Evening Readers! I hope you enjoy the chapter below. I nearly lost my mind writing both this one chapter 16 so it better have gone well!

On another note, I'm a little disappointed that this story soenst have more reviews. Even if you think it sucks, just let me know! I really thrive off of the feedback. I'll be posting chapter 15 and 16 at the same time so there will be more of an Author's Note at the end of ch16.

Happy reading!

November 12th 2017

Oswald Cobblepot Jr.'s Penthouse

12:00pm

Gotham City

Jen sat up and stretched in the bed of her new boy toy Oz. He was everything she wanted in a boyfriend: stupid, moderately attractive and rich. He could afford to protect her if he so chose. All she had to do was make herself a necessity to him. The fact that she had connections to the best drugs in town had already solidified that but now that she had given the best sex of his life, no charge, should have sealed the deal. She just had to keep up her game by making it like she didn't really want him. She got out of bed and stole a ciggy from the pack on his bed. Then she proceeded in dressing loud enough to wake him.

"Hey gorgeous, where's the fire?" he asked groggily.

"You set it last night babe, but sadly I gotta go." She answered impassively.

Oz laughed, "Got a drug dealers convention to go to?"

"Ya, I'm the key speaker." She giggled and continued to dress.

"Seriously, where you running off to?"

"Don't act like you care. We both know what this is. I sold you amazing drugs, we had fun and fucked. I wouldn't mind doing it again sometime soon but let's not lie to each other by cuddling." As she spoke she kept her tone light like she was talking about the weather or a TV show.

"So you do this a lot then?" Oz asked sounding a little disappointed. BINGO! Jen thought. It was the opening she was waiting for. He bought the I don't care act, now it was time for the I've been hurt before act. She quickly turned her back to him and altered her tone to be a mix of light yet indignant.

"No! I just, I know guys like you and what girls like me are to guys like you so… Look I just don't want to lie to myself and make this into something that it isn't ok?" She turned away using some extra time to find a shoe even though she knew exactly where she had left it last night.

"What if I want it to be that thing that it isn't?" he asked sitting up straighter.

Jen did a little giggle sob as she miraculously found the second shoe "Ya, right." She started walking towards the door of his room and counted in her head '3, 2, 1…'

"No! Jen wait please!" Oz got out of bed fully nude and grabbed Jen's arm. "Stay, I'll make you breakfast?" he asked sounding desperate.

Jen still didn't turn to him. "You cook?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"N-no, but I can have my house keeper make you breakfast. I swear the things that woman can do with an egg it's, it's really something."

Jen turned, suppressing her smirk behind a choked sob/sigh she'd learned watching Marilyn Monroe movies. "Only if you're sure, and anytime you want me gone just say so, I won't get offended."

"Jen," Oz reached up and put his hand on Jen's cheek. "I don't think I want you to go, ever."

She sniffled and looked down like she was avoiding his eyes, "I still need to work you know."

"Ok, so you work. I'll set you up with a ride there and back and maybe you can bring home some leftovers?"

She had to laugh. This poor rich shmuck was falling for her act hook, line and sinker. "So you like that I'm a dealer? It's not beneath you to be with someone like me?"

"Are you kidding? I love what you do! Totally cuts out the middleman if my girlfriend is the one who deals. And you party as hard as I do, we're perfect for each other!" Oz looked a little crazed as he processed all the perks of having Jen as a permanent fixture in his life.

Jen shook her head, it was time to close this deal with a little Heisman action. "I'm no good for you Oz, I have a dark past and a lot of people who would come after you if they found out we were together. I just don't want to hurt you." It was the truth in a manner of speaking. She couldn't work the streets forever and she needed protection from her uncle.

"I would never let anyone hurt you baby. My father owns half of this city and my best friend's dad owns the other half. No one would dare come after you if you were my girl. We'd be the fucking Kennedy's of Gotham! What do you say? Wanna do this with me?" the look in Oz's eyes was almost childlike. Jen was in!

"Ok, so we're really gonna do this?"

"Baby, as far as I'm concerned, you were mine that first night in my dad's club."

Jen made her eyes water and threw her arms around Oz's neck. 'Game, set, match…'

November 12th 2017

Tech Manson

5:00pm London Time

Anna looked around the cellar and silently prayed her father was right about what was coming next. The whole place looked straight out of Mary Shelly's nightmares. At the center of the vast space was a computerized something or other that was attached to a television screen. Next to the technical apparatus was a hospital gurney topped with a rubber mattress. At the head of the mattress was something that looked like a head set.

Tech did nothing to ease the tension in the room when with a horror movie grin, he dubiously said "Welcome to my parlor."

"Seriously?" Harley asked rolling her eyes.

"Yes… If the young lady would make herself comfortable right here, we may begin." Tech said slapping the rubber mattress. A mushroom cloud of dust rose from where Tech's hand had made contact. The dust caused everyone except the Joker to cough. Feeling embarrassed at the uncleanliness of his pride and joy gadget, Tech fanned away the dust and released a nervous laugh, "Apologies for the disorder, I'm afraid she's not been used in some time."

