Harley returned to the basement with a glass of water in hand.
"Here ya go, Catlady. Sorry, couldn't find any milk."
Catwoman greedily grabbed the glass from Harley's hand and drank every drop of the brackish water.
"I doubt your Puddin' would like you catering to me." Catwoman said as she carelessly rolled the empty glass on the ground towards Harley.
"I got nothin' bedda ta do. 'Sides, Mistah J's out on important business, so I might as well keep ya hydrated until he comes back for whatever he's got planned."
Catwoman rolled her eyes and scoffed at Harley.
"How do you know he'll come back at all?"
Harley's voice deepened slightly.
"My Puddin' always comes back to me." Harley crouched down to pick up the glass and turned her back to Catwoman.
"You mean you always come back to him." Catwoman paused for a moment waiting for a response. Harley stood motionless.
"You've clung to The Joker for years, then ran off and moved onto Ivy after the violence become too much, and of course straight back to your drug, The Joker, again. You've never been much more than a sidekick. Have you, Ms. Quinn? Afraid you can't do it on your own?"
Harley snarled at Catwoman.
"Ya know, I always thought you were an okay gal, but when it comes down to it, you're just a pathetic, weaker, and useless version of the Bat aint' cha?"
Catwoman lifted her claw in the air for a moment.
"You aren't even worth it, Harley Quinn. You'll always need someone. That's what makes us so different. Your life has become a worthless cesspool of deceit and shame, false hope and pathetic puppy love. You'll die most likely by his hand, swallowing his lies to the very end. You know this just as well as I do."
Beneath the ivory paint, Harley's face grew red. She screamed as she smashed the glass against the wall, inches away from Catwoman's head. The pieces of shattered glass framed Catwoman's face.
"YA DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!"
Harley thrust her foot into Catwoman's already bruised rib cage. She smiled as Catwoman curled her body in pain. Harley continued with a back handed slap to her face and a kick to her neck. Catwoman lay on the ground groaning slightly in pain.
"You'll see, Mistah J is gonna rip you apart and feed ya to the hyenas! And we'll be laughin' togetha the whole time! HAHahaha!"
Catwoman lowered her head in disappointment.
"...And you just keep believing him."
Harley uncoiled her fists and turned her head away. She had no strength left to fight Catwoman's words. Leaving the wounded woman in the corner, she slowly walked out of the violent room, silent and unsure. As she closed the door behind her, she suddenly felt trapped in the tight revealing material of her costume. She ripped it off and slipped into her old white sweater. Seeing no other available option, she spotted a pair of The Joker's purple pants she had hung to dry and slid into them. Although they were a loose fit, a belt solved the problem easily.
She wore her dark coat and stepped onto the streets of Gotham. As she walked down the street, she almost regretted leaving at all. The smoke, the glaring lights, the lost children, the addicts, and the prostitutes surrounded Harley as she wandered down the street and deeper into downtown Gotham. She spotted a local run-down deli near the corner of the street. As she entered the deli, she looked at her surroundings in disgust. Although she was hungry, she dare not touch any of the suspicious looking food. She sat down and rested her head on her folded arms and stared out through the glass window. She witnessed two men fighting over a scantily dressed woman. As she watched the fight grow, she began creating a story for each person. A family, friends and a love for each one. She knew the truth, but a fantasy every now and then was often necessary. She took a napkin from the table and a pen from her pocket. She didn't know when she would have another opportunity to write.
It's been about two months since I've seen you. Remember that jewel heist we pulled off the last time? That was fun, Red. We should do it again soon. I just got word that you're back in Arkham. Really sorry about that, wish I could have been there for you. Puddin' and I have been traveling a lot lately. I think the B-man is on our tail. But don't worry; we've got a little surprise for him! I'll get you outta there, I just need a little more time. I don't really know what Mr J is planning.
Miss Ya Much,
Harley Q
She folded the napkin and slipped it into her pocket. It was 4AM and Harley depended on The Joker to return by sunrise. As she stepped out into the pollution, she hailed a taxi to escape, and for one last stop.
"Hey! Taxi! Straight to Arkham, buddy!" She could find her way to Arkham with her eyes closed.
As they approached the familiar dark building, Harley threw a wad of cash at the driver and hopped out of the car. She risked everything by being anywhere near Arkham. Her face, masked or unmasked, was widely known in this area. The sun had yet to rise, she had time. She depended only on the fading stars to guide her.
Just in front of the gates of Arkham, it looked as if the moon's reflection had hit the soft earth beneath the eternal clouds of Gotham. In reality, it was a small round garden filled with pale white roses, which shone beneath the stars. Poison Ivy, being one of the better-behaved patients, was often allowed to care for her garden under supervision. Harley kneeled before the flowers and inhaled deeply. Like the woman herself, the scent of Poison Ivy's roses was a temptation few could resist. Harley sighed reminiscently. She slipped the note deep within in the bed of roses knowing that Ivy would find it by morning. Silently, Harley left Arkham unseen.
Tired and hungry, Harley made her way back to the hideout. She hadn't slept in the past 36 hours and it was beginning to catch up with her. Though reluctant to, she thought it best to give a small ration of food to Catwoman. She wrapped a piece of bread she had stolen from downtown and brought it downstairs.
"Okay Catlady, ya get one piece a' bread. No more, no le-" Harley stopped and gasped at the sight of the empty chains in the corner of the room. She paused for a moment as her eyes shifted back and forth, looking for the lost prisoner. Her breath quickened.
"...listen, I'm sorry about hurtin' you, can ya please come back? Mistah J...he'll get real angry with me. Please?" Harley stood in the chilling silence, praying for an answer. She knew better. She knew that Catwoman wasn't in the room, the building, or possibly even in Gotham by now.
Harley whimpered in fear as she ran up the stairs. Panicking as she struggled to gather her thoughts.
"Alright...she's gotta be close. How far could she have gotten?"
Suddenly the door flew open. The Joker stood in the doorway covered in bloody scratches. He held Catwoman's limp body over his shoulder.
"Try uptown Gotham."