Chapter 8: Chapter 8

I couldn't remember a month more perfect than the last. The worse things became for Kingston the more confident and cheerful I became. It was like I was slowly siphoning the life from him. I rarely saw him these days but in the quick glimpses I caught of him in the corridors, he looked like death. No longer did he waltz around as though he was in a Disney musical, his attitude matched the grim interior of the Asylum. His usual chirpy constant presence had withered away and he blended into the walls, back hunched and eyes constantly stained red.

I, on the other hand, had bloomed in the past month. My little act for Steven and Ozzie had taught me an important lesson, I might need people after all. I'd always lived my life so focused on education because i thought it was the only way I could prosper in a city like Gotham. I wanted respect based on my talents alone. Sure I had friends I guess, but no one that close, I didn't have the energy to try and create anything deeper. It wasn't Steven's little pep talk that convinced me though. No. Like everything in my life, concerningly, my decision revolved around the Joker.

Peter had thought he could use me, send me into the Joker then throw me aside when I didn't play the role of obedient marionette. As much as I hated to admit it, part of the reason Peter clawed out a position of power in Gotham society was because he was good at controlling those around him. Then there was the Joker. He was terrifying in his own right, but I couldn't help but admire his ability to inspire and control legions of men, admittedly unstable men. He treated them as completely disposable and yet always had a host of them ready to throw down their lives. He was the true master of manipulation. It's well known in Gotham that some people are just born to control the strings, and others live their lives ensnared in them. I was sick of being one of the dancing masses.

People might see my change as a sign of weakness, thinking I'm losing my way, when in reality I've never had a sharper focus on my aspirations.

In the past month I'd certainly got better at it, no longer was I just another clinical hard working resident. I was the golden girl of Arkham Asylum that everyone loved, I had friends on every ward. Nurses, orderlies and other psychiatrists went out of their way to help me with the smallest thing, I was even invited out constantly to indulge in the Gotham nightlife, people practically begged me. Steven had probably put out the word around that I had an emotional breakdown and needed someone to reach out to me. At first I had no doubt people were only nice out of loyalty to Steven, but slowly I charmed them with my own merits. It was sort of thrilling knowing I had all these people convinced I was a perfect angel, so charming and devoted to her work helping people rather than a rampant sociopath hell bent on having access to a homicidal sociopath.

Another surprise had been how much I enjoyed my sessions with the Riddler. We'd had quite a few sessions over the last month and I honestly looked forward to them, he was fascinating in a non-intimidating kind of way. I remember our first session so vividly.

He had been sitting rigidly upright in his chair, which emphasised how lanky he was, and somehow his orange jumpsuit looked neat. Even in the decaying rooms of Arkham Edward Nigma strived to look dignified. Even his hair, overgrown and greasy, had been brushed out of his face in a futile attempt to tame it. There was something...almost enchanting in the way his defined jaw was clenched in irritation, his eyebrows were furrowed in a pained grimace, the impatient tapping on the desk as though he was about to interview me. He'd scowled at me in open contempt as I sat across from him.

"Hello, my name is Doctor….."

"Doctor Harleen Quinzel, I know" He'd cut across me with a smug smirk that could have rivalled Peter's.

"But you can call me Harley" I had said, finishing my own sentence with a little bit of annoyance at his interruption, but I kept my casually friendly tone and expression. "I'm surprised you know my name"

"It wasn't complex at all. I'd heard guards and other patients talk about the blonde young resident, Harleen Quinzel, being taken off the Joker case" I cringed a little at that but before I could respond he carried on talking. The way he was looking at the ceiling and muttering made it obvious he was speaking to himself, not me.

A sign of his obsessive compulsion. He must need to answer anything he perceives as a riddle to the fullest of his ability. He needs to prove he's solved it.

"There's usually a maximum of four residents in Arkham Asylum depending on the applicants, although I doubt they got many after what happened with Dr Crane. Your age and mannerisms show you're only a resident and the likelihood that there would be another female resident with blond hair is low but not impossible. However I factored in that you were given my case. Only someone who had experience dealing with extremely complex patients would be given my case. Hence Harleen Quinzel, such a boring riddle."

"I can see how you made it as a private detective Mr Nigma" Admittedly it hadn't really been that much of a mystery.

He didn't reply to me, simply crossing his arms with a tip of his head to acknowledge my comment. I noticed his hands weren't bound in cuffs and chains like the Joker but then even before I'd met him it was obvious he wouldn't lash out in violence. He proved his dominance with his clear intellect which would make him ..complex to treat.

"I must admit I'm surprised that someone who has worked as a private detective, who solved crimes even the Gotham police couldn't, would turn to crime himself".

"Are you a moron?" He had actually tutted at me and rolled his eyes.

"Well, please do explain." I gestured with my hand for him to continue, because I knew he couldn't resist the urge to showcase his genius.

"Isn't it obvious? I didn't become a private detective out of some childish notion that I could help people", the way he said help looked as though the word tasted bitter, "It wasn't like I was trying to be some beacon against the tide of corruption in Gotham. I just wanted fresh new puzzles. Those bumbling idiots at the Gotham City Police Department deserved to be humiliated by me. I simply ran out of interesting riddles, it was all so dull. Crime held a much greater challenge for me".

