Sometimes It's Better
Chapter 1: Weak
Dark was an understatement.
Even surrounded by the bright lights of the bustling town of Gotham it was dark. Or it would be unless you had lived in the darkness your entire life. The 3 shadows moving swiftly through the midnight air had done just that.
There was one seeming to fly through the air, her shadow carried an air of grace and naiveness. As this shadow passes through the light you get a small glimpse at what it is. A girl. A small petite form with blond hair and a purple dress. Maybe it was green. She disappears too quick for you to tell.
Another is moving with an obvious limp down the center of the ally. Step Slide, Step Slide, Step Slide. There is an orange glow in this ones mouth, smoke reaches the light before she does. You can see this one better, for she must stay in the light longer. Her hair is as dark as the night air around them, in two long braids on either side of her head. Pieces that had been expelled from the loose braids fell in front of her crystal clear blue eyes and framed the girls slender face. The hatred and anger in her eyes seems to burn where ever she looks, pray she does not look at you. The black makeup around her eyes seems to drain down her face. The left side of her lips are sewn together and there are scars on the right, at one point this girl was unable to talk. Her jeans were torn and extremely loose, hanging down to her hips. The black tank top was tight and followed the curves of her ribs, the all too large suit jacket swallowed her skin and bone frame. As the cancer stick is brought to her mouth again, she reveals cloth, fingerless gloves on her palms. She continues to limp forward, dragging her foot behind her. Step Slide, Step Slide, Step Slide.
Oh Wait, there's another. This one is far in front of the others, stationary before the end of the alley, bathed in light. I could have sworn she wasn't there before. The figure has dark red that almost appeared maroon. It was pulled into a tight pony tail and fell in gentle waves to the middle of her back. Her green eyes scanned the vacant streets of an abandoned neighborhood on the outskirts of Gotham City. Her long legs were adorned with green stiletto heels that had straps like vines that laced up her slender legs. The green long sleeve, tighter than skin, dress she wore hung about 7 inches from her hip bone. Her hair hung against bare skin, that didn't have a blemish or scar to speak of. Her eyes were decorated with green makeup, and a seductive smirk decorated her features.
The small blond appeared at her side, her dress is purple. The green you saw was the belt that rested on her waist, just above where her skirt took the shape of a bell. The dress had two straps on her bare shoulder. A white blouse was worn underneath the jumper, and had puffy sleeves that fell off her shoulders. She had a green shawl over her shoulders and a purple bow tie in between her collar bones with a diamond charm hanging down. J. She had white fishnets down her legs that vanished under green boots. The blond curls were flawless and clipped back with a purple bow on the left side.
"Marion." The one with dark hair spoke, her voice low but feminine, "Go inside. I'll wait for Ann."
The blond, Marion, nodded and hurried across the street and into one of the abandoned houses.
"You don't have to wait for me, you know." She, Ann, exhaled smoke as she continued to limp forward, "I can make it on my own, Violet."
Violet turned, "Yeah Yeah Yeah, I know. You and you're DIY attitude. Just give it a rest, will ya?"
"You're the one who insists on babysitting me, when M's the one who needs it. And don't give me that bull crap that she can take care of herself. She's naïve and won't punch anyone even if they hit her first. You know as well as I do that she wouldn't make it without us."
"Yeah, I know. And I also know." She reached out just in time to catch Ann with strong and supporting arms, "That you took a shot or two for her. Your leg can't take that much strain, and you damn well know it." she said as she wrapped a supportive arm around Ann's waist and helped carry her weight, "Why didn't you just gas them?"
"None of them would get close enough for me to." Ann said as they crossed the street slowly, "And I'd take a bullet for her, so would you."
Violet sighed and fell silent, knowing Ann was right.
"Hey, hold up. I wanna smoke before we go inside." Ann said pulling away and sitting on the bottom step that led to their townhouse.
"Do you think I'm weak?" Violet asked as Ann lit a cigarette.
"What?" Ann asked before taking a long drag.
"Don't make me ask it again."
"Why on earth would I think you were weak?"
"I care too much, according to Mother."
"Your mother cares for Harley."
"Yeah, but that's it. She says that caring for people makes you weak. She claims that one day one of you will be my downfall, just like Harley will be hers."
Ann shook her head, "Your mother cares for more people that she realizes."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I guess Care is the wrong word. She trusts my father, The Joker, Two-Face, Marion, Me, and you. If she claims that Harley, a person she cares for, will be her downfall than so will the rest of us. She doesn't want to admit to herself, especially anyone else, that she cares for more people because obviously she sees it as a weakness. And as we both know-"
"She doesn't deal with weakness." Violet shifted, "I know."
"So, how long do you think it'll take?"
"Until what?"
"Till we're back at Arkham with the others."
"Eh, a day or two max."
"How long do you want to stay?"
"That's up to the munchkin."
A few moments of silence passed as Ann worked on her long suicide.
"You never answered my question."
"Hm?"
"Do you think I'm weak?"
Ann laughed, "No, Violent. You're not weak. You're one of the strongest people I know. Marion doesn't think your weak either. No one does. Your mother's just trying to scare you so you won't make the same mistakes she did." she put out the cigarette and stood, "Alright, let's go inside."
Violet ducked under Ann's arm and helped her up the steps and into their house.