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(disclaimer, the only character I own is Ragady. Thank you and please don't sue me-I don't have any money.)


All I can ever seem to remember is the pain. All my life I’ve traveled with my brother in search of a place to call home. Everywhere was the same, filled with hate and pain. But my big brother was always there to protect me, to sew my wounds shut as they healed. I’d always ask him,
“When will we find a place where we can live happily, my brother?” and he would always smile down at me and reply,
“Soon, my dear sister, if not here then we’ll move on to what’s next. There’s always hope for what’s next.” His face would smile gently down on me and all my fears would disappear.

Then one day, around two years ago, his comforting face…faded…my big brother was gone. I didn’t know what to do, so I did the only thing I knew of.
“There’s always hope for what’s next…” When it was clear to me my brother was truly dead, I swallowed the pain and moved on to the next city. He would have wanted that, I’m sure of it. When that city failed me I moved on to the next one, and when that one failed me I went to the next. I was never sure of what I was looking for, but I was sure of what I wasn’t looking for and I still held on to the hope.

So it’s been all my life, searching but only finding cruelty. Each time it gets harder to remember my brother’s face, but I have to continue. Perhaps this time it might be different, the hope is barely a whisper by now. With every cut and every bruise it slowly fades, and I want to give up so badly, but still my brother’s words whisper to me. With a heavy heart and a heavy sigh I pass the sign reading off the name of this city. Gotham, perhaps I might find what I’m looking for here…

Chapter One: Ragady

This city doesn’t seem too bad so far, at least the people I’ve run into so far have left me alone. They stare at the stitches covering my skin like all the others, but they don’t move towards me. Still, I keep my head low and stare at the ground, just to make sure they know I mean them no harm. Why is it I always have to hide from them? As I look up at one though, my stomach turns in disgust and a vile thought passes through my mind. What gives them the right, but I quickly correct myself and move to where there are less people.

If I want peace I must keep it in my actions, otherwise how can I expect others to do the same? So I turn my thoughts to what I should probably be doing, learning about this city. I’ll need to know where things are and what kinds of people live here. Shouldn’t be too hard-
“Excuse me, but I couldn’t help noticing you look a little…” The well-meaning voice fades as I turn, as the teen sees the stitches running from the corners of my mouth along my jaw. At least he didn’t scream.
“…lost, are you alright?”

His face twists into the usual expression of concern, but the concern seems to be for that which helps against the harm rather than the actual harm itself. He’s more concerned about the stitches than the cuts themselves, how typical.
“Yes, I’m fine, just new to this city is all…” I answer calmly.
“You just moved here?” he asked, regaining his composure. He did, at least, have a genuine air of kindness around him. I’ve always been able to read people relatively well, to be able to tell their inner most intentions or feelings. Not that this ability has really done me any good in the past…
“Did you just move here?” he asks again, shaking me from my thoughts.
“You could say that,” I reply with a small smile. This person reminded me so much of a curious child, and I can’t help but to adopt the slightest motherly tone.
“Don’t those hurt?” He asks, obviously referring to the stitches holding me together.
“No, not really, I guess you could say I’m used top them…” Suddenly eyes flash in my mind, eyes holding a look I know all too well. Turning, I can tell from which direction the warning comes. In every city, and every town.

“What’s wrong?” the boy asks me.
“Nothing,” I tell him, “I’ve just realized I’m late for something and I really must run.”
“Are you sure?” He insists with concern on his face. Those eyes have clearly begun the chase, and I refuse to make this child suffer with me.
“Yes, I’m sure. Thank you for your concern, but I really must go…” I reassure, somehow managing to display a carefree expression before running off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those eyes, those haunting cruel eyes, they seem to follow me wherever I go. They chase me down like a pack of wolves, and I know when they catch me the blood will flow. I can’t tell where I’m going, it’s amazing I’m able to jump over or swing around obstacles in my way with the state I’m in; but then again, the primal state of fear has always produced amazing results. The wolves know their territory too well, and a member of the pack has flown ahead to cut me off, but I’m able to slide just out of his reach. My breath is already running short, every gulp seems to set my lungs on fire, but I have to keep running, I can’t let them catch me. If they catch me-

A dead end? No! Quick, it’s not too late to turn around, I can find another-
“Where did you think you were running off to?” one of the three wolves asks with a wicked grin. I slowly back up, eyes darting in every direction to try to find an opening somewhere to escape, but I find nothing as I reach the wall forming the dead end. I’m trapped.
“What’s the matter, you’re not scared, are you?” one laughs.
“Don’t be stupid, everyone knows rag dolls don’t feel…” the other replies.

