|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 1, 2005 4:48:10 GMT -5
and chapters 29+30
[/u]
Because of his punch against the mirror, Jonathan´s hand got injured and blood ran into the wash basin.
He opened the small cupboard next to him and pulled out a first-aid kit. He started to clean up and to desinfect his wound carefully. Then he bandaged his hand.
His mother wasn´t at home yet, so he could dress and clean up the bathroom without a hurry. Jonathan didn´t know yet, how to explain to her this with the mirror – but it was more important to tell her, he would leave. He knew, he would break her heart, but he got to find Alexandra - at any price.
He had thrown away the smashed mirror when his mother got back home. Jonathan was waiting in the kitchen when Mrs. Crane stepped in.
„Hi, my dear.“, she said softly.
„Hi, Mom.“, Jonathan said, lightly surprised, that he couldn´t find a shopping bag. „I thought, you wanted to buy food.“
But Mrs. Crane didn´t respond and gazed at Jonathan´s bandaged hand.
„What happened?“, she asked.
„I broke the mirror in the bathroom.“, Jonathan answered, expecting his mother to comment it in a way, but she didn´t.
For a short moment they just gazed at each other.
„Mom, we need to talk.“, Jonathan said with a soft voice.
Mrs. Crane nodded.
„I know.“, she said and took a seat.
So did Jonathan.
„Mom, I´ll leave. I got to find her. I got to find Alexandra.“, he said with a trembling voice.
„You want to go to Germany, am I right?“, she asked and touched his injured hand.
Jonathan nodded.
„I had a vision when we were in the park, on the parade. This pain, it had to do something with her. I don´t know, what it means, but I can´t stay here. I got to seek her and I have to find her.“, Jonathan said, sighing softly. „Can you understand, how do I feel?“
„I do.“, Mrs. Crane said „And I´ll help you in my way.“
With this words, Mrs. Crane pushed a white envelope over the table top into Jonathan´s direction. He gazed at her, surprised.
„What is this?“, he asked.
„Just look for yourself.“, Mrs. Crane answered.
Jonathan took the envelope into his hand and opened it. He pulled out a sheet of paper and a passport. It was his passport.`Walker Aviation Services´ Jonathan read on the top of the paper.
„What is it?“, he asked again.
Mrs. Crane sighed.
„This is your ticket to Germany.“, she said. „W.A.S. executes flights to Germany for the U.S. army. They transport medicine and clothings into the areas being cut off outer world...and tonight their route takes them to Wiesbaden.“
Jonathan swallowed.
„You´ll be on board as official crew member of W.A.S., so you won´t have problems when you arrive in Germany. They told me, that civilian flights are still suspended.“
Jonathan didn´t know what so say.
„But...how did you make it?“, he whispered.
Mrs. Crane gazed into his eyes.
„Peter Walker owed me a favor. He´ll pick you up here and he´ll take you to the airfield. You have now 2 hours to pack up.“, she said and smiled lightly.
Even before Jonathan could say anything she passed another envelope to him.
„Open it.“
Jonathan´s hands were shaking, when he opened the envelope and took a glance into it. He couldn´t believe, what he was seeing inside.
„Mom!“, he said, but Mrs. Crane interrupted him.
„This is all, what I saved, Jon.“, she said „5000 Dollars. It´s all your´s.“
„But Mom.“, Jonathan whispered, shaking his head.
He was speechless.
„The money is your´s anyway. I´ve saved it for you and I want you to take it. I want you to have something in your hands - if you find Alexandra and you both decide not to come back.“
Mrs. Crane could feel a stitch in her heart when she said this. Jonathan´s eyes filled up with tears. Now he realized that with his decision to go to Germany, he also would leave his old life behind him. He would leave Gotham – and he would also leave his mother.
„It hurts to grow-up, Jonathan.“, Mrs. Crane said with a soft voice and smiled lightly. „And it´s not painful only for the children, but also for the parents.“
Tears were running down Jonathan´s face. There still were so many things he wanted to tell her, but he couldn´t find the right words.
„Mom, I ..“
„Go, my son. Go and find your love.“, Mrs. Crane whispered and pressed Jonathan´s hand.
Chapter 30 (Leaving the old life behind)[/u]
Jonathan rushed upstairs into his room.
His body was trembling and it was difficult for him to calm down. Nervously he picked his personal things, that he wanted to take to Germany and packed them up into a sea-bag. He was still wearing Alexandra´s necklace - he hadn´t taken it off since the day, Alexandra had given it to him.
He rummaged through a small box of photos, of him and Alexandra. These photos had been taken last year at Gotham High´s Summer Celebration and Jonathan has kept them like a precious treasure. Now he knew, he would need them in Germany to find Alexandra.
When Jonathan was ready, he took a look at his room for the last time, at his old life for a last time before he stepped out of his room with the sea-bag in his hand. He hadn´t realized how fast these two hours had passed. Peter Walker would pick him up soon and take him to the airfield.
Jonathan was surprised to see Dr. Burton standing in the main entrance when he went downstairs. Mrs. Crane stood next to him.
„Hello Jonathan.“, Dr. Burton greeted him „Your mother called me up, telling me you would leave us. So I came here to say good-bye to you.“
Jonathan was amazed. He didn´t expect to see Dr. Burton here. But he was glad to see him – at least his mom wouldn´t be all alone when he left to go to the airfield.
„Do you have packed everything you need?“, Mrs. Crane asked and gazed at Jonathan.
„Yes. Yes, I think so.“, Jonathan said with a soft voice and he could feel his heart getting heavy.
