The Fall

CHAPTER TWENTY: A CHINK OF LIGHT BATMAN'S eyes slowly opened as the light clicked on in the cell. He came round from a deep, deep sleep his body and mind feeling refreshed for the first time in ages. He knew it was a good omen. While Jet had calculated confining him to a cell would further crush his willpower it had proved the catalyst for a long-overdue fightback. "Get up," Jet's voice barked from the concealed speaker. "Stand by your bed." Batman didn't stir. "I said get up scum!" she ordered again. The Caped Crusader rose and stood erect his chin jutting forward. The lock on the door rattled and Jet strode in carrying a plate. She was dressed in her trademark Lycra outfit and had oiled her skin until it glowed. She looked Batman up and down derisively and then slowly turned the plate so the scraps of bacon, sausage and hash browns slid off it onto the floor. "Your breakfast Batman," she sneered. "Make sure you lick it all up." Jet tossed the plate out of the door behind her and sauntered in front of her prisoner. "Sleep well pig boy?" she enquired with amusement. "Indeed," he replied confidently. "Extremely well. I think I'll feel very at home here. I particularly enjoyed listening to the crude recordings of prison life. Is that a hobby of yours? If so perhaps I could give you a few tips on improving the fidelity of the sound. Most of it was so obviously faked it was hard not to laugh. But it did send me to sleep in a very good mood." Jet's eyes flashed with anger and he could hear her breathing start to become strained. The vixen's shoulders rose up and down as though her whole body was shaking. Batman stood calmly waiting for the inevitable response. It came from a fist hammered into his midriff. Batman grunted as he flinched from the blow but managed to stay upright. He knew he was weakened from her previous assaults but was gratified that this time he was better able to take the punishment. Jet's face seemed to spasm in anger as she saw him still standing defiantly before her. "Aaaaaaggghhh," she bellowed in fury snatching hold of the leash dangling in front of the Caped Crusader. She stepped to one side and yanked it furiously sending Batman's forehead crashing against the wall behind her. He bounced back and Jet span round and yanked again - this time throwing him face first into the door. She was like a raging, out-of-control demon now pulling the leash this way and that and making Batman stagger around the room helplessly. She grunted and groaned and screamed as he bounced from wall to wall of the cell. But all the time he managed to block out the pain as his mind took in every single move she made. The positioning of her hands, her feet, her exposed head and midriff. He made constant mental notes of all the weaknesses she was exhibiting. Finally Jet let go of the leash as Batman slumped on the side of the bed blood trickling from his nose where it had mashed against the stone walls. He could hear her panting through a combination of rage and exhaustion. "You will learn to obey Batman," she gasped. "To obey Jet." "Of course," said Batman calmly. "There's nothing I'd like more." His tone had the desired effect of angering her even more. She sent a wild right hook at him which only just connected with his chin. Batman let himself fall on his side on the bed and let out a fake groan. "Ha!" said Jet delightedly. "Now eat your food." She turned and stalked out of the door locking it behind her. The Caped Crusader grinned to himself as he lay motionless. He now knew exactly where, when and how to strike back.