"The hell was that, Roc?"
The blonde haired woman leaned forward, bare chest resting against the large back in front of her. As soon as the words left her lips, she could feel the muscles her hands had been deftly working through tense up, making her efforts to help them relax feel futile. None of these guys knew how to just let go-not entirely.
"Ah...just a little present the Boss had us drop off. Nothin' to worry your pretty little head about." It was always the same around here. No one really wanted to talk about what was going on, at least not together.
"I hope that wasn't too close to my place..." The last thing she needed was the shoddy apartment building her and the other girls lived in to be completely blown to smithereens by a demented clown. Their own boss would have a conniption.
"Nah, it was far enough away. Boss knows what he's doin'... Don't stop, Ter. My shoulders are still achin'." A small smile spread along the blonde's thin lips as she started kneading the broad shoulders again. There wasn't a need to worry, everything was going to be fine.
Rocco wouldn't lie to her about something like that. If he knew that the place might have been in the line of fire, he would at least try to give her some kind of warning. Unlike their boss, this man still had some semblance of humanity left in him.
"Ahh... That's the spot. Gotcha some magic hands there..." Seeing the way his head lulled back and forth as he groaned out in appreciation brought the woman more satisfaction than any act she could have done with her clients.
Not that there were many anymore... Not these days.
Night after night, Terri had spent more time out on the dark streets of The Narrows than any person would dare to in this area. There wasn't much of a choice in the matter. No other options, no way to get out of this on her own..
It seemed like another life time ago when her father had traded her to Carlos to pay off his debts to the mob. All over some money owed from gambling and bundles of heroin that he just happened to forget to sell...
"Here." The brunette passed her a small tray without turning his head. Yes, things were much better these days. If it could stay this way...maybe it really could be over.
Taking the metal tray without a word, Terri looked down at the messy lines of powder next to the razor blade. A straw rolled over to the corner, taking some of the coke with it. This was just another perk of being in this field...if you could call it that.
It wasn't unusual for people who sold their bodies to indulge in drugs. Not at all... If anything, it was out of necessity...the only way they could do what needed to be done. Right off the bat, most of the girls and boys who ended up in this position were given something to get them hooked and make the job easier for both parties involved. The boss would have his workers do whatever they could to get the drugs and money they wanted in order to keep the withdrawal away and the hooker was able to get through the night by trying to escape reality.
Heroin, coke, amphetamines, meth, crack, whatever. It didn't really matter.
Getting into a car with a complete stranger and having to do whatever they wanted was difficult for a fourteen year old... If the drugs hadn't made things seem unreal-easier even-she probably would have gotten beaten far worse than she already did.
At first, Terri hated herself. Despised a world where kids were taken away and forced into a life where they were less than dirt and used only as means to an end. Just a body to be screwed and hit, only living for someone to get off on. It was disgusting. The drugs were the only thing that stopped her from trying to put a stop to the misery that never seemed to end. The high made the pain fade, replaced it with something else.
It took a while, but she realized something. Even if her body could be used and broken, it still had power in it. When she played her cards right, said and did the things men wanted to hear, they were handing over a bit of their power to her. They came because she had what they desired, what they were hungry for. There was something that was missing in their lives and she could provide it for them.
When you stop thinking of sex as something shameful or disgusting, it can become entirely different. The act wasn't anything bad, only the intentions behind it could be. It was a way to take control of another person, even a situation if needed.
There was a certain amount of artistry and patience one needed to put forth to really gain the upper hand from the bottom. After years of doing this, a smart woman would realize that she had power, even while lying beneath someone else. You didn't have to be on top or be physically stronger than a man to make him bend to your will, not if you used the tools God gave you properly.
"Heh.." Taking the straw between her dainty fingers, the blonde leaned down to snort a line from the tray. The burn from the coke going up her nose used to be an annoyance, making her face feel like it was on fire the more she did. Now it brought a rush that made her heart skip a beat and it wasn't always from the after effects of the substance. The pain was enjoyable, almost as much as sex. It made the pale skin over her bare form prickle with goosebumps as a warmth spread through her body.
"Ahhh..." Licking her lips, she wrapped her arms around the brunette cleaning his gun, passing the tray in front of him to take.
Rocco was a decent enough man considering where they were, something very unusual in this line of work. Being rough around the edges was an understatement, for sure...but he at least had a code. Drew the line somewhere unlike a lot of the other men she encountered.
Maybe that's why she liked him, let him keep her around. It was always about the sex and drugs, but they had somewhat of an understanding. Terri gave him attention and took care of him in ways he couldn't do himself, and he gave her money and protection.
Before, it was just standing on corners or along the streets, waiting for cars to pull up and see what they could get. Carlos or some of his men always hung by, making sure no one was wasting time or idling around...or God forbid...try to run.
It was always a pain spending hours throughout the night, not knowing who or what was coming out of the woodworks. Sometimes it was someone's husband from the suburbs who wanted some excitement in an otherwise boring life, other times a drunk who robbed some sucker and wanted to get his rocks off. No one ever knew what they were getting themselves into or if they were even coming back. Once the car pulled off...the workers were on their own. No Carlos or his men to make sure they made it back in one piece.
The last few years, things began to change. Carlos brought in more money, had more men, recruited a larger amount of hookers...gained a different class of clientele. All thanks to the beauty and charisma of the women working for him.
Instead of drunks and blue-collars picking them up from the curb, the scene shifted. Groups of women were being brought to clubs, to large mansions, even businesses. Private shows, warehouses, aboard yachts... More money and drugs were being handed out like candy. The worse Gotham became, the better for people in the underground.
It was great. Mob bosses were calling them in at handfuls at a time, sleazy politicians and cops wanted to rendezvous in private, the rich would toss large amounts of money at them to do the things they were already doing for very little. The more, the better. It wasn't like the girls saw the cash...not really. It all went to their substance abuse, clothing, and jewelry. Whatever it took to make them look as appealing as possible for their clients.
If they were given money, it would give them a foolish illusion of having some semblance of independence...that could lead to a moronic escape attempt that would end with a bullet in the skull. If they were lucky... Carlos was more than willing to show them what happens to those who try to mess with his business, even if he claimed to pain him to lose a profit in the process. Each body was a form of endless pleasure and income. To him, it was a waste to kill them anymore, not with the way business was booming, but he couldn't have anyone influencing the others into trying to split.
"The Boss is something else, huh?" The deep voice mused, sighing as he ran a hand through his dark hair. Terri hadn't missed the bruise forming along the side of his face. It was a shocking sight, but she knew not to ask.
Rocco had been working for the Joker for so long, but rarely did she ever see bruises or wounds on him that weren't caused from a job or some other work related incident. The large fingerprints were clear as day, obviously from the Boss's gloved hand in a fit of anger. If it had been anyone else, it wouldn't have been surprising. Not in the least... But Rocco of all people? No one followed orders or did what the clown wanted to the extent he showed. Hell, he was practically a legend among the men for even lasting this long...
"You can say that again..."
"Well... It's not like I didn't deserve it. Should have kept my damn mouth shut instead of talking behind his back. I knew better... Don't know what I was thinkin'. Guess I should be lucky I'm not dead to be honest..." Terri was surprised that he was even talking about it. That almost never happened, even if they were alone somewhere. Everyone knew that the Boss was able to see and hear everything. No one knew how or why, but it seemed to be a fact and most of the men weren't willing to test it out to see if it was true. The ones who did never lived to regret it.