It was clear that his obsession had led him down the dark path that so many in Gotham found, the only difference was his intellect and ego forbade him from becoming something ordinary. He had to join the concerningly growing number of criminal personalities.

"So it was your arrogant narcissistic nature that led to the increase of your obsession. Your delving into criminal activities stems from the need to prove your intelligence, no doubt by embarrassing the police, who you feel are your inferior. Can't you see Mr Nigma, your destructive need to prove yourself has worsened your compulsion."

He frowned at that, uncrossing his arms in annoyance which made me smile a little in vengeance after his condensation earlier, but I tried to make it look like a friendly smile rather than a gloating one.

"You are completely wrong. That's the problem with psychiatrists. You think a few years studying gives you some authority over others. You couldn't possibly hope to understand a mind like mine. The police are completely beneath me, why would I need to prove anything to them?"

"I think your trouble is underestimating people. I'm not denying your intelligence Mr Nigma. I have seen your impressive IQ. However it's your underestimation of those people around you that's led to you being sent here."

Again he didn't respond, merely looked annoyed at my comment but he didn't seem to have an answer for me.

"I'm here to assist with your compulsion Mr Nigma, but only if you'll let me help."

"You couldn't help me Quinzel, the mind is the most complex puzzle and mine is far beyond your grasp"

I'd know I'd be subjected to riddles, probably for the first few months and grimaced because I knew I was awful at them, but it was the only way to build a rapport.

Maybe this is why Kingston gave me his case. He must think I've got a temper after my outburst and wants Edward to irritate me into a mistake. Not a bad move all things considered.

"Why don't you test me then?"

The glee in his face was childlike, he clapped his hands and thought for a second before pointing his finger at me.

"Riddle me this, what can travel around the world while staying in a corner?"

I'll admit it had me stumped for a bit, and the longer I thought about it the smugger Edward got. The minute I realised though, a genuine smile split across my face.

"A stamp! A little out of date to be fair, a text is a lot simpler."

"That one was easy. How about this, what gets broken without being held?"

Again I really had no idea, nearly five minutes went past while I pondered it. Our session was nearly finished as I had to dejectedly admit defeat, bracing myself for his reaction.

"Okay I give up Mr Nigma, what's the answer?"

"A promise."

My hawk-like focus had caught his continued juvenile behaviour. His previous rigid posture had relaxed and he was exhibiting a pure joy usually reserved for children. Unlike the Joker's parody of glee, I actually believed Edwards' sincerity. Perhaps his compulsion had started as a child? In later sessions childhood was a topic I tried to approach often with little success.

"Well, I must say I've never been good at riddles. But look at it like this, I am still qualified to examine the most complex puzzle,the human mind. Whereas you are locked up in a mental asylum, so who's intelligence is more useful?" Even though I was outright challenging him I had a flawlessly casual attitude.

Since that first session I think my clever response won some grudging respect from him. However, just because he had slightly warmed to my presence, that didn't mean he wasn't continual antagonistic. I'd underestimated how dull work in Arkham Asylum would be during my residency. Each case blurred together, just a tapestry of Gotham's failures. I hadn't expected anything glamorous from my residency, but I didn't anticipate this. Even with his tedious riddles, spiteful comments and arrogant demeanour, Edward Nigma was intriguing. He was a breath of fresh air in a stagnant Gotham. Like me, he refused to be a victim of this city. Like me, he had a pathological need to be acknowledged.

However, no matter how wonderful this last month had been, how refreshing Edward Nigma was, the Joker was still being kept from me. I still needed to replace the bathroom mirror I'd shattered after the first week had passed without Kingston admitting defeat. The fury in me had taken control, forcing my muscles to move with a blind rage I'd never felt before. Thankfully my new network of faithful friends had really come in handy when it came to keeping up to date with the Joker.

Whenever there was any gossip about him it would no doubt reach my ears. Travelling along the web of Arkham's employees, in snide jokes or hushed whispers, it all reached me. Sometimes it was an expression of palpable fear at the Joker's latest show of power, other times it was murmurs of mutiny over Kingston's lack of action. I played my part, acting disgusted with them both while making my informants laugh at my own witty comments on the situation. Everyone seemed to believe I had nothing but disdain for both men, which worked perfectly in my favour and hid my growing obsession.

In the past month Peter had tried three different psychiatrists since Roselyn, who was currently on personal leave. No one had lasted. I knew I couldn't go see Ozzie every single time someone was with the Joker because it would be too obvious, so I had to survive on gossip from others and whatever I could find out subtly myself. I had seen the first replacement psychiatrist who'd been sacrificed being rushed through the corridor, three gashes bleeding profusely from his arm. Even weeks after I still have no idea what had happened in that room, no one does. I'd hinted to Ozzie that I wished I could see the footage just to know the secret recently, but apparently Peter had taken all copies of the footage and threatened to fire anyone who released the information.

