Post by thekillingjoke on Jun 27, 2011 0:05:19 GMT -5
Batman #2
By Cornelius Spunkwater
- - -
Gotham City – 2115
It’s early in the morning and Alfred pulls an old Lincoln restored into a parking garage in the business district. A full scanner covering each side of the entrance stores the vehicle make and license plate and Gotham’s artificial intelligence welcomes him through the car’s speakers in her soft tone. He passes parked cars and turns up ramps for several levels until cars are few. He stops and looks around for anyone but this level is vacant. He turns off the ignition and takes the cell phone from his jacket and plugs in a car adapter and dials. It rings thrice and Kase answers in his eastern European accent and they go through the routine and Alfred asks: Are you in Gotham?
Yes. My daughter and I arrived last night.
Where are you staying?
It is better if you do not know.
Okay. What now then?
I need you to tell me more about Wayne.
Very well. What do you need to know?
What does he look like?
He’s tall. He has long thinning hair.
No no. Does he look human or demonic?
More demonic than human.
How old is he?
Somewhere over two-hundred. I’m not sure exactly.
Really. He is young. It is unusual he would take on a demonic appearance so soon.
Why do you think?
That depends. What are his feeding habits?
He drinks from blood bags I get at the hospital.
Ah. Good. He is malnourished.
Malnourished?
Yes. Blood is not the same if not taken from the carotid artery. That is where it is most pure. Think of the carotid as prime beef and the jugular as a hot dog.
I see. Is there anything else you need to know?
When and where does he sleep?
With the world as it is, it varies. He’s taken to resting at night and rising with the sun as we do.
Where does he sleep?
In his bed in the master bedroom.
Interesting. He sounds desperate to hold on to humanity.
I suppose so. When will you be ready?
We need a night to sharpen our tools. I would prefer if we worked in the daylight regardless of his sleeping habits.
Tomorrow then?
That will work. We will come to his come at sunrise. Then he will die.
Thank God.
God has nothing to do with it. Fear not my friend. You soon will be free.
Kase ends the call and Alfred turns off his phone and puts it away in his jacket pocket. He leaves the Lincoln and crosses the level past some people minding their business. At the other side is a crosscity transporter with walls transparent except for the black floor and Alfred enters it and the doors close. Through speakers on the floor the AI asks: Where do you want to go Mr. Pennyworth?
Gotham City Medical Center.
Thank you, she says and the transporter rides its designated path alongside other transporters moving vertical and horizontal above the streets but Alfred ignores the passengers. His transporter stops at an entrance beside the Medical Center and the AI wishes Alfred a good day but he ignores her and passes a line of people waiting for transporters and he goes toward the blood bank.
Wayne Manor – 2115
Today is Sunday and the decoy sun rises and Wayne drains his blood bag and tosses the empty pouch on the tray and licks remnants from his teeth gnarled. He goes to the kitchen and takes a key and downstairs in the cellar he unlocks a door. Inside there’s a lone blood bank refrigerator a quarter stocked and he takes another bag. He empties it down his gullet and drops it to the floor and leaves trailing specks of blood into the main cellar room.
Upstairs the fronts doors clack and they open and a beam of light reaches inside and Alfred carries a cooler. He retrieves the key from its place and sets it atop the cooler and goes to the cellar. He sets the cooler down and opens the door and sees the blood trail and empty bag and he sighs. He stores the blood inside the refrigerator and takes the empty bag to the fireplace in the library and starts a fire. He throws it into the flames and sits to watch it melt while much orange light falls undulating on ancient volumes. Alfred looks toward the passageway and says: Master. You should destroy the remains once you finish eating. This house will look more unbecoming than it already is if empty blood bags litter the rooms.
Alfred looks toward the passageway and Wayne stands and says: I was hungry. You got more then?
Yes. I don’t know how long this can keep up if your appetite increases. But I got it.
Good. Thank you Alfred.
You’re welcome Master. Though I suppose I have little choice in the matter.
No. I suppose you don’t. How long have you been with me?
A long time. Thirty-three years since you enslaved me.
Enslaved. Has it been that bad?
I wouldn’t call them the best years of my life.
You’ll serve me until the day you die. Whether or not you enjoy your time left is your prerogative.
Yes. I know.
Alfred. What would you say to immortality?
I want nothing to do with it.
You assume it’s a choice.
Have you no concern for my soul?
You’re afraid you’ll be damned to hell?
Yes Master.
