< Too Late - arkhams_dr >

[knowthenbreak]

She hated them all. Every last one of them. Every nurse, every orderly... She hated them. Taking orders from Crane. From a madman. From a man who was going to-- who was already hurting her daughter. They wouldn't listen to her. Maddy-- Maddy was the one person who listened to her. She would sneak in when the nurses weren't around, loosen the

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[arkhams_dr]

Jonathan Crane decided to surprise Nadine. After all, she'd want to hear this news personally. He brought flowers, attempting to present a facade of a dutiful family member - which was, after all, what he was, wasn't it?

As always, the nurses apprised him of Nadine's condition, and as always, with a reassuring smile, he went to see to his patient.

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine Dent stared at the ceiling. She'd fought the last time Crane had been here, fought for her life. Now, confined to the bed with the realization of her idiocy, her infidelity, and her solitude, she wished Crane had been successful. She'd always justified her actions. Jonathan was her protector, and he loved her. She loved him. It was the same as Harvey's devotion to Rachel, even a decade after her death. But with the knowledge that Jonathan-- that Crane was the Scarecrow-- was what Harvey had always said-- she hated herself for everything.

"I'm sorry, Harvey." She wanted her husband by her side, sitting with her once again, ready to comfort and protect her... But if he were here, he wouldn't want her. She'd betrayed him, she'd been... tainted. He wouldn't want to be anywhere near her, and she wouldn't blame him. She ignored the sound of the door opening. Probably a nurse, here to force the medication into her system.

Damn them all.

[arkhams_dr]

"Hello, Nadine," Crane said, settling the flowers on her dresser. "I trust we're over our little episode? I hope so. I've been wanting to speak with you."

[knowthenbreak]

She tensed at his voice, turning her head to look at him. Her hand moved, perhaps to try and lash out at him or to try and shield herself. Either action was prevented by the restraint.

"Get out," she said, though her tone made it clear she knew he wouldn't listen.

[arkhams_dr]

"Go? No, no. That's what you do, Nadine. You leave. You leave people who need you. Your poor Jonathan. Your poor little girl." He was backing her against the wall, getting closer and closer. "Did you ever try to help anyone but yourself and your precious Harvey? Don't you want to see if you can still save them? Maybe he's still there. Maybe she'll be all right. What about her baby? Poor little baby, what shall we do with that?"

[knowthenbreak]

She'd been backed into corners before, by someone larger than him, but then... Then, she'd always fought back, lashed out. She could try that. Could try to slap him. Maybe if she screamed-- maybe they'd take him away. She'd be forced onto the bed, her jewelry taken from her again-- but maybe they'd make him leave.

"Get out. Leave me alone. Get out. Get out." She wanted to scream, wanted Harvey. Harvey would tell her that everything would be okay. He'd make Crane leave. But Harvey was dead. "Get out."

She couldn't think straight anymore. He was right. It was too much to take. Harvey was gone. Duela was gone. Jonathan was gone. She was alone... alone with the Scarecrow. Her back hit the spot where the walls met, and she could go no further. Once more, her hand twisted in her necklace, lips barely parted.

[arkhams_dr]

He pressed against her, demented and obviously excited. "But I don't want to go, Nadine. Jonathan's not chasing the Scarecrow away anymore." He grinned even wider. "Scarecrow. Scaaare-crow."

His breath was hot on her neck, his hand next to her throat. "He tried, and what did you do for him?"

[knowthenbreak]

"Don't you ever shut up?" She sobbed even as she said it, trying to press further against the wall, but there was nowhere left to try and get away. Harvey had never frightened her like his...

She had to get him away. It wouldn't do any good, she knew it, but it was the only thing she could think to try. Her hand raised and she tried to bring it down as quickly as she could, trying to slap him. If she could just make him go away-- if she could just think-- if she could just breathe.

[knowthenbreak]

A young brunette, probably only twenty or so, looked up from the romance novel in her hands. She didn't hear the quiet chime above the door very often. Visitors weren't terribly common, so she usually had painfully little to do at the front desk. However, someone had come in, and the girl dutifully put down her book and wore her best smile.

"Good afternoon, sir! Are you here to see a patient?"