Chapter 2 – Anyone Ordered a Clown?

As soon as the Joker and his men are gone and get driven to the Police station, most of us get checked up from a Doctor to make sure we all don't need a psychiatrist which most of my classmates need, the only ones that don't need one are Lily, Bonny, about 4 guys and me of course. I look how they give each of them a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate while I hurry out of the bus and look how the police car The Joker's in drives away up a few hills. With a half ear I hear how 2 cops talk to my teacher who now tells them exactly what happened. Soon her eyes meet me on what the other 2 cops look at me too. One of them moves towards me on what I feel my defensive-mode kicking in. By now I see out of the corner of my eye how my class mates look at me too but I ignore them. The cop has a friendly smile as he approaches me, he probably thinks I'm under a shock or something like this.

'' Hey... Ich bin Inspektor Braun. Bist du in Ordnung? '' (I'm officer Braun, are you all right?) He asks me with worry in his voice. I look up at him and nod slowly.

It's better if I don't tell him that I think this meeting was rather interesting. I mean, I never hated someone more than I do hate The Joker now but I can't deny this was pretty much interesting...

'' Gut. Komm mit, wir lassen dich mal besser vom Doktor ansehen. '' (Good. Come with me, we get you checked up by the doc.) He gives me his hand and I stare blankly a moment at it before I simply walk past him. Officer Braun looks at me strangely and takes me then to a sanitary. The doc checks the cut on my cheek and treats it with disinfection spray and a plaster. After that he takes a look at the bruises on my face but they're nothing serious and my head will only ache a few more days. I get a blanket and even a cup of coffee to 'calm my nerves', like he said. Some of the Policemen come to me and congratulate me that I was so brave and all…

Stepping in front of a maniac that could kill me any moment isn't courageous, it's stupid. If I wouldn't be so tired of this life I would never have done this. At least not like that.

My thoughts get interrupted by Bonny who suddenly stands next to me and while Lilly looks angry at me, Bonny slaps the back of my head with all her possible force so that I feel a ringing going through my head already very much hurting head. With a loud yelp I hold the aching spot and furiously start rubbing over it,

'' Aua! Verdammt, das tut weh! Wofür war das?! '' (Ouch! Damn that hurts! What was that for?)

'' Bist du eigentlich völlig Größenwahnsinnig?! '' (Are you completely out of your mind?!) Bonny says loudly while hitting me again but this time a little more gentle,

'' Bonny hat recht, du machst immer das schlimmste was dir einfällt. '' (Bonny's right you always do the most stupid things you can come up with.) Lily goes on while shaking her head, trying to show off her anger but inside her eyes I see the release she feels. Softly I smile to myself, I don't know what I would do without these 2. They're the only people that would stick with me no matter what. Deep inside I'm scared that they will leave me at some point, I don't think I could stand losing them. But nothing is forever. Sooner or later every relationship, every friendship and every knowing breaks because of something. You can only push that date away a little longer by fighting for the person you love. But it will never be a 'a whole life' thing. So I enjoy every minute with them as long as they still keep up with me.

'' Was?! Da mach ich zum 1. Mal ma was um euch zu beschützen und dann werd ich geschlagen?! Verkehrte Welt! Abgesehen davon, ist doch gar nichts passiert! Ich hab ihn geschlagen und getreten! '' (What?! Here I was, doing everything I could to protect you 2 and then I get punched?! Wrong world! Not to mention that nothing happened, I hit and kicked him!) One of the Policemen comes to us and shoos Bonny and Lily away for what I'm rather gracious right now because I feel my head buzzing. I need to get home immediately before it comes back fully. He turns towards me and smiles friendly on what I feel the urge to vomit coming up in me. I don't like talking to people, especially not to cops.

'' Wir müssen dir ein paar Fragen stellen wenn das ok ist? '' (We have to ask you a few questions if that's all right?).

'' Mhm…'' Slowly I rise from my seating position and place the empty coffee cup on the next police car I see before following the man to his car. The whole trip is quiet and kinda odd, I don't know maybe it's because I'm a little hypersensitive through my pills stop working. As soon as we get there, he gets out of the car and opens the door for me like I'm under some big shock.

'' Deine Mutter wird dich abholden sobald du hier fertig bist. '' (Your mother will come and pick you up as soon as you're done here.) He leads me into an interrogation room and leaves then. I look around in the small room and grin a little to myself, suppressing the chuckle,

Never expected to be interrogated by cops this soon... I thought I have some more time for that left.

The room is rather small and the walls are in the typical gray stone which makes the room look utterly uncomfortable. I sit on a wooden chair in front of a metal table but except of another table on the opposite to me there's nothing in here. After a few moments a women with blond dyed hair and blue eyes comes in and takes a sit in front of me.

'' Hallo. Wie geht es dir? '' (Hello, how are you?) She asks friendly but I only narrow my eyes, not liking the way she looks at me. That smile isn't real, she's just pretending to seem nice but she doesn't succeed in that. I can't tell her what I really feel. I can't tell her that I did what I did for my own entertainment. Leaning back in the chair I cross my arms and look at her with a, a little creepy, smirk,

'' Nah, ich kann mich net beklagen. So wie immer halt. '' (Nah I can't say any bad. Like always.) The woman looks at me a moment with a perplex look but shakes it off then and smiles again,

'' Also Angeline, ist es ok wenn ich dich so nenne? '' (So Angeline, is it alright if I call you that?)

'' Das ist mein Name. Wie solltest du mich sonst nennen? '' (It's my name, obviously. What else should you call me?) I say ironic with a lifted eyebrow. The woman looks confused at me but begins to talk again,

'' Was ist in dem Bus passiert? Wie bist du zu der Verletzung gekommen? '' (What happened in the bus? How did you get that injury?)

