A/N: This chapter is pretty friggin' dark with violence and mental issues. If you're sensitive to those kinds of things... Sayonara!
Make sure you read ch 16 in case you missed it since I updated two chapters since yesterday.
Just a heads up, this takes place 5 years before the current story, so try not to get too mad...
"Reeeooowwww!" A scrawny alley cat hissed as it jumped out of cardboard box, irate that it's sleep had been interrupted by the glass bottle that smashed near it. The filthy, flee bitten feline raised on its hunches, spitting at the person staggering closer.
"Boo!" The cat hissed as it ran off frightened at the man coming closer, breaking another empty bottle under his boot.
"Tch! Stupid cat..." Jack watched the animal dart down the littered street, shaking his head. That's how everything was around here and for good reason. Most of the animals around here were either abandoned pets or had been born in the streets. People were not kind to them. Drunks threw bottles, drunk drivers ran them over, punks messed with them just for fun. It really was no wonder they ran or lashed out.
Swaying as he walked down a dirty alley, Jack took another swig from the liquor bottle in his grasp. Despite the job going well, it still didn't lift his mood any. The men he paid to do the grunt work were sitting in a bar, celebrating as they threw the money they made around, getting drinks and women.
Tonight, just like every other night, he didn't feel even the slightest bit like there was anything to celebrate about. Especially today of all days...
It was on this night, two years ago, that he'd lost everything.
Gritting his teeth, Jack drug his boots across the broken pavement. It didn't even feel like two whole years had already passed. Everyday felt the same, anymore...an endless vicious cycle that continued to go round and round.
His head was starting to spin as he stumbled down the street, finding himself walking under one of the many bridges that ran through Gotham. This was where men like him belonged... Hidden in the shadows of the night. If anyone walked by, the darkness would hide his face, avoiding the looks of disgust and fear people who dared to pass by. Usually it was something he reveled in...but tonight, he just wanted to be left alone.
'Sakura...it's been two years already..huh?' Leaning up against the cold brick wall on unsteady feet, a sigh left his mangled lips, the cool air giving it form as it floated up into nothingness. It was starting to get cold, but he didn't feel a thing.
"Yep... Been a while, hasn't it?" Running a hand through his dirty blonde, grimacing at the sweet voice taunting him. His head lulled from one side to the other, wanting to get rid of it, but afraid of it leaving.
Day after day, cooped up in dark warehouses and shady motel rooms, he worked tirelessly at his craft. Making up plans, taking apart and assembling various weapons, reading everything he could get his hands on. Knowledge always was power. If he was going to do this, it was for real...
It didn't take long to figure out the difference between him and the men who dabbled in the underworld. They weren't able to see the things he did...not able to put the pieces together or think fast. Most of them were typically just hired muscle. All brawn and no brains. Jobs weren't able to be considered a success unless there was someone to strategize everything from start to finish.
Jack wasn't some run of the mill thug, like they were. He was able to see the bigger picture of everything so clearly, while they would only barely make out a blurred edge. All the years of having to deal with men like that on the streets had practically drawn a blueprint up itself on how to deal with and out think these fools.
It started out after spending a few weeks living in the warehouse a couple blocks from the now demolished apartment building. Seeing the newspaper article claiming Gotham was now safe and the crime rate at an all-time low set him off. It seemed that no one outside the center of the city had ANY idea what was going on and blissfully unaware or printing lies to make the politicians coming up for reelection look better than they really were to garner votes.
Everything in Gotham was corrupt...from it's supposed leaders, to the police who meant to protect the citizens, all the way down to the underworld. People with any sense or weren't being paid off could see with their own eyes how the crime rate was rising at an alarming rate.
Most cops only gave their services to anyone in The Narrows if they were being paid off in some way. Money, drugs, prostitutes...whatever worked. It was because of them that so many people were getting harmed, raped, or killed who had nothing to do with the crimes the gangsters were committing. No one was willing to put a stop to any of the shit that was happening, so The Narrows became an oasis for these men to do as they pleased. The rich and powerful never stepped in this direction and as long as they weren't seeing what was happening or it didn't affect their business, they didn't care.
If someone had taken a stand and done something...scum like Todd would have been off the streets a long time ago. The only reason he was able to do as he pleased freely was because he sold drugs for someone who had multiple officers assigned to this part of the district under his payroll. There were more men like that in this corner of the city than anyone could count.
And no one cared...
A young woman was stabbed and fell a couple stories from a fire escape and smashed her skull...dying on the pavement...and guess what? Not a single article in any of the papers, nothing on the news, no obituary. After her body was taken away before he got home and the building was burnt to the ground in his rage...it was like she never even existed.
No funeral, no new on where her body had been buried, not even a name on a piece of paper in the section of the graveyard for the poor and homeless. There were those who's names couldn't be found and no one claimed the body, so their resting spot was tagged as unknown.
