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Description
Delusional

I make my way down the cell block, towards the room where all those caged animals are supposed to be.

As I do I keep looking around for anything to use as a weapon. A dropped gun from one of the guards. An axe that might be kept for fire safety. Hell a fountain pen would be something at least. I see the scanner door is broken so that it’s still open, realizing at least I’m not completely trapped in this place.

I finally reach the room and I’m glad to see those maniacs are still caged. Not so glad that they’ve become so excited that all of them are pointing, snarling, reaching and even laughing at me once I’m inside. I can see a guard, dead, lying on the ground near one of the cages. I can see his face but given there’s blood coming from near it I assume his throat was slit.

I look to the door and walk over all the way through it and too the scanner door leading out. I thank God the scanner’s still working, as it passes it’ light over me, but then curse under my breath when it beeps red and doesn’t open the door. Figures. Not doctor or guards with me so no reason why it should. I need to find some way out. I think for a moment before figuring there’s probably another part of the penitentiary that might have override controls.

I the remember the stairway leading up to the top of the room where the cells were before. I look and see the electric barrier’s down. Maybe it leads to some guard control booth or something. I walk up and see I was right, once the stairway exits left and I see a few short rows of lockers against the walls.

I flinch when I see another dead guard on the ground in between them. This one looks like he was shot. It brings me back to that moment with my father...

I try not to think about it as I walk over to the rest of the upper level, reaching an office-like area with chairs, desks and some computer screens inside it along with one T.V screen strapped up on the wall nearby. I walk on, seeing the bars that cover the drop to the lower level, and glance down just to make sure those freaks below haven’t suddenly gotten out. I then see on the wall nearby are three more lockers and a bunch of empty gun racks. Just my luck I suppose...

I reach the other side with more computers and chairs, but no damn controls. I’m starting to wonder what the hell half of this stuff is for then. No choice now but to try and find some other way. Maybe use a card off one of the dead guards. I didn’t help after I checked both of them, needing to go back down to the cell level, and not finding anything useful on them.

I work my way around the cells and find myself in the center of all three, where I can see two other doorways. Both have caged doors, but one to the going straight looks like someone or something ripped it off the hinges while getting out while the one on the left is still closed. No choice I guess but I guess I’ll have to go with the one that’s open.

I make my way past the cages, even having to smack away one of the psycho’s hands that came a little too close, before walking through. Another broken scanner door staying open. I go in and see more cells covering the walls, but there’s one in the center of the room that stands out from the others.

It looks like an irregular shaped glass dome with a red heating lamp of sorts lighting it up. The glass door to it looks as if it’s been broken into, letting whoever was inside out. I then see a sign on the floor that has a “no plants” symbol on it, and look at the name over the broken glass door. “Pamela Isley”. I know the name and now I know I’ve got more to worry about.

Dammit, dad. Why did I get your curse for bad luck?

I guess I need to worry about that later as I work my way to the end of the room to the other door, a normal “Arkham Tech” door I figure to call it. I walk through and see the room has another booth secured on a metal post in the center of it. There was even a metal staircase, with caging around it, leading up inside. I look up to the booth and gave a slight gasp, seeing two figures that looked like they were sitting down inside the both.

“Hey!” I called up, waving to them. “Hey. I need help!”

They don’t react or responded. They don’t even move either. I think they might not hear me and rush over and up the stairway. There’s a chain door that’s half opened between me and the guards in the booth that I pull open. The room has more computer equipment along with at least five T.V. screens set up above and two chairs the guards are sitting on.

I walk in and say “Thank god. I thought...” but stop when I see they’re still not moving.

I reach out and touch the shoulder of the one guard and then back away in horror when he falls over on his chair. I see he’s throats been cut, just like the one in the other room, and he has that cold dead stare on his face. I look over and see the other guard in the booth has pair of scissors stuck through his neck. Whoever did this caught the guards by surprise, or set them up like this for some sick reason.

I suddenly jump when I hear something crackle and realize it’s one of the guards’ walkie-talkies on his belt.

“Can *zzzttt* hear this? Over.” I hear it say, starting to recognize the voice. This *zzzttt* Cash. Do you read? Over.”

I manage to slip it off the belt and fiddle around with the controls before hearing someone else, on another talkie somewhere else on the island likely, started talking to Cash.

“Copy, Cash. This is Berg, *zzzttt* over at Intensive Treatment. Over.” I heard them say, me smiling in relief that I wasn’t alone on this island now.

I managed to fiddle more before the voices came out a little more clearly now.