'' Er hat mich beobachtet und ich ihn. Der Schnitt ist passiert als die meine Klassen Leute in die Halle gebracht haben. Ende der Geschichte. '' (He observed me and I him. The cut happened as these guys got my class into the hall. End of the story.)

'' Du hast seine Schritte beobachtet? Warum? '' (You observed him? Why?)

'' Ich wollte wissen was er tut. Wie er reagiert. '' ( I wanted to know what he does. How he reacts.)

'' Warum? '' (Why?) I shrug my shoulders and look with a bored expression at the wall next to her head,

'' Neugierde. '' (Curiosity) She looks at me for another long moment before taking a deep breathe like she is very annoyed about me.

'' Hat er, von dem Schnitt und dem schlagen mal abgesehen, noch etwas anderes getan? '' (Has he done something else except the cut and the beating?) I lift an eyebrow at her and cross my arms a little tighter over my chest.

Does she expect me to tell her he harassed me? Or that he hurt me in any way? Well I don't live to fulfill her expectations.

'' Nicht wirklich. N paar weitere Drohungen aber sonst nichts. '' (Not really. A few more threats, nothing else.) Suddenly she looks surprised, even shocked, at me and leans a little back. Her eyes are wide and she blinks a little fast at me what makes me raise an eyebrow at her, not knowing what I said to make her look like that.

'' Und… Was habt ihr dann 1 Stunde lang in dem Bus getrieben? '' (And... what were you doing 1 hour in that bus then?) Now it's my turn to look surprised. I didn't realize it was this long. We must have stared at each other for longer than I thought. I guessed we were in there for about 20 minutes but an full hour?

'' Huh? Das war ne Stunde? Oh… Wir haben geredet. '' (That was an hour? Oh... We talked.)

'' Geredet? Worüber? '' (Talked? About what?)

'' Alles mögliche... Was er in Deutschland macht, Warum ich allen eine plätte die mir zu nahe kommen… Oh! Und ich hab ihm n Witz erzählt. '' (All kind of stuff... What he's doing in Germany, the cat ear on my cap, why I slap everyone that comes close to me... Oh! And I told him a joke.)

'' Einen Witz? Welchen? '' (A joke? Which one?)

'' Was hat grün-gefärbte Haare und hat starke Schmerzen in der Lenden Gegend? Dann hab ich ihm zwischen die Beine getreten. '' (What's got green dyed hair and has terrible pain in his lower region? Then I kicked him where it hurts.) I grin on her look. The woman's mouth falls open and she looks at me shocked.

'' D-du-du hast… Und er hat nicht mal versucht dich zu töten? ''(Y-yo-you did... And he never tried to kill you?)

'' Ne. Wie du siehst geht's mir prima. '' (Nope, how you see I'm fine.) I say and raise my arms in the air with a smirk,

'' O-okay… Um, h-hat er dir vielleicht… irgendetwas gegeben? '' (Uhm, d-did he maybe... give you something?) On that question I stop a moment, simply starring at her…

I can't tell her…

'' Why not? It's not like he did anything that should make you help him. ''

Because he handed me the card secretly.

'' Who knows if the number is right? He could be just screwing with you. He sure does manage that. ''

I know, just drop it. I need to think. Why should he lie about the number?

'' I don't know, he's insane, even more than you and that does mean something- Now that I think about it, that guy is the only chance on a relationship you ever could get. You should call him. ''

No! I don't want to call him! I don't want to talk to him! And I don't need a relationship either, you know that!

'' Just messing with you honey, now tell her you got the number. ''

'' Nop. ''

'' Are you fucking kidding me or is it that you want to punish me for something?! I said tell her! ''

Shut up.

Ignoring the laughing in the back of my head I look her straight in the eye until she breaks the eye contact off and shifts slightly uncomfortable in her chair,

'' Hast du eine Ahnung warum er nicht versucht hat dich zu töten? '' (Do you have any idea about why he didn't kill you?)

'' Nein. '' (No.)

'' Das ist dann alles. Vielen Dank fürs kommen, wenn dir noch etwas einfällt: Hier ist meine Karte. '' (That will be all then. If you remember anything else, here is my Card.) She hands me a card with her name and her number but as soon as she looks down to grab into her bag I throw it over my shoulder and place my hands then on my lap as she looks up again. Inside I shake with giggling, she doesn't really expect me to call her right?

'' Wenn du raus gehst musst du nur links abbiegen und dann einfach gerade aus den Korridor entlang. So! Auf Wiedersehen, ich habe noch Arbeit zu erledigen. '' (If you go out you only have to turn left and then just go the way along. So! Good-bye, I still have work to do.) Without anything else she rise and leaves the room without another look at me. I narrow my eyes while starring after her, hissing silently under my breathe,

I don't like her…!

I sit there for a few more minutes as I hear suddenly screams and gun shots! With a bad feeling in my stomach I open the door and look out as suddenly someone grabs me and shoves me back into the room. Before I'm able to do something I'm pressed up against a wall and a gun is held to my head. I hiss on the pain that flows through my back on the hard crash against the stone wall.

What the- Oh really now?!

'' Ah! Hello ma, uh, ma sweet lil' Rebel! What'cha doin' 'ere? '' The Joker asks, tongue flipping over his bottom lip and grinning insanely.

'' See, if you would have told the lady about him being interested in you, this could have been prevented. ''

Would you finally shut the fuck up already!?