And what of my soul? Do I have one?
I don’t know.
Nor do I. But I like to think I do. I did not choose this life. It was thrust upon me.
Just as you would thrust it upon me.
No. I can’t do that. Living this way. Becoming a monster. I can’t be that cruel. But I can kill you if need be. Understand this Alfred: I know you’re plotting something against me and for that I may kill you tonight. I don’t know yet. In the meantime you should take time to reevaluate your loyalty and perhaps make peace with yourself.
I understand Master, Alfred says and Wayne leaves the library warmth for darkness elsewhere where he may contemplate life and what futures wait. Alfred stays watching the flames kick and reaches for the cell phone in his pocket and looks down but does nothing with it and just holds it while watching the fireplace for a while.
He rises and goes to an outlet between one of the bookshelves and turns the phone on and dials. It rings and Kase answers and they go through the routine again and Kase asks: What do you want?
Tonight. You need to come tonight.
Wayne Manor – 1889
What have you done to me? Wayne cries and lies helpless in bed while blood oozes from his neck punctured and hot fire surges through his veins. He tries to move but his limbs are paralyzed by that agony incredible.
Above him Anne hovers straddling his hips and looks down seductive and his blood trickles down her chin and drips on her naked bosom. She smears the droplets over each breast and focuses on her nipples until they’re erect full. She brings her chest over his mouth and offers herself and says: Feed, love.
He latches onto her breast and bites the nipple and she gasps. He tastes blood so vile first but then becomes ecstasy and he draws nourishment sweet into himself.
That’s enough, she says and takes her breast away.
I want more.
Did you enjoy it?
Yes, he says and she smiles and caresses his chest and he says: I want more.
You can have more, she says and he reaches for her but she stops him and says: No. Not me.
Who then?
Your parents. They are just down the hall, aren’t they?
My parents.
Yes, she says and bows over and lies next to him. She sniffs the wound on his neck and licks it slight and it heals. Meanwhile he stares at the ceiling like a gray void and she whispers: They have what you need.
He stands naked from the waist up and slick with sweat and blood. In a mirror across the room he is fading but still he sees his lips are crimson stained yet it doesn’t bother him. He licks from his lips what blood is left and he is not satisfied. He looks toward the door and says to her: They gave me life once.
Now they will again. Their blood will be your new life.
He leaves the room. His feet feel weightless on the rug as he comes upon their room. When he opens the door he hears his feast imminent pulse in their veins. How maddening. He closes the door and locks it and approaches bedside where father lies but not mother. How lowers himself upon father who lies facedown sprawled about and he stirs and hazily looks up and says: Bruce?
Wayne says nothing and his father says: Bruce. Don’t play games. Go back to bed.
He pins down father’s neck and tears into the carotid. Wayne is anxious and rips away half his throat and fresh blood squirts on Wayne’s face and it feels warm. Father gurgles in his death throes and he chokes on what blood floods his mouth. His eyes bulge and he watches his son smile and lay his lips over the messy goodness. Within a minute father is drained and dead yet Wayne still hungers.
There’s a shriek then and Wayne turns and his mother stands at the bathroom door watching her husband drained corpse where they sleep. She runs for the bedroom door but he runs faster and he grabs her and pulls her head back until flesh and cartilage and bone rip and snap. She dies and falls back limp in his arms and he sucks at the exposed veins. Her blood is sweeter.
Wayne Manor – 2115
Night falls and winds blow and from the front balcony Wayne stands waiting. Through air humid he smells humans yonder coming toward the mansion though he sees and hears them not.
Below Alfred comes outside dressed casual and he carries keys for one of the cars in the garage and he starts to jog. His heart shifts blood to and fro and Wayne glides down to block his path. Alfred stirs and runs away but Wayne takes him by his shirt collar and pulls him back and he drops the keys. Wayne lifts him by the throat and says: I smell them coming Alfred. A man and a woman. I know you’ve arranged something. After I’ve taken care of this problem I’ll decide what to do with you.
Alfred tries to say something but it comes out so much nonsense and Wayne lets him to the ground and still he chokes him. He drags Alfred into the mansion and takes the key for the cellar door and drags him downstairs until he’s bruised from the steps and Alfred tries to scream. Wayne unlocks the door and throws him inside and he coughs and cries for mercy but Wayne slams the door and locks it. He ignores Alfred’s pounding and goes upstairs and hangs the key.
He waits.