After going to the hospital and trying to find out any information about where Sakura's body was taken, the staff had been more than unhelpful. After he'd become irate to the point of them calling security, one of the doctors tried to calm the situation and pulled him aside. He'd said he had been the one to see the body when it had been brought in and remembered it clearly because of her hair. With no family left and no one claiming the body, it had probably been put into one of the unknown plots in the cemetery with the other nameless dead. It was an assumption and he claimed to not know for sure.
The urge to cut the doctor's throat had been overwhelming... Sakura wasn't some nameless trash they found on the street. There was someone who cared about her that needed to try to say goodbye. At least if he knew where she was, he could go to her... They had always been by each other's side all these years. Not only did she have to die alone, but he couldn't even be beside her in death. What a useless man...
It was infuriating the way the world kept turning as if nothing happened. After everything she owned had gone up in flames when he torched the building, there was nothing left of her except the charm around his neck and the memories he carried with him. The only thing that had been mentioned anywhere was about the apartment building burning down and the people who died in it. Not a single word about her even though it happened in the same night at the same location.
Just like him and everyone else that didn't matter in Gotham, she was lost and forgotten. If the pinkette had been the daughter of a businessman or politician, it would be all over the papers. She would have had an obituary and a funeral. Her body wouldn't have been tossed into a wooden box and buried somewhere among the sea of nameless people in the cemetery. He would have been able to find her resting place...
'Sakura wasn't nameless or called 'unknown'... She was a human being just those scumbags living it up in this city.'
Gotham was a better place? It was safe? They were doing all they could? He would show them their true identities. They weren't any different than the nameless people they walked over on their way to work.
In order to get anything done, he would need cash...and lots of it. Money, weapons, power, and men...The things that have been driving Gotham to become this way. No one likes to be faced with reality. Lies were always easier to deal with than the truth...
It started out with robbing a few stores on his own. Something like that hadn't been hard at all. Nothing he did was ever half-baked. All scenarios and ones that were unlikely were all taken into account. It didn't take long to get the hang of it before being able to predict what would happen and his mind worked fast enough that anything unforeseen he was able to work around.
Before long, it had become a bit enjoyable...watching how he was able to overcome things around himself that hadn't been apart of his plans by using instinct and quick wit. It was the only thing that could be a distraction from the pain in his chest.
As more money came in, it mostly went to getting weapons... Watching the fear in people's faces as he aimed a gun or knife at them gave him a rush. That look...not knowing if they were going to die in the next minute and full of terror. People shooting at him as he escaped with their money or supplies was exhilarating... Not knowing when it could be you biting the bullet. It was easier to try to push away those haunting thoughts when someone was trying to put a round in your back.
As soon as it was over and his heart rate went back to normal, the high would wear off...leaving him feeling empty again. The only thing to do was go further and bigger. In order to do that, he needed hands... It wasn't hard in The Narrows to find men who needed money and were willing to do anything for it. People were willing to suck dick for ten bucks, so helping pull a heist to make hundreds of times that was a tempting offer.
Stealing cars, raiding trucks for cargo, robbing small banks and drug dealers... As soon as the excitement wore off, they would always go bigger and wouldn't stop.
The thugs he hired were always in awe at his odd way of doing things. At first they would complain that it wouldn't work and he was crazy. A bullet later, the rest would fall in line and see how well his "craziness" worked as they took off with their loot.
Jack had no qualms about killing his own men if they posed an issue. No one was allowed to slow them down or cause an issue. If a cop cornered or nabbed one of them by chance, he never hesitated to turn around and put a bullet in their heads to keep them from running their mouths. If there was enough time, it would be more creative... He'd already killed plenty of people, even his own father. Not once did he ever lose any sleep over it.
Perhaps he really was a monster like all the whispers among the streets were saying, but he didn't care. The scars alone on his face scared them long before his words and actions would. They just didn't understand the way his mind worked. It was just wired differently, they didn't realize he was just far ahead of the curve than they were.
The men he hired referred to him as "boss" and he preferred it that way. No one knew who he really was and they never would. Jack just felt like an old identity who died two years ago. Now, he was nameless...unknown. Just like Sakura was in the eyes of this damn city.
"Goddammit..." Letting his head fall back against the brick wall behind him, he brought the bottle back up to his scarred lips, taking another long swig. Normally he tried to keep a clear head, but tonight was different. Usually he'd let the torment swallow him whole...after all, he deserved every bit of it.
"Jack, this isn't like you... Put the bottle down, please..." He winced at the woman's voice. It always came unexpectedly... Never when he was aching to hear it, usually when he was trying to escape. It must have been part of the torment.
"No. You won't talk to me when I need you to or even when I want to." Anger surged through him as he tipped the bottle back, letting the harsh liquor burn its way down his throat. It ran down the marred corners of his mouth, not caring if it got onto his clothing. Letting out a harsh breath as he leaned forward, he rubbed his chin with the sleeve of his expensive coat.
"...Always doing whatever you please, even now." If felt like the bridge was spinning around as he shook his head, trying to focus. How much longer was this going to go on for? Couldn't he even catch a break and get drunk for once? "No matter whatttt I do, it's never enough, huh?!"