I sigh and push him away from me a little, suddenly feeling angry again,

Now the day can't get worse…

'' Thanks to you, the police wanted to talk to me! I'm not only now officially in the data bank of the damn cops but I'm marked too, thank you very much! ''

'' 'Was ma pleasure. I see, someone nursed yer cut… Sad, I. Liked. It. '' I just want to open my mouth as we hear voices from outside. Screamed orders to find the psychopath in front of me and a few 'yes'. I look at the door a moment, trying to guess how far way they still are but as I hear the Joker shifting close to me, I turn my attention to him.

'' Hmm, only have two bullets left…! That's one of the reasons, why I always, uh, use a knife! '' The Joker murmurs to himself while staring at the gun in his hand. I look around a moment, thinking of what to do now. I mean if I get caught talking to him again who knows what will happen. And what will my mother think? But if I don't help him out of here who knows what happens then? With a sigh I ruffle through my hair slightly before going to the door. He sees my movement out of the corner of his eyes and stops me by grabbing my arm rather roughly. I'm sure that will leave some marks on my skin.

'' What'cha, uh, doin'? '' He asks. I grab his arm and push him behind the door with a smirk, blaring my white teeth at him while winking playfully,

'' Shut up and trust me. '' I take a deep breathe and open the door and right in that moment a few policemen come running towards me but stop in front of me as they catch sight of my now trembling form. One of them steps right in front of me and eyes my shaking figure with worry but anger,

'' Hast du den Joker gesehen?! '' (Have you seen the Joker?) With fake-panic I hurriedly nod with my head, sobbing a little,

'' Ja! I-ich wollte ge-rade raus gehen a-als er an mir vorbei und... oh Gott... in d-diese Richtung ge-gelaufen ist! '' (Yes! I-I just wanted to l-leave as... as he suddenly stormed past me and... oh god... he went into that direction!) I say with fake-panic and trembling voice while I show a way that leads to the opposite direction from the emergency-exit, tear prickling in my eyes.

'' In Ordnung. Versuch raus zu kommen aber sei vorsichtig. Dieser Mann ist zu allem fähig. '' (Alright. Try to get out but be careful, this man is capable of everything.) With that he signals his men to follow him and after a few seconds they're gone. I dry the fake-tears and make sure that my black eye makeup isn't smeared and turn then to The Joker who gets out of the room and grins at me, looking after the men a moment.

'' Not bad! ''

'' I call it talent. Oh and here… Please don't break it, it's my favorite. '' I lift my leg a little and take a pocket knife out of my shoe and hand it to him. He looks completely surprised but satisfied at me and takes it. Silently he observes the knife a moment. I bought it from a dealer a few months ago. It comes directly from Japan and the blade is 10 centimeters long and has a beautiful blood red color while the handle is black ans has a skull printed over it.

'' Why do ya have a, uh, a knife? '' I shrug my shoulder in a careless manner and look past him,

'' Self Protection. ''

'' Why haven't ya used it in the Bus? '' He asks, clicking with his tongue. I title my head with a amused expression while putting my hands on my hips,

'' Why should I? You didn't hurt me... not bad at least. '' I say and smile friendly at him. He grins at my smile and looks a moment into my eyes… There's more brown in his eyes but the green seems to mix into it slightly and that gives his eyes a very interesting touch. After a while I clear my throat awkwardly and turn around,

'' I think I'll leave now. '' I want to walk past him but he grabs my wrist,

'' Remember to call me ma lil' Rebel. '' He lets go and runs out.

You can wait for that a verrrrry long time!

As I arrived in the Lobby, my mother runs up to me and hugs me closely cutting off my breathe. Silently I hug her back, enjoying the familiar scent for a moment before pushing her away a little,

'' Angeline! Bist du okay? Hat er dich verletzt?! Komm, wir gehen nach Hause! '' (Are you alright?! Did he hurt you? Come we go home!) She drags me out and we get into the car. While the drive I look out of the window and pull up the whole talk with the Joker again… His movements, the looks he had in his eyes, his words and his way of talking to me...Not killing me isn't making any sense, I should be dead right now. He never showed mercy, why with me then?

' I love a good challenge. '

That's it, he sees a challenge in me. Fuck him, I won't call him. I will go back to my life and I will forget the freak. I don't need to be someone's toy.

'' Süße, wir sind da. Keine Sorge, hier wird er dich nicht finden. '' (Sweetie, we're home. Don't worry he won't find you here.) My mother says soothing on what I hide my grin while getting out,

Oh if you would now…

We go up to our small apartment and I walk straight to my room to change clothes. Just as I'm done, my mother shows up and takes a seat on my bed. I sit next to her and begin to tell her everything from the kidnapping, my question if he's The Joker, the cut, the slap, the kick and the Police. The only thing I left out is the Card. Well, that I helped him to get away I don't tell her either. After some time of silence she asks me if I want to stay at home tomorrow but I refuse. I think going to school tomorrow would be a lot better for my nerves. I don't like being alone for too long with my mind. It scares me from time to time to realize how different I really am in the opposite to other classmates...

The next day I went to school I abruptly got surrounded from schoolmates and they only left while lessons but there the teachers looked at me like I got raped. Most of those idiots I don't even know! They asked me questions like 'Were you afraid?' or 'Was it funny to kick him?' or my favorite one 'Some of your classmates think that you two are a cute couple, do you think that too?'. I let them follow me for maybe 10 minutes and then I got pissed on and screamed at them. I don't really know what it was now that I think about it but I guess it was something like; 'Leave me alone! No I wasn't scared, yes it was funny and no! I don't think we would be a cute couple! I'm relationship-disturbed! I don't even know the guy! Leave me the fuck alone already!' ...Something like that I scream at them and everyone ran away in a speed that would make an athletic runner jealous… Bonny and Lily were at my side the whole time but no one listened to their tries to make the others go away… The next thing I did was telling Bonny and Lily good-bye before getting straight home. I don't run from my problems usually but I hate it when people come this close to me. I need this situation to cool down some more.