How could he say everything he wanted to tell her?
„Mom, there is so much, I wanted so say..“, Jonathan whispered and tears filled up his eyes.
Mrs. Crane touched Jonathan´s cheek.
“I know, my son.”, she said „But you don´t need to say anything. I already know...“
Suddenly a horn honked outside. It was Peter Walker, who has arrived at the Crane´s house.
Jonathan´s mother sighed heavily.
„It´s time to go.“, she whispered.
Dr. Burton took Jonathan´s sea-bag and stepped out of the house into the front garden. Mrs. Crane touched Jonathan´s hand and for a moment, they gazed at each other. Then they stepped out the main door, out into the front garden. Dr. Burton had loaded Jonathan´s sea-bag into Mr. Walker´s car and both men talked to each other. Mr. Walker waved to Mrs. Crane and to Jonathan in greeting. Jonathan and Mrs. Crane stopped.
„Mom, promise me that you´ll take good care of yourself.“, Jonathan whispered and his voice started to tremble.
Mrs. Crane took Jonathan´s face into her hands.
„I will.“, she said, then they embraced each other.
„I love you, Mom.“, Jonathan whispered, fighting his tears. „I.. thank you for everything.“
„Go, my son.“, she said softly and her eyes filled up with tears, too. „Go and find your love.“
Dr. Burton has walked up and was now standing next to Mrs. Crane. Jonathan looked at Dr. Burton and shook his hand.
„Thank you for everything, Dr. Burton“, Jonathan said.
„Good luck, my son.“, he answered and to Jonathan´s surprise he pulled him towards him and embraced him. Jonathan returned his embrace though he didn´t know why. „Take care of yourself.“
Jonathan looked at them, then he walked over to Mr. Walker´s car and got in.
„I´ll take care of your son, Mrs. Crane.“, Mr. Walker said and waved to her to say good-bye.
Mrs. Crane nodded without saying anything.Jonathan gazed at her and Dr. Burton for the last time, when Mr. Walker started the car and they drove off down the street.
Mrs. Crane and Dr. Burton were standing next to each other, gazing after the car until they couldn´t see it any more. Luis touched Sheila´s hand and pressed it lightly.
„Have I done the right thing, Luis?“, she asked.
„Yes. Yes, I think you have done the right thing, Sheila.“, he said in a soft voice. „You couldn´t have stopped him.“
Sheila Crane shook her head.
„I didn´t mean that.“, she said, looking at Luis Burton. „Was it right, never to tell Jonathan that you are his father, Luis?“
Luis gazed into her eyes, not knowing what to say. At this moment Sheila Crane knew, she commited a betrayal.
She hadn´t betrayed Eliott Crane, her ex-husband, who had abandoned the family very early, the man, Jonathan barely remembered.
She hadn´t betrayed Dr. Luis Burton, Jonathan´s real father, who tried to be near his son and help him by being their family doctor.
No, it was Jonathan. She had betrayed Jonathan, her own son.
This was her first, and maybe her only time, she had betrayed him as his mother.
[/quote][/font]
|
|
|
|
Post by scotsrockgod on Nov 1, 2005 10:28:57 GMT -5
Okay, here goes.
I wanted to say that I'm glad this Jonathan has a supportive mother. I know in both your story and another favorite of mine, Jon has a kind mother who honestly cares about his well-being. My Crane, on the other hand, has a very neglectful mother (and unthinkingly cruel, as we will see once I finish Pajama story). But I enjoy the character's coming to grips with the fact her son is growing up in Ch. 23. She is also very supportive of his decision to go looking for Alex.
Dr. Burton is also an interesting character to bring in, and especially with the twist at the end of the last chapter. Hopefully we'll see more of him because I'd like to see him developed more. And what a twist! Very interesting.
So Crane is off to search for Alex. I await his fate.
|
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 1, 2005 16:30:37 GMT -5
Hey SRG! Thank you, thank you  I´m glad to hear that you like the story. Yeah, Mrs. Crane is very supportive but as you might have realized she also has her dark secrets as she didn´t tell Jonathan who his real father is. She knows that she can´t stop Jonathan at all to go to Germany to look for Alex that´s why she lets him go, otherwise she would "loose" him. I´ll post the next chapters tonight... Okay, here goes. I wanted to say that I'm glad this Jonathan has a supportive mother. I know in both your story and another favorite of mine, Jon has a kind mother who honestly cares about his well-being. My Crane, on the other hand, has a very neglectful mother (and unthinkingly cruel, as we will see once I finish Pajama story). But I enjoy the character's coming to grips with the fact her son is growing up in Ch. 23. She is also very supportive of his decision to go looking for Alex. Dr. Burton is also an interesting character to bring in, and especially with the twist at the end of the last chapter. Hopefully we'll see more of him because I'd like to see him developed more. And what a twist! Very interesting. So Crane is off to search for Alex. I await his fate. |
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 1, 2005 19:51:31 GMT -5
chapters 31+32
[/u]
It was almost midnight, when the plane took off Gotham military airbase, to Germany.
Mr. Walker, who was co-pilot on the flight, had taken Jonathan to the airbase tower to go through all formalities with him. As Mrs. Crane has told him, Jonathan would be on board as an official crew member of the W.A.S. Mr. Walker had handed him a flying suit and a pair of combat boots.
„This is your official clothing.“, he´d said „We still are at war.“
Then he had given him a W.A.S. identification card and a piece of paper, some sort of special permit.