“Copy that, Berg. What’s your situation? Over.” Cash said.

“I’m with a four doctors and Officer Tours. We are situated inside one of the booths overlooking elevator shafts. Over.”

“Copy. Have you heard from anyone else? Over.”

“I heard from Castor over at the medical building. He reported that Joker broke in during the riot. They were transferring Dr. Langstrom over to one of the labs when he broke in. Next thing they knew Joker shot him up with his old formula. I hate to say it, sir, but I think the Joker’s got the Man-Bat under his control now. Over.”

I couldn’t tell but I had a feeling Cash and I had the same feeling of shock at this news, though he more frustrated about it than me.

“Do you know if Langstrom still had his inhibiter collar on? Over.” Cash asked.

“Negative. Tours didn’t say and he hasn’t reported back since then. In my opinion the Joker might have kept it on to make sure that monster doesn’t fly off without him. But, Cash, where’s our backup? The GCPD should’ve been all over this place by now. Over.”

“Right after he took control, Joker put out a word on the radio broadcast. Said he had a whole bunch of bombs all over the city that he’d blow if any cops came near this place. Got word saying they’ve barricaded the road so no one gets close. Over.”

“Well what about...well you know who. Over.”

“Been hearing news that Bane’s causing trouble in town recently. Guess that means he’s out of the loop. We’re on our own for now. Over.”

“Copy that...but hell I wish that wasn’t the case. Over.”

“Do you know if anyone else is still alive out there? Over.”

I suddenly perk up and say “Hello? I’m alive. I’m stuck in the penitentiary.” I wait to hear them say something but no answer. “Can you hear me? Hello?”

“Berg, did you catch any of that? Over.” Cash asked.

“Negative. Could barely hear anything. Their talkie might be damaged on their side. Over.”

Hearing this I examine the handheld and see they’re right. Some of the wires are busted on the back of it. This day just gets better and better, doesn’t it?

“Berg are you and your people secure? Over.” Cash asked.

“Copy, Cash. We’ll bunker down here until this whole thing dies down. Over.”

“Listen, whoever’s on the other end, I’m not sure what you situation is, but if you can, try and make your way over to Intensive Treatment ASAP. Do what you can to survive and try to avoid any contact with the inmates. Bergs, you and your people stay ready. Report on anything and everything. Over.”

“Copy that. Over and out.”

With that everything goes quite over the communicators. At least now I have an actual plan outside of just trying to make it out alive. I take a deep breath before accepting that fact before walking out of the booth and down the stairs. I feel sorry I can’t do something for the bodies. Any of them. Give them some kind of better respect than leaving them where they are.

Once at the bottom of the steps I actually take the time to see the other half of the room I missed while too busy running up to the booth. There’s another metal stairway leading up to more cells, these ones been a lot smaller than most other’s I’ve seen. But on the wall itself is another glass cell that’s too dark to see inside. There’s a yellow sign on the right side of the cell that reads “WARNING: DO NOT APPROACH. INMATE MAY BE IMPERSONATING OTHER PERSONNEL.” And then below it reads the name “Basil Karlo.”

I can’t really tell, due to the lack of lighting inside, but I can swear I see something moving inside the cell. I slowly take a few steps closer, trying to see inside. Now I know there’s someone inside because I could see a shape move in the shadows. I can barely make out the shapes of a bed, a toilet even a radiator and what looks like a broken and worn-out mannequin, like the one’s you’d see sitting in the display window for a clothing store. I come close enough that I put my right hand on the glass to see, only to step back in brief shock when I see a hand on the other side of the glass place itself in the same position.

At that point I can see someone looking back at me from inside the cell. It’s a woman, wearing an inmate jumpsuit with the sleeves rolled up, blonde hair tied into a long ponytail and....

Wait. That can’t be right. This...I’m looking into a cell, not a mirror. But I can’t help but see it. I’m inside the cell, or...at least someone who looks a hell lot like me, and they’re doing everything I do. I tilt my head, she tilts hers. I slowly wave my hand back and forth and so does she, following almost flawlessly. But when I back away she stands where she is, staring at me. I take a few steps back only for her to suddenly give a horrid grin. I’m not doing that.

Just then I feel a hand cover my mouth from behind, and then see another hand bring a knife to my throat. I grip my hands around both wrists but only out of reflex. I know if I make any move whoever it is could make me like one of those dead guards.

“Shh.” I hear them say, knowing it’s a man now. “Quite now. We don’t want to make this difficult. Do we?”

