Unwanted Allies- Dr. Jonathan Crane Story

Empty hearts have empty homes.

"I've heard good things about that book." Lilah said, tilting her head, "I've never read it... but I hear things." 

"It follows the story of Ichabod Crane." Jonathan said, 

"I see the appeal." Lilah smirked, "You Crane's gotta stick together." She said with a small smile. Jonathan didn't return it. 

"Ichabod was what the other children used to call me." Jonathan said, his eyes scanning the room and in that moment Lilah felt like the biggest ass, "What's here is as good as yours. Take what you need." He said before pushing past her, the book in his hands. 

"I'm guessing they didn't call you 'Ichabod' as a compliment." Lilah said lightly, looking over her shoulder at Jonathan who froze, 

"No."

"So you were bullied?" She asked, turning around and walking towards him. Jonathan remained still, 

"Bullied... tormented... beaten..." Trailing off, he turned to face her, "They couldn't stand the sight of me." He said. Lilah frowned, she had never been bullied. In fact, she spent her High School years wearing too much black and chain smoking cigarettes behind the sports shed. People stayed clear of her, just the way she liked it. Clearing her throat, Lilah spoke

"Children always hate those who stand out. Who are-"

"Different." Jonathan finished, "They used to call me Ichabod and... Scarecrow." He said. Shifting lightly, Lilah remembered the incident where she compared him and his burlap mask to that of a Scarecrow. "I always swore I would get my revenge." He smirked, "They all deserved so much more then they ended up getting. But I achieved my revenge in the end." He smiled lightly. Lilah kept eye-contact with him, taking a few steps closer, 

"But you had your family to help you, didn't you?" She asked, she lifted her hand to place a comforting hand on his shoulder, but let it drop again. 

"No." He answered "You see, I was born out of wed-lock. What may seem normal to someone like you was forbidden for my mother. Well, my father ran off shortly after I was born and my dear mother dumped me with my charming great-grandmother, she couldn't bring herself to attempt to love me." He said. Lilah smiled lightly, 

"At least you had someone that was family." She said, trying to see the bright side to Jonathan's tragic tale. This time Jonathan laughed,

"Oh no, you see, my Granny was heavily Christian and strongly believed that children like myself should be drowned at birth. That naturally made life quite difficult. When I was particularly naughty or even when she couldn't stand the sight of me any longer she used to throw me in this...dilapidated church that was filled with crows. She used to line my clothes with some kind of powder to make the crows attack." As Jonathan finished his story he looked away realizing just how much he had revealed about himself. "None of that matters now." He added returning behind his safe, tall walls that had been there for so long they were like home. Lilah parted her lips, searching for something to say, anything, 

"So... all this time you've been alone?" She asked. Jonathan chuckled lightly, 

"You make it sound far worse then it is. Alone is what I've always had and being alone protects me. You would be smart to do the same. An individual who has no one has nothing to lose." He told her. In theory, it made sense, but humans weren't supposed to be alone. Perhaps that is why he had brought Lilah to his home. Perhaps he was just... lonely. 

"And nothing to live for." She added. Jonathan paused, breaking eye-contact with her and letting his eyes fall to the ground. She felt sorry for him- it was obvious that he hadn't told her the whole story, but Lilah had been there for Mercious enough times to know when someone was hurting. As her eyes once again scanned the house she began to notice just how empty it was. It held no photos, nothing that could possibly relate back to having an enjoyable life. With a heavy heart Lilah looked back at the mad Doctor who had tormented her for months. 

Empty hearts have empty homes. Someone who has had nothing and has never known the pleasure of kindness and love can never crave what they have not tasted. 

"Why are you interested in my childhood, Lilah?" Jonathan asked, his brow furrowing, "Does it bring you joy to know that I was the subject of someone elses torture just as you were mine?" Biting her lip, Lilah's eyes fell to the wooden floorboards beneath their feet, 

"I just want to know who you are." She answered honestly. Taking a short breath, Jonathan turned on his heel, 

"I suggest you get some sleep. We have much to cover tomorrow." Without another word he turned on his heel and disappeared from the room. Staring after him, Lilah's heart raced, the bitterness that she held for this man had changed into sympathy; sympathy that he never wanted but that didn't matter, he was no longer the monster she believed him to be, but more a broken man who had been so alone his entire life that he believed that there was nothing else but fear and loneliness. 

Authors Note: Sorry if this was an uninteresting chapter. I wanted to show the human side of Crane which I felt was only possible through telling his back story (From the comics). At the moment, obviously there is a lot of tension between Lilah and Jonathan, due to the fact that he DID torture her for five months. However, in order for there to be a close in that tension to create trust and an actual partnership where the possibility of someone betraying the other is minimal, I had to have Lilah change her opinion of him. Only possible through her relating to him and feeling sorry for him. So, anyway! From this moment on, there should be warmer, much kinder moments between Jonathan and Lilah now that they finally have an understanding on where the other is coming from. Thoughts! I would love to hear someone's idea on what should happen! No, seriously! Tell me!