„You should have these things with you all the time. And don´t lose them.“, Mr. Walker had admonished Jonathan. „And you should take off your glasses, too. You look too boyish to be going to war.“
„Yes, sir.“, Jonathan had whispered and put the glasses safely into his sea-bag.
Mr. Walker looked over Jonathan and touched him lightly on the shoulder.
„You gonna make it.“, he´d said, trying to encourage Jonathan.
He had been in the war zone numerous times and he knew the misery, the sorrow and the chaos. Mr. Walker could imagine, how uncomfortable Jonathan must feel.
Jonathan had changed his clothes quickly and walked over with Mr. Walker to a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a big aircraft made for transportation. As an official crew member of W.A.S., Jonthan had helped to load up the plane with assorted packages and sacks.
Besides of Mr. Walker and the pilot, the crew consisted of four men who had loaded up the aircraft very quickly. Jonathan had felt like being out of place, but the men had encouraged him and praised him for his good work. They even joked around with him as if he was going to be with the crew for a long time.
Jonathan had been suprised and confused. So did he actually have to go to war first to be worthy of notice? Or did they know why he was here and they had compassion for him?
It took two more hours, before the aircraft was restocked and ready for take off. Jonathan felt uneasy when the four huge propellers of the Hercules started to turn and the plane moved. The deep drone of the motors was defeating and the aircraft´s vibration pierced Jonathan´s body. The crew was sitting relaxed on their seats, even joking around!
Jonathan swallowed. He could feel himself starting to sweat. He had been on a passenger plane once in his life, but this here was – hell!
„Take off and landing are always the worst!“, Jack, one of the men, shouted at him. He seemed to realize, how bad Jonathan felt. „Just close your eyes and take a deep breath, boy!“
Jonathan did.
The drone got louder and the aircraft vibrated heavily when it reached its final position and was now accelerating for take off. Jonathan forced himself to breath deeply and to keep his eyes closed the entire time during take off. He never heard a loud drone, like this, before in his life and he had the feeling, his eardrums would rupture any moment.
After a few minutes, the plane stopped vibrating. Jonathan could hear a clicking noise - it was the seat-belts as crew members unbuckled.
„Hey, boy. It´s all over. Just relax.“, Jack said. Jonathan opened his eyes.
„Thank you.“, he whispered.
He watched the crew members leaving their seats. The started to smoke and to talk to each other. Jonathan remained seated. He didn´t know what to do. He opened his sea-bag and pulled out the photos, he had taken from home. He placed them in his hand, going through them. He and Alexandra looked so happy together, although they hadn´t been a couple at this time.
Jonathan looked at each photo. He remembered where and how the photos had been taken and he smiled lightly. Alexandra and Jonathan looked serious, in others, they were fooling around in front of the camera.
Jonathan looked at the next photo. It was a close-up picture of Alexandra. Jonathan looked at it for a very long time and moved his fingers over the photo, as if he was caressing Alexandra.
„Alex.“, Jonathan whispered. „I am coming to you. Hold on, I´ll be with you soon.”
Jonathan leaned his head against the headrest and closed his eyes.
`I will save you, my guardian angel. I will find you and I will save you.´ Jonathan thought
– and fell asleep, holding the pictures firmly in his hand.
He didn´t realize as his grip loosened and the fotos fell from his hand. Jonathan also didn´t realize, when Mr. Walker stepped into cargo space, looked at him and picked up the fallen pictures. He gazed at them shortly and put them back on top of Jonathan´s sea-bag. He would find them when he was awake.
„You have courage, Jonathan Crane.“, Mr.Walker said softly, watching the young sleeping man in front of him, in his flying suit and his combat boots. „By God, you really have courage.“
Then Mr. Walker stepped out of cargo area and went back to the c*ckpit.
Chapter 32 (Wiesbaden!)[/u]
The aircraft hit turbulence, just as Jonathan awakened. He startled as he felt the vibrations.
„Don´t panic!“, Jack shouted „We ´re about to land in Wiesbaden!“
Jonathan reached for his seat-belt, but it was already fastened. Apparently he had been asleep for the entire flight without getting up once.
`The photos, where are the photos?!´
„Jonathan caught them lying on top of his sea-bag. Because of the turbulence, they started to slide and fall off on the floor. Jonathan picked them up and placed them safely into the side-pocket of his overall. For a split second, he wondered which of the crew had looked at the pictures when he was asleep, but then the increasing turbulence tore Jonathan from his thoughts.
„Jonathan, close your eyes and breathe, just as you did before.“, Jack shouted at him „Now it´s gonna rock.“
Just as Jack said this, the plane rocked violently. Jonathan closed his eyes. An air-pocket made the aircraft pitch down. Jonathan felt himself feeling sick. He could hear the loud drone of the propellers again. Would he crash now and never see Alexandra ?
Jonathan´s hands clutched his seat. The plane kept on losing altitude and suddenly Jonathan felt a heavy shock.
`Oh God, something´s broken! A wing has broken. Something´s broken!´, Jonathan thought and he gasped.
But the plane had just touched down. They had arrived in Germany. Jonathan opened his eyes and sighed in relief. So did the crew.
„Welcome to Airbase Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Jonathan!“, one of the men shouted.
Jonathan drew a deep breath. Finally he was in Germany. Finally he was closer to Alexandra.
`I am coming to you, my angel´.
But where would he start? He only had her name, he didn´t even have an address. But there had to be something, there had to be an authority who could help him, who knew where to find Alexandra and her family!
