I had no idea how much time had passed. A day? A week? A month? Longer? Nor did I know where I was being kept. I guessed some sort of warehouse. I was being kept in a large room that the Joker's men patrolled periodically. Large windows caked in dirt and grime covered the top portion of the room, allowing barely any sunlight in. At night it was pitch dark. The only light came from the offices where Joker stayed.
It was nighttime now. Joker and a group of men had left an hour ago. I hoped they would never come back. I would rather die here in peace then endure anymore of their brutality. Every day that Kenny failed to call earned me another beating by a different thug. Every inch of my body hurt. My wrists and ankles were raw from where the rope had chaffed them, and I was sure at least one rib was broken. I could barely open my left eye it was probably black and swollen. Every time I dared to move I could feel dried blood on my face and neck.
Just then I heard the truck entering the loading bay, and I bit back a sob. Why? Why was this happening to me? I winced as Joker and his men entered the room.
"Where is my little toy?" he asked, laughing maniacally. I whimpered as his eyes lit upon me.
"There you are, little bee! I've got good news for you!" Joker made his way over to where I lay upon the cold ground, shivering. My skin had gone numb long ago. I wished I had worn more than a sundress and boots to Kenny's shop, "You were right. Your little friend came up with my money today." He brandished a check in front of my face. I raised my head enough to look. It was the same check from my vision, of that I was sure. It was made out to Kenny for $50,000. However, unlike my vision, it had splatters of blood on it.
"Unfortunately for him, I heard along the grapevine that he had been seen squealing to a giant flying rodent. I couldn't have the Bat finding my little operation now could I? Your little friend had to die." I choked back a sob. Kenny! I couldn't believe it. Kenny was dead. I had given my life to save him and it wasn't enough. Joker grabbed my arm and jerked me up off the floor, tossing me into a nearby chair.
"Now the question is," Joker said, his voice lowering threateningly, "How did you know?" I stared back at him, my mind spinning. I had to come up with something, and fast. Joker slapped me, the crack echoing across the walls. I felt my lip split open once again.
"Not fast enough!" he growled, "Don't even think about lying to me, little girl. I will cut you up into so many pieces even the fish won't be able to find you!"
"I see things," I choked out, spitting blood onto the floor. I couldn't take the pain anymore. No more. I didn't want the Joker to know my secret, but at least it may keep me alive, "Visions."
"Visions," the Joker repeated, nonplussed, "And I'm supposed to believe that?"
"It's true," I whispered, "I've had them since I was younger. They don't happen all the time. Its random. But when I was in the store I had a vision that Kenny would get a check for $50,000." The Joker stared at me for a long time, any trace of humor gone from his face. His thugs stood around watching us, some rubbing their guns in anticipation. After a few minutes of total silence the Joker erupted in laughter.
"My little bee!" he laughed, "A psychic! Why, you're not a toy!" He bent over me, bracing his hands on the back of the chair.
"You're a trophy," he growled. Clapping his hands together, he turned to his men.
"Prepare a room for the new member of our organization! Never again will that damn Bat ruin my plans. I'll know his every move!" he cried, pacing. He spun towards me, "And you! You'd better start brewing up some visions, because if you don't…" He slid a finger across his neck in one swipe, making his intentions more than clear. I wanted to point out that I couldn't control my visions, but decided against it. This was the only way to stay alive. For now.
The Joker had said that Kenny had "squealed to a giant flying rodent". He had to mean Batman. Maybe Batman was looking for me. If I could just hold out a little longer, maybe he would save me once more.
"Room's ready, boss," a thug said, returning to where the Joker stood.
"Excellent," he said, "Take my little trophy to her room. And get these ropes off her. We need all that blood flowing if she's going to give us the goods on the Bat." Two of the thugs grabbed me by my arms and pulled me to my feet. Dragging me across the room they led me up a flight of creaky metal stairs to where the offices were. Down the hall, in the very last room, was a dirty mattress on the ground and a toilet covered in grime.
"Here you go, princess," one of the thugs said, slicing off my bonds and shoving me into the room, "Enjoy." Chuckling, they slammed the door, locking it behind them. Sinking down onto the mattress, I curled up into the fetal position, trying to ignore the pain in my body. What was I supposed to do now? If I didn't have a vision soon I would have to make something up. If I didn't, Joker would surely kill me. I jumped as I heard the sound of gunshots coming from the warehouse. What the hell was going on now? I pulled myself into the corner, wishing I could just disappear. After a few moments the gunshots ceased. I held my breath, waiting to hear what would happen next.
Footsteps came up the metal stairs. One by one someone was opening doors along the hall. I squeezed my eyes shut. Was Joker looking for me? When the footsteps got to my door they found it locked. I could hear the sounds of metal grinding and finally my door swung open. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. What was the Joker going to do to me now?
"Cassandra?" a deep voice asked. A voice I had been dreaming about ever since the first time I heard it. I opened my eyes to see Batman standing in the doorway.
"Batman," I whimpered, reaching out to him. He was beside me in an instant.
"Can you stand?" I nodded weakly.
"I think my rib is broken, but my legs are fine." He helped me up off the floor, and we made our way, albeit a bit wobbly, to the door.
"I'm going to get you out of here," he told me. Holding onto his arm tightly, he led me back down the stairs to the warehouse. I saw several of Joker's men laying unconscious.
"Did they hurt you?" I asked. Batman looked down at me, his eyes probing deep into mine.
"Don't worry about me. I've had worse," he said. Pulling something out of his belt, he wrapped an arm gingerly around my waist, "Hold on tight. I don't want to hurt your ribs." I nodded, wrapping my arms around his neck. I couldn't help but sigh happily. He felt just as I remembered him. Strong, masculine. I felt safe wrapped in those arms. We seemed to fly, our feet leaving the ground for what felt like minutes, but was only a second. We landed on the breezeway which led to a balcony outside. We headed in that direction, but a shadowy figure jumped out in front of us.
"Not so fast, Bat!" the Joker yelled, aiming a gun straight at Batman's chest, "You can't run off with my little trophy!"
"Put the gun down, Joker," Batman told him, "Its over."
"Not quite yet, Bats. I can't have you taking my visionary away." I pushed myself in front of Batman, shielding him with my body. He tried to push me away, gently, but I wouldn't let him.
"You won't shoot me," I told the Joker, "I'm too valuable."
"You think so?" he growled.
"You won't kill me," I repeated. The Joker seemed to think for a moment.
"Well, you're half right little bee. I won't kill you," he aimed the gun down at my leg and pulled the trigger, "But I will shoot you." Pain exploded in my leg, and I collapsed. Batman sprung into action, throwing something small and metal at the Joker. The gun feel from his hand down to the warehouse floor.
"Hate to shoot and run, but my ride is waiting," he cried. He turned his gaze on me, "See you soon, toots." Joker disappeared. Batman took a step toward him, his hand clenching into a fist. Turning back to me, he bent down and picked me up.
"Hold on," he said again, and carried me out to the breezeway. My hands grasped at my leg where blood was pouring out from the gunshot wound. I closed my eyes as he jumped down to the ground, landing deftly next to a large black vehicle. Loading me inside, my eyes couldn't move fast enough taking in all the buttons and levers. Batman jumped in next to me. Speeding away from the warehouse, he weaved in and out of buildings.
"Where are we going?" I asked through gritted teeth, trying to hold back cries of pain.
"To the Batcave."