"Well, I'm just glad you're still here. Just be careful like you always are..."
"Yeah... I guess I just got a little too comfy for my own good. The Boss has been good to me, makes sure we're all taken care of in his own way." The urge to laugh was just barely suppressed.
No one in their right mind would say that about The Joker, not even half of the men in this room. Unlike Rocco, they never knew when it would be their heads on the chopping block or when his insanity would be aimed at one of them. The man was as unstable as he was violent.
"I'm good to you too, aren't I? I can take care of you in my own way, hmm?" Pushing up off of the crate, the blonde hopped down onto the floor to stand in front of Rocco. Seeing the look on her face, the brunette put the gun down onto the table next to them, finding her far more entertaining than the weapon. It could wait, wasn't like it was going anywhere.
"You know it, sugar tits." He knew she hated that nickname, but it never stopped him from saying it just to rile her up.
Reaching up, Terri gently caressed the discolored prints on the side of his face, not even eliciting a flinch or groan at the touch. Always such a hard ass...
Yeah, the Boss really was something else. The first night a group of her and the other women were brought in to "entertain" them, was unforgettable...no matter how hard she tried.
"Look, just do whatever he says okay? No matter what it is." The tall dark haired man with a Misfits tattoo on his neck led her and another woman down a dark hallway, instructing them the entire time.
Literally... Like, from the first floor all the way up to the third. What was the big deal? Sex is sex, whether it was rough, soft, or went into the kink area. It is what it is. They knew how to take and give direction depending on who the client was. Within the first few minutes, she always knew what kind of man or woman she was dealing with and how to act accordingly. This was her job and as a self-proclaimed professional, there wasn't much of anything that would be surprising at this point...
"Yeah, yeah... I get it. Do what I'm told. Gotcha, buddy..."
"That's the thing, I don't think you do. Not really." Running a hand through his hair, the man seemed nervous. It wasn't like he was the one about to be fucked, so what was the big deal?
"Tch. We can handle it. You guys had us come over for some fun, right? Well, that's what we'll do. Make your Boss have some fun, just like you guys wanted. That's our job. Right, Ter?" The woman next to her adjusted the top of her dress, making sure it showed more than enough copper skin of her cleavage than the outfit originally did.
"If ya say so..." The fact that this man seemed so incredibly on edge was starting to worry Terri. Brenda didn't seem to show the same concern, dark eyes looking forward as they made their way down the hall.
Something just didn't feel right. One thing that had always saved the blonde throughout the years, aside from quick wit, was following her guts. If anything, her instincts were usually on point and right now...as they walked closer to the door at the end of the hallway...they were screaming for her to run.
'It's too late now... This gig will bring in a lot of money. Carlos will kill me if I back out now... Goddammit.'
The man stopped just short of the door, turning to look at the two of them with a stern look and...something akin to pity. It made something churn in her stomach. This guy knew the Boss, Brenda and herself had never met him. Only heard wild stories here and there, but nothing that seemed to make sense. If he was acting like this, what was waiting for them on the other side?
"Okay... Just go in and do as he says. Don't do anything- and I mean anything-that might piss him off. Make sure you watch his reactions carefully. If he starts laughing, stop whatever you're doing unless he tells you otherwise. Got it?" His voice was barely above a whisper, confusing both women. Did he not want to be heard? Wasn't it the Boss who wanted them here?
Brenda clicked her tongue, putting a hand on her hip in annoyance. Unlike her partner, she was far more impatient and demanding. Some men like a dominate woman who knew what she wanted. Others...not so much. It was touch and go with the clientele.
"One more thing." The man's voice sounded more urgent, making Terri's brows furrow. More directions? How complicated could their Boss be?
"Whatever you do...don't stare at his mouth."
"Heheh..." The dark haired woman chuckled, fiddling with a curly lock hanging over her shoulder. "Are you serious?"
"I'm not fucking around. Now get going, I'm outta here..." The brunette gave them one last look, before turning around and leaving the two to whatever was in the room behind them.
"Weirdo. This is a little much, don't you think... Ter?" Green eyes glanced over to the woman next to her, nodding slowly. This just didn't feel right. Not at all. It didn't matter though, a job is a job and it wasn't like they could leave now.
Taking in a deep breath, the blonde quickly adjusted her dress and long straight hair, hoping that, if anything...the Boss would at least appreciate the time and effort they put into looking good for him.
Carlos made a very strong point about making sure it was understood that this job was important-that they couldn't mess it up. That if they came back without all the money or if the customer wasn't satisfied with their performance, there would be punishment.
'Hell hath no fury like a Carlos scorned.'
"C'mon, let's get this over with." Without hesitating, Brenda grabbed the doorknob and walked in before Terri could say anything. Couldn't she at least knock? Especially after all of the things the man who brought them up just said... Well, the Boss should be expecting them anyway, so it might be okay.
Stepping through the doorway cautiously, Terri stood behind the brunette as they walked into the room. It was dim, but brighter than the hallway at least. Despite the fact that they were in an old apartment building, the upkeep was far better than one would expect, especially if anyone went by the rumors people told about this group.
It seemed almost like one of those fancy hotel rooms they had in the center of the city, just a little...different. There was a large bed against the wall, facing the door. Whoever the Boss was, they clearly didn't like the idea of sleeping with their back exposed, so no one could sneak up on them.
'Understandable...'
It looked to be made of fine wood, more than likely Mahogany from the looks of it. Thick and heavy...probably a bitch to bring all the way up to the third floor. Sheer black curtains hung down part way, showing off a toxic green set of covers and deep purple pillows. The mix of colors was hard on the eyes.
'At least the canopy is nice...'
A dark red nightstand was right beside the visually offensive bed, a gun and switchblade resting on the surface. Beside that was a large bottle of whiskey that seemed to be only missing a few sips, no glass anywhere in sight. Either they weren't much of a drinker or were just getting started.
There was a rectangular glass table that sat low in the center of the room, the legs made from the same material as the bed frame. On the clear surface was a large blade on top of some papers that were wrinkled at the end, more than likely from someone carelessly gripping them.
A couple black chairs sat around it, positioned in a way that seemed like the other seat had been used to prop feet on instead of having company, if the marks on the cushions were anything to go by. On top of one of the cushioned chairs was a large purple coat hanging over the back of it, long enough that it reached the floor with no problem. Whoever it belonged to was tall...and had eccentric tastes.
'This is really...odd. I know about this.'
The coordinator in her inwardly cringed at the various clashing colors around the room as her green eyes took in the surroundings. Whoever this person was had to be either colorblind or had very...strange tastes... Expensive, but strange nonetheless.
There wasn't a single window as far as either women could see, but then again...this was only a part of the room up here. There was an open door with a dark hall that led to God-knows-where against the wall furthest from them.
"Hello?" Brenda called out loudly, making the blonde jump in her heels. Part of her hoped that no one answered, that they could just go down stairs and apologize before leaving. Just tell Carlos that the client hadn't been there. Nothing he hates more than problematic customers was time being wasted.
Terri knew they weren't that lucky... From the way "Misfit" downstairs talked, he already knew the Boss was here.
Foot steps came from the dark hall, making both women freeze as they came closer. So, there was someone here after all. From as quiet as it was, it didn't sound like there was a soul here aside from the two women standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.