- 2 weeks later -

The rumors in school clung down a bit but it's still theme number 2, right after the pregnancy of a 9th grade, I don't even know her name to be honest. I had no interest in the 13 year old that got knocked up by a... was it 30 year old? Still, sometimes I wonder what's going on in the heads of girls like her... I mean, I don't care with who anyone sleeps but geez! Who wants a brat? You walk around 9 months like a whale and then you have the thing 18 years on your heels! Personal life adé. Today is the last day of school luckily. Yep right, after today I don't have to see anybody from my school for six long, sweet weeks!

'' Okay Kinder! Wir sehen uns nach den Ferien wieder! '' (Okay children! We see each other back after the vacations!) Everyone screams a loud and happy 'bye' before running out. Lily, Bonny and I go out as the last. I hate this shoving and pushing that always comes up when we get vacations. But what I hate the most is the close body contact!

'' Ich werde euch eine Postkarte schicken! '' (I'll send you a postcard!) Lily tells us excited. She'll drive in the Caribbean and she's not taking me with her!

'' Ich hasse dich! Wieso fährst du zu dem Ort wo meine Lieblingsfilme gedreht wurden und ich gammel zuhaus rum?! '' (I hate you! Why do you fly to the place where my favorite movies where made and I rot at home?!) I ask dramatic what she only quits with a giggle,

'' Ich kann dich ja in meine Tasche stecken.'' (I could put you into my bag.) I giggle too and look how my bus drives up so I say good bye before I get into it to get home. To my luck nobody sits down next to me. After about 20 minutes I arrive at my bus station and get out where I stop in front of a small kiosk and buy me a magazine. On the cover is a guy who doesn't let me sleep well since 2 weeks. The famous Clown Prince of Crime, The Joker. The cover reads:

The Joker: Unknown And Unpublished!

I know, almost every Magazine just writes down some bullshit, but I read this one almost every moth. It's serious in opposite of the others and I hope that it is just as serious for this article. With a friendly smile at the saleslady I leave the small kiosk again and get home now directly. My dogs greet me excited and I put a bit food and water in their bowls. After that I go into my room and throw my school bag in some corner. My 3 rats watch me while I change my Queen of Darkness shirt into a comfortable one from Spiral that has a red glowing skull printed on its back while there's the Death on the front. It's like 3 sizes too big so I can use it as a nightshirt. I put on some shorts and throw the magazine onto the bed before walking over to the window, looking out of it for a moment before avoiding the sun that comes into my room with a shudder,

'' Gah... zu warm...'' (Too warm) With a huff I close the curtain on one of my windows a little to block the sun while grinning satisfied. With a sharp turn on my heels I kneel down in front of my Stereo-System and put a CD with a few songs I downloaded into the player. I turn it on loudly and fall back down onto my bed, sighing while listening to Welcome to the Jungle by Guns 'n Roses. I got kinda obsessed by that song since I watched the movie Megamind. The loud and intense bass makes my bed vibrate softly on what I smile and turn to my side, my eyes remaining closed until the song changes into Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC. At that point I stretch and rise from my bed to grab the glasses I only use for this kind of work and the old Laptop of Bonny I got to repair it. I'm really good at this so I repair the stuff of people I like. They get their things back repaired and I have something to do. Carefully I place it on my floor and grab a small toolbox and place it next to the broken laptop that has some dysfunction that makes turning off all the time especially if you have W-LAN turned on. To that the ventilation system is broken and the accumulator needs to be opened and repaired. I would say a wire melted through the ventilation isn't working and the thing got too hot. But to open the accumulator I need to pry it open carefully with a scalpel. While I listen only halfway to the song in the background I carefully slit the accumulator's plastic protection open and place one half next to me while looking for the broken wire.

'' Hab dich...'' (Got you) I grab the wire with my nails and look exactly what this one is for and where it belongs to before scribbling it down on a piece of paper and closing the thing again. I place it aside and open then the surface of the Laptop where I first take care of the ventilation system before connection the laptop to my own one and searching for the problem it's disk is making. While that the song changes once more, this time into Super Psycho Love by Simon Curtis. One of the sexiest songs I know next to Come on Closer by Jem. I'm mostly into the old stuff and into hardcore metal but I love these Sex-Songs too.

'' Something lately drives me crazy, has to do with how you make me! Struggling to get you attention, calling you brings apprehension. Say that you want me every day, that you want me every way, that you need me. Got me trippin' Super Psycho Love! Aim, pull the trigger. Feel the pain getting bigger. Go insane from the bitter feeling. Trippin' Super Psycho Love. Pull me off to darkened corners, where all other eyes avoid us. Tell me how I mesmerize you, I love you and despise you...''

I sing quietly along while going through the files Bonny has on her laptop. It doesn't even take a minute for my system to find her problem. She downloaded herself a video together with several other viruses as a present to that too. With a small smile I send everything back to the rightful owner, making sure his Laptop is breaking down fully. With that I text Bonny that I only need another wire for her accumulator and then the thing is fine again. I lean back on the comfortable carpet I have in my room and simply wait for the song to end. But I soon open my eyes in one beat as I suddenly hear something moving over the music. I grab for my phone with a yawn and look at the clock to find that it can't be my mum through she's still at work and my grandpa wouldn't come here without calling before. I stretch softly and pretend then that I'm not aware of the person in my room while walking to my desk and ruffling through a few papers which are mostly bad drawings my mind came up with at some point and old homework.

