A/N: Here we are! The moment we've all been waiting for; Cynthia's flying lesson!
The Penthouse: Joker
I'm a horrible mother.
I should've escaped the first chance I got, grabbed Helen and ran out the balcony to the fire escape.
But I was rooted to the spot.
As much as I wanted to move, I couldn't.
I shook and held onto the flute stem so tight it's a wonder it didn't crack.
The Joker paced the room like a child looking to see what toy he wanted to destroy first. One by one, he passed each of the guests to see if they knew where Harvey was.
A little prayer rose from my lips.
Dear God, don't let him find Helen or Harvey.
My trance was broken when Rachel Dawes stepped forward. "Okay, stop!"
Yes…this had to stop. I had to save Helen and get her out of here. Let's see…
The goons had surrounded the Joker, keeping the guests away from his little circle.
They were paying no attention to me. If I slipped to the back and around, I could sneak to Helen's room and get her.
There was a fire escape in the room. If I get out there and down, I could call the police from somewhere safe.
Yes. This was the best option.
But I couldn't just run, I'd have to edge my way around the room.
Good thing a lot of people turned out for this fundraiser.
I grabbed a frying pan from the kitchen to use as a weapon and edged to the wall.
"Well, hello beautiful!" The Joker said, pushing his greasy hair out of his face and striding to Rachel. "YOU must be Harvey's squeeze…and you are beautiful."
Good. It looked like he was going to be at this for a while. I got to the back of the crowd and inched my way past the dining room table.
"You look nervous. Is it the scars? Wanna know how I got them?" The Joker grabbed Rachel and held a knife up to her lips.
Don't let your fear get you. Get to Helen.
I waited for the goon that was watching to turn his head so I could duck and creep behind another crowd of people. I got to the bookcase just as a head turned. I put the frying pan behind my back to better protect it.
"See, I had a wife, she was beautiful, like you. Who tells me that I worry too much. Who tells me I ought to smile more. Who gambles and gets in deep with the sharks. One day, they carve her face."
I edged away from the bookcase and towards the window.
"And we have no money for surgeries. I just want to see her smile again. I just want her to know I don't care about the scars! So I stick a razor blade in my mouth and do this." He said, licking his lips. I grimace at the thought of that sharp razor cutting my lips. "And you know what? She can't stand the sight of me! She leaves…but now I see the funny side. Now I'm always smiling."
Rachel kneed the Joker. How I wish I had her courage.
"A little fight in you." The Joker laughed. "I like that."
"Then you're going to love me." A graveled voice spoke before throwing a punch.
Batman…
Instead of fear, I was watching, mesmerized as he moved. This was a trained fighter, not a street punk who thought it'd be fun to kick up other thugs for fun.
This was someone who trained.
He wanted to make Gotham better for everyone.
I let go of the frying pan in my amazement. It clattered on the floor. Everyone around me scattered as if a bomb had gone off.
The Joker made eye contact with me.
My fear returned. Chills ran up my back and a scream was strangled in my throat.
He darted to me and put me in a chokehold.
I tried to bite on his arm but the cold metal of a pistol barrel rested against my temple.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah. I wouldn't do anything dumb if I were you." The Joker hissed in my ear. By this point, Batman had taken care of all of the thugs and turned to face us. His brown eyes, surrounded by black paint, stared us down.
"Drop the gun." He ordered.
"Oh sure. You just take off your little mask and show us all who you really are! Hmm?" Joker shouted.
I shook my head at him, remembering Harvey's words and his fighting.
Harvey was right.
We couldn't lose him.
Joker shot the glass out behind me and I yelped.
Cold air blasted through the window and the sounds of traffic echoed up from below.
The Joker let go of me but dangled me out the window by my elbow.
"Let her go." Batman ordered.
"Very poor choice of words." The Joker said.
He let go of me.