"You read it, you buy it." A greasy, ponytailed, old flannel shirt garbed clerk broke my focus from the newspaper article I was reading, bringing my full attention towards him.
"And any reason why you're wearing sunglasses inside? And that damn beanie," He let out a low whistle and shook his head, "Sweetheart, it's about ninety degrees outside."
It had been almost a full day since the incident at Arkham, and it littered all of Gotham's newspapers and magazines. In fact, Mr. Ponytail just interrupted my reading of Gotham Inquirer's front page interpretation of the incident.
Everyone was questioning why the "pretty psychiatrist turned bad" and decided to help the Joker escape.
The other less popular question asked about the whereabouts of her little sister, hence my shabby disguise. You know, because shoving my hair up in a beanie and slapping on a pair of sunglasses was the best I could do. My school picture from this school year was posted next to missing persons, which had the GCPD phone number under "contact if seen".
Thankfully, my escape plan bought me about thirty minutes to get to my apartment and pack up my things before the police would be able to get my address and come to get me. I spent the night in the subway station bathroom, thankfully getting rid of my charge by powering the subways for a few hours.
"Uh, sorry." I said, putting down the newspaper and picking up my satchel, getting ready to leave the corner store.
"Wait," The clerk said, stopping me before I left the store. "You can keep reading the damn newspaper kid, I was just messing with you."
"Oh ok," I spoke out slowly, confused but picking up the newspaper again regardless. I gave him a sideways glance before reading where I had left off.
"Why aren't you in school?"
I let out a quiet, but annoyed sigh. So this is what it's going to be like?
Is reading one stupid article too much to ask?
"Oh, we got let out early. There was a big rat infe-"
"No, no it didn't, kid." The guy cut me off and shook his head, "My daughter goes to your school and if it got canceled they would have called me." He pointed towards himself as if to further prove his point.
"Oh yeah?" I retorted, putting the newspaper once again back on its rack and crossing my arms in front of my chest, "How do you know what school I go to?"
He looked at me, then down at my uniform, then back towards my face. The look on his face screamed 'you're kidding me, right?'
"Oh." I muttered, embarrassed, uncrossing my arms and clasping my hands in front of me. During my rush to pack, I had remember to grab pajamas, a certain change of clothes that I couldn't dress in quite yet, the sunglasses, beanie, and my toothbrush. So of course the only thing I could wear today was my uniform.
"So why don't you tell me why you're here and haven't left town yet?" I quirked an eyebrow, pretending I had no idea what he was talking about when in actuality I was panicking, trying to figure out how he saw through my disguise.
"C'mon Alisha, there's only one kid in this town hiding from the police." He stated, "And I'm guessing you're about…" He paused, glancing down at the newspaper he was reading, "5'5? And 135 pounds?"
"What is this, the fair?" I scoffed, "Why does it matter to you anyway?"
"I think I might be able to help you find something you've lost."
I looked at him curiously, and then quickly glanced around the store to ensure I was still the only customer inside. Once I confirmed that I was, I approached his counter.
"Oh yeah? Help me find what?"
"I think you know what I'm talking about." He said, pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket. "And your first clue to her whereabouts on on this here scrap of paper."
He held it between two fingers, waving it slightly as if to mock me. When I reached out to pluck it from his hands, he pulled it out of my reach.
"Hold up, hot pants." He smirked, causing me to roll my eyes. "There's some steps you need to follow if you want this address."
I put my arm down against the counter in defeat, waving my hand for him to continue.
"When you get there, you say you're interested in purchasing." I waited for him to finish his statement, but he kept quiet.
I let out a more audible, annoyed sigh before asking "Purchase what?"
It was his turn to roll his eyes before answering with, "Think about it kid, what does the joker specialize in? Y'know, in terms of purchasing."
I looked at him, mouth slightly agape. I shook my head and shrugged. "No clue, man, couldn't you just tell me?"
"Damn, you're really naive, aren't you?" I glared at him, not exactly appreciating being called naive by a man who continued to dance around my questions. "Drugs, kid. You ask for drugs."
"Oh." I muttered, looking down. Okay, there was no way I would have known that. The only thing I've known the Joker for doing is causing chaos and robbing banks. Or and I guess kidnapping my sister, but that's about it.
"You got that kid? And after you do that, whoever you talk to should lead you right to what you're looking for."
"And how am I supposed to trust you?" I questioned, seriously wondering what my next move would be.
"What other choice do you got kid?" He asked, chuckling at me.
With that, I gave him one last questioning look before grabbing the note out of his hand and running out of the store. The ring of bell on the door and his "Good luck!" were the last things I heard before racing back to the subway station.
A/N: Thank you all so much for all the favorites and follows, and I want to thank theoriginalsrizzlesouat1D and sanaa11 for your reviews! It means a lot to get your feedback so thank you for taking time to comment on my story! :)
ALSO quick question! I have four chapters after this one written and ready to post and am hoping to write at least two more this week, but still have many more to write before this story is finished. Although I have an outline for each of the future chapters, I am leaving for college this Sunday and don't know how much time I will have to write.
Would you guys rather me post all my chapters I have done all at once and then have maybe two weeks (estimated time) before new content, or would you want me to post maybe two chapters a week so there is no extended period of time between posting? Please leave me a comment telling me which you would prefer. (also I just saw that I had guest reviews disabled. I have fixed it now so anyone can review :) )
I love you guys! Thanks again for all the support and reads!
-Rosie