"...Jack...I'm-"
"Don't JACK me! You're never there when I need you! I'm tired of this... I can't fucking take it anymore!" Why did she only come to torture him? Couldn't she see what she was doing to him? It had been two years and everything still hurt, like a knife in the chest. That would have been preferable to this... He couldn't hear her when he wanted to. Couldn't she see how lonely he was? How he needed her? Did it even matter?
No matter who was around, it wasn't the same. No one knew who Jack really was and he didn't want them to. The only thing he had was to be the "boss" who struck fear into all around with a single glance. If he showed anything other than that, he would lose the place at the top he enjoyed so much. It was what he was now. There was a reputation to uphold that was starting to long proceed him.
Only Sakura knew the real Jack. After a while, it was like that person was becoming a stranger even if it was the same body. The pinkette was the only thing left of who he'd been and she was long gone from this world, taking Jack with her. He missed being able to hold onto someone and share everything with them.
Instead of having her body wrapped around him and running her hands through his messy dirty blonde hair while they laid in bed, the only things that surrounded him were guns, blood, and money. There were plenty of women who came around with his men who wanted to cling to that cash and power, but he despised them all. It was just a reminder that it was those things that run this world. It filled him with hatred and that's when the bloodlust would rear it beautiful head.
As if he couldn't see the way their eyes widened or the terror stricken expressions, even if it was only for a split second, when they saw his face. Any of the whores that were brought around were only willing to "look passed the scars" to try to make some money or be able to raise their position by hanging off of him.
They knew what could come along with lying underneath or trying to please him. Money, jewels, expensive clothes, protection on the streets, fear and respect. All the things those women desired. Just wanting to lay around like a bunch of cows as they were pampered. No one was going to use him for their own benefit. No one... Even if he was lonely and needy. He was still a man after all, but he wouldn't be a pawn for the order Gotham has set...
The only thing these greedy whores would get stuck into them was a blade, ear to ear. He had no qualms doing it either. If they wanted a shiny necklace so badly, he'd be more than willing to give it to them. A nice red one as their blood spilled from their throats. If he had nothing, they wouldn't even look his way...especially with the scars.
If only he could find another Sakura...but there isn't. No one who had pink hair that wasn't dyed. Not a single person with a violet rhombus on their forehead. No soul who actually knew him that would call him out when he needed it. Everyone was too afraid, but for good reason. It was useless because he instantly compared them to her and no one had been able to catch his interest. They were too busy trying to either kiss his ass or scared. She never did either...
It was because of her that he couldn't move on or settle for less. Always haunting him from some dark corner, making sure he never forgot. Constantly ripping him apart, stabbing the knife deeper and twisting it in his chest. But...it was his fault that she wasn't here..because he failed her. Even if it hurt beyond belief, he'd accept the pain for his sins. It was unbearable, but it was the least he could do for letting her die. Trash like him didn't deserve to be happy, not when someone like her couldn't be alive. The only person who wanted to be with him when he had nothing, scars and all.
"You're driving me insane! Why can't you make up your damn mind already? Either stay with me or get the hell away from me! Stop coming and going when you fucking feel like it!" He was angry. If she would just stay, that would be enough to help fill that void. Nothing else would do it. No matter how much money he stole or people he killed, that empty space was always there. It was only when she came that it felt like it could be filled with something...anything.
"...I'm sorry... I'm really sorry..." That's what she always said when he was angry enough to yell. He didn't want her apology, just to stop tormenting him. "I'm going...just don't drink yourself to death... I don't want anything to happen to you."
Dark eyes widened as the words sunk in. Trying to push off of the wall, his head spun trying make his feet move forward. The liquor was knocking him off balance, making his movements slowed and unsteady.
"W-Wait!" Gripping the bottle hard, Jack threw it as hard as he could in his state against the one of the stone pillars holding the bridge up. It shattered into pieces, glass flying in every direction as the little bit of alcohol left stained the concrete below it.
"No more bottle! I'm done drinking!" Looking back and forth in the dark shadows below the bridge, no one was there. He couldn't hear her voice anymore. "Sakura, wait! I didn't mean it... Come on..Please! Don't go..You can do whatever you want, I swear!"
Running his hands through his hair, Jack clenched his jaw as he listened carefully, waiting to hear her voice again. Why did he have to yell at her? It always made her upset..
Letting himself fall back against the brick wall, he shook his head in disbelief that he let himself get so drunk. Closing his eyes, he tried to clear everything from his mind.
'Fuck it. I don't care anymore...' What was the point of all of this? All he was doing was driving himself insane.
"I'm done...Don't care. Whatever happens, happens...so be it. You don't want to be with me, then fucking fine!" Running his tongue along his scars, he let his head lull back and forth, trying to convince himself to do whatever he please. That's what she does after all...
Jack didn't know how long he stood there, leaning against the cold bricks. Being so completely wasted makes time feel nonexistent. If he was going to make it back that shitty motel room, he was going to have to wait till he felt a little more sober. As much fun as dodging cars in the street would have been, he probably would have ended up sleeping on a sidewalk somewhere and being found by someone he'd rather deal with not drunk.
