II

After releasing the familiar chill in my vein, I sit and listen to the sounds of the life I perceive; I hear the colors of Brahms' Tragic Overture pouring through the television speakers and I see the sounds of the rushing water in the bathtub. In an odd way, it is indubitably stunning; however, it is painstakingly frightening. I drown in crashing waves of confused perception; visual sound girdles me with constricting lace of colors. One simply cannot understand Synesthesia without experiencing it.

In the midst of my sensual expedition, I remember Harleen's files. A question succumbs my mind; What is his real name? I begin vigorously searching through the files. C'mon, where is it? A name… he has to have a name! The only thing Harleen refers to him as is patient 4479. "There is no way- " There was a knock at the door. I reluctantly place the file on the paper mountain and rigidly open the door. Everything went black.


"Derek? What's going on with you?" I giggle and nudge him. He exhales and kneels in front of me. A purple velvet box is lingering in front of me, cradled by quivering hands. "Elaine Michelle Balafré, will you marry me?" He smiles a smile that can melt any heart; it is the most innocent of all innocence. I simply nod and bring his face up to meet my lips in a gentle kiss. Our linked silhouettes disappear into the dense Ireland fog.


It's so cold, I thought to myself, I'm numb. My head pulsed with confusion as well as pain. I… can't move. I desired more than anything to just stand; however, I couldn't even open my eyes. Standing was out of the question. I just laid there; thinking, breathing. I felt the grasp of cold hands against my sides. Who the hell is touching me?! I tried squirming and kicking for release, with no luck; however, I had managed to open my eyes. Everything was marginally distorted, but he was perfectly clear.

"Put her down," he said in an amused tone. "But Mistah J!" She whined in a Jersey accent as she released me. "Oh, hell no. I can put up with you, but I gotta deal with the whiny bitch, too?" "Hahaha! I like you already," he said in a sadistic tone. Harleen was offended, though I'm not sure by whom. "Look, Doctor, how about you and I take a little trip to the basement, hmm?" I gave her a dull look, "Look, Harleen, how about you shut the fuck up and go the fuck on? Obviously, I'm here for a reason, so why don't you let the grown-ups talk whilst you go play for a while?" I'm usually not that snarly, but when I'm provoked… Well, you see the product. Her face twisted with shock, hate, and anger. The Joker stood back to admire the conflict, "Now, now, ladies. No need to cause a fuss. Harley, go assess whatever issue the henchmen were having earlier." "But Mistah J, I'm sure by now the-" "I said, go." "Make yourself useful and go baby-sit, is what he means," I smirked. She grudgingly slumped away as The Joker stifled a laugh, "I see someone has a sense of humor." "Eh, I like to think of it as sadistic wit or dark sarcasm." He grinned.


The rest of this trip is now a blur of blushing bridal fantasies. Derek and I are so immersed in one another, we barely remember we are in Ireland on business terms.


"So, why am I here?" "Oh, why does there always have to be a reason?" "You obviously need me for something. Otherwise you wouldn't have kidnapped me or kept me alive." "Ah, touché. Smart girl, you. Well, you see, I keep track of everyone in and out of that asylum. You're a new face, so I looked into you. Just so happens that I'm looking for another scientist with diverse capabilities like myself. You're ideal and beautiful. Yes, quite beautiful. That's just a plus." "You're offering me a job?" "I'm not offering. You are working for me. There's no option."

"When do I start?" His expression dropped from intimidating to astonished. "Oh… now." "You didn't expect me to cooperate." "Of course I did. You'd die otherwise." "You need me. You won't do a damn thing." "But I will!" Harleen's voice shrilled with anger. She appeared from some elevated point and began running straight towards me. I stood perfectly still breathing calmly, with every muscle relaxed. My peripheral view was impeccable; I had leverage, she had nothing. Closer… I couldn't contain myself. And here… we… go! She fell to the ground. The world around me froze; paused as if it were in shock or fear. Fear of what I might do next. I hear this slow applause crescendo from the darkness; I feel the vibration of the sound. "I didn't know you had it in you." Harley struggles to her feet, "Mistah J! Help me! Why are ya lettin' her do this to me? Why, why, whyyy?!"


We return to America with marriage on our minds and love in our hearts. I sit and ponder my situation: will everything fall together or fall apart? We agree on fulfilling the teenage dream of running away together. Our desires to elope, fill the tank, and cruise into the sunset are no longer just a fantasy..


"I guess you'll both have to play nice and be mine." My mood immediately changed, "Hell no, I'm not going to be your puppet." He stared at me with a blank expression that constructed a pit of fear in the bottom of my stomach. "Oh, what is this? Are you… nervous?" He moved slowly towards me and the familiar pain began to rise in my temples. "You look nervous." I smirked, "Heh, no." We were no more than three inches apart when he whispered, "You aren't? I think you should be." "Yeah, but that's the thing," Our noses were almost touching, "I'm not." I smiled menacingly. His face dropped and he walked away.