New Life
The Joker walked closer, holding the pool stick in one hand and brushing his hair back with the other. I was frozen in place, unable to move for some reason. This man didn't scare me, or intimidate me. Or at least, not much. I guess it was just that every movement he made unlocked a new desire within me. I looked at the scars around his mouth and wondered how he got them. I knew he told stories, but no one had any idea which one was true, if any of them were.
Thinking about him made me let my guard down and relax a little. I didn't realize I had dug my nails into the door frame until he lifted my hand up and squeezed it; massaged it. I guess he noticed me doing this before in the shop, and didn't want his walls clawed at. I let out a long breath that I had been keeping in and looked up at him. He let my arm drop to my side and asked as he turned to return to the pool table, "What's your name?" I cleared my throat and replied, "Rosalie Jackson."
"And how old are you?"
"23. Turning 24 December 18th."
"Ah."
He put away the pool stick and sat down on the couch in front of the fire, waving his hand for me to sit down next to him. I sat on the far end of the couch once my legs started working again and fidgeted. "I won't bite." He turned to look at me and I scooted a little closer to him. Maybe about two inches. He rolled his eyes and slid over a foot or two, so there was almost no space between us. Now was not the time, but my face turned red and my heart raced. My eyes shifted around the room, trying not to look at him, and he noticed.
"You should know a lot about my job, from the news and stuff, so I won't get in to that. But you should definitely start getting comfortable here, 'cuz you won't be going back home anytime soon. I plan on keeping you here as long as possible. Unfortunately, we don't cook very well and sometimes the house is a mess, so you'll be taking care of everything. Consider yourself my prisoner."
My eyes had been resting on the dancing flames as he spoke to me, and my body began to feel warm. His arm was around me, and I tried my hardest to not think about him, but it was so difficult. Okay, focus. He's not so great. Yeah! I mean, like he's just so…totally not…okay yeah, he's incredible. But focus, Rosalie, geez! My hands were in fists and the word "Okay" slipped out of my mouth. "Good." He got up and looked at his watch, then went down the hallway. I heard him open and close a door and didn't see him for the next minute or so. I figured he went to bed or something.
Villains still have to sleep… The guys behind me were joking around and shoving each other. I looked at my wooden Nixon watch and it read 8:37pm. Wait…how long was I out? It's been a whole day. Oh well. I walked into my room and closed the door behind me, trying to settle in. Living here wouldn't be so bad, just different. Plus, my other life was pretty boring. Something about the Joker makes me feel dynamic; vivacious. I can be myself around him. My true self. Or at least, I think he can help me discover who I really am, and then accept me once he sees me.
But cooking and cleaning?! Well, it does sound kind of fun. And it'll give me a chance to familiarize myself with the rest of the house. I'm pretty sure the kitchen and dining room are through that archway next to the fireplace. Anyway, what am I gonna do about clothes and hygiene? I'm pretty sure he doesn't stock up on women's clothing and bathroom products. Or at least I hope he doesn't…