Professor Fear (the sequel) - Jonathan Crane

Chapter 3

Seven students wedged themselves into a booth at the front of the Diner just a block away from Gotham University. In the centre of the table was a large plate of French fries which everyone modestly picked at while reminiscing their past few years at the university. After graduation, they had all immediately discarded of the graduation uniforms and back into their typical street wear.

"I can't believe you four are going to Cambodia next week!" Olivia didn't even try to hide the envy in her voice. Daria also harboured some envy. April, Casper and Jane were all going off to Cambodia for a particular organised biology trip. While there, according to April, they would be 'checking out' the native animal and plant species of the area. Even though she didn't take biology, Daria thought it sounded exciting. Ethan had already dreaded April being away from him for sixteen days. His reaction when April had revealed that she wouldn't be within range of wifi was priceless.

"I'm sorry did you say no wifi? Not even enough wifi for skype? NONE?" Ethan's eyes widened. The two girls beside him had erupted into matched laughter.

"What're you planning on doing Olivia?" Daria asked the girl who she'd always seen around campus wearing polka dots. Today she wore a plain black jumpsuit but her red spotted ankles socks were on display when not sitting at the diner both. Daria had to give Olivia massive credit for consistency.

"My mom wanted me to go straight into work but no way am I doing that. I'm going to go check out Las Vegas with some friends I stayed in a dorm with in my first year," She took the final fist full of fries, getting stares from the rest of the table. "Wu'abou you Darha?" She asked through the mouthful.

In honesty, Daria had not even considered the future. She'd not made any holiday plans. Made no work plans. No Leisure plans. As far as she knew, after the social she'd be walking back to pack her things from the dorm...

She hadn't even considered where she would go. She'd ignored all the university's polite emails asking 'need help with future accommodation?' and April's 'do you want to stay roomies? I could kick Ethan out of the new place temporarily?'
Eric didn't live in a big place nor was it much of a place at all but he'd be willing to let Daria stay for a few days while she sorted herself out. She could also stay in a youth hostel for a bit.
Jonathan.
Daria's eyes darted around at the table defensively as if to check she hadn't said his name aloud. Nobody knew of the relationship between Daria Morrison and her ex-psychology professor Doctor Jonathan Crane.
It was easier that way. 

"Eh too slow, what are you both gonna be doing?" Thankfully Olivia hadn't been interested and turned her attention to Tom and Stacy. One of the reasons the booth was able to fit all seven people is because Stacy awkwardly sat on her boyfriend, Tom's lap.
"Stacy is moving in with me, but we gotta tell you something guys," He looked up at Stacy who nodded, "We're moving out of Gotham,"
The table erupted with 'no!'s and 'oh my gosh why?'s. Tom and Stacy began to explain. Daria had already retreated into depersonalisation after overthinking about what she was going to do next in life. It was as though she was behind a glass wall as her friends were talking. They even felt farther away from her even though she was sitting right next to them all.

The director of Arkham Asylum made his way down the seemingly empty corridor of the secure wing. The majority of the nurses were having their lunch break except nurse sat on a stool close to the wing control room. She nodded to Doctor Crane who politely returned the gesture. Using his keycard, he opened the door to the sub-corridor which withheld the 'unsafe' criminally insane of Gotham.

A worn faced Adam Cleary sat on the bed of his small cell, staring at nothing. Jonathan found himself, to his surprise, wincing at the familiar behaviour. Daria had taken to disassociating from reality on numerous occasions.
Scarecrow shook his head and tapped a short rhythm on Cleary's cell window. He had to try his absolute hardest not to laugh and perform a Jokeresque dance of excitement when his test subject immediately began screaming at the sudden noise. If the cameras in the hallways picked up such behaviour, his identity could be compromised. It hadn't been much of a challenge to discover Mr Cleary was petrified of the notion of the supernatural. In his visions he'd deliriously described the ghosts of his family taunting him. Specifically his mother.

Scarecrow opened his briefcase to withdraw his pocket notebook and ball-point pen. Then his scribbles began. It was the sixth day of the experiment. Scarecrow would inject the test subject each day with a dosage just high enough to cause hallucinations. The aim of the experiment was to see how long it took to completely exhaust the patient's body. Thus far, Cleary was staying remarkably strong physiologically but he most definitely was emotionally and mentally drained. He had taken on the pale sickly complexion That Doctor Crane had observed in Daria months before.
This time, the experiment will not be interrupted by newfound emotional distractions, Scarecrow reminded himself, turning the key in the lock and opening the cell door.
"Ah Mr Cleary, it's time for your medication. "