J.E. Bright - Scarecrows Nightmare Maze

On a foggy autumn evening, Batman and Robin arrived at Arkham Asylum for a routine check. So many of their archenemies were imprisoned in the cells for the criminally insane that they visited regularly for inspection.

Dr. Jeremiah Arkham met them on a rooftop . Its been quiet, reported Dr. Arkham. Wisps of fog swirled around his legs as he led them down a stone spiral staircase into the shadowy asylum below.

I dont like quiet, said Batman. It means somebodys up to something. He wrinkled his nose behind his cowl. A scent smelled familiar.

Batman felt uneasy, as though some deep-seated fear was awakening inside him. He scowled at Dr. Arkhams back, wondering why his were on high alert. There was a protective filter in the nose holes of his mask. His Batcomputer had analyzed the chemistry of the air and relayed its findings. Nothing seemed unusual, but his nerves were still on edge.

Arkhams inmates are always plotting escape and revenge, said Robin.

Mostly revenge against you two, replied Dr. Arkham. But not only. He held open a metal door into the hall of holding cells and motioned for the Dynamic Duo to enter.

Meaning what? Robin asked, following Batman inside.

So many of our patients are lost in their own deep-rooted obsessions, said Dr. Arkham. Sometimes their psychoses target Batman because he imprisoned them. Other times, the symbolism of your fight against evil triggers their need for attention. But often these souls were lost long before they were ever introduced to the Dynamic Duo.

Theyre here to be helped, replied Batman.

Dr. Arkham chuckled. These criminals receive the most effective treatments known to modern and biochemistry, he said. But you know as well as I do, Batman, that many are held here because nowhere else can handle their dangerous madness.

The trio fell silent as they passed Poison Ivys holding cell. Inside, she sat motionless on a plastic chair in the middle of a climate-controlled plastic box. Not a stray microbe or spore could be allowed inside.

Down the hall were the separate steel cells of Two-Face and Victor Zsasz. Both were locked behind solid vault doors. Nearby were the specialized holding tanks for Killer Croc, Clayface, and Bane. Killer Croc hissed in hatred as Batman, Robin, and the asylums administrator walked by his swampy enclosure.

Bane was held inside a thick metal cylinder with no doors. All his vital signs were constantly monitored as the criminal superhuman recovered from addiction to the Venom that made him so dangerously powerful. Batman checked Banes monitors.

Hes been calm, said Dr. Arkham.

Let me know the second anything changes, replied Batman. Bane had hurt him too badly in the past for the villain ever to be allowed freedom again.

Dr. Arkham led Batman and Robin to the dark, barred compartment where Dr. Jonathan Crane, also known as the Scarecrow, now festered away his days. A hazy full moon shone down a beam through a high window. It illuminated Dr. Crane lying flat on his back on his cell floor. He wore a crude woven mask with slits for eyes and jagged sewn teeth.

Jack and Jill, mumbled the Scarecrow, went up a hill.

How did he get his mask? asked the Dark Knight. He shouldnt have that. Im afraid thats harmful to his mental state.

We take them away regularly, replied Dr. Arkham. But he always seems to find a way to make another. Once he wove one out of his own hair.

Batman, said Robin. You told me to warn you if you used any red flag words, like scared or afraid. Especially around the Scarecrow.

Batman narrowed his eyes. Hes always messing with our minds, playing with our fears. I dont like that I cant trust my own around him.

The Dark Knight shifted to look over the whole hallway. Wisps of fog swirled along the stone halls of the asylum. His Batcomputer readouts still showed no unusual chemicals in the air, but Batman knew computer data wasnt always the whole story.

Somethings wrong here, Batman said. I can smell it.

Is he gassing us? asked Robin. The Scarecrow was known to use toxic fear gas to control people for his own insane research.

I did say the word afraid, said Batman. Its possible hes created a chemical formula weve never seen before, something my scans cant pick up. Stay alert.

Jack fell down, said Dr. Arkham, blinking rapidly at Batman through his glasses, and broke his crown.

Batman and Robin took a step backward in alarm as Dr. Arkham grinned insanely at them. Then his teeth appeared to stretch until they resembled a sewn-up scar.

Thats not right, said Robin.

My heart rate is rising, said Batman. Im sweating. Im having the urge to flee or attack. These are symptoms of fear. Weve been gassed. Dont trust your senses, Robin.

AAAHH! Dr. Arkham screamed. His face like a warped reflection in a funhouse mirror. Batmans gut churned at the evil shapes of the doctors face, but he stood firm, fighting the panic drying out his mouth. The doctor leaned forward, groaning and moaning as his whole body twisted and grew longer.

Then he stood up straight, much taller and skinnier. His churning face snapped into focus, now textured and ragged, covered by rough burlap. It was no longer Dr. Arkham. Instead, the Scarecrow stood in front of Batman and Robin. His wild eyes beamed down at them from inside his mask.

And Jill came tumbling after, said the Scarecrow.

He was the Scarecrow the whole time! gasped Robin.

Weve imprisoned the wrong person, growled Batman. He felt dizzy with worry. There was little he dreaded more than locking the wrong person in jail. Grab him before he gets away.

Batman and Robin shifted to flank the lanky villain. The Scarecrow backpedaled with his hands up before tilting to the side and swinging his gawky leg at Robin.

Robin slid under the Scarecrows heel, striking his own boot into the villains other ankle. BAM! The Scarecrow hopped in pain, then he swiveled around to throw a punch at Batman.

With an effortless sidestep, Batman avoided the Scarecrows fist. Batman chopped out with his forearm and the Scarecrow twisted around his attack. The villain slid to the side to strike with his creepy long fingernails.

His cape swirling to mask his movements, Batman turned away from the villains slicing fingernails. He quickly spun back toward the Scarecrow. Then he grabbed the middle of the Scarecrows long arm and yanked it, pulling the villain off-balance. The Scarecrow sprawled forward onto his face on the floor. Batman dropped his knee on the Scarecrows bony back, pinning him down securely.

Open Dr. Cranes cell! Batman said to a redheaded orderly in her glass office. Her eyes were wide with fear.