The Silhouette and The Forge
Chapter 22

“And that is why the Dodo ended up going extinct. Now everyone you will have a quiz next week followed by a big test so if anyone needs copies of any notes in class let me know or if you have any concerns. Everyone, enjoy the rest of your day!” I say with a happy smile as the students smile and quickly get their things.

Some stay behind chatting with their friends with a few asking me for certain notes and thanking me as they all despite knowing the quiz and test coming up feel confident in passing the class. A few had dropped out but that was to be expected. No matter how good someone is at teaching they can only do so much when the student does not wish to put in the effort.

Some of the higher-ups in the school's staff were surprised and annoyed at Kirk having me teach the class in his stead once they had started to notice the longer it had gone on. I managed to convince them to let it slide since it is giving me valuable experience. It also helped that I had fibbed a little saying that Kirk has taught the class when needed but is close to a breakthrough in his research. Also brought up how Woody Woodpecker does it far more than he does and that especially got them to settle down.

I guess me and Kirk are not the only ones who have issues with the guy. Or it could be they just don’t like the idea they have to work while others get to sit back and relax. 

Cleaning up the class again thinking about my encounter with Anarky as I have been since me and the hunters had visited them. Lonnie Machin was his real name. A genius that according to the records and information the engineers pulled up had a bright future. Orphan but with talent like his he had a good shot at getting adopted but after some time with a well-off family he had disappeared.

The police had investigated but no foul play was involved from what they could find -- not that it means much since you know Gotham police are not exactly the most trustworthy nor the best paid to deal with the madness this city just breeds by existing.

The point is the kid had a bright future compared to most others yet from the looks of things ran away and for whatever reason years later decided to become an anarchist desiring to bring the corrupt institution that is Gotham's governing body down and burn it to ashes.

The problem I have is not necessarily how he went about it. Just as I had told him after some not-so-insignificant amount of time spent trying to find him I disagree with his belief in anarchy as a solution. Too many people rely on the current system to survive and taking that away by pulling the rug out from under them and setting it ablaze will not end well for a lot of people.

Not to mention it sending them back to the Wild West which is me being very mild and optimistic on just how bad it can get. Anyone with the power and resources can become a king over everyone making this city look like something out of Escape From L.A. 

No. That cannot be allowed to happen. Of course, if I hadn’t stepped in and hypothetically somehow Lonnie managed to pull off the mother of all Hail Marys and win against all odds the issue then would be the things he would have to face after it was said and done.

Off the top of my head, those who will fight for the right to be the de facto leader of the city, the people turning on one another as every rule and law that people had followed no longer being relevant turning it into a free-for-all all bloodbath, and finally the Justice League coming in to crack down on all of it.

Which then would mean they also are coming for me and as things stand I have no means to properly put up a fight against their heavy hitters like Wonder Woman and Superman. Sure red sun energy and all that are weaknesses but I rather not hinge an entire plan on something that doesn’t instantly depower him and instead when I use it find out the hard way that it takes who knows how long before he is completely powerless.

So then Lonnie had to be taken care of. 

Continuing to clean up the classroom as the last student rises out of her seat with her friends having long since left the room she clears her throat and steps near me. “So Daniel I was wondering if you might want to hang out with me at my dorm?” Chelsey says, biting her bottom lip as she stares up at me.

Hearing someone on the other side of the wall having an idea of who it is but paying them no mind. “Chelsey we have been over this. I appreciate the offer and your interest while flattering is getting old. I told you no. I am not interested in any extracurricular activities outside of the classroom with you. Now if you want to raise your grade then I am more than happy to help with that.”

“Oh come on Daniel,” She whines and despite her thinking it made her cute it grated on my nerves, “It’s a party and you and me can have some fun.” 

She tries to grab my arm but I pull away from her. “Chelsey don’t. I am not interested and I have discussed this with you. I am not raising your grade if you sleep with me.”

She looks at me with a glare as her cute act vanishes as she stares long and hard at me. “Here I thought you were a man. Oh well, you're a loser anyways.” She says with a huff before storming out but not failing to see the person on the other side of the wall.

