Tsūyaku

by LChan3706

She doesn't know who this madman is, but he remembers her... There's no chance of getting away from him this time. The Joker will make sure of that, no matter how many lives it takes in the process. (Chapters 7-32 under revision)

31. Doll Collection

"The hell was that, Roc?"

The blonde whispered in his ear, leaning forward to rest her bare chest against his wide back. When 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.

"... 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 when they're together.

"I hope that wasn't too close to my place..." The last thing she needed was the shitty apartment building her and the other girls lived in to be completely blown to smithereens by that demented clown. Their own boss would have a conniption. It wouldn't matter anyway, he's too afraid to even talk to to the madman, let alone freak out on him.

"Nah, it's good. 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, picking up where she left off. Her hands started kneading his broad shoulders again, trying to get the kinks out. It seemed like a never-ending job, he was always so knotted up.

There wasn't any need to worry, everything was going to be fine. Rocco wouldn't lie to her about something like that. If he knew her place might be 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 around while groaning 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 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 a lifetime 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." Rocco held up the small tray for her to take. Throwing her a sideways glace, he rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck loudly. Another habit he picked up from the Boss. Watching him look away quickly, he raised his hand to motioned for her to take it, before he changed his mind. Yes, things were much better these days. If it could stay this way, then 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 cocaine with it. This was just another perk of being in this field... If she 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 bosses knew if the workers were addicted, they would do anything to get the money and drugs they needed to keep the withdrawal away. Using the drugs helped to get through the night, giving them a way to escape reality. Otherwise, the shame and humiliation would swallow them whole. That's the last thing any of them needed. After all, can't take care of customers properly in that mind-set,

Heroin. Cocaine. Amphetamines. Meth. Crack. Alcohol. Various narcotics and prescription pills. Whatever. It doesn't really matter.

Getting into a car with a complete stranger and having to do whatever they wanted was difficult for any fourteen-year old. If the drugs hadn't made things seem less real-easier even-then she probably would've been 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 never-ending misery. 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, they were handing over a bit of their power to her. They came because she had something they desired, what they were hungry for. There was something that was missing in their lives, and she could provide it for them.

When she stopped thinking of sex as shameful or disgusting, it became entirely different. The act wasn't anything bad, only the intentions behind it could be. Sex never lies, only men do. Stripping away the layers and clothes, leaving a person completely vulnerable, can tell more about them than words ever could. The things they ask for or desire, how they act or react, why they're there in the first place... That shows the true character of a man. The human body is naturally beautiful, it's what people do with it that's ugly. There was power in even the smallest of forms that could bring someone twice their size to their knees. 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 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. She didn't have to be on top or be physically stronger than a man to make him bend to her will, not if she used the tools God gave blessed them with properly.

"Heh.." Taking the straw between her 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, like someone jammed a hot poker up her bridge, making her eyes water. Now it brought a rush that made her heart skip a beat and it wasn't just from the after-effects of the substance. The pain was invigorating, almost as much as sex. The sensation caused the pale skin over her bare form to prickle with goosebumps as a warmth spread throughout her body.

"Ahhh..." Licking her lips, she wrapped her arms around the man cleaning his gun, holding the tray in front of him to take.

Rocco was a decent man considering where they were, something very unusual in this line of work. Being rough around the edges was an understatement, for sure, but at least he had a code. He was able to draw the line somewhere, unlike a lot of the other men she's encountered. Maybe that's why she liked him, let him keep her around. Their 'relationship' revolved around sex and drugs, but they had somewhat of an understanding. Terri gave him attention and took care of his needs, and he gave her money and protection.

Before this, 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 make a run for it.

It was always a pain spending hours throughout the night, not knowing who or what was coming out of the woodwork. It could be someone's husband from the suburbs looking for some excitement in an otherwise boring life. Sometimes a drunk who robbed some sucker and wanted to get his rocks off. None of the hookers ever knew what they were getting themselves into or if they were even coming back. When the car pulls 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 and recruited a better variety of hookers, which gained a different class of clientele. All thanks to the beauty and charisma of the women working for him. They even had a name for the group of high-class prostitutes that became sought after by many people throughout the city.

The Doll Collection.

Instead of drunks and blue-collars picking them up from the curb, the scene shifted. Groups of women were being brought to clubs, large mansions, even businesses. Private shows, warehouses, aboard yachts... Money and drugs were being handed out like candy. The worse Gotham became, the better for people working the underground.

It was great. Mob bosses were calling them in by the dozen at a time, sleazy politicians and cops wanted to rendezvous in private, the rich would toss large amounts of money at them for things they used to do 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 only give the foolish illusion of them having some semblance of independence. That could lead to a moronic escape attempt that would end with a bullet through 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 that it pained 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 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 and running 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 better than to ask.