Without turning on a light or anything, a man walked out from the shadows of the hall, stopping abruptly as soon as he came out into the dim light.
'Oh...my...God...'
The blonde felt the breath rush from her lungs as the sight across the room.
The man was tall...at least six feet, maybe an inch or two more... Wavy faded green hair ran down his neck, just barely grazing the collar of his light purple dress shirt with hexagon patterns all over it. The sleeves were rolled up along his forearms, the muscles tense against his skin. A green waistcoat, brown and white tye, and purple pinstripe pants finished the odd ensemble, making Terri's eyes hurt just looking at it. Nothing matched, not even a little...
That wasn't what threw her through a loop.
His face...
Caked in a strange array of colors... White greasepaint covering his skin, large dark circles around his eyes that created a webbing that spread out from the sockets along the creases in the corners...bright red smeared along his lips and...along terrible looking scars that curled into a demented smile.
'I-I can't believe... What am I seeing?'
Terri had met all kinds of men throughout the years. Drunks, doctors, police officers, drug dealers, homeless, rich, fathers, criminals, husbands. You name it, she's seen it. Always knew how to read people and figure out what they wanted, usually before they realized it themselves. Helped people discover their own desires, draw out inner kinks they never imagined they had, gave them company and had plenty of fun along the way...
What the hell was she suppose to do with this?
The man's shoulders were raised up, the way a wild dog would look noticing someone trespassing into their territory, getting ready to lunge at any sudden movement.
There was a tension in the air making it feel like someone's hand was wrapping around her throat, preparing to strangle the life from her at any moment. A breath was lodged in her chest, unable to let itself out as fear took ahold of the typically outgoing woman.
The...clown?...cocked his head to the side slowly, making him look freakier than his appearance already did.
"Whatever you do...don't stare at his mouth."
How was that even possible? The red paint made them stick out far more than if it hadn't been applied in the first place. It had to be a trick. This man wanted you to look at them, to give him a reason to act out. How screwed up.
Slowly turning towards Brenda, but not trying to take her eyes off of the man staring at them, a horrified look spread across her face at what she saw. The brunette's mouth was open wide, jaw hanging low as she took in the large strange man across the room, not even trying to stifle her surprise.
Looking back towards the clown, a chill ran up her spine seeing the way his dark eyes narrowed in on them. His tongue poked out, running along his scarred bottom lip.
What were they supposed to do now? His appearance...the mood...the knives around the room. Were the two of them really suppose to have sex with this guy? Or was this some kind of messed up trick to lure in victims? No one would give a shit if two hookers went missing in this city. Wouldn't even blink an eye or look for them.
"Uh... Hi." Throwing a side glance at the brunette next to her, Terri's green eyes widened at balls this chick had. There wasn't much that scared her, but she wasn't about to start this off. No way...
'Well... You know what they say about the crazy. The worse off they are, the better the sex. I wonder if that's true...'
Despite the greasepaint, scars, and obvious flare for theatrics, there was something else behind all that. If you looked carefully, his face was actually quite handsome. It was surprisingly so... The makeup made it hard to tell, but Terri had good eyes when it came to men. Tall, wide shoulders, and a good face that's seen better days.
'Don't look at the scars... Don't. You're here to do a job.'
Both women flinched as he quickly stalked over towards them, worn dress shoes tapping across the floor. Something in the back of her head warned her to stay still, that this man would only get excited if they fled. He just seemed the type, the kind of predator that enjoyed chasing its prey. The only thing they could both do was pray to God that this wasn't the intent for tonight.
Were they here to become someone's prey? Victim?
With a smack of his lips, he leaned forward as he paced in front of them, dipping down to their eye level. The blonde tried her best to keep a straight face and not tremble. The air around this man was suffocating and the feeling that this was dangerous gnawing at her insides.
The smell of gunpowder and gasoline was overbearing, covering up any scent of his own or cologne he might have been wearing. Taking a chance, she glanced over at him as he stopped in front of Brenda, cocking his head to the side with a gloved hand on his chin, looking her up and down...the way someone would when inspecting merchandise.
A lump formed in her throat watching the erratic movements the man made... The way his facial muscles twitched, especially around his eye. How the corner of his mouth jerked up randomly along with the smeared paint along the scar that curled up higher on the one side. Despite his handsome features, there was something definitely wrong with this picture...and it wasn't the blatant disregard for matching colors.
This person...had to be incredibly dangerous. To make such a wave in the underground and have murderers and criminals follow his commands, out of fear or loyalty...it didn't matter. Even with his odd appearance, people listened to and took him seriously. No wonder Carlos had been fretting so much when he was making them get ready for tonight. This man...must be powerful.
'If I play my cards right...maybe I could...even get away from Carlos. Get away from this life. This man is scary, no one would dare go up against him.'
Some of the guys downstairs were physically larger, a few even known around The Narrows for their violence. If this man was able to make them recruit and have them work for him... There probably wasn't anything he couldn't do. He's also rich from what Carlos said.
'If tonight goes well and we have a good time...maybe he would be willing to help me. Get me out of this shitty job. I can't do this the rest of my life. As soon as I start looking older or catch something, they'll just get rid of me...'
A large hand grabbed the back of Brenda's head, pulling it back harshly as the clown loomed over her, taking in her appearance. Just like most of Carlos' top women, she was beautiful. Long curly hair, eyes as dark as her tresses, and a curvy figure. The "Latin Beauty" among the girls in the complex where they all had to live in.
"Tch." The man let go of her as he clicked his tongue, making the woman fall back a few steps. Catching herself before she tripped over the long heels of her stilettos, Brenda looked at him wide-eyed at the blatant disregard and manhandling. It seemed he wasn't impressed with her for some ungodly reason...
'What the...?' It didn't make sense. Someone like the "Latin Beauty" was like a gem in a pile of trash in The Narrows. Men came flocking to have a night with her, even bidding against each other...she was one of, if not, the top seller of Carlos' doll collection.
Terri froze up as he stalked towards her, a grimace plastered on his painted face. Swallowing hard, the urge to tremble was almost too overwhelming as he stopped in front of her. He leaned in close...too close for comfort, moving his head to the side. Without looking directly at his face, she could see the blurred red corners of his mouth twist upward, an unnerving smile stretching his lips up to match the permanent one.
'...H-He's enjoying how uncomfortable we are... What a frickin' weirdo. At least he's good looking...and rich. That's going to have to be enough to get me through this.'
Of all the men she's entertained, with or without help, this was already hands down, the most odd encounter to date. There have been guys who wanted orgies, had daddy kinks, requested strange outfits or toys, but all those times she had been in her element. Felt comfortable for the most part, high or not. Fear hadn't really been an issue since the days spent on the streets, getting into cars with strangers.
This...this was by far more frightening than any of those moments. When they were escorted to parties or private events, it was understood what was expected of them. It was a mutual thing. They wanted the workers bodies and the workers wanted their money. Everyone was there to have fun... To get drunk, high, have sex, let loose...just have a good time.
This guy? Who knew what he wanted...but apparently it wasn't the "Latin Beauty". What man in his right mind would have two gorgeous women in his room who were here to let him fuck them stupid and acted so stoically? Showing them complete disregard and looking at them like he was checking out a pair of shoes, not sure if he wanted to buy them or not. If they were even worth his time... It was insulting in a way. The fact that Brenda wasn't going off after he tossed her away was even more shocking than his choice in decor.
