The Little Things That Count

Danke Shoen

5:45AM Arkham Asylum 

A clear night-sky above the officers from Gotham City, a rare sight to see the stars twinkle above them. The moon full and bright as a setting sun the two men are escorted into the facility. The usual routine for clearance into each corridor came with a set ‘price’ to clear to the next quadrant of the Asylum. For tonight all rules were set aside. The two officers were lead by Dr. Arkham himself, the strutting men were silent as they made their way to the final destination. The usual crude comments and spiteful words were nowhere to be heard, all was silent in the asylum except the clicking of soles hitting the hallways.  Making way towards the Rogues sectional the officers observed each one missing from their cells, one made the motion to stop the doctor for explanation the older officer placed his hand on the younger man’s arm to halt him in the process. Dr. Arkham stopped hands in coat peering into an open cell. 

“Commissioner, what the hell does that mean..” the younger officer finally spoke refusing to take his eyes off the scene before him. 

“To be frank..It means thank you…” Gordon sighed and moved his hands to rub his temples, the sight before him was not what he expected to see ever. He wasn’t sure how to handle this or even how to explain to the vigilante in charge of these cases. Gordon looked towards Dr. Arkham. “how did this..no,  why did they do this and how could you let them get away with it Doctor.” 

“I must distress to you both that time is of the essence. I understand you have questions and regretfully I have no answers for either of you. So please, do get along with your ‘work’ I’ll be with my team trying to calm the rest of the rogues down. After all this is a tragic sight indeed…” With that Doctor Arkham made his way down the darkened corridor until he was engulfed by the shadows. 

“How, how we goin’ to tell the Bat Jim…How we going to tell ‘im what happen tonight. Is he even going to understand, I mean Jesus Jim just look..Look what the hell ‘appened. I mean sure ‘hey were criminals but dammit Jim ‘hey was human ya know. ‘hey was human…” The younger man turned his back to the unsightly scene and began to mumble a prayer. 

Gordon bowed his head allowing a moment of silence to pass, he waited to the younger man was finished with his prayer before pulling out a walkie-talkie He cleared his throat and took a heavy sigh. Pushing in on the side of the radio he broadcasted to the main GCPD station. 

“Attention all Officers on and off duty, this is Commission Gordon broadcasting from Arkham Asylum. The time is 6:25AM, I must regrettably inform you all that as of 3:27AM Edward Nashton known as the Riddler has been found dead in his cell. Cause of death presumed by the crime scene assistant suicide. His cellmate Jonathan Crane is still at large, all officers on or off duty please keep a look out for the runaway inmate and rogue Scarecrow. He is wanted for suspicion of murder of Mr.Nashton, he is to be brought in alive. That is all…” 

The release of the receiver resonated within the corridor, the two men turned to leave and make way for the streets of Gotham. Tonight they were off on a manhunt….