Rocco's worked for the Joker for a long time, 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 does. 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've 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...or in the basement." Terri was surprised that he was even talking about it. That almost never happens, 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 no one was willing to test it out to see if it was true-anymore. 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 crazed 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 just 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, right?" 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, he put the gun down on 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, she gently caressed the discolored hand-print on the side of his face. True to his nature, the touch didn't eliciting even a flinch or groan. Always such a hard ass... Never wanting to show he was in pain or any weakness. Something like that could have a man swallowed up here, then regurgitated out in a completely different state. Rocco knew how things are, better than anyone else. How he's survived this long was anyone's guess. Perhaps The Joker was just used to him or wanted to keep someone around who actually got things done without a problem.

Yeah... The Boss really is something else. The first night when Terri came with the group of other women who 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 said sharply as he led the women down another dark hallway. Terri and the other woman narrowed their eyes, trying watch where they were going. Why anyone would have such shitty lighting through the halls ad stairs was beyond them. It was just asking to get hurt. They've been following this man through the strange endless maze, listening to a laundry list of instructions the entire way.

Literally... From the first floor, all the way up to the fifth. This place was very weird and so were the men inside. 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. 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's not like he was the one about to be fucked, so what's 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 of her cleavage than the outfit originally allowed.

"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, her dark eyes looking forward as they made their way down the hall.

Something just didn't feel right. Two things that's always saved the blonde throughout the years was quick-wit and following her guts. If anything, her instincts were usually on point. Right now, as they walked closer to the door at the end...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. The expression on his hardened face made her stomach twist in knots and that rarely ever happens. This guy knew the Boss, but Terri and Brenda had never met him. They've only heard wild stories here and there, but nothing that seemed to make sense. If he was acting like this, then what was waiting for them on the other side?

"Okay... Just go in and do as you're told. 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 he worried about being 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 the necklace hanging around her neck. "Are you serious?"

"I'm not fucking around. That's probably the most important part... Now get going. I'm outta here..." The man 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 hair. She hoping 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 the things that man 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 at least brighter than the hallway. Despite the fact that they were in an old apartment building, the upkeep was far better than she expected, especially if the rumors people told about this group were anything to go by.

The large space reminded her of one of those fancy hotel rooms 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, probably so no one had the opportunity to sneak up on him.

'Understandable...'

It looked to be made of fine wood, more than likely Mahogany from her experience. Thick and heavy...probably a bitch to bring all the way up to the fifth floor. Terry knew her beds, spent enough time in them to know the difference... 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 pistol and switchblade resting on the surface. There was a large bottle of whiskey that seemed to be only missing a few sips, with no glass anywhere in sight. Either they weren't much of a drinker or were just getting started. Usually mob bosses and businessmen show class by not taking it straight from the bottle. Whoever this man was, clearly couldn't care less.

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. They were wrinkled all along the edges from someone carelessly gripping them.

A couple black chairs sat around it, positioned in a way that seemed like the other seat was used as a footstool, instead of having company. If the marks on the cushions were anything to go by... Draped across one of the chairs was a large purple trench coat, hanging over the back of it. It was long enough to reached the floor without any problems. 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. This person had to either be colorblind or just had very strange tastes... Expensive, but strange nonetheless.

There wasn't a single window as far as either women could see, but 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, 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. They could just tell Carlos that the client hadn't been there. The only thing he hates more than problematic customers, is 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 thundered down the dark hall, making both women freeze hearing them coming closer. There was someone here after all. From how quiet 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 anything, a man walked out from the shadows, stopping abruptly when he came out into the dim light.

'Oh...my...God...'

The blonde felt the breath rush from her lungs at the sight across the room.

The man was tall. Had to be 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 tan skin. A green waistcoat, brown and white tie, and purple pinstripe pants finished the odd ensemble, making Terri's eyes hurt just from 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 covered his skin, cracked around the creases and patchy from wearing far too long. Large dark splotches circled around his pitch-black eyes, webbing out from his sockets and giving the illusion they were empty. Bright red smeared across his lips, dragging up along...terrible looking scars that curled into a demented smile.

'I-I can't believe-... What the hell am I seeing? Did I do too much earlier? Is this a hallucination?'

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 could realize it themselves. She's helped people discover their own desires, drew out inner kinks they never imagined was dwelling inside, gave them company and had plenty of fun along the way...

But... What the hell was she suppose to do with this?

The man's shoulders were raised up, the way a wild dog would look when noticing someone trespassing into their territory, getting ready to lunge at any second. There was a thick tension in the air, suffocating and making her feel on edge. Just looking at this man gave her the sensation of someone's hand wrapping around her neck, preparing to strangle the life from her without any warning. A breath was lodged in her chest, unable to let itself from the fear taking over the typically outgoing woman.

The...clown?...slowly cocked his head to the side, staring directly at them. The gloved hands at his sides pulsed, like they were itching to grab something. Maybe a knife, or even their throats. Terra hoped it was neither, but she could feel a strange energy rolling off this man that she couldn't recognize. His posture and subtle movements made 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 drew far more attention to his disfigurement than if it hadn't been applied at all. This had to be a trick or some kind of joke. This man wanted people to look at them, to give him a reason to act out. How screwed up.

