Chapter 21 - Memories of Destruction

The next morning, Maria awoke to a hammering headache and jolts of pain at each side of her body. Everything felt like one big blur yesterday. Surprisingly, Derrick was still sound asleep with his arm around her in a comforting way. She admitting the feeling was nice to be held once again, but continued to wish it was Jack's embrace.

No… I can't think like that. Not any more… Not after what happened.

I must destroy every single thought of him. No matter the price.

Crazy enough, the idea of knocking herself out seemed best, but an unreasonable solution. Sighing, and wondering what to do, she decided to doze a little longer, at least until Derrick woke up. She repeated over, and over, and over again that she was utterly out of love with Jack. Now, she could move on and find love in Derrick for the rest of her life. No violence. No hurt. No Joker. Only happiness.

Two hours later…

The scene changed. Derrick had suddenly vanished, and left Maria with a cold feeling as she opened her eyes once again. She yawned, looking around to find a note on her desk, her drawer ajar slightly, and the picture frame face down. She was hesitant to bring the picture back to its rightful position, and thought it best to leave it.

The note read:

Maria,

I'm sorry for having to leave you before saying goodbye. Something came up and it had to be dealt with asap. I made sure that you had enough bandages and pills but please go to a doctor for my sake.

I will see you tonight.

P. S I'm glad you accept. I've waited and loved you for so long, I feel so happy. Nothing will stand in our way. Here's to the future X

"Something came up? Had to be dealt with? I wonder what he could mean?" She thought, closing the drawer. The note was nothing really new. Every girl expects to find a love letter at some point, and she received such ones before from Jack. Although, this one sounded rushed and almost unfulfilled, alongside the hope-fullness and promise behind the words. Jack's were more… patient and heartfelt, despite his sense of austerity.

(One letter from Jack)

Dove,

I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye, but you looked too peaceful to be disturbed. I had to leave on urgent business and let's just say I think my skills are needed for this one. I know you're worrying right now like always, but I promised I'd come back to you. As long as you're here, I'll always be there.

I love you my darling.

Jay.

The difference was clear. Tears fell onto the old piece of paper, smudging the ink to make it equally weep.

To stop her love, was to stop breathing.

Suddenly, as if fate had magically appeared, a knock at the door halted her thoughts and she opened it to reveal Roma in the doorway.

"Roma?"

The old woman sighed and let herself in with a heavy heart.

"So it's true… I had to come see it for myself."

"How did you-"

"Apart from the bandages… let's just say I have certain abilities."

"Abilities? But he must have-"

"Nope. Didn't need to. I'm so sorry for what happened Maria."

"Don't even mention it… I-I was so… embarrassed… confused… and frightened." She cried, shielding her face.

"I really had hope for the both of you. For him especially. But, I see things only got worse huh?"

"I wish I could forget everything… forget that I ever laid eyes on him."

"It's possible."

"What?"

"Do you believe in… unearthly powers?"

"Well… if Superheroes can exist, as well as alien lifeforms. Heck! Even parallel universes from what I heard, then yeah… why?" Roma unzipped her satchel and took out a small red vile of liquid, placing it on the coffee table and sliding it across to her.

"Having dealt with the forbidden for many years… you tend to come across items you won't even find on the black market."

"What is it exactly?"

"It's called Lethe. There's a river by the same name in Greek myth that was part of the underworld. Those who drank it experienced eternal forgetfulness from either trauma, grief, a broken heart… only something you specifically and truly wish to be absent from. The liquid was mined from a fallen meteorite some 6 years ago. Once, scientists discovered the right elements to make use of it, the recipe was sold off to some of the most influential people. And I don't mean just the rich types. Bad people too. A torture device some would say."

Maria studied the bottle carefully, becoming mesmerized by its swirling purples and blues.

"Does it work?"

"I've seen with my own eyes. Only a few people have been able to harness the liquid to a certain memory or person, and once it finds the source, the victim has only 48 hours until the effects take their toll."

"...You're one of those who can, right?"

"Darlin' it was one of the reasons why I got connected to the criminal world in the first place. It also inspired me to heal others rather than hurt." She said, placing a hand on her own. Maria understood the risks and consequences, yet, to think, a whole 19 years of memories, love, him, gone in the blink of an eye… it was beyond comprehension.

"It's your decision… he wants nothing to do with you… you end your suffering and marry a good man. Both parties win."

"And the conditions? I mean… is there some way to reverse the process once you've drank it?"

"Yes… within the 48 hours you must remember the most vivid and powerful memory of him. As each hour goes by, it will get harder to do so as a piece of Jack will crumble from your thoughts. It starts off small with a fleeting moment of you both cooking or having dinner, but then soon, your first kiss, the night you met, the day you both died, his voice, his appearance, his name… will vanish."

Maria looked out of the window to see ghosts of things once been.

At this point, what other opportunity could ever pass her by such as this one?

Two hours before…

Derrick wanted to at least make her breakfast, and slowly removed himself from the bed, yawning and smiling at the fact that today was the start of many more mornings where he would wake up beside the most gorgeous woman in the world. He went over again to observe the frame he placed downwards, and noticed a small piece of paper exposed from the top drawer of the cabinet. He opened it to see a newspaper clipping of an article with an address written over it in ink, and an image perfectly cut as if to hold some matter of significance. Curious, he looked at the paper to see a portrait of the Joker facing to the side a little.

At first, he furrowed his brows in wonder as to why she kept it.

He scrutinised the psychopath, the clown, the criminal before him and…

Something clicked.

He took the picture frame of Jack and Maria looking with keen eyes…

Then back to the clipping…

Back to the picture…

Then the clipping…

Then the picture…

Then the eyes of Jack…

Then the eyes of Joker…

Jack…

Joker…

Jaker…

Jock…

Joker… Jack…

A steam train came hammering into his brain, crashing and exploding tremendously.

His eye almost popped out of their sockets and his mouth open and twitching in shock.

"My… God…"

He wrote a letter to Maria in a hurry, before dashing out as quietly as possible and revving his engine up into a burst of speed; hell-bent towards the police station.