The warehouse was dark and dilapidated; the perfect place for a drug deal to go off without a hitch.

I sat beside my boss, the drug ring leader that gave no actual identification. We called him boss and left it at that; no questions asked or allowed. I'd learned to grow used to his normal behavior; he was distant but a powerful figure that you wouldn't dare to betray. Not unless you were completely insane.

I tugged on the leather henchman suit, not appreciating the fact the boys had picked out something so tight and revealing. What more could I expect from a couple of thugs that I trusted with my shopping since I was too busy bashing brains in for the boss. I was growing impatient now, placing my chin in my hand as I waited impatiently for the slowly approaching group. They were a gang run by the one and only Joker, who had plenty of involvement with our ring leader.

If it wasn't for my eavesdropping I never would've realized who it was. The Joker had a distinct voice to him, a specific laugh that whenever you heard it, it'd send chills down your spine and a spike of fear through your heart. As his gang of clown masked members approached I was eyeing the crowd, looking for him in particular. I'd always been fascinated with the Jokers mental psyche, after working so close to him in the mental hospital.

His ideals, his words, had driven me insane and had made me think over and over again. Sleepless nights were common back then, back before I'd realized the things he said had some merit. I was stuck here due to my own need to protect myself and what made me, me. My fiancé was dead, and I was alone, buried in a hole of murder, lies and deceit that I'd managed to dig myself into in a short period of time.

"Open it, Ace." I nodded as my nickname was spoken, gently brushing my hand against my back pocket that had the Ace of Hearts concealed in it as I stepped forward. The henchman's eyes met mine for a split second before I realized his fear meant that this was clearly a trap. He was far too nervous for this to be any other kind of baggage.

I gave him a small smile, taking the case from his hands and turning to walk back to my boss. It felt as if there was nothing in it, if there was nothing in it, and then what could it be? Not a bomb, I would have felt it and heard it ticking, and their drop off would've been planned much quicker than this. They could have rigged it to set off later, however we might have discovered what it truly was by that time and have disposed of it.

I heard shuffling behind me and the sound of a gun clicking; I froze in place, following the examples of the rest of my group by raising my hands. The case dropped to the ground, clicking open to reveal a photocopied face of the Joker, with 'Ha Ha Ha' written in red in various places all over it.

"Keep your hands where I can see 'em!" The henchman cried out, slowly stepping forward so that the gun was pressed against my neck. I couldn't help the sudden shiver of pleasure that ran down my body, oh it just did something' to me when I was being threatened.

"Nice try, sugar." I whispered, quickly elbowing him in the stomach. He let out a cough of surprise, dropping the gun into my awaiting hands. "Bye bye!" I laughed as the gun proceeded to go off a round was spent only on the poor guys face. "I do love the art of a beautiful kill. Such a face scarred by bullets; remember, guns don't kill people, people kill people."

I heard the click of guns, raising my hands innocently again as I dropped the gun to the ground.

"I always forget about things when I'm having fun." I mocked a pout, instead being rushed by a few other henchmen. Only six had come, but five guns pointed at me were enough to send back the sadistic, playful side that came out when I was murdering. The gun dropped to the floor with a clatter, with my hands raised I turned and slowly walked back to stand by my bosses side. He seemed more than irritated, although talk of betrayal had been popular among the henchmen.

It wasn't at all unexpected.

"We've got ourselves quite a doll here, boys!" A man taller than the others walked strutted forward, snatching the gun from the henchmen. He pressed the gun against my temple; I closed my eyes, letting out a soft sigh as the adrenaline ran through my veins. I could die at any second, if I was still old Stacy Carnesale I would've cried, maybe even begged for my life.

It was who I was now.

The Ace of Hearts feared nothing, welcoming anything to stop the pain of everyday life. Of living without a purpose. No, I didn't fear death anymore because I was already dead on the inside.