The Silent Treatment (Victor Zsasz x Reader)

The beginning #1

Silence.

Often appreciated for the tension it can build, the emotions it can convey, forgiveness, comfort, sorrow, anger. It can deliver an array of emotions yet it doesn't have to speak any words, it doesn't have to present any actions. The presence of silence is either a safety blanket or a eerie chill that commands fear itself.

The dried blood that crusted my nose and lips was unpleasant and an overwhelming cold commanded my very being. My narrowed eyes adjusted to the dark of the room, dimly lit yet entirely sterile, clean. Equipment that flashed and beeped softly surrounded my restrained form which was secured to a hard and uncomfortable chair, holding me captive in its unwelcome embrace.

In my panicked gazing my eyes settled finally on a man who wore tinted glasses, a whimsical and almost wise look in his gaze, yet there was also something conniving and sickening about it. "Who-" I began to question, yet got cut off by a searing pain in my temples. I wince and during this moment of vulnerability he takes a few steps forward, gazing elsewhere briefly, his assistant, who I had not previously sighted, stood cautiously near the exit of the room, giving him a nod. He turned back to me.

"Hello, my name is Professor Strange," He introduces in a tentative tone, a professional air to his manner yet intrigue drenched his unfaltering tone. "And your name is-" He began, about to assign a new identity to me, yet, I knew who I was, I didn't need a new name. "Y/N, my name is Y/N."

He looked astonished, eyes widening slightly. Prof Strange's gaze wandered once more to his assistant who not only looked shocked, but also entirely horrified. He looked back at me with an unreadable expression, a sly smile curling on his lips. "My my, what an anomaly. Do you remember... everything?" He inquires, removing a notepad and pen, before adding, "Are you experiencing anything abnormal? Any newfound abilities, anything?"

I snort in discontent, writhing in my restraints. "Yes I remember everything. Now tell me just how I'm alive, last time I checked I was dead." A look passed the professor, he looked dead, as though he wasn't present anymore, entirely intoxicated by some unseen force.

"Yes, of course," he began, hands folding behind his back as he paced around quietly. "We brought you back. You are an experiment my dear. During this, people gain abnormalities, sometimes ... powers, abilities," he explained before seemingly snapping out of this daze of honesty, looking somewhat unsettled.

I cock my head to the side, does he tell all his lab rats this stuff? My question were left unanswered as he spoke up once more.

"I must leave briefly. My assistant will keep an eye on you, I shall return," he said simply before exiting, a flurry of noise escaping from the open door, horrifying noises that made me shudder. The door shut once more and the assistant took a few steps towards me, as though sizing me up, assessing the deadlines I would pose, the threat I radiated. I simply smiled, somewhat sadly.

My mind was racing, so much had occurred I still didn't understand what was happening, I was lost in my own reality at this point.

"Please, untie me..."

I tried to ask as passively and politely as possible. Yet again, the trance like state envelops them, causing the assistant to walk over and untie me. I was baffled, but then they snapped out of it.

Too late.

I had gotten up and scampered away from my previous restraints, now staring them down as they start stuttering, questioning my escape, why they helped, what was happening, yet I stood in silence, slowly backing further into the darkness. They raced out, yelling for the professor to return and I dart out of my hiding place, frantically searching for things to arm myself with.

My hand travels to my chest as I feel the lumped scars of the bullet holes that ended my life, 4 in total. I was caught up in the crossfire of a gang fight, a bystander.

I hear the door open and I cautiously cower behind the chair that originally restrained me, hiding, but very badly. The professor and his assistants saw me immediately and called out, but I didn't listen, instead I just decided to try something. Suspicions had began to grow in my mind and this was the ultimate test to see if my thoughts were true.
"Please", I plead, "let me go..."
To my astonishment, they just left. They went away.
The word's of the professor stained my mind and in astonishment I realised the abilities I had received from this revival, reincarnation, almost.

Of course, I used this to my advantage, telling guards to let me free, abusing the ability I had now been blessed with to escape the facility that held me captive.

Once outside I inhaled the acrid city air and for once, it held a lot of comfort. Much nicer than those overbearing chemicals that hung heavy in the air, anyway.

That was where my story began, where the adventure truly started.

5 years ago this occurred, I have, since then, been recruited by Penguin who decided that I could be useful when it came to negotiating and well, interrogation. He essentially uses the abilities I have and if it gets the bills payed then I'm not too fussed in what I have to do, especially since it means I don't have to fight or put myself in particular danger.

This does mean I have a strict code of silence when I'm not on a job. My silence means I can only communicate through writing, drawing and occasionally sign, though not many could be bothered to learn it. I am very dismissed as I'm not exactly a fighter, though, Penguin pities my outcasted nature. Sometimes. That man is very hot and cold.

He often calls upon me for advice, knowing fully well I could manipulate him or the information I spoke, though, I have no reason to, so we have a mutual sort of trust. Today was one of those days, he was pacing and rambling on about losing territory somewhere, I wasn't really listening but I'd nod or confirm something every so often to ensure the aggressive man thought I was listening.

All I knew is that something big would be happening soon...