Painkiller

▪ TWENTY NINE ▪

Bruce's POV
~~~~~~~~~~
The Batcave was empty when Azreal and I arrived back from looking for more clues about where Warners kidnapped girlfriend or whatever she is to him was. I slipped off my cowl and pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose,

"He's gone." I sighed out,

"I have eyes you know.." Azreal sarcastically chuckled and looked around, "Where do you think he went."

"Probably to look for that girl." I said with a little more anger than I ment to,

"Do you not like her?" He asked, looking over at me,

"I don't know, JP, she's caused so much trouble for Warner. She's the one who got him sent to Arkham."

"Weren't you the one who sent him to Arkham?" The hooded assassin said, looking over at me,

"Let's see if he left any trace of where he went." I muttered, changing the subject.

The two of us began to walk around the Batcave, I took the north and east side and Azreal south and west. I searched the north side and found nothing on where he was, he took the Batcycle; I was surprised he even knew how to start the thing. I walked over to the main computer, seeing if the cameras picked up anything.

There I saw a piece of paper taped to the screen. I ripped off the paper and looked at the screen which had a GPS location on it. I looked down at the note and skimmed over the words,

"Bruce, Azreal, whoever is reading this. I have a location on where Kiara is. It's your choice if you want to meet me there or not. I hope you choose right.
       -W."

"Azreal!" I yelled out, "Get over here!"

I watched Azreal run over, he's faster than he looks, stronger too; I've learned that the hard way. Azreal quickly approached, he looked around in a panic and then looked down at the note in my hand,

"What's that?" He asked, reaching for it,

"Its a note from Warner, he went out to find her."

"Then what are we doing still standing here?" He asked, crumbling up the note, "Let's go get him."

I nodded and the two of us left the Batcave.

--

We arrived at the building that Warner was apparently at,

"You take the bottom half, I take the top. It's going to be faster that way."

"If you think so, then let's do it." Azreal agreed and we split up.

The front door seemed to be blocked off but I knew Azreal could handle it. I shot my grappling hook into a window and climbed my way in.

I climbed into a dark room, I switched on my night vision and looked around. All around me were stacks of cardboard boxes and desks. I started to wonder why Scarecrow chose this place to hide out. I walked through the door and was greated by a well lit hallway. I switched off the night vision and walked down the hall with caution.

I heard people talking behind one of the doors. I pressed my ear up to the wooden door and listened in,

"Can't believe the game scores. I think it's rigged." One of the guys said,

"You think everything is rigged, you doorknob." Another, clearly annoyed, voice spoke,

"Shut up," the man scoffed and it went silent. I was about to move on before the man started to speak again, "Do you think that kid is really a prodigy of the Bat?"

"Yeah, sorta. I mean, the kid looks like every other Bat-Freak out there, they all fight basically the same."

"Do you think he's gonna kill him?" One of the guys asked,

"Probably. Boss has been doing some weird stuff latley. He isn't really himself.."

That was all I needed to hear. I pushed down the door and threw down a smoke bomb. Wrapped my arm around one of the guys neck and dragged him down to the floor. I choked him out until he was unconscious and then I tackled another to the floor. The smoke cleared up and I slammed the man into a wall. The whole room shook and so did the man. He was obviously scared shitless. I took in a deep breath and leaned into the man,

"Where is he?" I asked tighting my grip on him,

"Th-the roof." He quivered.

"Didn't need to go and piss yourself." I said then headbutted him.

I let go of him and he dropped to the ground, knocked out. I ran to the stair way door and rushed through. So far I haven't seen any guards around, kinds suspicious. I kept running up the stairs, often skipping a few steps. I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard the loud gun shot coming from way up above me. I started to run faster. I was two stories away from the top, I needed to hurry he could be in danger.

I heard another gunshot followed by a scream. I went full force up those stairs and I rammed through the door once I reached the top floor. I ran to a window and kicked out the glass,

"Azreal, get to the roof now!" I yelled and got out my grappling hook.

I stuck half my body out the window and the rain hit my chin. I took aim and fired at the ledge. The gun clicked and I climbed up the wall.

I was now on top of the building and I saw Scarecrow standing alone, holding something in his hand. I pulled out a batarang and with all my might, I threw it at the crazy man that was standing far away from me. The batarang hit his side. He fell and I ran and jumped onto him. I punched him once in the face then grabbed him by his thin neck and held him over the ledge,

"Where is he!" I yelled, tighting my grip,

"You're too late, Batsy! He went over this same ledge about 2 minutes ago."

I felt anger and sadness bubble up inside me. I squeezed my hand that was around his neck and he was gasping for air,

"Batman." I heard Azreal say, telling me to stop what I was doing.

I let out a deep breath and threw Scarecrow back onto the building. He was still concessions, I grabbed the back of his head and smashed it into the ground, he was out. I picked up what he was holding in his hand and what I saw brought a tear to my eye. He was holding Warners belt and mask.

I dropped down to my knees and took off my cowl,

"Bruce," Azreal gently said,

"He's dead. And-and we don't even have a body to bury."

"We'll figure something out,"

"I let him down. I'm sorry, Warner. I'm sorry I put you in that nightmare of a nut house," I felt a tear trickle down my face, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"You can't blame yourself.."

"Damn right I can!" I got up and marched over to Azreal, "I put that kid through so much bullshit, he didn't deserve it. Not even a little bit."

"Don't do something you're going to regret, Bruce." Azreal mumbled and I stepped away.

I walked over to the ledge and closed my eyes, "What are we going to tell the others?"

"The truth." Was all Azreal said. I turned to him and nodded.

Azreal and I spent an hour on that roof top in silence. I held onto the only thing left of Warner, I let him down, and I will always blame myself for this.

The sound of a helicopter echoed through the night, they must be here for Scarecrow and his gang. Azreal and I left the scene. I would have to return to Gotham, alone.