Chapter 9

As much as I hated the clown murdering Dr. Nicolas, I couldn't help but be thankful that it caused my session with Hugo Strange to be rescheduled. I sighed to myself. I had already figured out most ways to pull an escape off but it was risky. I sat there eating my lunch in the entertainment room. Joker was nowhere to be found. He was most likely sent to isolation. Though to be honest with myself I preferred him to be as far away from me as possible.

I was taken back slightly when Harvey Dent also known as two face took a seat in front of me.

"It's been awhile Bruce." His voice was calmer than his usual change of personality voice he would use.

I nodded not fully sure what to say. Despite the fact we used to be really close friends. Things change though. I knew that more than anyone.

"Look you have to get out of here." He said with warning in his voice.

"That's an understatement."

He leaned in closer to me and lowered his voice.

"I'm serious Bruce. Hugo Strange wants you dead for some strange reason."

I wasn't really surprised by that. I guessed that much early on.

"How do you know?" I asked anyways.

"Why else do you think he would move the joker to a less accommodating cell? One where he is able to have a cellmate when most of us more unsafe criminals don't have cellmates? Also he has been forcing more and more of us into sessions. He keeps bringing your name up."

"What's Hugo saying?" Of course I know what he is saying he wants someone to kill me.

"He is trying to convince most patients to give you a hard time here. To kill you if they saw fit. Rumor has it he even has the guards wanting to kill you. Not sure what beef he has with you." He shook his head. I couldn't help but take in how badly the side of his face was disfigured from the acid burns.

"Why are you telling me Harvey?" It slipped out before I could think about what I was saying.

He looked at me intently then. He flipped his coin. I knew the answer then.

"Coin decided. It also decided that I wouldn't kill you." He stated as it was how it is.

"I understand. Thank you for telling me." Was all I could say after that.

"Try not to piss off the clown freak Bruce. He is more dangerous than you can understand." He showed his obvious distaste for the Joker.

Oh boy did I already know that. I just nodded my head as he got up to leave. The Joker is always dangerous. I knew that more than anyone here.

Harvey got up and gave me a nod before heading back to his cell. As I sat there and finished my food I was sure to keep my senses up just in case. I can't put my guard down for a moment.

"What the hell…"

Then everything went back.

Once I started to regain consciousness the pain and dizziness were starting to take full effect. My vision hadn't fully come back yet but I could feel I was laying down on something cold, hard and wet. Wet? I shifted to try and get up and pain shot through me like wild fire.

"Damn.."

I moved to my side and felt my rib it was broken. It was only then I had noticed that my clothes have been removed and I was naked.

"What is going on…"

I could hear voices in what seemed like the distance. No they were close. I wasn't alone. I blinked rapidly starting to get my vision more back. I looked around. Everything was slightly blurry and my head still hadn't stopped spinning. I could see my surroundings now. I was in the shower room at Arkham. I tried to get myself up more. Bad Idea, I felt the nausea hitting me. They must have drugged me. Damn it!

I could see them now there were 6 well-built guards around me.

"I demand you tell me what's going on!" I yelled at them. I knew what was going on it was obvious. My temper was starting to get the best of me.

Next thing I knew ice cold water from a hose was hitting me. The pressure made me fall over.

Crack.

Pain.

Another rib had broken. I didn't scream though. The most they got from me was a painful grunt that they only laughed at.

Once the water shut off my body went into a coughing fit for air. As I tried to stand again, I felt something sharp go into me like butter. What was it? Then the familiar pain of a knife hit me. I fell back down. They stabbed me in my thigh. Nothing I hadn't dealt with before. Still not enjoyable.

"By those type of scars boys we will have to do a lot more than that." One of them commented.

"I haven't seen scars as bad as those since the Joker." Another responded.

Another kick was delivered to my ribs. I wanted to fight back, my body wasn't cooperating. The drugs had gotten the better of me.

I fought it though. If I could just stand up then I could do something I tried again. This blow was a lot more ruthless. It was in my face this time. The nausea from the drugs just getting worse.