Slowly throwing a quick side glance at Brenda for reassurance, she tried keeping to her eyes on the man staring at them, afraid of what might happen if she looked away. A horrified expression twisted her face at what she saw. The brunette's mouth was wide-open, her jaw hanging low while taking in the tall man's strange appearance from across the room. The moron didn't even try to stifle her surprise.

Panic bloomed in her chest, remembering their escorts words in the hallway. He didn't waste his time telling them all of that for nothing. There was a reason, just like the look of pity he gave them. After seeing the real deal, all the rumors flooded back to the surface. Is it all true? They must be, that's why 'Misfits' was warning them so thoroughly and making that face. It was because he knew they were walking into the wolf's den. That's what this man is...

A large, vicious, wolf.

Looking back towards the clown, a chill ran up her spine seeing the way his dark eyes narrowed in on them. His tongue flicked out, running along his scarred bottom lip.

What were they supposed to do now? His appearance... The mood... All the knives around the room. Were they really supposed to have sex with this guy? Or was this some kind of messed up trick to lure in victims? Who would give a shit if two hookers went missing in this city? Not a single person would even blink an eye or look for them. Carlos might, if only to get his money back. If this clown paid him for the loss, then he'd just replace them, acting like they never existed in the first place.

"Uh... Hi." Shifting to look towards the brunette, Terri's green eyes widened at balls this chick possessed. There wasn't much that scared her, not after being in this 'field' for the last six years. That's what the blonde told herself, what she repeated over and over again in the last several minutes in hopes of believing it. She's met wild clients, has done everything under the sun, never shied away from acts that would turn even criminals faces red. Right now, there wasn't an ounce of courage strong enough to try starting this little rendezvous off, let alone to say anything.

'Well... You know what they say about the crazy ones. The worse off they are, the wilder sex is. I wonder if that's true...'

Despite the greasepaint, scars, and strange taste in clothing, there was something else behind all of that. When she looked carefully, he was actually quite handsome. More than what she expected from the things people say... The paint made it hard to tell, but Terri had a good-eye when it comes to men. Tall, wide shoulders, and a good face that's seen better days.

'Don't look at the scars... Don't. You have a job to do. That's the only reason you're here.'

Both women flinched when he suddenly moved, quickly stalking over towards them. In a panic, she averted her eyes from his piercing gaze, opting to stare at the 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 tried to flee. He seemed like the type, the kind of predator that enjoyed chasing its prey. The only thing they could do, was pray to God that those weren't his intentions for tonight.

Were they here to become someone's prey? Victims? There were rare stories of circumstances like that. A sick, twisted man using a hooker as a chew toy to take all his inhumane fantasies out on, knowing that no one would care enough to investigate. The GCPD had enough on their hands on a daily basis that one or two street workers going missing would be put at the very bottom of the priority list. Something going wrong was just an 'occupational hazard' they should expect. After all, to the rest of the city, the 'whores' knew what they were getting into and brought whatever happened on themselves...

With a smack of his lips, he leaned forward, narrowing his eyes until they were just black slits. Terri swallowed hard, watching as he paced back and forth in front of them, dipping his head down to be eye-level. The blonde tried her best to keep a straight face, to not make it so apparent that she was trembling.

The noxious smell of gunpowder and gasoline was overbearing, covering up any scent of his own. Most men wore cologne for these kinds of occasions, but there wasn't a hint of that. If anything, she could pick up a whiff of cigarettes and something metallic. It was familiar, just on the tip of her tongue, yet she couldn't place it.

Taking a chance, Terri glanced over at the clown when he finally stopped in front of Brenda. Swaying on his feet, he shifted his head to the side, moving in closer. Gloved fingers rubbed along his chin, looking the brunette up and down, taking in her appearance... The way someone does when inspecting merchandise, not a human being.

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 randomly, tugging up the smeared paint along the scars that curled towards his cheeks. Despite his handsome features, there was something definitely wrong with this picture... And it wasn't the blatant disregard for color coordination.

This person...is incredibly dangerous. To make such a wave in the underground and have murderers and criminals following his commands, said a lot about the kind of man he is. Whether they followed him out of fear or loyalty didn't really matter. Even with his odd appearance, people listened 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. Escape this life. This man is scary. No one would dare go up against him.'

Some of the guys downstairs were taller, wider, had larger muscles. A few were even known around The Narrows for their violence. If this man was able to recruit them and do whatever he says, then there probably wasn't anything he couldn't accomplish. From what Carlos said, this clown's filthy rich from all the places he's robbed and 'jobs' they do. She's been under his thumbs for years, always afraid of going up against him and being punished. If her own boss was terrified of this man, what did that mean?

'If tonight goes well, and we have a good time... Maybe he'd be willing to help me. Get me out of this shitty job. I can't do this for the rest of my life. As soon as I start looking older or catch something, they'll throw me away...'

A large hand grabbed the back of Brenda's head, harshly yanking it back. The clown loomed over her, taking in the brunette's appearance curiously. Like most of Carlos' top women, she was naturally stunning. Long dark curls, warm amber eyes, soft copper skin... Most of the other workers envied her, despising how often clients request her presence. Her curvy figure and long legs were more than worthy of the "Latin Beauty" moniker she received among the women in the complex they all lived in.

