"What do you think you're doing?" I demanded. Crane leaned back in my chair and smirked.
"Here? In my office? Why, I'm simply marveling over your success in stealing my job, Doctor Quinzel."
I made sure to leave the door open.
"What are you talking about? Why are you back here? I thought you were with Doctor Arkham."
"One thing at a time, Harleen. Firstly, Arkham has promoted you to team manager - my job - and has...degraded me to your job. After my little talk with him, I came here."
I was shocked. Me, team leader? Surely not.
"But...why?"
"He felt you were more suited to the job."
"What does this change? Will I take on your patients or will-"
"Of course not. We keep the same patients, Doctor Quinzel. Except you now have my office. I do hope you enjoy the view of the city which you have been deprived of in this little box."
There was such venom in his words. I shivered.
"I...I don't really know what to say," I croaked. Crane laughed.
"You don't have to say anything, Doctor Quinzel. Congratulations on your new job. I've taken the liberty of packing up your things. It's all in here," he said, grabbing a box from beneath him and slamming it onto the desk. I almost jumped at the sound but kept my solid stance.
"Thanks, I guess."
"My pleasure."
I walked forward to retrieve the box. Something made me want to gloat, to torture him even further.
"I do hope you enjoy the pleasures of this little office," I smiled sweetly, "like the squeaky chair; the noisy ventilation system; the broken radiator. And also the door doesn't shut properly. I'm sure you'll figure out the rest of the faults in no time," I grinned, scanning the room. He suddenly grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me across the desk. The box fell to the floor.
"You better watch yourself, Doctor Quinzel. You've not exactly had the best of luck these past few weeks, I'd hate to see that bad streak continue..." he warned, licking his dry lips. He pulled me closer so that my feet were far from the ground. I curled my hand into a fist, ready to swing, "'cause you see, I like you. You've got this sudden air of confidence about you all of a sudden, it makes me wonder what else you've been hiding away under-"
SMACK!
I caught him right in the nose and blood erupted from him like an angry volcano. He threw me to the ground and fell into the chair, tipping his head back. I jumped up and brushed myself off.
"That doctorate of yours should be revoked, Crane. Keep your head forward, not back. That's basics. You disappoint me," I mocked, taking my box and leaving him to drown in scarlet.
I felt the same fear returning that I had seen too much of in the past few days. I could actually feel my pulse in my finger tips.
Crane = dangerous
Well handled. You throw a good punch,
I hurried to my new office and locked the door behind me. The room was plain. Too plain. It seemed grey and boring and sad - just like Crane. After setting my things down onto the desk I examined myself in the dirty mirror over the small sink. Blood had splattered onto the white shirt. My reflection looked back at me with wide eyes and dilated pupils. I needed to calm down.
The Asylum had a washroom which I was glad to use. After a calming shower, I changed into my fresh work clothes and put my towel dried brown hair into a messy bun.
