Scarecrow had begun to slip drugs into Becky's food and water.

Not fear-gas, not any kind of hallucinogin, instead a variety of chemicals which were much more subtle in their effects.

Drugs that lowered inhibitions to the point where Becky blurted out whatever came into her mind. Drugs that placed Becky in a highly suggestable state, where she could be easily manipulated. Drugs that caused Becky to form attatchments to the closest person to her.

Essentially, Dr Crane was attempting to cause Becky to develop Stockholm Syndrome, of course the drugs were subtle, they acted on a subconsious level, Scarecrow noticed their effects, she did not. It was working, in a way, Becky did not trust him, she still wanted to escape, however Crane now had a near complete understanding of how her mind worked.

Becky knew he was drugging her, it was obvious, how else could she explain the moodswings, or the way he always seemed to know how she was feeling, always ready with a cup of coffee and a friendly ear, or a lecture, or whatever else worked to his advantage. She didn't care, what did it matter, really. Maybe it would be better if he succeeded, what did she have to go back to. Maybe it would be better if she stayed here, did what he asked of her, wore the costume.

No no no no no, that was HIM talking. She had to get out she NEEDED to get out she had, she had, something. She must have something, or she would one day. Meet a nice guy, have a good career, have kids and retire to a beach somewhere with her silver haired husband beside her.

An involuntary shudder of contempt ran through her. Was that really all she wanted from her life, it was so boring, so mediocre, so tedious. She wanted more, so much more. She wanted power. Power over life, power over death.

Power over fear.

And so Becky Albright sat up long into the night, wrestling with her greed, her lust for power, for fear, and the man who wielded it. Until she slept.

The woman who woke was not the same one who fell asleep the night before.

A.N. It took forever but I'm reasonably happy with it. I'm sorry for the weight I have no excuse.

I own nothing

please comment fave etc