I hate them, who do they think they are to look down on me like this? Don’t feel, I don’t feel? They’re the one’s who don’t feel! No, peace, show kindness if I want kindness.
“If you please, could I get by? I’d love to stay, but I’m already running late,” I say forcing a smile and trying to step to the side. They move to block the path and one of them pushes me back against the wall.
“I don’t think so,” it sneers as the others laugh.
“Yah, the last thing we need in this city is another freak to worry about…”
“We figure we’ll just do everyone a favor and get rid of you before you can even become a threat…” It’s obvious I’m not getting out of this…

The wolves bare their fangs and move in for the kill, all I can do is close my eyes and brace myself for the impact when,
“What the ******** is that thing?” I hear one of the wolves ask. A hissing noise answers its question, and I open my eyes to see a green smoke fill the air.
“s**t, run, we’ve got to get out of here before he shows up!” the wolves try to run, but I’m guessing they don’t get far. It’s impossible to see past this smoke, but I can hear a scream. What a perfect opportunity to escape! Even though I can’t see much, I can still use the wall beside me as a guide to get out of this mess. I’ll take it this smoke isn’t a good thing, because the more of it I breathe in the harder it becomes to focus, but it doesn’t take me much longer to get past it. What I see makes me stop cold in my tracks. I don’t know if I’m just seeing things, but it looks like there’s a scarecrow standing not far from me. But that’s impossible, right? No, it’s definitely a scarecrow, and I’m definitely not seeing things. As the smoke begins to clear I con see it seems to be… watching the wolves with a strange fascination, almost as if trying to determine something.

Is this what caused the smoke, what enabled me to escape, is this what…helped me? I don’t understand, why would something help me? No, it must have been after the wolves, and I just happened to be there. Still, I feel compelled to at least thank it. I try to take a step forward, but realize just how dizzy the smoke has made me and wind up leaning back against the wall again. Not only that, but it’s seen me now, the scarecrow’s looking right at me! There’s only a moment of silence before it turns to run off.
“No, Wait!” I try to chase after it, but don’t get very far. “Come back!” I call after it, but the world has grown blurry and as I round a corner I lose sight of it. Where’d it go? It couldn’t have just disappeared. Who, what, was that? I let myself fall and lay down to catch my breath, but the questions still hang around me. I don’t know the answers to my questions, but I intend to find out…

Chapter two: Scarecrow

It’s been several months since I escaped from Arkham again, several months since my face was on all the television programs warning people of my escape. Of course, this didn’t stop me from acquiring the needed test subjects for my new formula. It’s always just a bit ironic to see a missing person message and know where the person is. “If you’ve seen this person or have any information on their whereabouts,” the newscaster says to the world. “Yes, about that person you’re looking for, they happen to be reduced to a sniveling mass somewhere directly behind me. Isn’t that right?” I grin to my latest test subject, turning off the TV.

I’ve long since taken care of the bullies of my past; I’ve been picking my test subjects randomly now, to be perfectly frank. I don’t really care if you did anything to me or not anymore, anyone can be a victim. Scary thought, isn’t it? That you could be abducted by someone you’ve never even met before and ultimately killed after having to face you deepest, darkest fears…
But I suppose that’s really only as scary as everyone else, isn’t it? As scary as all those people who kill or attack simply because they have nothing better to do with their time, the people who are feared by everyone everywhere, the ones who have no reason for why they destroy someone’s life.

Oh, but I have reason enough. I’ve seen the way you people treat each other. I’ve had years of suffering under you bullies, I’ve had years of watching you bully each other in every little way. For all my years of watching you all I’ve ever seen are bullies. Well, either bullies or weaklings. Little people who know what it’s like to be bullied, but who are to afraid to hit back at their attackers, people who let their tormentors get away with everything they do. People like…like that Becky Albright. Oh yes, she’s been taken care of as well. Try as the Bat-bully may to have protected her, in the end my scythe’s thirst was quenched with her blood.