"Tch." The clown suddenly let go, clicking his tongue and letting her fall back a few steps. Catching herself before tripping over the long heels of her stilettos, Brenda looked at him in disbelief at the blatant disregard and manhandling. For some ungodly reason, it didn't seem like he was impressed with what he saw.

'What the hell?!'

It didn't make sense. Someone like the "Latin Beauty" was like a gem in a pile of trash in Gotham. With her exotic looks and flexible personality that changes with each client, she was always in high-demand. Men came flocking to have a night with her, even bidding against each other. Brenda was the top seller of Carlos' doll collection, the whole reason she was selected to come in hopes of gaining the clown's favor. With him rising up in the ranks of the criminal world, it would be smart to try rubbing elbows with him.

Terri froze up when he stalked towards her, a grimace plastered on his painted face. Swallowing hard, she tried to quell the urge to run as he stopped in front of her. He leaned in close... Too close for comfort, moving his head to the side. Trying to avoid looking into his eyes, she could just barely see the blurred red corners of his mouth twisting upwards into an unnerving smile.

'H-He's enjoying how uncomfortable we are... What a frickin' weirdo. Just keep remembering that he's rich. Hopefully that'll be enough to get me through this.'

Of all the men she's entertained, with or without help, this was already hands down, the oddest encounter to date. There were guys who wanted orgies, had daddy kinks, requested strange outfits or toys. Out of all those times, she was always in her element. This area was her playground, what took care of all her needs. She learned to feel confident and comfortable for the most part, high or not. Fear hasn't been an issue since the days spent on the streets, getting into cars with strangers.

This was-by far-more frightening than any of those moments. When they were escorted to parties or private events, it's understood what's expected of them. It was a mutual thing. The clients wanted the workers bodies and the workers wanted their money. Everyone was there to have fun. To get drunk, high, have sex, let loose...

To have a good time.

This guy? Who the hell 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. 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 while he inspected her. Without looking up, 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. No man has made her feel this self-conscious in years, not since she started this gig.

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. Barely an inch from her face, she almost jumped out of her skin realizing just how close he really was. Nose to nose, his hot breaths washed over the pale skin he was almost touching.

Green eyes widened when she got a better look at the man. Inside of the dark paint, his eyes were a deep brown, almost pitch-black in appearance. There was wild look to them, just barely caging in something terrible as the left one twitched, completely unhinged. Instead of staring back into hers, the dark orbs were still glancing over her features, like he was deciding if the goods were up to his standards.

'If Brenda wasn't good enough, I have no chance in hell...'

"Hmm?" 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 in surprise. 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 his voice sent shivers down her spine. For some insane reason, she found it more of a turn on than it should have been.

Tall, dark, handsome, and dangerous... What a combination. This was a first. She never experienced fear and arousal mixing together like this.

Not wanting to anger their client, she slowly shifted her gaze at him, looking straight into the gnarly black paint. Those dark eyes held something horrible, a thousand promises of terrors lurked behind them, but they were mesmerizing. Endless pools of darkness that seemed to tunnel into some dark pit in hell, somewhere a person 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 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 it terrified her. They were completely focused on her own, not bothering to look at the rest of her face anymore. The pupils in the center grew, becoming increasingly dilated. 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 too much at this close distance. It was overwhelming on the senses and making her feel lightheaded. Almost like sniffing straight out of the pump at a station.

"Ha... Hah... HAHAHA!" The sudden laughter made both women jump, startling them.

"If he starts laughing, stop whatever you're doing, unless he tells 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. Her head flopped back and forth with the movements. It went straight to the brain, stabbing in through her ears. Manic and loud... She neither ever heard anything like that come from a person's mouth. Even if she wanted to, there was no pulling back. Not with how tight his grip was. He was much stronger than he appeared.

Just as he did with Brenda, he roughly shoved Terri back without a care if she fell over. If the blonde hadn't been so used to walking in these kinds of heels, she could have ended up with a sprained or broken ankle from losing her balance. Seeing her stumble backwards, he started laughing even harder than a moment ago.

'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 ruined mouth, her jaw dropping when they sunk in. 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 sick joke.'

"Hold up. This is getting a little freakier than I expected. Trust me, I'm all about being 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. Straightening up and taking a few measured steps back, he glanced at the two of them through half-lidded eyes, his red lips shifting and curling up.

Terri craned her neck back when he started muttering to himself, low enough that neither could hear what he was saying. 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. She was either incredibly brave or just plain stupid. There was always a debate throughout the complex about which one it is, with 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 supposed to do? Didn't you ask our boss for us? I don't understand..." Why does Brenda always have to talk so much?

The man lunged forward, grabbing the brunette's mouth with a 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 was pulled out. Almost like it could appear from thin air if he willed it.

Close enough to smear a bit of white pain on her nose, his eyes were wide, talking to her like she was a impertinent child who 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 need useless whores. Sit there until I tell you to leave. Rocco will give you your filthy money on the way out." Letting go, he smacked his lips together with a sour face, like he tasted something that disgusted him. Brenda reached for her cheeks, gingerly touching the spot his fingers dug into. 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." Finding the courage to talk, Terri had to take control of the situation from their end. If Brenda had it her way, they'd both end up dead, either from the clown or Carlos.