In the meantime, the plane had taxied to its final stop and the motors had been turned off. Jonathan enjoyed a short moment of silence as the crew members unbuckled their seat-belts and got up, talking to each other. He stretched his body, because he was so tense due the long flight.
Suddenly he heard a buzzing sound. The loading ramp of the aircraft had been opened. The daylight flooded in and the fresh air filled up the plane. It was already afternoon in Wiesbaden. Jonathan assumed he would help the crew unload the plane before he could start to look for Alexandra. So he followed them out of the plane.
The airbase´s staff drove up with vans and the crew started to load them up with the plane´s cargo when Mr.Walker called Jonathan over.
“Do you already know where to look for her?“, Mr. Walker asked and for a split second, Jonathan was confused.
Then he realized, that he could only mean Alexandra. Jonathan shook his head.
„No, I don´t have any address or phone number“, he said softly.
Mr. Walker waved to a soldier, who came over and looked again at Jonathan. „Go, get your stuff, Jonathan.“
Jonathan nodded. He ran over to the plane to get his sea-bag and returned. Mr. Walker was talking to the soldier as Jonathan walked up.
„I´ll get you into the center of the city.“, Mr. Walker said, looking at the soldier. „Get your jeep, Private.“
„Yes, Sir!“, the soldier said and saluted, then he left to get his jeep.
„Here, take this. Maybe it´ll be good to have it with you.“, Mr. Walker said as he pulled a gun out of his belt, and passed it to Jonathan.
„No, no.“, Jonathan said, shaking his head „I´m not here to fight or to kill anybody. I just want to find my girlfriend.”
„Take it! At least for your own protection.“, Mr. Walker said and handed the gun to Jonathan, who resisted at first, but then gripped it.
„I´am afraid I can´t go with you, Jonathan. But I do hope you find her.“, Mr. Walker said and looked at Jonathan.
„Thank you.“, Jonathan whispered and put the gun into a side-pocket of his overall. In the meantime the Private had driven up with his jeep.
„We´ll be here until tomorrow. Our flight to Gotham leaves at 6 p.m.“, Mr. Walker said and touched him lightly on the shoulder. „And now go. Go and find her.“
„Thank you, Mr. Walker. Thank you for everything.”, Jonathan whispered.
Mr. Walker shook his hand, not knowing if he would ever see this boy again.
„Good luck, Jonathan.“, he said.
Jonathan looked over to the crew. Jack and the other crewmembers waved to him. „Good luck, boy and take care of yourself!“, he could hear them shouting.
Jonathan waved back at them, then he got into the jeep and they drove off the airbase, into the heart of the city.
[/quote][/font]
|
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 2, 2005 11:41:00 GMT -5
here are chapters 33+34.. and slowly we´re getting to the big finale (now only 3 chapters left)... Enjoy! [/u] A thousand thoughts flashed through Jonathan´s mind during the ride to the city center. What would it be like when he saw Alexandra again, what should he tell her? How would she react when she saw him again? Would she be happy to see him? Did she still feel the same, feel like he felt about her? `But how can you even doubt that, Jonathan Crane?´, he thought `You know, what she feels for you!´. Jonathan knew he was more than willing to do everything that had to be done. He would stay with her in Germany, if Alexandra wanted. He would care for her, he would live together with her. He would marry her if Alexandra wanted to marry him, too. Jonathan would be 18 in five months and he would persuade Alexandra´s parents to give their permisson for her to marry him before she came of age. And if Alexandra didn´t want to stay in Germany, he would start a new life with her somewhere else. And if she wanted to, he would have children with her. Oh, there couldn´t be anything more beautiful in the world to him than marrying Alexandra and raising a family with her! They had some funds. It wasn´t a lot, but at least, it was enough for them to start. Everything else would fall into place! Jonathan was so lost in this thoughts that he didn´t realize the jeep was moving deeper and deeper into the city, towards its center. At first, he didn´t notice the smashed streets and the destroyed buildings. He didn´t notice the people rushing through the streets, he didn´t notice the soldiers. Jonathan was terrified by this sight and was suddenly torn from his thoughts. He hadn´t expect to see something like this. „It´s getting better now.“, the soldier said „It looked even worse a few weeks ago.“ „Where are we going?“, Jonathan asked, looking at the soldier. „I have orders to escort you to the City Hall, boy. Maybe you´ll find what you´re looking for there.“, the G.I. said and turned onto a wide street called Wilhelmstrasse. There were ruins and shattered glass everywhere. Although the weather was fine, the air was smoggy, caused by the swirling dust and smoke, coming out of the ruins. The soldier stopped the jeep. „The City Hall is over there.“, he said, pointing at the big market-place right next to them. Jonathan looked at the building located on the market-place. „Don´t expect too much, boy.“, the soldier said. „But I wish you luck though.“ „Thank you.“, Jonathan said, looking at the soldier for a brief moment. Then he gripped his sea-bag and stepped out of the jeep. The soldier nooded good-bye, then he stepped on the gas and drove off down the street. Jonathan gazed after him. Suddenly he realized that he was all alone – alone in a strange country, where he didn´t even know the language, without knowing where he was and where he had to go. He was now in war zone, among all the destruction, among all the misery, among all the despair and the only glimmer of hope Jonathan had was to find the person again he loved so much, with all his heart. Jonathan sighed and crossed the market-place, in the direction of the City Hall. Chapter 34 (The search)[/u] Two G.I.