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Dark mist swirled about my feet in an effort to entangle me within its greedy grasps. I danced back sucking in a quick breath feeling the coolness washing over my skin. T-this mist...Nightmare?
"It is I," The incubus replied with a solemn note. I glanced back spying him hovering in the air a mere few feet from me. My heart swelled, relieved. It's been a while since I've seen him.
"Or any of the other role holders really." Nightmare accused, pouting. I sighed. Yeah...it's been a while since I've really seen anyone else other than Joker. My heart unconsciously jerked weighed down with grief. Joker...where could he be?
"Huh? Isn't Joker with you now?" Nightmare asked, puzzled by my thoughts. His feet tapped against the ground as he looked over me with a deep calculating gaze.
"No...I have no idea where Joker went." A rush of desperation hit me. Nightmare knows where people are based on their dreams. Nightmare might be able to-!
"Sorry dear. Since they are not asleep at the moment I do not know their whereabouts." He sourly replied refusing to look me in the eye. I leaned back. What's got his panties in a bunch?
"That's awfully rude Jackie." He snapped as a hurt expression crossed his face. Huh?
"Nightmare...what's wrong?" I asked touching the incubus's shoulder. Why does he look so hurt? Is it because I haven't visited in a while? He shuttered slightly coldly looking me right in the eye.
"Why?" He demanded. The temperature dropped as my legs froze up. I twitched unable to move from the icy needles pinning me to the ground. My chest tightened. Why is he so upset?
"W-why what?" I hesitantly asked.
"Out of all the role holders in wonderland you chose Joker?" He grimly asked, pained. I cringed back. Ah...so that's it. Alice went and blabbed to all of wonderland. Great.
"Not exactly. I was in one of her dreams and - that's beside the point. Jackie...," he reached forward cupping my cheek, "There are so many other prospects in wonderland. Why Joker?" I paused, unable to answer him. Yeah...why Joker of all people? He's selfish and rude and conniving and tricks me constantly. He's mean and doesn't care much for others and does anything he can to keep me locked up. But...I can't help but feel attracted to him. My brows furrowed. But...this feeling is undeniable. This warm, selfish desire to not let anyone else have him so I am the only one allowed to bask in his warmth...I've never felt that emotion before. So, putting two and two together, it must be love.
Isn't it?
"I see...then, what if you were to feel that with another? Wouldn't that prove that this whole thing is just a misconception?" Nightmare pressed with a hopeful note to his voice as he snatched my arm. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. W-what?!
"W-what are you-,"
"Leave it to me, Jackie. I promise to make you feel an ecstasy like never before." Nightmare confirmed with a determined glint in his eye. I stiffened and tried to retract my arm from his grasp but it was in vain; despite his fragile appearance he was too strong for me. He yanked me forward crashing his chapped pale lips to mine. My spine remained rigid as the scene blurred around me to that of an alley way. My eyes scanned the brick walls and tapping feet which crossed about a hundred yards out over the sidewalk with cars blurring by. This alley...I remember it. This alley is behind my workshop. I used to hang out here with my friends. My heart fluttered, violently confused as he pinned me. W-what is he doing-? He gripped my hair, holding my head still. His lips moved accordingly along my lips kissing the pink flesh. I grunted irritably and shoved futilely against his chest. I don't want this-! He pulled back clamping his hands over my shoulder and hip. His arms felt like a statue's; hard, defined and immovable stupid things.
"Relax Jackie. I'm an incubus; a demon of desirous dreams. After this...you'll never think of Joker again." He readily promised kissing below my ear. Ow-! I sucked in a quick breath as the motion sent a flurry of heat blossoming through my body. An image of Joker's face flashed through my mind. What would Joker say if he saw this-?! I'm terrible-!
"Nightmare stop-!" I nearly screeched clawing at his shoulders. Stop doing this to me-! I'm not this kind of whore who goes out and screws around-!
"Relax...," Nightmare crooned in my ear moving his lips down to my collarbone. I snatched hold of his head shoving him away before he could reach any further.
"Nightmare. Get. Off." I snarled preparing to rip his head off. He shuttered feeling the seething intent of murder emanate from my raging mind. How dare he play with my feelings like this-!
"I'm not playing Jackie." I stiffened. Then what is he-!
"I love you." I froze. L-love me...?
"Yes Jackie. I love you." He gently replied kissing my stunned lips. L-ove...me? But...with Alice here and all...
"Alice belongs to Blood." He sourly growled. I paused. His tone sounds...defensive. Not accepting. But why? That desperate look in his eye is...maybe he's...still in love with Alice? His eye flashed as the scene rippled before my eyes into a bedroom. It was a large blue room with a huge window and balcony which the unblinking moon looked through sending dazzling shadows across the floor. I sucked in a startled breath taking with it the chilly night air and faint scent of blooming roses. Every detail was to perfection. Even the subtle smell of rain wafting in the air was perfect. My eyes shot back to his deep gray eye.
