I?: The Girl Who Ran: The Altruism Test- Currently Shelved

{III: Tatiana} "I like your cane, Miss."

Tatiana rolled out of bed and put on her glasses as soon as the first ray of watery morning light spilled through the curtains. She quickly surveyed the apartment, making her schedule for the day, then she looked on the floor beside her bed and sighed. She'd have to get a new phone today. Not that she didn't have the money, her best friend's family had set up an account with two thousand dollars to tide her over for about two weeks, or until she found a job.

She limped over to where she had dropped her backpack the night before, pawing through it. She retrieved her collapsible cane, and pulled it to its full length, leaning on it for support.

Boom-pish! An explosion sounded next door and Tatiana hobbled over to the front door of her apartment. She pulled her rolled-up sleeves down over her scarred forearms. She went into the hallway and knocked on her neighbors door.

"No, nothing's broken! Do not up my rent again, Giovanni!" A creaky voice sounded from behind the door.

Tatiana chuckled, "No, sir, I am your neighbor. Are you well?" She heard rustling, and the door opened, revealing a beanpole of a man.

"Ah. So you're the foreign girl Giovanni told us not to scare away." His blue eyes had a startled look, halfway concealed with a smile.

Tatiana shrugged, and stuck her hand out in the American way, "I am not frightened easily, Mr..."

"Crane. Jonathan Crane. And we will see about that." He eyed her hand, then took it, shaking it rather weakly. This was the scientist she had been warned not to bother. He didn't seem like much. His brown hair was greasy and plastered to his head, his face unshaven.

"Tatiana Schivoski. But are you well, Mr. Crane? I heard a noise," Tatiana played the invasive neighbor and went on her tiptoes to peer over his shoulder into his apartment. Newspaper covered the walls in odd places, no doubt covering holes. The plaster on the ceiling was falling down in places, much unlike her own apartment.

Mr. Crane blocked her vision with his shoulder and shook his head, "Nope. Nothing happened. I'm fine. You must be hearing things."

Tatiana opened her mouth to reply when a hand landed on her shoulder, "Are you bothering the newbie, Jonny? I hope not. Let's get a look at you!" The hand turned her around and she took in a sight for sore eyes.

The shorter man's bright green sweater dazzled her. She rubbed her eyes as the man said, "I am Edward Nygma, miss. My acquaintances call me Eddie."

Mr. Crane grunted from behind her, "She said her name's Tatiana."

The man, Eddie, grinned and bowed. "Beautiful name, miss, and I like your cane. Always a pleasure to meet our new additions to the building. Do you like riddles?"

She shifted at the mention of her cane but nodded, appreciating the pleasant atmosphere of the man.

Eddie's grin widened, "This one should be easy, since you are from Russia. 'In World War II, my prowess grew, but scars of war, they never withdrew. Who am I, this enigmatic name? A union dissolved, but still holds fame'."

Tatiana pursed her lips and thought, the answer coming to mind immediately. "Stalin."

Eddie's smile disappeared, "You would be surprised, Tatiana, how many people have gotten that one wrong. But I must take my leave." He bowed again and turned around, heading back around the corner.

Tatiana turned to Mr. Crane, "What did I say?"

Mr. Crane shrugged, "He doesn't like people getting the correct answers to his riddles. Even if they are easy. He's spent years trying to concoct the perfect riddle."