“Ewww you are so creepy,” Chelsey says wrinkling her nose in disgust as I hear a gasp.

“Chelsey do not insult other people, especially in my presence unless they deserve it,” I say sharply, turning to level a stern look at her as she turns to sass me hesitates for a moment, taken aback by the severity of my look.

She rethinks what she was going to say before scoffing, shaking her head before stalking off. 

Waiting for a moment for them to come in but seeing they are just standing there I speak up, “You're more than welcome to come in you know?”

After that, they slowly step forward and around the corner seeing Pamela in a t-shirt with a green torso with images of birds and flowers on it and the sleeves colored white combined with jean shorts and her hair in a ponytail.

The ponytail makes her look far different as her hair looks straightened out and not as frazzled and poofy as it normally is on most days.

“Sorry about Chelsey, Pamela. She has been getting bolder about wanting to raise her grades in all the wrong ways.” I say to her as she gives me a small smile.

“Not your fault Daniel. Most of these students think they can do whatever they want to whoever because their parents have money.” She says looking like she bit into a lemon.

I chuckle as she looks at me oddly. “You look adorable like that Pam.”

She sputters wiping that look off of her face as she wrings her hands awkwardly but not as badly as she did when we first met in the school. She has been coming to see me since the first time she had come to talk and so far she has managed to not be as nervous around me.

More open to. Wiping the board off of all the notes along it as Pam starts to help me clean up the room. “You don’t have to help me, you know that right?”

“Sure. But I would rather not leave you to do all of this on your own when I just stand here doing nothing.” She says back with a small smile. One that I reciprocate.

“Well, I appreciate it, Pam. So how was teaching the class for you?” I say back, making idle conversation with her.

Something we have been doing when she manages to sneak away from Peckerhead. The man is something else. I have seen asshole Walmart managers with more decency to their fellow human beings than this guy. 

Constantly throws shade at Kirk on anything and everything. Hell, he is the one who has been calling out Kirk for not teaching the class the most, yet he is no better constantly having Pam teach his classes while he does his research.

“A lot better now that you helped me with setting up a better curriculum. The students that are left are now paying more attention and are not as stressed out.”

Unlike me, Pam was not prepared to teach a class but she has gotten better with me helping her better organize the class work and what to go over each class period one day when she confided in me one day about the mounting stress and her classwork she is trying to get done with for her degree.

“Good. You are looking good yourself.” I say with a smile like the cat got the canary her face turns crimson as she looks anywhere but at me trying to organize some papers on the desk even though I had already got them sorted. “Helps not being so overworked and stressed out about it all.”

“Y-yeah. I feel like I can finally breathe again.” She says taking the offered change in topic but relaxes as we go about cleaning up the room until a certain jackass ruins the moment by yelling down the hallway.

“Pamela!”

Pam jumps in place looking at the doorway wide-eyed before she almost jumps out of her skin when my hand rests gently on her shoulder. “You can hide in the closet over there. If you want?”

I say to her seeing how she tenses up as Woody’s steps clack down the hallway like the ticking of a countdown timer. “Thank you, Daniel.” She says quietly before scurrying to the door and with a quiet click it shuts with her hiding inside.

“Pamela!” He yells storming over to the classroom door and looking before stepping inside. “Where is she?” 

He storms over to me as I calmly finish up the rest of the board and start putting away documents on the desk. Looking up at the man with a less than impressed expression, “You have five seconds to explain yourself before you get tossed out of this room head first Woody.”

“Don’t you play your games with me, boy!” He says as he points his finger at my chest and it goes to poke me but I simply let him. 

Instead of me cowering in fear and pleading with the man knowing where he is going with this I instead catch him off guard. “If you think you can push me around however you like you have another thing coming. Inside Doctor Kirk Langstrom's classroom no less.”

I took a vicious satisfaction at the dirty look he was giving me by rubbing salt in the wound reminding him that this classroom and the lab with it are Kirk’s and not his. That and pointing out I have no issues giving him the pimp hand of the lord if he tries to push his luck.

