Who:Terry and the Joker What: An escape attempt gone badly. When:Backdated to Wednesday night. Where: Abandoned basement of a hospital. Warnings: character breaking?
Terry had tried time and time again to escape. To pull at his restraints, jerk his way free forcefully. The Joker had obviously made sure it wasn't going to be that easy, but it wasn't in him just to give up. But by now he had no energy. He had no sense of time, the hours and days just blurred together. Constant sound kept him awake, but only just so. What he wouldn't give for freedom. There was something that promised it, but he couldn't tell if it was part of his imagination or reality. Blearily his eyes flicked towards the wall for what must have been the tenth time. Wearily watching the button. Was it actually there? His ears caught the sound of Bruce's voice again.. focus McGinnis. But he was tired. His body felt so heavy. Or Return the suit.
There was a whirring of mechanics as Terry's hand came down on the button. The first audio clue was a sound clip of the Joker, laughing. It was a victorious laugh. Sadistic. Pleased. Then the door to Terry's prison opened, the menacles holding him dropping away like discarded ribbons.
The lights and sounds that had plagued the cell shut off. Instantly. Instead, in front of him, a large television screen lit up. The view on the screen was a large shoping center. A mall? Mini-mall? It was hard to tell from the angle, but it was large, filled with shoppers and families. The Joker's voice came again. "Quid quo pro, Bat Brat. Look what your freedom cost!"
The explosions began around the borders of the plaza. The exits were destroyed first, trapping the people inside. And then letting them see what was coming as the explosions continued.
Terry was unable to focus long as he stood there leaning against the wall. Suddenly the devices that had been holding him up were gone, and he dropped to his knees. He was drained physically and mentally. His eyes were blood shot, and if not for Wayne's unconventional training he probably wouldn't have been conscious at all. As the video screens came up he instantly regretted his actions. What was that? Who were those people, and where. If he could just get up one more time..just one more second he might be able to save them. They were trapped like animals as orangy glows erupted on the screen and the explosion echoed in his ears. He saw everything in slow motion as the fire started to spread. He should be thinking of something witty. Some retort that Joker wouldn't get away with it, but this time he wasn't so sure he wouldn't. Something that would make the situation better, but nothing came to mind except numb anguish. He had been so sure he wanted this. He wanted to be Batman, but now he wasn't so sure of anything anymore. It felt like in an instant his entire identity had been erased. Terry didn't know who he was, what he was, or where, he ddin't know much of anythig these days. Except one thing he was sure of. One title fit the bill, one word. Murderer. Batman wasn't a murderer, Batman would have thought of something else. Batman was hope. This was a nightmare.
Terry couldn't peel his eyes from the screen. All he could do was helplessly watch as blood splashed against the cameras across the video screen and screams of countless innocents turned to white noise. He should have known there was a catch, that the button wasn't the real choice. Their death's were his fault. Innocent lives were lost because he didn't have the strength to get up and keep pushing. All he could do was watch, his arms fell limp at his sides, and his hands in his lap. The door was open, the expression on his face was empty, void. He didn't make a move towards the exit. He didn't move at all.