A three week stay

[Black Death]

(For the JLA, Police, Shield, ect.)

Nearly three weeks had passed since the incident at Gotham Hospital. Terry Elice was in a coma for six days and was on a ventilator until yesterday morning. He was moved out of intensive care to a room of his own. He had been badly injured and still was titled as a John Doe because he could, or rather would not give his name to the hospital. He was pretending to not recall what happened to him at all. Even though the reporters, authorities and doctors irritated him with questions to no end, he dare not use his darkness force. He was too weak to attempt another assault or escape and go against any hero who came to stop him.

The hospital had a lot of damage to the building and the parking lot, which was being fixed still. Terry could hear the drills, hammers and workers from his room as he laid there in pain that was being slight dulled by medication. But he was awake and coherent and his health was improving but his attitude wasn’t. He was mean and miserable to the staff and didn’t like people touching him or check up on him.

He became angry when he learned there was someone coming to ask him some questions. They wanted to know about the night that he came into the hospital. His injuries were slightly unusual and they thought he might have information about the attack that night. There were deaths to be accounted for and they were still looking for Black Death. He was the last witness and things didn’t make sense. They arrived and Terry narrowed his eyes.

“Who the hell are these people, I told you all, I don’t want to be disturbed! “ He scolded a nurse as he sat up in his bed. He cringed as the movement hurt him and he let out a deep burst of air and began to cough.

[Pete Todd]

Pete was in a poor mood to say the least. Mom had kicked him out again. It seemed to be becoming a theme that whenever Pete came home to Gotham he'd get into a fight with his mom. This time it all started with her making a snide comment at dinner about all the "costumed freaks" Pete had been "hanging out with". She knew he hated that kind of talk. The fight escalated until she downright told him to get out. Fine by Pete, he hated that shack of a house anyway. Nothing there but old memories and some family he barely knew anymore.

The Red Hood sat with his legs dangling over the edge of a gothic looking office building. He stared down at the busy street, the lights from all the cars illuminated the night. Pete removed his helmet and placed it beside him. His identity was still concealed by a domino mask and he liked the breeze on his face. It gets hot in there sometimes. Pete twiddled his thumbs and listened to the sounds of the city. It was peaceful here.

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small carton. They were cigarettes. He'd found them on the body of some goon he had just beaten with his baton and handcuffed to a fire hydrant. Pete tenderly rubbed the black eye he had given him and took out one of the smokes. He placed it in his mouth and bobbed it up and down as he drifted into thought. He reached towards his utility belt and opened a compartment that held a simple Bic lighter. Flicking the dial, Pete lit the cigarette. He inhaled and for a moment he was taken back to a simpler time, high school.

Sure, Pete's high school experience might have been hell for the most part, but at least life was a little easier then. Pete had a short period where he had taken a liking to nicotine but he had stopped because he knew how bad smoking is for you. Feeling a little disgusted with himself, Pete tossed the lit cigarette off the building. He tucked the pack back into his jacket so he could dispose of it properly later.

The Hood made a beeping noise and Pete eagerly put it back on. After using some voice commands, Pete found that the patient he had been keeping tabs on at Gotham Hospital was finally awake. It was time to get some answers. The attack happened when The Red Hood was still in San Francisco so he couldn't help, but now that he was home he was eager to find Black Death and bring him to justice.

After grappling and leaping over some rooftops, Hood had arrived at the hospital. Pete got a good vantage point on a rooftop across the way where he could see into the window of the patient's room. Using the hood to zoom in, Pete could see the patient telling some cops to get out. Pfffft, stupid cops. Suddenly, Pete recognized one of the two officers. It was Gary. His stepdad. Shit.

Actually, despite the fact that Gary is mostly a total asshat, Pete could use this to his advantage. After some quick voice commands, Pete was able to get into the same frequency that Gary's police walkie talkie would be on. Pete activated his communicator and started talking to who he hoped was Gary.

"Pssssst, Gary! Gaaaaaary! It's me!"

"... You've gotta be fucking..."

"Shut up. I need to talk to this guy."

"Not even on the coldest night in hell would I-"

"Gary, let's be real. You know I can get him to talk. I just need like five minutes. Block the door for me."

"Look kid, just wait for one of the bats to show up. They'll handle it. And did you're mom kick you out again?"

"I hope that was sarcasm or I'll kick you're ass, Gary. You know I will. It wouldn't be the first time, remember-"

"Woah, woah woah there kid, we said we'd never talk about that."