“I will bring this to the Chancellor's attention, mark my words, boy! Now where is my assistant?” He growls out the last part as a vein throbs on his neck.

There is a manic look to his eyes that I can’t quite place but I will privately admit to myself it looks intimidating. If it wasn’t for the fact I knew I could manhandle him it would worry me far more.

“I have no idea,” I say back calmly but he slams his hands on the desk making me stare back into those blue eyes that hold a smidge of madness in them.

“I know she has been galavanting around with you for some time now and I will not stand for it! She is mine to do with as I see fit. And her association with you comes to an end. You and Kirk will not use her to get my secrets.”

I walk up to the man getting far closer as he stands his ground before I get in his face. “First of all, we do not need a third-rate hacks secrets who has to steal from others to get anywhere in the science community.”

“What did you just-”

“Shut the fuck up, a man is talking boy. Second of all she can do as she pleases without your say so, and so help me with god as my witness if you ever try to pull a stunt like that in my presence I will break you like a twig.”

“Did you just threaten-”

My finger jabs him in the chest and he is pushed back several steps as he looks at me in shock, “It’s not a threat but a promise. You will treat her with respect or you will pay the price. Do you understand?”

He stares at me for a long time not saying a word as the hate in his eyes grows by the second. “I will take your silence as a big yes. I currently do not know where Pamela is. Last I checked today is one of her days off that she is supposed to have by order of the Chancellor. You know the guy who you have to bow and beg for any scrap he deems to give you?” My tone shifts from something like talking about the weather to being nicer in tone when speaking of her mandatory day off and the Chancellor being above him and the only reason he even has anything.

My innocent tone makes him fume at the reminder of him begging for all that he claims to have earned compared to the other professors and researchers in the university. You have to be a special kind of stupid when damn near everyone doesn’t like you to outright hatred of you. His saving grace is he brings results that get the school more money.

He is fuming but to my surprise, he doesn’t say a thing as he simply glares before storming out of the room.

Glancing over and seeing the closet door cracked with a lone green eye staring back at me. Stepping over to make sure he is gone and seeing he has fully left the hall I wave for her to come on out.

“Daniel, are you crazy?!” She says rushing over to me.

“I don’t think so?” I say with a chuckle as she just gives me a look.

“You do realize he can go to the Chancellor about what you said right?” She says worriedly.

“Pam, I don't care if he does. I am not staying silent when he is just going to keep using you and how he treats you when I have to hear and watch it.” I say to her as the genuine truth makes her expression soften a little.

“I appreciate it Daniel especially when no one else seems to do anything about it but Jason… just has a lot of stress-”

“Pam,” I cut her off as she goes to speak again but stops seeing the look of concern on my face, “You can’t keep making excuses for him. He is only taking advantage of you and regardless of what is going on in his life there is no reason to treat you like he does.”

“Daniel he isn’t so bad…”

“Pam, you had to hide in the class closet on your day off.” I deadpan.

She stutters for a moment before calming herself and finding her words. “Alright, you have a point.”

“A point?” 

“Can we please drop this subject?” She says wanting to end this discussion.

Letting out a sigh before giving her a sad look nodding to her and letting it drop when it shouldn’t be. 

“Thank you, Daniel. There was something else I wanted to talk to you about…”

Pamela trails off as she fidgets around with her hands. Turning at her with a cocked brow as we finish cleaning the room. “Alright, what did you need to talk to me about?”

She stays silent looking nervous before breaking the growing silence, “I was wondering if you might want to hang out sometime?” 

“Sure.”

“Oh, I am sorry for bothering you…” She sounds disappointed before she registers what I had said, “Wait you said yes?”

“Yeah. When and where did you want to meet up?”

She quickly stammers out the details to me with a big smile on her face. “Well, I will see you then Pam. Before I forget, if Woodrot gives you any trouble don’t hesitate to call me.”

“Daniel that’s not necessary…” She says with a smile while trying to not laugh at the many variations I give to Jason’s last name.

“Just humor me, Pam. Please?” 