Terri could feel his gaze as his eyes flickered back and forth, roving around as he inspected her. Without meeting them with her own, it felt like they were burning a hole through her as they trailed along her body. For the first time in years, the blonde had the urge to cross her arms, to cover up and shield herself.
Gathering up every last nerve she possessed, she slowly turned her head to look up at the clown hovering over her. Despite being so much taller, he was hunched over making himself eye level with her. Barely an inch from her face, she almost jumped out of her skin realizing just how close he really was. Almost nose to nose, his hot breaths washed over the pale skin he almost touching.
Green eyes widened as she got a better look at the man. Inside of the dark paint, his eyes were a deep brown, almost pitch black in appearance. They were wild, just barely caging in something terrible as the left one twitched, completely unhinged. Instead of looking into her own, the dark orbs were still glancing over her features as if he was deciding if the goods were up to his standards.
'If Brenda wasn't good enough, I have no chance in hell...'
"Hhmm...?"
A gloved hand slipped into her hair, grasping the back of her skull by the roots before she even had a chance to squeak out a single noise. Fingers curled into her blonde locks, yanking her head back painfully as she cried out. Looming over her, his features twisted with a malicious grin, seemingly delighted with the noise he brought out of her.
"Look at me." The command in the deep timbre of a voice sent shivers down her spine.
For some insane reason...it more of a turn on than it should have been.
Tall, dark, handsome, and dangerous... What a combination.
This was a first... Never did she think fear and arousal could mix together like this.
Not wanting to anger their client, she slowly shifted her gaze at him, looking straight in the the gnarly black paint. Those dark eyes promised something horrible, but were mesmerizing. Endless pools of darkness that seemed to tunnel into some dark pit in hell, somewhere you could never reach the bottom of or return from.
The greasepaint was striking, such a clash of vibrant colors... They definitely brought out the reaction this man clearly desired with its design.
Gloved fingers grabbed her chin roughly, making the blonde look up along with the tight grip on the back of her head. Breathing hard, she tried to calm the pounding in her chest to brave the storm.
The way his eyes stared wildly at her own was exciting, even if terrifying. They were completely focused on hers, not even bothering to look at the rest of her face anymore. The pupils in the center grew, becoming dilated as the left side twitched. Suddenly, the corner of his mouth quirked up, making the twisted scar jump with the erratic movement.
'What...is he doing? I guess...he likes my eyes?' The smell of gasoline was noxious, overwhelming the senses and making her feel lightheaded. Almost like sniffing straight out of the pump at a station. Too much...
"Ha..Hah..HAHAHA!" The sudden laughter made both woman jump, startling them.
"If he starts laughing, stop whatever you're doing unless he tell you otherwise. Got it?"
'Oh no... What do I do?!'
The hands digging into her shook with the raucous noise, making her cringe at the piercing sound as her head flopped back and forth with the movements. It was like it went straight to the brain, stabbing in through the ears. Manic and loud...neither ever heard something like that come from a person's mouth. Even if she wanted to, there was no pulling back. Not with a grip like that.
Just as he did with Brenda, he shoved her back none too gently. If she hadn't been so used to walking in these kinds of heels, the woman could have ended up with a sprained or broken ankle after falling over.
He was still laughing, even harder than when it started.
'What the fuck is with this guy?!'
"Heh. You have nice eyes. I, ah, might just keep 'em." Terri froze at the words coming from his mangled mouth, jaw dropping. The sparkle in his dark eyes was more than enough to tell her that he wasn't joking.
'He...He's not serious, right? This must be some kind of a sick joke.'
"Hold up. This is getting a little freakier than I expected and trust me, I'm all for freaky. Didn't you want us to come for some...uh...fun?" Brenda held out her hands, face screwed up in annoyance and curiosity. It wasn't everyday that someone just disregarded her like trash they had no interested in.
The clown narrowed in on the brunette, his smile fading into a twitchy frown. Raising his head up and taking a few measured steps back, he glanced at the two of them through half-lidded eyes, red lips shifting and curling up.
Terri craned her neck back as he started muttering to himself, low enough neither could hear what was being said. This man had to be insane, there was no doubt about it now.
"Well?" It was unbelievable how big of a set this woman had, almost as large as her chest. Either she was incredibly brave or just plain stupid. There was always a debate through the the complex about which one it was, most leaning towards the latter.
A growl tore through his throat, making the both of them freeze.
"Sit the fuck down and keep your mouths shut. Don't touch anything or bother me. Got it?" His voice was deep and commanding, leaving no room for questions. It was frightening, no wonder the men downstairs seemed so skittish when it came to this guy.
"You...just want us to sit here? What are we suppose to do? Didn't you ask our boss for us? I don't understand..." Why did Brenda have to talk so much?
The man lunged forward, grabbing the brunette's face with one large hand, squeezing her cheeks together. "I said, sit down and keep your mouths shut. Didn't I? Or do you have a problem hearing?" There was a knife against her neck, neither knowing where it came from or when it had been pulled out.
Close enough to smear a bit of white pain on her nose, his eyes were wide, talking to her like she was a foolish child who just wouldn't listen. The fingers digging into her tan skin moved, shaking her head back and forth with every word he spoke.
'I hope she doesn't do something stupid, like trying to kick him in the balls...'
"I don't have any need for useless women. Just sit there until I tell you to leave. Rocco will give you your filthy money on the way out." Letting go with a pop of his lips, Brenda grabbed at her cheeks, gingerly touching them where his hand had been holding her. A white line formed along the column of her neck where the blade threatened to slice her throat open. This was getting dangerous... There was no room to do anything stupid if they wanted to leave in one piece.
"W-We understand." Finally finding the courage to talk, Terri had to take control of the situation from their end. If Brenda had it her way, they would both end up dead, either from the clown or Carlos.
"Gooood." Clicking his tongue, the man turned away from them, stalking back towards the hell-hole he crawled out of and thankfully taking his knife with him. As soon as the imposing figure was out of sight, there was a collective sight of relief between both women.
Grasping her chest, the blonde gasped for a breath she hadn't realized was being held in as they were being left to their own devices. Relief flooded the senses that had been overwhelmed by the scent and image of the clown. What a terrifying man...
'There goes any chance of rubbing elbows with that guy. He doesn't seem like the kind who would be...understanding or sympathetic...to my situation.'
"Hah. Who would have thought it, Ter? Not only do we NOT have to screw anyone, but we're getting paid not to. Hahaha! Unbelievable!" The brunette fluffed up the curls around her pretty face, putting on a great act of shaking off what just happened. Such a professional.
"Yeah... That was a bit, umm.. intense." That was a gross understatement. If they told anyone what happened, it probably would seem like nothing. The man walked in, grabbed them a little, told them to sit down and leave him alone, then said they'll get paid when he says it's okay to leave. No big deal, right? It sounds foolish to be so terrified when it's said like that. It's exactly how Carlos would see it, knife or not.
However, there was no possible way either of them could convey what actually happened. The way he looked, the atmosphere, how tense it was. How strange his eyes were or the feeling of malicious intent coming from him in erratic waves...
"You could say that again. What a freak..." Letting out a loud 'tch', Brenda's heel clicked loudly across the floor as took a seat by the table, flopping down in a way she'd never do in front of a client. Crossing those long bare legs, she settled into the soft chair, bouncing her foot in agitation.