"I'm right, aren't I?" I hissed, maliciously using the only advantage I had over him; his own past emotions. His mouth twisted into an ashamed sneer as he began to tremble with a sinister laughter.
"And I thought I was the only one who could read minds...but, you're wrong." He muttered moving his lips down. I swung my arms forward prepared to strangle the life out of him but gasped. Rigid lines dug into my wrists from the rope which bound them to the head post. W-when did he-!? He gently pressed against my lips enticing me to settle with him.
I'm trapped.
I can't do anything.
I'm at his complete mercy.
Anything...
He could do anything to me and I won't be able to stop him -!
"Don't you know? You're going to become just like me some day dear." My mother with her long flowing crimson locks crooned slipping out of the soiled bed. Two men laid next to her, who had previously explored her tainted body and were now resting with her nude figure. I stumbled back, breathing hard as my head ached with the fever I've had for nearly three days already. "You're going to become just like me...selling yourself for the love of others. You're a whore's little b****, after all...," She purred snatching me by the arm. "Now let me show you what happens to little b****es that interrupt me-!" She brought down her fist hard over my seven year old form.
I screamed as an indescribable writhing agony crashed over my frozen body. O-oh crap-! It-it's happening again-!
"Get your a** over here you wretched pig!" She shrieked snatching me by the throat. I struggled to tear away but her steely arm was too much for my little form. "I'll show you what heat is-!" She spun me around shoving me into the licking flames of the fireplace.
My back curled in as though I could feel the fiery tongues sinking into my flesh. No matter how hard I tried to retain my wild shrieks they burst from my throat in a hysterical fit. So many times...she's beaten me so many times, exposed me to her sluttish ways too many times...I screamed in bone wrenching agony as the memory utterly captivated my mind leaving no room for reason.
Years I've spent trying to forget that wretched woman and her terrible lies.
But...are they really lies at this point?
My chest heaved with inexplicable tears and sobs and screams and wails that threatened to tear the lungs right out of my mouth. Nightmare cringed back and leaned over the side heaving up a bucket load of blood all over the ground from the horrid memories which not even he could suppress. The image of him hunched over with blood over the ground was fleeting as my mind was otherwise preoccupied.
"You little b****-!" My mother screamed slamming my tiny form into the wall. "He was offering me money-! Why didn't you stay hidden you worthless little rat-!" She screeched like a banshee bringing the broken bottle across my collar bone.
I screamed against clutching my splitting head. Stop it mother-!
"JOKER-!" I screamed fighting with the rope which held my arms up. Tears sprung to my eyes seemingly out of nowhere as the situation finally hit home. I'm going to be taken someone who cares nothing for me. I could not make out a single word through the throbbing tears. Stop it-! Nightmare, I'm begging you to stop. I-I want Joker. I want my Joker -!
"You wretched little rat! How dare you come home so early-!" My mother grappled at the sheets to cover her sweaty body. The man who was tied to her bed barely reacted; all of his senses where either blocked or otherwise preoccupied with various parts of my mother. "Get the f*** out-!" She reached behind her snatching up a little clay pot I fashioned in art class for her.
"I'm so sorry Jackie! I-I only wanted to see how far your feelings went...but it seems that I'm much too far back to even be considered. I see that! Please calm down-!" Nightmare begged clinging to me like a little kid. The image around us again twisted turning into a field of dainty flowers. I hid my face in his shoulder muffling my terrified screams. My thoughts became utterly motionless before warping. Images of Joker smiling sprung into my head captivating my mind as I greedily clung to them.
"Joker-!" I called again. Please...please come get me! I'm so scared...!
"Burn in hell you filthy little pig! How dare you cry; I'm the one whose burdened with such a wretched thing like you-!" My mother hissed bringing the whip over my bare back. I yelped and cringed away from her harsh hand. Please - please stop! I only want to know when that man would leave-! I didn't mean to make the man run away after he saw she had a daughter-!
"Joker - Joker, Joker Joker-!" I cried repeatedly. I want him to hold me. I want to cry into his shoulder. I-I want my Joker-!
"Please calm down. I promise to never do that again so, please...please relax. I swear to never test you like that again-!" Nightmare pleaded holding my arms firm. A made rush of emotions cultivated within my own body warring with the screams that held my throat.
Happiness.
Fright.
Comfort.
Sorrow...
I thrashed in his arms barely able to retain my sanity. The world reached up around me swallowing me within its dark abyss.
I want Joker-!