Wayne Manor – 1889
Wayne watches his parents dead and drained. Mother lies broken by the door and father lies in bed surrounded by his own blood that stains the carpet and sheets and covers Wayne’s chest. Wayne stands breathless in newfound Death with eyes closed and savors the new life on his tongue.
In the hallway someone runs and breathes and Wayne opens his eyes and Algernon bursts through the door. He sees the bodies mutilated and recoils and looks at Wayne standing between them. Wayne’s eyes burn and Algernon stumbles back beyond the threshold and braces his fall with one arm. He shifts back and stops and catches a breath. Wayne watches him and Algernon asks: Bruce. What have you done?
Their blood is life.
What? Algernon asks but Wayne says nothing and overcomes him quick and he shouts: Don’t.
Wayne pushes his head to one side on the floor and rips into his carotid.
Iceberg Lounge – 2115
Strobe lights and electronica pump unisoned against walls and ears and Harvey Dent walks past cyber-free girls who swing their parts and spread their juices against poles atop rotating platforms. They ignore Dent and he them and he takes a seat at a midroom table where Derek Powers watches the girls and keeps one hand around half a glass of whiskey. Powers looks brief at Dent and says: Harvey. How’s it going?
Fine Derek, he says and a waitress asks for his order and he says: Whiskey. Whatever he’s having.
His voice startles the girl and she goes and Powers downs his glass and says: You think Wayne will make a public appearance?
Maybe. But I doubt it. He wasn’t enthusiastic on the phone.
That’s some good news if I’ve heard it, he says and the waitress brings Dent’s glass and Powers says: Thanks doll, and gives her a five.
You want anything else? She asks.
No doll. I think I’m all right for now.
All right sweetie. Let me know if you do.
She leaves for the bar and Dent sips his whiskey and says: Thanks for the drink.
Don’t worry about it. I like buying my friends drinks.
What do you want to do if Wayne shows up?
Eh. We’ll cross that bridge if we get to it.
Powers leans back in his chair and crosses his legs. He watches the girls and Dent tries to smile with half his face and he looks toward the girls too. Across the club Oswald Cobblepot leaves his office and pulls his skullet into a ponytail and eyes of his waitresses. He sees Powers and Dent and says: Gentlemen. It’s good to see you here again.
Powers looks at him and says: Ossie you short fat bastard. You finally decide to quick jerking off to the help long enough to come say hello?
Oh. You always gotta break balls Derek.
Course I do. We’re all friends here.
It’s good to see you both, gentlemen and scholars.
Yeah. Good to see you too. Did you get a new tattoo?
I did, Cobblepot says and holds his arm out and twists it and says: What do you think?
I dunno. Is it supposed to be a portrait of your mother?
C’mon. You know what it is.
A pile of shit?
Ha. It’s a penguin you asshole. If I wanted a pile of shit I’d get someone to do Harvey’s portrait.
Hey. Go fuck yourself Oswald, Dent says and shakes the table.
Christ. Should I ask one of the girls if she’ll let you borrow a tampon? You know, or a veil?
One more thing about my face and I’ll put a bullet in your head.
Hey. We’re just guys fucking around here.
Every time I come here I get a crack about my face and I’m goddamned sick of it.
Okay. My sincerest apologies. Relax.
Oh fuck you. What I should do is find a new skin joint. God knows there’s a million of them in this fucking city.
Yeah, Powers says. And most of those broads working them are cyberjobs.
And that gentlemen is why I take pride in this establishment, Cobblepot says.
Pride in your establishment. What a bunch of shit. Next thing I know you’ll be calling these broads the talent.
Cobblepot laughs and says: And with that I will bid you both adieu.
He leaves them and sits at the bar where a waitress says something and Cobblepot nods and he says something back and they talk and she gives him a drink. Dent hunches over the table and looks toward the girls and back at his empty glass. Powers leans toward him and says: You all right?
Dent looks up and says: Yeah. I’m fine.
You don’t seem like you’re in such a good mood.
The jokes about my face. They just get old is all.
Yeah. They do.
I’ve never liked that asshole.
Ossie?
Yeah.
Well. I wouldn’t want to drink with him all night long but he’s all right in short bursts. He’s good people. Besides, he likes us.
Yeah I guess so, Dent says and a girl comes to him and asks if he wants a dance and he says: No. I’m all right.
I’m good too. Thanks though sweetheart.
She leaves them for another guy drinking alone a few tables over and Dent says: You think Ossie has any friends?