"Ok so help me out or I'll beat you up in front of all your friends you tool!"

"...*Sigh* You've got five minutes you little punk. And before you go, I hope you're not planning on sleeping at home because I'm using your bed as a poker table."

"Fuck you Gary."

"Hahahahaha, the clocks tickin'."

"Thanks, asshole. I pooped in your shoes."

"What?! Really?!"

"Hahahahaha, no!"

With that, Pete flicked off his communicator and hopped over the windowsill. Gary would lead anyone else who might enter away from the door. Pete and Gary had a strained relationship at best, but they do have a sort of mutual respect for one another so Pete knew he would get him his five minutes. Pete cracked open the window and hopped in.

"Hey, I'm the Red Hood. I'm here to either beat your ass back into a coma or get some answers from you. Tell me what happened at the hospital that night. Where is Black Death?" Pete growled. The hood gave his voice a kind of filtered tone so it made his age a little more ambiguous. The pack of cigarettes was peaking out of his jacket.

[Black Death]

One gosh darn moment was the only thing he asked. But no, questions and questions were bounced off of him and he gave the same answers. There were reporters in the hall but they were soon asked to leave. John Doe was not to be disturbed and by the look on his face and his scolding it was made clear. Was it the fact that he wouldn’t cooperate or that he was just a plain asshole, maybe it was both. He held his head from the pulsing behind his eyes and coughed harshly as the last of them left the room and only a nurse with a cart was there. He placed a covered plate before him.

“Now remember to eat this slow, your body isn’t used to solid foods yet since you went off the..” The nurse started.

“I know how it works. And please tell me you won’t be sending that husky looking man in with the sponge bath again, I’d much rather have a different kind of company if you know what I mean.” He said narrowing his eyes. They had stopped letting in female nurses because he kept harassing them and trying to get a pinch. The male nurse just ignored him. He was still a patient but the staff learned not to far after he woke up that he was a mega jerk. The nurse walked out and Terry pulled up on the lid. He could smell it already and made a gross face.

“Salisbury steak. I’m sure if I ordered shit it would look the same. I'm about sick of this place!” He muttered. But he was too weak and injured to leave. He had a broke leg, ribs, was bruised up and down his body and he could barely breath on his own. He poked at the food with a fork and nibbled on it some. For once he was alone but his expression didn’t change. He continued eating and not even five minutes passed when suddenly the window aside him opened up. Terry glazed up to see a figure from behind the curtain. Out popped a hero looking character into the room. He took no hesitation in telling Terry who he was and what he wanted.

"Hey, I'm the Red Hood. I'm here to either beat your ass back into a coma or get some answers from you. Tell me what happened at the hospital that night. Where is Black Death?”

Terry’s eyes grew a bit wider but then narrowed some. He had a slight surprised face but his expression didn’t change. He knew this person might not respect him like the cops or the doctors would, he could get ruff. He set the fork down on the plate and folded his napkin after brushing his face with it.

“I figured someone like you would show up, after all, the cops and detectives have been busting my ass all day long. I told them grab a tape recorded and play it to them as they pile in. Because, I’m sick of you God Dam people asking me all these fucking questions over and over again. I don’t remember shit. I’m sure someone is still outside my room. Go ask one of them. And leave me the hell alone.”

Terry told him harshly. He then noticed the smokes in the heroes pocket. The staff had denied him the privilege of smoking, maybe he could get a hold of these.

[Flameshadow]

Jamie came to the hospital when she heard that man had been at the scene and survived the fire and possible saw everything. She was in full uniform and had her goggles over her eyes. She then walked towards the desk to ask about the man. She was redirected to the man's doctor and she walked towards the doctor " sir I am Flame shadow of the JLA I am here to see your patient Terry Elise is he able to speak at this moment I have some questions for him regarding what happened three weeks ago " she was being official as always when spoke about doing her business as a hero and always respected anyone's piracy.

She didn't know there was already another hero there. She listened for the doctor's permission to see his patient. She was warned by one of his nurses how grumpy this man and he may not want to talk. She wanted to see if she would get permission to go ask him some question. She herself was kind of badly coping with lost of her friend and fellow teammate Nathan Thomson but she wasn't going to let that interfere with her being a hero even if the the death totally traumatized her.

[Black Death]

Greeting by a heroine, the doctor turned to her. He had been questioned enough times for the day but as a doctor and having a witness in his care involved in a hospital threaten incident he didn’t hesitate to inform the woman. He was an eager to get answers about what happened and why Black Death had come here of all places.