After hearing him talk enough I think I know who it is. I look down at his arm and the carved in tally marks only confirm it. Oh god no...

“Did you see my work, up in the booth?” Zsasz said in my ear. “Those piggys didn’t even see it coming. Just like you. And I see you got the chance to meet Mr. Karlo.” He indicated the copy-cat me inside the cell. “I love it when Clayface makes his talent know, just like I do. But both are only ‘skin deep’ I’m afraid.”

The more he talks the more I try to figure a way out. I look when he pulls my head back closer so his can be on my right. I see his shoulder and see a newly carved mark, making three tally marks on his shoulder now.

“I want you to know I will weep knowing you have found salvation from your pitiful life.” He continued, me feeling the blade come a little closer to my neck. “I pity all the zombies I kill, but I know I’m doing them a greater favor for it. It needs to happen. I need to make the mark. And I will always make the ma...”

I take the moment to lean my head forward before rearing it back against his. He takes his blade hand away from my neck and that give me the chance to smack it away, knocking the knife out of his hand too. I then spin around and ball my hand into a fist before hitting it against the fresh cut on his shoulder. He gives a sharp scream before I push him back on the ground.

With him down I start to run, taking a moment to look back and see the copy-cat me waving bye with a smile on her face. As freaked out as I am already I try to ignore it as I run back towards the cell room. I run past where Poison Ivy’s cell is before I hear Zsasz scream in rage. He’s already up and running after me. I run back to the room with the maniacs and they do what they always do whenever I’m around. They’re too close for me to run normally through the hall so I need to shimmy against the wall to avoid them reaching for me. I already have one psycho to deal with.

I work my way back to the entrance of the cell block I came from before just in time to see Zsasz come out from the other doorway and spot me, the knife in his hand again. I run back only for him to run with ease in-between the cells. I guess they don’t care about their own kind. I try to run to the end of the cell block only for him to jump on my back and force me to the ground just as I reach a few feet away from the security booth at the end.

He turns me on my back so I can see him before he tries to drive the knife into me. I grab his hand with both of mine before he puts his other hand on his and drives to drive the knife further. We both struggle before he slowly brings the blade closer and closer to my chest.

“I want to see it!” he said, darting his eyes between my eyes and the blade. “I want to see the look on your face when it happens. I want to see, you bitch! I want the mark! I need the mark!”

I struggle, letting out sharp slight screams as I see the blade coming closer. This could be it. I could be killed by this monster hear and now. All plans about trying to make it out alive going out in one final stroke. I start to think how this death is no better than how my mother and father went. The blade is an inch away from my chest now. Then I start to have that moment. The one where your life flashes before your eyes. Half of it’s not so pleasant. All I can think about is all the pain and suffering in my life. The blade is just above my heart. This is it.

Suddenly there’s a flash of light and what sounds like a low thunder clap. Next thing I know, Zsasz is screaming before falling over on the ground. I watch as he falls and hits the floor. He’s still alive after whatever it was that hit him. But then I look and see someone standing nearby and an half shocked by what I’m looking at.

It was a very muscular looking man, with a heavily bearded face of black hair that connected to the hair on his head There were a few grey streaks going through both. He was a kind of handsome though, given those bold blue eyes of his and his suave, if a little grizzled, face. But what he was wearing was the craziest thing I’d seen yet, and that was saying much given where I was. Around his head was a golden laurel that rested on both his ears and went around the back of his head. He wore a white toga, with blue pattering colors around the edges, that reached down to his knees. Around his waist was a golden belt with a design of a lion’s head on the front and Greek symbols around the waistband. The symbols matched with the ones on his golden wristbands that he wore. He wore gold sandals with straps that went all the way up to below his knees. Around his neck and dropping down his back was some kind of sash or scarf that matched with the toga. And in his right hand was a large golden rod that was shaped like a bolt of lightning.

“Fear not, dear maiden.” He said in a grandiose tone, walking towards me. “This vile fiend will trouble you no further.” He pointed at Zsasz with his lighting rod.

Once he was close enough he switched the rod over to his left hand and offered me his other to help me up. I’m still a little confused and stunned by what’s going on but at least this guy did save my life. I take his hand and he helps me up.

“...thanks...” I say once I’m on my feet, then seeing the guy was a good two feet taller than me.

He chuckled and said “No need for thanks is necessary. Mighty Zeus protects those loyal to him and punishes those who defy him.”