Who gives a shit? He’s surrounded by tits every day. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s seen a little of all these girls at some point or another. Hell. I bet it’s part of the application. Show me your tits so I know you’re not packing any implants.
Dent laughs and says: I’m gonna get outta here.
All right. I’ll come with you, Powers says and they both get up and push their chairs in and leave a few bucks for tip. Cobblepot notices them and calls through the sound and waves goodbye and Powers waves back. On their way out Powers winks at a couple of girls and Dent gives passing glances. Outside the building they say goodbye and go their separate ways.
Wayne Manor – 1889
Wayne rises from Algernon’s lifeless body and turns toward the bedroom to again see his parents dead from his hand and he whispers: I killed them. He reaches for his chin wet with innocent blood and stands silent.
It felt good didn’t it? Anne says and she massages his shoulders from behind. He faces her and her hair glows and he watches her eyes green like jade stones against the moonlight and to see them weakens him.
Wayne almost speaks but pauses and says: Yes.
Of course it did. I want you to be happy.
Do you love me?
Yes.
I love you too.
Come my love, she says and takes his arm and says: We will leave this place.
Yes, he says and they walk toward the staircase and descend.
We are bound for eternity. You realize that don’t you?
I hope we’ll be happy.
We will. I promise.
Wayne Manor – 2115
Kase comes to the front of Wayne Manor and keeps one hand on the hilt of his sword and his daughter follows him with a shotgun drawn and he stops and watches the façade with heavy eyes. It is dark and they are surrounded the citydome at one side and the rivers opposite. She watches the mansion and faces him and says: Daddy. This is dangerous.
I know it is. Whisper Talia.
We should wait. That man’s probably dead.
We can’t. Wayne already knows we’re here. He’ll hunt us down if we don’t confront him.
I’m sorry. I’m scared.
I know you are. So am I. We would be fools not to be.
It’s been a long time since we last killed a mutated vampire.
Remember. He’ll be hungry and desperate. He’s fed on nothing but blood bags. He’ll be filled with lust.
I know.
Stay with me. If he gets close, shoot him. Hit his teeth or his limbs if you can. We need to stab him in the heart so I have a large enough window to remove his head.
I know daddy.
I know you do. I just need you to focus. Are you ready?
Yes. Let’s go.
Then let us steel ourselves for the hell inside, Kase says and the zip their leather jackets to the neck and button them. Talia checks her shotgun to make sure it’s loaded and Kase keeps his hand on the hilt of the sword at his hip still in its scabbard. He scans the area and slowly they walk toward Wayne Manor’s doors and he pushes one and it opens. He tosses a flare into the foyer and they cross the threshold.
Wayne Manor – 1889
With screams in the mansion John stirs and lights his lantern and watches through his window for several minutes. He stays still. In the darkness yonder silhouettes exit the mansion and into the motor court. He takes an old blunderbuss off his wall and checks to see it’s loaded and grabs the lantern and leaves his quarters by the stables. The door slams and a horse grunts. In nothing but his undergarments and some boots John goes toward the silhouettes and sets the lantern down and aims his blunderbuss and says: You there. Who’s out there? Show yourselves.
They face him and come toward the light and he sees the blood on them both.
John. You should go, says Wayne.
Young sir. What the hell’s happened to you both?
Anne leaps at John bearing teeth and her hair and dressings flow behind her and she screams. He fires the blunderbuss and there’s a bright flash and sparks and an explosion. Chunks of meat rip from her midsection belly to back and she twists in the air and lands and tackles him to the ground. He pushes her away but she overwhelms him and he shouts: Run Bruce.
Wayne looks at himself and at Anne attacking John. He breathes heavily. John shouts and flesh tears and blood squirts through the lantern’s light. Wayne runs for the stables and behind he hears John’s death throes and a screech and then slurping. He doesn’t look back. He looses a horse and mounts it bareback in the stable and takes its mane and kicks its sides and yellows. He rides past Anne still feeding on John’s corpse and she turns with the wind and hisses.
For a few feet he rides and leans forward with the speed and holds tight on the mane. There is silence and then the rapid pattering of light feet behind and then Anne is pillion with Wayne. She pierces his chest with her fingertips and he shouts and almost falls from the horse. She screeches and he throws back an elbow and she falls off and rolls violently in the dust. He looks back a moment and then forward and kicks the horse’s sides again.
Into the night he rides. He rides and doesn’t stop.
