WhisPers in the W.I.N.D. ++O.P.E.N.++

[ivy]

Pamela Isley was lost... that was the only way to describe her current situation. She was lost.. nervous and utterly confused. This wasn't her first time in Down Town Gotham City... nor was it the first time she walked anywhere but lately with all that had been happening she found herself getting confused with relative ease.

She worse sun glasses so people would not notice she hadn't gotten a single wink of sleep in the entire night. Something was happening... she could feel it and yet what it was she really didn't know but the whispers in the night must stop. That's all she wanted.. the whispers to stop. She walked along the sidewalk. Broad daylight to her sensitive eyes...

She turned her face down and looked at her watch. She was late... so very late and Dr. Woodrow would not be happy at all if she we're to miss this conference at the Wayne Botanical Garden and yet she didn't really care at the moment. She had other things on her mind to preoccupy her more so than the press conference she was about to attend.

She stopped abruptly mid step and looked around. "I....v....y...." she heard a whisper in the wind. "It's just the wind Pam..." she muttered starting to walk once more. "I....v...y... .... help us...." she heard again and froze in fear. She looked around once more and without even thinking made a run for the nearest coffee shop. She ran inside and slammed the door winning a look from all the other costumers that we're sipping their coffee and eating their pastries.

She looked deathly pale... hear heart was beating in her chest. You have to pull yourself together PAM! she scolded herself before making her way to a corner table and sitting on it. She picked up her phone and thought about calling someone... but who could she call without sounding like a complete whack job that needed to be put away at Arkham...

Once she ordered some coffee and tried to calm herself she just remained in her spot. Nervous... and doing her best to ignore the whispers that threatened her already weak sanity...

[selina]

It was a miracle: Selina Kyle had gotten off of work early. She was almost a workaholic, but that wasn't it- she didn't get overtime. It gave her something to do other than going home and reading a book or watching TV, though, truthfully, Selina adored bad daytime TV. Yet, instead of returning to her home ahead of schedule, she decided to stop by a local coffee shop and pick up a sandwich for dinner. Selina was not the best cook in the world, let it be known. Besides, most of her fridge was filled with takeout boxes and cat food.

She entered the shop, and it had taken her about five seconds before she recognized the familiar flair of red hair sitting alone. Figuring her sandwich could wait, she approached the table cautiously, wanting to make sure it was indeed Pam Isley. The two girls had not been much as far as friends went in high school, but had gotten along well enough. After highschool, them both staying in Gotham, they moved on to better terms, and were able to comfortably say they were good friends. Still, it had been a while since she'd seen her, mostly because of her own work and Pam working so hard at the University.

No, that was definatly her. And she looked upset. Selina quickened her quiet step and she silently slid into the seat across from her friend. "Pam?" she asked. "Are you okay?" she extended her hand across the table in a comoforting gesture. She didn't like seeing people upset. It put her in a a bad place, especially if it was someone she cared for. Perhaps she was over-reacting, that was always a possibility. Selina was generally quick to act, and it served her well more often than not.

But still, she hoped Pam was alright and in this case she was making something out of nothing. If she wasn't, though, she was here if she needed anything, and Selina hoped she knew that.

[ivy]

She slowly put the phone back in her pocket. She then turned to her coffee holding it in her small pale hands but would not lift it to her lips. Her hands seemed to be shaking and Pam was just trying to get them to stop. she kept hearing the same words over and over... a voice in the dark calling her Ivy and for what. That was not even her name... not to her her name was Pamela Lillian Isley... student at Gotham U not a freak like the others... never like the others...

She was so wrapped up in her troubled thoughts she hardly noticed her high school friend Selina sit across from her. Not until she spoke her name... her real God given name... She felt someone touch her and jumped slightly. Not really meaning to... but her nerves we're just getting to her and that was starting to affect her, not only in her personal life but her career path as well.

She looked up from the coffee to her friend and gulped. "Selina... I hardly noticed you we're here..." she said in a small shy voice she hadn't really used since high school. "Yes... i think I'm fine..." she said taking off her shades. Funny she hadn't noticed they we're still on her. She blinked a bit adjusting to the dim light of the shop and smiled, though it was a fake smile. Sure she was glad to have a friendly face around but she wasn't sure what to tell her friend should she wonder why she seemed as though sleep had evaded her for decades.

