Chapter 6
As I entered the entertainment room I quickly looked around for the man of riddles. As my gaze came upon him shock quickly hit me. The man of riddles was sitting at a table playing a game of cards with the clown prince of crime. That didn't shock me though. No. What shocked me was the condition of the jokers face. It was bloody and he had a split lip. It was obvious that someone had gotten the better of him. It was hard for me to believe that anyone in this place could get the better of the harlequin of hate. To anyone who would first glance on the clown would assume he was weak. Though I knew better than that. The Joker was very thin. His height was intimidating to most though. He was at least 6 feet but very thin. I always assumed he never did eat that much. But I knew better then to ever underestimate him. He may be thin and not look tough but his fighting skills were like I have never seen before when we first were at odds with each other. The clown was brutal when he fought and always had a trick up his sleeve to make up for his build. That's what made me feel even more surprised to see him like this. Though as I watched them play their game it seemed that no one was really surprised. If they were no one said anything. Probably for the better though. Not many who have attacked the joker would live to tell the tale. Still who could have gotten the better hand of the joker. The thoughts where plaguing me. With a deep sigh I sat down at one of the table close to them for I could watch and listen. I really didn't want to interrupt their game. I didn't need much attention to myself.
"I win again Joker." I could hear the man of riddles say very smugly.
Laughter filled the room. Laughter that could cut right through you.
"Naughty, Naughty, Eddy. You should know it's not wise to cheat me." The grin grew on the clowns face. He didn't even bother blinking. I watched as Edward Nygma shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The clown was obviously making him very nervous.
"Now Joker. It's not my fault that my intellect out matches yours." His voice was smug though the obvious hints of fear where there. The hysterical laughter broke out from the mad man once more. It only confirmed that I wasn't the only one to notice.
"Don't flatter yourself with your lies Eddy." The joker leaned in menacingly. The man of riddles moved even more back away from the clown. I could see the sweat forming on his brow.
"Joker." But he was cut off with a chuckle from the mad man. The grin growing even more.
"The cards told me you cheated. The cards never lie." Loud laughter filled the room. A few of the patients were watching intently wondering when the joker would attack.
The man of riddles stood up quickly. He stumbled nervously.
"You really are insane."
With that the clown couldn't hold his laughter in, becoming hysterical. Tears were forming on the side of his eyes from how hard he was laughing. I watched as he wiped them away. I took notice how the clowns lip started bleeding again. He had re-split it open in his laughter. Though he didn't seem to mind.
I could feel my body tense. As the murderous look flashed through the clown prince of crimes eyes. Before he could react though. I heard Harley voice sounding very distraught feel the room.
"Puddin!" she yelled as she ran to the joker grabbing him tightly in an embrace.
Confusion swept over me for a moment. She was crying hysterically.
"Calm down Harley." The joker responded to her obvious annoyance in his voice.
"But Puddin look what they did to you!" She was screaming now. Everyone was watching the scene intensely.
The Joker blinked confused for a moment and pointed to himself. He was silent for a moment as if he didn't even know what she was talking about. I felt myself get nauseous slightly. How could he act like that? It was obvious she was talking about his wounds. But who had done this to him?
Laughter erupted from him again. Which startled not only me but it showed it startled her as well.
"These?" he licked his bleeding lip and grinned even bigger.
"They don't really matter." He shrugged looking bored.
"But Puddin! They hurt you! Why didn't you kill them!" she retorted her voice showing her anger. In a flash of anger the Joker pushed her hard to the ground.
"I said it doesn't matter!" He stood up angrily. Rage filled me. I wanted to wipe that grin of his lips. I couldn't help but pity Harley. He twisted her mind. She was a respected psychologist until the Joker twisted her mind and manipulated her into who she is today.
"But… Puddin…" She whined tears in her eyes.
He didn't even answer her as his glance fixed on the man of riddles.
"I will be sure to ask the cards what is suitable punishment for cheating." The amusement back in his voice. With that he turned to leave and walked to the guards and told them he was ready to go back to his cell.
Harley picked herself up from the ground still crying. The Riddler didn't say anything to her. He seemed nervous by the jokers words. I couldn't take it and I got up and walked to her.
"Are you alright?" I asked showing my concern. She sniffled her blue eyes shifting to me.
"Why do you care..." She responded still obviously upset.
"Who attacked the Joker, Quinn?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.
"The guards who else." She wiped the tears from her eyes.
It took me by surprise. I knew that some of the guards at Arkham had a reputation of doing such things. Also the joker did kill one of them the other night. Still it didn't sit right with me that such a thing would take place.
"How often does this happen?" I asked knowing I probably shouldn't.
"All the time. At least when the guards think they can get away with it. My Puddin doesn't deserve this" She said sadly.
"I would disagree with that." The man of riddles said. This caused a glare directed at him from Harley.
"You're just a cheat Eddy! How could you cheat in a game with Mistah J!" she retorted coldly towards him.
He was taken aback by this.
"Seems like you are just as crazy as him." He spat back angrily. Before turning and walking away from us both.
I sighed. Looks like I wouldn't be talking to him today. Before I could say anything else and before I could talk to her even more the bell went off to tell the inmates that it was time for bed. I still couldn't get the thoughts out of my head. Why didn't joker kill them? He easily could of. As much as I didn't want to I knew that tonight I would end up asking him. I had to. I knew even if I tried I couldn't just let this go. If there was this corruption in Arkham what else was going on I didn't even know about. I knew the joker would. I just had to ask him. I just had to.