Hugo led Diana through corridor after corridor, deep into the Experiment Area.
He stopped in front of a glass partition.
Beyond the glass lay a spacious, empty room, its walls and floor made of pale gray metal.
Hugo turned sideways and extended an open palm toward Diana. "This is the latest result of my experiments. I'd welcome your assessment, Miss Prince."
Diana looked at the glass and said calmly, "I'm looking forward to it."
She, too, wanted to see just how insane Arkham's director really was.
Inside the room, a girl in a black bodysuit and goggles walked to the center of the platform.
She stood with her arms at her sides, surveying the space around her, seemingly unable to see Hugo and Diana.
"I'll begin now, then."
Hugo pressed a button on the control panel.
Suddenly, several savage jets of flame erupted from both the floor and ceiling, closing in on the center from every direction.
The walls of fire moved inward, straight toward where the girl stood.
The heat forced the girl half a step back, but the ring of fire was tightening behind her, too. She had nowhere else to retreat.
She glanced from side to side, then crouched down and hugged her knees. Turning toward the glass, she shouted, "Help!"
Diana's eyes widened. She told Hugo, "Stop it!"
Hugo ignored her. "Please wait. The experiment is still in progress."
Diana shoved the madman aside and immediately reached for the control panel.
But no matter which buttons she pressed, the flames inside the room remained unchanged.
She turned and walked toward the alloy door at the side, pressing her palm against its surface. Hooking her fingers around its edge, she pulled hard.
The door was growing steadily hotter. Heat radiated outward through the metal, leaving a faint