'' Say you want me, say you need me... tear my heart out slow and bleed me... You want me, you need me, you're gonna be with me! I know you want me too, I think you want me too... please say you want me too because you're going to! ''

Making sure the person must be in the corner to my left behind me I clench the scissor tightly in my hand. In one fast move I turn and throw the scissor with it's blade right onto the intruder so that I hear a gasp and a loud laugh that seems very familiar to my ears. With a bad feeling in my gut I slowly turn to see that the scissor actually hit the goal and now heft the shoulder of a purple jacket to my wall. Obviously I hit some of his skin because I see blood on its blade as the man in front of me pulls it out of the wall to be able to move normally again, a wide stretched grin over his face and a insane chuckle filling my room, overwhelming even the loud music.

Oh you gotta be kidding me!

'' What are you doing here? '' I ask with an annoyed voice while I put the scissor back and sit then down on my bed, ruffling through my hair.

'' Ya haven't called me yet and I was, hehe, worried. '' I lift my eyebrow at him, not believing the 'he was worried' thing but realize then that he was here probably already before I came here what not only means he saw me changing but he could have been caught from my mother and that would have gotten me into big trouble!

'' I don't remember ordering a Clown in like... ever... -You weren't watching me while I was changing right? '' He grins a little and looks then innocently at me, shifting forwards and backwards like he did in the bus,

'' Uhm... no? '' Abruptly I feel color rising to my cheeks while my eyes widen and I throw a pillow at him which he catches easily before grinning at me.

'' You pervert! I can't believe this! Do you know that this could make you a pedophile? ''

'' And that should bother me because...? ''

'' And what about my mother? What if she would have seen you? What did you even expect me to do about the number? Call you and maybe ask for a date? Yeah sure! '' I give a frustrated sigh and let myself fall on my back rubbing my palms over my face,

'' Ya seem slightly angry. Could it, uh, could it be cause of yer other people? Gee these are annoyin'- ''

'' Are you stalking me?! I don't believe this! Here I was thinking you would leave me alone and then you tell me you're stalking me?! Didn't you say you have business to do? Why are you after me?! You- '' He cuts my words off by grabbing my chin roughly and forcing me to look at him. At the first look into his eyes I realize that I probably went a little too far now because his eyes are burning though me like acid. I hear the Joker growling threatening, sending shivers down my skin.

'' Okay listen and listen good! Strangely I've got a lot of patience with ya, but fun's over now lil' girl so don't push it! I've got no problem in slitting yer open like a dead cat! '' I suddenly feel my breathe speeding up and my emotions welling over. With a hand over my chest I crawl backwards on the bed until I hit the wall, my eyes wide and full with fear the pills should hold back originally. He snarls at my behavior and leans back up, smirking cruelly,

'' What, a lil' bit screamin' and poof the Rebel changes into a pants-shitter? '' I shake my head and start to tremble a little now not only from fear but from anger and self-loath too.

Shit, they don't work anymore…! Need to get new ones! Now! Can't risk that the side-effects take full place...

Without thinking I stand up quickly and hurry over to my wardrobe, my legs tingling a little on the after effect they get if they wear off. I grab a small box that I hide under my underwear and grab a small bottle out of it before swallowing two pills. The Joker watches me carefully and takes the little bottle from me.

'' What's this? '' He asks and reads the description on the back while I try to snatch it away but he simply holds me off with one arm while reading more. Panic rises in me on the possible consequences it could have if he reads that.

'' No! Give it back! Don't read that! ''

'' Antidepressants? Why d'ya swallow this? '' He asks tongue clicking and genuine surprise,

'' That's none of your business! Just leave me alone… just leave me… '' I add the last part more for myself than for him to hear but he hears it anyway and looks at me through what I'm able to snatch the bottle back and hide it in my wardrobe again, my head down so that he doesn't see my face which is by now full of shame because I'm this weak in front of him.

'' Please Joker… Go away…'' I beg, forcing down the embarrassment but Joker only follows me while I make my way to the kitchen, getting hungry slowly.

'' Why? '' He suddenly asks almost in a normal voice. That sound makes me stop a moment and looks at him confused,

'' What do you mean? ''

'' Why'd ya swallow that? Ya didn't seem depressive in the bus back there. '' I give a hollow laugh and turn back to fetch a glass of water,

'' After almost 5 years of depression you learn how to hide this. It stops you from hurting others but more important it stops your parents from sending you to a psychiatrist. ''

'' Almost 5 years? '' He asks with real surprise on what I hit the bottle's bottom a little too hard onto the counter,

'' I got strong manic-depressive as I was about 10. Took me some time to figure that out but I did and helped myself. ...Even if it's not my fault but the one of my fath- Never mind…'' Before I really tell him what would make him able to hurt me I realize what I'm talking about and shut up, chewing on my bottom lip,

Why do I tell him that? God I have to learn to shut up! It only gets me into trouble if I tell him that now. Maybe he misheard the last part.

'' What bout yer dad kiddo? '' I see the amusement in his eyes on my obvious suffer and narrow my own eyes before blacking my teeth, hissing quietly under my breathe,

'' Leave. ''

'' No. ''

'' LEAVE! '' With a roar of anger I push him to the door but as I want to open it, he grabs my wrists and presses me against a wall next to the door. My back hitting the hard wall makes me gasp while I silently ask myself if he likes pushing me up on a wall but that question dies down in my head as I see the furious look in his eyes that shows me I maybe went a little too far here again.