"How have you been?" she asked starting to push her red locks away from her face. She waited a moment when suddenly her phone began to ring. "CRAP!..." she said. "I'm sorry give me a moment..." she searched for her phone in her pocket. It seemed to be stuck there so when she finally managed to get it out the darn thing stopped ringing. "It was Dr. Woodrow..." Pam bit her lip and paled a bit more. "Oh he will be scolding me in the morning..." she muttered and sighed. "Never mind..." she said placing the phone on vibrate and replacing it inside her pocket once more.

She then turned to Selina and tried to look as okay as possible but knowing her friend she would not buy into the act. "You we're saying Kit Kat?" she asked with a slight smile on her too pale features.

[selina]

Selina jumped back in turn as Pam did the same- she'd always had strong reflexes, and clearly dark coffee shops were no exception to this rule. No, Pam was certainly out of it. She probably hadn't been able to see anything out of her sunglasses. While it was excusable to, on occasion, wear sunglasses indoors, the coffee shop was dark enough that it made her look like she was strung out or crying or something. But with the removal of her sunglasses, well, that was better.

"You sure?" she asked, giving her a reassuring, sympathetic smile. She was going to say something else when Pam's phone went off, the ringtone causing a person a few tables over from them to dance, and another person a few tables over to glare at them. Jeeze, it wasn't as if their phones hadn't ever gone off in public before, too. There was no phone-ban here, they could get over it. Selina watched bemuzedly as Pam searched for her phone for a few moments, listening to the song, before finally she managed to capture it. But it was too late.

"Screw what he has to say," she said. "What's he doing calling you right now, anyway?" She raised an eyebrow- not sugguesting anything, of course. That was ridiculous, especially for such a girl as Pam who had always been so classy. She wasn't the type. But she was probably missing a meeting or something or other- well, if Selina's instincts were right, Pam had every right to take the afternoon off of work.

She laughed lightly at the nickname bestowed upon her. It was cute, but a little odd. Probably just because of the perpetual hoard of cats she kept in her apartment in addition to Isis. Well, that was fine with her. "I was just saying- Christ, Pam!" she caught the first full-on glance of her face, seeing the huge circles under her eyes. "I know college was tough, but you look like I did senior year." And the two full years of college she'd put in in order to get her degree at Gotham Community College. It was a well-known fact that all through high school, and those two years of college, Selina had barely slept. When she wasn't at school, she was doing homework, or trying to make money to support herself, and put herself through school. Senior year had been the worst, though.

Still. This was about Pam. And Pam either needed some coffee very quickly, or less coffee and more sleep.

[ivy]

Her friend was concerned for her and it was fairly obvious. She still smiled little feeling a bit paranoid by her surroundings. "Yeah... I think I am I just..." she said shaking her head and stopping for a moment. She finally raised her cups to her lips.. her hands shaky as she did. She had hardly noticed any glares she had gotten by her phone nor did she really care if they threw her out of the place. It wasn't as though she couldn't find coffee in Gotham City anywhere else.

She shook her head and ignored the vibrating cell phone in her pocket. "I'm missing a press conference at Wayne Botanical Gardens... It's not really my discovery to present but apparently I'm the pretty one so it should be me in the front page next to Bruce Wayne and Not the dear Doctor..." she said in a slightly sarcastic tone. She put the cup slowly down but continued to hold it in her hands. She felt cold and a bit distraught in the dim light. I need air... I need sun... she thought but didn't move from her spot.

Pam could not really help but jump again when Selina caught gaze of her eyes. "Is it that obvious that I haven't been sleeping then..." she said with a small smile. "Dr. Woodrow...has some... "specific" experiments that really have not let me sleep a wink... not to mention my nice visits to the hospital..." she began rambling... letting things slip out without even caring.

"I mean plant toxins are not something you take lightly but he seems to want to make something more than just toxins and well... " she stopped and let it end there. She wasn't about to begin talking about how he'd manipulated her into agreeing to be part of not one but a dozen or so experiments that including her being injected with serums from plants. Her visits to the hospital had left scars but none visible to the naked eye. Sure her eyesight was better than 20/20 but whose to say she didn't just have the laser surgery done to get rid of her glasses.