By Cornelius Spunkwater
- - -
Gotham City – 2115
It’s early in the morning and Alfred pulls an old Lincoln restored into a parking garage in the business district. A full scanner covering each side of the entrance stores the vehicle make and license plate and Gotham’s artificial intelligence welcomes him through the car’s speakers in her soft tone. He passes parked cars and turns up ramps for several levels until cars are few. He stops and looks around for anyone but this level is vacant. He turns off the ignition and takes the cell phone from his jacket and plugs in a car adapter and dials. It rings thrice and Kase answers in his eastern European accent and they go through the routine and Alfred asks: Are you in Gotham?
Yes. My daughter and I arrived last night.
Where are you staying?
It is better if you do not know.
Okay. What now then?
I need you to tell me more about Wayne.
Very well. What do you need to know?
What does he look like?
He’s tall. He has long thinning hair.
No no. Does he look human or demonic?
More demonic than human.
How old is he?
Somewhere over two-hundred. I’m not sure exactly.
Really. He is young. It is unusual he would take on a demonic appearance so soon.
Why do you think?
That depends. What are his feeding habits?
He drinks from blood bags I get at the hospital.
Ah. Good. He is malnourished.
Malnourished?
Yes. Blood is not the same if not taken from the carotid artery. That is where it is most pure. Think of the carotid as prime beef and the jugular as a hot dog.
I see. Is there anything else you need to know?
When and where does he sleep?
With the world as it is, it varies. He’s taken to resting at night and rising with the sun as we do.
Where does he sleep?
In his bed in the master bedroom.
Interesting. He sounds desperate to hold on to humanity.
I suppose so. When will you be ready?
We need a night to sharpen our tools. I would prefer if we worked in the daylight regardless of his sleeping habits.
Tomorrow then?
That will work. We will come to his come at sunrise. Then he will die.
Thank God.
God has nothing to do with it. Fear not my friend. You soon will be free.
Kase ends the call and Alfred turns off his phone and puts it away in his jacket pocket. He leaves the Lincoln and crosses the level past some people minding their business. At the other side is a crosscity transporter with walls transparent except for the black floor and Alfred enters it and the doors close. Through speakers on the floor the AI asks: Where do you want to go Mr. Pennyworth?
Gotham City Medical Center.
Thank you, she says and the transporter rides its designated path alongside other transporters moving vertical and horizontal above the streets but Alfred ignores the passengers. His transporter stops at an entrance beside the Medical Center and the AI wishes Alfred a good day but he ignores her and passes a line of people waiting for transporters and he goes toward the blood bank.
- - -
Wayne Manor – 2115
Today is Sunday and the decoy sun rises and Wayne drains his blood bag and tosses the empty pouch on the tray and licks remnants from his teeth gnarled. He goes to the kitchen and takes a key and downstairs in the cellar he unlocks a door. Inside there’s a lone blood bank refrigerator a quarter stocked and he takes another bag. He empties it down his gullet and drops it to the floor and leaves trailing specks of blood into the main cellar room.
Upstairs the fronts doors clack and they open and a beam of light reaches inside and Alfred carries a cooler. He retrieves the key from its place and sets it atop the cooler and goes to the cellar. He sets the cooler down and opens the door and sees the blood trail and empty bag and he sighs. He stores the blood inside the refrigerator and takes the empty bag to the fireplace in the library and starts a fire. He throws it into the flames and sits to watch it melt while much orange light falls undulating on ancient volumes. Alfred looks toward the passageway and says: Master. You should destroy the remains once you finish eating. This house will look more unbecoming than it already is if empty blood bags litter the rooms.
Alfred looks toward the passageway and Wayne stands and says: I was hungry. You got more then?
Yes. I don’t know how long this can keep up if your appetite increases. But I got it.
Good. Thank you Alfred.
You’re welcome Master. Though I suppose I have little choice in the matter.
No. I suppose you don’t. How long have you been with me?
A long time. Thirty-three years since you enslaved me.
Enslaved. Has it been that bad?
I wouldn’t call them the best years of my life.
You’ll serve me until the day you die. Whether or not you enjoy your time left is your prerogative.
Yes. I know.
Alfred. What would you say to immortality?
I want nothing to do with it.
You assume it’s a choice.
Have you no concern for my soul?
You’re afraid you’ll be damned to hell?
Yes Master.
And what of my soul? Do I have one?
I don’t know.
