The Space Between

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

The road to coherency is long and fraught with the bizarre. The images created by her own fear strangle all attempts at reason. She runs endlessly from herself, a mentally exhausting exercise in futility. The antidote begins to cycle through her system. It isn't tailor made to combat the toxin that's been administered to her body. It's enough however to set her on the path towards consciousness. The worst of the effects begin to dissipate. The fog begins to clear. New sensations break through the artificially produced. Cold lingers about her in an oppressive fashion. Nausea engulfs her stomach. Pain pulsates at her temples. They're solid and inescapable feelings. They're real.

It's a delicate balance, returning to the land of the living. She opts to remain still and silent. Without moving from her side, she finally opens her eyes. Her gaze falls directly upon another face. It takes Leslie a moment to process. A reaction all too familiar begins to build. Concern. Worry. Fear. Selina Kyle is on a bed across from her. Bruce is standing above her, looking down.

"No," she whispers.