THE EVIL WITHIN

Chapter One: A Cursed Greeting

A shadowy figure sat on his own in the locked room with nothing but a table and an empty chair opposite his to keep him company. Time ticked by slowly for him like it had been for a month in this boring place where nothing funny ever happened anymore; not since the added security precautions. He assumed that commissioner Jim Gordon was a big role behind that.

On the other side of the door, a few corridors down, a woman with blonde hair and a white lab coat was being debriefed by the governor and Detective Kate Kane.

"-Under no circumstances must you give personal information to this patient. I assume you've heard the stories of this one, he's not known for his subtlety in his crimes."

Dr. Harleen Quinzel broke eye contact while giving a nod before examining the patients records once more. The infamous clown prince of crime wasn't going to be like any other patient she'd had in her years of practise, but she was very well respected and in accordance to that the job had been assigned to her.

"He's been restrained and cuffed to the chair, if at any point you feel like he is not bound then I want you to step back immediately and give a distress call. We have officers outside your door ready to take control should you need it."

Kate Kane continued to speak to Harleen as the governor followed behind them down the barren corridors that gave off more of an eery atmosphere when the solid steel door came into view.

"Officer Montoya." Kate nodded and the guard stepped out of the way so the governor could unlock the door. Kate glanced back at the doctor. "It's not too late to decline."

Harleen smiled nervously and cast her gaze to the side for a moment. "No… I'm fine. Thank you, Detective."

The door clinched open and Kate patted the young doctors shoulder for good luck which was almost missed by the woman who had no idea what to expect once the barrier was crossed. Harleen walked forward and nodded to the detective who signalled for the door to be locked back up. The sound of it shutting sealing her into the poorly lit room that she was very much not alone in.

Harleen stared directly at the centre where a table and two chairs sat; only one chair was not taken. She couldn't see him clearly until she flicked the switch beside the door to bring another row of lights to life.

The shadowy figure was no more; and in it's place was a pale, messy green haired man with bloody lips. His jaw was wide and sharp, his face chiseled to make him appear charming and handsome. His body had an average build with broadened shoulders. However as she came to sit down opposite him, it wasn't his surprising size that was occupying her mind, it was his glistening green eyes gawking into hers.

"Good evening… Joker." She landed upon and kept a straight posture as she addressed him. "My name is Dr. Harleen Quinzel, I've been assigned to help you for the duration of your stay at Arkham instead of Dr. Joan Leland."

The brooding man suddenly cast a smile towards the woman opposite him. "Interesting. Why the change in management, I wonder?" His head titled as he studied her movements.

"She found herself unavailable at this given time." Harleen rehearsed.

"Really?" His voice rose with fake curiosity.

"Yes."

"Then I bet you're counting your lucky stars that you were around for the promotion."

"Promotion?"

"I'd consider myself a high level case, surely like no other you or anyone has encountered."

"Perhaps. Many doctors have tried to diagnose you but no one has ever been able to treat you."

He chuckled to himself. "I try my best."

"Well I don't believe it, anyone can be helped with the correct treatment."

"And I suppose you think you're the woman for the job, hmm? There is something about you… Maybe you and I will become friends. I've never had a friend before."

Dr. Harleen smiled. "Well, you can count me as a friend from now on."

The Joker's broad grin took over hers and his emerald green orbs sparkled. "Good."

"Will you let me help you? Now that we are friends."

"Oh, sure! I wouldn't want to let my best pal down so soon like that. What do you want to know, doctor? What my childhood was like? Would you like to know if mummy and daddy abused me before I torched them? No- oh dear, was that not in my file?"

Harleen shifted her focus and wetted her lips as she ignored his laughing.

"What would you like to talk about?" She asked, knowing that this meeting was not ever going to be that start to helping him but rather an introduction to gain some level of rapport between them.

He grinned even more. "Are you trying to 'woo' me, doctor? Very well. Let's talk about you."

"Me?"

"I think there's more to the smart, compassionate persona you choose to show. What secrets does Dr. Harleen Quinzel keep hidden away? You can tell me… We're friends."

"What exactly are you asking?" She questioned.

Her heart jolted when the Joker's face leaned in closer over the table. "Have you ever felt it?"

"Felt what?"

"The feeling… When you get close… Close to something no one can quite understand no matter how hard they try. Come now, doctor, you must know what I am inferring here. You work in an asylum."

"No, I haven't." She responded sternly.

His smile erupted and he leaned closer than before. "Not even a little? Working here… Why it's bound to send anyone off the rocker at least a couple times."

"Not everyone."

"Are you immune? Is that why you're my God given saviour? Will you really be the one to cure me of madness?"

"I'm not naïve… But I don't believe hope is ever something to be lost… even in such extreme circumstances. But I can't help you without your co-operation." Harleen had kept her hands on the table throughout her talking and the Joker kept taking a peak.

"Oh believe me, doctor. You'll find me very co-operative with you."

Harleen watched him and nodded respectfully. "Then I'll do my best. When you were here last time, before everything happened, you went by a different name."

"Do you not like Joker?"

"There's a lot of negativity attached to that name. If you want to become something better then maybe you should start over. Of course, this is up to you, it's just a suggestion."

"Very well. I'm not one to ignore advice from friends. You may call me John Doe."

"You're sure?"

"Certainly! And who knows, maybe I'll be John Quinzel one day – I have to say I like the way it sounds."