"Good." Clicking his tongue, the man turned away from them, stalking back towards the hole he crawled out from and 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. Now, they were being left to their own devices. His disappearance eased her 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.'

"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.

"Yeah... That was a bit...intense." That was a gross understatement. If they told anyone what happened, it probably would've seemed like nothing. He walked in, got a little handsy, told them to 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 worked-up when it's said like that. It's exactly how Carlos would see it, knife or not.

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 heels clicked loudly across the floor. Taking a seat by the glass table, she flopped down in a way a Doll would never do in front of a client. Crossing her long bare legs, the brunette settled into the soft chair, bouncing her foot in agitation. Not knowing what else to do, Terri followed suit, sitting down gingerly a chair next to her. The one without the shoe prints.

How long were they expected to sit here? If their phones hadn't been confiscated, they'd at least have something else to do, rather than stare around the oddly arranged room or at each other.

"This turned out very differently 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's actually been hurt, but this wasn't fun. Weren't they were supposed to help the Boss relax and roll around in the sheets? If she could've at least seduced the man or wrapped him around her fingers, it would have been perfect. He was handsome, powerful, and rich, but completely unstable. What a shame...

'Doesn't seem like the type. This person's not normal by any means. 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, almost jumping up when she realized what was happening.

"Brenda!" Hissing low enough and hoping no one else could hear, she reached forward to slap the brunette's arm. The "Latin Beauty" was slipping her hand into the pockets of the purple trench coat hanging over the back of the chair, fishing around.

"What the fuck are you doin?!" Looking around quickly, she prayed to whatever God that might be listening 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 in trouble!"

"Shut up... I just wanted to see if I can find anything interesting. I'm 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 was by the clown or Carlos was the only 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 at the blonde's words, Brenda turned back towards the coat, dipping her hand into another pocket in the lining without a care. Her brows suddenly shot up as she pulled something out.

"What's this?" A small black box was in the palm of her hand, bringing it up towards her face to carefully inspect.

"... 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 too. This man seemed so strange, it really could be anything.

"It looks like a jewelry box..." Opening the lid hesitantly, both women shifted closer 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 one from the looks of it. 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 has been around plenty of jewelry, more than enough gold and stones to make anyone stir-crazy. The wealthy men they entertained would always have the finest for themselves or as gifts for the workers who entertained them enough. By this point, she could tell the difference between real and fake, cheap or expensive. The blonde new a special piece when it presented itself... Carlos made sure they could sift through it. That way if they were given anything, the women wouldn't bring him useless 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 doing. Checking for security cameras or microphones. Satisfied that it didn't seem anything was watching them, the brunette took the ring out of the box.

Gingerly, she carefully slid the treasure into a hand-sewn pocket on the inside of her dress, close to the hem. It was by the middle of her thigh, knowing that most men would be staring at the top half of her body. Since there wasn't 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's 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 carelessly left out, maybe a small bag of drugs that was forgotten. Occasionally, a watch or gem no one was paying attention to.

By the time someone did take notice of the missing items, the workers were long-gone. The more people around during the rendezvous, the better. It was easier to push on someone else that way. At a party or orgy, anyone could have taken it. Without cameras or witnesses, it was hard to tell who was actually the culprit. She always checked around beforehand and knew Terri wouldn't say a word, with both acting completely clueless and innocent.

"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, Brenda slid it back into the pocket where she initially found it. Was this woman insane? They were being paid a crap load of money without having to do anything for it... This man didn't have to do that 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. She knew that look. It was one of a sadist.

'God... The things he probably would've had us do, just for him to get off... I don't think a regular threesome would do the job 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 anyway. Seems a bit...off. We'll be outta here long before he even checks his coat and I put the box back. It'll be fine." She seemed so confident about this, but Terri didn't share the same sentiment. That man didn't climb to the top of the food chain by being oblivious or careless. It was clear from looking at him, that he possesses sharp eyes. Especially when he was inspecting them. He was a person who took every detail into consideration, someone who wasn't easily fooled or swayed. Even if he was insane, he must have an iron-will if he could turn them down without being tempted by the prospect of pussy that was already paid for. Nothing is more frightening than a man who refused to succumb to the carnal pleasures in life. He seemed more interested in the knife he was holding than either woman in his grasp.

"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 when bringing the women up to the Boss' room was more than enough to make it apparent what kind of guy this was. He was larger, more muscular...and was scared.

It seemed strange for a man like the clown to have jewelry like this 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 going around was that he didn't play well with the opposite sex. Like most gossip passed around, some were the real deal and others fabricated out of anger or jealousy. Seeing the way he acted around the two of them, they must hold some truth, unless he was just in a bad mood.

Staring at the black box, the blonde noticed it looked a bit worn, that it wasn't new. The corners and edges were faded, with some of the color staring to go. It had to be a couple of years old or just been through hell. The jewelry itself looked 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 cared for.

