Riddle 009: A Riddler's Return

[puzzlerprince]

[Edward wakes up in a bedroom. He sits up, rubs his eyes and quickly realizes... this isn't his bed.]

Oh no.

[He shoots out of bed, checks the photos in the room. A white-haired woman, a small boy, and... him?!]

Oh no!

[He dashes to the window and spies a very familiar cul-de-sac.]

DAMN IT! NOT AGAIN!
[He dashes out of the bedroom to find a telephone and

Comments

[strike_you_out]

[The line is abruptly disconnected.

It's because the kid in the photo has his finger on the hook switch. He's appeared as if from the wall itself and is staring steadily at the intruder from beneath his cap. At 12, he isn't very impressive in size, but the way he's holding that baseball bat suggests he knows how to use it.]

[puzzlerprince]

[Edward hears only a click and a dial tone.]

Damned thing.

[He moves to place the phone down but drops it at the sudden appearance of the boy in the photograph.]

Gyahh! Y-y-you little---! It's rude to sneak up on someone like that!

[strike_you_out]

[Both hands are on the bat now as he takes a slow step closer.]

It's rude to use someone else's phone without permission.

[puzzlerprince]

[Edward backs away, both hands raised defensively.]

H-hey now, I'm not happy about it either! This place brought me here!

[strike_you_out]

[Is that a hint of fear? There's a most sinister gleam in Slugger's eyes.]

Who are you.

[puzzlerprince]

[Oh, believe me, Slugger, Eddie's buddy Scarecrow would love to have you as a son.]

E-Edward Nigma.

[strike_you_out]

[Until he made the discovery that the only thing worse than a Batman is a bat boy.

Slugger grins, still wielding his bat with that blood-craving look in his eyes. Sensing the intruder's fear has put him on a bit of a power trip, but then it suddenly dawns on him...]

Mayfield put you here? At this house?

[His grin is quickly fading.]

[puzzlerprince]

It... seems that way, yes. I've been brought to Mayfield once before, but they brought me back.

[strike_you_out]

You left? [Distracted from murderous thoughts, he lowers his bat.]

How??

[puzzlerprince]

Believe me, if I knew how I did it, I'd tell you.

[Well, he wouldn't, because he'd be out of there, but he'll say anything to get this freaky kid to put his bat away.]

[strike_you_out]

[Unfortunately, he doesn't look the least bit convinced. Or sane.

In a burst of violence, the bat swoops through the air and smashes into the nearest wall, leaving behind an irregular dent. Consider this a warning. When it comes to getting answers regarding possible escape routes, he isn't about to mess around.]

I want to know... what you were doing before you escaped.

[Don't make him come over there, human! He's just three steps away...]

[puzzlerprince]

[Edward lets out a loud yelp at Slugger's sudden display.]

L-look, I really don't know, I don't know! The last thing I remember is the party, w-with the Smiths. I---I didn't even remember being in Mayfield when I made it back home. And then this morning, I---I just woke up here! And I remembered being here! That's honestly as much as I can say!

[strike_you_out]

...

[After a moment spent staring at Edward and debating whether or not to believe him, Slugger lowers his head and his bat with a sigh. Even if it is the truth, it sheds no light on the confusing mess that is Mayfield.

Slugger backs away to pick up the phone and absently place it back on its hook. He no longer seems interested in attacking Edward now that he has something new to mull over.]

When you went back to your home, was it the same?

[puzzlerprince]

[He sighs in relief as Slugger breaks off his attacking stance.]

Same as it ever was.

[strike_you_out]

You don't say.

[Well, that's good news at least? Assuming Edward's account can be trusted. Fortunately for the re-newcomer, Slugger is done interrogating him (for now); but this is not to say he won't be observing. Or planning something...

He peers at Edward through narrowed eyes, then turns away with a grin that is anything but pleasant. Oh, don't you wish you could have been blessed with a typical drone son, Edward? Too bad.]

Later~

[puzzlerprince]

[Looks like there's a new kind of Batman for Edward to be afraid of.]