Her smile dims for a moment before she nods to me and I let it go.

Shaking my head at the bastard who sunk his claws into her. Heading further down the hallway to Kirk’s lab and waiting as the security system in place opens up for me I step inside seeing several of the animals perk up as they press against their cages.

Glancing over seeing Kirk busy trying to modify his formula I tap the glass for the animals as they press up against it and I gently smile at each of them.

Helps that I have been feeding them. As they say, never bite the hand that feeds. Always enjoyed animals and simply relaxed around them. Even if they are rats. 

“Daniel, any issues with the class?” He asks me not taking his eyes off of the machine at work analyzing his work.

“None besides one of the students trying to get an easy grade.”

He shakes his head at my comment. “Of course they did. You know they would get a lot further in life if they simply put in some effort.”

“For them, that is too hard,” I say with a smirk bringing back memories of my classmates not caring to do the most simple homework in school. “How are things going with the formula?”

“The same as usual.” He says in a sad tone. “Little progress but not enough.”

“I doubt anything that doesn’t put money straight into the Chancellor's hand is ever enough.” My snarky comment gets a chuckle out of Kirk who finally looks away from the screen showing deep bags beneath his eyes and facial hair growing on his face.

“Kirk, how long have you been at this?” I ask in concern as he looks down at the digital watch on his wrist going wide-eyed.

“Oh, crap! I didn’t even realize…” He sinks into the chair with his arms over his head on the desk.

“You need your rest, Kirk. You're not going to get anywhere with the project if you are exhausted, and if anything you may do things to the formula that could set you back.”

My comment gets me a groan from the man that wouldn’t sound out of place in a zombie movie. “Any of the animals been fed?” I say getting the food ready for them as many eager faces get closer to the windows in their pens.

“… No. While I have enough clarity, has Jason tried to pull anything?” He says getting up out of his seat and going to a cup and taking a drink from it before spitting it out.

Walking over and taking a few napkins Kirk had on a desk and handed him some while I cleaned up the floor.

“Sorry.” He says sheepishly.

“You can apologize by getting some proper sleep, Kirk. As for Woodsoft-” The name earns me a laugh from Kirk after he processes what I just did to his name, “-He has been getting more aggressive. Pamela visited again but it was her day off.”

Kirk merely sighs but gives me a sympathetic look, “Let me guess he was yelling for her and you helped hide the poor woman?”

“Got it in one,” I say with a smile and finger guns at him.

“Normally I would not condone such a thing and would tell her to face the man.” He says before looking back and forth conspiratorially like there was anyone else in the room with us. “But in my short but miserable time knowing him I would do the same thing.”

I chuckle softly at him as he smiles. “She had to hide in the closet no less.” We both shake our heads and chuckle, not at Pamela but at Woodrue and how he is so bad that someone as nice as Pamela had to hide in a closet to get away from him.

“Good on you for helping her, Daniel. I do feel bad for her, if it wasn’t for me being on thin ice then I would say something to Jason about it… who am I kidding I am going to say it to his face when I get canned.” Kirk says his head falling forward with a sigh and his shoulders slumping.

Taking the pack of animal food and getting the bowls and dishes filled I look at Kirk feeling for the man. 

“Kirk tell you what, I am sure some of the animals would love some attention. Mr. Harriman? Jingle and jangle?” I say with a small smile as he looks up slowly with a small smile on his face.

“Don’t tell me that’s what you named some of them?” 

“Well of course I did. Now I didn’t hear a no about getting some cuddles from some rats and a bunny?” I say with a wiggle of my brows getting Kirk to sigh but smile more as the cloud of depression clinging to him fades away if only slightly.

Giving each animal and insect their meal as three of the animals are in a pin with me and Kirk playing with us or at least the two rats Jingle and Jangle run around his shoulders and lick his ears as the man chuckles while I have a rabbit just relaxing next to me as I have to fight not to record Kirk on my phone.

He looks like years of stress had been erased and appears several years younger. “No no no don’t lick there- ah hahaha!” He says but stops and laughs as one hops onto the top of his head climbing using his hair the other one watching for a moment does the same thing as he has two rat tails in front of his face as they roll around in his hair.