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's.

Terri couldn't stop fidgeting, bouncing her knee anxiously. She could only hope they would be told to leave soon. 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. If she had a working brain cell, she wouldn't be acting so calm. Didn't she realize the repercussions this could bring? If Carlos was told what happened... Good God. They would all get it. There was only two of them here and their boss wouldn't argue with the clown over the matter. Someone would be punished severely.

"You should be..."

A half an hour passed with nothing happening. No sign of the madman hiding in his hole from hell or anything else. The more time that went by, Terri started relaxing when the initial shock and fear wore off. Perhaps it was because the clown hadn't shown himself yet. There was no doubt that when he did, it would all com crashing back.

"How much longer do you think we have to do this?" Brenda stretched her legs out, raising her arms up with a yawn. Time seems to drag on longer with nothing to do, but it was better than the alternative.

"Until he comes out and says we can leave... 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, then this was nothing.

Foot steps coming from the hall drew their attention, making both women stiffen in their seats. The clown came stomping out of the dark, his painted features twisted into a grimace. Stepping out into the dim light, he suddenly stopped, 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 tense muscles shifted along his bare forearms, straining beneath the purple dress shirt.

Terri and Brenda jumped up from the chairs when he stalked 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. There was only one way she could describe it.

Murderous rage.

That was all 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 anymore.

'Does he...know?'

Stepping back further, Terri's face twisted in frantic terror when the man rip the purple trench coat from the back of the chair. Her heart felt like it might give out watching him pulling it apart and yanking the black box from the inside pocket.

He knew... 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 from down the hall.

No way...

"Where. Is. It?!" Stretching his arm out in in their direction, the box laid open in his wide palm. The hand held out was shaking like 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. Has been for as long as the other women have 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, tell him where it was, who had it-nothing would come out. Not with the way her throat closed up.

"You're crazy! Don't accuse anyone without any proof!" A snarl ripped through the quiet room as he stomped over, his 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, trying to make a break for it and running towards the door. This was one of the first times one of the clients actually noticed something missing before they left. There was only the two of them, the options were narrowed down enough for there to be no mistake or anyone else to blame.

Terri trembled, covering her mouth with her shaky hand. No matter what happened now, everything was going to end badly. This guy was scary enough without being furious at them. If he seemed terrifying before, it was nothing compared too now.

Brenda tried... She was only a few steps from the door, when a gloved hand grabbed the back of her head, ripping her back as she screamed. She latched on to his wrist, desperate to release the grip on her dark hair, crying out when she fell to the floor.

The blonde was too scared to move, her muscles tense with fear from what she was seeing. Her partner's ankle twisted when she flailed, dropped down hard against the floor. The stilettos on her feet were too high and inconvenient to get her footing. The clown roughly dragged her away from the only known exit, their one way of escaping. 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. They wouldn't get very far, even if they went barefoot.

"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. 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 as he dragged her across the floor, towards the table. Brenda lying and clawing at him only seemed to anger him more. Pulling the brunette up to her feet, he let out a snarl, twisting his hand into her long hair. Before she could say another word, he slammed her down against the table with no remorse.

The blonde shrieked, stumbling back when she saw her friend's head smash against the table. The glass shattered from the impact, falling all over the floor.

"Oh my GOD!" This psycho was really going to kill them...all over a ring.

It took a moment to realize that Brenda wasn't screaming anymore. The brunette's body hung limply over the wood side of the table at the waist, face planted in the glass she just went through.

Backing away slowly, green eyes widened at the sight of blood running down Brenda's pretty face. It was starting to pool around her head lying against the floor, spilling from the large gash where her skull had been cracked open. This guy was strong...and increasingly more psychotic. Crouching down, he grabbed a handful of dark hair, forcing her head up to take a look at her face.

"Tch." Shifting his jaw, the clown quickly pulled his hand back, letting her face smack against the floor. A sneer twisted his face, popping his lips in annoyance. Was he disappointed it was over already?

'Sick fuck...'

When 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 everything that's happened, all the terrible things she had to endure... 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 madman...over goddamn jewelry.

The clown's dark eyes were wild, staring at her while he slowly stood. The only thing she could pray for was that it would be quick. Asking for a painless death would be a waste. This man clearly got off on other people's suffering and discomfort, far more sadistic than the rumors said.

Standing tall, he cocked his head to the side, running his tongue along the long scar that curled up along the side of his face. A demented smile that went perfectly with his personality.

Terri quickly tried to debate what to do, despite the haze in her mind making it almost impossible. Was she in shock? Too afraid to even think?

"Wait!" When he took a large, measured step in her direction, the blonde held her hands up instinctively. "I know where it is! Just wait a second!" Maybe if he got the ring back, it might calm him down. Whether he was going to spare her or not, was different story. The only thing she could do was hope to God that this was actually some crazy nightmare that she'd wake up from any minute. If it wasn't, she could prayed 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. The sight chilled Terri to the bone, making her teeth chatter. 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 while 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. If she hadn't seen the paint up close, she would have swore he'd been sitting in that dark hole down the hall, feasting on someone's blood.