´s had run into Jonathan before he stepped into City Hall and they'd told him that he could find the Citizens´ Office on the first floor. He felt his heart pounding as he went up the stairs to the citizens´office. The office was crowded and Jonathan just looked around for a few seconds. He heard voices everywhere, speaking simultaneously, a mish-mash of German and English. He noticed MP´s sitting at desks and counters. They were obviously helping the Civil Service. Jonathan walked over to one of the counters. "Excuse me, could you help me, please?", Jonathan asked politely, looking at the MP sitting in front of him. "I´m looking for the Wentzler family." The MP glanced at him. "Do you have an address, boy?" Jonathan shook his head. "No, no I don´t have an address." "Do you know the disctrict where they live, in Wiesbaden?", the MP asked. "No, no...", Jonathan stuttered, "I don´t know. The Wentzler family had been living in the States until recently. But now, I believe they returned here." "But don´t you have at least an address, boy?" "No, I ..the name is Wentzler. Martin and Erika Wentzler. They have two children, Martin Jr. and Alexandra. Mr. Wentzler is a diplomat and.. they lived in the States for about 4 years before being sent back here. Maybe you have some records, where.." "Boy, are you kidding?", the MP interrupted him harshly. "Look around you! The computers don´t work and the archive is half-destroyed. We are happy to have at least some information about the town again." "But someone should be able to tell me something!", Jonathan shouted. "Maybe I could get more information somewhere else, in another office?" "I´m sorry, boy.", the MP said and shook his head. "At the moment, we are the only working administrative machinery. Ask the people around here, maybe they can help you." Jonathan wanted to say something, but then he became silent. "I´m really sorry, boy", the MP said softly, looking at Jonathan. "Thanks though", Jonathan whispered and left the counter, hanging his head. For a few seconds, he just stood in the middle of the office. People passed by him, some of them bumping into him. What was he to do now? Who could he ask? `What is all this technology good for, or all these computers, when they don´t work now, when they are really needed?´ Jonathan thought. But he still had his pictures - maybe someone knew Alexandra. Jonathan put his sea-bag down, pulled out the fotos and started to ask around in the office. He didn´t speak German, but he did know the German word for family. He would lightly tap people on their shoulder, with Alexandra´s photo in his hand. He showed the picture to the people, asking "Alexandra Wentzler? Familie Wentzler?" over and over again, but everybody he asked in the office just shook their heads. Jonathan gripped his sea-bag, put it over his shoulder and went downstairs, to leave the building. Outside, he tried to stop everybody who crossed his way, showing the picture and asking, "Familie Wentzler?" over and over again, but either he got an answer he couldn´t understand or the people just shook their heads. Jonathan didn´t know how long he had been asking people. He walked across, all the way over to the marketplace to ask anyone he could see, but he just got the same answer over and over again.With every no, his hope decreased, his hope of finding someone who could help him. Exhausted, Jonathan sat down on a small bricklayer at the edge of the marketplace. He pressed Alexandra´s photo to his forehead, almost as if hoping she could tell him through the picture where to find her. Jonathan closed his eyes and supported his head with his hands, still holding the picture. `Alex, tell me where you are. Please tell me where you are!´"Suchst Du die Wentzlers, Junge?" Jonathan snapped out of his thoughts and looked up. He had heard a voice right next to him. He noticed a friendly, elderly woman sitting next to him, looking at him. "Suchst Du die Wentzlers, Junge?", the elder woman asked him again in German, but Jonathan couldn't understand a word. He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "I don't understand you.." The elderly woman pointed to the photo. "Alexandra Wentzler? You are looking for the Wentzlers?", she asked, this time in perfect English. `Oh my God!´, thought Jonathan, `She knows Alexandra, she knows Alexandra!´"Please Ma´am, tell me!" Jonathan almost shouted, looking at the woman. "Do you know her?" The woman smiled at Jonathan. "Yes, my son. I do know her. I´ve worked for the Wentzler family. I was their housekeeper", she said softly. Jonathan touched her arm. "Please! Did you see her? Where can I find her?" "I didn´t see the family after they moved to the States, but I still have their old address. Maybe they are there again." `Oh my God, oh my God!´, thought Jonathan again. With shaking hands, he opened his sea-bag to pull out a piece of paper and a pen to write down the address. The woman took them out of Jonathan´s hands, wrote the address down and then drew something. "It´s not far from here", the woman said softly. Jonathan felt his heart pound and his hands were still shaking when the woman passed him the paper back. "They lived at Spohrstrasse. Maybe they are there again." Jonathan looked at the woman and his eyes filled with tears. "You were surely sent by heaven", he whispered. "How.. how can I ever thank you?" "Go, my son", she said, pointing in the direction Jonathan had to go. "Go and find your love." Jonathan took both her hands in his and kissed them. "God bless you, Ma´am." Then, Jonathan gripped his sea-bag and rushed across the market-place. [/quote][/font] |
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 3, 2005 8:00:37 GMT -5
chapters 35+36.. Enjoy! [/u] Jonathan ran as fast as he could. His lungs were burning and his heart was beating like crazy. He could have run through without stopping once, but he had to stop over and over again to ask the people passing by for Spohrstrasse No. 10. `Oh Alexandra! I´ll be with you soon, darling! I can´t wait to see you again!´, flashed into Jonathan´s mind. Couple of times he turned onto the wrong street and he had to run back to ask for the right way. Then he noticed a signpost with the words "Spohrstrasse" on it. He had finally made it! Jonathan was completely out of breath. He put down his sea-bag and leant against a wall on the street-corner. He closed his eyes and tried to recover his breath. Suddenly Jonathan could feel himself getting nervous. He had wanted for so long to find Alexandra and now this moment had come! But what if the old lady was wrong and Alexandra and her family didn´t lived here anymore? What if Alexandra ...? "No, Jonathan! You know, that´s not true. You know that she´s alive. You can feel it, that she´s alive. So stop thinking about it!", he said to himself. He could feel his body trembling and his hands started to sweat. `My God, I must look terrible. I can´t pop up at Alexandra's like this.