I know what you think in the morning
When the sun shines on the ground
And shows what you have done
It shows where your mind has gone
I talked to Dr. Arkham. He told he to give it one more shot. If I truly didn't feel comfortable, I could pass the case to another doctor. Honestly, I don't think there was another doctor to pass it to. He was desperate for me to handle it because he didn't want to do it himself. I have a cop surveying my building at all times with the two break ins. Dr. Arkham recommended that to Commissioner Gordon personally.
I watched the clock as our session grew near. Maybe I can ask Zachary and Nathan to stay in the room with us. That could work. I'll do that. They can grab him if he gets out of control. I regained my confidence and got myself prepared for the session. Grabbing a Red Bull, I started eating my lunch. I finished the food by the time that dreaded knock came. "Doctor Quinzel. May I come in now?"
I took a deep breath. "Yes, Mr. J. Come on in."
He walked in and sat down. I looked to the guards, they weren't my guards. My nerves racked up a little bit. I was startled when he started talking. "Did you like the chocolates?"
I glared daggers at him. "You can't keep having people break into my apartment. If this continues, I will have to move."
He grinned. "You will soon, my Harley. That place is only… temporary. I'm expecting big things from you."
I cleared my throat. "Mr. J, this obsession with me has got to stop."
He threw back his head in a laugh. "Oh, it's not one-sided, baby!"
I threw him a stern look. "Oh, but it is. Now let's actually cover something productive in this session. Dr. Arkham is considering removing me from your case if I can't show him any progress today."
"Harley, Harley, Harley. I don't like it when you lie to me. It makes me angry. When I get angry, I tend to lash out. We wouldn't want that to happen now, would we?"
I shook my head, fear starting to build in the pit of my stomach.
"But, I agree nonetheless. Let us get to something more productive. How about I answer one of yours if you answer one of mine?"
I grimaced. "Fine."
He perked up, a grin spreading across his face. "Do you have a boyfriend, Dr. Quinzel?"
I shook my head no. This made his grin widen to its full capacity. I can see why he gives Dr. Arkham the creeps, but he also looks pretty—No! You can't be thinking about your patient like this! Why would you find a mad man attractive? It's because he's getting to you. He's getting in your mind. He's trying to use you. That's all.
He must have noticed the fact that I got lost in my thoughts because he spoke up. "Earth to Dr. Quinzel. Aren't you going to ask me a question? Or are you a little… preoccupied?"
I shook it off. "I'm fine, Mr. J. Why do you behave like this? What goes through your mind that makes you want to torture and kill people?"
He looked taken aback by my question. "I didn't have a normal childhood, but maybe I will fill you in on that later. Why do I act this way? A long time ago, I traded my hands for guns and my thumbs for ammunition. The lost sheep find me to recruit them. They need money, a purpose, or the plain fact that they enjoy the rush of this just as much as I do. I want the world, Dr. Quinzel, and I intend on taking it. Once I know what I want, I don't stop until I get it." He gave me a devilish grin before throwing his head back in laughter.
"So you're a textbook sociopath."
He looked straight at me. "I don't like labels, toots, but for you, I'll make an exception." He heard the door open. "My turn. Have you ever done anything that you should not have?"
I reflected upon my life. Nothing could really come to mind. My dad was a criminal. That just inspired me to be better though. My parents neglected me. My brother was the golden child. I guess I just never rebelled. "I stole a pack of gum once."
He belly laughed so hard, I thought that I may have seen some color in his cheeks. "Oh, Harley! You just kill me!"
"Okay, Mr. J. Do you have a girlfriend?"
He stopped laughing and straightened up, an unreadable expression on his face. "I am not someone who can be… loved."
I thought I had struck a nerve, but his cool demeanor reappeared. "Unless you're offering…"
I rolled my eyes. "That's enough, Mr. Joker."
He laughed. "I can tell you're mad. You only call me that when you're mad."
"I'm done with the games, Mr. Joker. I think our session should be done for the day."
He got up to move in front of me. He was very quick. His tall figure loomed over my seated form. It was almost as if his shadow had covered me. "Don't be like this, Harley." His voice was flat, not playful like it was before. I felt the fear creeping in. "We are just playing a little game." I backed up a little. "The little pig only lasts in the straw house for so long before the big bad wolf comes to get her."
