Arkham Inmates (A Gotham Fanfic)

Chapter One/ Intro

Ed woke up in a cold, hard bed when the realisation hit him hard. This was his life now. Ever since he'd been deemed insane and sent to this hell hole. So far, he hadn't met any of the other inmates, just heard their screams but today was the day he met them. He could recall some from news stories, some he admired but most he feared. He wasn't on their level, he wasn't insane, no, he just happened to kill a couple of people but of course he couldn't show emotion not in this place. "yo Nygma up and at em Dr Quinzel wants to speak to you" came the voice of the guard on his block just before he came in to drag Ed out of bed but Ed was already standing ready to go. On one hand, he had to hate Dr Quinzel after all she was making him socialise not his strong suit he had learned. He liked to observe people, he didn't need to speak to them, once he unlocked the mystery of their mind they become boring and irrelevant. But Dr Quinzel had been nice to him since he arrived made him feel welcome and cared about but then again, he thought that was her job. As he walked to her office with his guard escort he thought of excuses he could come up with to get out of the socialisation maybe he'd try a riddle or a joke to make her laugh, or pretend to be ill. As he arrived at her office though he game to the conclusion there was nothing he could do to get out of this. The guard gave a hard knock at the door before shoving him in, not very polite Ed thought. "Edward hello please have a seat" Dr Quinzel her voice light and carefree but Ed knew her, and she wasn't as happy as she seemed, something was wrong. Ed sat down and surveyed her, blond hair tied back as usual, subtle make up in order, desk tidy, cloth fin- that was it. Her sleeve was tugged a little to reveal bruises marking her arm. "What's wrong, who hurt you?" Ed questioned immediately when he saw them with little emotion in his voice. Dr Quinzel laughed, looked down and said "Edward we aren't here to talk about me it's you that concerns me, first day meeting your fellow inmates how are you feeling" Ed noticed her remove her arm from the table as she wrote a note in her diary he was concerned had a patient done this or someone at home, he wouldn't ask though, he couldn't be seen to care. "Dr Quinzel you know fine well I do not wish to socialize with my fellow inmates I would be better off on my own so why is it you have called me here." Ed said plainly giving her a challenging stare. "Tell me a riddle" "why" "Because you like to, you want to" Ed thought for a second was this a trick, some sort of test or maybe just maybe she had grown used to his riddles, maybe even liked them. "When you need me, you throw me away. But when you're done with me, you bring me back. What am I?" Dr Quinzel thought for a moment before a grin passes over her face "An anchor." Ed was impressed and maybe even happy before the rushing sadness came back, insane criminals most likely didn't want to hear his riddles and he wouldn't be seeing Dr Quinzel every day anymore. After this he would be alone, surrounded and alone. As if Dr Quinzel could read his mind she added "I'm sure you'll make some friends who will quite enjoy your puzzles Edward why don't you head off to the canteen and start there." Ed quickly whizzed through all the excuses in his mind but nothing would work to get him out of this he may as well just go. They stood up and she reached out her hand to tap him on the shoulder but thought better off it and just pointed towards the door, "Goodbye for now Edward." Ed went to walk out stopping in front of her to add "Ed, call me Ed" it was a small gesture but he wanted her to know he appreciated her kindness. As he walked to the canteen with a guard he could already here the shouting. It sounded like a fight was taking place.