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A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect
Every action in this world will bear a consequence
If you wade around forever you will surely drown
I see what's going down.
I see the way you go and say you're right again,
say you're right again,
heed my lecture
-The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus; Facedown
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When you hear a gunshot, your first reaction is that your imagining things, that it was all in your head. The second thought is, what the hell happened? Of course, MD being experienced with guns didn't have any of these reactions. He jumped out of his chair and dashed up the stairs, from which the sound came from. Harley's heart skipped two beats before it started a frantic pace. With shaky hands, she dashed up the stairs.
The air was all too quiet, eerily quiet. Harley saw that the door to her room had been thrown open. Her brain moved to auto drive as she ran down the hall and into her bedroom. The Joker was there, breathing hard with a pistol in his hand. MD stood next to him, looking at the floor. There was a man there, cowering in a ball. He was wearing a suit, and his brown hair was tussled. Next to him lay a burlap sack of sorts.
"Is everything alright in here?" Harley asked gently.
The man looked up at her. Electric blue eyes found hers, they shone in pure fear. His features were sharp, almost elfin. His full lips made him look disproportioned, in fact his whole face was unusual. Though his features weren't striking, they were pleasant to look at. The Joker stared at Harley with a smirk, keeping the gun on the man.
"We caught this rat in your room. Unfortunately, I missed."
Harley then noticed the bullet hole on the side of her door. The man stared at Harley with a pleading look. It was strange, she felt like she had seen him before. Something about the way his face was put together…
"Dr. Jonathan Crane?" Harley gasped.
The man smirked. "At your service. Have we met before? I'd remember such a lovely face."
The Joker grit his teeth as Harley giggled and flushed. "Oh no, I saw you in the news."
Jonathan kept his eyes on her as he began to rise, until the sound of a gun cocking caught his attention. He stood, rolling his eyes at The Joker. "Be reasonable now, I'm just going to give a proper introduction." In the clown's mind, he saw a bullet flying through that smart ass head of his. But, he needed him…he wish he didn't.
The doctor stood up straight, slicking his hair back and adjusting his suit neatly. He coolly walked over to Harley in a slow, seductive manner. With a swift move, he put her hand into his. Those full, warm lips pressed against the tender skin of her hand and Harley began to feel faint. He leaned toward her ear, Jonathan smelled like aftershave and peppermint.
"Are you really with that clown?" Jonathan whispered into her ear.
Was Harley burning? She wasn't sure, but this man was definitely a charmer. She laughed nervously. "Uh, yeah."
"Well angel, when you decide you want a real man…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a white business card, slipping it gently into her front jean pocket. Harley began to tingle all over. "Call me." He backed up and gave her a wink, leaving a dazed and blushing Harley.
While the whole scene was going on, The Joker was fuming on the inside and on the outside. The way he spoke to her, the way he touched her made him want to cut him, slowly. Dr. Crane looked over at The Joker with an open mouth smirk. He was testing his patience, he really was. His eyes were looking for a challenge, and yet The Joker couldn't give him one.
Jonathan pulled out a pair of wire frame glasses and placed them on his face. He picked up his burlap mask, all while staring intently at The Joker. The good doctor tightened his tie and cleared his throat.
"Now that you have attempted to blow my head off, shall we get down to business?"
The Joker licked his lips and glared at Harley. "MD, take him down to the conference room." Even though he spoke to MD, he kept his gaze on Harley. MD nodded to the man as he made his way out the door. Jonathan smiled at Harley.
"It was nice meeting you…oh, I'm sorry I do not believe I even asked your name."
"My name's Harley."
"Harley," He repeated, "Beautiful name." Jonathan clasped his hands behind his back and strolled out of the room.
Something whacked the side of Harley's face as soon as Dr. Crane was out of hearing range. The stinging slap knocked her to the ground. She gasped, clutching the side of her face. A single tear rolled down her eye as she looked towards the ground. The Joker bent down, his body balancing on his legs. He had an eerily pleasant smile on his face.
"Now that, what you did there? Flirting with another man. You don't seem to be listening to me doll face. What do you think we can do to make you listen, hm?" The Joker flicked out his pocket knife. Harley's ears perked up as she heard the clicking of metal. He tapped the knife against his chin in thought. The Joker grabbed her face painfully, she squirmed violently.
"I asked you a question, Harley." He snarled.
"I-I-I don't know!" She cried out. Harley shut her eyes tightly, refusing to look at here assailant.