Not knowing what else to do, Terri followed suit, sitting down gingerly on the other one in front of the glass table. How long were they expected to sit here? If their phones hadn't been confiscated, there would at least be something to do other than stare at the oddly arranged room or at each other.
"This turned out very different than I imagined..." Curling a lock around her slim finger, the blonde stuck out her bottom lip, relief and disappointment swirling inside. Yes, they were getting off easy and no one had actually been hurt, but they thought this was going to be fun. That they were suppose to help the Boss relax and roll around in the sheets.
If she had at least been able to seduce the man or wrap him around her fingers, it would have been perfect. He was handsome and powerful, rich and completely unstable. What a shame...
'Doesn't seem like the type. This person's not normal, at all. What kind of man has two beauties in front of him and doesn't fuck them, when that's what we're here for? Maybe he's... Doubt it. Probably just crazy..'
Green eyes glanced over towards the woman in the other chair, popping out when she realized what the brunette was doing.
"Brenda!" Hissing low enough and hoping no one else could hear, a hand lunged forward, trying the slap the brunette's arm.
The "Latin Beauty" was slipping her thin hand into the pockets of the purple coat hanging over the back of the chair, digging around.
"What the fuck are you doin?!" Looking around quickly, she prayed to whatever God that may be listening by chance that the crazed clown didn't return fast enough to see this...or hear them. "Knock it off. We're getting paid anyway, so stop before you get us into trouble!"
"Shut up... I just want to see if I can find anything interesting...I'm just curious." Pocket by pocket, she rifled through each indiscriminately, going from the front and maneuvering to the hidden ones on the inside. "Man, this thing must be expensive. Nice material for a weirdo."
"You know what they say about curiosity, right? It killed the damn cat!" This woman was going to get both of them murdered. Whether it would be by the clown or Carlos was the question.
"Ah!" Pulling out her hand, she stuck a bleeding finger between her lips with a pained look on her pretty face. "Who the hell keeps open blades in their pockets like that?"
"Apparently killer clowns... Would you stop it already? I'm not getting screwed because you want to be nosy."
Narrowing her brown eyes towards the blonde, Brenda turned back towards the coat, dipping her hand into another pocket in the lining without a care. Fishing around, her brows rose up as she pulled something out.
"What's this?" A small black box was in the palm of her hand, bringing it up to her face and inspecting it carefully.
"... I wouldn't touch that if I were you. For all we know, it's a bomb or shoots out darts." Despite the warning, Terri couldn't help wondering what it was also. This man seemed so strange, it really could be anything.
"It looks like a jewelry box..." Hesitantly opening the lid, both women shifted to the edge of their seats, trying to get a better look in the dim light at the contents of the small box.
"Holy shit..." It was a ring...a very expensive looking one. Far more than either of them could ever afford... A gold band adorned with small gems encircling and showcasing the main attraction. A beautiful sparkling diamond in the center. It was breathtaking. Even in the dim room, the stones shone brightly, completely entrancing the two women staring at it.
'How mesmerizing...'
Terri had been around plenty of jewelry, more than enough gold and stones to make anyone stir crazy. The rich they entertained would always have the finest for themselves or buy it for the ones who...entertained...them enough. By this point, she could tell the difference between real and fake, cheap or expensive. Knew a special piece when it presented itself... Carlos made sure they could sift through it. That way if they were given anything, the workers wouldn't bring him unnecessary junk when they returned.
Brenda bit into her bottom lip, turning her head back and forth, looking to see if the manic clown was nearby. Glancing up at the corners of the room and peering around from the seat, it was clear she was checking for security cameras. Satisfied that it didn't seem anything was watching them, the brunette took the ring out of the box.
Gingerly, she carefully slid the prize into a hand-sewn pocket she had made on the inside of her dress, close to the hem. It was by her middle of her thigh, knowing that most men would be staring at the top half of her body. Since it didn't seem there was going to be any physical action going on here, there wouldn't be any reason to take the dress off or have someone feeling around it.
This wasn't the first time this woman has done something like this... It usually happened right after they were all done, when the clients were distracted or cleaning themselves up. Sometimes it was money that might have been left out, maybe a small bag of drugs that had been forgotten, occasionally a watch or gem no one was paying attention to.
If someone did take notice of the missing items, it was usually long after they were gone and the blame was easier to push on someone else the more people that were around. At a party or orgy, anyone could have taken it and it made it harder to know for sure unless there were cameras or witnesses. She always checked beforehand and knew the blonde wouldn't say a word, both acting like they had no idea what anyone was talking about.
"Put that back!" Terri hissed out angrily. This wasn't the time or place to pull some stupid shit like this. Not here. Not with that insane clown roaming around somewhere. He was scary enough without one of them stealing something from him.
"Would you just shut up already...and keep it down." Taking the little black box, she slid it back into the pocket in the lining of the coat, where she found it initially. Was this woman insane? They were being paid a crap load of money without having to do anything for it... The man didn't have to do that, not at all. He could have easily made them degrade and humiliate themselves for his pleasure. Just from the way he smiled when he pulled their hair, it was clear he was someone who thrived off of other's suffering.
'God...the things he probably would have had to get us to do just to get off... I don't think a regular threesome would do the job for him the way it does for other guys... We're lucky we didn't get tied up and choked, maybe even cut, seeing how strange he is...'
"That guy is far too into himself. Treating us like we're nothing... I doubt he'd notice anything anyway. Seems a bit...off. We'll be out of here long before he even checks his coat and I put the box back. It'll be fine.'"
"You're being too cocky. I don't want anything to do with this. Just so you know, I warned you." Seeing the way "Mistfits" was acting just bringing two women to the Boss' room was more than enough to make it apparent what kind of guy this was. The man was larger, more muscular...and he was scared.
It seemed strange that a man like the clown would have jewelry like that in his possessions in the first place. Why would he have a woman's ring? Was it stolen or being used for ransom? That was probably the case. One of the rumors that was going around was that he didn't play well with the opposite sex. Like all rumors passed around, there were some that were the real deal and others fabricated out of anger or jealousy. Seeing the way he acted around the two of them, it seemed to hold some truth, unless he was just in a bad mood.
When staring at the black box, the blonde noticed it looked a bit worn, that it wasn't new. The corners and edges were faded, had some of the color staring to go. It had to be a couple of years old or just been through a lot. The jewelry itself looked like it had been meticulously kept, the gold band gleaming and gems sparkling. Whether it was the clown or original owner, whoever had it was keeping it cleaned and well taken care of.
Taking something like this was extremely foolish, even for Brenda. Obviously the true owner cared for the jewel, otherwise it would be in a similar condition to its container, or at least a little more worn. This was dangerous, especially if it really was the clown'.
Fidgeting nervously, Terri bounced her knee anxiously, hoping they would be told to leave soon. The quicker the better... They couldn't get out of this hell hole soon enough.
"Relax, you're making me feel on edge." The brunette made a face, scrunching up her nose to show her annoyance.
"You should be..."
A half an hour passed by with nothing happening. Uneventful, but better being bored than scared... That's for sure.
"How much longer do you think we have to do this?"
"Until he comes out and says we can leave...I guess. Ya know, there's a lot worse things that could be happening right now." If all they had to do was sit here and get paid, this was nothing.
Foot steps coming from the hall drew their attention, making both women stiffen on the seats.
