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.
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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.”
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He paused, there was a sharp tone in his father’s voice. Regardless, he slipped off his other boot.
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“Thank you Father.”
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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.
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“I’d say it’s about time for dinner. I’ve already prepared it; it’s waiting in the dining room.”
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Zennaire could feel his heartbeat increase. Father made him dinner? He must not have learned about today...yet.
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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.
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“So, how was your day, father?”
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“It was fine.”
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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.
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He put the plates in the sink and turned it on when he heard a soft footstep behind him.
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“Zennaire, do you have something to tell me?”
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He started to turn his head to face his father before said man grabbed a fistful of his hair.
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“What are you!?”
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SMACK
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Pain flared through the side of his head as it made contact with the sink faucet.
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“I knew you were just a fucking child!”
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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.
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“Fucking ridiculous Zennaire!”
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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.
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“I knew you weren’t ready. Why couldn’t Jacob take an interest, instead I’m stuck with you.”
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He started to get up but Crane grabbed the front of his shirt.
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“Why are you crying!? You certainly don’t deserve to!”
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“No, I…”
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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.
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“Since I’m such a forgiving person, go do something useful, Zennaire and go check the bakery. Don’t fuck it up.”
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He watched from the floor as Crane left the apartment with a slam of the front door.
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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.
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I deserved that. I let Father down.
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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.
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He put on his fear doctor outfit, and headed out to the bakery.
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_______
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The old person working the counter didn’t speak to him as he limped through the kitchen into the upper storeroom.
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“Fuck fuckity fuck fuck.”
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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.
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“Alrighty, everything is looking good.”
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“That’s good.”
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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.
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“You’re not real!!”
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“Who are you trying to convince, son?”
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Zennaire turned away from the fear toxin apparition as he tried to focus on anything that wasn’t that.
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“You know I really am impressed with you Zennaire.”
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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.”
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“Ugh, can we not right now, Specter? I’m busy. Doing shit to make my actual father proud of me.”
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“Well, speaking of father, he is not going to like that.”
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“Like what? Ohhh...that.”
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Zennaire looked outside to see the batmobile and at least 5 police cars.
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“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.”
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He turned and pointed at the vision of Scarecrow, who only shrugged.
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“Well I am just a figment of your fears. I mean, come on, like I would ever help you!”
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A laughter echoed throughout the room before Scarecrow disappeared leaving Zennaire alone in the back room for a moment.
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“Fuckity fuck fuck. Just what I fucking need.”
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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.
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____________
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“Ughhh, what happened?”
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“What happened was Batman took you down a notch!”
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Zennaire looked at whoever was talking.
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“Oh, Gordon. Looks like the fear toxin wore off…”
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“What in Batman’s name are you talking about?
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Zennaire groaned in annoyance. Why did he have to get stuck with Gordon of all people?
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“Can I go now?”
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The police chief’s face grew red with anger.
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“Go!? You’re not going anywhere! Now tell us where Crane is!”
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“Go. Fuck. Your. Self.”
Zennaire grinned at Gordon as he just looked aghast.
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“I-I I I can’t believe this!!”
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Gordon stormed out of the room, leaving Zennaire alone.
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Well I guess I’ll be paying another trip to Arkham.
ns216.73.216.154da2
