November 22 2005

As his footsteps echoed around the dark warehouse, Benjamin opened his flashlight and looked around, seeing no sign of anyone. But McFarland could tell someone was in the warehouse. He continued searching the area while gripping his gun tightly, He was determined to end this case and arrest the marked killer for his vicious crimes.

There was a shadow of a tall figure, which made Benjamin flinched until the shadow disappeared, He gritted his teeth and said something.

Benjamin: Enough games, Show yourself.

He took the risk and walked forward, Ben stood cautiously until he had a strange feeling behind him, He gripped his gun tightly as the presence grew stronger until. . .

Benjamin shot a bullet on the ground until someone grabbed him from behind, covering his mouth as Benjamin muffled and struggled to get out of the assailant's grip.

Benjamin twisted his body sharply, driving his elbow into the attacker's ribs. The grip around his mouth faltered for a moment, giving him just enough leverage to break free. He spun around, his gun raised, but the darkness swallowed the figure before he could get a clear shot.

He gritted his teeth as Benjamin looked around, He quickly picked up his flashlight and looked in front of him, seeing the attacker with a knife, He couldn't get a clear shot of his face as the attacker swinged his knife but Benjamin managed to move back as the attacker kept swinging his knife before Benjamin grabbed his arm, twisting it until the attacker kicked him on the gut.

Benjamin grunted and held his gut, The attacker was about to hit him again until Benjamin managed to kick the attacker's knee as tackled him to the other room, The door broke down, revealing a dim lighted room, with an ominous atmosphere. Ben got up and looked around until he saw a man who was tied in the chair, mouth taped up and his arms were already cut, The man stared in shock as Bens eyes were widen before he turned around and saw the attacker, finally getting a clear look on his face.

???: Ah, you got fight in you, Officer. . . Pleassure to meet you.

He had a sadistic smile on his face as Benjamin was glaring at him while taking a step back.

Benjamin: It was you, You were the marked killer.

???: The name's Victor Zsazz, And tonight, Your going to be my seventeeth mark.

Zsasz lunged with a feral grin, his knife slicing through the air. Benjamin dodged, barely avoiding the blade, and swung his fist, connecting with Zsasz's jaw. The serial killer staggered but recovered quickly as Ben was watching his next move, Zsasz tried to attack him again but Benjamin grabbed his arm and did a judo throw as he quickly got back on his feet.

Zsasz was laughing, enjoying the fight until Ben punched him hard on the jaw, Victor's smile faded away as Zsasz slashed again, this time slicing Benjamin's arm. Ben winced but used the momentum to elbow Zsasz in the ribs, forcing him back a step. Zsasz let out a low laugh, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

With a sudden burst of energy, Zsasz tackled Benjamin, the two crashing into the chair where the bound victim sat. The man screamed behind his gag as the chair tipped over. Benjamin struggled beneath Zsasz's weight, grappling with the knife that was dangerously close to his throat.

Zsasz: Accept your death, officer. i promise i'll carve you in the most beautiful way.

Ben gritted his teeth headbutted Zsasz, momentarily dazing him. He rolled out from under him and grabbed his gun, aiming it at the killer. Zsasz, still grinning, lunged again, but Benjamin fired a shot into Zsasz's leg.

Zsasz grunted in pain as Ben kicked the knife off his hand as Benjamin glared while watching him bleed, He looked at the victim who was on the ground as BEn restrained him and helped him get up, The man removed the tape from his mouth and began thanking Benjamin, He nodded and looked at the killer again and spoke.

Benjamin: It's over now.

Victor: *Chuckles* It's only the beginning.

Benjamin glared at him again before contacting the police that he found the serial killer and even saved a hostage, Benjamin felt relieved that the killer was finally captured, He hoped that no one would suffer from all of this again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the police station, Benjamin and Gordon were seen at the interrogation room, staring at Zsasz who had a small smile on his face.

Gordon: Victor Zsasz. You had a body count of sixteen over the last two months, Do you even remember their names?

Zsasz: Names? Oh, Commissioner, names are so... personal. I prefer to remember them as moments. Each one of them is a mark, a celebration of freedom. Their names? Irrelevant.

They stared in disgust as Benjamin noticed the marks on his arms which was the amount of victims Zsasz murdered.

Benjamin: You deserve a death sentence. . . You monster.

Gordon: Ben-

Benjamin was really angry whenever he thinks about serial killers, He wishes that the system would change and give maniacs like Zsasz a death sentence, But the system in Gotham was horrible.

Gordon: Cut it, You have no rights to kill innocent people.

Victor: Monsters like me have rights to kill people, Besides, Its not like the system of Gotham acres about their peoples.

Benjamin and Gordon were angry but knew that was the truth about Gotham, The police have been trying their best to make this city a better place, But it always fails and It was always the city's fault.

Gordon: I'm glad someone like you is finally off the streets, Your journey ends here, Zsasz.

They both got up from their seats as Victor had a smile on his face before he spoke to Benjamin.

Victor: I'll be thinking about you, Officer. You still look like perfect art, Something to carve with my perfect knife

Benjamin glared at him before Gordon told him to leave as both of them left the room as they were discussing about the matter, Unknown to them, Alex was listening to the whole conversation, he was actually fascinated by Victor, However he didn't agree on the part of killing innocence, despite Alex being a serial killer himself, He follows a code to never hurt the innocent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the morning as Anne was making her way downstairs while holding her bag, She was ready to leave for work until she saw Harleen hugging Benjamin as Her eyes lit up and Anne had a huge smile on her face.

