Sunlight fluttered through the little boarded window, my eyes slowly opening. My vision was blurred and at first I wasn't really sure where I was. I stretched, my kinks working themselves up. I moaned and heard a light cackle. Then everything came rushing back. My sister, Sam, attempted rape, candlelight and finally Arkham asylum. And the icing on the cake was that THE Joker was my cell neighbor. His laugh is probably the first thing I will hear in the morning and the last thing I hear before I fall asleep. It's just my luck. But I can't get his eyes out of my head. Deep, chocolate brown eyes. I couldn't look away. And that cheeky wink when that crude guard told me that he is my neighbor. I believe that the recent turn of events really messed with my head. Maybe I am going crazy, who knows. Maybe I should be locked up in here.
Doors to my cell jingled and the same guard from last night showed up in my cell. -Morning sweet cheeks.- he leered at me. Revulsion rised in my throat when I saw his leery grin. God only knows what this man is capable of doing. His name tag read James King. A really unfitting name for such a creep. He gripped my hand and started to drag me out of my cell. I barely managed to get my tennis shoes on.
-Hey where are you taking me?- I took a quick at look at Jokers cell, but he was nowhere to be seen. A little crazy part of me was wondering if he would watch me through his bars. I knew how it sounded, hell, it sounded crazy even to myself, but I couldn't help myself. It could be a nice distraction from the dreary asylum walls. -Shower.- King barked, dragging me through long hallway. Panic started to rise in my throat. -Shower? B.. But. No.. No.. Not with..- King gave me a sleazy smile. -Oh sugar, as much as I want to, I ain't goin' in there witcha.- he licked his lips and I felt an enormous relief. I felt an even bigger one when I saw that the showers were empty, except for me and a female guard. In normal circumstances there was no way that I would ever take a shower in here, but now I was grateful that they will even let me shower. Sam and his family had connections everywhere, and Arkham wasn't an exception.
I took a quick shower, and I got a new uniform. This one was orange pants and a white T-shirt. The female guard brought me back to my cell, the walk was silent and uncomfortable. A couple of guards leered at me as I passed them. If they are that bad I wonder how the inmates will be. I sat on my cot and crossed my legs. Thankfully, they got me a couple of ordinary white cotton bras, and white cotton panties. At least I don't have to worry about going commando. There was a jingle of keys on my door and the same female guard brought me my food on a tray. If you can call that food. It looked like rock hard meat, and the mashed potatoes looked like someone threw it up. I guess I will go on a forced diet because there is no way that I could eat this. The only edible food on it was an apple.
-I'm sorry.- I called out to the guard. She turned around and raised an eyebrow at me in question. -I just wanted to ask why did you bring me my food here? Don't I eat with the others?- I inquired. -Yes, you do. You will eat with others from tomorrow on. Every inmate eats in his cell on the first day.- She turned around and exited my cell, locking the doors behind her. -Thank you.- I said softly, making sure that she heard me. I ate the damn apple, and even tried some of the meat. I don't know if I was really hungry, but the meat wasn't half bad. I ended up eating all of t. But there is no way that I would eat the I finished, I put the tray on the desk in my room and lied down. Drowsiness overtook me and I started to slowly fall asleep, but not before I heard soft whistling from the cell across mine.
I was in for a rude awakening when King sauntered in my cell for the second time that day. -let's go sweet cheeks.- he grabbed my shoulders and shook them. -Where are we going?- I mumbled, sleepily rubbing my eyes. I stood up, not wasting any time for me to be in such a vulnerable position in front of King. Me laid down and him standing domineering above me. I had a feeling that King wouldn't have second thoughts. -You are going to group therapy.- he grumbled from behind me.
Loren Matthews stood in the sickeningly yellow room. He specialized in sociopaths and schizophrenics, and apparently I counted as one of the two. There were diverse characters seated in a circle in the center of the room. Only one chair was open, I guessed that was mine. All the same, King gripped my shoulder and drooped me off at the seat. I winced as my ass hit the hard wooden chair. I was terrified to even look around myself to see who exactly was sitting around me, deciding that I would just look at the therapist. Loren Matthews was a short, plump and balding man.