No, these experiments where different... they we're messing with her DNA... messing with the natural order of things. Messing with her body's chemistry and making her loose her mind one day at a time the same way a rose will loose it's petals one day at a time but sadly in the end after the rose is gone only the thorns remain.

[selina]

Selina nodded, paying attention to what Pam was saying- it was terribly interesting. Her experience in college had been a very in-out type of deal, only making a few friends mostly to keep herself safe and focused on what she had to do. However, Pam's acchievements were always fascinating to listen to and watch. Pam was doing things Selina could never have dreamed of doing, and she was getting credit for it. "They'd be stupid not to put you up front and center. Besides, Bruce Wayne? I'm jealous." She gave Pam a wink. There was a reason Bruce was the most saught-after bachelor in all of Gotham. And not just for his pockets, either.

She nodded sadly as Pam asked her if she really did look like she hadn't been sleeping. She really did look awful. However, it wasn't that that next concerned her the most. It was what Pam was saying- about Woodrow and everything. It didn't sound right. Her sad smile quickly turned into a frown of concern.

"Wait- hospital?" She put her hand on Pam's again. "Listen- I know from experience- any job that lands you in the hospital on more than one occasion isn't good for you, I don't care how well it pays. Especially if it involves toxins." It was dangerous and stupid, and she wanted to know what the hell Pam was really doing, and more importantly, why the hell she was letting Woodrow do it to her. For a better grade? Bull- Pam was plenty smart on her own to not need stuff like that.

Again, jumping to conclusions.

"Pam, I don't think this is a good idea." Whatever it was. Pam was probably going to jump all over her for that, but it's what she thought. Selina was stubborn, so good luck trying to get her to say anything else for now. She wasn't sleeping, and was in the hospital. Speaking from experience, regardless of what was going on with those toxins, it was not a good, healthy enviornment for her friend.

[ivy]

She actually laughed at the remark made by Selina regarding Bruce Wayne. God that man is gorgeous... she thought blushing slightly. "Thanks for your encouragement Kit Kat... he is truly a handsome man but it's not my moment in the spot light... not yet... let the good Doctor take his credit and leave the pretty face for when I truly make my mark in the scientific world. " her happiness was short lived however when her friend suddenly put her hand on her own and began to speak rather like scolding her.

"I know your concerned Kit Kat but I'm fine... it was just two visits... apparently I had to many toxins in my blood stream..." not to mention I almost died from them and the exposure but this last part she added silently. Selina did no need to know. "I'm not going to continue with the experiments... not his... that's part of the reason I wanted to assist the conference in the first place if I can talk to Mr. Wayne about my project and get my own funding I won't need Dr. Woodrow's help any longer..." nor will I be his pretty guinea pig either... she thought.

She sighed and squeezed her friends hand reassuringly. "I'll be fine..." she lied through her teeth. Just as things had begun to settle Pam heard another voice speak up once more... "I...v...y... " her pale green eyes widened slightly and she looked outside as if searching for someone... the source of the voice... "Why... won't... you... help... usss... I...V...Y..." she gulped and paled like a plant that lacked sunlight.

She turned and looked at her friend she was clearly scared and panic was starting to seep into her features. "Selina... I think I'm starting to loose my mind..." she said pushing her hair back in a nervous gesture. She squeezed the girls hand even more before whispering... "I don't know what's happening to me... but it wont stop... they won't stop..." she seemed to be having a break down in the middle of the coffee shop but Pam just couldn't take being alone anymore.

She was loosing it... loosing control and unsure of who to turn to or who to trust. Selina just happened to be there and that may have just been a case of wrong place, wrong time or right place, right time depending on how her long time friend reacted by her sudden panicked words.

[selina]

Screw her mark in the scientific world- they had bigger fish to fry. Like this Woodrow fellow.

"Toxins?" she asked, her voice getting higher-pitched with worry and irritation. "You had toxins in your bloodstream? What the hell is this guy doing to you, Pam?" If she had to march over to his office and give him a piece of her mind, she would. She didn't care if he was currently providing the funding for Pam- he was taking advantage of her. "Bruce Wayne better give you that funding, too." She'd march over to his office, too, if she had to. Hell, it'd just be a giant viligante-type night for her. But Selina wasn't the type to wear a funny costume to really get the viligante label that Gotham seemed to save for those in costume. Or, for those crazy ones who just liked to run around in costumes like a crazed actor or something. No, Selina was not the costume type.