"Shitttt..." His head was a complete mess, unable to focus on one thing at a time.
"You okay there, handsome?"
Looking up to where the woman's voice was coming from, the dirty blonde tried focusing despite the blur making it difficult. He was partially in the shadows, so how could she tell what he even looked like.
'Hooker. They say whatever pet name they think you wanna hear...'
Not saying anything as the clicking from the heels against the concrete approached, Jack squinted as she stepped out into the streetlight. She leaned forward with her arms behind her back, a wolfish grin spreading across her face.
The woman wore a small red tube top that showed off her slim waist, barely high enough to cover her breasts. They weren't huge, but least more than enough to fill one of his hands.
'They're real...most of these chicks opt for implants these days...'
Jack let his eyes wander down her body, not caring anymore. Sakura didn't want him, then fine. He'll do as he pleases..just as she does. It's been two years since he enjoyed the company of a woman, far too long for any man who isn't in prison.
Looking from her perky breasts and down to the incredibly short skirt barely reaching to the top of her thighs, he swallowed hard. She had just the right amount of hip he desired and long pale legs that seemed like they went on forever until reaching the black stilettos that had been making more noise than necessary.
He knew he had been too drunk. Any other time he would have heard the clanking sound they made before a word had left her lips. This was bad...
Putting a hand on her curvy hip, the woman shook her head, pulling long bright orange locks from under the paperboy cap she had been wearing. Without a second thought, the hat was tossed onto the sidewalk.
Biting the inside of his lip, Jack felt himself getting hot watching her. It had been too long to go without a woman... His hand just wasn't nearly enough anymore. Why should everyone else get to enjoy themselves, but not him. He fucking worked hard enough for it.
'The only thing this little fox was missing was a pair of torn fishnet stockings, then the look would have been complete. Definitely a hooker...'
Stepping forward, the redheads hips swayed as she got closer. It was no denying she was good looking...no matter what she wanted.
"I got the time, if ya got the money, hot stuff." The thick New York accent grated on his ears, but that can be overlooked...as long as she kept her mouth shut. This woman didn't need to talk, just do what he wanted and get the hell out of his face.
"Money's not a problem...Not anymore." Her eyes lit up at his words, making him internally scoff. Everyone was the same...but that didn't matter. This didn't mean anything. Right now, he was kind of glad he'd gotten so shit-faced drunk. He could just fuck this woman and not have to think too much about it. She wanted his money and he wanted to get his rocks off.
"That's great to hear, handsome..." Stepping forward, she moved closer into the shadow he was mostly hidden by. Bright blue eyes stared up at him, trying to get a look at him despite the darkness covering the upper half of his body. The street light didn't react this part under the bridge. "I have one rule. No kissing on the mouth. Is that okay with you?"
The drunken fog hanging over him made him really not care. Why would he want to kiss a prostitute? They were just fucking anyway, it wasn't like this was a date. What did it matter to him?
"I could care lessss..." His eyes closed as the street worker got closer to him than anyone had in the last two years. He let his head fall back, letting the euphoria from the liquor and the woman's scent wash over him.
'Flowers...she smells like flowers...'
A pale finger hand ran down over his shirt, small hands pushing his coat from his shoulders. It fell by his feet the same way she cast aside her cap. Forgotten and thrown away...
"Ya have some nice muscles under that shirt darling. Couldn't tell from where I was standin' but I definitely can feel them. Nice..." Coming forward, the tiny woman leaned up as much as she could to kiss his neck, making his the breath coming from his parted mangled lips quicken. Those slim fingers grasped the top button of his shirt. "Ya must have really drank quite a bit, huh?"
"Just be quiet, will you? And don't take my shirt off or you'll wish you hadn't." His voice was deepening feeling her hands let go of the button and rubbing along his chest instead.
"Bossy, aren't you. I gotcha..." The woman went back to kissing his neck, nibbling on the exposed skin above his collar.
Jack felt his heart starting to pound against his chest and head, letting his drunkenness take over completely so he could enjoy this. Keeping his head tilted back, letting it lull from one side to the other, his eyes still closed. He was so needy, it didn't matter anymore. Blood rushed through every part of his body as those pale hands caressed over his abdomen, pink lips running along the column of his neck.
Reaching out, he grasped her hips bringing the small woman even closer, wanting to take in more of that floral scent. It was his favorite...
'She smells so goodddd...'
Calloused fingers ran along the creamy white skin, enjoying the feel of it in his grasp. It was always so unbelievably soft to the touch. He couldn't ever get enough.
"Haaahhh..." A soft groan left his lips as her slender hands ran down from his abdomen, to the front of his pants. He needed this...desperately.
"Holy shit... You're fucking huge, buddy!" The nasally accent made him grimace, trying to block it out.
The woman gently massaged him through his fabric, making him feel like he was going crazy. A shudder ran through him as she touched him intimately, it been far too long.