'' Ya better not try to command me around lil' girl. '' I look at him a moment before I narrow my eyes again,

'' Piss off! You don't even have the right to be her! You fucking broke in! ''

'' Well, that's not completely- yeah I broke in. '' He admits with an almost cute childish innocence in his grin,

'' Please just leave. '' I say with weak voice after a long sigh of frustration. This man is strange to me...

'' Why? ''

'' Because I ask you to… ''

'' Not before ya told me. ''

'' Piss off! ''

'' Well we can wait either for yer mother or the cops. I get away from both easily, yer the one who gets the trouble. ''

'' You know how to ruin someone's vacations. Good we make a deal, I tell you why I swallow these pills when you tell me the truth about your scars. '' I say with a cheeky grin on what he smirks a moment before breaking out into fits of stuttered laughter,

'' No deal beautiful, but it's good to see that yer yerself again. ''

'' What are you actually doing here? I mean, you and worrying? Sorry Darling, I don't believe you. ''

'' Nah, I gave ya a hard time hahaha ha ha! ''

'' You gave me a hard time? When? ...Oh! You mean at school? They only strain my nerves. ''

'' How'd ya know I don't tell the truth bout ma scars? '' He asks curious.

'' Well, you know, it may sound strange but I can see when people lie. And in the news we could see how you told someone a wrong story. You know, this fat guy, you killed him after. ''

'' Oh yeah I remember. So, ya can see when someone lies huh? That's, uh, interesting. ''

'' Thanks. Uhm… do you want something to drink? Or something to eat? '' I ask careful on what he grins widely and most of all somehow happily at me.

'' Yeah! ''

'' Okay. Come on you can take what you want. Just don't make a mess, I hate cleaning…'' He looks around a little, opening every cabin like he owns this place and stops a moment at the baking stuff my mother put away safely because there's flour and salt and stuff in it. I turn to the fridge to grab the Vegan Chocolate-milk out of it and drink a bit of it,

'' Don't even think about it. If you throw that flour at me I'll tell you that joker over and over again. '' I say without even looking at him. I simply put the milk back into the fridge and close it with a soft kick. Only then I turn to him and lean against the cool thing behind me, crossing my arms over my chest and lifting an eyebrow at him.

'' How'd ya know that? ''

'' You are not very hard to read when it comes to things like this. ''

'' And in the other stuff? ''

'' There it's a little more complicated, I admit that. '' As he grins at me and wants to open is mouth I suddenly her a noise coming from close the apartment.

'' Psst! What's this- Oh fuck! Come with me! ''

'' But I wanted to- '' I interrupt him by grabbing his sleeve and pulling him hurriedly into my room. I simply place him in the middle of it and look around in panic,

'' Oh god! Where can I hide you?! She will be up here any second! ''

'' I can go into your wardrobe? '' He says what makes me almost laugh at the somehow cliché-like situation of a guy hiding in my wardrobe but then I realize what he'll probably do then.

'' Yeah that's- no! You'll only end up taking my pills! ''

'' Only gotta do that if ya don't tell me what they're for. ''

'' I-I can't… Sorry but I don't trust you. I don't trust anybody… Well I trust Bonny and Lily but nobody knows from these pills, except from you but that was more like a emergency thing there.'' He looks at me a moment for the first time somewhat serious and I breathe out released as he hides in my wardrobe without another word. Not even a minute later my mother opens the front door and gets into my room,

'' Hey Süße, Ich hab uns was zu essen mitgebracht. '' (I got us something to eat.)

'' Cool. ''

'' Bist du okay? '' (Are you alright?) She asks suddenly worried as she sees me standing a little lost in the middle of the room. Silently I beg that Joker can control himself right now. I don't even want to think about what would happen if he laughs now. 'Sweetie what was that?' 'Uhm... nothing?' 'Was that a laugh?' 'Nope that was the Cat.' 'We don't have a Cat.' '...Oh...' I shake my head a moment and force down the ironic chuckle before smiling at her and assuring her that I'm fine. With tensed muscles I wait until she's out of my room to cook up the dinner. Not a second after the door is closed behind her, Joker gets out,

'' Yer cloths smell nicely. ''

'' Wanna know how they smell like this? You can wash them. You know, with water and soap. It does real wonders and! I tell you a secret here... they even get their original color! Really! '' With a laugh he pats my head before ruffling through my hair and rolling his eyes,

'' Blood got a nice smell too. ''

'' Okay we have to get you out here…'' Completely ignoring is comment I look around as if I could somehow beam him out of the room like in Star Trek.

'' Hey ya promised to give me somethin' to eat. '' I stop in my movements and look at him with a perplex expression, lifting my arms with my mouth wide open,

'' Well, what do you expect me to do? 'Hey mum I invited The Joker to eat with us so please put a plate more on the Table.'? Either she would get a heart attack or she would kill us... ''

'' Sounds exciting! ''

'' No! Believe me, this woman is crazy! I mean, she raised me after all so... -Wait a moment…'' I hurry out of my room and close the door behind me. I'm not sure if I do that to actually hide him better or to make sure he isn't following me. I can really imagine him following me just to see what's happening if he does so.

'' Hey… kann ich heute in meinem Zimmer essen? '' (Hey, could I eat in my room today?) She looks at me confused and puts the spoon down to turn her full attention to me,

'' Huh? Warum? '' (Why?)

'' Ich weiß nicht. Bin ein bisschen müde. Bitte? '' (I don't know. I'm a little tired. Please?)