“Ah yes, John Doe is awake, we just sent him some dinner and he is resting, some people from the Gotham Police department just left not long ago. I would have to ask his permission, of course, he hasn’t taken lightly to visitors at all. He doesn’t seem to remember much about what happened. As I have told others the man seems to be suffering from temporary amnesia, after a few more days he should be able to recall information.”


“I’m sure you might be aware of his injuries from the report we had sent to the Tower, we are not totally sure where he was located during the incident but we do know he was near close to the blast, probably in the parking lot in a vehicle that was thrown. He didn’t have any burn wounds but he did suffer from a broken arm, some damaged ribs, a concussion and severer trauma over his body. You should also know this man came to us right before going in total arrest and he is dying from severe lung and throat cancer, he only has months, maybe a year to live, if not shorted because of this event. I would have suggested chemo but he is too far from recovery. It was enough to just keep him alive, he was very weak. We believe he was on his way here when the incident happened.” The doctor said and picked up the man’s chart. He handed her the chart.

“I can see if he will see you. First, do you have any questions?” He asked the heroine. Meanwhile down the hall and around the corner Terry was narrowly watching the intruder in his room, his eyes were on the heroes' pocket.

[Flameshadow]

Jamie took the chart and looked towards it and nodded little bit .What it told her this man had some kind of memory problem and also along other things that doctor had spoke of. She then looked towards the doctor and shook her head "well ...I could ask you if you saw anything three weeks ago …doctor ...anything that can help us. " she wanted as much information as she could get. She wanted to get enough stuff to order so she can arrest Black Death that if she would locate him. She was going began her investigation if this man was witness as she took out her electric note pad to write her notes or get ready to.

[Pete Todd]

Pete didn't really expect an answer at first. He payed little attention to the man's words as he chewed Pete out and instead watched Terry's eyes. They were staring rather longingly at the cigarettes in his pocket. Maybe this could be the leverage Hood was looking for.

Pete slid the smokes from his front pocket and slowly removed one of the sticks from the carton, spinning it around between his fingers. "So," Pete began slowly "you really don't remember anything, huh? Damn. I guess I'll just be on my way. But first I've got to go throw away these cigarettes. I don't want them but it sure is a shame to see them go to waste." Pete droned. He walked slowly over to the open window and dropped the cigarette out on to the street below. Hood watched the pained expression on Terry's face as it fell.

Got him.

Pete removed another white stick from the packaging and held it out the window before dropping it. He grabbed another and did the same. Hood grabbed a fourth and walked up to Terry. Pete placed the cigarette between Terry's lips and took the lighter from his utility belt. He flicked the dial until the spark created a small flame that illuminated the dark hospital room. Pete held the flame inches from the unlit cigarette in Terry's mouth. He kept it just far enough away so the cigarette wouldn't light.

"I only share with my friends. Are you gonna be my friend?" Pete taunted. He knew how strong of an addiction nicotine could bring and how wild he must be driving this poor guy. "If you are, you're also gonna have to share with me. No more bullshit. If it helps, I don't wear a badge so whatever you say stays out of the cop's ears. I'm only here to stop Black Death." Pete said honestly.

[Black Death]

The doctor took up the clipboard. “I personally did not witness the attacks. We have already sent the league the video tapes from security, you can look over them if you wish.” He said and looked towards his beeper in hand. “I’m sorry, I have an emergency downstairs. I hope you get what you are searching for.” He nodded to her and left.

Mean while Terry was evil eying the Redhood who had stepped into his room and began harassing him while he was trying to eat dinner. He knew this boneheaded hero type wouldn’t leave without something, and even if Terry told him nothing, the suspicions would grow. His eyes fell upon the cigarettes, yes it had been three weeks since his last and his body was in major withdraw. There wasn’t a day were he went without smoking at least once an hour. The Redhood had caught his eyes upon the smokes and started to play with Terry, it pissed him off but he wanted those smokes, and if giving the hero what he wanted and getting those, would be a good deal to him.

He would do anything at the moment for a smoke and his eyes lite up as he saw him starting to toss them away. His eyes narrowed, he knew just what game he was playing. But he said nothing, just watching him until he walked over to him, placing the smoke in his lips and taunting him about being his friend and sharing. He was about to light the cig and Terry just watched with narrow eyes and then he suddenly grabbed the heroes arm as he started flickering the lighter. The cig fell to his lap as he said looking into Redhoods eyes.