Silly little law student, did she really think I wouldn’t be back for her? Naivety never fails to work to my advantage. I suppose that brings me to the present situation, and to my present plans for this pathetic little city. Why else would I break out of Arkham, if not to enact one of my brilliant new ideas? But you’ll learn all about that in due time, I won’t ruin the surprise. I will tell you that this scheme won’t be easily forgotten, and won’t be easily deterred by the great Bat-bully either. Speaking of which…

I grab my patched up trench coat and head for the door, not wanting to be late for my own meeting. Every great plan requires a curtain amount of grunt work, after all; and despite my frightening (to say the least) public image, there are always a few common thugs willing to earn more street credit by working for one of Gotham’s best. I happen to be, one of Gotham’s best. No doubt the Bat-bully or one of his fledglings are on parole somewhere around here, and I don’t usually fit in to the crowd per say, but luckily for me I know how to get where I’m going relatively quickly and how to use all the city’s shadows to my advantage.

It’s not that I’m afraid of running into one of them, don’t get the wrong idea, but it’s much too soon in the game for me to allow myself to reveal any of my current pieces. So fare there’s no sign of anything, but I haven’t been able to shake the feeling of being watched for the past few days. Watched, and followed, and there’s only one group of people who are brave enough to do that. The feeling comes and goes, and it could be nothing, but still it’s better to be on the safe side of things.

Sure enough, within only a few moments I confirm my suspicion. Can’t be the Bat-bully or even one of his fledglings, they wouldn’t be this careless. That’s a good thing, but I still have to deal with whomever this annoyance happens to be. I don’t have the time to shake them, so there’s only one thing to do, and I find the perfect place as I round a corner to conceal myself. Now I just have to wait for this person to follow…

It doesn’t take long for the figure to cautiously peek around the corner, and then just as cautiously step out to figure where I could have gone. A tiny thing, with hair that’s long enough to just about touch the ground, I wonder what would cause something like this to follow the likes of me around. No matter, it’s a nuisance all the same. She moves rigidly, awkwardly, as if her limbs aren’t her own, but I patiently wait for the figure to pass me before stepping out and announcing my presence.
“You’ve been following me around for the past few days, and I’ve had quite enough of it by now,” I say, making the figure turn with a startled gasp. Suddenly I completely forget what I was going to say next. The girl (who can’t be older than mid twenties I’d guess) just stands there with that look of surprise, and with stitches running from her mouth and eyes. Now I don’t mean stitches like the kind you get from the hospital, I mean actual thread running through her skin.

“I-Well, what I mean to say is, um, are you…the Scarecrow?” She asks with the voice of a small child, taking a few steps back. She’s not dressed like one of those people who would do something like that, something like those stitches, to themselves, but it’s hard to come up with another explanation. It’d also explain why she’d be following me of all people around, but something tells me that’s not the answer.
“I’ve been looking for you, to be honest…” she responds returning her gaze to the ground. What, looking for me? Why on Earth would anyone in there right mind look for me?
“I’m just curious, really, there’s something I need to know…” I really don’t have time for this nonsense, and should be on my way, only I can’t help but wonder what this person will ask.
“That’s it; you’ve gone through all this trouble just to ask me something?”

With the smallest nod the girl replies,
“You know how to keep people from hurting you, how to make them leave you alone, and I want to learn what that is.” She says looking up from the ground. Doubtful, very doubtful. Who does this girl think she’s talking to, some hero like the Batman? I’m the Master of Fear, no one in this city who hears or mentions my name is able to do such without experiencing the grip of fear, and for good reason.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” She says, “After all, you don’t know me, and you don’t know why I would ask such a thing. But despite this fact, you were still willing to help me; deliberately or not, you were willing to help me where anyone else would just keep walking.”