Yet.

She bit her lip as panic and distress came over Pam's features. "What's wrong?" she asked, leaning towards her, keeping her voice low. "Who are 'they'?" Panic was seeping into her own voice now, though she tried to keep it out for Pam's sake- she wanted to be concerned, but didn't want it to appear like she thought Pam was loosing her mind after all. It was probably those damned toxins and that damned doctor-!

"Pam, sweetie, I think we should get out of here-" she didn't want someone calling the cops on them and arresting them for disturbing of the peace when she was only trying to help her friend. Hell, if it came down to it, she'd pay for a cab to take them back to her own home in the meanwhile. Gotham was becoming stranger and stranger by the day.

[ivy]

She noticed her friends voice panic slightly when she repeated the word toxins. Things where not going the way she planned. All she was to do this day was smile for the camera... be the girl of the hour.. get her funding and go home. Having a panic attack in the middle of a dim coffee shop was not in the agenda for Pam Isley. Nor was admitting she had been a guinea pig to some guy who had sweet talked her into this fine mess.

She looked down at her arms and found herself thankful for wearing a long sleeved blouse. If anyone where to even look at her arms they would think they we're seeing a druggies track marks. But her marks we're from something all together different and they we're healing as is. She looked up as she heard Selina ask who They we're... She bit her lip and shook hear head. "Not here..." was her reply.

Once hearing Selina suggest they leave she whole heartedly agreed. She stood up and put on her shades before making her way towards the out side. Once out she breathed in the fresh air and smiled automatically feeling physically better but still mentally worn. "I...v...y... ... help.... us... I...v...y..." she heard he whispers and frantically looked around once again. She could have sworn it came from the wind.

"That is NOT my name..." she said through gritted teeth partially angry at herself for giving in to the madness for even a moment. Once more she found herself pushing her hair back away from her features. The sun making her look pale but she welcomed the slight warmth she got from it's retreating rays.

She wasn't sure if anyone had heard her desperate reply to the wind but hoped to the heavens no one though to put her away. That was her greatest fear.. to be locked away from all that she loved and needed in a padded room. She gulped slightly at the though and did her best to pull herself together.

She turned back to look at her friend trying to remain calm. "I'm sorry for that..." she said with a small smile. "I honestly don't know what came over me..." ... "I..v...y.... I...v...y... we... know.. you ... can... hear.... usss....." Us? she thought as she heard the voice but did her best to act as though nothing was wrong. There's more than one... she though wanting nothing more that to get back to her apartment, crawl into a ball on her bed and fall into a deep sleep.

"Of...course.... there.... are.... many....." her eyes widened. "You... can hear me?" She was answered by silence. "I'm going out of my mind..." she said quietly just standing there on the street. Exposed to the world. "Ivy... we...can.. hear... you... always... for we... are a ...part.... of... y.o.u...." her eyes widened under her shades and she visibly paled slowly realizing what may be happening but refusing to believe...

"S-S-Selina... can I stay with you?" she asked stuttering slightly as she turned to her friend, whom she hoped would not think her insane. "I don't want to be alone at the moment..." she said. "Y.O.U... are.. never.... a.l.o.n.e....I...v...y..." she gulped and ignored them waiting for Selina to reply.

[selina]

Selina nodded slowly, reaching for her purse and rising. Not here, that was always a cue to move somewhere else. However, as she watched Pam mutter something to herself, she slowly sat back down, watching her friend. No, this was bad. This was really bad. Screw the fact that the girl could be crazy, that wasn't even on Selina's mind right now. She was too preoccupied watching her friend be in pain.

She looked so pathetic, sitting there. Even if she and Pam had been in a fight at that moment, there was no way she'd leave her hanging out like that. Anyone with a heart would take care of them. "Yes, Pam," she said, nodding. "Don't worry- you can stay at my place." No one would look for her there, anyway. If Woodrow got pissed she didn't show, he wouldn't be able to track her to being with Selina, let alone staying in Alleytown.