´, Jonathan thought. He adjusted his flying suit and dusted it off. He ran his fingers through his hair and he straightened the collar of his overall. He took out the necklace with the amulet on it, Alexandra´s gift of love. `Alexandra should see I´m wearing her necklace.´, Jonathan thought. Jonathan was ready. He bent to pick up his sea-bag again when he could hear a familiar voice. * "Jonathan, don´t do this! Don´t go! There is still time, turn back." *It was Scarecrow. "What is it?! I told you, you can´t stop me", Jonathan said. * "I´m just trying to protect you. I´m just trying to save you from getting hurt. Go home, Jonathan. There is still time.." *"Be quiet and quit playing your little games!", Jonathan shouted. "This is my life and you´ll kindly keep out of it!" Jonathan noticed a few passing people staring at him. He had obviously yelled out loudly. And this time, Scarecrow was silent. Jonathan took a deep breath, put the sea-bag over his shoulder and stepped onto Spohrstrasse very slowly. His eyes moved along ths walls of the houses, looking for house number 10. And then, there it was! Spohrstrasse number 10! Jonathan crossed the street. He could feel his pounding heart going faster and faster. With shaking hands, Jonathan opened the little door to the front garden and stepped inside. He walked through the garden very slowly, then went up to the front door of the house. He noticed the door bell and read the name-plate above. `WENTZLER´, it read. `Oh my God!´, Jonathan thought. `They are here, they´re still here. I´ve found them. I´ve found Alexandra. My search is over!´* "Jonathan, leave! There is still time!" *And Jonathan ignored Scarecrow as he rang the door bell. Chapter 36 (The message)[/u] Again, Jonathan´s heart was pounding, as he heard footsteps approaching the door. He could hear the door being unlocked. Then it opened and Jonathan saw Mrs. Wentzler standing in front of him. "Hello, Mrs. Wentzler." he said softly. Mrs. Wentzler gasped and for a split second they just looked at each other. "My God, Jonathan!", she shouted and touched Jonathan´s arm. "Is it really you?" She stepped forward and embraced Jonathan. He returned her hug. Then Mrs. Wentzler looked at Jonathan. "Oh, it´s so nice to see you again, boy.", she said softly and waved him in. "But please, come in." "Thank you.", Jonathan said and stepped in. Only then he realized how much Mrs. Wentzler had changed. He could remember her being a good-humored, kind lady with a cheery, powerful voice. Now she looked sad and depressed, her voice had become weak and faltered. Her skin was very pale and she seemed to have aged years in just a short time. And only now did Jonathan realize that Mrs. Wentzler was dressed all in black. "Can I offer you something to drink? You must be thirsty after your long trip.", Mrs. Wentzler asked as she led Jonathan into the living room. He shook his head. "No, thank you.", Jonathan said politely. He wanted to ask Mrs. Wentzler where she was, where Alexandra was. On the other hand he didn´t want to be rude, since Alexandra´s family had always treated him well when they still lived in Gotham. Jonathan wanted to inquire after Mrs. Wentzler´s condition, but he couldn't, because the next moment he heard a boy's voice, shouting his name. Little Martin had rushed into the living room, with a toy in his hand. "Jonathan, Jonathan!", he shouted, ran over him and threw himself at Jonathan. "Hey, Martin!", Jonathan shouted in surprise, with a tone of joy in his voice and lifted up the little boy. As badly as he wanted to know where Alexandra was, he was happy to see little Martin again. Jonathan hugged him quickly, then he put him down again. He looked over at Mrs. Wentzler and he could see tears filling up her eyes. "Mrs. Wentzler.", he whispered and swallowed heavily. "Where is she?" Mrs. Wentzler didn´t reply. She looked at Martin. "Dear, please be so kind and go upstairs to your room." Martin started to say something but then his mother hissed, "Right now!" Martin pouted and turned to go upstairs to his room. Jonathan and Mrs. Wentzler looked at each other. "Where is Alexandra.. Mrs. Wentzler?", Jonathan asked again. He tried to stay calm but he was trembling. "Jonathan.. please.. have a seat.", Mrs. Wentzler whispered and touched Jonathan´s arm, but he pulled away. "No...no..", he said, his voice trembling. "I want to know where Alexandra is...where is she?" Jonathan could hear his voice getting louder and louder with every word. Mrs. Wentzler sighed heavily. "Jonathan, there was a bomb attack about one and a half weeks ago. My husband and Alexandra were out, on their way home, when...", Mrs. Wentzler whispered and tears were now streaming down her face. "My husband was killed in the attack, you understand? There were so many dead people all over..." Jonathan gasped for air. His eyes filled up with tears and his whole body was trembling. "And Alexandra? What happened to her? Where is she?", Jonathan shouted, out of control. He had started to cry. "Jonathan, she just couldn't have survived this attack! Don´t you think she would have come back home, long ago, if she was still alive?!", Mrs. Wentzler yelled and sobbed. "Alexandra is dead, don´t you understand?!" "No, that´s not true!", Jonathan shouted, his voice choked with tears. "Even you are not sure she´s dead! She could be anywhere, injured, needing our help!" But he didn't seem to believe the words either, even as he said them. "Jonathan, I´m sorry! I´m so sorry!", Mrs. Wentzler whispered as Jonathan uttered a loud wail of desparation and started to cry bitterly. He had to clutch the banisters, because he could feel his knees give way. He was crying Alexandra´s name over and over again. "I´m sorry! I´m so sorry!", Mrs. Wentzler kept saying over and over again, trying to embrace Jonathan. But he broke away from her and stumbled to the front door, still crying. "Jonathan!", Mrs. Wentzler shouted after him, as he wrenched the door open and ran, out of and away from the Wentzler´s house. [/quote][/font] |
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 3, 2005 8:14:51 GMT -5
okay.. here it is...