Nor do I. But I like to think I do. I did not choose this life. It was thrust upon me.
Just as you would thrust it upon me.
No. I can’t do that. Living this way. Becoming a monster. I can’t be that cruel. But I can kill you if need be. Understand this Alfred: I know you’re plotting something against me and for that I may kill you tonight. I don’t know yet. In the meantime you should take time to reevaluate your loyalty and perhaps make peace with yourself.
I understand Master, Alfred says and Wayne leaves the library warmth for darkness elsewhere where he may contemplate life and what futures wait. Alfred stays watching the flames kick and reaches for the cell phone in his pocket and looks down but does nothing with it and just holds it while watching the fireplace for a while.
He rises and goes to an outlet between one of the bookshelves and turns the phone on and dials. It rings and Kase answers and they go through the routine again and Kase asks: What do you want?
Tonight. You need to come tonight.
- - -
Wayne Manor – 1889
What have you done to me? Wayne cries and lies helpless in bed while blood oozes from his neck punctured and hot fire surges through his veins. He tries to move but his limbs are paralyzed by that agony incredible.
Above him Anne hovers straddling his hips and looks down seductive and his blood trickles down her chin and drips on her naked bosom. She smears the droplets over each breast and focuses on her nipples until they’re erect full. She brings her chest over his mouth and offers herself and says: Feed, love.
He latches onto her breast and bites the nipple and she gasps. He tastes blood so vile first but then becomes ecstasy and he draws nourishment sweet into himself.
That’s enough, she says and takes her breast away.
I want more.
Did you enjoy it?
Yes, he says and she smiles and caresses his chest and he says: I want more.
You can have more, she says and he reaches for her but she stops him and says: No. Not me.
Who then?
Your parents. They are just down the hall, aren’t they?
My parents.
Yes, she says and bows over and lies next to him. She sniffs the wound on his neck and licks it slight and it heals. Meanwhile he stares at the ceiling like a gray void and she whispers: They have what you need.
He stands naked from the waist up and slick with sweat and blood. In a mirror across the room he is fading but still he sees his lips are crimson stained yet it doesn’t bother him. He licks from his lips what blood is left and he is not satisfied. He looks toward the door and says to her: They gave me life once.
Now they will again. Their blood will be your new life.
He leaves the room. His feet feel weightless on the rug as he comes upon their room. When he opens the door he hears his feast imminent pulse in their veins. How maddening. He closes the door and locks it and approaches bedside where father lies but not mother. How lowers himself upon father who lies facedown sprawled about and he stirs and hazily looks up and says: Bruce?
Wayne says nothing and his father says: Bruce. Don’t play games. Go back to bed.
He pins down father’s neck and tears into the carotid. Wayne is anxious and rips away half his throat and fresh blood squirts on Wayne’s face and it feels warm. Father gurgles in his death throes and he chokes on what blood floods his mouth. His eyes bulge and he watches his son smile and lay his lips over the messy goodness. Within a minute father is drained and dead yet Wayne still hungers.
There’s a shriek then and Wayne turns and his mother stands at the bathroom door watching her husband drained corpse where they sleep. She runs for the bedroom door but he runs faster and he grabs her and pulls her head back until flesh and cartilage and bone rip and snap. She dies and falls back limp in his arms and he sucks at the exposed veins. Her blood is sweeter.
- - -
Wayne Manor – 2115
Night falls and winds blow and from the front balcony Wayne stands waiting. Through air humid he smells humans yonder coming toward the mansion though he sees and hears them not.
Below Alfred comes outside dressed casual and he carries keys for one of the cars in the garage and he starts to jog. His heart shifts blood to and fro and Wayne glides down to block his path. Alfred stirs and runs away but Wayne takes him by his shirt collar and pulls him back and he drops the keys. Wayne lifts him by the throat and says: I smell them coming Alfred. A man and a woman. I know you’ve arranged something. After I’ve taken care of this problem I’ll decide what to do with you.
Alfred tries to say something but it comes out so much nonsense and Wayne lets him to the ground and still he chokes him. He drags Alfred into the mansion and takes the key for the cellar door and drags him downstairs until he’s bruised from the steps and Alfred tries to scream. Wayne unlocks the door and throws him inside and he coughs and cries for mercy but Wayne slams the door and locks it. He ignores Alfred’s pounding and goes upstairs and hangs the key.
He waits.