'' Okay. ''

'' Danke. Ruf mich wenn ich mir das essen holen soll. Oder brauchst du Hilfe? '' (Thanks. Please call me when I can come and get food. Or do you need help?) She shakes her head with a thank you. I turn around and go back to my room. I close the door behind me and the Joker looks at me,

'' You can eat here if you want. My mother told me it's okay when I eat in my room and she usually doesn't come into my room when I tell her I'm tired.. But I'm a Vegetarian so don't expect any meat. '' He nods without any complaining and stretches out on my bed, closing his eyes calmly. I roll my eyes and shake my head,

'' Sure make yourself as home. '' I sit down next to him and take my Laptop on my lap to go through a few things I have to take care of, homework from last week is one of these things. After some time he sits up and looks around in my room similar to the way he did in the kitchen, opening everything he can and even rustling through my stuff like he owns it. I simply ignore him by these tasks, there's nothing he can find that is worse than the pills. After some time he comes back to the bed where he sees the Magazine with him on the cover, I see him picking it up out of the corners of my eyes and a few minutes the room is completely silent...

'' Haha Hahahaha hehehehhe hohohohohoh Hahaha haha! '' Startled on his sudden loud laughing I almost throw my laptop away, jump onto his lap and cover his mouth with my hands.

'' Are you stupid?! What when my mother hears you?! '' Silently laughing against my hands he holds the article in front of my face and waits for me to take it out of his hands before he falls onto his back with his arms stretched from him. I see him looking at me as I lower my eyes to the article I haven't read by now...

' How it seems The Famous Clown Prince of Crime from Gotham City, The Joker, arch enemy of the Batman, has finally met his Soul mate.

As he kidnapped a 10th Grade class, one of the girls seemed to wake his attention. Her classmates barely give us any information but they're all completely convinced that they both would make the perfect couple! We got told that they both had a moment in what it looked like they were in another world. What world would that be? A world full of romantic or a world of Chaos? Obviously they both interested one another from the first moment their eyes met.

We were told that the young woman never showed any fear so this makes us wonder, do they know each other? Are they maybe even secret lovers? What is really going on there? But one thing is still unknown, does she like him too? Or is she just interested in his fame?

Out of respect and for the safety of the young girl we don't say her name, but obviously he's after her. We will from now on try to get every information that we can get! '

'' Oh god…'' My eyes are wide and my mouth hangs open loosely while I read the small article over and over again. Words like 'secret lovers' and 'Soul mate' and 'perfect couple' echoing in my mind.

'' Well d' ya like me or are ya just after me cause I'm a famous person? '' I see that he isn't taking this any serious but I see a mischievous sparkle in his eyes too that shows me he's positively enjoying the attention and the current situation. Forcing down my hard breathe I look around almost in a panic-like state,

'' Okay… They have an online web-site, let's take a look at it. I mean, how many could have possible seen this? This Magazine got out only today. I'm sure nobody has seen it… How many people possibly could be interested in you? '' I say, ignoring him completely but I hear him make a small 'Hmpf'

'' Ya see, that was rude. '' I click on the Article from the both of us and go down to the comments….

''…'' I was about to fall from the bed but he catches me and pulls me up again…

'' Hey, careful! We don't want ya to get hurt, right? Come on there are, uh, only 20.987 comments. That means not whole Germany has seen it. '' He says laughing and jumping around a little while I slide my trembling fingers through my hair,

'' Oh please let this be a dream…'' I beg to no one with closed eyes on what he frowns at me, realizing that this is probably really not funny for me he stops in his wiggling,

'' Why d' ya care bout what others think of ya? ''

'' I don't care what the others think about me! '' I hiss at him.

'' Well, what's yer problem then? ''

'' Everyone will follow me. I'll not have one second alone…'' I say while I put my head in my hands. He looks at me dumbly and blinks a few times,

'' Huh? ''

'' I'd never cared about what other people think about me. I got taught so you know? I just mean, I don't care what people say about me. I have two friends, but I know that I can trust them… Well at least I think so. I just hate it when I'm surrounded from people. That's why I slapped and kicked you… Sorry for that by the way. I hate the attention...''

'' So all ya don't like about this article is that many people will permanently be kissin yer ass? '' He looks at me how I nod and laughs then loudly, wiggling around again,

'' Don't laugh at me! You're not a bad person. If they would put me together with a person I don't like, I would probably very much hurt them but so… Why should I care? I know many people hate my point of view but… I just am who I want to be, I do what I want to do and I will not change myself for this… 'I'm so perfect and beautiful so do what I want' sluts or these Assholes that dare to call themselves men while they use more hairspray than I do! ''

'' Well If it helps ya somehow, I like ya for yerself…'' he says and looks into my eyes but I don't buy this, he's trying to fool with me again… He watches me a moment and as I wanted to say something I hear my mother's footsteps. The Joker hurries into my wardrobe and as he closes the door my mother comes in, my eyes still a little unfocused,

'' Essen. '' (Food)

'' Okay. '' In the kitchen I put me some food on my plate, think then a moment and put an extra portion for The Joker on it. My mother looks strangely at me but keeps silent, she's used that on some days I don't eat at all and on other days I'm eating for 5. With a thank you at her I turn to go back to my room. As soon as the door's closed Joker is back on my bed and waits for me to join his side again. I hand him the plate and cross then my legs, watching him eat,

'' Here, enjoy your meal. ''

'' Don't 'cha wanna eat somethin' too? '' He asks. I shake my head with a friendly smile,

'' No. I'm not very hungry. But I heard your tummy grumbles so eat. You can have all of it and if you want more I will go and get you something. I have some water in here too. Wait a moment. '' I grab the bottle next to my bed and hand it to him while he tries the food but he stops once more a he looks at the bottle,