The clown came stomping out of the dark, painted features twisted into a grimace. Stepping out into the dim light, he stopped as suddenly as he came, gloved hands twisting at his sides.
'Oh no...'
Dark eyes glared from one woman to the other, flickering back and forth as if deciding where to direct the rage he was barely suppressing. The blonde could feel it...saw it in the way his muscles were bunched up on his bare forearms and beneath the purple dress shirt.
Terri and Brenda jumped up from the chairs as he strode quickly towards them, backing away from the table seeing the look on his face. It wasn't anything like the mask from before, no hint of the demented amusement and curiosity.
Rage.
That was the only thing the blonde could make out or feel coming from the man as he bounded towards the table, not bothering to even glance at the two women.
'Does he...know?'
Stepping back further, Terri's face twisted in fear seeing the man rip the purple coat from the back of the chair. Her heart pounded hard watching him pulling it apart and yanking the black box from the inside pocket.
He knew...had to... There must have been a camera hidden somewhere in the room that wasn't easily seen. Maybe even a microphone. That's the only possible explanation, because he couldn't have heard them.
No way...
"Where is it?!" Arm stretched out in front of him, the box laid open in his wide palm. The hand held out was shaking as slightly as the fist balled up at his side, brimming with the barely restrained anger that was seconds away from coming out in full force.
"W-What?" Brenda was a great liar. Had been as long as the other women had known her. Never had a problem with keeping a straight face or even tone. The way she sputtered out stupidly was more than enough to show how screwed she knew they were.
"Fucking whores... Come in to my place and steal from me?!"Terri flinched at the loud, deep growl assaulting her ears. Even if she wanted to say something-anything...tell him where it was, who had it-nothing would come out as her throat closed up.
"You're crazy! Don't accuse anyone without any proof!" A snarl ripped through the quiet room and he stomped over, shoulders raised up and ready to kill. Both of them... The blonde knew it. They were both going to die for Brenda's stupidity.
The "Latin Beauty" turned quickly on her heel, making a break for it and ran towards the door. This was one of the first times one of the clients actually noticed something missing before they were long gone. There was only the two of them, the options were narrowed down enough for there to be no mistake or anyone else to blame.
A slim hand went to Terri's mouth as she trembled, this had gone way out of hand. This guy was scary enough without being furious at them. If he seemed terrifying before, it was nothing compared to now.
The brunette tried...was only a few steps from the door, when a gloved hand grabbed the back of her head, painfully yanking her back as she screamed. She latched on to the man's wrist, desperate to release the grip on her dark hair, crying out as she fell to the floor.
The blonde was too scared to move, muscles tense in fear as she saw her partner's ankle twist when she flailed and dropped against the hardwood. The stilettos on her feet too high and inconvenient to get a footing as she was roughly dragged away from the only known exit, the only way of escaping. Even if either had managed to get through the door, then what? There were dozens of men downstairs working for this man...and they were in heels.
"Where. Is. It?!" The roar coming from the clown shook Terri to the core. Running was only going to rile him up more than he already was. Getting out wasn't an option, there was no way of making it out of the building in one piece, even if she went barefoot. She would just get caught by someone larger and faster, aside from the madman in the room.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Long nails tried digging into his hand and he dragged her across the floor, towards where they had been sitting. All it did was anger him more.
Pulling Brenda up to her feet, he let out a snarl as he twisted his hand into her long hair, slamming her down against the table with no remorse. The blonde screamed out as she saw her friend's head smash against the glass, going through it as it shattered.
"Oh my GOD!" This psycho was really going to kill them...all over a ring.
The brunette wasn't screaming anymore, hanging limply over the wood side of the table by her waist, face planted in the glass she just went through.
Backing away slowly, blue eyes widened as she shook violently, seeing the blood running down Brenda's pretty face, starting to pool around her head lying against the floor from the large gash where her skull had been cracked open. This guy was strong...and increasingly more psychotic.
Grabbing the back of the woman's head as he crouched down, he forced it back to glance at her face, making a loud "tch" before letting it drop to the floor again. Was he disappointed it was over already?
'Sick fuck...'
As soon as his head snapped to the side, glaring in her direction, the blonde couldn't hold back the sob tearing through her throat. She was next... After all that's happened, all the terrible things she had to endure...it was going to be over. There were so many things she wanted to do before dying. Getting away from Carlos, having freedom, finding a life that suited her... It was all for nothing. Just to die a dog's death in the hands of a mad clown...over jewelry.
The clown's dark eyes were wild, staring at her as he slowly stood. The only thing she could pray for was that it would be quick...asking for it to be painless would be a waste. This man clearly got off on other people's pain and discomfort, far more sadistic than the rumors said.
Standing tall, he cocked his head to the side, running his tongue along the scar that curled up along the side of his face. A demented twisted smile that went perfectly with his personality.
Terri tried to quickly debate what to do, despite the haze in her mind making it almost impossible. Was she in shock? Too afraid to even think?
"Wait!" As soon as he took a measured step in her direction, the blonde held her hands up instinctively. "I know where it is! Just wait a second!"
If anything, maybe if he got it back...it might calm him down. Whether he was going to spare her or not was another story. The only thing she could do was hope to God that this was some crazy nightmare and would wake up any minute. If it wasn't, she could just pray that this maniac would find it in himself to have some mercy, if someone like him was capable of such a thing.
The clown stood there, eyes burning a hole straight through her. When his head lulled back and rolled along his shoulders, a wicked grin stretched across his ruined mouth, chilling her to the bone. Patting the air cautiously with her outstretched palms, the blonde waited for him to say anything.
'Is he...waiting for me to get it?'
Without taking her eyes from the demon standing just feet from the destroyed table, she noticed that although he was still enraged, he seemed to be slightly amused at her desperation. Smiling like the devil, the red paint was completely smeared across his mouth, making him look completely deranged. He probably was...
Moving slowly and taking cautious steps, she was too afraid to look away from him. Worried if she did, there would be a hand or knife around her throat and it would all be over before she knew what even happened. If he chose to, there wasn't much she could do anyway.
Every move Terri made, the clown kept his eyes directly on her, moving his head along as she shuffled her feet side to side, keeping a large distance between them. Hands still held up, it felt like her chest wold collapse in on itself any moment.
"Hurry it up! Don't have all night!" Her body seized up as soon as he yelled, piecing through the silence. If she wasn't quick, he was only going to get angrier... His expression told her all of that and more.
Taking in a deep breath, the blonde rushed over to the smashed table and knelt down. Giving herself an internal pep talk, trying to find some sort of courage, she gently tried to roll the brunette over. Hands trembled violently as she grimaced at the sight, all the blood that pooled and splattered around the woman's head from when he dropped it against the floor.
"Oh...Christ..."
"Hahaha!" The laughter from a few feet away made her stomach churn. How could someone get enjoyment from this? What was wrong with this person?
Rolling her friend over the glass carefully, bile rose up her throat when her green eyes saw the gash from where her skull had hit the thick glass. Trying to stifle the tears, she gingerly grabbed the helm of the dress that had raised high up the woman's thighs, pulling it back to reach the little pocket in the seam.
Sliding her dainty fingers into the hidden compartment, she felt the ring sitting in the corner and snatched it, afraid of what will happen once he has it back. Will he just kill her then and there? Or make her suffer far worse than Brenda had. Maybe he will go easy if he realizes she wasn't the one who tried stealing it...
