Chapter 11.
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As we progressed further into the city everything became louder, car horns, street chatter, everything. I couldn't help feel like a child again, pressing myself against the window and taking it all in. I had be informed it would be best not to open the window in a sombre tone, so I didn't. Seeing everything brought it all back, the Broadway signs stood out, the colours and lights sitting proudly above the buildings. Sitting back against me seat I couldn't help but smile. I did love it here.
"Having fun?" his voice sounded, quite drowsily. It made me turn around to him; I brushed the smile from my face as I watched him straighten up.
"It's nice to see it all again" I said simply.
He nodded, fixing his hair and glasses. Undoing his seatbelt he moved forward to speak to the Joker.
"We nearly there?" he asked sharply.
"Relax Johnny boy." He said effortlessly. The driver cocked his head,
"We're arriving shortly" he explained. The Joker shot him a look; the driver shrugged it off, focusing back on the road.
Crane moved back to his seat, rubbing his forehead. I sat in silence, gazing out of the window. No one said anything else until the car stopped.
.
It was well on in the day, the sun sat high in the summer sky. Stepping out of the air-conditioned car was quite a change. Taking a deep breath I braced myself for the wall of heat outside. Taking stock of my surroundings we seemed to be enclosed by buildings, streets and streets of tall buildings. Crane was next out of the car; he was holding a cell phone, typing away at something. I noticed too he had donned a pair of shades. He looked very professional.
"Is this where we're staying?" I said, trying to grab his attention. Crane uttered a quiet response, sliding the phone into his jacket pocket. He gave me a very professional looking smile,
"It is indeed Miss Drake". Crane walked round to my side of the car, slipping his arm around my waist. Tugging sharply he pulled me alongside onto the sidewalk and to the front door of the building. His grip was like iron, I guess they didn't want any chances for me to escape and give them away. He was holding too tight, I was struggling to breathe. I tried to pry his arm away, but it was no use. Crane twisted the key in the lock, pulling me into the darkness of the hall corridor. He let me go suddenly and I stumbled further into the hallway, catching my breath.
Crane walked past me to the elevator. He waited patiently as he pushed the button; looking back to me he raised his eyebrow.
"Are you going to stay in the hallway forever?" he asked sarcastically. Looking back to the door we had just came through, I shrugged, folding my arms.
"You have a lot of explaining to do before I go anywhere else with you" I stated. Crane seemed to think a moment before walking back to me.
"We could discuss it in the hallway, let the neighbours know our secrets. Somehow I don't see that being beneficial to anyone, especially not you". He said grimly. Clearly he was in one of his moods. Sighing I looked back to the door,
"Fine. What about him?" I gestured.
Crane looked me in the eyes,
"He has some business to attend to. So that leaves you with me for a few hours". The ding of the elevator sounded and Crane took my hand, walking me quickly inside. Once we were inside I shook free of his grasp, he scoffed softly.
"I don't think shame has any place between us now, do you? He said frankly. I didn't bother looking at him; I already knew the look on his face. Keeping my eyes focused of the illuminated floor numbers, I watched us climb higher and higher. We finally stopped on the eleventh floor.
Crane didn't bother reaching for my hand this time; he knew I couldn't run anywhere. Walking out into the floor it looked surprisingly nice. It looked like a penthouse style apartment. We walked right into the lounge area, casual furnishings decorated the space. There seemed to be a neutral colour scheme, which suited me fine. Crane's phone went off, causing him to shoot me a look before answering. I rolled my eyes and went to find the bathroom. I needed to see how badly my head looked.
.
It didn't take me long to find it, the apartment wasn't as big as I'd thought. Chrome finishing in the bathroom made it look very modern, I wondered how much it all cost. Turning on the light above the mirror I glanced at myself. There were dark circles under my eyes, I wasn't sure it was tiredness or mascara. Splashing my face with water I found out it was mascara. Lifting some of my hair I found the source of my head pain. There was a small gash on the right side of my head, a few centimetres past my hairline. A small amount of blood had dried in my hair as a result. God I looked awful. There was dried blood on my hands too, with the help of some soap I managed to clear it away. I didn't know if it was only my blood, I presumed it wasn't. Sighing to myself I unbuttoned my blouse, muscles in my arms hurting as I did so. I noticed small bruising along my shoulders and collarbone. Twisting round I tried to see my back, I could just make out a bruise on my left shoulder. I felt like crying.
