November 25 2005

Security guards, along with police officers, were leading Victor Zsasz to the asylum, The serial killer had a sinister look on his face as a small smile creeped up on his face, He was sentenced to life inside Arkham Asylum, deemed too dangerous for the outside world. The security guards tightened their grip on his cuffs as they reached his cell, which was mostly for high-risk inmates. The guards shoved him inside, the heavy metal door slamming shut behind him.

Jonathan was watching them and was really curious about Zsasz, He was interested in his motives and already wanted to have an interview with him, His thoughts were interrupted when someone spoke to him.

Benjamin: That's exactly where he belongs.

Jonathan: I suppose you're right, though I can't help but wonder what truly drives a man like him? I can't help but find it fascinating.

Benjamin: *Raises an eyebrow* Fascinating? Nothing is fascinating when it comes to a cold-blooded killer.

Jonathan: That's where you and I differ, Officer. To understand is not to condone. It's to gain knowledge.

He glanced toward Zsasz's cell, where the man sat motionless, smiling at the wall as Crane had a smirk on his face.

Jonathan: That's power.

Benjamin stared at him, having an unsettling feeling, This was one of his few interactions with Crane, but for some reason, Benjamin found him a little suspicious by the way he spoke.

Benjamin: Power? That's not power. That's insanity

Jonathan: Insanity has its way to blend in this world, fear, violence, control, and motives. . . Only those you hold it understands the power.

Benjamin: You sound like you admire him. . .

Jonathan: Oh, i don't admire him, It's curiosity. . . Are you afraid to understand that?

Benjamin: No. . . .

He felt a chill running down his spine as Crane adjusted his glasses and smiled a little, Benjamin continued staring at him as that unsettling vibe grew stronger, He didn't understand why. . .

Both of them left the area and began walking through the hallway of the asylum, Some of the other officers, including Gordon, were leaving as Benjamin heard screams, laughter and screeching from the other cells as McFarland shaked his head, He never really liked the chaos of the asylum.

Jonathan: Fear is a fascinating thing, isn't it?

Benjamin looked at him in confusion as Jonathan smiled, waiting for a response.

Benjamin: I can't say it is. . . Why are you asking me about this?

Jonathan: Just curiosity, detective. You deal with fear every day, don't you? The fear of failure, of losing control. . . of not being able to protect the people you care about.

Benjamin shivered at that thought and immediately shaked his head, Jonathan observed, noticing that Benjamin was a little creeped out by his words as the officer narrowed his eyes.

Benjamin: Okay, Dr Crane, you think too much about fear, Maybe you should try thinking about hope for a change.

Jonathan: Hope. . . .

He just smiled until Benjamin heard laughter as both of them looked in front of them and saw Harleen laughing with Anne, Anne's cheeks were red as Jonathan's eyes lit up when he saw her, He was so happy that she came.

Harleen: Puddin!

Quinzel ran and hugged him tightly as Benjamin chuckled and hugged her back, Jonathan just looked at both of them before looking at Anne, who took a few steps closer and gave a small smile.

Jonathan: I'm surprised you actually came.

Anne: Well. . . I wanted to see you.

His eyes lit up again as he had a smile on his face, Anne felt her heart skip a beat when she locked her eyes with his, Until Harleen said something.

Harleen: Is Victor Zsasz at his cell?

Benjamin: Yeah, he's locked up. But be careful, That man's not just dangerous, he's got a way of getting under your skin. Don't let him get into your head

Harleen: *Nods* I will, I may need to start seeing him and start taking therapy sessions soon.

Jonathan's eyes darkened as he cleared his throat and spoke with a hint of control.

Jonathan: I think it would be more productive if you focused on someone else, Harleen. Perhaps you should. . . take a step back from Zsasz.

Harleen: *Confused* But Dr Crane, I can-

Jonathan: There are other minds to examine, ones far more intriguing, I will handle Zsasz myself.

His darkened gaze slowly softened as Harleen stared at him, feeling a bit skeptical before she nodded, understanding that Crane knew what he was doing, On the other hand, Meanwhile, Benjamin felt a deep unease settle in his stomach. The way Jonathan spoke, too calculated, too calm, it wasn't just about Zsasz or the patients. There was something more behind it.

Harleen: If you say so, Sir. I'll just handle with the other patients.

Jonathan nodded before looking back at Anne and stared at her for a few seconds, Benjamin looked at them, finding this even more strange before Crane said something.

Jonathan: I would like to discuss something with Anne at my office. . . Privately.

He walked away as Anne stood, feeling a bit unsettled, The way he spoke scared her sometimes, Harleen just looked at Anne and smiled, but Benjamin was feeling suspicious about this. . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jonathan: It's only a matter of time before everyone sees things my way. . .

He muttered to himself and shut the door, locking it as Anne took a step back before looking under his table again, Jonathan noticed and knew what she was looking at as Crane spoke to her.

Jonathan: You've been eyeing that mask for a while now, haven't you, Anne?

He began walking towards her as Anne looked at him before looking back at the mask.

Anne: What does it mean to you?. . . You can tell me.

She spoke softly, and Jonathan felt his heart melt a little, It really seemed like she trusted him, He continued to get closer as he spoke quietly.

Jonathan: The mask represents everything I've become. It's not just a tool. . . it's a part of me, Anne. A way for me to show the world who I am. Who I've always been. Fear. . . it's my constant companion.

He admitted to her, Anne looked at him in confusion as he touched both of her shoulders.

Anne: But your not like this. . . I don't see you like that. . .

Jonathan: That's because. . . You haven't entered my world yet.

Anne: Why are you suddenly like this?

He smirked a little before pulling the mask out of the table, He pushed his hand inside the mask, to fully show it to her, Anne felt a shiver running down her spine.