"JOKER-!" I screamed shooting up from the bed. My lungs ached as it struggled to suck greedy breaths of air through my swelled throat. I grappled at the sore area. T-that's right I was almost s-strangled and that's why its sore but-but...I searched the bed only finding two very tense wolves with eyes staring right at me. The fur on the scruff of their necks were straight up and their tails out straight. Their familiar bloody red eyes raked over my sweaty form. I breathed in quick rasping successions struggling to slow my breathing past the sobbing jerks. D-dream...it was only a - a dream. I shakily breathed out. It was only Nightmare. He-he nearly...my arms limply fell onto the bed.
That...that isn't what scared me. Somewhere deep down I knew that he wouldn't actually do it. Would he have? I shook my head away from the thought. But...that's not what frightened me. T-t-those awful nightmares that have been building up ever since I can remember...I sucked in a quick belt as the sound of shattering glass echoed in my ears. Every part of myself jerked with desperation to flee. To run like a bat out of hell into the cold barren streets where it was safer than in the confines of the apartment. I barely restrained the emotion forcing myself to stay on the bed. Even if I run there's no reason...after all she's not here so-so... I sucked in a yelp. T-that scared me...that really scared me-! Warm tears streaked my face as I bit my lip pulling myself into a tight little sniveling ball. So scared-!
I shakily took deep breathes in an attempt to calm myself. Night terrors...that hasn't happened to me for a while. So why now? Because Nightmare nearly...had me? I paused. No...that's not it. I know it isn't. Then-then why...? Is it because he was forcibly holding me? No...I gritted my teeth in frustration as another thought occurred to me.
I need Joker.
Those night terrors used to hit me all the time after my brother was killed. I missed him so much every night...is that what that was? I'm missing Joker so much that my body is resorting to night terrors once again? My chest constricted as the realization hit me. I...I almost need Joker in my bed now. No matter how much I hate to admit it...I sighed. I'm pathetic...
I sucked in a quick breath and jumped back spying one of the wolves nudge its nose over my hip. It gazed at me with smoldering beautiful eyes as if to ask 'what's wrong? It's ok. I'm here'. I forced a smile at my own commentary. My fingers rubbed through its fine fur as I struggled to calm myself. The wolf hummed steadily looking me in the eyes. I must have woken them up. I sighed. It-it's time to get up anyway...
I jerked as the other wolf flopped onto my legs with a suppressed yelp. I jumped. I-is he hurt? I hastily dragged my hands over his body searching for any injuries. A sharp exhale flowed out from between its threatening canine teeth as its chest vibrated. That's so weird...he's not hurt at all but he keeps yelping? Nothing's broken I can tell. Then why are they both so...well, lethargic and whimpering so much? Weird dogs. I smiled. Ah, they remind me of Joey back home~ I had a big brown dog that used to comfort me like this when I had my little fits. I sighed and leaned into his fur snuggling up to his warmth. They remained motionless, enjoying the attention I was giving them. I...no, this is good. It-it's ca-alming me down...I shakily breathed out.
It could have been hours. I had no idea what time of day it was or any sense of time in general as I clung to the wolves like a little needy baby. But, before long I deeply sighed rolling the last of the tension off of my shoulders. I need to get ready and get to work. I glanced over the wolves which rested easily on my lap. I can't just leave them here though. With the stealth of a retarded ox I rolled them off my lap. Both of them perked up in an instant tensing and rolling to their stomachs. I ignored the two wolves slipping into the bathroom and shimmied off my clothes, clambering into the shower. The constant pitter patter of the shower running down my back offered some relief to my stiff muscles. That was a rough night. From nightmare's close encounter to the night terrors...My eyebrow twitched. Nightmare...
Rather than fear rage began to build up in my system. Right after work I'm going to go kick Nightmare's stupid butt for the stunt he pulled last night. No, actually I'm going to go right this instant and show him how pissed I am before time mellows out my rage. Yeah, that sounds good. The faucet squeaked as I twisted it shut pushing the curtain aside. I slipped into my clothes and tied my wet hair up after a good towel drying and walked back into the room spying the wolves with their gazes fixated on the door, ears twitching as they intently listened to something. What -
"JACKIE~," The singing voice send a sharp cord of instant wariness through my system as a large force smacked into my side. I stumbled back falling onto the ground with a loud huff of air. The brunette squirmed moving himself over me with a silly grin plastered on his face.
"Ace-!" I cried breathlessly. W-why is he here?! And I was doing so well avoiding him too-!
"Yes?" He asked orientating himself so his ear was pressed against my chest. I brought my fist down hard over the idiots head making him recoiled and protect the open target with his large hands.
