"You can't run from me forever. I'm a part of you JACK."
"I don't believe you. There is no more Jack and there never will be."
"No one can truly escape their past, you should realize that."
"Those chemicals... changed me, in ways I've never experienced before. The stinging left some scarring but it wasn't the first time I felt pain. To be reborn, awakened from the dull miserable existence of white collar life. A simple formula was made for people like me in society, get a job, meet someone, buy a house, have some kids, and die old and weak. But no, I wasn't going to live a plain boring life. Back there was nothing that fulfilled my true desires at all."
"And you think being a functioning member of society is a bad thing? Now Jack what about your comedy career? You had such potential."
"Seems a little redundant to talk about blending in. For someone who claims to be a part of me you should know that I'm not the average human being, hell I'm not human, I'm the Joker."
"So you think but your past life isn't gone forever."
"Oh yes it is. I only see visions like before I saw you again, there usually the same, Ace Chemicals running through the hall into the vats. The red hood gang begun firing on the guards. Somehow the bat was patrolling the facility that night of the bust, fighting a couple of the members and incapacitating those who were left except me. I was wearing the infamous red hood, he looked at me with anger and pursuit. I felt an emotion that I thought I lost after the accident: fear. Backing up without noticing the bent railing and…well you can guess what happened next."
"You said fear wasn't lost after the transformation?"
"Yes but no, fear never occurred until recently in my life. Robbing banks, killing mob bosses, blowing up police stations, and fighting the bat, life couldn't have been better. Life is the set up for the biggest joke in the end, death. It can happen anytime and most times we never see it coming until BAM. I stared death in the face many times from a couple of heists and schemes I devised for the dork knight and I dart my tongue out at him every time. His scythe is more for show, I think he's overcompensating for something else, hehe."
"Where has this newly formed fear arise from then?"
"...Sweets, god she's gonna be the death of me. Not unless we both die from a massive orga…
"PLEASE STOP. I know where this is going."
"Awww come on, where's that old sense of humor Jack. Don't be a prude, sex is a real stress reliever."
"Yes I recall, Jeanie was definitely a pleasure."
"Who?"
"You're wife."
….
"What!" Standing up in his bed rapidly a little sweet trailed down his body. Turning to his side he notices his better half is missing. This doesn't seem right, usually she's glued to him, especially during the winter months. Standing up he heads for the kitchen for some refreshments. Entering the room he grabbed a glass from the cabinet. Pulling some milk from the fridge he chugs it like this was his last. Looking around area showed nothing but empty space.
"Huh Harley isn't out here either. Now this is becoming troublesome." A unpleasant twitch spread through his spine with a cold chill being blown in the room. "Harley." He shouts but no response, turning around he faces the mirror in the kitchen. But what was reflected wasn't a mirror image, it was the an unknown man. He wasn't smiling nor frowning, just despondent. He touches the inside of the mirror and smiles to Joker.
"Hi Jack."
"How is this possible?"
"It's not, I'm a figment of your subconscious."
"Where's Harley? She doesn't seem to be out here in the living room."
"You didn't check the bathroom, accidents are so common and unexpected there unfortunately."
Joker ran quickly to the bathroom in their bedroom but the door was locked from the inside. "Harley open the fucking door." Pressing his foot through the wooden door when heard no response, what he saw was something he never could process. "I'm so sorry, Harleen." The amount of blood in the tub made him sick to his stomach. Everything went black and silence filled his mind before awaking to his nerve twitch.
…
4:34 a.m. brought about a open wide eyed clown and his harlequin wrapped around his chest.
"Fuck my mind." He whispered to himself. This dream brought out fear, genuine fear. Even though it was a dream he couldn't deny the pit forming in his stomach. Thinking of his Harley gone from this mortal world would be to much to handle. Would he be able to live after such a tragedy? Does this show how much he actually needs her? Taking joy in one's company has become a custom. Before her he never needed anyone, human interaction was the least of his concerns when he was causing endless laughter. Now when he aims his pistol to his enemies, there's someone to pull the trigger with him.
Growing attached to her is a double edged sword. In his form of business she can become a liability. His associates can target her to get to him. Having a potential target painted on her head will cause the two to be cautious. There will be contingency plans in place for his organization starting tomorrow. Is this what you do for someone you love?
Staring at her face made his smile stretch, such a stunning woman he thought. She will be perfect as his partner in crime. Holding her tighter she moaned happily in her deep sleep. His heart could never deny it, she was a part of him. He can envision a future with her. Not exactly the house in suburbia with a white picket fence and a Kia minivan but some kids weren't entirely out of the picture. Focusing on the future isn't a fool's dream in this situation but not everyone has the luxury in our world. It's never a certainty for anyone, what's now is the present. And with the blink of an eye that can no longer be true anymore.
...