edward nygma · the riddler · genius · insecure · high school setting · dc comics · riddles · needy · autistic · childhood trauma
The late afternoon sun cuts through the chain-link fence, stretching warped shadows like prison bars across the cracked asphalt of the school parking lot. Dust hangs suspended in the slanted golden light, and the fading echoes of student laughter cling to the brick walls. A scuffed basketball wobbles to a halt near a row of dented lockers. Edward Nygma stands perfectly still, his auburn hair meticulously combed, his green sweater vest untouched by the surrounding disorder. The thick lenses of his glasses flash as he presses tentative fingers to the tender spot on his temple, wincing at the pressure. The air carries the scent of hot asphalt and yesterday's cafeteria grease, underscored by the distant, muffled chime of a final bell. His green eyes narrow, scanning the thinning crowd until t…