September 28th, 9:29 am.
Arkham Asylum Grounds.
I gasped loudly and skipped a few feet forward, watching a blue and black butterfly flittering over my head. My arms were restrained in a straight-jacket but I could still dance with the little guy so I did, my head tilted back and my mouth open in a smile. "Do you see it, Dr. Baker? Isn't he pretty?"
"He's beautiful, Harley."
"That, my dear, is a Swallowtail butterfly."
In sync, me and Doc Baker turned around to see who was talking to us. A short, blonde man in an orange Arkham jumpsuit was smiling at us, an orderly a few feet behind him. No cuffs? Wow. He must've been on the nice list. "And who are you?" I asked, hip cocked out and eyebrow up.
"My name is Jervis, you silly thing. I'm sure you've heard of me."
My brow furrowed as I flipped through all the people in the asylum that I could name. Jervis… Jervis Tetch. I knew that name! Who was he? Short and british and… OH! "Mad Hatta?"
He smiled, his teeth showing happily. He had a big gap between the first two, but other than that, they were all shiny and white. Unlike most people in this looney bin. "Bingo. And you, would be Harley Quinzel. The Joker's accomplice."
I snorted. "The Joker's girlfriend. Get it right, pal."
"I do apologize, Alice, my mind has been a little scattered today."
"Why'd you call me Alice?"
"I didn't."
"Yeah you did."
He laughed slightly, looking a little uncomfortable. "Well it must have slipped out, I'm sorry my dear."
"Don't call me that…" I said, defensive now. I backed up a little and Michelle caught me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder before pulling me along. I turned around to give a parting, confused glance to Jervis as Michelle coaxed me further away.
She sighed. "I'm sorry about that, Harley. We've been trying to allow some patient conversation for him lately, and he's been doing very well… His guard should've known not to let him around you, though."
"Why? What'd I do?" My voice was defensive and she laughed a little, patting my shoulder.
"Not you, Harley. It's him. He has a predisposition for," She hesitated a little, her mouth quirking up. "Young, pretty blondes. That's why he called you Alice."
"How young?" I asked, slightly creeped out now. Alice was only a little girl, after all.
She shrugged her shoulder. "I've only heard rumors. Only his doctor and Doctor Arkham really know the details."
"Creepy," I muttered. Very creepy. My skin was still crawling a little bit thinking about that. "There's some weirdos in here, aye, Doc?" She laughed again, and I thought to myself that today is the most I've ever heard her laugh since I met her.
"Yes there are, Harley. Yes there are."
Not very exciting chapter, I know, I know, but don't worry, it picks up very soon! :)