What is she talking about, I’ve never even-of course, that’s were I recognize her from! Except, that batch was a bit too potent, and killed off the test subjects, so how is it she’s standing here? She was off to the side, so maybe she just didn’t take in as much as the others.
“I can assure you that was not my intention…” I justify, reaching for a can of fear gas in my coat to make sure she doesn’t make this same mistake again.
“Oh…” she says, returning her gaze to the ground and letting her hair fall over her face, “It figures, sorry for following you, I’ll stop now…” She promises rather pitifully. A sudden crash makes me turn around, but it’s just a stray cat. I turn back, but the girl’s already gone somehow. There goes that plan, and I won’t say it isn’t disappointing; a few good screams would have made a nice pick-me-up. Well, at least now I can continue on my way. Strange an event as that was, at least now I can be sure I’m not being followed. With no more distractions, my plan can get fully underway…


Chapter Three: Ragady

I should have known better, and in the back of my mind I suppose I did. Who would honestly want to help something like me, after all? It was still a lovely thought though, that there could have been someone who could see me as a human being. Well, someone other than my brother. Ragdoll, Ragdoll, Ragdoll, Ragdoll, it’s what everyone has always called me. Everyone knows they can’t feel, that’s what everyone always said. Slide the blade across my flesh and I suppose it’s true, I can’t fell the sting to anything but my heart. Still, should that separate me from humanity? Should that be reason enough for me to not have any rights? The unalienable rights of freedom and the pursuit of happiness, that’s what drew us to this land, but it turns out to be only an idea.

So what do I do now? Do I continue to the next city, to the next disappointment? Continue to the next thing until I find myself staring out at the ocean once again… No, I think not. I can see these stitches running through my skin, these hideous things which separate me from the rest of humanity, these things which hold me together. No matter where I go, or what I do, I still have these scares to separate me from them, these scares which they themselves gave me. There’s no use running anymore, I’m tired of it, I refuse to run again.

Voices from around the corner, coming closer to where I sit. I refuse to run, but that doesn’t mean I won’t hide when I want to. The shadows provide excellent coverage, in this city there are shadows everywhere, and I’m glad to know they conceal me well as a small group of four round the corner. They aren’t aware of my presence, they haven’t the slightest idea I’m here. Laughing about something, they all seem to be having a wonderful time; they act as if nothing else in the world exists but them. Gradually they pass me, still unaware of my existence.
I give the group one last glance and realize I’ve seen this scene all too many times before; only when I saw the people walk away laughing I was always lying in a pool of my own blood. I remember so clearly lying there, unable to get up, unable to move. I was discovered by someone passing by, and I thought I was saved. I reached a hand out as best I could and managed to make the words escape my throat,
“Bitte, helfen mich… please, help me…” they turned, they looked me in the eyes, and then they continued on their way. They didn’t even so much as blink.

Now that I think about it, for all the speeches people give on how important justice is, for all the things they look upon as unimaginable things they could never bring themselves to do, they seem to forget it all when they see me. For all the monstrosities I’ve suffered, the very ones who enacted these supposed crimes would turn and call me the monster. What kind of justice is that? What about those people who would see this and do nothing, they didn’t technically enact these horrors. No, but they allowed it to continue and did nothing to stop it, so they should be just as guilty.

Just as guilty, how is it I’ve allowed people- no, that’s not what these can be called. Creatures, yes, creatures suites them better- how is it I’ve allowed these creatures to get away with it all for so long? Did I really expect justice to be delivered in time? I suppose I did. Justice, what is that anyways? How exactly does something like that work, and who determines that it is Justice? More people, people who haven’t experienced the cruelties themselves? Ha! How are they to judge something they have no experience in? Justice…I hate the word.

I’m sorry to say it, my dear brother, but I’m afraid I can’t follow what you’ve said about life anymore. You aren’t here anymore, they took you away from the world, and all because you preached kindness and justice. Kindness and justice…in the end these very things are what allowed those creatures to kill you. I’m sorry, but I won’t go out the same way. I don’t know what justice is, and kindness gets me no where, so I fear it’s time for me to try something new. For all the monstrosities these creatures have bestowed upon me, they haven’t seen anything yet…

Chapter four: Scarecrow

There’s something new in the city, something that’s been on all the news broadcasts lately. The police have no leads and the Batman hasn’t been able to get anything either. There’s an all new danger to the streets, and the best part is what makes it unique. Whoever this is, they seem to only attack groups. For the first time people are having to decide whether they should risk the basic dangers of Gotham, or risk this new threat and keep with the age old buddy-system. The way the killings go it’s apparent to be yet another vengeance case, and there are some who even claim it’s some kind of cursed creature running around doing these things, but everyone knows that isn’t true. Perhaps I should rephrase that, I know that theory isn’t true.

