ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʜɪsᴘᴇʀ sᴀɪᴅ
I remember a vivid dream where I would live in a forest away from society, I would grow flowers and tend to them like they were my family. The flowers would never hurt me, and I'd love them forever. On my birthday I would invite the local wildlife to a party — they probably get quite bored and need something to spice up their life.
Rowdy noises brought me back to this shit reality. My eyes fluttered open, my chest expanded deeply and my throat let out a loud, throaty cough. As my body awakened I realized how much everything hurt. Hot tears threatened to fall but I screwed my eyes shut, taking quick breaths. I didn't want to cry, I never cried.
I was almost afraid to see the state of my wounds but I told myself to suck it up and peeled the fabric away from my skin. It was very bloody and looked like shit but the good news was I had stopped leaking.
The shouts were escalating outside and the thought that the riot had begun drifted into mind. I had to get up, had to get to solitary, or else I'd miss my chance. Excruciatingly I stood, using the pole of the shower to pull myself up. My towel was wrapped around me as I didn't have the strength to dress in my bloody attire. Then began the gruelling task of making my way past the violence and to the elevators. Thankfully I was able to scoot by without a care. All the staff were occupied with controlling the murderous wing of loose patients who'd miraculously gotten loose. A lone harmless one wandering the halls wasn't at their priority over the patients who were currently beating each other to death.
I came to the elevator just as it had arrived on this floor. The door slid open and I was conveniently faced with the Joker leaning in the corner his white face gone, and Harleen standing pin straight. Harleen and I locked eyes, she looked taken aback. My mind blanked and words drifted in from somewhere:
"Dr Quinzel sends her regards."
Something snapped inside of me, my rage seemingly overcoming the inhibitors affect on me. Forgetting about my injuries, I stalked into the elevator and threw my hands around Harleen's neck, choking her. I slammed her up against the wall my face contorted in a blind fury.
In a furious roar I demanded, "What did you have to do with it?!"
Her hands weakly pried at my hold. She whispered hoarsely, "I don't know what–"
I rattled her once. Beneath the towel I could feel warm liquid dripping down my stomach, I paid no mind. My head leaned in close to hers and I warned in an even voice, "Don't lie."
Harleen shot Joker a helpless look but he was too amused while watching the scene to help. She had no choice but to reply. "They were supposed to kill you."
My face became a mask; emotionless, placid. I spoke quietly, "They should have." The grip around Harleen's neck then tightened to its utmost. She fell to her knees and I moved with her, the intent of killing her never wavering.
"Hey hey hey — it's been a great show but she's my ride–" Joker protested from above, a hand tapping my shoulder. At the touch, I instinctively flipped around, eyes wild. He backed up his hands raised above his head like he was surrendering to the cops.
"Don't touch me again." I said softly.
Meanwhile, Harleen lay dealing out rasping coughs. With the Joker's interruption I had forgotten about killing her and now she was recovering. My lips curled into a scowl.
Harleen placed a ginger hand on her throat, gazing up at me with widened eyes. "Crazy bitch," She breathlessly muttered.
Contempt pooled in my gaze and I positioned myself over her head, lifted a foot and stomped down. Blood trickled out of a broken nose, she was unresponsive but not dead. I stood over her breathing heavily, coming off the adrenaline high. The pain hit me like a brick wall and I groaned, folding over my arms wrapped tightly around my middle.
The Joker smacked his lips, looking over the still figure of Harleen. He pushed out of his corner and moved to pat down her pockets, coming out triumphant with a set of keys that he dangled in the air. He turned towards me, raising his brows, "Whaydda say we hightail it out of this joint?"
My pained eyes were fixated on the swinging set of golden keys. He was my ticket out of here yet I wondered if I could make the trek to freedom. I nodded. He grinned, snatching the keys into the palm of his hand. "Wonderful."
The two of us navigated to the ground level where we snuck into a laundry room stealing orderly uniforms. Although my white uniform quickly became blotched with red stains. After trying to board the Arkham to land ship unsuccessfully due to the riot closing all modes of transportation, the Joker killed the captain and commandeered the boat. He drove us to shore where we gave up trying to find Harleen's car, throwing her keys in the river.
Walking down the street his slicked back hair pushed down underneath a white cap was the last time I saw him. He told me it'd been a wild ride and I said nothing.
I was sickly, lightheaded. The shirt was heavy with blood, a steady drip splattered onto the asphalt road. My eyes bleary I felt the need to take a seat. I lumbered over to the closest building and slid down against it, closing my eyes I could still smell the water. Gotham Harbor had nothing on the ocean but it was something.
My eyes fluttered open to look at the gray sky and my mind drifted, remembering the forest with the animals and flowers. Then it was set aflame. Ashes rained down, a downpour so heavy it looked like the clouds I was gazing at right now; an endless sea of white. Amidst the carnage I stood, watching the fire destroy and consume.
Blood covered hands. I didn't know where to go — or what to do. I simply didn't know.
A/n I hope you enjoyed the story! Thanks for reading xoxo