The Joker squeezed her face harder, Harley tried to muffle the squeal that left her, but it didn't work. The pain was terrible, like someone was crushing her jaw. In biology, she had learned about, "the fight or flight mode." All animals did it when they felt threatened. Considering Harley couldn't fly away, she'd have to fight.
Slowly, the girl brought her foot from under her, and in a swift motion, her leg shot out and kicked him in the groin. His grip immediately loosened and the wounded girl cradled her jaw. The Joker cradled his injured parts and groaned in pain. Harley scampered to the corner of the room. She quickly remembered the gun she kept in the drawer. Quickly, she retrieved the small pistol, the cold steel lay against her skin. She cocked it, ready to use.
The Joker stood, clutching the bed for support. Damn, that bitch could kick. Her heard an all too familiar sound fill the air, and came face to face with the barrel of a gun. He glared at Harley, who was shaking like a leaf.
"Do it." The Joker whispered. "Come on you know you want to, do it. I dare you."
"Shut up." Harley's voice cracked.
"Put me out of my misery, beautiful. Blow my brains out. You want to kill me. I make you so angry don't I? You're just a scared little girl, you don't know what you're doing. Stupid bitch."
Harley's teeth grit as she began to anger. "Shut the fuck up you…you FREAK!"
The Joker's face immediately fell, his eyes were alive with anger. Like a lion stalking prey, he pounced, knocking the gun out of her dainty hand. She screamed as he landed on top of her. His long fingers wrapped around her wrists, pinning them to her chest. He laughed that crazed laugh, and Harley's tears began to fall faster.
"You are going to pay for your actions. UNDERSTAND?"
Harley sobbed loudly, even through his hand. The Joker stood away from her, he watched her curl into a ball, cradling her face. He smirked as he adjusted his clothes and strolled out of the room. MD was outside the door, anguish on his face. The Joker smiled pleasantly at him as he smoothed out his sleeves.
"She didn't deserve that." MD said sternly. The Joker laughed as he ran his fingers through his clean hair. He began to walk, but turned around just to laugh again. MD ran into the room, and saw the saddest sight he had ever seen. Harley was curled in the fetal position, rocking back and forth. Her hair was wild, her face was bright red and already beginning to swell. Fat tears rolled down her beautiful face. MD ran to her, collecting her fragile frame into his arms. Harley sobbed louder as she buried herself into his shirt.
MD stroked her hair gently, letting her stain his shirt. "Now, now it's alright." He said softly, kissing the top of her head. Harley felt comforted, not so alone in the world. She wrapped her arms tightly around MD's neck. He was quite shocked from the girl's display of affection. Being a bachelor and the fact his family was miles away, he was taken aback from how she immediately attached to him. MD sighed, freeing himself slightly of her vice grip, and wiggled his arms under her legs.
He stood, carrying her into the kitchen. Her sobbing had stopped and she let out a small hiccup every now and then. He placed her on the table, she cradled her face, moaning in pain. MD filled up an ice pack quickly and wrapped it in a hand towel. He placed it gingerly on her swollen face. Harley hissed, the freezing cold hurt the sensitive skin. He handed her two small pills and a glass of water.
"Take these, they'll kill the pain and make the swelling go down."
Harley snatched the pills away and chugged them with water the glass of water. She breathed heavily; the pain from her face throbbed violently with every blink and every breathe.
"Harley, look at me." MD murmured.
A bright shining light shot into her eye and she shot back in surprise. MD moved from her left eye to her right eye. He tsked disapprovingly as he placed the flashlight on the table. He cupped her chin and stared into her eyes.
"Damn it all you might have a concussion."
"He's going to kill me." She whispered.
MD sighed and shook his head. "No he's not-"
"Yes he is! He's going to murder me. God damn it! I should've never accepted that fucking deal. I shouldn't have-" Harley rambled.
"Harley, hush. Don't say things like that. He's not going to kill you, okay? He won't do it."
"You don't know that." Harley whispered.
"I do, trust me. He ain't gonna do it."
"Really?" Harley asked, looking up into his eyes. They were the color of a crystal lake in the summer time. MD smiled and nodded. Harley felt some relief them, reassurance made everything better. She snuggled into his chest. After a while, MD squirmed uncomfortably.
"Harley, that ice pack is really cold…"
"Oh! Sorry." Harley clutched the towel and smiled softly. "I look like shit, don't I?"
MD sighed, he wanted to lie and make her feel better. "Do you want me to sugar coat it?"
Harley groaned, shrugging her shoulders. "What's the point? I'm going to see myself eventually."
"Yeah, you look like shit."