After hearing the whole “Zeus” thing, It suddenly hit me who this guy was. I’d heard about him before. Some teacher turned gang leader who had delusions of grandeur on a god-like persona. Then the name Maxie Zeus pops into my head ad I know this is him. I don’t know if I should be more or less worried than with Zsasz. Speaking of which, the still downed Zsasz starts to groan which catches Maxie’s attention.

“And now to find a fitting prison for this petulant miscreant.” He said, reaching down and grabbing him by the back of the neck.

I was surprised to see Maxie Zeus was strong enough to drag him with his one free hand. He looked around at the empty cells in the room before spotting one that even I had to look at. Just like most others it had a glass covering, but it was on the inside that was odd. Nearly even spot and surface was covered by torn calendar pages, all displaying the dates. I recognized some as December 25th, February 2nd and 14th, October 31st and even April 1st. I take the time to look at the name plate next to the cell and see it reads “Julian Day”.

“Ah.” I hear Zeus say, brining my attention back to the situation. “A fitting prison for you. So that you may count the days that will become eternities while you rot. So is the will of Zeus.”

He dragged Zsasz, who was slowly starting to wake, over to the cell and tossed him in. He looked over to the module that controlled the door and pointed his thunderbolt-thing at it. I saw a small spark leap from it and hit the module, making it spark for a moment. I then looked in amazement as the cell door actually closed, trapping Zsasz inside.

By this time he fully woke and realized what had happened. He started banging on the glass and yelling. If I was him I’d still wonder how lucky I was for not dying after being hit with electricity.

“I’ll get out of this!” he kept yelling. “Do you hear me? I’ll find you, you little bitch. I’ll find you and make the mark. I need the mark! I NEED THE MARK!”

“Rant and yell all you wish, heathen.” Maxie said, standing at my defense which took me a little off-guard. “You will not touch this delicate blossom while Zeus stands ready to protect her.” He then turned to me and had a more sympathetic look to him before saying “Now, child, what name has your parents blessed you with?”

I stutter for a moment before finally saying “Uh..Sa...Sam. Samantha. I mean.”

He took my hand and said “Samantha. What a lovely name. Truly Aphrodite has blessed you with her gift of beauty.”

After that he kissed my hand, making me look with a mix of confusion and slight repulsion. But then I thought it best not to try and tick off the guy with the dangerous weapon that shot electricity out of it. Best to play it safe and see if maybe I can get this guy to help me.

“Uh...thank you.” I say, a slight awkward smile on my face. “Um, listen. I was wondering if, maybe, since you helped me with Zsasz I mean, maybe you could help...”

He raised his hand and said “Say no more, my dear. Let us discuss this is the chamber of Zeus himself.”

With that he started to lead me by the hand out of the cell block. I decide to follow, picking up the pace a bit to be next to him, figuring if I play to his fantasy it might help me better. We then reach the caged room again where yet again I’m treated to the sight of those animals in their cages doing what they always do. But as we go on, Maxie isn’t taken back by this in the least. In fact he acts as if he’s not seeing what I’m seeing at all.

“Ah, my children.” He says, raising his lightning bolt up in the air as if to wave to them. “Your gracious father is hear. Hold you cheers and cries for blessings of gifts, for Zeus is generous in nature.”

I listen to him, hardly believing what I’m hearing from him. While he’s going on about his “children” I’m forced to cling to him in order to avoid more of their hands trying to grab me. Eventually we reached the other side, the wing of the penitentiary that was closed off to me before. I guessed Mr. Bolts on the brain was the one who opened it.

It lead to another series of cells that we passed by. It was a squared room with a section of cells in the center shaped as into a square while others lined the walls. We then reached another door way with a broken scanner door that lead to someplace called the guard room. Inside was what must’ve been the guards locker room It had a few shower heads and a bunch of lockers on the opposite side.

I then saw why Maxie considered this his “throne room” given that he had a makeshift throne sitting in it. It was a piles of junk like benches desks and tables all stacked together in a pile where an old looking electric chair was propped at the top. As he let me go to walk up the benches that were used as stairs to the throne, I took a minute to look around, seeing if there was anything left by the guards. Of the lockers that were open, there was nothing useful like a gun. Of course. As I still looked I passed a note board with a bunch of papers stuck on with pins, one of which being a wanted poster for someone called “Prometheus”.

I suddenly heard a clang of metal and looked to see it was Maxie after slamming his rob against one of the desks. He had already sat in his chair and I guessed he didn’t like the idea of being ignored by a guest. I walked over towards the base of the junk pile before hearing him go off on another grand talk of his.