'Maybe I can try to bargain with him. The ring for my life... No, he'll just take it and make me pay for screwing with him. What am I going to do?!'
"Ahh!" Fingers gripped the back of her head as she tried to stand up, making her legs give out beneath her. Dropping to the floor in a trembling heap, the gloved hand pulled her hair back harshly, making her look up at him.
Dark eyes wide and wild, the smile he'd previously worn was completely gone as he hovered above. Stretching a gloved hand out, she raised her own shaking one, gently dropping the sparkling piece in his palm as another sob broke out. Any hopes of bargaining would have been futile, that was clear.
Closing his fingers around the ring, the clown raised his hand up clenching it so tightly it shook. His lips pursed tightly together, jaw shifting as he glared angrily down at the mess of a woman.
'Oh my God... He's going to kill me now... I can't believe this!'
"Please...Please don't kill me!" All there was left was to plead, try to reach out to any bit of humanity that might be left in this person. "I-I don't want to die! I didn't touch it at all! Swear to God!"
Gripping her hair tightly in his fist, the man looked at the ring in his hand, spreading his fingers out wide. There was a stance look on his face, no longer directing his anger at the woman at his feet. His dark eyes stared at the ring for several moments as the blonde gasped and cried. She tried her best not to flail, to not bring his attention back on her as he looked transfixed at the jewel in his palm.
"Are you scared?" The question made her freeze as she wrapped her hands on his wrist, trying to alleviate the pressure against her skull. With long meaningful look at the gem in his possession, he let out a sigh, closing his fingers around it one at a time. Reaching down, he gently slid it into the pocket of the purple pinstripe pants, patting it from the outside as it fell to the bottom.
'What?!'
Was he really asking that? Who wouldn't be scared not only from looking at him, but what just happened? What kind of a question was that?
It surprised her the tone he used. Not deep or gritty the way he spoke throughout the entire encounter. Like there was general curiosity, softer than the harsh words he spat earlier.
"Y-Yes..." Swallowing hard, it would be better to answer him. Angering him anymore would just be foolish and she wasn't brave enough to act tough, not now...
Terri thought her heart was going to burst as he stepped around, crouching down in front of her, hand still laced through her blonde locks. Panting fast, it felt like she couldn't breathe, unable to her the air down to her lungs. He was suffocating her without even touching her throat.
"Look. At. Me." Slowly glancing up at the man inches from her face, his tongue snaked out, running over the scar that split his lower lip. Instinctively, the blonde did almost the same thing, not realizing she had done it until he barked out a laugh at the small action.
"Hahah... You are scared, aren't ya? I would be too. You women always think you're so slick, hmm? Takin' what doesn't belong to you." His head shifted to the side, making the faded green waves that event glued to the greasepaint fall against his shoulder.
"Wha-...No! I didn't take anything. I told her to put it back! That it was a bad idea.. Please...Please don't hurt me! I'm" A painful tug from the gloved fingers looped around the roots against her scalp stopped any more pleas.
"Oh, I know. Ya see...I, ah, hear and see everything. Nothing escapes my attention." Green eyes widened at his words, knowing he wasn't lying. Why else would he have gone straight for the coat otherwise. Then again...why did he wait over a half of an hour to come out or not get the ring out himself? If she had been a little braver, maybe she could have asked.
"All anyone cares about is money and jewelry. How much something is worth. What can they get out of everything and everyone. Such a selfish, greedy world we live in..." Terri bit her tongue, not knowing where this was going. Why was he telling her this? And he already knew she hadn't done anything wrong?
'Why is he doing this to me if he already knew?!'
"There are more important things than wealth. People like your friend there-" Smacking his lips together, he pointing behind them with a thumb. "Will never get it. Always taking whatever they want, not caring how important something might be to someone. Doing anything for an extra dollar. Well, heh, I'm sure you know what I mean by that."
Terri should have been offended by what he meant, it was clear what he was implying. She was a prostitute...sold her body for money and drugs.
"Some things aren't worth all the money in the world." Patting the spot where the ring sat, more protected than most valuables.
"That...That ring is that important to you...huh?" The blonde was shocked that the words even left her lips, not knowing if she'd been frightened stupid.
"HAHAHAHA!" The raucous noise made her cringe as he yanked her head back, looming so close she could feel his hot breath against her mouth. His body shook with the laughter, making tears spring to her eyes from the pain against her skull.
"This ring is more valuable than every life in Gotham, including your and my own! And it has nothing to do with how expensive it is. Ya see, it belongs to my wife. Can't give it to her if I let you people steal it, now can I?" The manic look in his wild eyes as he leaned in, looking directly into her own made her far more frightened than what he just did to Brenda. This guy was totally unhinged, completely insane. The rumors about that were definitely true after all...
Wife? No way in hell... What woman would be crazy enough to be with this psycho? Unless...maybe he killed her? That wasn't a wedding ring. If anything it was a gift or for engagement. He had to be lying, trying to get a reaction or lull her into a false sense of security.
"A woman like you might not understand. If you don't evolve, you're just another savage that ends up having to be put down." His tone became harsh, grabbing a hold of her chin as a whimper left her lips.
"Sh. Shh. Shhh! Relax, pumpkin!" Despite the gentle words leaving his lips, his dark orbs and expression told a different story. His thumb caressed the skin along her jaw as she shook violently, afraid the somewhat kind act was going to be followed up with even more violence. Letting go of her hair, he trailed his gloved hand along the side of her face, hushing her again.
'What is this freak doing?!'
"Ya see... Today is a special day!" Placing his hands on each side of the blonde's face, his thumbs wiped away the trail of tears that ran down her soft skin of her cheeks. Moving in uncomfortably close, he gripped her face as she instinctively tried to pull away.
"At-ta-ta-ta. Ain't goin' nowhere, so knock it off. Ya wanna make me angry? Hmm?" A grin spread across his face as she slowly shook her head, not wanting to send him into another rage. So far, he hadn't hurt her too bad... Not like Brenda, who way lying in a pool of blood and glass.
'I'm not...going anywhere? Does that mean he is going to kill me after all? Have someone to torture since Brenda ended too fast for his liking? Or does he...actually want to...? Maybe he wants to...screw around? If I can get him to calm down, let him get out his frustration with my body, maybe I can at least get out of this alive...'
The clown's lips were moving, muttering something to himself silently as he held her still, staring only at her eyes she tried to keep as still as possible. It felt like waiting for a cobra to strike as it rose up, quietly waiting for its prey to make any sudden movement as it hissed under its breath.
The look in his dark eyes sent shivers down her spine. It wasn't filled with the rage he'd shown throughout the night. Something else flickered through them as they blinked, twitching every so often. They seemed...almost warm. Giving off a sense of longing and entrancement the same way he stared at the ring. It was confusing...but didn't help the fear or anxiety coursing through her.
"Heh. You're lucky, sweetheart. Since its such a special day... I'm feelin' a little, hmm... What's the word?" Terri's head rolled around with the hands gripping her face. "Ahh... That's it! Giving, maybe merciful, you could say..." Fingers tapped above her cheek, making her blink rapidly as they neared her sockets.
A gasp left her lips as she jerked, feeling the tips of his gloved fingers trail up to the lids of her eyes, pulling them wide open.
'Is-Is he... What?!'
"Good thing you have such pretty eyes, dollface. It saved you tonight... If they were any other color, you'd be lying right next to your friend over there. Lucky you!" He barked out a laugh as her face twisted into a horrified expression, one that brought mirth to his own.