"Come on, I'll take you now." She stood up and threw her purse over her shoulder before walking around the table to Pam. There, she extended her hand. She'd put Pam into her bed and take up residence on the couch. Hopefully the cats would agree with this. If not- well, she had enough of a heart that she couldn't kick them out. She'd make it work.

Well, there went her original plan of getting a sandwich to bring home. But this was much better, anyway. Pam needed her more than she needed a sandwich. And there were plenty of places that could deliver. "Come on," she said. "We'll get a cab." Even if the faire would kill her till her next paycheck. It was better than walking or taking the subway, especially with Pam like this. Someone would for sure call the cops and send the poor girl to Arkham, and she didn't need that. Not now.

[ivy]

She nodded slowly ignoring the voices... they we're driving her mad and madness was never a good thing in this town. Though Madness seemed to follow everyone that set foot here with the make up covered clown; Joker... and the Bat on the loose who knew how many would loose their sanity before the year was done. She took Selina's hand and followed her to the side where they would be getting a cab. She didn't think the girl could really afford a cab but she'd help her later in any way she could as long as she was kept away from the Asylum she'd be happy and safe.

Her phone, that had been st on vibrate began to annoy her once more. She put her hand in her pocket and pulled it out of her pants. She looked at it.. more like staring at a foreign object than the familiar plastic case of her phone. She waited for it to stop moving before opening it. She had exactly 12 missed calls... 3 voice mails.. and a few text messages. She bit her lip and just stared at it.

She looked dover the missed calls first... One was from an unknown number... the other eleven we're; of course, from Dr. Woodrow. "He's going to murder me int he morning..." she muttered watching as the phone began to vibrate in her hand. "Selina... could you answer this for me... I don't want to hear him now..." she said out stretching her hand towards her in hopes she would do her the favor. Pam was a bit of a coward when it came to confrontation but Selina had always been a fighter and she knew she'd give the man a piece of her mind.

Once the cab arrived she quickly got in feeling a bit better even though the space felt cramped as though she could hardly even breathe. She knew, going to Selina's home would be safe. There are no plants around... she thought... so the voices should not be able to reach me there... for now...She then leaned her head back and closed her eyes... if the trip where long or short she didn't know but the head ache was returning to her head so a short nap should help or so she thought.

[selina]

It took them a record amount of time to get out of the shop and to the corner to hail a cab. While Selina was sure it would only take a few moments for a cab to pick them up, she still held on to Pam like it would be hours. The poor thing- it hurt to even watch her looking this lost and afraid. No one should ever have to look like that- take it from a girl who'd spent a fair amount of time with that same expression on her face after she picked the money off of the bed stand.

Regardless of the amount of time it would take for the cab to reach them, Selina reached her hand out and took Pam's cellphone. One look at the caller ID, not to mention how Pam had been reacting to the call, and all her questions were answered. "Excuse me, is this Dr. Woodrow?" she asked the phone. A pause. "Who I am is of no consequence to you, but let me tell you I'm a good friend of Pam Isley's, and I know what you're doing to her." Another pause. "Sir, I don't think you understand! What you're doing is cruel-! It's not right, sir! I don't care if it's for medical research or whatever- what gives you the right-" another pause as the cab pulled up.

Quickly, the two had piled into the cab. "-Just a moment, sir," she told the doctor, and leaned forward while covering the mouthpiece to whisper her address to the cabbie. Just in case this douche on the phone decided to do some kidnapping. "Sorry about that, now, where was I? Right! You crossed a line, sir. No, this isn't just some sick experiment- in case you didn't realize, sleep deprivation is a form of torture favored by the US Government when interrogating terrorists- this isn't to be used for some sick little science fair project. I have half a mind to call Wayne Industries right now and-" another pause. "I really could care less, sir. You don't even know who I am, and I highly doubt there's anything you could find on me that could bring me to ruin." Huge. Ass. Lie. But he didn't need to know that yet.

Never the less, she continued on angrily into the phone, "No one hurts my friends, Woodrow, got it? It's been this way with me since the dawn of time. You're playing with poisons here- hospital time- I know from experience anything that puts you in the hospital more than once isn't a good place to be." And no, she didn't care if she'd said that line twice that night. It was a good line and she was going to use it to her hearts content. "She's hurting, Woodrow, and I've got your number. So watch your back." Before he could say another word, she hung up the phone, angrily depositing it in her own lap. Sure, the ending had been melodramatic, but it had gotten her point across. That man was a bastard and he deserved... something awful.