Sweet noises left her pink lips as he pushed his pelvis towards her, grinding against the hold she had on his throbbing member through his pants. A soft pant spilled from her lovely mouth as she stood back, quickly grabbing the bottom of her shift and yanking it over her head.
Jack gasped, eyes still closed as she took his hands and guided them to her chest. Allowing himself this little reprieve, he took her soft creamy white mounds in his palms, enjoying the weight of them in his hands. They always fit so perfectly. The way her peaks would harden as he gave them all the attention in the world always excited him.
"Christttt" Slender fingers fiddled with the buckle on his belt, pulling it from around his hips as she yanked on it. Always so desperate to have him... All he wanted to do right now, was rip the rest of clothing off and wrap those soft lovely legs around his waist. He needed to be inside her where he knew heaven waited for him. Nothing felt better in this world than being deeply imbedded in this intoxicating woman.
Hands ran through his dirty blonde locks as he tilted his head forward, forcing a drawn out moan from his scarred mouth. The wonderful scent and soft gasps from her pink lips were making him lose himself. Having those slender fingers grazing through his hair was amazing. She knew how much he enjoyed it.
Letting go of her breasts, Jack ran his hands along her delicate face, digging his harsh hands into those silky locks that he wanted to wrap around his large fist. Just to tug her head back and have that sweet mouth that said everything he ever wanted to hear.
"Jack..."
Pulling her head back, he leaned forward, needing to taste those deliciously soft plump lips. A hand pushed against his chest, stopping him abruptly.
"Hey, hey! I said no kissing man!" The noise from the woman in front of him made his body freeze. Opening his eyes, the redhead narrowed her blue eyes on him, think lips pushed forward into a pout.
The smell of cigarettes and cotton candy body spray assaulted his nose, making him grimace. No green eyes, no pink hair, no soft voice... This woman had blue eyes, dyed bright orange with tanned skin and a high pitched New York accent.
"Get the fuck off me." The woman's eyes widened in confusion as he pushed her back, shifting him jaw from one side to the other.
"W-What? What's your problem? You said it was fine!" The redhead was agitated, grabbing her top from off of the side walk and pulling it over her head. "If you're not going to fuck me, you'd better at least pay what you owe me and for wasting my damn time."
Jack narrowed his eyes at the woman who stood there, crossing her arms and huffing indignantly. Shaking his head to try clearing up his drunkenness and sober up a little more, he cursed under his breath as he reached into his pants pocket.
Pulling his hand out, he tossed a ten in her face. It smacked her straight in the forehead and fell onto the ground. Quickly she bent down to pick the bill up. Clicking his tongue, Jack quickly grabbed his coat by his feet, patting off the dirt that had gotten on it.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! There better be at least another hundred to go with this!" Stomping her heels on the ground, the woman fumed not finding this amusing at all.
"You said to pay what I owe you and for your time. That's what I did..." A chuckle left his lips as her face twisted in anger. This may have not gone as intended, but seeing how enraged she was becoming was a entertaining turn of events. After all...he was angry too.
"Son of a bitch! You piece of shit! Who do you think you're fucking with!" Grabbing the front of his collared shirt, she yanked him forward into the light of the street lamp. "You think I can go back to Marcus with fucking ten-"
The redhead's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. Letting go of him, a shaky hand reached towards her open mouth. The angry look vanished as horror spread across her features, blood draining from her face.
"HAHAHAWOHAHA!"
Jack howled with laughter as her blue eyes traced the terrible scars around his mouth. Seeing how pale she turned brought out the worst in him as the bloodlust started itching it was in his mind.
"M-Monster!" Without even looking at her cap, the woman took off as fast as a hooker in stilettos could go.
Before he could grab her, Jack's head spun, halting his pursuit. Stumbling back, he dropped against the brick wall, sliding down to the ground.
'I shouldn't have drank that much...'
"GODDAMMIT!" He couldn't even catch a half naked woman on stilts with how drunk he still was. It was infuriating... Why did he even do this in this first place?
Letting his head hang low, the only way he was going to sober up was to sit here and wait to come back down to Earth. It wasn't as bad after that little...mishap... He could see straight at least and the spinning was starting to slow down. Maybe he'd be able to get off this ride soon.
Seeing the redheads reaction to his scars flamed his hatred, but that was what he intended by letting her pull him into the light. If anything would clear his head up, it was the intense anger that those looks caused.
More than anything, he wanted to kill that woman... As soon as he was back to normal, she was at the tippy top of the list.
Jack sat there gritting his teeth, mulling over different ways to end that stupid woman. Even though he'd been wasted, it felt like a trick. The smell, the feel, the sounds... He could have sworn it was someone else. What the hell was wrong with him? Is this how low he'd fallen? To let a hooker trying to get his money do as she pleased?
If he hadn't been so enthralled in his fantasy, he would have cut that bitches fingers off as she felt over the wad of money from through his pocket. If she had tried reaching in to snag it, he would have broken each one.
"Everyone's the fucking same..." Money, money, money. It enraged him how obsessed the world was over it.
"You're no different."