Letting Kirk enjoy himself as Mr. Harriman remains in his same spot enjoying some treats while watching the show. I head back to the main part of the lab and check over my project. It has gone far with me putting on a show of me trying to achieve what I had told Kirk I was setting out to do.

Have to make it look believable as I go with lesser formulas of stimpacks that are nowhere close to what the final product could do. Either helping minimally or making something far worse. 

With me achieving the stimpack and creating it I could use it as a means to take the test early to get my medical license, cutting out years of schooling that was a waste of time and start making a form of legal and legit revenue. Dad and Uncle Furgus would be proud that I had managed to become a doctor…

“Oh my! Daniel, you are making wonderful progress.” Kirk says behind me far happier than he was before as he looks over the data and results for my current formula. He still looks like he needs to sleep for a week straight and needs some proper hygiene but he is at least in a little better mood.

“Still not where it needs to be. But a single step forward is still one step closer to what I am after.” I said staring down at the desk with a hyper-focused gaze hamming it up.

“That’s one way to look at it and a healthy one at that.” He said with a small smile looking proud.

I almost feel bad for lying to the man since he has tried his best to not be a burden to me and has made attempts to act as a mentor despite how much he has on his plate.

“Well with that I think we should call it a day,” I say as Kirk goes to argue but I stop him. “Kirk, I get you need to make some progress but you working yourself to death will only make it worse. You need to rest. Please.”

I say clasping my hands together as he looks torn before reluctantly nodding. “I will get some rest.” He says, sounding like a kid being told to take the trash out.

As the lab gets cleaned up and making sure all the animals are where they should be and having fed all of them Kirk and I lock up the lab after saying our goodbyes and my friendly reminder of the test coming up soon as he does a double take almost tripping over his feet.

“We are already doing the test?!”

“Yep.” I say popping the p for emphasis as he scratches at his head.

“Yeah, now I especially think I need that rest. If you need me for anything or an emergency comes out don’t hesitate to call me Daniel. Oh!” He says before turning around one more time, “You are a godsend, Daniel. I promise I will repay you in the future for all your help.”

And with that, he quickly leaves as I gently smile. No matter what I won’t let this school or Woodrot ruin him. The man is a kind person and tries his best to not try and screw other people over. He means well and I intend to reciprocate.

Walking away and heading back to my apartment going through my contacts and seeing that now would be a good time to begin the next few steps with the Court. Sending out a quick message and getting in uniform before driving myself out to an abandoned subway and not long after the talons swarmed around me just enough to be out of sight.

“Well let’s get this over with,” I say nonchalantly holding a box.

They form up around me, one taking the box with the others frisking me and taking the weapons they can find before we go through more tunnels I had not known about but had expected. 

After a lengthy journey through the tunnels we stop before a massive steel door that one of the talons steps up to and blocks my sight from them entering a code it slides open with a hiss.

Stepping inside with my escort I see a few people in white lab coats with the owl masks I am growing used to. One figure in particular that stands out amongst the people gathered is the suited figure of the head of the Court of Owls. Turning to face me as their cape of all things swishes about as the Talon standing beside them follows.

“You managed to do it faster than I had anticipated.” They said coming to a stop in front of me.

“A good thing I hope?” I say presenting the box as a talon steps forward, taking it from me and opening the top to see the contents before bringing it to their leader. 

They make no visible sign of discomfort at the macabre gift with the mask still attached before handing it off to one of their talons who takes it over to a scientist in the back.

“We will test to ensure that it is the one we were after.” They say hands clasped behind the small of their back.

“Naturally,” I say back with ease, not showing any annoyance at being held at arm's length due to trust.

“I appreciate your patience, after all, trust like you are asking for is not built overnight. If the DNA comes back as Lonnie’s then you will have a bigger voice in the Court. Now as for other things, our scientists wish to speak with you.”

With a sweep of their hand, I see a few of them standing some distance from us before stepping forward with an eagerness they could not hide.