"Ow ow ow ow ow~ that hurt Jackie." His smile never faltered as he laughed off the pain with a sincere grin. I sighed. He's like the bratty little kid I have to babysit and must not kill no matter how much I may want to...as I thought hating Ace is just as impossible as the sky randomly changing times of day...oh wait...I chuckled at my own line of thought pushing the Ace off of me. He nearly rapes me and he can stay in the same room as me with that same silly simper on his lips...this guy is one heck of a character alright. He paused touching my still wet hair.
"Did you just finish showering?" He asked playing with the strand. I shifted, uncomfortable with the close quarters before giving up. This is Ace I'm talking about. There's no such thing as a personal bubble where he comes from...
"Yeah." I answered wary of his response. Let's see...if he tries to jump me hit him with my wrench in the head until he bleeds to death. If he tries to touch me hit him with my wrench in the head until he bleeds to death. If he tries to say a very suggestive thing and then proceed to kiss me hit him with my wrench in the head until he bleeds to death and hack up his body and feed them to the wolves.
"Awe~ I missed it!" He childishly pouted grabbing the towel and plopped it over my head.
"Hey-!" I shouted as he began to furiously rub the absorbing fibers through my hair. I struggled to push his arms away before relenting. He's so selfish...doing whatever he wants and expecting me to not fight him because it takes too much effort for nothing to come of it.
...Like I'm doing right now.
"Ace, how did you get down here?" Isn't the only way here is with White?
"Ah, I took the stairs!" He cheerfully replied removing the towel from my head with a satisfied smile.
"All done!" I reached up touching the drier than anything strands of hair. Wow. That's impressive. I ran my fingers through the silky feel. And it's perfectly straight. What kind of towel is that?
...wait stairs-?
"Stairs?" I questioned. There's another way down here?
"Yep!" Ace responded
"Stairs...as in stairs that lead to the upper ground?" I asked, ensuring myself that he wasn't trying to trick me.
"Of course." He simply responded, subtly brushing his fingers over my thigh. I opened my mouth to reprimand the stupid boy but was cut off. The response of his touch drew an unexpected series of threatening snarls from the wolves confined to the bed for whatever reason there is. Ace glanced up with a child like glint in his eyes.
"Since when did you get doggies?!" He asked euphorically leaping up and running towards them with the same stupid smile as ever. My eyes grew wide. Seriously?! That idiot-! They look like they're going to murder him-!
"Wait Ace-!" I called out as he reached his hand forward. The wolf's eyes flashed as he lunged forward. Ace barely withdrew his hand fast enough.
"Awe~ it looks like the naughty doggy needs to be punished...," Ace trailed with a darker smile, drawing his sword. My mouth gaped; oh crap-! I leapt in between them as he swung his sword down. My heart jerked; he's not stopping-!
CLANG.
I jumped as the sword made a muffled tap against the rock ground. The sword was imbedded within the rock a few inches. Just how sharp is that thing-?!
"Hoo~ be careful Jackie. I almost hit you." Ace smiled and laughed as though he didn't just nearly end my life.
"Knock it off Ace! Injured animals often attack people." I warned pushing him away towards the door. I need to go and whoop Nightmare for what he did. What he did is not easily forgiven-! Especially since he set off a night terror attack...
"Huh? Am I being kidnapped? That sounds like fun~," Ace purred spinning around and pulled me into a hug. The motion brought another series of livid barks from the downed dogs.
"Of course not!" I shouted appalled by the mere thought. Kidnapping Ace is one of the stupidest things anyone could ever do-! What do I have a death wish?!
"Then what-," His voice was again cut off by the wolves yipping and howling at him. He glanced back with a deadly glean to his eyes.
"Ah~ it looks like they want to be punished...," Ace sang turning around. I sprung forward clinging to his arm.
"Take me to Clover Tower Ace." I butted in capturing his attention. I'm going to regret this later but at least the wolves are spared. It worked. His full and undivided attention was placed over me.
"Oh an adventure-!" He cried excitedly taking my hand and dragged me through the door.
"No Ace not an adventure-!" I shouted back as he dragged me down the hall. A thought crossed my mind as I yanked my hand from his. He paused, glancing back.
"Wait right here." I commanded whipping around and hurried off to the kitchen. My fingers curled around two porcelain bowls filling them with fresh water. I'll buy the wolves something to eat while I'm out too. I slipped past Ace and back into the room setting the bowls of water on the nearby nightstand. I froze as they whimpered as though begging me not to leave. I smiled, tapping them on the nose.
"Don't worry; I'll be back soon." I promised before rushing out the door. I want to hurry and get this over with.
"Let's go, Ace." I said pulling him with me.
"Aye aye~," He sang tightening his hand over mine.
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Oh~ I can't wait for the next chapter! I'm so stoked to write it. You'll love it too promise! Will Ace make his move on Jackie? And are the Jokers doomed to stay helpless on the bed while Ace takes her? Stay tuned and find out~