“You moron! You want to kill us both?” “Even I know not to smoke in a hospital room. Do I want it, THE FUCKING HELL YES. I’ve been dying for a smoke ever since I woke up. But you see that little outlet behind my head, shit for brains. Pure Oxygen. You’d blow yourself, me and half the people in this floor to the depths of hell!” He scolded the hero and knocked the lighter from his hand onto the tray and pushed the hero off of him. He began coughing and took a moment to gather himself.

“Apparently I’m one of the only witnesses in this fucked up psychotic event. And You come in here trying to blow me up.. AGAIN!” Terry looked enraged and glared at Redhood, it was enough to fend off anyone and make them feel belittled and want to run away from grumpy pants Terry. He took a moment coughing again and picked up the cig and looked at it while he twirled it in his hands.

“There is a wheel chair outside my room. Wheel me out of this freaking place and I’ll tell you what you want to know.” He said glaring back at the hero as he pocketed the cig and lighter. As the two made a break for it, they didn’t notice the woman know as Flameshadow, who’s back was towards them as they sneaked down the hall towards the elevator, heading for downstairs and outside to the hospitals cloister. But she would catch up soon enough.

[Flameshadow]

Jamie nodded little bit towards the doctor as he told her that he told her the he gave the JLA all that they had on that night. She was bit dispointed that the doctor didn't have anymore to give her but happy he was at the hospital during the incident she nodded little bit towards and decided to turned just in time to see a teenage hero and crossed her armed " hey Kid ....what are you doing here ...." She said as she walked towards Red Hood . She saw him as one of the titans but right now she saw the lighter " you shouldn't be smoking in here kid " she also grabbed his hand

[Black Death]

A good little helper was he; Terry was rolled into the elevator. Him and this dull witted hero were about to head downstairs and outside. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone and acted as if this was all normal. Of course the staff probably wouldn’t allow this, but he didn’t give a shit. All he could think about was getting a hold of those cigarettes. He'd tell the kid anything he wanted to know, most of which would be lies and partial truth. How would he know the difference, it wasn’t like Terry ever really changed his facial expressions enough to indicate falsities.

“Almost there.” He softly muttered, seeing his doctor heading in the other direction. Nearly in the clear, he could already taste it and feel the nicotine entering his system. His blood was pumping and every second the stress rose up his spine and in his head. He was starting to shake and put pressure on his jaws. But something halted everything, and his face went pale, it was enough to nearly make him lose his bowel functions, his eyes grew wide with disbelief as he captured a glimpse. It was her! In the corner of his eye he saw her as he backed into the elevator. He was surprised to say the least; Flameshadow was still alive, even after he had thrown enough gas on her to blow up the hospital. How was she alive! Why was she alive? The facts didn’t add up.


Of course this meant she would be coming after him, being a star witness in the whole ordeal, he wouldn't be able to keep her suppositions down. He couldn’t lie as good to her as redhood. She was just as obsessed over him as he was over her, She would not let Terry off easy. His enemy would come face to face with him, yet then a glimmer of hope, at least for a moment’s time. Pulling the main attention away towards Redhood, he took the opportunity and hit the button to close the door and then pressed the first floor button. Before redhood could turn or she could get close enough the elevator took off down. As soon as it started down he could breath.

Throwing his body weight back in the wheel chair, he gave off a massive sigh and rolled his head to the side, breathing heavy and coughing. Clenching the sides of the chair, he could only listen to his heart race and as each floor marker made a slight ding. He pulled the cigarette from the shirt pocket of his care gown and slide it back in. He might have lost the lighter but he was one step closer.

Someone had to be outside on a smoke break and he would find them. The elevator came to a stop but he could not stop coughing. He needed a moment to regain control but he couldn’t risk it, the door to the outside was so close, he could see trees and people. He started to wheel forward but couldn’t gain enough of a solid breath to move him far.

[Flameshadow]

The heroine watched as her wittiness went down the hallway and decided to go after. She had notice the man had looked at her with surprised at first and decided to follow him into the elevator. She went down behind Terry and then placed her hand his shoulder. She then speaks to him " Sir Are you willing to answer someone questions " She was going her job at moment.