Jonathan: Because this is. . . My power. It's a wonderful tool, an experiment that I poured my heart into, Even my patients couldn't stand it.

Anne continued staring at the mask, feeling creeped out by his words, But she really wanted to talk to him about this, She wanted to know more about his research and learn what she never knew about him, No matter how dangerous this game was.

Anne: Jonathan. . . You sound like you hurt people. . .

Jonathan: *Smiles* Hurt? No. . . It's not about hurting, Anne. It's about understanding the depths of the mind, My patients, they didn't understand. They feared it, resisted it. But in the end. . . they all became part of the experiment.

He let out a sinister chuckle, This whole thing was getting into his head. He put the mask aside and began walking towards her, Anne continued stepping back as Crane took off his glasses and began caressing her hair.

Jonathan: I thought you said you wouldn't be afraid.

Anne: I'm not-

Jonathan pulled her close and surprised her with a kiss, The fear in her slowly faded away as Jonathan deepened the kiss while his hands moved all over her waist, Crane broke the kiss and whispered seductively to her ear.

Jonathan: I love this game, Anne. It's always so much more thrilling when you let go~

Anne: D-Doctor Crane-

He slowly lifted her shirt, Anne gasped and looked at him as he chuckled.

Jonathan: I love it when you make those noises. . . I want to hear more. . . This time, louder~

He caressed her waist as Anne shivered by his cold hands, He slowly unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her body as Anne blushed and immediately closed her eyes.

Jonathan: Come on, Anne, Keeping those pretty eyes open for me~

The tension between them was heating up as Crane slowly pushed Anne to the couch, She looked up to him, feeling her body warm up as he took off his suit coat and tie before climbing on top of her as Anne spoke.

Anne: W-Wait, Are you sure?

Jonathan: *Chuckles* I was sure when i did it the first time. . . I'll be gentle to hit the right spot~

Anne blushed again as he lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.

Jonathan: Do one thing for me, Take off my belt.

He spoke with a hint of dominance as Anne looked at him before nodding, He leaned back with a smile on his face as Anne began undoing his belt, Once she was done, He kissed her on the cheek before pushing her back down.

Jonathan: Good girl, I knew you wanted this~

Anne: Are you trying to make me forget about. . . The mask?

Jonathan: No, You're far more fascinating than any experiment, But let's focus on the present, Shall we?

Anne: I. . . I don't know what to think anymore.

Jonathan: All you have to do is think about how I'll make you feel, sweetheart~

He began kissing her neck while moving his hands around her stomach as Anne gasped again and bit her lip, his hands slowly reached for the waistband of her pants as he began pulling it down.

Jonathan: That's it, Keep making those noises for me~

He leaned closer to her ear, kissing her earlobe and said something which sent shivers running down her spine, But she also felt aroused by it.

Jonathan: You're mine, Anne. No one else will ever have you. You're my possession, and I'll make sure you never forget it~

His breath lingered against her skin as he pulled away just enough to meet her eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The time was one a.m, Harleen, Anne, and Benjamin arrived home after a long day, Anne immediately went to her room while Benjamin was in deep thoughts about something, Harleen took off her heels and noticed Ben as she frowned before walking towards him and wrapped her arms around him.

Harleen: Whatcha thinking about, Puddin?

Benjamin: *Smiles a little* Nothing, I'm just tired.

Harleen: I know you are, but something's definitely in your mind.

She hugged him as Benjamin smiled a little before turning around and had a serious look on his face.

Benjamin: I don't know how you would feel if I said this. . . But Dr Crane is a bit of an odd man.

Harleen: *Raises an eyebrow* What do you mean?

Benjamin: When Zsasz was being taken to his cell, Crane was saying things that didn't sit right. Almost like he admired Zsasz in some twisted way. But what really stands out is his liking with fear. It's more than just his work. . . There was something odd about it.

Harleen was silent and did find this unsettling, But she knew Crane for so long. That's what his personality was like.

Benjamin: I don't know. . . It just felt like he was getting into my head.

Harleen: I don't think it's like that, Benji. . . Jonathan has always been like that, He's really into these studies, He's driven by his work, maybe a little. . . too much at times. But it doesn't mean he's dangerous.

Benjamin: I get it, but it doesn't look healthy either. Also, have you seen the way he looks at Anne?

Harleen: Yeah? But I don't see anything wrong with that.

Benjamin: Is there something going on between them?

Harleen: *Smiles* I mean, even if there was, I wouldn't mind.

Benjamin: What do you mean?

Harleen: *Chuckles* I was teasing her about it when we made it to the asylum. Basically, Crane actually took her out to eat something and even dropped her back home.

Benjamin: He took her out?. . .

Harleen: Mmm, I found It adorable, I mean, she does have a crush on him. she just doesn't admit it to me.

Benjamin stared at her, feeling skeptical when he heard this, Harleen continued smiling at him but noticed his expression as her smile faded away.

Harleen: What's wrong?

Benjamin: Oh, nothing. . . I'm just thinking.

Harleen: Puddin, let's not jump into any conclusions, Crane is a good person, Maybe. . . The whole thing with Zsasz troubled you.

Benjamin: I guess your right.

Harleen smiled and pinched his cheek, Benjamin chuckled and pinched her cheek as well as both of them shared a laugh before hugging each other, However those thoughts lingered in his head.

Meanwhile Anne was at her room, changing into comfortable clothes, She couldn't stop thinking about Crane again, That time, at his office. . . It felt different yet good, his words lingered in her mind, He was right. He wasn't going to make her forget about this. Anne just couldn't believe how much her life has changed in a month.

But she also couldn't help but think. . . What was going to happen next?

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)