Anne: Hi Benjamin!

Benjamin: *Smiles* Hey Anne! Guess what? I'm free from work for the whole week

Harleen: That means more funtime!

Anne: *Smiles* That's honestly wonderful!

Harleen: And guess what? My man just captured the marked killer.

Anne: *Eyes widen* You mean the one on the news?

Benjamin: Exactly, Last night was. . . Crazy.

He took a deep breath before smiling at everyone as they continued talking to each other before Anne left the house, Harleen was fixing her glasses as she looked at Benjamin.

Harleen: Are you okay? You seem a bit down.

Benjamin: I just hope this time, justice actually sticks. People like him. . . they slip through the cracks too often.

Harleen: *Frowns* I understand, But you did everything you could to capture him. You should be proud of yourself.

Benjamin: *Sighs* Pride doesn't mean much when the system keeps letting monsters roam free. I see their faces, Harleen. The victims, the families. . . . they trust us to protect them, and when we fail. . .

He was silent as Benjamin looked at the ground, Harleen looked sad and touched his cheek while looking at him.

Harleen: You didn't fail, Ben. You caught Zsasz. That's one less maniac out there hurting people. And I know Gotham's broken, We all do, but if there's anyone who's gonna make a difference, it's you.

Benjamin felt his heart skip a beat as Harleen leaned closer to his face, Benjamin couldn't help but smile a little as he rested his forehead on her.

Benjamin: Thanks, Harleen. . . Your right, I really hope everything changes for the best.

Harleen: *Smiles* I'm always there for you, Puddin. . . I love you.

Benjamin: I love you too.

They both smiled before sharing a tender kiss, They broke the kiss and smiled at each other before Harleen said she needed to head back to work as Benjamin nodded and told her to take care and be careful.

He stood there, thinking about her words while smiling a little.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At Arkham Asylum, It was lunchtime as most workers were at the cafeteria, having their lunch except Anne. She was feeling full from breakfast and decided to keep working. However, she walked past the same elevator, which led her to an unknown area that Crane stopped her from looking further.

(I really wonder what he does at the laboratory. . . Is it really only about medical supplies?)

She continued staring at the elevator and looked around, She knew Jonathan was having a therapy session with one of his patients, She looked around before taking the risk and clicked on the button.

Soon, the elevator reach to the last floor, Anne walked out and knew this was the place, She continued walking until she saw a rat running past her as she screamed.

( Not this rat again)

She sighed and began walking towards the door, Anne realised it was locked as she hummed to herself, She had a feeling it would be locked, Anne noticed a small creak on the door and tried to look through the creak.

Jonathan: What can you see in there?

She gasped and felt his hands on her waist, She turned around and saw Jonathan, who was staring at her, Anne started to feel scared, He wasn't smiling. Maybe he was angry right now, Anne turned around and he moved closer.

Jonathan: What were you hoping to find, Anne? Secrets? Answers?

Anne: I-I'm sorry, Please don't be angry at me.

He tilted his head as Anne looked scared, Crane could see the fear in her eyes as he spoke softly.

Jonathan: Angry? No, sweetheart. I'm not angry.

He stepped closer, his tone laced with something both comforting and unnerving

Jonathan: But I am curious. Why were you here? Were you looking for something. . . or just drawn to the unknown?

Anne: I-I was just curious.

Jonathan: Curious, hm?

He smirked at her and leaned closer, He could tell she was already blushing as Jonathan caressed her hair.

Jonathan: I haven't even started, and you're already flustered.

Anne: Y-You're making this difficult.

He lifted her chin as Anne continued staring at him before he took off his glasses and smirked at her.

Anne: . . . I don't know what you're doing to me

Jonathan: You're drawn to me as much as I am to you.

Anne: S-Should we keep this up?

Jonathan: *Smiles* Why not?. . . Don't hold back anymore.

Anne: I. . .

He didn't let her speak, and slowly leaned closer, softly kissing her as there was a rush of excitement running through them.

Anne didn't pull away, Jonathan deepened the kiss, his fingers gently trailing up her neck as he felt her response, sensing her hesitation but also her surrender.

He finally broke the kiss as Anne looked into his eyes as Crane smirked at her.

Jonathan: You've become an addiction, With you, I want nothing but purity raw, unfiltered, and something utterly consuming~

He chuckled a little and leaned towards her neck, biting it as Anne gasped and began blushing, He nipped her neck as Anne ran her hands through his hair which made him excited, She admitted to herself, She was really drawn to him.

Finally he moved away and fixed his coat before giving a small smile.

Jonathan: Now. . . Let's go and have lunch together.

Anne: L-Lunch?

Jonathan: Yes and don't worry about the money, Tell me what you want.

He grabbed her hand, pulling him towards her as both of them began walking to the elevator, Anne stared at him in silence and felt her heart beating fast.How can someone be scary yet so attractive to her?

The elevator opened as both of them walked away, Anne fixed her hair, covering her neck as Crane was staring at her and felt his heart skip a beat.

Jonathan: Anne, I want to ask you something again.

Anne: What is it?

Jonathan: Do you trust me?

She looked at him, She remembered he asked her this question before. Anne nodded and gave a small smile, trying not to feel awkward after what happened earlier.

Anne: I do trust you.

Jonathan had a small smile on his face as they continued walking.

Jonathan: Then i can trust you as well, Anne. . . Even if it means to show you. . .

"What lies beneath this mask"

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)