Shaking his head, Jack looked around with wide dark eyes. Guilt clawed at his stomach hearing those words coming from her mouth. What had he done? Now she was never going to want to stay. He fucked up like he always did, but this was worse.
"...I can't believe you..." Running his hands through the dirty blonde waves hanging over his face, he didn't know what he was going to do now.
"I know, I know... I'm shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry..."
"Talking to yourself, you crazy asshole?" Looking up from where he was seated, two people were walking towards him from the opposite end from under the bridge.
Squinting his eyes, the bright orange hair stuck out first. A short stalky man with tan skin was walking next to the prostitute who had run away. Cocking his head to the side, he wasn't sure if they had come quickly or he'd been sitting there for a while.
"You think you can fuck with one of my girls? And steal from me? Huh?" The Hispanic man strode up fast, shoulders out making his body look wider than it really was.
"Hnnn..." Jack grinned looking at the short man. He wasn't intimidated, not in the least. What could he really do to him? Beat him up? Kill him? It didn't matter. There wasn't much that could hurt him anymore.
"Something funny bastard? You don't mess with my girls or my money!" The man ran up, kicking him in the mouth as hard as he could, making Jack's head smash into the brick wall. "Not so funny anymore is it?"
Standing over him, the pimp looked down, making a disgusted expression as he saw his face. "Jesus Christ..."
Not even feeling anything from being drunk still, a grin pulled at the corners of his mangled mouth, infuriating the pimp.
"Hahahaha!" A dribble of blood ran down his chin from the blow to the face. This was hilarious! It was exactly what he deserved right now.
"Something funny? What are you a fucking clown or something? Fucking freak!" Crouching over him, the man brought his fist down hard against his face.
"Get him, Marcus. That guys a nut! There's a bunch of money in his pocket, I felt it!" The redhead yelled as she walked closer, not feeling afraid anymore as her pimp pummeled the man on the ground.
Jack couldn't help but laugh... This was nothing, barely even felt it. The more he chuckled, the more irate the man got, punching him over and over again.
"What the hell is wrong with this guy?..." Marcus' eyes widened looking down at the bleeding man who was still grinning, starting to freak him out. "Okay, if you don't feel that...I know you'll feel this, you freak."
Reaching into his pocket, the Hispanic man pulled out a switchblade, the blade glistening in the light. "All ya had ta do was give her the money, fuckhead. Ya wanna disrespect ME? Steal from ME? Then sit there and laugh? How about I make that smile reach up to your eyes? Whoever did it fucked up!"
Jack's dark eyes widened seeing the blade coming towards his mouth...
Marcus yelled out in shock as he was flipped over, the blade getting ripped out of his hand and cutting it open. Blood ran down his wrist as he hit the ground, not knowing what just happened.
"Arghhh! The man scream as the blade dug into his abdomen, shock painted across his face. It happened so quickly, there wasn't time to register anything. Looking up at the person hovering over him, he trembled seeing the wide dark eyes staring down at him wildly. Liquid filled his mouth as the knife shredded across his stomach, ripping him open. His brown eyes shook as blood poured from his mouth. A scream wouldn't even come out from the pain as his throat filled up, blocking his alway.
"Oh my GOD!" The redhead screamed as she backed away, trying not to throw up. Her body trembled, legs almost giving way as she watched her pimp getting gutted on the sidewalk.
"AHhaHAhhhAAAhhhh!" Jack cackled as he brought his arm up and swung it down, slitting the man's face open. His bloodlust was bringing him ecstasy as the man's eyes stared up at him in horror. "Now was this worth it, little man? All over ten bucks?"
Taking a beating was one thing, but no one touches the scars around his mouth. No one...
Turning his head as he sat over the dying man, a smile spread across his face as the woman jumped seeing him looking at her. The only thing she had for protection was lying in a pool of his own blood.
Trembling like a leaf, she took a step backwards, crying out as Jack sat up quickly. Looking around for the chance that someone might be around, she took off down the street seeing that it was just them now.
The adrenaline was sobering him up real fast. This was the high he needed, not the alcohol. Seeing the terror on another's face...the desperation to live...the pure fear as their basic instincts went into overdrive. There weren't many things as exhilarating as chasing someone down when they turned into this, trying to claw their way out of what they brought onto themselves. How primal they became to survive at any costs...
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Seeing the woman desperately run as she screamed, he couldn't help laughing at the futility of it all. She didn't even realize she wasn't getting away. It was hilarious!
Pulling a pistol out front the back of his waistband, he closed one eye as he watched her run. If she would have kicked her heels off, she may have made it at least to the corner...
Bang.
"Ahhhh! The redhead fell as a bullet went through her calf, falling to the ground. Clutching the gushing wound, her blue eyes widened seeing him stalking towards her. Desperately, the woman tried getting up, only to fall back down from the pain. Trying to drag her body across the street to get away from the fate that awaited her, tears streamed down her face and onto the pavement below.
Jack was feeling much better now. A few punches to the face would sober anyone up...or knock them out. His lip was busted and blood ran from his nose,but that didn't bother him. If anything, it just increased the enjoyment he was getting from this act.