'' Why the sudden kindness? '' He asks suspicious but takes a bite and on that I smirk devilish at him,

'' I poisoned the food. '' His face gets blank and he looks from me to the plate and back multiple times until I finally break out into laughter and shake my head,

'' I was kidding, you can relax the food is all fine. I don't know why I do this, I guess I simply am like that and you're obviously hungry. So come on eat it. Here… '' I take the fork from him, put some of the vegetarian hamburger on it and eat it. He begins to laugh quietly and I give him the fork back with a half friendly smile, half amused grin. Once more I watch him shoving the food into his mouth and my smile turns into a full grin. After some time he looks at the cage in my room and nods towards it,

'' What's in there? ''

'' My rats. Amu, Ruki and Sakura. You don't think they're disgusting like other people, do you? ''

'' No I don't. Strange names for Rats though…'' I look with an excited sparkle in my eyes at him and smile widely,

'' I love Japanese names. It's my dream to travel for a few months or years to Japan since I'm like... 6 years or so. ''

'' Japan is an interestin' country. '' I say and put the empty plate away to look how her eyes widen while she turns now fully to me and looks with curiosity at me.

This girl is really strange, she don't judge after my look, or the things I do, she judges over my Character. No one does this anymore… But she's different, she doesn't care about others. This girl must be pretty much fun. But I want to know why she swallows these pills! Something about her father… Well, all fathers are assholes!

'' You were in Japan?! Where? When? Why? How long? How is it there?! How- ''

'' Gee kiddo calm down 'ere. Not that ya get a heart attack. I was in Japan as I was…19. That was 2 years ago…''

'' Wait! You're only 21? '' She asks me and looks now at me in a 'oh... shit...' manner.

'' Yeah what do, uh, d'ya think how old I'm? ''

'' Well with the make up at least 26. I know that are only 5 years but you just looking too old for 21. N-not that I think 26 is old, but… Well I mean- ''

'' Yeah alright, got that. Ya think 26 is old. I'll tell ya yer old then as soon as yer 26 yerself. '' Suddenly she murmurs something and looks past me, biting her lip.

'' What did ya, uh, did ya say? '' I ask and put a hand behind my ear in a teasing manner on what she huffs,

'' Only if you're still alive when I'm 26… Your lifestyle is pretty dangerous. You could get killed every day. Don't be too sure that you still alive then.''

'' What? Worried bout good ol' Joker? ''

'' Maybe… As long as I can remember everyone that I liked disappeared or died, why should it be different with you then? '' She admits with a fake sneer but I see the uncomfortableness she feels. Pushing back the amusement about her sadness I feel curiosity growing. Curiosity about this teenager in front of me,

'' Who? ''

'' Well first my dad, then all of my childhood 'friends', my so-called sister Emma, my grandma and my great-grandfather. I've never met my other great-grandfather and great-grandmothers… Then my best friend because moved into another country and at least my 'best friend forever'. She didn't even care to tell me why but I guess it's because of the depression and because I'm not easy to handle. ''

'' … So! Ya admit that ya like me! '' I say after some time, trying to lighten the mood through I'm not experienced in 'shoulder to cry on' so you say. She looks at me after some time and blinks wildly,

'' What? I'd never say that! ''

'' But ya just count me in a list of people ya like! ''

'' I did? '' She asks confused and I nod my head confirming.

'' Oh… Well I… ahem…''

'' Cat go yer tongue kiddo? ''

'' Would you please stop calling me kiddo? ''

'' Nope. Why kiddo? Is it bugging you? ''

'' Not in the slightest, Cheshire. '' I grin back on what he growls,

'' Don't. ''

'' Aww, did I hit a nerve just there? ''

'' No subject changing darlin'. ''

'' Well... maybe, just maybe... Maybe I begin to- '' She gets cut off by her mother's voice that tell her that she's taking a walk with the 2 beasts she calls her dogs. Took me 15 damn minutes and several bites to get them friendly with me and make them ignore me. I would have poisoned them but that would piss her off and that would have ruined my plan to get her friendly with me. And I really don't think the girl would take it all too well if she's seeing her beasts dead on the ground and me suddenly in her room. Wouldn't end well for me I guess...

'' That's your chance, get out! ''

'' What? Oi wait a sec- '' She grabs my arm and pulls me towards the door where she pushes me out,

'' Bye! '' Before I can open my mouth the door is shut close in my face and I stay in my position: One finger raised and with an open mouth, probably a stupid look on my face too.

I'll stay here until she opens that door-

The door opens once more and she smiles at me,

'' I meant that I maybe start to like you, now go away. Shoo! ''

Oh gee aren't they just cute?

Uhm, I tried to make Joker have an Australian accent here and there through Heath Ledger is from Australia like probably many of you know and I like that kind of accent, not more than British accent but I can't give Joker a British accent now can I? Imagine the Joker with a British accent! With Loki it's very sexy, with Joker it would be more than stupid. Aaaanyway, what I wanted to say is that I hope I do it right with leaving out the 'g' at the end here and there and I even looked up Australian Slang online. I thought it would be cool to have Joker, when he's talking 'normal', sounding mostly like he did in The Dark Knight and when he's pretty angry or emotional (Yes that will happen that's why I mentioned the ''He'll be OOC at some part'' thing) the Australian Slang slips out. On a YouTube video the girl said that Australians don't pronounce the 'r' at the ending (Cah instead of car and foreva instead of forever and so on) I don't really know if that's right but I just took it in where I could but I'm not quit sure here... do Australians say 'remember' or (according to the no-r-rule) rememba then?

I hope I didn't mess it all up on that part but if so, please correct me, I couldn't find a Beta Reader yet! :D