“Now then, fare rose of Elysium, tell me what troubles you while in Zeus’ domain.”
I start off by saying “Well I, uh, that is I, uh, need to get out. You know, of this building. Maybe even off this island if I can.”

He says “Why would wish to leave Zeus’ protection? Have you not heard how the other gods are up to something afoul while causing such mayhem, here on Mt. Olympus.”

“Olympus?” I ask “Wait. You...you mean Arkham?”

He chuckled and said “You mortals have all your odd titles to call the home of the gods, but to Zeus it shall always be his realm of Olympus.”

I awkwardly scratch my head and say “Uh, right. But listen, um, Zeus, I don’t really belong here. I need to go. You know? Away from...Mt. Olympus.”

“I understand, dear child.” He said, waving his hand again. “Most mortals would fear being in the presence of so many mighty immortals like the gods, but you have nothing to fear. For Zeus is king, and once I’ve regained enough of my strength, after so long a waking slumber, I will put an end to all the mischief of the lower gods b smiting them with my thunder.” He finished, holding up the lightning bolt high.

I looked at it for second and wonder before asking “Uh, exactly how did you get that? I mean if it was taken away from you, right?”

“Why it was over there.” He said, pointing to his right. “In the treasure room of the gods.”

I looked and saw it was a broken door with the label “Patient Confiscations Storage”. I walked over and peeked inside to see what was inside, or rather what wasn’t anymore. There were empty shelves and containers all over the room and a bunch of opened zip-lock bags with names like “Victor Zsasz” “Harvey Dent” “Drury Walker” “Jake Baker” and one with “Maximilian Zeus”. I also spotted what looked like what looked like a specialized stand or a rack for some kind of high-tech armor. The label on the stand read “Dr. Victor Fries.” Terrific...

I look back and walk to Zeus before asking “Listen, uh...almighty Zeus, I appreciate your help with saving me from Zsasz, but I really need to leave this part of Olympus.”

“Why must you go?” he asks. “I thought you’d like to sample some nectar from the trees of Hera. After that I thought perhaps to take show you my bed chamber.” He said with a suave but unsettling look to him.

I know what he’s talking about and almost feel like I should slap him, but then I know he’ll roast me in that second. Need to be smart about this.

“Well...I would...your grace, I mean great and powerful Zeus.” I start off. “But I, uh...need to find the...other mortals here on Olympus. To let them know that, uh, the, uh, the mighty Zeus is returning and that they need to be ready for when he comes. You know? Have the proper offerings and all.”

Maxie scratches his chin for a moment before saying “You have the wisdom of Athena, young one. Your words hold truth.” He stands and starts walking down the stairs, saying “Very well. I will give you the leave you need to spread the eternal word of the king of Olympus.”

I sigh before saying “Thank you, uh, gracious Zeus.” Before I follow him out of the room.

He walks all the way back through the cell room and too the last scanner door where he holds up his lighting rob and points it at the door.

“By the beckoning of Zeus, I command you open!” He declares.

A bolt of electricity shoots out and hits the scanner camera up top. It seems to spark with electricity and static for a moment before finally dropping down, almost as if it was dead. With that the door opens and I start to realize how I can manage more scanner doors now.

Maxie takes my hand again and kisses it, making me give a slight curtsy out of his delusional respect.

“Fare thee well, Samantha.” He says. “And remember that Olympus watches over you.”

I say to him “I will, um, mighty Zeus.” Before walking towards the exit.

“He calls out and says “But be forewarned.” Making me stop and turn back to him. “Whereas I am a generous immortal, my brother and sister gods may not be as sympathetic. Take great care on your journey, rose of Elysium, for they may not be so kind.”

I take what he says into consideration. Despite being an insane rambling he does have a point. I only nod before continuing to walk out. I make my way around the guard’s showers and the booth of the lobby room before finally reaching the door.

I look back on last time and see no one following me. I think of Zsasz still locked up in the cell and taking some small relief in knowing he won’t be after me. But then I start to think of Maxie Zeus. As crazy as he is I can’t help but feel sorry for him. To slip into such a fantasy as his must’ve had to come at a huge price in his life. I wonder what must’ve happened to drive him over the edge like that. Then I start to wonder if I’m not that far behind in almost ending up like him, given all that’s happened to me.

I just shake this thought off and finally open the door. Now I’m free from the penitentiary and inside Arkham West. I’m not sure if I’ll run into anything more dangerous on my way to Intensive Treatment, but I’ll have to deal with it as it comes. I need to make it out. I need to survive tonight.