"P-Please! Don't!" The woman cried, trying to drag herself as far away from all of this as she could.
"At-ta-ta-ta!" Wrapping his large hand around her ankle, he pulled her across the pavement, making her scream out in fear and pain. It was music to his ears...
Crouching over the trembling woman, he cocked his head to the side looking down at her. "Was that suppose to be big bad Marcus? That was your big threat? Just looking at him, I didn't think he had any guts, but turns out he did!"
Covering her face with her shaking hands, she cried pitifully as Jack watched her pathetic display. This was why he enjoyed using knives so much. You could savor all the little emotions, see what people were really like in their last moments. Some fought to the death, others curled up in a ball and cried.
" .SHHHH pumpkin! I'm not going to gut you, calm down..." Grinning as she trembled trying to stifle her crying, Jack lowered the knife as she hesitantly brought her hands away from tear stricken face.
"Y-You're gonna let me g-go?" The hope in her voice made his dark eyes light up as her shaking was starting to slow down.
"No."
As soon as her hands were away from her eyes, he wrapped his hand around the back of her head, pulling her closer. Sticking the blade into her open mouth as she screamed, he carved the corner of her mouth, cutting through the facial muscles and to the bone. Dragging the knife up until it was below her eye sockets, he laughed and blood and saliva ran down the side of her face. Blue eyes looked up, going into shock, unable to even make a noise other than the gurgling in her throat. With a bored look, he switched sides, giving her a matching set.
After all, that what she was going to let Marcus do that to him... It was only fair, right?
Dark eyes stared down wildly at his artwork. This was the rush that pushed him to keep going.
"Sorry toots, you need to be careful talking to strangers... Didn't your mother ever tell you that?...Well, I guess it just an occupational hazard." Raising his arms up to his sides and shrugging, he let her head drop against the hard pavement she was lying on.
With a sigh, he stood up and wiped the blood on his face off with the sleeve of his shirt. All this over some fucking liquor...
Taking a few steps forward, Jack stopped in his track. Looking at the twitching woman on the ground, he decided it would be best to have a little mercy in him. After all, today was a special day.
Kneeling down next to the redhead, she slowly turned her head, barely able to move from the pain and fluids running out onto the street. Barely registering that he had come back, tears ran down her pale skin, silently pleading for it to stop.
"...Jack..."
"I know, I know!" Gripping the blade, he put it to her throat and quickly slashed it. If he left her in this state, the woman would just suffer even longer as she bled out. This way, it would end faster...
Blood poured down her neck, darkening the red tube top covering her chest. It was better this way. After all, he wasn't a monster... He knew the pain of having your face slashed open, though his tolerance was vastly different from the person dying next to him.
The twitching stalled as her chest stopped moving. Part of him felt relieved she finally died. If she hadn't brought that pimp back with her intending on beating or killing him and stealing the money in his pocket, they probably would have lived. He may have even forgot what she looked like after sleeping the alcohol off.
Shaking his head, Jack stood up and looked down at the dead woman, sticking his tongue out and running it along his scars. This could have been avoided if they had used their brains, but it was a welcome reprieve from what he had been dealing with.
"Fucking fake..."
Shoving his hand down into his pocket, he pulled out a hundred dollar bill and tossed it to the side. It twirled through the air as it landed in the pool of blood around her.
"Thanks for your time, pumpkin. Go buy yourself somethin' niceee."
Walking away from the body, dark eyes glanced over at the lump of a man under the bridge. There was no movement whatsoever. Marcus was already dead.
"Geez.." Reaching into his other pocket, Jack pulled out a phone with a bored expression.
"Boss?" A gruff voice answered on the other line.
"Rocco, get your ass out of the bar. I want you to take out some trash for me..."
Kicking the door to the motel room open, Jack trudged through despondently. His head was throbbing and the adrenaline from what happened under the bridge was long gone.
"Dammit! What the fuck did I do?!" Kicking his boots off as he slammed the door, he was enraged at himself. Guilt and self loathing scratched at his insides. It wasn't from killing those two... It was because he felt like he betrayed Sakura..just for something so stupid. The fact that it was the two year anniversary of her death made it all the more worse.
Plopping down onto the bed, he ran his hands through his hair. What did he do now? Part of him just felt lost, even with all the dealings and plans he had going on. It just wasn't enough distraction. Something needed to fill that empty void that was consuming him.
It shouldn't have been that big of a deal... People often remarry even a year after their spouse passed away. So why did he feel like this? If it had been him who died that night...on the job for instance...what would she have done? Would she stay alone for years dwelling over him?
"Yes..."
Jack jumped back hearing the voice coming from the corner of the room. Shifting on the mattress, his dark eyes widened as his body froze.
Sitting at the small table in one of the two chairs each motel room had, was the pinkette. Green eyes stared at him as she propped her chin against her arm on the surface.
His jaw dropped in disbelief. It was impossible... Maybe it wasn't. She did like to come and go as she pleased, but had never shown herself up to this point. His heart pounded against his chest as he watched her.
