A/N Took me a while to get around to it, but here it is. Let me know what you think. Cheers
Sitting couped up in my cell, two days had past, and not a single person had come to see me since my session with Doctor Crane – I would have thought they had forgotten about me, if it weren't for the fact one of the lunch ladies brought me food from the cafeteria every day. I suppose they were trying to get me to 'think about my actions', or 'give me time to calm down'. I had to redeem myself before they would let me out to 'socialise', as Doctor Crane liked to call it.
Looking down at my standard fitting orange uniform, I had started to resent the distasteful colour more and more as each day past. Feeling the black embroidery that made up my assigned number, I glanced back up as I sat on the edge of my bed. Since getting here I hadn't been able to sleep; I felt too alone, and it was somehow quiet; despite the constant noises surrounding me.
Hearing a single firm knock on the door before the metal latch was opened, I turned my head to see the male nurses – or 'Orderly's' as Crane referred to them – standing in the door way "Time for lunch" the one on the left spoke. Getting up from my bed, I made my way out into the hall; their thick hands encasing my upper arms as they guided me down the hallway once again.
Heading towards the cafeteria, we walked through the double doors to be greeted with the familiar hustle and bustle of the open space. Letting go of me, the Orderly's stood guard just in front of the doorway; their eye's scanning over the crowd, looking for any disturbances.
Lining up in the lunch queue, I received my tray of daily rations. But before I was able to leave for the empty table at the back, I was stopped "Here" grumbled a rather large woman in a white nurses outfit; she had a rather round and greasy face, and she smelt of cigarette smoke. Holding out a small paper cup, I looked it over with suspicion.
"What is it?" I asked.
"What does it look like?" snapped the woman "it's your medication. Now hurry up and take it. Your holding up the line" grabbing the cup from her hands, I walked away to sit at the table. Not bothering to eat a majority of the food, I sipped on the milk before a scrawny figure in my peripheral made me turn my attention.
"You're looking rather pale Missy. You don't eat, you won't survive. Basic fact of nature" spoke Clyde as he sat in front of me with his tray. Ignoring him, I went back to staring at the crowd of people all eating their meals "I must say, you impressed me yesterday" continued Clyde with a small laugh "the way you threw yourself onto him…took out his eyes" he added while gesturing a gouging motion with his thumbs "oh, it was so exciting. I don't think I've seen a performance like that in forever" pausing for a moment, he leant in before speaking somewhat softer "…that's what this place feels like – forever…" he grumbled "it's gonna make you feel really bad, and it's gonna make you hurt – a lot. I should know…they got me in the first week!" he said with a tap of his finger to his temple.
Looking up, my vision focused on two small circular burn marks either side of his skull – they had shocked him it seems. No wonder he's skitzy and weird. I doubt anyone would be the same if they had seventy to five hundred volts running through your body at a single point in time.
Peering down from the burn marks, my eyes met his "Why are you talking to me?" I asked suddenly.
"Because I like you. Yes, I do" he answered with a shake of his finger and a grin on his face "you're special"
"So everyone keeps telling me" I grumbled under my breath.
"There's just a spark of something…something different" he laughed before sucking on his teeth "I just can't quite put my finger on it, but it's there – I know it is" he mumbled under his breath, as if he were trying to reassure himself "since the moment I laid eyes on you, my mind tripped into all sorts of wonderful places…I think…I think you and I are meant to be…"
"Is that so…" I spoke with a tilt of my head. I admit, I was amused at his behaviour and train of thought. Leaning closer, I spoke softly "and what could I possibly want with a guy like you…what would be the point? Hmm?"
Somehow producing a juicy red apple from his orange uniform, he held it out to me on the palm of his hand "…I'll give you anything you want…" looking him over, I suddenly laughed. He's a bag full of tricks, that's for sure. Not moving as I slowly took the apple, I bit into the fresh and somewhat still cold fruit. It tasted like heaven compared to the slop on the tray. I'm starting to think a partnership with Clyde might not be a bad deal after all.
"You give me things..." I stated "what do I have to do in return?" there must be something I thought, there's always a catch. Nothings free in a world like ours. Payment is always due, even if it's not strictly said.
Shaking his head, Clyde smiled "You don't have to do anything – Amara…" he spoke with a drawl of my name; making me freeze. How did he know my name? "…I already told you – I like you…and I treat the people I like, very nicely"
"I don't believe you…" I simply stated. It all sounded too good to be true, and if it weren't for the fact this was Gotham and I'm in Arkham, I would have just ran along with it – but this is different.
