just some sleep and quiet. Bruce and Eve walked together towards the church as a small smile spread across Eve's face, everything's okay, everyone was safe now…
…even if it was just an momentary illusion.
I've paid my dues, time after time. I've done my sentence but committed no crime and bad mistakes, I've made a few. I've my share of sand kicked in my face… but I've come through and I need to go on and on and on and on…
We are the champions – my friend. And we'll keep on fighting till the end. We are the champions... we are the champions… no time for losers 'cause we are the champions of the world…
I know you'd wanna see a fight scene but I really wasn't in the mood to write it... I don't really write a lot of fight scenes actually. I like it better this way anyway.
Anyway, reviews would be greatly appreciated & I have a new story in the works. It's called "Insomniac" and features the Riddler as the villain of the story. Check it out!
Lady Fanuilh