I suppose on normal circumstances I’d be a bit jealous of this new presence of fear in my city, but for now I’m willing to overlook it. After all, it hasn’t even begun to reach a level of true fear for the city, I’d know. For now it’s nothing more than something to keep the authorities distracted while I pull my plans together, which saves me the effort of coming up with a distraction for the Bat-bully to play with. So I see no harm in allowing this new presence to have its fun, for the time being.

Everything’s in place for my plan, now the only thing to really do is, well, wait. Weren’t you paying attention earlier? I remember very specifically telling you I wouldn’t give away the surprise. It will still take some time if I want the right results, but don’t worry, patients is something I’ve become very good with over the years. Still, that’s not to say I don’t grow bored every once and a while. Perhaps a walk will be a nice distraction? Then it’s decided, a walk it is.

The night air felt cool on my skin, and the moon showed between wisps of cloud covering the sky every now and again. I wasn’t in costume this night so as not to draw any attention to myself, so as not to draw the attention of the Bat-gang. I just couldn’t stand sitting around waiting for the final phase of my plan to begin, so I decided to go for a walk. Just an innocent walk through the alleys of this city I’ve come to know so well, but then I stumbled upon something I never would have expected. There, standing just a short distance away, was just an ordinary group of thugs. That’s not what made me stop cold in my tracks, though; it was that they were standing over an all-too familiar body.

As they gave it one last kick and began to walk away laughing, those words played back in my mind.
“You know how to keep people from hurting you, how to make them leave you alone,” Memories flash back to me from all the abuse I’ve endured through the years, memories of wanting only to be left alone. That was the very reason I became who I am today, the very reason I became the Master of Fear. I was tired of being scared of all those bullies, tired of being pushed around.
“And I want to learn what that is.” I just wanted for them to leave me alone…

Suddenly a cracking noise fills the air, the cracking of joints being put back in place; the sound is enough to almost send a shiver down my spine. The thugs stop mid-stride and turn back to their victim. She’s still alive, which obviously comes as a surprise to them; that look of stunned silence remains on their faces as she slowly rises. The air has suddenly grown cold and heavy, and I take this moment to slip further into the shadows, to remain unseen. Something’s about to happen, that’s for curtain.

“What the ********? You still alive, freak?” The biggest of the group asks in disbelief.
“Well, that can be fixed quick enough...” The smallest one laughs. The voice of a child answers, I can tell it unnerves them.
“Bitte, helfen mich… please, help me…” despite the words spoken, it’s apparent she’s not actually asking for help. Turning to face them, her eyes hold a look I know all to well.
“You hate them, don’t you? You hate how they treat you, you hate them for all they are, hate their very existence. I know what you must want to do, what you need to do, but will you do it?” She slowly raises a pair of sharp scissors, looking meditatively at the way the blades gleam.
“That’s right, there’s only one thing you can do to end this, only one thing which will satisfy your hatred…”
With a glance towards her tormentors a vicious grin plays upon her face, and her tormentors know what’s about to happen.

“Wait a minute; you aren’t really thinking about…are you?” The smallest says in surprise. Her smile widens.
“Hold up here, think about this for a minute…” the big one tries to reason.
“Don’t listen to them, not after what they did to you. You know what you want to do, now do it…”
“Come on, man, we weren’t really going to off you, it was just a joke!” the only one who hasn’t talked yet tries to justify. Bad choice of words.
“It was just…a joke?” that child voice could send a chill down anyone’s spine.
“I see, just a joke.” A pause for thought, will she buy it?
“You…will…DIE!”

Her mind made up, things turn around as the hunters become the hunted.
“Man, screw this b***h, let’s get out of here!” They take off running, but they don’t get fare before the smallest one is yanked back.
“Hey, let go of me man! Guys!” The other two turn to see their friend in her grasp, the scissors positioned at his jugular.
“Oh s**t!” They skid to a halt and reach out to grab him away, but the girl backs up out of their reach.
“Guys-Guys-Guys, Come on, get me out of here!” He pleads.
“Don’t move, one little slip and you’re dead. Your friends better stay put, too. If they run or try to grab you again you’re dead.” She says without losing eye contact with the others.
“What, What do you want?” They ask.
“I want…” she lowers her voice effectively before continuing, “I want…you to beg. Go on…beg them to help you. They’re your friends; they’ll do it, won’t they?” Tears stream down her captive’s face.