With each new psychiatrist I only got angrier at Peter and more determined that I was the one for the Joker. I'd naively assumed after his second attempt had ended worse than Roselyn he would understand, but I should have known he couldn't abandon his control. From what I'd gathered the Joker had reduced his next offerings to angry emotional wrecks, professionals running away with their tails between their legs. All while chained up.

I'd only managed to see one of the Jokers sessions. I'd pathetically abandoned my self imposed avoidance of Ozzie after the Joker had literally scarred someone because they weren't me. I knew running straight to the only link I had to the Joker might expose my hidden infatuation but I'd rather face the suspicion than be kept in the dark. I'd only managed to catch the second half, the new psychiatrist was a middle aged man with an impressive beard, not someone I knew. Just that half a session was still enough to make me smile and reaffirm everything I thought about the Joker. He might be violent, cruel and a deviant but he wasn't as insane as people thought.

"You know Doc, I almost think I recognise your face. Seen yaaa around Gotham… maybe in the narrows?" He had such a knowing smile I barely noticed the two orderlies standing either side of him ready to grab him at the slightest move forward.

"I don't think we operate in the same circles Joker. Now stop trying to deflect the questions, we are talking about you not me."

The Joker licked his lips and pursed them together in a manner that could have almost looked thoughtful but the malicious glint in his eyes was a predatory warning.

"Now now Doc, I am certain I know that face. You sure you haven't taken a few errrrr naaaaughty trips to the dark parts of Gotham?" He raised his eyebrow suggestively, lips pulled up in his iconic smirk and I could practically feel the poor guy's humiliation from the suggestion. "I'm not a judgemental guy we all have are littttllleee vices right…..."

The Joker had up his hand mockingly to his mouth, as though to block the view of what he was whispering.

"My family have lived in Gotham for generations as well respected people. I myself am a renowned psychiatrist, I have been employed at Arkham Asylum for nearly twenty years and helped patients around the world. I do not spend my time in the slums of Gotham like the Narrows, amongst degenerates like yourself."

Just as the Joker went to make his no doubt witty remark the idiot cut him off.

"But we are not here to talk about me. We've been here for nearly half an hour and all you've done is deflect my questions and attempt to unsettle me but your tactics won't work. Seeing as you're so interested in the "dark parts of Gotham" why don't we talk about how you found yourself there instead."

I felt the giggles forming that I had to choke down, because of course Ozzie was in the office as well. This guy was clearly an imbecile, interrupting the Joker and making demands…he was just asking for it. I'm sure if there hadn't been orderlies to stop him before he did any real damage the Joker would have put him in his place right there. Instead he gave a howling laugh that had a dark edge that screamed danger but no one in the room seemed to notice his shift.

"Isn't it a little...rude to cut a guy off Doc? I thought a errrrr respectable man like yourself would have better manners".

"I'm simply trying to keep you focused on your issues. We cannot hope to cure you if you do not co-operate with me"

"Well I wanna know more about you Doc. Got a pretty little family, wife and kids huh?"

"My family are none of your concern Joker, if you don't stop this I will terminate our session and you will return to solitary confinement until I decide to let you out again." It was obvious he had no control over the situation no matter how stern he tried to be.

"Maybe I'll pay your wife a little errrr visit when I get out of here. Cos you know I'm gonna break out one day soooon and when I do…..well" He might have been smiling but it was a straight up threat that send shards of ice through my veins.

"You cannot intimidate me Joker. I need to dispel the ridiculous delusion that you have any power in Arkham. Right now I control every element of your life and the sooner you accept this, the sooner you can take a step towards recovery".

I tasted the blood in my mouth before I realised my jaw had clamped down and cut into my tongue in shock.

"I gotta ask, does she know?" The Joker leaned forward as much as he restrains would allow, completely ignoring his challenge, cheekily glancing at the camera in between his hushed question "I mean she haaassss to have some idea about all those young boys?"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!"

"You're a liar Doc, and in front of these lovely orderlies. " He gestured with his head to the two straight faced orderlies, and then looked past the guy and stared directly at the camera giving it a winning stern look so patronisingly fake I nearly laughed out loud and blew my casual cover "Listen Pete you gotta run this place better. Hiring perverts like this guy? Really?"

At that point the poor humiliated idiot simply got up and left the room, no doubt Peter had signalled him to leave…..wise really. It didn't matter that he had a prestigious family or that he'd been working here for so many years, there was no way he could hold up against the Joker's scrutiny. I had no doubt that he'd been toying with him this whole session. Despite being a supposed expert, the naive fool had really tried to control someone like the Joker, threatening him with his pompous authoritarian stance.

Why couldn't see how sharp, perceptive, lucid the Joker was, he wasn't insane. Or at least not in the way everyone else was. He possessed a…unique insanity that only I seemed to notice. I wanted to dissect that uniqueness, understand what made his brand of insanity so alluring to half of Gotham's underground and…..

Don't forget how alluring his unique nature is to you Harley!

This was another really fun chapter to amend! The Riddler has always been my second favourite Batman villain, so I could't resist adding him to my Nolan verse. I will say my inspiration for this Riddler came from Matthew Gubler in Assault on Arkham (if you've not seen it he is amazzinnggg). Please leave reviews and let me know how you guys are finding the new and improved story!