Luckily the door opened right away. Zachary grabbed him, pulling him away from me. The Joker just cackled. "Until next time, Doc-tor." He let the guards escort him out.
I stayed in the meeting room for several minutes, trying to catch my breath. I can't believe what had happened. I shook my head and headed for Dr. Arkham's office. I let him know that I will be keeping the Joker case, to which he breathed a sigh of relief. "Harleen, anything you need, I will provide it. You are the only doctor who will take his case. He scared off all of our doctors on staff."
I gave him a weak smile. "Thank you, Dr. Arkham. I do appreciate it."
He grinned, handing me a new card. "I want to show my appreciation. I am offering you a position as a full-time doctor. You will be Dr. Crane's replacement."
My mood went from 0-100. "Thank you so much, Dr. Arkham!"
"You earned it, Harleen. Now go get some rest. I know how difficult he can be. In fact, take the day off tomorrow. We will see you on Thursday."
I nodded and made my way home. I rolled my eyes, trying to expect what would be waiting for me next. I can't understand why he was leaving me gifts. He must know that I have some sort of attraction to him. He's trying to use that against me. He is trying to seduce me so that he can use me as a pawn. I refuse to let that happen.
That you all have guns
And you never put the safety on
And you all have plans
To take it, to take it, don't take it, take it, take it
I go up to my apartment and walked straight to the bathroom. I stripped down to my lace bra and panties set and discarded my dirty clothes into my hamper. I grabbed my toothbrush and looked up into my bathroom mirror. Written on the mirror in my brightest red lipstick was "Want. Need. Sex." Fuck. Another break in. How could this even happen with the GCPD monitoring this place? Are they that worthless?
I let out an exasperated sigh. "When is he going to stop making his men break into my apartment?"
I heard his bone-chilling laugh and froze. Looking in the mirror, all I could see was green hair, white skin, and a purple suit. "I thought I'd deliver this one personally." He walked up to me and turned me around. He wanted me to face him. He looked me up and down, admiring all that he could see. A quiet, husky growl escaped his threat before he could actually speak. "You're probably thinking, 'how the hell did he get out of there,' hmm? Well, toots, there are some bent guards in that facility. You'll find out which ones they are soon enough."
I took a deep breath and tried to scream, but his tattooed hand covered my mouth. "Turn that frown upside-down, baby! We haven't even begun having fun!" He threw his head back in laughter and pulled me close. I felt the cold buttons of his suit press against my bare stomach and chest. "If I take my hand away, are you going to scream? I will punish you if you scream." I shook my head no. "Good." He pulled his hand away from my mouth. "I have a little gift for you, Princess." He handed me a long purple box that he had just pulled from his jacket pocket and made me open it. It was a cream colored leather collar that read "PUDDIN" in gold letters. "Do you love it?" I nodded uneasily. "Then tell Daddy thank you."
"Thank you."
He fastened the collar on my neck. "Thank you, what?"
"Thank you, Daddy." I felt sick. Those words that came out of my mouth were utterly repulsive.
He grinned. "Anything for my little harlequin." He picked me up as a groom would pick up his bride. "You look tired, baby. You need some sleep." He laid me across my bed and took the spot right next to me. "Are you gonna be my girl, Harley?"
I froze. How do you even respond to that?
"I need an answer or I will have to punish you. I'm going to repeat myself... just this once. Are you… going to be… my girl? Choose wisely."
"Yes," I squeaked.
A grin spread across his face. "Now, I've been very patient with you, my little harlequin. I have been waiting to do this since I first saw that sexy little face of yours." He grabbed my cheeks with both of his hands and kissed me, soft at first, then with more passion. When he pulled away, I gasped for air, which, in turn, made him chuckle. "Oh, baby, you taste just like cotton candy! I knew you would!" He kissed me again. "Daddy has to go now. He will see you Thursday. You will be punished if you don't wear your gift." I nodded. "Good girl."
He glanced over to the empty box of chocolates next to the flowers that were starting to die. "Don't worry, baby. I'll get you more." With that, he hopped out of my window and disappeared.
What the fuck just happened?
I think I'm dating my client…
I think I'm dating the Joker.