“Guys…please…” Her captive gasps, reaching for his friends to no avail.
“Please…help me…” she coaches, still never losing eye contact with the other two.
“Please…help me…don’t leave me here with this freak, please man…” He sobs now, a satisfied smile creeps across the girl’s lips.
“Very good. Now, do you know what they’re answer is, what it will always be?” She asks her captive.
“I…No…” For the first time she looks at her captive.
“Go on, kill him! Do it, kill him while you can!”
“Exactly…” and then she drives the scissors through his jugular, pressing hard to make sure they go all the way through.
“******** this!” The other two take off running as she stands.
“Yes, that’s it! Do what it takes to stop them!”
“Now…just to track down your buddies…” She decides.

For a moment I can’t believe it. At last, someone else who understands! Not just understands what it’s like to be bullied, but also understands what has to be done to stop it. There is no other way, no other way but this!
To think, such a tiny thing could be capable of this much. Who is she? Well, only one way to find out.
Stepping out of the shadows and heading in her direction, I can’t help but have the slightest smile.
“Was es diese? How did I not…notice this…?”
For a moment, I think she’s noticed my presence, until she pulls a bloody hand from her side and collapses. My smile fades as quickly as it came.

Moving to where she fell, I can see a small pool of blood already forming around her. They must have done more damage than she thought, other wise she would have been smart enough to stay put. Despite the apparent blood loss, remarkably she’s still breathing.
“Deliberately or not, you were willing to help me where anyone else would just keep walking.”
“I can assure you that was not my intention…”
Who does this girl think she’s talking to, some hero like the Batman?
You don’t have to be hero to help someone, and I don’t have to be a hero to help this girl...

Chapter Five: Ragady

My eyes fly open, and I take in a gasp of air. I have to track down those pitiful creatures that attacked me; I have to make them pay. I have to- where am I?
“I see you’re finally awake…” A voice from the shadows, my first instinct is to grab my scissors, but I can’t find them.
“Are you looking for these? Dangerous little things, I thought it better if you didn’t have access to them when you first woke up.” The voice explains stepping out to where I can see it.
“…Scarecrow?” I don’t understand, and my side is killing me- I’m not used to feeling physical pain.
“Naturally, you did say it yourself.” He chuckles.
“Say what?” Confusion clouds my memory for the moment.
“That I’d provide help where everyone else would just keep walking…” And then my mind clears. For a moment, I simply stare at it in silence.

“Right, now I remember. Well then, I should be going.” I say, forcing myself to get up.
“What, where are you going?”
“I can assure you, it was not my intention…” I remind without so much as looking in its direction. Leaning against the wall for a minute, I look around the place I’m in. It seems to be an old warehouse of some kind, with a lot of hay, some form of home-made furniture, and a table of chemicals of to the fare end.
“Where’s the exit?” I ask, clutching my side to dull the pain. My T-shirt’s soaked in blood, or at least, it was; left a pretty bad stain.
“You can’t be serious, not in the state you’re in…”
“What about the state I’m in?” I demand, turning to it, “I’ve had fare worse than this and managed just fine. Or perhaps you think these stitches are for decoration?” It stands there for a moment, stunned, and then it crosses its skeletal arms in front of its chest.

“Fine, if you really want to leave so badly, the door’s right over there.” It says pointing.
“Right,” I answer finding it on the other side of where I stand.
“Honestly, you try to help someone…” It grumbles in the background.
“Bitte, helfen mich… please, help me…”
Perhaps…no, there is no help for something like me.
I still need to track down those creatures that attacked me, I still need…justice.
Why’s the door have to be so fare away any ways?
“What’s the matter, I thought you were leaving.” It says behind me.
“Bitte, helfen mich…” the words are barely a whisper.
“What was that?” It asks.
“I…Well…Thank You…” I manage to spit out, my stare returning to the floor where it usually rests.
“…You’re welcome.”