"Believe what you want – I'm telling you the truth. You can either accept my good gesture, or you can toss it away" he said with a flick of his hand "the choice is up to you" biting into the apple again, I watched Clyde give me a final smile before the low buzz of the alarm sounded; signalling the end of the lunch.
Watching the sea of orange get up to progress to the door way, several Orderly's guided people out of the cafeteria and back to their rooms. Standing in line, the large woman who had handed me the cup of pills stopped me with a glare "She's doesn't leave..." grumbled the woman as an Orderly pulled me to the side.
"And why not?" I asked with a slight hiss and glare of my own.
Holding up the paper cup, she shook it lightly making the contents rattle "You haven't taken your medication…it's mandatory for everyone. You either take it yourself, or we do it for you…take your pick" she snapped with an unpleasant attitude. Holding them out to me, I looked the woman up and down before snatching the cup from her hands. Emptying them into my mouth, she handed me another cup full of water. Sipping it, the liquid tasted like rusty pipes and treatment chemicals "down the catch?" she questioned before gesturing with her hand "open your mouth". Keeping my lips sealed, she demanded again "open your mouth!"
Instantly spitting the tablets and filthy water straight at her face with a spray, I watched as she flinched while taking a step back; the pills dropping to the floor with small clicks. Instantly back handing me as the Orderly kept a tight grip on my arms, the woman wiped her face.
"You alright Gladys?" questioned the Orderly; the fact the woman hit me not disturbing him in the least.
"I'm fine!" barked the woman; her pale face going red with embarrassment and anger "take her back. I'll deal with her tomorrow" she ordered with a hiss before pointing her chubby finger at me "And just so you know – you've made a big mistake"
Instantly pulling on the Orderly's grip, I took a single step forward with a hiss, making Gladys flinch with a squeal. Laughing, the man holding me proceeded to pull me away from the large woman and back down the hallway – let's see how far she's willing to go. I'll have her rocking in a corner and crying for her mother in no time.
Pouring down, the rattling of the rain collided with the roof of the van as it continued to drive through the neighbourhood of Gotham. Reaching an old but quaint house, it pulled up outside with a slight squeak of the tires. Bursting open, the back doors of the vehicle slammed before Joker stepped out with an aluminium bat in hand; the water falling from the sky doing little to affect him.
Scanning his surroundings, the sun was starting to set and the sky was in a cool transition of blues as the night started to cloud over. Continuing along, he walked up the cracked footpath of the house before pressing the button to ring the doorbell. Hearing the typical sound mellow out into the air, Joker listened to the shuffling on the other side of the door before it opened to reveal the deformed face of Griggs.
"Surprise!" smiled Joker, making Griggs take a step back with an audible gasp. Moving forward, Joker held up his bat before swinging it down low and knocking Griggs straight off of his feet. Landing with a loud thud onto his back, he hissed in pain before turning over to try and crawl away from his intruder "Oh. Where are you going? Stay a while…" mocked Joker as he threaded his fingers through his green hair.
Kicking Griggs in the ribs, the man coughed with a wheeze as he rolled over from the force of the blow. Once regaining his breath, Griggs looked up with a whimper "P-please…"
"Please what?" asked Joker as he cupped his right ear. Smiling, Joker dropped his hand and stared down at Griggs before an instant scowl over took his features "you've caused me a lot of grief…" spoke Joker as he pointed the end of his bat at Griggs' face "and the funny part" laughed Joker "the funny part is, this could have all been avoided if I had just killed you from the very beginning…but no – I had to let you live. Not that I'd call 'this' living…"
Stepping up from behind Joker, Frost had closed the entrance of the home with a firm click before being handed the bat. Adjusting his clothes with a sigh, Joker reached down and pulled Griggs up off the floor with a harsh tug. Dusting the former officer's shoulders off mockingly, he was then pushed down into the single lounge chair.
"Please" repeated Griggs "what happened…it wasn't my fault. I-I tried…they d-didn't listen" he stuttered; terrified of any and all words that left his lips, in fear of how Joker would react to hearing them.
Ignoring Griggs' ramblings, Joker sucked on his capped teeth as he squinted his steel eyes; wandering them over the mutilated face of the man in the chair "Well, she certainly got to you, didn't she?" giving a low chuckle, Joker added with a gesture of his hand and a light eye roll "but what can I say? She's got a flare for the dramatic"
"W-whatever you want – I'll do it"
"Well of course you will…" replied Joker with a soft voice. Sitting on the black coffee table situated in front of the lounge chair, he rested his elbows on his knees to lean in "I want you to listen – very carefully – because the next 'word' that leaves that mouth of yours will decided how this night ends. And I'm a man with a very 'big' imagination" listening to Jokers clear warning, Griggs then quickly nodded once he knew Joker had finished "…good…now, the people who are responsible – I want you to tell me their names…every single of them"
Peering out of the plastic square of my cell door, I couldn't see far but it was enough to know when someone was coming. Wheeling a trolley full of books, a tall and gruff looking man with dark skin continued down the hallway; pausing every now and then at certain rooms. Taking a step back, it wasn't long until he stopped at mind.