Moving slowly and taking cautious steps, she was too afraid to look away from him. Worried that if she did, there would be a hand or knife around her throat and it'd all be over before she knew what even happened. There wasn't much she could do anyway, if he really wanted to.

With every move Terri made, the clown kept his eyes directly on her, moving his head along as she shuffled her feet, trying to keep a safe distance between them. Hands still held up, it felt like her chest would collapse in on itself at any moment.

"Hurry it up! I don't have all night!" Her body seized up when 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, gagging from all the blood that pooled and splattered around the woman's head from when he dropped it against the floor.

"Oh-... Shit..."

"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 Brenda's skull had hit the thick glass. Trying to stifle the tears, she gingerly grabbed the helm of the dress raised high up the woman's thighs, pulling it back to reach the little pocket in the seam. Sliding her 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, now that the culprit was dead and he couldn't play with them? Perhaps he'll go easy on her 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 when she tried standing 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.

The clown's dark eyes were wide and wild. The smile he previously wore was completely gone as he loomed over her. Stretching a gloved hand out, she raised her own shaking one, gently dropping the sparkling piece in his palm with a broken sob. Any hopes of bargaining would have been futile, that was clear.

Closing his fingers around the ring, he raised his hand up, clenching it so tightly it shook. His lips pursed tightly together, shifting his jaw and glaring down angrily 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 beg, try to reach out to any bit of humanity that might be left in him. "I-I don't want to die! I didn't take it! Swear to God!"

Gripping her hair tightly in his fist, the clown looked down at the ring in his hand, spreading his fingers out wide. There was a stange 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, ignoring the blonde gasping and crying. She tried her best not to flail, to not bring his attention back on her while he looked transfixed at the jewel in his palm.

"Are you scared?" The question made Terri freeze in her attempt of wrapping her hands around his wrist, trying to alleviate the pressure against her skull. With a 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 his pinstripe pants, patting it from the outside as it fell to the bottom.

'What?! Is he really asking that? Who the hell wouldn't be scared after what he just did!? What kind of question was that?'

The clown's sudden change in tone is what really surprised her. It's wasn't deep or commanding, the way he spoke throughout most of this encounter. There was almost a genuine curiosity in his question, like he was interested to know if she actually was scared. Maybe that's something he hasn't experienced in a long time or just reveled in that fact he can cause it in another person on a whim. None of that was really clear, nor were his intentions in asking. If she said 'no', did he want to give her a real reason to be? Either way, whether it was from him tugging her her head round or the shift in his mood, this man was giving her whiplash. In only seconds, he went from being on the edge of a killing spree, to being calmer and more calculated. It was almost like the sight of the ring was calming the raging storm brewing inside of him and she could only hope it wasn't replaced with something worse.

"Y-Yes..." Swallowing hard, it better just to answer him. Angering him any further would only shorten her life expectancy and she sure as hell wasn't brave enough to act tough. Not now... There's a time and place for everything.

Terri thought her heart was going to burst when he stepped around her, still keeping his fingers laced in her hair to maintain control if she tried anything. Dropping down to his haunches, his eyes narrowed in on her. She couldn't breath, getting to the point of hyperventilating, unable to force air into 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. Almost instinctively, the blonde did the same thing, not realizing what she did until he barked out a laugh at the subconscious action.

"Hahaha... You are scared. Aren't ya? I would be too. You whores 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 weren't glued to the greasepaint fall against his shoulder.

"Wha-... No! I didn't take anything. I told her to put it back! I told her it was a bad idea.. Please... Please don't hurt me! I'm-" A painful tug from his gloved fingers stopped any more pleas, almost tearing her hair from the roots.

"Oh, I know. Ya see... I, ah, hear and see everything. Nothing escapes my attention." Green eyes widened at his words. Something in the pit of her stomach told her that he wasn't lying. Why else would he have gone straight for the coat? Then again... Why did he wait over a half an hour to come out or get the ring from Brenda himself? If she had been a little braver, maybe she could have asked. Maybe it was all for show, to see how they would react or decide to put it back. Seeing the sadist in him, he probably enjoyed watching them squirm, heightening the fear after letting them calm down, foolishly thinking everything would be okay.

"All anyone cares about is money and jewelry. How much something is worth... What they can 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 knew she wasn't the one who stole the ring?

'Why is he doing this to me if he already knew?!'

"There are more valuable things than money. 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 a person, doing anything for an extra dollar. Heh. I'm sure you know what I mean by tha-t." 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." A gloved hand patted the spot where the ring sat, more protected than most treasures.

"That... That ring. Is it that important to you?" Terri was shocked the words even left her lips. Was she scared stupid or something?

"HAHAHAHA!" The raucous noise made her cringe as he yanked her head back, moving in so close enough that 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 yours and mine! 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 eyes when he leaned in, looking directly into hers, made the blonde far more frightened than what he 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 draw out some kind of reaction or lull her into a false sense of security.