[Black Death]

A fit of coughing and a couple gasp, Terry cleared his throat. Apparently he was not as better as he though because the uproar of sneaking outside, away from the nimrod hero and the surprise of Flameshadow’s surviving, took his breath away. A slow but heavy breath out and he took hold of the wheels and eyed the door to his freedom. Even if he wasn’t about to leave the hospital, he needed to get away from the heroes; if he could get outside he could easily find some cover, darkness force or not. And he could finally get some nicoten in his system, that alone made he want to made heads roll. Yet as he moved the chair something surprised him yet again.

A hand fell upon his shoulder and he jumped a bit. Apparently she had come down on the elevator next to the other one. Although startled, he couldn’t allow her to find suspicion in him. He closed his eyes as the tingling subsided in his nerves and let out a massive sigh. He didn’t have a pleasant look to give, or a fuck for that matter.

“Scare me to death, will you!? Who are you, what do you want? Haven’t I given you people enough answers already. That other one, he was harassing me as well.” He snapped and rubs his neck, still looking down.

“I have told the police, investigators and these other heroes who come, I told them what I know and what I remember. I’m done with it! Now I’m going to smoke, if you mind, you have the lighter I need. Wither I have any answers for you, we’ll shall see how I feel after this.” He said and looked up at Flameshadow with narrow eyes and bitterness.

Not even a scratch it seemed. How could she have survived that massive blast when the fire as gas combined? It was still wrapping around his head and he sat next to her, was this reality? But he did know one thing; someone from that battle didn’t make it, he had managed to kill one. There was a glean in his eye then, and he knew in the future he would play this string. How much depended on how close to her this loss of a teammate meant. Since she was still alive he would find other ways to burn her.

“The lighter, if you may.” He said and held his hand out.

[Flameshadow]

The Heroine stared the man in the eyes as she lifted her hand off his shoulder. She crossed her arms noticed kind of started the man. She and digs into her pocket for the lighter she took from the young hero and then held it out toward for him " I am sorry for Startling you .." She ignored the fact told her that he had spoken to the other heroes about this but it was important to her because she needed to find Black Death because she wanted to stop him. She then says " that is fine all I want is take down Black death" She sighed stared off the side the lost of her teammate was burning deep inside her. She at moment didn't have no clue that she was standing next to the very man that cause this all killed all those people.

[Black Death]

Their eyes for a moment were connected; locked in a complex portal of emotions. At first his dull eyes were shocked and returned then to their natural narrowed and unpleasantness. The aura he set off was not a good one but he held his composure enough, though his mind was racing with many things. Hatred, bitterness, unbelief, vengeful rage.. and worry, worry she was looking right through him. With her hand on him, she would notice he was tense and stiff.

Terry leaned back and then lifted his hand to take the lighter. Lighting it, he did not speak for a moment as she spoke of the Black Death and he took his first draws of the toxic chemicals and nicotine for the first time in weeks. It was a sudden relief and relaxant but then he remembered his enemy whom which he though he blew to smithereens was standing aside him. He pulled a deep drag and after a moment breathed and turned to her.

“And what do I have to do with it. I was nearly killed. But ever since I woke up you all have been in my face about things I do not know. And I am told you are the one who created those fires, that explosion that destroyed half this building, killing and injuring dozens of others." He said and took another drag, savoring the flavor and what would also next roll off his tongue.

"And was it not a member your Justice league or whatever it is that you call yourselves, that was not killed, charred to death, so they tell me. Sounds like you’re trying to blame someone for your mistakes. And now you come to me, a victim of your doing, they have come to put guilt upon me? Well. I’ve have had enough!” He said, standing and finally shouted and started coughing harshly, falling back in his chair. For a moment he cough until he caught his breath. By then he had lost his grip and the cigarette now lay on the ground. He took a slow sigh, rolling his eyes and clutched his fists.

“I would like remember who I am. And I would like to go home and be done with this and all of you dam people and your ghost stories!”

[Flameshadow]

Jamie sensed his how tense he was and stared him straight into the eyes . the heroine had this feeling that something was kind of off about him acting strange. She then lifted her hand from his shoulder. When he mentioned what happened something that wasn't completely her fault because Black death had dumped a load of gasoline on which caused those death. Jamie remembered Nathan died in result of flying metal and heat. She then responds to him after turning her back towards the man " Right ,.I am going sir I will ask no more questions " She had serious look in her because this guy shouldn't know much what the accident .She walked towards the doors with a quickness and presses her communicator " Flameshadow to watch Tower I have suspension That guy in this hospital has some connection to Black Death I will be trailing his movements .."