Waking up to find a guy in your bed is one thing, but waking up to find yourself black and blue is a feeling quite like no other. Kicking off my shoes and stepping out of my skirt I pulled the shower curtain back and turned it on. It made me think back to that first time I'd woken up with blood on my hands. How I showered and found out about her. How police had come to visit me, I figured if that should happen this time, it wouldn't be for a friendly warning. Whatever was happening, I was part of it. My body was evidence to that. Something had happened, and I had gotten my hands dirty.
Stepping in the shower I tried to wash away last night. The water stung as it fell on my cut, I watched as the water ran red down my body. Closing my eyes I pushed past that image as I washed my hair. The floral scent smelt nice, almost like a perfume my mother used to wear. Once I felt I was as clean as I was going to be I reluctantly stepped out of the warmth of the shower. I grabbed a towel from the hook on the door and wrapped myself up. I looked a little fresher at least. Leaning up against the door, I tried to hear if Crane was still on the phone. Thankfully he was. He didn't sound to pleased. Ignoring this I picked up my clothes from the floor and opened the bathroom door.
Peering round I saw Crane standing beside the lounge window, arm pressed against the glass. Conversing in obscenities with the person on the other end of the line. Better them than me. I started to move past him in search of a bedroom. God I hoped there was more than one. Oh shit. Tip toeing past him I went unnoticed as I gingerly looked for a bedroom.
"Looking for something?" his voice sounded. Turning around I nodded.
"Where's the bedroom?" I felt naked under his eyes. He gestured behind me.
"You had it right the first time" I span round reaching for the handle. Clearing his throat I turned back to him,
"There's clothes in the bag on the bed" he said, before returning to his phone call. I was beginning to get cold so I hurried inside. Light spilled in from the window, the sound of cars passing by filled the room. Walking over to it, I closed the window. Glancing down at the busy streets I watched the people going about their everyday business. Children with mothers, executives in suits, hipsters drinking their Starbucks. I envied them.
Turning around I dumped my dirty clothes on the floor and opened the duffel bag. Taking out different items I looked them over. A mixture of dresses, skirts, blouses, jeans lay on the bed. It was a decent selection I had to admit. Screwing my eyes up I picked up a purple dress; I swore I'd seen it before. These were my clothes. From my apartment. I raided further into the bag, I recognised more and more items. Jewellery my mother had given me, shoes from last Christmas. Had she packed this? Emptying the whole bag I sat and pawed my belongings. These were pieces from my previous life. They didn't match my new situation. The old me didn't fit into this situation. I didn't fit. A sharp knock on the door took me out of my daze.
"Are you nearly done in there?" Crane asked. He said it in a way that really said. Hurry up and get out here. Putting the clothes down I shook my head.
"Give me a minute".
.
I ended up choosing a pair of skinny blue jeans and a cream blouse. The blouse was loose fitting as didn't put pressure on my bruises, and the jeans were just comfy. Walking out of the room Crane stood in the kitchen area, sipping a coke. He looked at me, then back to his drink. Turning around to the fridge he called back to me,
"What are you drinking?"
"Water is fine" I responded. He looked back to me.
"You need some sugars in your system" he said Doctor like. I shrugged,
"A coke is fine" I said, moving to sit on a kitchen stool. Crane handed me a bottle from the fridge, I noticed that it was well stacked. How long had they been planning this?
"Can we talk about what happened yet?" I asked quickly. Taking a sip Crane leant back against the fridge. He opened his mouth to speak, I interrupted.
"None of your answering a question with a question bullshit either. I need to know what happened." I said carefully. Taking off his glasses he looked at me.
"Ok then. This is how it happened." As soon as Crane started moving his mouth I could hear nothing. It was like a static white noise. Screaming through my ears.
