Batman: Hero of Gotham

46- What Happened

Bruce woke up, in a car. Alfred was driving it, recklessly. He drove though red lights and sweat drenched his face. Alfred eventually noticed Bruce was awake. "Finally. I was beginning to think you would never wake up."

"What happened? Where are we going? How long was I out for?" Bruce had so many questions. He could sense that he was still partially drugged.

"You were out for many hours. It's almost half past one. You passed out just about three hours ago. I came to get you by noon and I didn't know what to do. I drove you to the hospital but they said they have never dealt with this kind of drug before. Now, we're on our way to Wayne Manor as I speak."

"But what happened, Alfred? What did I do? My knuckles are sore. It feels like all my fingers are broken."

"You...you nearly killed Mr. Cobblepot, sir. You beat him half to death with your bare hands. Security guards pulled you off him. You passed out before they could put handcuffs on you. I was informed right away and got to you as soon as I could. When I arrived, security guards were ready to take you in. I paid them some cash and they let me take you to be treated. They said if an offense like this occurs again, you will be committed to Arkham Asylum for several years."

"Do you know who drugged me?"

"No. That's the question I wanted to ask you. I knew you were drugged but I never found out who did this to you. Who did?"

"Lady Arkham. Vicki Vale is Lady Arkham."

"Who is Lady Arkham if I may ask?"

"She's the leader of the Children of Arkham. Vicki is the one who initialized this drug and she's the one who I fought at the Sky Train Depot."

"Vicki Vale the reporter?"

"Yes. She's the leader."

"Dear God. You're in no shape to take them on, Bruce. First Penguin and his cronies and now this Lady Arkham? And Mayor Dent isn't helping the situation at all. Your friend seems to be a little out of control. He willingly volunteered to have you committed to Arkham himself. Good thing he didn't get his way."

"Me and Harvey...we're on shaky ground. He found out about me and Selina. He wasn't too happy about that. I'm not surprised he wants me imprisoned."

"But still...he's your best friend. Friends don't do that. At least not in my generation."

"I should call him."

"I don't know if that's a good idea. You're still on the drugs. If you get on his bad side, the drug might rapidly try to overtake your mind again and force you to say things you'll regret."

"I'll handle it. I have to give him a call."

"The public opinion on Bruce Wayne is...outrageous. People have been starting riots against you. It hasn't gotten any better. Harvey might make it worse. He could expose you whenever he wants."

"So many people angry at me...the entire family...I just hope I can turn it around."

"I'm sure you'll figure something out. You always do."

"I'm gonna call Harvey. We have to talk." Bruce pulled out his phone and called Harvey. It went straight to voicemail. "Damn it. He won't answer." Suddenly, Bruce got an incoming call from Harvey. He answered. "Hello Harvey."

"What do you want? The streets of Gotham are a dangerous place for someone like you. But, you'll figure that out...eventually." Harvey replied.

"I'll be fine, Harvey. I can handle myself."

"I don't think you understand the danger you're in. Maybe you haven't heard, but the Children of Arkham have gone underground. Obviously plotting some sort of attack, and people are scared. Panicking. I needed to show them that my resolve hasn't weakened, that Gotham is still strong, so I gave them an enemy-- you and your family's filthy corruption. The last thing I need is you traipsing around Gotham."

"Would you listen to yourself? You sound insane!"

"No, I'm just a man who's done letting assholes like you run the world and take whatever they want. Can't let you keep running around scot-free, Bruce. It's the will of the people."

"You can spare me your 'will of the people' bullshit, Harvey. I know this is personal."

"You knew I was interested in Selina. What you did was a low blow, Bruce. A real man wouldn't have done that. A friend wouldn't have done that."

"She doesn't belong to you, Harvey. She can see whoever she wants."

"Do not lecture me about Selina!"

"We're done talking." Bruce hung up. Alfred suddenly stopped the car. "What's going on here?" Then, Bruce saw the road was blocked off with orange cones. A gang of enforcer guards surrounded the area. One of them which had a badge that read "Officer Issac". The officer named Issac walked up to the side of the car and Bruce lowered the window.

"Well, well, well...Bruce Wayne. You must've done something to piss the Mayor off so much. Heh, maybe I'll get a bonus for this. Open the trunk. We're searching the car. If we find anything tying you to the Children of Arkham, including drugs, weapons, or any other suspicious materials, you will be taken into custody." Issac said.

"I know my goddamn rights and you better have a warrant to back that up." Bruce responded, the drug making him cuss at the officer.

"Don't need one. Mayor Dent gave his Enforcers full search-and-seizure rights." A man in the car behind Bruce and Alfred got out of his car in anger and walked up to Issac.

"Come on! What's the damn hold up?!" The man yelled.

"Get back to your car!" Issac ordered. The man looked into the vehicle and saw Bruce.

"Of course...should've known. Go to Arkham Asylum you damn maniac! I should be careful or I might be the next Cobblepot. Why are you showing your pathetic face in public like this?" The angry man shouted at Bruce.

"I am tired. I am hungry. I want to go home, and if you don't get the fuck out of my way I swear to god I will have this car run you over and then back up just to make sure it did the job!" Bruce suddenly yelled at the man. He didn't know where all this anger came from. The drug was taking him over. Changing him.

"Bruce--" Alfred started.

"Shut up Alfred! I can handle this!"

"You heard that right? This psycho just threatened me!" The man turned to Issac. "They should lock this son of a bitch up!"

"Oh god. Alfred, I'm sorry. I don't know where this is all coming from." Bruce apologized to Alfred.

"You'll be fine. We just need to get out of this mess." Alfred replied. The angry man kicked the car. Issac shot his shotgun in the air for everybody's attention.

"The next one won't be a warning shot!" Issac warned. "Alright, now the way I see it, there are two ways we can do this, Bruce Wayne. Either I let these people at you and see how you handle mob justice...or you could make a little donation to me and my boys to keep us well-funded and well-armed. What do you say?"

Bruce handed Issac everything in his wallet. "Here. That's everything I have on me."

"Sure, that'll work." Issac ordered his pals to move the barricade. Once they did, Alfred floored it and drove away. Bruce received a text from Selina.

It said, "See you when you get home. Got some stuff we need to talk about."