the final chapter!!!I hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it and to all silent readers out there please don´t hesitate to post your comments here on the board. I´m allway curious to know yhat you guys think about the story. And don´t forget: The sequel is waiting for you already  ! cillianforum.proboards29.com/index.cgi?board=batmanbegins&action=display&thread=1129152699[/u] Jonathan ran down Spohrstrasse. He was still crying bitterly and the tears wouldn't stop running down his face. He screamed over and over again. * "Jonathan, Jonathan! Please - stop!" * he could hear Scarecrow shouting, but Jonathan couldn´t - and didn´t want to - stop. He kept on running down the street, crossing a large open space, in the direction of the Rhine river. He ran up to the promenade and finally stopped at the balustrade. Jonathan was still crying and screaming. His hands clutched the rails of the balustrade. * "Why didn´t you listen to me, Jonathan? I didn´t want this to happen to you. Why didn´t you listen to me?!" *Jonathan couldn't say anything. He was still crying. "No, Alexandra is not dead!", he shouted, his voice still choked with tears. "I really could feel it! I really could feel her, alive!" * "Why don´t you accept it, Alexandra is dead, Jonathan! I wanted to protect you. I tried to protect you from yourself the entire time. But you have killed her yourself! You have killed her with your love!" *"That´s not true!", cried Jonathan. "That´s would never be true!" * "You know it´s true! You just don't want to accept that she is gone. You did everything to drive her away, to her death! Your night with her, your visit to the embassy, your visions in the park, your revolt against me, your trip to Germany - I always wanted the best for you! But you believed those who lied to you, betrayed you the whole time! And you sealed your girlfriend´s fate, her death, with your love. You have killed her, yourself! You have killed her with your love!" *Jonathan looked up at the sky, still sobbing hard. His heart was broken. He was a broken man now. Scarecrow was right. He had killed Alexandra! He had killed her with his love! And he would never, ever let things get this far, this out-of-control again! Jonathan reached into the side-pocket of his overalls and pulled out the gun Mr. Walker had given him. Scarecrow screamed when Jonathan turned the gun around, pressing its barrell against his mouth. * "Jonathan, listen. Just listen to me for a moment!" * he could hear Scarecrow pleading, as Jonathan placed his thumb on the trigger of the gun, trembling. * "You don´t have to do this. Killing yourself won´t bring back Alexandra!" *- The young girl had just come to... - "My life is over! What shall I do now, without her?", Jonathan whispered in dispair, looking down at the barrel of the gun. * "Jonathan, you don´t know what I can show you. There are so many things I can show you. Things you wouldn't have even dared to dream about before..." *
- She was in so much pain. She couldn´t remember anything, not even her name. The nurses had told her that she had been hospitalized a week ago. She moaned in pain now, as she got out of the bed and slowly walked over to the window. A grille made of wire was installed on the window. The girl´s fingers clutched the grille. The sun was already low and the waters of the Rhine glittered in the soft light of the sunset...- * "Jonathan, I can show you the things you don´t know, things you don't even know exist. I can show you how to achieve power."* - Her right shoulder was throbbing in pain and gingerly, she touched it. They had told her that she had lost a lot of blood over the last few days and now, she could feel a sharp pain in her lower body. The pain reminded her of what they had told her, Of what they said had happened to her.... - * "I can give you the power to do what you have always wanted to do, Jonathan. The power to punish all those who have hurt you. To punish those who have lied to you and betrayed you!" *Jonathan took the gun away from his mouth. Scarecrow smiled. * "You´re doing the right thing, Jonathan." * - They had told her that she had been found in a narrow lane. They had told her that she had been raped. They had told her that she had been 3 months pregnant and that she had lost her child as a result of the rape. They had told her that she had been cut deeply with a knife on her right shoulder... - "What will happen now?" Jonathan asked sadly. * "Revenge! My precious Jonathan! Nothing but sweet revenge! You will punish them, all of them. And you will start here" *, hissed Scarecrow and Jonathan looked at the gun in his hand. - But who was she? Who had been the father of her child? Who had raped her? She couldn´t remember anything... - * "You will be a good boy and first, study hard when you´re in Gotham again, Jonathan. And then you will have better weapons, smarter weapons than just a crude gun. You will have something that you deserve. But the gun will do its good here. Now - charge the gun." * Jonathan hesitated, but then he heard Scarecrow saying again. * "Go Jonathan! Charge the gun!" *
Jonathan did and Scarecrow chuckled when he listened to the click of the gun. * "And now, hide it again!" *Jonathan put the gun on saftey and hid it again in his side-pocket. - Still lost in her thoughts, the girl´s gaze moved over the waters of the Rhine river, to the riverside, then over to the promenade, up to its balustrade. She noticed a young man. He was wearing a blue flying suit and combat boots. He seemed to be very young, too young to be a soldier. "Are you just another lost soul, like me?", the girl whispered, holding out her hand, as if she could touch and caress the young man through the window. She felt her heart getting heavy as she looked at him and tears filled up her eyes... - Jonathan swore to himself that he would never, ever love anybody again! He would take revenge on them all, all those who had lied and betrayed him. He would get his revenge and he would kill anybody who got in his way! - Then the young soldier turned around, so the girl could