Zennaire stood in the hall of the apartment where he lived, with the occasional visit from his father. Was he here today? He inserted his key and with a kerchunk the door opened.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEb1y8DuHr
Everything was silent inside as he closed the door and put his bag down at the entrance; he was half way done taking his shoes off when he heard his father’s voice.
“Welcome home, Son.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3nN6cnGhC
He paused, there was a sharp tone in his father’s voice. Regardless, he slipped off his other boot.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHctnHHT2B
“Thank you Father.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOVinKSQtY
Zennaire stood to look at his father. Clean freshly pressed clothes and hair neatly brushed. His eyes had the same sharp edge as his voice.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIC19fHTsG
“I’d say it’s about time for dinner. I’ve already prepared it; it’s waiting in the dining room.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxWrIXYKLv
Zennaire could feel his heartbeat increase. Father made him dinner? He must not have learned about today...yet.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQFNSpbDDH
He sat across from the other man. It was some kind of pasta dish. He waited until Crane took a few bites of his own food before he started to eat.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4r8hR4KfF
“So, how was your day, father?”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpHjts9581
“It was fine.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAMezlT5zE
Zennaire nodded before taking a sip of water. The rest of the meal they both stayed silent not even looking at each other until Zennaire stood and took the plates.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC9yVK8k1z
He put the plates in the sink and turned it on when he heard a soft footstep behind him.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoTh5uytan
“Zennaire, do you have something to tell me?”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6lSqKv0pJ
He started to turn his head to face his father before said man grabbed a fistful of his hair.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYE5cigcVy
“What are you!?”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2FXtbjMA3
SMACK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEzjDzSAYt
Pain flared through the side of his head as it made contact with the sink faucet.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX80HJfx2Uq
“I knew you were just a fucking child!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NTUsxqhOq
With a deep breath, Zennaire tried to stand up; his father had other ideas though. His head was smacked against the counter on the way down as Crane kicked him in the side.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXR0eAIvMU
“Fucking ridiculous Zennaire!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMDUPOgUEt
He watched while Crane stalked around the kitchen. He felt something sticky and warm dripping down his face. Blood. He felt tears prick at the corner of his eyes from the pain.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bZ1Cn0lxw
“I knew you weren’t ready. Why couldn’t Jacob take an interest, instead I’m stuck with you.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZQQAhuHgY
He started to get up but Crane grabbed the front of his shirt.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXebqEIDyo
“Why are you crying!? You certainly don’t deserve to!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxojWDbV898
“No, I…”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW3NTfjldd
His eyes widened as his father’s fist made contact with his face. He was then thrown to the floor. He watched as Crane let out an annoyed sigh.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFrtK1joaL
“Since I’m such a forgiving person, go do something useful, Zennaire and go check the bakery. Don’t fuck it up.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEThVLmDm34
He watched from the floor as Crane left the apartment with a slam of the front door.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1TOCZllEr
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB2G9NUFEp
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlmKyufZi0
Zennaire lay there on the floor for a bit before sitting up, causing the world to spin. He breathed through his teeth as his head ached.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0sZKnZFp1
I deserved that. I let Father down.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmcB6weXkG
He made his way to the bathroom, blood dripping onto the floor in a trail behind him. He opened the cabinet door and took the first aid kit out. Hissing as he cleaned the open wound on his face before wrapping it up in gause.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BTiS5ijfD
He put on his fear doctor outfit, and headed out to the bakery.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitCJItOlyF
_______
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkOCbtpXnG
The old person working the counter didn’t speak to him as he limped through the kitchen into the upper storeroom.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkMf07RMpp
“Fuck fuckity fuck fuck.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGaJ0n1QAJ
He sat down on a crate. What needed to be done again? He grabbed a checklist hanging on the wall and began to check for damage to any of the equipment.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG5Uymfn35
“Alrighty, everything is looking good.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9O7QLvMga
“That’s good.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuDBMVwyI7
Zennaire spun on his heels, grabbing his side as pain shot through it. Scarecrow stood there, his needle hands dripping fear toxin onto the floor.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1WeEb9E7I
“You’re not real!!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GggNh7ryX
“Who are you trying to convince, son?”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWLJHtlmy2
Zennaire turned away from the fear toxin apparition as he tried to focus on anything that wasn’t that.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0c1K3IKg0
“You know I really am impressed with you Zennaire.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLevdjo4iuG
He turned with narrowed eyes at the figment of his mind as it continued to speak.
“Not just anyone is as loyal as you. I mean, I beat the shit out of you and you’re still following my orders? That’s dedication right there.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqola38gYbF
“Ugh, can we not right now, Specter? I’m busy. Doing shit to make my actual father proud of me.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYkj4qNTgu
“Well, speaking of father, he is not going to like that.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1UlHWOGPJ
“Like what? Ohhh...that.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0uqXLMsq2
Zennaire looked outside to see the batmobile and at least 5 police cars.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMOVk0fT51
“For fucks sake. Now I gotta deal with this!? UGHH!!! I’m already having a shit day. And let me guess, you’re not going to help.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppmafxACZ4
He turned and pointed at the vision of Scarecrow, who only shrugged.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHNbJGHvzu
“Well I am just a figment of your fears. I mean, come on, like I would ever help you!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKh4fqHfFk
A laughter echoed throughout the room before Scarecrow disappeared leaving Zennaire alone in the back room for a moment.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PbSElFy5o
“Fuckity fuck fuck. Just what I fucking need.”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo5uEmD1H0
He looked around. There were not many areas he could hide in, especially in his current state. He limped over to the small unused supply, tripping and scattering some of his papers in the process. He was only in there for a moment before he heard someone.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX89wFJzmxo
____________
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6KC7RFXkz
“Ughhh, what happened?”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1czl9zbLq
“What happened was Batman took you down a notch!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDvJDU2Tdq
Zennaire looked at whoever was talking.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cPW1ks9v7
“Oh, Gordon. Looks like the fear toxin wore off…”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN162gzBZNg
“What in Batman’s name are you talking about?
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfamNOnVlUj
Zennaire groaned in annoyance. Why did he have to get stuck with Gordon of all people?
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dmXsGzwS9
“Can I go now?”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6IazIF5Y3
The police chief’s face grew red with anger.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHTzisERg4
“Go!? You’re not going anywhere! Now tell us where Crane is!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY43sSELSc
“Go. Fuck. Your. Self.”
Zennaire grinned at Gordon as he just looked aghast.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxd1h0QHvC
“I-I I I can’t believe this!!”
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkszrrtp5YX
Gordon stormed out of the room, leaving Zennaire alone.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrZpVx0yAg
Well I guess I’ll be paying another trip to Arkham.
ns18.190.207.23da2