"Screw him," she said, looking over at Pam. "He's going to call back in ten minutes, I'm sure-" she stopped speaking, seeing that Pam appeared to be calm, sleeping, almost. Good. She needed that.

[ivy]

Pam could hear Selina as her voice got quicker and angrier. She almost smiled and imagined the god Doctor trying to get a word through and failing miserably. Wanting to talk to the girl who owned the phone but not being able to reach her. She imagined his face start to turn crimson as his blood pressure elevated beyond the normal scale and yet she did not really care. She was done with him and his experiments. Screw medicine. The hell with man kind... Pamela Lillian Isley was officially done.

Come morning she would quit the team and find a way to get a meeting with Mr. Bruce Wayne. If she could at least get a job with him in any of the scientific field she'd be set. After all she had the credential and experience to actually merit a position practically anywhere she wanted.

Her head felt heavy as the voices seemed to fade into the background finally giving her a moments peace. But of course that's when the dreams started. Dreams of violence and chaos in a world governed by greed, envy, lust and other sins. Nature was being pushed aside in order to bring forth more violence, greed and death. She saw vast images of woods burning... plants withering and dying... animal tortured and slain for not other reason but progress.

She woke up startled as the cab slowed to a halt. Her breathing was a bit ragged but she did her best to remain calm. All was silent... still... and Pam could find herself begin to breathe once more. "Are we here?" she asked turning to look at Selina and yet keeping her shades on. She wasn't sure what time it was... nor how long they had been in the cab while the driver took them to Alleytown. All she was concerned about was that... for the time being... the voices ... had stopped.

[selina]

Selina sighed and laid back against the seat, just enjoying the silence. Pam seemed to be doing better now, and thankfully the cab driver helped by contributing to the silence, except to ask if he was heading the right way.

"Pam, you okay?" she asked as the cab came to a stop outside of her apartment building. She didn't wait for the reply before she reached into her purse and fished out enough money for the ride over and gave it to the driver. "Thanks," she told him, before hastily opening the door and stepping out to the curb. There, she again extended her hand towards Pamela and began making her way up to the apartment, one hand reaching into her purse for her keys.

They reached the door, and Selina began to open the door as quickly as humanly possible, almost violently. The sooner they got inside the better. There- the door swung open and Selina was greeted by the rousing chorus of 'meow' from the cats, with Isis leading the helm. "Sorry about the cats," she said. Then, after a moments pause, "and the mess." at least it didn't smell like a crazy cat lady's house. She was good about that.

Selina put her purse and keys on the kitchen table, before returning back to Pam. "Do you need anything? I can make up my bed for you, boil some tea, whatever you need." The subtext was I'm here for you, so don't hesitate to ask for anything.

[ivy]

They we're in Alleytown alright... anyone could tell it wasn't as bad as Crime Alley but at least if you we're quick and quiet enough you wouldn't get hurt. Pam nodded to her question and held her friends hand as they half-walked/ half-ran towards her apartment. Selina looked nervous as she did her best to open the door as quickly as humanly possible.

Once she walked in they we're greeted by what Pam could count at least a dozen of so cats. Thus the nick name Kit Kat. "I see you still have a tendency to keep around more felines than the average human being..." she said with a small laugh. She was greatful for her letting her stay even though her own place was the least bit larger but the voices didn't seem to get her out here.

As for the mess, it wasn't so bad although Pam did have a tendency to keep everything way too tidy. But this wasn't her place, this was Selina's so she just said nothing about it and walked further inside. She pushed something off what she assumed was a chair and sat down. A cat quickly jumped on her lap startling her slightly. "Are they always this "friendly" Kit Kat?" she asked not really sure whether to pet it or push it off her.

Some of the color seemed to come back to her pale cheeks at the mention of tea. "Some tea and a aspirin would be divine... Thank you Kit Kat.." Pam said finally smiling a real smile and not the fake half hearted ones from before. Her cell phone started to go off again and she just looked at it. "Will HE EVER STOP!" she yelled as her disposition shifted slightly. "I swear that man will be the death of me someday..." she said wanting nothing more than to smash the contraption to smithereens.