see his face. A sudden, sharp pain flashed through her and she was so terrified that she almost thought her heart would stop!... Suddenly she knew who she was. She knew her name - she was Alexandra, Alexandra Wentzler! Suddenly she remembered everything that had happened! Alexandra could remember the bomb attack, when her father had been killed. She could remember stumbling through the streets. She could remember the three men who had pursued her, who had forced her into the narrow lane. She could remember how she had been raped. She could remember being stabbed on her shoulder with a knife. She could remember the horrible pain. She could remember lying there, on the cold wet stone in the narrow lane. She could remember thinking about her child, carrying it under her heart. She thought of him now, that child she had lost. She thought of him. She thought of her sweetheart, the father of her baby. She thought of Jonathan!.. - And now she could see him standing outside, crying, broken.. - "Jonathan!!", she screamed as loudly as she could and flailed against the grille. "Jonathan, I´m here, I´m up here!" Alexandra was screaming louder now and she punched the grille again, hard as she could... - "So, where do we start?", Jonathan whispered and touched the side-bag where the gun was hidden. - "No Jonathan, don´t! Don´t do it! Please don´t do it!" Alexandra yelled, still punching the grille... - Scarecrow giggled, as Jonathan started to turn. - Alexandra looked helplessly after Jonathan, her body paralyzed by the stitching pain, screaming and crying...- The sun went down as Jonathan slowly walked down the street, back again, back to where he came from. Back again, to the Wentzler´s house..... ********* THE END *********** [/quote][/font] |
|
|
|
Post by scotsrockgod on Nov 5, 2005 18:27:23 GMT -5
Well, the last few chapters were suitably dramatic. I liked them, but it was interesting to go from a beginning basically all in one setting (the cabin) to a lot of quick action and scene changes. The ending is heartbreaking and I like the way Scarecrow takes over and brings Jon to violence and self-involvement.
I have to say the fact that the end didn't really seem like an end, just a bridge into the next part (ie, the sequel). I have to ask you, Fosforito, if you had had the idea for the sequel before you completed the first story? Not a criticism, but an observation.
Okay, going to start ISN asap.
|
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 5, 2005 20:00:04 GMT -5
Hey SRG! Thank you for your review. Yeah, the idea of doing a sequel was already there even before I started to write the first story at all. Since I´ve seen and since I "know" Crane I asked myself all the time: "What does have to happen to someone to become like as Jon Crane is" and "what would happen to Jon Crane if there would be someone special - someone who loves him - around him?". That´s why I wrote the story at all. I´m not an expert on it but I think to suffer from such a serious degree of schizophrenia like Jon does, sth. really serious has to happen, a traumatic experience and well - the story is my interpretation of what could have happened to him. And yeah, the idea always was to write a sequel where you see things not happening in the BB movie but I´m trying to tie the stories. And if you have sth. to critizise, (either positive or negative..) please feel free to do so, k?  Well, the last few chapters were suitably dramatic. I liked them, but it was interesting to go from a beginning basically all in one setting (the cabin) to a lot of quick action and scene changes. The ending is heartbreaking and I like the way Scarecrow takes over and brings Jon to violence and self-involvement. I have to say the fact that the end didn't really seem like an end, just a bridge into the next part (ie, the sequel). I have to ask you, Fosforito, if you had had the idea for the sequel before you completed the first story? Not a criticism, but an observation. Okay, going to start ISN asap. |
|
|
|
Post by ciaran on Nov 6, 2005 19:22:21 GMT -5
Finally got finished reading this last night, took about 1 hour and read the whole thing! I love the way the scarecrow came about, how he tried to control it and then finally it just took over. I believe this is generally the way a split personality comes about (but I'm not an expert either!) I believe In Statu Nascendi will be on my reading list tonight! Can't wait to see the video you'll create for ATTFABH. Great work! |
|
|
|
Post by scotsrockgod on Nov 6, 2005 19:36:22 GMT -5
I´m not an expert on it but I think to suffer from such a serious degree of schizophrenia like Jon does, sth. really serious has to happen, a traumatic experience and well - the story is my interpretation of what could have happened to him. Yes, that makes sense. I wish I didn't have school. I could spend my days reading fan fic, lol. |
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 6, 2005 19:44:56 GMT -5
I could spend may days writing fics and doing videos, haha ;D Yes, that makes sense. I wish I didn't have school. I could spend my days reading fan fic, lol. |
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 6, 2005 19:46:49 GMT -5
Ohh, thank you ciaran! I´m glad to hear that you liked the story and as you said I´m not an expert either but this could be a way how it could happen... Finally got finished reading this last night, took about 1 hour and read the whole thing! I love the way the scarecrow came about, how he tried to control it and then finally it just took over. I believe this is generally the way a split personality comes about (but I'm not an expert either!) I believe In Statu Nascendi will be on my reading list tonight! Can't wait to see the video you'll create for ATTFABH. Great work! |
|
|
|
Post by ohiouniversitygirl on Nov 6, 2005 21:45:01 GMT -5
That is a very cool story...great job!!! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by fosforito on Nov 7, 2005 2:53:27 GMT -5
oh, thank you very much *bows* Hope you´ll like the sequel as well.. That is a very cool story...great job!!! ;D |
|
! 