Chapter 10: Abandoned

Marilyn had learned a few things in her three years of living. One, Harley was undoubtedly the greatest person on earth. It was just a fact of her life, like that Mama stayed in the kitchen and Aunt Mabel in the living room. Two, the woman she called Mama yelled way too much. Harley never yelled at her. Again, Harley was the best. And three, Harley would never abandon her. Sure, the teenager had left for a bit, but Harley always came back, so it was all okay.

So it went against Marilyn's core beliefs when Harley had her down the street from a fire department, her older sister crying and sniffling. Her sister had told Mama that they were going to work, the place with the cages and the loud people. But Marilyn was bundled up in her favorite jacket- it was purple and Harley had sewn kitty ears on the hood- and a backpack stuffed with clothes. She couldn't understand it.

"You got everythin', baby?" Harley sniffed, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. "Coat? Clothes? The letter?"

Marilyn nodded, clutching the letter Harley had given her in her tiny fist.

"Okay. Say you're a drop off, that Mama can't take care of you. Tell them that Theo Galavan would like you to stay with the Isleys. Just walk right in," Harley instructed.

"Teo Gawavan," Marilyn tried to say the name. It felt yucky in her mouth, like peas or Mama's cooking. She didn't ever want to meet this Theo Galavan, if his name is yucky than he must be as well.

Harley simply nodded, before taking the smaller girl into her arms. Her sister was full on sobbing now and Marilyn didn't know what to do. So she squeezed her little arms tight around Harley's neck, patting her sister. That's what Harley always did to make Marilyn feel better, so by the logic only a three year old can posses, that should end in Harley feeling better.

"Ah love you, baby. The Isleys will be super nice to you. They have a big house and lots of room for you to play," Harley sniffed, before sending Marilyn on her way.

Marilyn toddled to the firehouse, only hearing the Isley name once before. They had come into Harley's work one time, talking about money like adults usually do. Marilyn didn't pay attention much, she had the flu and was being checked out by Dr Tompkins. But they had seemed nice enough. Harley had liked them. And they did go out and buy Marilyn a lollipop afterwords... But when would Harley be coming with her? The little girl knew she had to work but Harley was always home right after dinner. As Marilyn was scooped up and questioned by the firemen, she began to nervously play with her pigtails. Something told her that Harley wasn't coming back, ever.

•••

After that fateful day, no one working at Arkham Asylum could pinpoint exactly what started the fire, or whom had helped Insane Crane (as was Jonathan's nickname among the orderlies) and Jerome Valeska escape. The police were at a loss, the staff and inmates having seen the trio could not give clear answers. Deeper questions ran with why they wanted to work together, the two teens had never met before, or why both agreed to take only one hostage while killing nearly every other member of the staff that stood in their way. Although each could clearly remember Harley's tear soaked face as the two patients hijacked a car and sped off. Poor girl, they chorused, taken away by madmen again. She simply has the worst luck, doesn't she?