Banging on the door once, he opened the thin trap door made for food trays "A delivery. Great book" the man grumbled out with a deep voice "I heard it gets real interesting around page forty-three" sliding the book in, I took it without hesitation. Not saying another word, the man closed the trap door and left. Waiting until the squeak of the trolley wheels were faint, I looked down at the cover of the book to read the title – 'Bonnie and Clyde – The Untold Story'.
Snickering, the clue was obvious enough, but I'm more interested as to what's inside. Opening the book to page forty-three, I realised the middle had been hollowed out and what was left inside was a home-made shiv, and a small origami flower.
Closing the book with the shiv inside, I slipped it under my mattress for the time being. Holding the flower in the palm of my hand, I sat down on the edge of my bead and stared at its complexity. Squinting, I eventually noticed there were words and letters scribbled along the piece of paper. Beginning to unfold it, I opened it up to read the note hidden inside.
'A gift from yours truly.
P.S I can't wait for the next show'
Feeling the ends of my lips tug upward, I couldn't help but smile. Things might not be so glum after all – they might, in fact, be fun. Scrunching the note up in my hands, I tore it up into tiny pieces before placing the scraps in to the hollow hole of the book along with the shiv – it'll come in handy, but for now, I'll hang onto it.
Hearing the metal latch of the door open again, the two Orderly's came in with their stern looks and bulky forms "Time for your session" spoke one of them. Standing up, I was calm and not at all nervous as I stepped forward. They didn't know anything, and if they did, they didn't care – just how I like it. Everyone keeps to themselves.
Going along with the two men, we had walked down the hallways and to the therapy room. Walking inside, I sat in the seat. Looking up, I watched as the light above flickered before the Orderly's left to make way for Doctor Crane. Just on time, he sat across from me with my manila file and his notepad "How are you this evening?" he asked "still causing trouble I hear" looking up, Crane stared with his usual calculating expression; no doubt waiting for some sort of defence on my part.
"Is that all you heard?" I asked calmly.
Nodding his head, he replied "You refused to take medication. And when asked to do so, you spat it back into Gladys' face. Is that correct?"
"…Yes"
"Then what am I missing? Is there something else you'd like to tell me? Did anything else happen that I wasn't made aware of?" pausing, I then smiled before relaxing my shoulders. I wasn't going to fib – 'telling' is child's play, and this isn't a game for children.
"No, Doctor Crane. Nothing at all…that's exactly what happened?"
Remaining silent, the room filled with tense silence as we stared into each other's eyes; neither one of us faltering until Crane broke away from my gaze "Alright…" he spoke "then let's continue our session, shall we"
Slouching in my seat, I tilted my head side to side to work out the small ache that was in my neck. The greasy woman had hit me with quite a force, but it was nothing – a simple caress of a feather – compared to Joker. He could make you black and blue, and feel as if you had been turned inside out. Not a pleasant feeling at all, but it taught me a lesson every time.
"First question" announced Crane, snapping me back to reality "I've been keeping tabs on you through some of the Orderly's. According to them, you've been conversing with a particular patient named Clyde Larson. Is this true?"
"Spying…not very gentlemanly of you" I tisked with a grin "you should respect a woman's privacy"
"I do what I have to do for my job. My 'spying' on you is relative to your recovery. Socialising with certain patience here in Arkham could slow your rehabilitation" he replied with a professional tone.
"I can't tell…but it sounds like you just want to get rid of me" I spoke with a pout "what's wrong Doctor? Getting bored already?" I teased.
"You're avoiding the question" stated Crane with a plain tone. Ruining the fun, as always. Rolling my eyes, I shifted on my seat. The room was getting hot and irritating, the confined space making my skin prickle and my temper flare "I asked you-"
"I know what you asked and I don't care" I snapped with a hiss, interrupting him "you're being awfully rude. Don't you think?…Prying into other people's business…" glaring at the man across the table, he his eyes had shaded over with knowingness. A flashback crossing his mind as he remembered those exact words – the first time we met. He knew what I was saying. He knew it was a threat.
