Fear Behind The Mask (Scarecrow/Gotham Fanfic)

Chapter Nine: Thanatophobia

Chapter Nine: Thanatophobia:

Claire POV:

"All I'm saying is that it would have to have been someone stupid enough to break into the apartment and steal the vial, no normal person would do that," I explain to an angry pacing Jonathan. He's frustrated and Scarecrow is close to coming out to play and in all honesty, I don't think neither me or Jonathan need that right.

"But why? Why would someone steal something that belongs to me?" he shouts in anger. I sigh and shake my head. I walk towards the kitchen and go over to the coffee machine and pour us each a cup of bitter bean coffee. I smile and hand him a cup once I've added milk and sugar to my own.

"Maybe the person who stole the vial wants to replicate your formula?" I suggest. He nods his head and gulps down his coffee placing it on the table and sighs sitting down on the brown tattered couch running his hands through his knotted brown hair. I wander towards him and sit beside him trying to comfort him.

"Besides, if the person opens the vial they will be hit with the fear gas they will be for a little shock," I nudge him laughing imagining the person screaming when they realize what they have done. Jonathan again nods his head and then stares at the glass mahogany coffee table in front of us both. He seems to be thinking something through and I know that him doing this may be dangerous for both of us.

"I'm going to kill the person who has stolen from me, I'll kill them and make them scream," I look at him and shake my head thinking over his words. This is not Jonathan, this is now Scarecrow talking. I look into Jonathan's eyes and see that they are a lighter shade of blue.

"Just don't do something Jonathan will regret doing, Scarecrow," I warn him. He chuckles and shakes his head at me.

"You know, maybe Voodoo should come out to play, she's a lot more fun than you," he says honestly. I scowl at that and shake my own head.

"She's not going to come out to play at all Scarecrow, I know what she's capable of and I'm not going to let her loose to cause havoc," I explain. Scarecrow smirks at me and then takes my hand in his.

"You look tense Claire, maybe you should let yourself go, let yourself get a little loose," he tells me. I sigh and take my hands out of his own. I stand up and step away from Scarecrow.

"No, I'm not letting you weave your way into my mind," I say and continue to take more steps back. Scarecrow notices my reluctance. He stands to his feet and walks toward me, every step I take back he comes forward.

"What's wrong Claire? Scared?" he mocks. I shake my head and feel the wall against my back. He comes closer and closer like a lion stalking their prey. He smirks and as I try to walk away he grabs my wrist and lets me struggle in his hold. I hit him with my free hand and try to pry his hand off my wrist. His grip like a viper.

"Scarecrow please let go! Please!" I beg him. There is clearly fear in my eyes but I still show reluctance to admitting I am scared.

"What are you so afraid of?" he questions as I continue to struggle. He growls and grabs my other free hand in his grip and pushes me against the wall with a slam. I groan under my breath in the pain now traveling up my spine.

"You know exactly what I'm afraid of, but you're too proud to say it because it's such a delicate fear, most fears are irrational but my nightmares came true," I whisper and a tear falls from my eye. I am not looking at him and this angers Scarecrow. He grabs hold of my chin and brings my face to the right to face him directly. He doesn't let go of my chin when I am finally staring into his eyes.

"TELL ME!" He shouts at me. I flinch and I close my eyes. I take a small sigh and then open my eyes up again.

"You know! You've always known ever since we first met! Ever since Gotham High you have known! You seem to forget that we were together studying psychology together in the same class. You have forgotten all about me... so maybe I should remind you that you killed my best friend because she rejected you!" I shout back at him with tears furiously running down my face.