Hope you enjoy this. Just something I thought up last night. Not my best work but whatever.

Disclaimer: All characters and situations remain the property of their respective owners. Unfortunately I am not said owner despite how much I wish I was.

Funerals and Life After

Chapter 4: Nightmares 1

"Stop it. Please I'll do anything. Just don't hurt her."

The Joker laughs manically, his tongue darting out licking his scars. His green accents highlighted in the dimly lit warehouse. That sickening smile was on his face. The smile which, at this time, scared the crap out of me.

Behind him stood two cranes, each held a metal chain. Those chains meet each other 15 feet from the roof, each winding around a firm, muscular arm.

Those arms belonged to Artemis' and she was hanging 50 feet above the concrete floor. Blood was seeping through most of her uniform, gashes across her stomach and arms, dark bruises littering her face and neck.

"Please. I will do anything. Just let her go. Don't hurt her."

Don't hurt my daughter.

I was choking. Choking on my own spit and tears. He had Artemis. I can see in her eyes that she's in pain, agonizing pain.

"Well you see here arrow man, I can't do both. By hurting you I'm hurting the Justice league Bats and his little team of sidekicks. It's a win for me all round. So just for you, I'll let the little archer girl down."

The creaking of rusty machinery starts along with the clinking of chains. Artemis' body is being raised up even higher. As the noises stop the Joker starts his maniacal laughing again, as if he knows something that I don't.

The chains realise and Artemis begins to fall. Her screams fill the air with the bastard's laughter. Her eyes are screwed shut and her hands are holding tight on the chains above her. As she falls I call out, not being able to do anything yet watch her fall.

No!

The chains stop, Artemis' body jerks, a loud popping sound coming from her. Her screams are like none before, chilling me to the bone.

"OLLIE!"

I sit up in bed, panting and gasping for the breath that had recently refused to enter my lungs. A cold sweat drips from my bare torso and face. My clock flashes an incomprehensible number at me as I groan. Artemis' scream still haunted my ears.

Artemis!

I rush from my room to hers, running without a care of what I knock over or run into. I just need Artemis. I fling her doors open and make my way to her bed. Her eyes are already open and she's looking at me startled. I throw myself at her. Enclosing her in my arms, in my protection and pulling her head to my chest. Warm tears dripping into her hair.

"Ollie are you alright? What's wrong!?" I'm choking on my own saliva and tears. I had Artemis and she was safe. I kiss her head, which seems to calm her worry slightly.

God I must look like a complete mess.

"He had you. I thought he had you (sob). I thought Joker had you, he was hurting you. Oh God I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Artemis." I pull her tighter, my hands slipping to her shoulders, checking for the injuries that I fear of.

"Ollie I'm fine." She takes my hands in hers and kisses my palm. Her warm hands are comforting, their rough texture telling me what I already know, she's safe.

"I'm here Ollie, safe and sound. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. Im safe. I'm safe with you." Her voice wavers, as if she isn't just trying to reassure me as well as herself. I pull her closer to my chest, running fingers through her hair.

"I promise you Artemis. You are safe with me, I will never let anyone hurt you. Never."

Soon enough I release her, letting her slip back down into bed before I lay down beside her. Knowing Artemis was safe meant that I could sleep. At least for tonight.

What do you think? Like it? Hate it? Review!

Oh the next chapter will hopefully be up…sometime. Here's my initial idea

"Her head nods against his chest, and like many times before, he knows that she's listening to his heartbeat. A constant beating in her ever changing world."

This may be changed though. hmmm. oh well!

XOXO Maddy