The two stared at each other for a moment before Harley began to laugh. MD himself couldn't help but smile himself. Harley had a certain sunshine that touched her entire body, and it glowed brightly when she was happy. A door open and closed violently and heavy footsteps filled the halls. Harley's mind filled with scenarios of him strangling her, or stabbing her to death
She turned her head slowly, though she could only see on her left side. Jonathan Crane stormed down the hall, his mask in hand. He was mumbling, but then stopped when he saw Harley. He ran to her, removing the ice pack, getting a better look at her face.
"Good God that savage did this to you." He asked angrily.
Harley nodded softly.
"I should murder him for even touching you. I'm going to-"
"Stop," A single tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm going to be fine, leave."
Dr. Crane bent down to her, gently cupping her face. "If you ever need me, never hesitate to call." He nodded to MD before he walked out the front door.
Harley and MD looked at one another. "Did he do this because he was jealous?"
MD nodded. "If you haven't noticed he get's jealous easy." The time caught his attention as he turned to the young girl. "The rest of the boys are going to be here any minute, I would recommend you get up to your room."
Harley nodded as she placed the cold ice back on her eye as she rushed up the stairs. She walked quickly, in fear The Joker would pop out of the shadows. Harley came into the protective embrace of her room. She shut the door and locked herself inside, laying against the frame. Nothing was going right, she felt like her heart was going to burst.
A crack of thunder made her jump in fright. She looked out into the city, dark clouds rolling around her. It was sunny this morning, the perfect start to the day. Harley walked over to the window, touching the boards that lined her window. She could see the dark shadows as the sound of pitter pattering rain fell on the house.
Harley walked over to her dresser and pulled out a small stack of pictures. Talulah was first, her brown hair was swept up into a pony tail, and her body adorned a pair of jean shorts and a yellow shirt. Ducks on waddling feet approached the bread crumbs that scattered the concrete sidewalk. She was laughing, her big sunglasses covering her almond eyes.
Indigo was next. His calico body was bulging with weight. Of course, this picture was taken after his fourteenth birthday, as a senior his metabolism was shot. She remembered how he purred, the way he would snuggle up to her on a bad day, the way he liked to lick the palm of her hand. She missed his eyes though, one was a deep blue, the other a rich chocolate brown.
Then there was Jack. The small Polaroid was taken on the beach. Harley was wearing a brief hot pink bikini. Jack was wearing a pair of black and white board shorts. She was laughing in the picture, and Jack had purse his lips and placed rabbit ears behind her head. This was taken a few weeks before their senior year. Jack had one arm wrapped around her trim waist, hers was placed on his muscular one.
She remembered days like that, the innocent summers spent together. The countless hours they spent around the town. Especially in their own little oasis, the way the grass tickled her skin and the hundreds of mindless conversations.
Harley placed the pictures back gently and shut the door ever so quietly. She was scared of what might come. The pain pills had finally kicked in. Harley fell back on her bed, clutching the ice pack tightly to her face. Drowsiness kicked in and she tried to fight it, but the combination from the pain pills and the trauma just suffered, her world became dark within a matter of seconds.
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"Harley, hey, wake up."
Harley's eyes popped open and she looked around confused. MD was above her, a plate in his hands. Harley raised her body up, looking around confused.
"Honey, you can't sleep you might have a concussion."
"But I'm tired." She whined, burying her head in the pillows.
"You're going to have to stay up, here…" He pulled her up so she was sitting next to him. Her body was drooping down violently, threatening to fall over. MD wrapped an arm around her and she leaned into his chest, sighing.
"Is he going to hurt me?" Harley whispered.
MD sighed, stroking her blond locks. He knew that his boss didn't care if you were man or woman, you got the equal treatment, well…women sometimes got it worse. It all depended on his mood that day, which was like the weather in Louisiana, unpredictable.
"He won't kill you."
"But he's going to make me wish he did."
"Now Harley you stop this right now." MD scolded. "You're going to be fine, you understand me? This too shall pass. Time heals all wounds. I know you're scared, hell I'm scared for you, but you have to be strong."
Harley nodded. "Okay."
"The Joker is jealous, beyond belief. The only reason I can talk to you without him going on a rampage is that I'm a trusted employee. Men like Santiago well-"
"He told me if I spoke to him he'd…do bad things." Harley murmured. A single tear fell from her eye. "I just want to go home. I want to be like Dorothy and click my heels and just reappear in my shitty apartment."
"You signed a verbal contract honey."
"Ten more days, of this. I can't…I don't think I can do it."
