It was early in the morning, Warren Mcginnis woke up early. He couldn't stop thinking about what happened to Harry. He was in his office for an hour, looking at the disk next to his desk. When he picked it up Warren stared at it. Whatever it was, he didn't want to put his family in danger. He considered just giving it to Powers and getting it out of the way, but he couldn't shake this bad feeling floating through his mind. Before Warren could play it, Mary walked in with a phone in her hand, "Honey, phone call from Mr. Powers" Warrens heart sank. Could he know? Is something going to happen to me just like Harry? So many things ran through his mind, but he didn't want his wife to worry, "Thank you Mary" she walked out after handing the phone to her husband.
"Hello?"
"Warren my friend. Its Derek Powers. How is everything this morning?" Warren didn't know what to say, but had to answer, "Everything's fine thank you. Just getting my day started"
"Glad to hear it. Hey listen, I have a question for you regarding yesterday's incident. Do you think you could swing by my office real quick?"
Warren wanted to lie, saying he wasn't feeling well, but decided to do what he was asked anyway, so he wouldn't draw suspicion. He swallowed his throat, nervously before answering, "Of course, I will be right over"
"Good see soon" Powers hung up the phone.
Warren stared at the disk again debating what to do. He ultimately decided to put the disk in his desk before heading out. He left his office and got ready before going to see Mr. Powers. Still wondering what it is about. Most likely it was about the incident yesterday with Harry Tully.
Warren had really wanted to stay home and hide, but he wasn't going to refuse a request to come in. Before he was about to head out Terry spotted him at the table and seemed like he wanted to stopped him for a talk, "Hey dad, I"
"Not now Terry!" those words came out without thinking about it. Mary just stared at him like she was shocked. Terry was hurt and angry because he felt like he couldn't please his father even though he wanted to tell him about school.
Warren's face falls, immediately feeling bad. He tried to apologize to Terry, but he quickly grabbed his stuff by his seat and grabbed his jacket before walking out. Warren then turned his head to Mary, who had her arms folded, "What the hell was that!" she said, clearly upset with her husband, wanting to know what's with his behavior.
"I am sorry Mary, I am just in a rush. I don't want to be late that's all" Warren was trying to find every excuse he could, but he knew he messed up.
"All he did was say hi. To tell you, school went well yesterday. Our son had good news and you turned him down!"
Warren rubbed his face all the way towards his mustache, feeling more guilty, "I am sorry Mary. I had no idea"
"You know ever since you got home last night you have been off. Did something happen?" Warren didn't know what to say. He couldn't tell her the truth.
"Warren McGinnis what is going on" her hand then touched his. Guilt hit him even more. He didn't want her to know, but didn't want her upset at him more than she already is, so he lied.
"Its nothing honey. Just overwhelmed with work that's all" he tries to give her a smile, which she gives one in return. Glad to know its only stress and nothing more.
Mary then sighs, "Alright just promise me you will apologize to Terry once he is home?"
"Of course" he kissed her on the cheek before heading out.
Once he walked in he found the head of Wayne Enterprise sitting at his desk that once belonged to the Wayne family, now to Powers. Derek was doing work on his computer. When he heard the door open, he gave Warren a warm smile, "Warren, I am glad you made it. Please come in" Warren had sat down in the chair that was in front of the desk. Derek just stared at Warren with his brown eyes and long white hair that touched the top of his neck. His suit jacket was black and his pants were brown. His expression then frowns, "I heard what happened with Mr. Tully yesterday. I am sorry you had to experience that. Are you okay" Warren thought it was some kind of joke. He could read on Powers' face that he knew something, but he had to play like he didn't know anything, "I am fine. He just wanted to talk about something. I am not sure what he wanted, but he didn't sound like himself" this made Derek scratch his chin like he was suspecting something, so Warren had to try and throw him off, "Do you know what happened to him?"
Warren sighed, taking a deep breath, "I am sorry Warren, but Harry is dead" that shocked Warren, "What do you mean?" He was confused by this.