"A woman like you might not understand. If ya 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 words leaving his lips, his dark orbs and expression told a different story. His thumb caressed the skin along her jaw and she couldn't resist trembling, afraid the somewhat gentle 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 running down her cheeks. Moving in uncomfortably close, he gripped her face when she instinctively tried to pull away.

"At-ta-ta-ta. Ain't goin' nowhere, so knock it off. Ya tryin' to make me angry? Hmm?" A grin spread across his face when she slowly shook her head, not wanting to send him into another fit of rage. So far, he hasn't hurt her too bad... Unlike Brenda, who was lying in a pool of blood and glass.

'I'm not going anywhere? Does that mean he is going to kill me after all? Wants someone to torture, since Brenda ended too fast for him to get off on? Or does he actually want to-...? Maybe he wants to screw around? If I can get him to calm down, let him take out some of his frustration on my body, maybe I can at least get out of this alive...'

The clown's lips were moving, silently muttering something to himself. Holding her still, he kept staring only at her eyes, while she tried to keep as still as possible. It felt like waiting for a cobra to strike as it rose up, patiently waiting for its prey to make any sudden movement and hissing under its breath.

The look in his dark eyes sent shivers down her spine. It wasn't filled with the rage he's shown throughout the night. Something else flickered through them as they blinked, twitching every so often. They seemed...warm, almost human, if that was possible. Giving off a sense of longing and entrancement, the same way he stared at the ring. It was confusing, but that didn't help calm the fear or anxiety coursing through her.

"Heh. You're lucky, sweetheart. Since it's 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. "Ah. That's it... Giving. Maybe even merciful, you could say..." Fingers tapped above her cheek, making her blink rapidly when they inched closer towards her sockets. A gasp left her lips, trying to jerk back when she felt the tips of his gloved fingers trail up to the lids of her eyes, pulling them wide open.

'Is-Is he...going to try taking them?!'

"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, watching her face twisted into a horrified expression. One that only brought mirth to his own.

"Ya see... I'm just such a sucker for green eyes... Not just any though. Nope. Nope. I have very, ah, specific tastes. Has to meet a certain criteria, of sorts. Yours are close, but no dice." Popping his lips and curling them, Terri couldn't believe any of this... If this crazed clown was actually even real. She really hoped it was a hallucination from a bad batch and too many Stephen King movies.

"Hmm? 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 from the pressure letting disappearing from against her skull. Bolting up, the clown stepped away from her like he hadn't been just going on an insane tangent or giving the body on the floor a single glance.

Terri slowly got up, not trusting her shaky legs to keep her steady, but needing 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 wouldn't have a sudden change of heart.

"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 nightstand.

"O-Okay. Thank...you." She didn't know if she was thanking him for the money or sparring her life, maybe both. The cash meant nothing at this point, that's been long-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. Taking off down the hall as the door slammed behind her, she almost lost her barrings, gasping and crying when 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 that cunning brain of his. Always knew everything that was going on, even when he wasn't around.

"I hear and see everything. Don't ever forget that."

Everyone's heard it, has 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 Rocco'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 run from Carlos or falling into fear head first and doing something stupid.

Carlos 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 did whatever he could to stay on the good 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 for the clown's posse, she silently prayed that it wouldn't end up like that first encounter.

Rocco was usually the one to 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 cash, so it wouldn't cause trouble in the complex the girls shared with their pimp.

During one of the moments where they were away from the others and could just talk, Rocco confided in her that him and some of the other men would occasionally send up one or a couple prostitutes up to the top floor. They did it 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 put everyone on edge, but if one squints really hard...there were some good sides to him. It seemed like there were two different people in one body, constantly switching sides and always mulling over something.

It was extremely odd to witness. Sometimes the clown could be playful, joking around and 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, while 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 any of them, not anymore. Maybe initially, until they remembered who they were dealing with.

Nothing really surprised Terri anymore. Not after the last two years she's spent 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 from the way the men were acting. Living it up, like it might be their last. Everyone was too busy, too consumed in what they were doing, they probably didn't even noticed it. Didn't see the two people who walked in through the door.

Terri did.

Whenever the Boss walks in, she always noticed the striking colors from the corner of her eyes. Always. The Joker just had a way about him and his appearance that couldn't go unnoticed. 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 was sitting on. Such a beautiful face and delicate features... One Carlos would have paid top-dollar for just 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 is, the better for this line of work. They stuck 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 that didn't involve hurting them in some way, and he definitely didn't bring any back or take them up the staircase. He always had a room that was on the top floor, no matter where they relocated to.

In what crazy hell did shit like this happen? Something obviously went down if she was wearing his clothes and not her own. The Boss never walked around without his dress shirt on or some disguise 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 willingly spending time with someone that didn't involve 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, like he didn't want her to see what was going on. If she was a hostage and didn't want her to see any faces or details, he could have blindfolded her, but he didn't. He even took her hand and helped guide her up the steps. 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 that 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 different. like 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. Perhaps someone slipped some hallucinogens in with the drugs somewhere, or perhaps it was a trick of the eyes. Maybe not...

Either way, the pinkette was either going to be a very lucky woman or a sorry piece of ass.