Six Months Later
Though six months may seem like ages, it seriously flew by. The Joker and I didn't have much to do. A couple deals with the mob, some robberies, but nothing serious. Actually, we spent most of our time at the hideout, doing random stuff. For example, my favorite things were to play the piano, play cards, and stretch. I'm extremely flexible. I still cooked food for everyone and tidied up, since I hated to sit and do nothing as things became messy.
The Joker was becoming more distant to me. He'd sit far away from everyone, lost in thought and writing things down as if he was planning something. When I'd try to talk with him he'd give me short answers like, "Uh-huh," and "Uh." He's been doing that an awful lot lately, and it's very frustrating but I don't want to bring it up with him. Maybe he just needs some space or something, or maybe he's planning something serious and needs to be alone. September 21st is today's date.
Alone in my room and wearing my comfiest nightgown, I decided to pull out my favorite piano piece and let it carry me away. He's been locked in his room all day. Maybe I should go talk to him. I can't play this right now; I have to see what's going on. I get up from the piano and glide into the hallway, pressing my ear against the door. Nothing. I knock twice. Still nothing. I'd never been inside his room before, and maybe now wasn't the best time. But my curiosity got the best of me, so I slowly opened the door a crack and poked my head into the room. The first thing that hit me was his scent. The room was overflowing with it, making me a little dizzy.
He was sitting at his desk, doing absolutely nothing except twiddling his thumbs and moving back and forth. Since he didn't look in my direction and I knew he knew I was here, I asked, "Can I come in?" "You already are," he replied stiffly. I shrugged the remark off and closed the door behind me, walking over to wear he sat but remembering not to get too close. Playing with my necklace, I said, "Are you alright? You've been acting distant." Again, he didn't look up as he said, "I'm fine." I cleared my throat and asked shakily, "Do you want to talk about something?"
He swiveled around and glared at me. "Why are you always so…intrusive? I really wish you'd leave me alone." This pushed me over the edge. "Intrusive?! How the hell am I being intrusive?! All I did was ask if you were okay—" He cut me off when he quickly stood up and said, "Look, why don't you just go back to your room…and leave me alone." I smacked him hard across the face. "What's gotten into you?! It's been nearly six months and we've barely talked to each other! Why won't you just talk to me?!" After I'd hit him he kept staring at the ground, infuriated.
Now he lifted his head, smiled his cruel smile and said, "I work alone. It's always been that way, and it always will be. I want you to leave here and never come back. Oh wait, that won't work, will it? You know our location. I'll just have to…take care of you, then." He flipped his knife open and walked closer to me, smiling. I backed up into the wall, furious and scared. My eyes were aching and my throat burned badly from my desire to yell, but I was frozen. How could he act like this toward me?
He pressed his hand hard against my neck and laughed as he lightly dragged the blade over my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Tears poured onto my cheeks and he said, "Funny, isn't it? How these things just happen?" He laughed and his eyes became wild as he continued, "Think I'm crazy, don't you? Like everyone else out there. They all think I'm crazy." I shook my head and whispered, "What some consider crazy, others consider genius. You're just a step ahead of everybody else." I gasped when he snarled, "Shut up!!" I flinched from his tone.
My neck felt like it was bruising and my throat was on fire. He pressed the knife harder into my flesh until it broke the skin and a drop of blood ran down my collarbone. Summoning up all the strength I had, I kneed him in the gut. He doubled over in pain and backed up a few paces, letting me drop to the floor, gripping my neck and gasping for air. Wiping the tears from my face I stood up and staggered a little. He came at me again, those untamed eyes burning into my face.