- - -
Wayne Manor – 1889
Wayne watches his parents dead and drained. Mother lies broken by the door and father lies in bed surrounded by his own blood that stains the carpet and sheets and covers Wayne’s chest. Wayne stands breathless in newfound Death with eyes closed and savors the new life on his tongue.
In the hallway someone runs and breathes and Wayne opens his eyes and Algernon bursts through the door. He sees the bodies mutilated and recoils and looks at Wayne standing between them. Wayne’s eyes burn and Algernon stumbles back beyond the threshold and braces his fall with one arm. He shifts back and stops and catches a breath. Wayne watches him and Algernon asks: Bruce. What have you done?
Their blood is life.
What? Algernon asks but Wayne says nothing and overcomes him quick and he shouts: Don’t.
Wayne pushes his head to one side on the floor and rips into his carotid.
- - -
Iceberg Lounge – 2115
Strobe lights and electronica pump unisoned against walls and ears and Harvey Dent walks past cyber-free girls who swing their parts and spread their juices against poles atop rotating platforms. They ignore Dent and he them and he takes a seat at a midroom table where Derek Powers watches the girls and keeps one hand around half a glass of whiskey. Powers looks brief at Dent and says: Harvey. How’s it going?
Fine Derek, he says and a waitress asks for his order and he says: Whiskey. Whatever he’s having.
His voice startles the girl and she goes and Powers downs his glass and says: You think Wayne will make a public appearance?
Maybe. But I doubt it. He wasn’t enthusiastic on the phone.
That’s some good news if I’ve heard it, he says and the waitress brings Dent’s glass and Powers says: Thanks doll, and gives her a five.
You want anything else? She asks.
No doll. I think I’m all right for now.
All right sweetie. Let me know if you do.
She leaves for the bar and Dent sips his whiskey and says: Thanks for the drink.
Don’t worry about it. I like buying my friends drinks.
What do you want to do if Wayne shows up?
Eh. We’ll cross that bridge if we get to it.
Powers leans back in his chair and crosses his legs. He watches the girls and Dent tries to smile with half his face and he looks toward the girls too. Across the club Oswald Cobblepot leaves his office and pulls his skullet into a ponytail and eyes of his waitresses. He sees Powers and Dent and says: Gentlemen. It’s good to see you here again.
Powers looks at him and says: Ossie you short fat bastard. You finally decide to quick jerking off to the help long enough to come say hello?
Oh. You always gotta break balls Derek.
Course I do. We’re all friends here.
It’s good to see you both, gentlemen and scholars.
Yeah. Good to see you too. Did you get a new tattoo?
I did, Cobblepot says and holds his arm out and twists it and says: What do you think?
I dunno. Is it supposed to be a portrait of your mother?
C’mon. You know what it is.
A pile of shit?
Ha. It’s a penguin you asshole. If I wanted a pile of shit I’d get someone to do Harvey’s portrait.
Hey. Go fuck yourself Oswald, Dent says and shakes the table.
Christ. Should I ask one of the girls if she’ll let you borrow a tampon? You know, or a veil?
One more thing about my face and I’ll put a bullet in your head.
Hey. We’re just guys fucking around here.
Every time I come here I get a crack about my face and I’m goddamned sick of it.
Okay. My sincerest apologies. Relax.
Oh fuck you. What I should do is find a new skin joint. God knows there’s a million of them in this fucking city.
Yeah, Powers says. And most of those broads working them are cyberjobs.
And that gentlemen is why I take pride in this establishment, Cobblepot says.
Pride in your establishment. What a bunch of shit. Next thing I know you’ll be calling these broads the talent.
Cobblepot laughs and says: And with that I will bid you both adieu.
He leaves them and sits at the bar where a waitress says something and Cobblepot nods and he says something back and they talk and she gives him a drink. Dent hunches over the table and looks toward the girls and back at his empty glass. Powers leans toward him and says: You all right?
Dent looks up and says: Yeah. I’m fine.
You don’t seem like you’re in such a good mood.
The jokes about my face. They just get old is all.
Yeah. They do.
I’ve never liked that asshole.
Ossie?
Yeah.
Well. I wouldn’t want to drink with him all night long but he’s all right in short bursts. He’s good people. Besides, he likes us.
Yeah I guess so, Dent says and a girl comes to him and asks if he wants a dance and he says: No. I’m all right.
I’m good too. Thanks though sweetheart.
She leaves them for another guy drinking alone a few tables over and Dent says: You think Ossie has any friends?
