The Light in Darkness

Chapter 2: Gotham Elementary

-Dr. Jonathan Crane-

"Dammit Gabriel! Why did you leave the basement door unlocked?!" I shout. I could hear Gabriel begin to stir from his slumber, he had been sleeping on the couch for the past couple of days. "What do you mean?" Gabriel groaned. "Subject two is missing! And the basement door is wide open!" I yell. I heard Gabriel rush to his feet, and run downstairs, it was followed by distant shouting of Gabriel and screams from subjects four and five. I feel a sinister smile crept across my face, "I love hearing the screams of the innocence." I chuckle. Gabriel was downstairs for a bit, he seemed to be taking this quite seriously. I wasn't too worried though, I had watched subject two leave, this was simply a experiment not an accident. As I waited for Gabriel to figure out where subject two is heading, I began planning the next school shooting for Gabriel to help me commit, it wasn't too hard to find our next target. Gotham Elementary. It's a big school and a great target to show the rest of the world that nothing can stop me. Sure, it was a big risk, but it would be worth it. I could sense it.

While I was printing off the information about the next target, Gabriel started coming back up the steps. "Did they talk?" I asked. "They told me that Ben went to get help in Gotham." Gabriel replied. "Whatever happened to calling them subjects?" I asked in a stern voice. Gabriel ignored the question and walked away to retrieve his pistol and semi automatic assault rifle. This concerned me. "He's not getting attached to them is he? That would just make my day." I thought sarcastically. "It's none of your concern, I'm going to go get the kid." Gabriel replied as he walked towards the exit. "While you're out, I have a new mission for you." I yelled to him. I hear Gabriel stop in his tracks, "Is it another kidnapping or shooting?" Gabriel asked. "I need another subject, a younger one too, but if you want, you can do a shooting as well." I replied with a smile. I hear Gabriel sigh in anguish, "Fine, if it's only just one kid." I give Gabriel the papers and the blueprints of Gotham elementary. "Do not fail me, and dispose of subject 2, he's no longer needed." I chuckle. Gabriel nods in agreement and leaves without saying another word.

-Gabriel Greyson-

After leaving the cabin and entering into the woods in the outskirts of Gotham, I take a quick look at the papers Crane gave me. "What a surprise." I sigh. My school target was Gotham Elementary in Gotham, the same city where Ben ran off to. I stuff the paperwork into my back pocket and begin my search for Ben. His trail was easy to find since it just recently rained. "Even if it didn't rain, you would still be easy to track." I chuckle to myself. The boy was heading south which lead deeper into the woods. "Well, at least this kid has a good sense of direction." I admit with a smirk. "Finding this kid is going to be a piece of cake." I said to myself as I followed the boy's tracks.

Before I had joined Crane in his life of crime as his body guard and errand boy, I was a sniper in the United States military. Other than Dead shot, I was the best sniper in Gotham, but I was removed that title after I had a psychotic meltdown while serving my country. On September 25, 2020, I had murdered many of my friends, who served with me in war, and hundreds of innocent citizens. After being restrained by my fellow soldiers, I was discharged from the military and sentenced to Arkham Asylum where I met Dr. Crane. Crane became my doctor, and offer me a deal after he read through my file. He offered my freedom and a safe house if in exchanged, I offer him protection and be his guinea pig until otherwise. I accepted his offer and so far I haven't regret it. I am almost fearless and I feel unstoppable all thanks to the good doctor. A dark chuckle erupts from my throat at the sight of the boy's left shoe. I was so close and Ben didn't even know it.

It took an hour, but I found the boy. The only problem was that someone else got to him first. Ben's body laid in a pool of blood on the forest floor. It seemed to me that a predator had gotten a hold of the poor boy and had ripped him to shreds. "Well at least the creature made my day a little bit easier." I chuckled as I stared at Ben's body. I check my surroundings and easily figure out where I was. "Gotham huh? Well at least you made it back home kid." I said to the boy's body. I step over the child's body and continue on. "The school is less than a mile from here. I could make it there in a few minutes." I thought as I began to run.