There I said it, now I can go. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m not glad for the help, but I still have those creatures to destroy. They still need to answer for this pain in my side…
“You know, you don’t have to leave...right now…if you don’t want to…”
“I’ve had worse than this…” I remind.
“I’m not saying you haven’t, but all the same you don’t have to leave right now…” It almost sounds as if it doesn’t want me to go. Still, I have…I suppose… it can wait… just a little longer. With a sigh, I slide down to take a seat.
“Fine, but I can’t stay for much longer; I still have those creatures to destroy…”
“Understandable…” It nods.

“What’s your name?” It asks.
“If you must know, it’s Ragady; just Ragady, no last name.”
“Just Ragady, no last name?”
“Ja and my brother’s name was Stitches.”
“Ragady…and Stitches? You must have had interesting parents…”
“Perhaps, I wouldn’t know. What about you, am I to simply call you Scarecrow?”
“If you want to, but my real name is Jonathan, Jonathan Crane.”
“No offense, but I like Scarecrow, not many people can be called by that name.”
“Not many people can be called by Ragady or Stitches either.”
“True…” I lean my head back and close my eyes for a moment; this pain in my side is a real nuisance. If I can just rest for a moment it should get better…

Before I know it I’m waking up for a second time. Those creatures will really have to pay for this nonsense. On the up side, my side doesn’t really hurt that much anymore, that much is good. Reaching to feel my side, I can’t help but notice something that shouldn’t be there.
“Was es diese?” I ask no one sitting up. A bandaging of some kind, formed with gauss and tape? Cute, but no wonder my side has been hurting. With a sigh I pull out a spool of thread and needle to take care of this mess. A bandage, who ever heard of such a ridiculous thing? I suppose it’s the thought that counts.

“That’s twice now; do you make a habit of this?” The Scarecrow asks, returning from where ever.
“I try not to…” I respond, tending to my side properly.
“Are you trying to make yourself worse?” He asked staring at me in disbelief.
“Hm, oh, you mean this? No offense, but bandages have never done that much good.” I shrug finishing up. The Scarecrow just shakes his head disapprovingly.
“By the way, I’d have to say that T-shirt is beyond repair by this point, so I made you something.”
“Was?”
“Well, unless you prefer to stick with the torn/bloodstained T-shirt.” He clarifies, pulling out something from a bag. “You don’t have to take it if you don’t want to.” he says tossing me the contents of the bag.

It looks like a corset top made of patches, and connected is a skirt of orange material- tattered at the bottom. For a moment, all I can do is stare at it in silence.
“You don’t like it, do you?” He asks with disappointment in his voice. Actually, I love it.
“It’s not that, it’s just…I couldn’t possibly accept this…” I reassure.
“Why not?” he asks, looking a little hurt. Because I owe you too much already.
“I just…” I try to explain.
“You just don’t like it…”
“No, that’s not it at all; I like it a lot actually. I just, well…I don’t see… any harm in trying it on…”

“I hoped you would like it. I also hope I got the size right, I kind of had to guess…”
“You could at least turn around…”
“Oh, right, sorry…” He realizes doing such. Though I can’t see it, I can tell he must be blushing.
“Okay, you can turn back around now.” I tell him standing up to look at it.
“Nice guess on the size, by the way…” I say, moving to where there’s a mirror in this place. Yes, I definitely love it. Even with my jeans on under it, it still looks…right; I can’t help but smile at my reflection.
“Well, what do you think?” He asks with a grin, knowing full well what my answer will be.
“You’re right, I love it. I don’t know how, but it…suites me. Thank you…” How many times am I going to have to say that to this scarecrow?
“You’re welcome…”

Chapter Six: Scarecrow
Things are going much better than I would have expected. Reluctant as she was at first, at least Ragady’s actually letting me help her now. Of course, you can hardly blame how she reacted to me at first; I didn’t exactly understand when we first met. Not even I’m perfect. It’s also nice to already know where this girl stands on the subject of dealing with bullies; the knowledge saves me a lot of trouble. Still, I have to wonder where she’ll stand should the Bat-Gang show up. They do have a habit of reverting people back to their previous, cowardly states.