Who gives a shit? He’s surrounded by tits every day. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s seen a little of all these girls at some point or another. Hell. I bet it’s part of the application. Show me your tits so I know you’re not packing any implants.
Dent laughs and says: I’m gonna get outta here.
All right. I’ll come with you, Powers says and they both get up and push their chairs in and leave a few bucks for tip. Cobblepot notices them and calls through the sound and waves goodbye and Powers waves back. On their way out Powers winks at a couple of girls and Dent gives passing glances. Outside the building they say goodbye and go their separate ways.
- - -
Wayne Manor – 1889
Wayne rises from Algernon’s lifeless body and turns toward the bedroom to again see his parents dead from his hand and he whispers: I killed them. He reaches for his chin wet with innocent blood and stands silent.
It felt good didn’t it? Anne says and she massages his shoulders from behind. He faces her and her hair glows and he watches her eyes green like jade stones against the moonlight and to see them weakens him.
Wayne almost speaks but pauses and says: Yes.
Of course it did. I want you to be happy.
Do you love me?
Yes.
I love you too.
Come my love, she says and takes his arm and says: We will leave this place.
Yes, he says and they walk toward the staircase and descend.
We are bound for eternity. You realize that don’t you?
I hope we’ll be happy.
We will. I promise.
- - -
Wayne Manor – 2115
Kase comes to the front of Wayne Manor and keeps one hand on the hilt of his sword and his daughter follows him with a shotgun drawn and he stops and watches the façade with heavy eyes. It is dark and they are surrounded the citydome at one side and the rivers opposite. She watches the mansion and faces him and says: Daddy. This is dangerous.
I know it is. Whisper Talia.
We should wait. That man’s probably dead.
We can’t. Wayne already knows we’re here. He’ll hunt us down if we don’t confront him.
I’m sorry. I’m scared.
I know you are. So am I. We would be fools not to be.
It’s been a long time since we last killed a mutated vampire.
Remember. He’ll be hungry and desperate. He’s fed on nothing but blood bags. He’ll be filled with lust.
I know.
Stay with me. If he gets close, shoot him. Hit his teeth or his limbs if you can. We need to stab him in the heart so I have a large enough window to remove his head.
I know daddy.
I know you do. I just need you to focus. Are you ready?
Yes. Let’s go.
Then let us steel ourselves for the hell inside, Kase says and the zip their leather jackets to the neck and button them. Talia checks her shotgun to make sure it’s loaded and Kase keeps his hand on the hilt of the sword at his hip still in its scabbard. He scans the area and slowly they walk toward Wayne Manor’s doors and he pushes one and it opens. He tosses a flare into the foyer and they cross the threshold.
- - -
Wayne Manor – 1889
With screams in the mansion John stirs and lights his lantern and watches through his window for several minutes. He stays still. In the darkness yonder silhouettes exit the mansion and into the motor court. He takes an old blunderbuss off his wall and checks to see it’s loaded and grabs the lantern and leaves his quarters by the stables. The door slams and a horse grunts. In nothing but his undergarments and some boots John goes toward the silhouettes and sets the lantern down and aims his blunderbuss and says: You there. Who’s out there? Show yourselves.
They face him and come toward the light and he sees the blood on them both.
John. You should go, says Wayne.
Young sir. What the hell’s happened to you both?
Anne leaps at John bearing teeth and her hair and dressings flow behind her and she screams. He fires the blunderbuss and there’s a bright flash and sparks and an explosion. Chunks of meat rip from her midsection belly to back and she twists in the air and lands and tackles him to the ground. He pushes her away but she overwhelms him and he shouts: Run Bruce.
Wayne looks at himself and at Anne attacking John. He breathes heavily. John shouts and flesh tears and blood squirts through the lantern’s light. Wayne runs for the stables and behind he hears John’s death throes and a screech and then slurping. He doesn’t look back. He looses a horse and mounts it bareback in the stable and takes its mane and kicks its sides and yellows. He rides past Anne still feeding on John’s corpse and she turns with the wind and hisses.
For a few feet he rides and leans forward with the speed and holds tight on the mane. There is silence and then the rapid pattering of light feet behind and then Anne is pillion with Wayne. She pierces his chest with her fingertips and he shouts and almost falls from the horse. She screeches and he throws back an elbow and she falls off and rolls violently in the dust. He looks back a moment and then forward and kicks the horse’s sides again.
Into the night he rides. He rides and doesn’t stop.