"S-Sakura... You came back. I thought you were angry at me..." Looking around wildly, he patted the empty space on the bed, wanting her to come closer. Part of him was worried if he got up, she might leave again. "Come here. Lay down with me... I missed you..."
Green eyes narrowed at him, a lot of disgust on her face. "You have to be kidding me..."
"W-What? What do you mean? Why not?" Was she still angry because he yelled at her?
"Are you serious? I can smell that woman from over here. You have her blood all over you... What the hell is wrong with you? You disgust me!" His blood ran cold hearing her angry words.
"Jack Napier, I'll never forgive you. All you do is hurt everyone around you. Killing and killing for fun! Wasn't it enough that you killed me? Haven't you had your fill yet?" Sakura pushed back the chair as she stood, yelling at him from across the room. "Everything is a goddamn joke to you... I don't know who you think you are anymore, but my Jack is gone. You ruined him! I'll NEVER forgive you!"
Jack's felt like someone stabbed him in the chest and kept tearing him open. Putting a trembling hand to his forehead, a cold sweat ran down his face.
"You don't mean that. You're just...angry with me right now. Right? You're not thinking straight. I AM Jack. Can't you tell? Come on, sweetheart. Just calm down. We can talk about this..." Sakura would never talk to him like this, he was sure of it. She was just angry because he did something wrong and he knew it. He never should have done it.
The pinkette's fists clenched as a grimace spread across her face. "Can't I tell? Is this some kind of joke? Are you a comedian now? Or a clown? I don't see Jack anywhere and it's all because you killed him! I won't forgive what you've done! I hate you! I hate you! I fucking hate you! You should just die already, you piece of shit!"
Jack stood up, trembling. She hated him...Sakura hated him...He should just die. It felt like his head was going to split, the blood draining from his face. This wasn't happening. It was his fault that she died after all...
Dark eyes stared at her wildly, unable to stand the hateful glare she was giving him. The words that came from her mouth were like venom from a vipers fangs. They were going to end him...
Biting his busted lip and making it bleed worse than it already was, his hands grabbed his head, digging his nails into his scalp. This was too much...he couldn't take anymore...not from her.
"Ahhh...no..no..." His eyes burned as tears ran down his face, feeling that limit he thought he had bursting at the seams.
"Look at you. You're pathetic... I can't stand this for another second...I'm glad I'm dead so I don't have to stand by and see this happening. I can't believe what you turned into." Sakura crossed her arms over her chest, sneering at him.
"Stop...stop..Stop it!" Raking his fingers across his face, he had to get out. Had to get away. If he didn't... The gun in his waistband would end up being the only way to end his torment.
Standing up on shaky legs, Jack didn't even know where he could go. It didn't matter if he ran, this wasn't going to stop. Switching locations didn't change anything. It was all right under the surface.
"Sakura! W-What do you want me to do, huh? What is it that you want from me?! Are you just trying to drive me insane? Or you want me to kill myself? WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?!" Jack was desperate and lost. All he wanted was to go back to when it was just the two of them planning on leaving The Narrows together...
A grin spread across the pinkette's lips, her expression softening as she watched the broken man crying in front of her.
"I want you to go and take a gooood look at yourself in the mirror. I want you to see yourself for what you truly are. Then I will forgive you..."
Dark eyes widened at the way she changed suddenly. The hateful look in her eyes diminished, the grimace disappeared... He felt a twinge of hope in his chest. Maybe this wasn't the end of it all.
Quickly standing, he stumbled as he rushed to the bathroom, kicking the door open. Sakura wouldn't steer him wrong... She was the only one who cared about him. He could trust her. There was still a chance to save the both of them.
Ignoring the smell coming from the two bodies laying in the tub of the couple who's room this had belonged to, Jack rushed to the sink. Gripping the edges of the counter, he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
Looking up towards the reflective surface, he froze. Eyes stared at the image wildly in disbelief.
Staring back at him was a man with a white painted face, dark circles around his eyes making them appear pitch black, red smeared from one side of his scar to the other and wild messy green hair.
Jack's jaw dropped as he felt his face, the mischievous grin on the man's mangled mouth not matching anything close to his own.
"W-What?"
Watching the the man in the mirror, he could see Sakura walking up behind him. A knowing smirk spread across her pink lips.
"Told you, didn't I?" Transfixed by the image, he couldn't look away as she walked up behind him. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she rested her head against his arm, staring into the mirror with a sigh.
"Now we can be together..."
It was this moment that he realized he'd lost his sanity completely.
A/2N: I know this chapter was kinda fucked up...but I wrote it to show how Jack really loses his shit and turns to the Joker in order to survive. It suppose to show his mental stability cracking beyond repair to the point of hearing voices and seeing things that aren't there. The Joker became necessary to balance out the uneven weight that was causing him to fall off the deep end. With the two of them carrying the burden, they can bring balance to themselves.
This chapter is meant to take place 5 years before the current story. In case you didn't see it in the top note...