"Ya see... I'm just such a sucker for green eyes... Not just any though. Nope! I have very, ah, specific tastes. Has to meet a certain criteria of sorts. Yours are close, but no dice." Popping his lips, Terri couldn't believe any of this... If this crazed clown was actually even real.
"Hm. Okay, I think that's enough for tonight. Get your ass out of here before I change my mind." Suddenly letting go of her hair, the blonde felt lightheaded as the pressure let up.
Standing up quickly, the clown stepped away from her as if he hadn't been just going on an insane tangent or even giving the body on the floor a single glance.
Terri slowly got up, not trusting her shaking legs to keep her steady, but wanting to get out of there as fast as possible. If he was going to let her live, she couldn't waste more time, hoping to God he couldn't have a change of heart suddenly.
"Tell Rocco to give you the money for the whore on the floor...Heheh." Chuckling darkly, he turned away and walked towards the bed, grabbing the bottle of whiskey from the top of the nightstand.
"O-Okay. Thank...you." She didn't know if she was thanking him for the money or sparring her life, or both. The cash meant nothing at this point, had long been forgotten. What did it matter if she was dead?
Not wanting to take a chance, she darted for the door, yanking it open to get out as fast as possible. Taking off down the hall as the door slammed behind her, she almost lost her barrings, gasping and crying as she reached the staircase.
One thing that psychotic clown was right about...
Some things in life weren't worth all the money in the world... For the first time since she was fourteen, Terri never realized how desperately she wanted to survive. How badly she wanted to live another day. How foolish she'd been not caring if everything ended like she had hoped for all these years.
Who would have thought it took a man in makeup with green hair to bring out that desperate hunger for life? For even one more day?
'Insane...'
The Boss really was something else... Even though he was utterly and completely insane, it always seemed like he had all the world's secrets stored deep inside of him. Always knew everything that was going on, even if he wasn't around.
"I hear and see everything. Don't ever forget that."
Everyone had heard it, had seen the proof in the pudding. No one knew how he did it, but anyone who thought it was just an idle threat or even a joke, learned the hard way. Boy, he was always a big supporter of tough love.
"Ahh..." Sitting on the brunette's lap, she was grateful to still be around, even for this.
It wasn't the last time Terri would see the clown... If she had known that at the time, it would have been hard not to try running from Carlos or falling into fear and doing something stupid.
Carlos had ended up sending her, along with another group of girls, to different locations wherever this group was holding up in at the time. The money was far too good for their Boss to pass up and he did whatever he could not to get on the bad side of these men. They were ruthless and if anyone crossed or disrespected, everyone on the offending side would feel it.
Boy, would they feel it...
Through God's random grace or another intervening deity, Terri had never been called on to "entertain" the Joker again. Every time Carlos told them to get ready especially for the clown's posse, she silently prayed for things not to end the way they did during that first encounter.
Rocco ended up being the one to almost always call on her, specifically request her presence. These days, he paid her Boss enough money that she could mostly just be with him, not having to hop from client to client to bring in enough not to cause trouble in the complex all the girls shared with their pimp.
During one of the moments where they could be away from the others and just talk, the brunette confided in her that him and some of the other men would occasionally send up one or a few prostitutes to try to get their Boss in a better mood, hoping he would relax and get rid of some of the pent up frustration that usually ended up coming out in random acts of violence.
Guess they thought pussy was the problem...
Most men would be in a great mood after having beautiful women sent to their room as a surprise... Like everything else about the clown, he wasn't like most men and made that abundantly clear in his fits of rage.
Always so unpredictable and terrifying. His jokes were as dark as his laughter and moods could change at the drop of a hat. It made everyone on edge, but there were some good sides to him. Sometimes it seemed like there were two different people in one body, constantly switching sides and always calculating.
It was very...odd. Sometimes the clown could be playful, joking around laughing. Making crude remarks or pointing out the obliviousness of the people around him, chuckling at his own words. There were times where he laughed for no reason at all, resulting in everyone freezing and watching him carefully.
There was another side, one the encompassed most of his personality. The dark, sadistic part of him that was just drown right cruel. The one that enjoyed torturing someone he dragged back to one of the warehouses or buildings, making them tell him everything he wanted to know as they begged for their lives. When they were snuffed out, he would cackle, reveling in the vicious act. He had no issue with murdering anyone... Man, woman, enemy, ally... It was frightening. Nothing seemed to shock anyone anymore. Maybe initially, until they remembered who they were dealing with.
Nothing really surprised Terri anymore. Not after the last two years she had been dealing with this group of criminals.
Nothing...
Not until the Boss walked in with a woman by his side.
Most of the people on the first floor were busy messing with their weapons, indulging in some alcohol or drugs, sometimes both. Having a good time with Carlos' doll collection before morning came. Without many details being passed around, the blonde knew something was going to happen tomorrow. It had to be big or dangerous with the way the men were acting. Living it up like it might be their last.
Almost everyone was too busy, too consumed in what they were doing that they probably hadn't even noticed it. Didn't see the two people who came in through the door.
Terri had.
As soon as the Boss walked in, she noticed the striking colors from the corner of her eyes. Always did. The Boss just had a way about him and his appearance that you just couldn't not notice or be drawn to him. He might as well have been draped in neon lights.
A woman... A small woman with pink hair and pale skin. Bright green eyes that Terri could see all the way from the crate she'd been sitting on. Such a beautiful face and delicate features...Carlos would have paid top dollar to have such a strange and lovely looking woman. She could have brought them in crazy amounts of money.
The more unique and beautiful a woman was, the better for this line of work. They would stick out and men would remember them, especially when making special requests.
If the Joker bringing back anyone who wasn't tied up was shocking, the fact that he was bare chested and the pinkette was draped in his clothing was by far more curious. The Boss was never seen messing around with women in a way that didn't involve hurting them and he definitely didn't bring any back or take them up the staircase. He always had a room that was on a higher floor than the rest, no matter where they relocated to.
In what crazy hell did something like this happen? Something obviously had happened if she was wearing his clothes and not her own. The Boss never walked around without his dress shirt on or some outfit to blend in wherever he was going to make a move.
All the time she spent with these people, the blonde couldn't imagine the Joker spending time with someone willingly that didn't involve it being part of some heinous plan. Perhaps whatever was going to happen tomorrow really was dangerous and he decided to have a row with someone in case he dies. Who knows?
What really sent alarms off was the way he covered the woman's eyes with his gloved hands when she was looking around, as if he didn't want her to see what was going on. If she was a hostage of some sort and didn't want her to see any faces or details, he could have blindfolded her, but didn't. He even took her hand and helped guide her up the steps in a act of care that no one would have believed. If she told anyone what she saw, they would probably just laugh in her face and say she's full of shit.
But she definitely saw it... The way he looked at the woman and handled her. It didn't seem real, like it was someone completely different. The man had strange tastes, so it makes sense he would want someone who looked just as striking as himself. After all, he picked apart and rejected most of the doll collection...
Seeing the most infamous criminal in Gotham who was known for his violence and power fretting over a little pink haired woman was something Terri couldn't even believe herself. Maybe someone had slipped some hallucinogens in with the drugs somewhere, perhaps it was a trick of the eyes. Or not...
Either way, that pink haired woman was either going to be a very lucky woman or a sorry piece of ass.
