Painted Red- (Young Justice)

<<<ChapterTwo>>>

Days later...

Gore closed his eyes, the frantic footsteps and the shuffles of people running in his cell satisfying him.

He felt gazes on his back, "Wha-what? B-b-but... he wasn't..." shuddered a guard, looking around the room in confusion, "He wasn't here before!" he shouted, turning towards the other guards, who were all looking at the guard with annoyance, "Please believe me! HE WASN'T HERE!"

The red-eyed boy chuckled, "Don't you think this game of "Pretend He Isn't Here" going a bit far?"

The guard turned around sharply, "What did you do?!" he hissed. The boy didn't answer, and instead starting to softly laugh, "WHAT DID YOU DO?!" the guard yelled, the other guards tugging him back from strangling the prisoner, "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

The guards managed to pull the man out of the room, leaving Gore alone once more. His laughter didn't die down, and did the exact opposite.

Soon, he was full-out cackling.

<<<>>>

Hours later...

Gore was facing the corner farthest from the entrance, leaning his head into the corner and his eyes closed.

Then he heard the entrance to his cell open, then close.

No footsteps or heavy breathing came with it. 

The red-eyed boy slowly opened his eyes, taking a glance at his right, but then taking back his original placement against the corner.

Moments pasted, then minutes.

"I heard about your disappearance," Batman spoke up, eyes narrowing, "Mind telling me about it?"

"Mmm," Gore hummed, "Hard choice. I really want to brag about how fan-freaking-tastic I was when I escaped, buuuuut I haven't stepped foot out of Arkham since I was taken here."

"So you didn't escape," Batman concluded.

Gore sat up straight, facing Batman and grinning his signature smile, his crimson eyes glowing even redder in the shadows. He started clapping, "Yaaay!" he cheered in fake enthusiasm, "The Dark Knight figured it out! Four and a half gold stars for you!"

When the bat made it clear that he wasn't going to respond, Gore sighed, turning back to the wall, "You're not here to talk about my disappearance." It wasn't a question.

Batman advanced towards Gore, settling down a safe distance behind him, "I have some pictures I need you to see."

Gore could hear the shuffle of paper, then silence. He waited for about five minutes before he turned around, giving up on the hope that the bat would leave him alone. 

His crimson eyes stared at the pictures before him. He looked up at the bat, lifting an eyebrow, "Is this a joke?"

"These pictures were taken yesterday night, a few minutes before the murder took place," Batman explained, "The bodies weren't hidden, and the victims' blood was painted on the wall. Only one person does that; you."

Gore leaned back on the wall, placing a hand on one of his folded knees, his eyes filled with amusement, "You think I killed them."

"It was only logical, but it wasn't you, because you were here the whole time. Do you know what that means?"

"That some guy's trying too hard to get a life?"

"That someone is after you."

Gore took on a baffled expression, "Now where the hell did that theory come from?"

Batman glared, "Did you even look at the pictures?" The boy rolled his eyes, "Yes, I did. I've got eyes." Batman's glare narrowed even more, "What do you see?" he questioned, tapping the pictures.

"Uhn," Gore mumbled, glancing at the pictures with his eyebrow raised, "I see dead people."

"Look at this one," Batman commanded, loosing his patience, "A message on his hand."

Gore eyed the man's hand, a glare darkening his features. He then chuckled, shivering, "Heheh... Ew! The guy cut the message on his palm! Damn, look how deep down the wound goes! Gross," he said, bleching, but at the same time smiling.

He stared at the picture once more, "And why do you think "Painted red" has to do with me? The guy's blood is red, fruit punch is red, paint can be red," Gore then leaned towards Batman, "Girls also have something to do with red," he paused, leaning back, "So why go to me first? It's not my motto. I'm not into the hero gig. I mean, seriously! "Up up and away?" Really Superman?"

Batman stayed silent during Gore's rambling, frowning at the younger, "You're not rejecting the idea," he pointed out after Gore was finished.

Gore stared at Batman with narrowed eyes, pausing before he replied, "No. No I'm not, am I?"

"You're being hunted down by another mercenary," Batman clarified, "You need help."

Cringing, Gore snapped, "I don't need help! Frankly, my dear Batman, I don't give a damn," the younger regained his posture, "I have Lazarus on my side."

Batman ignored the ebony-hairded boy, pocketing the pictures and standing up, heading towards the door.

"Hey hey hey hey!" Gore barked, "Where are you going?"

The bat paused, glancing back at the younger, "I'm going to go get your stuff. You're coming with me," he then exited the room, leaving Gore with the sudden realization.

"HEY! I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!" Gore roared, banging on the metal door, "I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!"