-Ahh, miss Boivin. Welcome to our group sessions.- he looked at me with his watery blue eyes. -I expect to see you 3 times a week, no exceptions. Is that clear?- he asked sternly. -Crystal.- I whispered. Someone giggled opposite me. -It would seem that you have an admirer miss Boivin.- Matthews informed as I saw Joker smiling, no, more like grinning at me. He was suprisingly tall, taller that I imagined him. Not that I ever imagined him, but I read the articles in the newspapers and I saw the news. I must admit that he was much more.. more in person. Even seated and in prison garments I could see that he was muscly and virile. His hair was green tinged and falling in strands over his face. He still had on his makeup. White face, deep dead black eyes and crimson red lips, stretched up smile, from ear to ear. His teeth were actually white. Not the sickeningly and unhealthy yellow that the media showed. I guess that he painted them too. He was obviously very meticulous about his unkempt appearance. But there was something about that hellish smile and that chocolate eyes. And I had all the time in the world to unfold what it is.
-Miss Boivin?- Matthews repeated himself a couple of times while Joker and I stared at each other. -Miss Boivin?- I shook my head as Matthews raised his voice. -I'm sorry, doctor.- I murmured. -Since it is your first day at group sessions, today are going to be able just listen to others to see how this sessions work. You wont be subjected to any questioning.- I sighed with relief. -But please, refrain yourself from staring at your inmates.- he added sharply. I started blushing and subconsciously looked at Joker who was staring back at me, without any worries.
-Don't listen to the good doctor toots. Look at me all you want.- My blush intensified at his words and for the life of me I could't look at him anymore. I could feel his stare on me, it felt as if it was burning my skin.
I wasn't able to concentrate on anything the others were saying. Matthews surprisingly didn't ask Joker anything either, but he was watching us like a hawk, occasionally murmuring a yes or no. Finally, the hour was up. Guards showed up to take all of us in our respective cells. I stood up, slanting my neck to one side to work out the kinks when the female guard showed up. I quickly looked at her name tag. Francine Barney. -See you later sweets.- Joker murmured in my ear as King was dragging him from the room.
I shivered a little from his warm breath on my neck. He winked at me again as Barney pushed me to start walking. I walked right behind Joker, so I could hear everything he was saying. -..so you wont have to.- -Shut up.- King roared at him. Cackling, he glanced around himself, as if he is seeing the hallway for the first time. When I know that he is in Arkham for at least a year.
Finally, his gaze landed on me. He perused me from head to toe, landing on my face. I couldn't look away from his bottomless eyes. When we came to our cells, he softly smiled at me. He didn't grin, or cackle, or giggle. He smiled at me and I found myself smile back.
When the guards locked us in I heard Joker whistling in his cell again. It was an eerie version of circus music. -You have a suggestion, little mouse?- I turned my head toward the door, not sure if I heard it correctly. -Hellooo, ah, neighbor?- he asked again. -Are you talking to me?- He giggled from his cell. -Yes Travis Bickle. I'm talkin' to you.- Smiling at his Taxi driver reference I stood up from my bed, and went to the little door opening. He already stood there, waiting.
-Ahh, there she is. Hello little mouse.- he softly said, waving a little. -Hey.- I murmured, again mesmerized by this charismatic man. -So, you have a suggestion?- I looked at him strangely, not understanding what he asks of me. -A song for me.- he explained, my face softening at his words. -You want to whistle to me?- He snorted, grinning. -Anything for a pretty lady.- he lightly crooned. I blushed again. Was he flirting with me? He probably hadn't seen a girl since he is in here. -Thank you, but I can't really come up with anything right now.- I replied, not being able to fight a smile on my face. -It's okay, girly. You'll come up with something.- he said, and we stared at each other in silence.
-What's your name?- he suddenly asked. -Madeline. But you can call me Maddie.- I explained, watching as he said my name in different ways. -Madeline.. MAdeline.. MadeliNE.. Maddie..- he grinned. -Yes.. I like it.- Again silence. I started to feel drowsy from the days events. -Go to sleep, little mouse.- Joker softly said, quickly licking his scars. I leaned my head against the bars. -Good night, Joker.- He smiled as he heard me say his name for the first time. -Nighty night doll. See you tomorrow.- he grinned.
And for the first time since I came here, I felt a little lighter.