"You see, Mr. Tully had an allergic reaction to a chemical that he was exposed to yesterday. He was acting crazy, assaulted some employees. I sent assistant, Mr. Fixx to handle it, but by the time he and the guards could bring him into the lab for help, the chemicals already took over his body and he had already died"
Warren took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He mentored Harry when he first started working for the company. Now he is dead. Warren blamed Derek and outright wanted to expose him, but he decided to wait to study the disk, "Thank you for telling me Mr. Powers. I will make sure to contact his family"
"No need to worry, I already did that. You can go now" Warren got up and turned his back to the door. After he reached the handle, Powers asked him one more question, "Oh there is one more thing. A disk was stolen from this office. Do you know where it could be?"
Sweat was running down Warren's face. He had the disk back at his apartment, which worried him. If Powers finds out it would put his family in danger, which is why confessing to something like that would put his wife and son out of harm's way, but if he does that many more people like Harry could die. If Warren lies and Powers believes him, then he can study it and with enough evidence he can go to the police. Powers was still waiting for an answer, so Warren had to give him one, "Sorry I don't know anything about it" Powers gave him a cold stare for a minute until he gave Warren a smile, "Well if you do, please contact me" After Warren left the room, Powers just gave him a glare before standing up to leave himself.
Derek Powers found himself in a lab where he met with his assistant, Mr. Fix, who was staring at the glass, while viewing what was there. It was the lifeless body of Harry Tully, who had more spots on his body then he did when he was alive. Powers watched the doctors in the room with radiation throw a towel over the corpse.
The two of them were observing what was going on. There was silence until Mr. Fix broke it, "Did McGinnis give it to you?" he asked while still staring at the glass.
"No"
"I could take care of him for you" Mr. Fixx offered, but Powers shook his head, not wanting to, "That would be helpful Mr. Fixx. Just make sure you don't cause more suspension"
"Yes Mr. Powers" Mr. Fix was leaving the room to go take care of his business until he was called by Derek Powers. Mr. Fix turned around and listened, "Oh and Mr. Fix, Make sure you take care of the whole McGinnis family. We don't want loose ends now do we?" Mr. Fix didn't say anything, instead he walked out. Powers just looked at the glass, observing what was going on.
In the afternoon at Gotham High, Terry was just walking with Dana and Max minding their own business. They were laughing and talking about their day. That all stopped, when Nash was picking on a kid. Looked to be a freshman and was smaller than the football star. Nash and the two of his friends from football are pushing around the kid. Before Dana or Max could stop him, Terry decided to confront the bullies, already having a bad day as it is. When one of the bullies was about to throw the bag, Terry caught it. Each of them looked at him with an angry face. Terry just hands the bag to the kid and he walks away right after. McGinnis then glanced back at the bullies.
"What's your deal, McGinnis?" Nash barked at Terry, who didn't care.
"Picking on kids really Nash? Is that what it's come to?"
Nash then shoved Terry to the ground. He got up only to hit Nash back hard with a fist in his face, falling to the ground hard. The whole hallway looked at Terrys direction. The other two looked like they were going to jump him until a teacher stepped in. He saw Nash on the ground then looked back at Terry, taking him away.
Terry waited in the Principal Watt's office until after school, when his mother walked in. Mary looked at Terry, who tried not to look at her. She just sat as the Principal welcomed her, "Hello Mrs. McGinnis, so to call you in like this, but there's been an incident"
"What happened now?" Mary asked, knowing this wasn't the first time she or her husband were called in.
"Well Your son punched another student" Mary looked at Terry in disappointment, hoping he learned his lesson already.
"I can explain" Terry tried to talk, but his mother cut him off.
"Terry no, I want to hear it. Not even a week and your starting trouble"
That is when Principal Watts cut in, "Actually Mrs. McGinnis I spoke to one of the students. Terry was defending another student. The problem is he use violence to solve it when he should have gotten an adult"
"Are you going to expel him?" Mary asked fearfully.
"No, but I don't want this happening again. You're graduating next year Terry. I don't want you in anymore trouble"
Terry sighed in relief, "Yes Principal Watts"
The Principal tried to hide a smile. She knew Terry was a good kid, but was troubled, "Alright you two can go"
Both Terry and his mother left. The car ride was silent. He knew he had disappointed her. He tried, so hard to be good, but never good enough for his parents. Terry thought about it and knew it was going to be worst when his dad hears about it. Terry, however, didn't care. He felt like he did the right thing even if it had consequences.
Terry had spent a year in Juvie and been suspended twice. To him this was normal. The two got home. Lucky for him, Warren was in his office with the door closed, but still expected to hear about it later.
