Author's Note: Just wanted to thank everyone for all the views, favorites and follows. It means the world to me that people actually want to read this. Also wanted to let you know that I have taken some of the reviews I received into consideration and made some minor changes to the previous chapter if you would like to skim back over it. I really want this to be the best that I can possibly make it. I honestly just wrote chapter one on a whim to try this out and had no plan to continue but let's see where this goes :') xxx
Jade hugged her knees as she lay in the enclosed, claustrophobic space between the bed and the floor. Her breathing was heavy and tears were swimming down her face to meet the pool of red that awaited them on the plush carpet. The shadow of a tall man seemed to dance across the wall as it moved menacingly towards her in the low light of the dimly lit bedroom. The sound of children's screams rang in her ears to the point of near insanity. Then she woke up.
Why she thought, am I so cold? Her toes curled against the rough, damp surface they were standing upon. A shiver travelled through her body along with the traumatic memory of a dream that had haunted her since it had all happened. It was at this point she realised that she was in fact outside. It must be nearing dawn, she thought to herself, as she observed the sky overhead warming in hues of orange and red. Still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she turned on her heel to see the impressive home that she could now call her residence. As Jade began pacing towards the door, she could hear a commotion of sirens and screams in the distance. In a turn of her head, she saw the devastating image that the effect of sleep had previously denied her. It had not as she had originally thought reached the end of her first night in Gotham, instead, the night sky was being illuminated by the presence of a brilliant fire. Still dazed from her dream, Jade stared at the blaze for a moment, admiring the beauty of it. Wait. She came to her senses all at once. The centre of Gotham lay in that direction.
She raced inside and bashed the power button of the television flicking through the endless channels to find the news.
"News just in, the Gotham National Bank is ablaze in the centre of the city. Our reporters are working hard to bring you up to date with the details on this story. However, the unofficial report is that the Joker has struck again. Ladies and gentleman, I regret to inform you that after months upon months of successful bank robberies at the hands of him and his evil henchman, he has made his final statement. Starting the fire is an obvious move of lunacy but I can confirm that it was started internally after an excessive sum of money was stolen. Unfortunately, it is believed that we will never know the extent of his crimes on this occasion due to the burning of all evidence. We will be returning with regular updates throughout the night. Please lock your doors and stay inside." A picture of the joker appeared on the screen, apparently to warn the general public of his dangerousness and his most wanted status. From his bleached skin to his bright green hair to his tattoos the man didn't look like the approachable type anyway. Despite this, his blue, marble-like eyes entranced her as she felt she was having a glimpse into the purest depths of his unhinged soul.
"If he wanted to get in, I'm sure a locked door wouldn't stop him, mister." She mumbled quietly to herself as she switched it off. She began the tiptoed ascent of the stairs before halfheartedly turning around to lock the door.
Her toes were now comfortably cushioned on the clouds of carpet beneath her feet. She was appreciating the difference between this and the icy tarmac on her way across the landing as she heard the low hiss of whispered voices. This must be her Aunt and Uncles room she guessed. She silently pressed her ear to the door, shamelessly eavesdropping on their late night conversation.
"I didn't know what to say to her Lisa. I mean what do you say to someone who's Father..."
"You don't have to say anything to her Mike. As long as we are going to be there for her, that's all that matters. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, the poor girl's had enough to deal with and from the sound of it, she's in denial so let's just cut her some slack." She had heard all about Jade's attitude from her husband.
"He was my brother." Was all the reply that Mike could muster.
Jade felt a hand on her back and panicked. To say she jumped a foot in the air would not have been an exaggeration.
"It's only me." A girl with long luscious locks of blonde was staring at her through the darkness.
"Sorry, do I know you?" Responded Jade with a look of contempt.
"It's me, Ella. Listen, Jade, I was so sorry to hear about your parents and the twins. I'm just glad you're here now, I've missed you."
"Are you kidding me? You're glad I'm here?! Well, that's so good for you, isn't it? I'm so glad that you're happy." She made for her bedroom door, she didn't want to raise her voice but this was testing her temper.
"I just meant that I know what you all went through with your Dad and I'm glad you're away from it now. It was horrible the way things panned out for you but I hope we can still be friends." Ella was doing some serious backtracking at this point, Jade was a walking mess and she knew it.
"I don't know what you think I went through, but I have had the best time with my family since you left and they died in a CAR CRASH!" With that, she slammed the door to a room that was not hers. She no longer cared who she woke. Jade flung herself onto a bed that was not hers and proceeded to scream into a pillow that was also not hers. She could hear the sounds of little Nancy crying-this was her doing. It proved an uncanny echo to the dream that she had earlier and knew she'd keep on having. Insomnia set in as she stared into the pitch black oblivion. The two blue marbles that had presented themselves to her earlier were the only things that kept her sane that night, rolling around and around and around in her head.