She didn't have much of an option, because the door opened the next second. In strolled the clown man and Harley immediately clung harder to MD, hoping somewhere in his mind he would defend her. The Joker leaned against the frame dramatically. His tongue dashed across his lips and he chuckled deeply.
"Get out." He said, staring at MD. The man sighed, taking Harley's hands and trying to place them on her lap. Harley's eyes were wide and pleading, she looked like a scared little girl not a woman. MD wanted to do something, find a way to make him leave her alone; try to get her out of here safely.
"Harley, I'm sorry." MD turned his back on her and walked out of the room. He passed The Joker, who was smiling like the cat who ate the canary. He pushed on, his body wanting to turn around and punch his smug face. As he made his way down the hallway, he heard the door slam shut and the click of the walk. And then Harley screams. He paused, imagining what that bastard was doing to her
MD snapped and his fist went through the wall.
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The Joker slammed the door behind him, a big smile on his face. His hands were spread out, almost in a friendly manner. "Harley." His yellow teeth shone proudly as he walked near her. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
Harley pushed herself against the bed frame, trying to get as far away from him as she could. He placed his hands behind his back and paced back and forth in front of her bed. "I did some thinking, and I know what you can do to make it up to me-"
"I didn't do anything." Harley snarled. "You hit me, I was defending myself-"
"How about you do yourself a favor little girl and shut your mouth."
Harley shut her mouth as tears welled into her eyes. The Joker smirked, satisfied.
"Come here." He ordered.
"What?"
"Are you deaf? Get over here." His voice held no room for argument. Harley got on her hands and knees and crawled toward him, shaking the entire way. Her head was bowed as she got to the edge. He grabbed her chin and roughly pulled her face up. Harley whimpered and screwed her eyes shut. "You look like shit." He murmured.
Harley's foggy eyes snapped open, anger lighting her features. "No thanks to you."
A sharp slap hit her face and Harley cried out, the pain coming intensely. She clutched her injured skin. He violently pushed her on the bed and crawled on top of her. Roughly he pinned her arms down. Harley screamed, trying to kick him off her. He growled, pinning her legs down with his body weight.
"Get off me!"
The Joker back handed her again. Harley gasped, more tears falling from her eyes, but more adrenaline pumping through her trapped body. Harley cried out again, managing to get one hand loose, she swiped her sharp nails across his face. He growled, the sharp sting of the scratch hitting him. He smirked, turning to her.
"I really like it when you struggle Harley, I really do. I was planning on a little knife play but…I got other ideas now."
His hands began to undo the buttons on her pants. Harley kicked violently, but stopped when she heard the click of a knife. The shining metal made all movement in Harley's body stop, even her heart. He smirked as he ripped off her pants, she wasn't wearing underwear.
"You've been waiting for me, huh baby?" He growled, unbuckling his pants. Harley began to sob softly, though she tried to be strong her emotions were on display for him to see. "It's funny how I pay you to do this, yet you refuse to. You're a horrible business woman."
Harley spat at him, the liquid landing in his eye. The Joker laughed bitterly, wiping it from his eye.
"And you beating the shit out of me was not in the contract. Deal's off."
He laughed, his hand shot for her throat, holding her there. "I guess I'm just going to kidnap you then."
A wild scream left her lungs as she threw a punch towards his face. He dodged it quickly and worked off his tie. He pinned her hands together and wrapped the fabric around her wrists. Quickly, he spread her legs and pressed his manhood against her. Harley began to panic as he touched her between her legs. A small growl left his lips.
"Not wet, hm? No matter, I'll still get in there." He put his elbows on either side of her head, Harley's hands were trapped under his chest, and her legs were held down by his own. She was crying as she shut her eyes and threw her head to the side. This was really happening; he was forcing himself on her and she couldn't do anything, no one would help her. She really was alone.
She screamed in pain as he made his way inside her.
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He rolled off of her, the aftershock of ecstasy still on his face. His breathing was deep and ragged, sweat poured off him, and most of his clothes were worked off during the process. He groaned as he sat up, putting on his pants. Piece by piece, he placed his clothing on his body. He smirked, turning to Harley.
She said nothing, her body was curled into a ball. Everything was in pain, every inch of her throbbed violently, especially between her legs. She could feel bruises beginning to form on her inner thighs. He had gripped her hips too hard, had slapped her around during his assault, and cut her every now and again. His sweat and semen touched her skin.
He walked out the door without another word, and Harley screamed into the pillow, because of the rape, because of the abuse, because she couldn't be free, and the worst of all, because she knew she was going to die.