"Go to your room. We can discuss your punishment later" Terry had listened to his mother and went straight for his room, closing the door. Mary turned her head to go to Warren's office noticing he was home early, which was unlike her husband.
Inside the office, Warren was going through research that was on the disk, given to him by Harry. He then heard a knock, "Come in" It was Mary she walked in looking at what Warren was doing before he turned off his computer.
"I heard you two come in. Everything alright?" he already knew something happened judging by the look on Mary's face. She walked up closer before speaking, "Terry got in trouble again" Warren stood up, he was not too surprised, let out a sigh, "Again? I guess I will go talk to him"
"Its fine I already sent him to his room. I told him we would talk later" Warren sat back when Mary told him not to. She then changed the subject, "What are you working on?"
"Just work you know" Warren still did not want his wife to know, so he was trying to hide it as much as he could. She looked at the computer and back at him before leaving Warren to his work.
Meanwhile Terry was just laying down on his bed, staring at the ceiling until he got a phone call. He picked up the phone and saw it was Dana. He immediately answered it, "Dana?
"Hey Terry thought I would check in on you. Are you alright?"
"Yeah I am fine. Didn't get kicked out this time. The Principal just left me with a warning"
"Good. Thought I would tell you that a bunch of people from school are going out tonight to Gotham's Pub if you want to join"
Terry stood up, "You do realize I am most likely going to be grounded right?"
"Oh come on Terr it is friday night. You can make it"
Terry took a deep breath, "Alright see you see you soon" he put away the phone before getting ready. When he opened the door his parents were standing outside waiting for him. Most likely hearing the conversation he was having.
"Hey I am going out" Terry was trying to find an excuse, but his parents knew better.
"You're grounded, remember?" Mary reminded him, folding her arms.
"But that wasn't my fault" things got worse when Warren stepped in after hearing what happened, "No, but that's not the point. You let your emotions get the better of you. That's why you got in trouble again"
"Don't remind me!" Terry in frustration hit the wall. That didn't help his case. His father got even more upset, "See that is what I mean. You gotta keep your emotions in check if you want to get anywhere in life"
"Yeah, successful, just like you" those words stung both of his parents. They tried to call his name, but Terry stormed out without hearing another word.
Terry had caught up with Dana, who was standing on line at Gotham's Pub.
"Terry you made it" she went into his arms. They were standing, waiting to get in. With them was Chelsea, who was rumored to have broken up with Nash after the fight. Speaking of Nash Nelson, he drove in with his fancy car. When he got out with his sunglasses. He looked at Terry and smiled in a mocking look. Terry looked annoyed and wanted to do something, but before he had a chance the Jokerz gang came in with their motorcycles, causing trouble. There were six of them. Each dressed with makeup similar to the Joker. They first targeted Nash by circling him. The football star tried to fight back, but immediately got knocked in the stomach, then got completely overpowered when he tried to get back up. Next one of them grabbed Dana, driving around in circles. Terry then swooped in and kicked the clown off his vehicle before catching her from falling. The clown then got up and had a frown on his face when he pulled out a knife. The gang was ready to turn their attention towards the young McGinnis
"Terry run!" Dana told him, who was horrified. Terry stole the motorcycle that was on the ground before leaving. The Jokerz chanced after him. Everyone else did nothing, but just watched in horror, not knowing what could happen.
Terry drove on the bridge fast in hopes he would lose the gang. Unfortunately for him the Jokerz were still tailing him. Terry knew he had to lose them, but he didn't know where. It was one thing dealing with one on the subway, but dealing with six was too much for him and he knew that. He just had to find somewhere to lose them before they catch up.
The teen kept driving, looking to see if there was a way out. The closer they got, the faster he had to get. Terry then saw an exit sign, so he stomped the foot on the gas to speed up towards it. The Jokerz sped up, so they wouldn't lose him.
The Chances of escaping ended when Terry stopped on his brake towards a gate that led to a mansion. The Jokerz pulled up. Each of them slowly got up, surrounding McGinnis, who for the first time in his life felt panicked, "You're surrounded now kid. There is nowhere left to run" the clown said with a passionate smile. This felt like the end, Terry was cornered by the gang of Jokerz and there was nothing he could do, but prepare to fight back.