You want to see what we did? Let me show you.
x
Then I was back in Arkham, alarms were ringing, with only emergency lighting lit up the long hallways. People were shouting and screaming, they were in pain. I was walking alone down the hallway, people ran past me, some Doctors, some patients. They never even noticed me. I was walking with such direction; I knew where I was going. It wasn't long before I was in front of her door. Kicking it open, the door released with ease. There she stood, phone clasped tightly in her hand, panic and shock on her face. I spoke but it wasn't my words.
Hello Mary.
She stood still, watching as I walked further into the room. She grasped for something, that's when I jumped her. Knocking her off her feet and sending us thundering against the wall. She yelped in surprise, then again in pain. Hands clasped round her neck, dragging her up from the floor to rest against the wall.
You really should have left when you could. But you're the do-gooder type; you wouldn't leave her would you.
Blood tricked from her lip, she remained silent. Her eyes just wide and staring at me.
This is the price you pay. She's with me now.
I feel my hands tighten around her neck, watch her eyes bulge. My knee connects with her stomach, doubling her over in pain. I watch as she sags against her desk chair. Her hands grip against the leather, trying to steady herself. Looking down at her I feel laughter bubbling from my lips. Bending down to her I can really see her face, the hurt, the anger. I love it. Suddenly her hand swipes out, a letter opener in her hand. But I move too quick, just feeling the gust of air flashing past my face. My lips pull into a smirk. She has some fight in her yet. But this isn't a fight. Not a fair one.
Lila. We need to go.
Crane's voice peaks clearly behind me, turning I watch him standing at the door. A little blood on his lip. The joker pushes past him, twirling a blade between his fingers.
We should have known you would be with the good Doc-torr
The Joker's words vibrate from his lips. Menace and chaos burn in his eyes. He's had fun tonight.
I turn back to her, she looks up at me. Her face full of fear.
Get up
I bark at her, she complies. Hey eyes dart to the people behind me. Taking the blade from her hand I point it back at her.
Take those off
I gesture to her clothes. I hear Crane scoff behind me. Ignoring him I press the blade to her cheek, pressing hard enough to cause a sound but not enough to draw blood. Yet. She squirms under my touch. Yet she complies. Turning back to Crane and The Joker I begin undressing. First my white shirt gets tossed to the side. I watch as the Jokers eyes widen at my actions, I notice Crane trying to avert his gaze. But I know he watches. Next I slip off the orange pants. The slide easily down my thighs and legs. Kicking them off I turn away from the boys. Back to her. She's undressed too. I smile sweetly at her.
Thank-you
I mock her. She knows it, I watch her cheeks redden with embarrassment as she hands me her clothes. I dress quicker this time; I know we need to leave.
Crane is already at the door, beckoning us to come. Once I'm dressed I move to leave the woman before me.
You really shouldn't have bothered Doc.
I say as I walk out.
You coward.
I hear her whisper. Another giggle sounds from me. Turning around to see her, I feel something flick between my fingers. I see her eyes widen as I throw something into the room. The room suddenly ignites in a burst of colour. I hear a scream as I slam the door, hearing the lock close.
x
I hear louder screams, this time they are coming from me. Opening my eyes I sit bolt upright, Crane is kneeling next to me. Watching me. My heart races, I can feel it pounding in my ears. Looking around me I see I'm on the floor of the lounge, my chair is laying on its side a few feet away.
"What was that?" Crane says. Breathing deeply I look at him.
"She showed me what I did" I say, still in shock. Closing my eyes I can see the look of horror on Doctor Richard's face. The sound of her scream as the flames filled her office. I feel bile rising from my stomach; it burns along my throat as it comes. Pushing Crane out of the way I stumble to the bathroom. Retching into the toilet bowl I see it all over again. I let myself sink against the bathroom floor, the cool of the tiles feels nice against my skin. Leaning back against the wall I rest my head in my hands. I hate this. I hate her. I want my life back. I don't want to be her prisoner.
A/N: You guys who read this are fabulous, I really appreciate the reviews, so thank-you ;)