Jack and Jill mumbled the Scarecrow went up a hill How did he get his mask asked the Dark Knight He shouldn’t have that I’m afraid that’s 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 He’s always messing with our minds playing with our fears I don’t like that I can’t trust my own perceptions 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 wasn’t always the whole story
Something’s 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 It’s possible he’s created a chemical formula we’ve never seen before something my scans can’t 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 That’s not right said Robin My heart rate is rising said Batman I’m sweating I’m having the urge to flee or attack These are symptoms of fear We’ve been gassed Don’t trust your senses Robin AAAHH Dr Arkham screamed His face
twisted and pulled like a warped reflection in a funhouse mirror Batman’s gut churned at the evil shapes of the doctor’s 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