“So, what exactly is it you do here anyways?” Ragady asks, suddenly pulling me from my thoughts.
“I am the Scarecrow, the Master of fear, the Vengeance Reaper. The title does a pretty good job of summing up what I do.” I explain simply.
“You say Vengeance Reaper as if there could only be one, makes you wonder what I’ve been doing all this time.” She replies thoughtfully.
“Don’t be mistaken, while you’ve certainly started on the path of vengeance, you still have a long ways to go before you reach my level.” I correct.
“I like to think of it more as justice; after all, what is justice but a form of vengeance to someone else?” She corrects in turn, her face holding no emotion.
“And what is justice for those who never receive it? To be punished for returning the cruelties heaped upon them, is that justice?” I take a step forward, waiting to see if she’ll complete the thought.
“Certainly, for those who bring the cruelties to get their vengeance, it is justice. Justice and vengeance are one and the same.” She finishes without so much as blinking. I can’t help but smile, giving a nod.

“What about people like the Batman? Where do you think they stand?” I ask her next.
“Who, Ich verstehe, I don’t understand.” She responds with a tilt of the head.
“The Batman, the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight?” Surly, she’s heard of him, there isn’t a town for miles which has inhabitants that don’t know about Batman. Still her green eyes remain blank.
“Where are you from, exactly?” Obviously she’s not from any where around here.
“Germany, but mein brother and I came here to escape…cruelty. Ha, like you could ever escape…” Ragady answers looking away. That explains why she’s never heard of me or Batman, and it explains what language she’s been breaking off into. Actually, I must say I’m pleased to here this. If she hasn’t even heard of Batman before, then it should be much easier to ensure she doesn’t run over to his side at the slightest convincing.

“A caped crusader; I would think it strange that after all the crimes enacted against me in all the different places here, I’ve never even caught a glimpse of such a being. I would, if not for the fact that it’s been that way everywhere I’ve ever gone.” Ragady seems to think out loud, referring to the idea of Batman. Everywhere she’s ever been, how many places has she been through so fare? She says she’s from Germany, but how many places since then has she traveled through to reach this city? It would appear to be quite a lot, judging from how well she speaks English.

“Makes sense that he would pass you over,” I say sounding casual, deciding to play on the lack of prior knowledge of Batman, “He does tend to play favorites to the ordinary. Not to mention all the times he’s come to bully me around,” I inform in a meditative matter, as if uncaring about all the times that Bat-Brute has ruined my plans. It catches Ragady’s attention, just as I thought it would.
“Bully you around? But why on Earth would he want to do that?” She asks, the slightest hint of irritation showing through on her face.
“I suppose it has something to do with the ‘justice’ I’ve claimed against some previous tormentors,”
“You mean you’ve had to deal with them to?” Ragady interrupts in wonder.
“Of course, but they’re mere trifles to me by now, I’ve mastered their game for quite some time now. Still, that doesn’t keep the Batman from coming around every so often to defend the innocent.”

“Innocent, is that what they call them?! You can’t be serious, not after what they do, what they live for?!” Ragady demands, all calm giving way to outrage.
“Such disgusting little creatures don’t even deserve the title of ‘human’, let alone innocent!”
“I know that, it’s the Batman who fails to realize this.” I remind her, not revealing for a second how pleased I am that she thinks the same about the Batman’s behavior. Really, why can’t more people have this frame of mind? You’d think it to be logical, when looking at all the bullies there are, that there would be fare more people who would adopt this way of thinking, but sadly it isn’t so.

“People like that are just as guilty, as those who would kill you simply because you exist. People like that allow for them to get away with it…” Ragady justifies, picking up something dark in her child-like voice.
“Perhaps so, but what is there to be done?” I sigh looking away. Let’s see if this girl will truly have the right idea, though it’s already apparent to me she will.
“Why not…kill the pathetic creatures? They are just as guilty…”
“Just kill them? Just like that? Why not make them truly suffer, as they’ve made so many others suffer before them? Why not make them scream?” I can’t help but edge on a little. For a moment something sad flashes in Ragady’s eyes,
“Scream and beg for help, but know that there is no help, that no one will come...” Then the sad thing is replaced by something dark, “I love it, it’s a wonderful idea. Absolutely wunderbar.”
Things are going much better than expected…