My head was ringing as I felt blood run freely from my nose.

I tried getting up again this time they allowed me to at least stand. I tried to hold myself up against the wall. The next blow was it. I felt hard metal; like a wrench hit my head and before everything went black I heard them say "Let's leave him for the joker."

"Bats…Wake up!"

I could hear the voice but I couldn't manage to open my eyes quite yet. My ears were still ringing. I wasn't sure who the voice was but I had an idea.

"Batsy, our games not over wake up!" The voice was much sterner and clearer as I was gaining consciousness. I shifted and the pain overcame me. It felt like there was more broken bones then before.

I opened my eyes much to my surprise only to close them again to the light. After a long moment I tried again. Everything was blurry. I blinked and waited for my eyes to adjust and much to my surprise someone was leaning over me. No not just someone. It was him the Joker. I shifted trying to get up and sit up. It was a bad idea to be in this kind of predicament with him here. I regretted that the moment I did. Pain filled my entire body and next thing I knew the clown was helping me up chuckling to himself.
"I knew they wouldn't be able to finish the job." He said with a giggle.

"Wha-" I coughed violently then. It took a while to regain composure and be able to speak again. Much to my surprise he didn't do anything just stay silent. Waiting. Watching me intently with those green eyes of his.

"What happened?" I finally asked. Once I regained my voice. I also noticed a coat jacket was over me. Not just any one though. No it was defiantly the Jokers. How in the hell did he get it?

"You got played with my darling Bat." No amusement in his voice.

"I remember that much." I responded slightly annoyed. "But what happened afterwards?"

"They brought you back here. I wasn't too happy they played with my things. But I had to let it go for now. As you can understand, I had to make sure my favorite playmate wouldn't die so I escaped my cell long enough to get some supplies and personal things." He laughed then. "But don't worry Batsy I will be sure to pay them a special visit for you." He touched my hair mockingly as I pulled back only to cringe in pain.

"Better not do anything Joker." I said sternly towards him. He responded with laughter.

"Or what?" he asked smugly.

"I'll do worse to you than they did to me." I threatened.

"Hahahaheheoohoeahaha… Oh batsy you're really sweet you know that!"

I just glared as best I could.

"But in all seriousness bats I doubt you will be able to even hold true on that threat as of right now."

"Joker!" I said with warning.

"Shhhh don't stress darling. Also you should know laughter is the best medicine." He grinned big and wide at me.

I sighed.

"Why?"

He looked serious confused now and tilted his head curiously.

"Why what?"

"Why did you help me?" I noticed stitches on several parts of my body. I could also feel that he popped most of my bones back in place.

He smiled cheerfully then.

"Oh don't be silly sweetheart, why wouldn't I?"

I just stared at him. He smiled back.

"I am always trying to help you after all." He nodded seriously.

"Is that what you call it?" I scoffed.

"Yes." He stated as a matter of fact.

"Be serious Joker!" I was starting to lose my temper.

"But I am." He looked hurt for a second then grinned.

"But for now darling I will have to be on my way. Don't worry I'll be back." He grinned.

"Joker!" I tried getting up despite the pain. He wouldn't let me as he pushed me down forcefully. Damn him.

"Really bats I know you will miss me but I promise I will be back." He walked to his side of the bed and put something in his coat pocket. He had changed from his Arkham attire to his purple and green suit.

"Joker stop! I mean It!" I tried to get up again. He turned to look at me and shook his head.

"Tsk..Tsk.. If you don't rest then how will we be able to continue are game?" He walked over again and pushed me back down.

"What are you going to do?" I was losing it now. It showed clear as day to him.

He just smiled down at me.

"Remember bats it was my turn to play. Don't worry though I won't leave Arkham. Not while my best friend is here." He laughed as he turned to leave and took off running.

"Damn It! Joker get back here!" I shouted after him. The only response I got back was laughter.

(Authors Note: I just want to thank everyone who has been reviewing and following this story, you guys really inspire me to keep going with this story, Thank you all.))