"Do you always have violent or otherwise angry outburst?" asked Crane, his pen squiggling along the note pad. He was trying to keep calm and collect, but I knew I had wedged myself right under his seemingly thick skin "you know, that wouldn't happen if you took the medication I provided for you" he added as he looked up.
"Why?" I asked "so you can control me? Change me into someone I'm not?"
"No…I don't want to control you Amara, or change you – I just want to help" answered Crane as he adjusted his frameless, rectangle glasses.
Snickering, I laughed "oh, you think so? You…want to help me?" I asked "…you're all so the same" I growled before slamming my hand onto the metal table "every single one of you – like clockwork. Why don't you just help yourself? Hmm" I mocked "you know – all you people ever do is dig until there's nothing left…but what you don't understand, is that it's not my head you're prying your way in to…" I said while pressing down on both sides of my temples "it's your own grave…"
Pausing, a few moments passed before Crane spoke up "I realise this must be sensitive for you…being surrounded by people you don't know, that you don't trust. It's a strange place. You feel uncomfortable and alone…you just want to be home – with the one person, who in your mind, makes perfect sense…am I right so far?"
Crossing my arms, my nails dug into my flesh and I could feel them start to tear through the skin in half moon indents. I wanted to feel the pain, I wanted to focus on just that feeling so I didn't climb over the table and rip out his tongue – just to get him to stop talking. I hated his voice. Every time he spoke it felt like nails were being driven into my skull, one syllable at a time.
"I know I'm right…" spoke Crane once again, my lips ceiled shut "it's written all over you. So transparent" he mocked "…to tell you the truth, you won't last in here. Not without him…" placing down his pen, Crane clasped his hands on the table "and that's where I step in. I'm going to make you the strong, independent woman that I know you can be. Starting today – you're going to take your medication, and we're going to continue our therapy sessions…because Amara – it's the only way you're ever going to leave this place"
"…That's it…I swear. There's no one else" still sitting on the black coffee table, Joker listened to each and every word that flowed from Griggs' lips. Not moving, he looked from Joker to Frost who stood just off to the side; his arms crossed with stone like features. Facing back to the Joker, Griggs asked with hesitance in his voice "you believe me right? I'm telling the truth"
Pausing for a second longer, Joker suddenly leaned in making Griggs flinch "I trust you…" grumbled Joker as he tapped Griggs' cheeks roughly "and I've gotta say – it's been one 'hell' of a story..." leaning back, he added "but unfortunately this – end of the tale – brings about my next predicament…" getting up from the coffee table, Joker stood at his full height "what am I going to do with you?" he grumbled with a tilt of his head.
Gasping low in fear, Griggs bowed his head before covering his mouth to collect himself "I've done all you asked. Please…I've lost everything, my wife, my kids…I just want to move on"
Humming, Joker stepped to the side; making his way slowly over to Frost "As heart clenching as that sob story may be…there's one teeny – tiny – problem" grumbled Joker as he turned back around with the aluminium bat in the palm of his hands "during her long and no doubt troublesome stay in that cesspit you call a prison – you did some very 'bad' things to someone you really shouldn't have…"
Keeping silent and still, the former officer didn't move from pure fear. A million thoughts ran through his head in this one moment, and none of them were good, and almost all of them lead to a very horrific ending. He had thought that maybe by the grace of some 'God', he could have escaped the fate of his actions during his duty at Belle Reve, but this confirmed it – he most certainly wasn't.
"I'm sorry" apologized Griggs, even if it was fruitless.
"Not yet" retorted Joker as he held up a finger "but you will be..." walked around the lounge, Joker stood behind Griggs and pressed the length of the cold bat along the back of the man's tense shoulder blades.
Opening his mouth, Griggs went to defend himself "I didn't-" but was cut short.
Instantly swinging the bat, Joker had hit Griggs in the back of the skull; sending him forward from the force of the blow. Landing on his hand and knee's onto the carpet, Griggs spluttered as Joker rounded the lounge chair with a snarl on his lips. Opening and closing his eyes, Griggs struggled to keep focus on the spinning room before him.
"My, my…you don't look so good" spoke Joker as he scanned the hunched over body "what's wrong? Having a little trouble are we?" asked Joker mockingly, his face now twisting into a frightening glare "here…let me give you a hand…"
Swinging the bat down over his head, a sickening crunch echoed out as the blow hit the back of Griggs' skull; making him collapse to the floor with a thud – his head now caved in. Striking again and again with no slacking of strength, Joker didn't stop as blood splattered onto his shirt and skin; the snapping and crunching of bone doing little to affect him or Frost.
This is all a part of the plan – this is his revenge.