"Time out Lewis Carroll, explain to me exactly how this thing works please?" Anna held up her hands and spoke out of term. She trusted her father implicitly but the contraption in front of her looked like it administered the lethal injection. Not exactly what she had signed up for.

"Dearest Ann…"

"Anna," She corrected the Hatter. Her harsh tone surprised everyone, so far she had been quiet and played the part of a dutiful daughter on her best-ish behavior. She knew her father all her father's associates would be nuts, to put things lightly. But now coming face to face with Frankenstein's monster machine she was seriously on the verge of a hardcore 'I can't even.'

"Anna, the device you see before you, is my own invention. You lay here and I place the crown upon our head. Once the coils are warmed up, they will send a tiny electric shock into your brain. The shock will send you, mentally speaking, into a world of my own creation. Being that you will be the subject, your mind will fill that world with all the dark secrets that your conscious mind feels need to be locked away. It will be up to you to explore them and educate yourself on… yourself."

"So down the rabbit whole pretty much?" She asked not a bit alleviated by the Hatter's explanation.

"Precisely. Any other questions before we get started?"

Harley raised her hand like they were in school. "Ya, I got a question. Exactly how many times have you watched Inception?"

"Any real questions?" He asked losing his patience.

The Joker spoke up. "Just one, If the toy of yours fries my daughters brain, you know you're fucked, right?"

"I understand you will not be pleased should she suffer any long term damages."

The Joker tilted his head and smiled "Just putting that out there. Princess?"

Anna nodded and hesitantly hopped onto the mattress. Tech began the process of restraining her hands and feet. "Wait, what are these for?" She asked freaking out at her lack of movement.

"It has happened before with the previous young ladies I've treated. With all this new information, your brain can turn on itself. It has not been uncommon for my patience to thrash about and even attempt to harm themselves. It's for your own safety Ann-a."

Harley fearing for her daughter jumped to her side and took Anna's hand. "We are right here with you honey. Daddy and I are right here. I wanna monitor her vitals while this is happening. You got a stethoscope around here?" Harley asked Tech.

"To your left." He pointed to a small table with an array of medical tools. Harley grabbed the stethoscope and put the buds in her ears.

Tech mulled about, flipping switched and turning nobs that roared the machine to life. The Joker went around to the screen and eyed image. It was of a twisted looking hallway with a black and white tile floor. Several doors lined the walls, all of which were different colors and shapes. Noticing the Joker's curiosity, the Hatter answered the Joker's question before it had been asked. "That screen there will show us exactly what the girl will be seeing in her head. We will be able to watch everything she experiences."

"Gotta love technology," the Joker said to himself.

Anna started breathing heavily. "Dad? I'm sarced."

The Joker turned to his daughter. "It's alright princess. It'll be over before you know it."

Tech took the crown, ready to place it on Anna's head but was stopped by the Joker. "If anyone is gonna do this to my kid, it's gonna be me." He gave Tech a murderous glare and took the crown from Tech's hands. Standing before his daughter he looked into her eyes, bent over and kissed her forehead before placing the crown over her cranium.

Something in that kiss gave Anna a boost of gall that completely stopped her hyperventilating. There was just her farther, her new mother and herself. They were lending her their strength to come out on the other side as a new person. With renewed resolve Anna, not breaking eye contact with her father uttered two words, "Do it."

Tech flipped the final switch and Anna's world went black.

When she opened her eyes, everyone was gone. She was totally alone in the Mad Hatter's cellar. Sitting up Anna realized that her restraints were gone as well. She rubbed her wrists having sworn they were tied down a moment ago.

"Hello?" she called out. The only response she received was her own echo repeating her Hello.

"Dad? Mom?" More echo's. Anna started to panic. The promised they wouldn't leave her alone. Bringing her knees up under her chin she began to rock to and fro. Where were they? A non human sound cut through Anna's ascending alarm.

Meow,

Anna snapped her head up, was that a cat? Then she heard it again

Meow,

She looked around for the source of the meowing. In the corner of the cellar was a green wooden door with a large brass handle Anna clearly remembered was not there before. The door was open ajar. Sitting before the opening was a purple tabby cat with bright yellow eyes. Sure, Anna had seen cats before but this one looked eerie. It's yellow eyes almost looked intelligent and it made the sound again looking Anna directly in the eye.

Meow,

"Where did you come from?" She asked the creepy cat. As it sat next to the door, the cat's tail danced back and forth then stopped and pointed at the door. "You want me to go in there?"

The cat Meowed again only this time the meow was lower and a bit aggravated as if the cat was saying 'No shit Sherlock,'

Anna got off the bed and walked over to the door. As she approached the cat ran through the opening. Through the green door was a twisting hallway with seven doors. The last door stood facing her at the end of the hall. It was blood red and appeared the most menacing.

"Tech's dream world" She said to herself. Realizing the only way out of this funhouse was through. Anna went for the first door. It was extremely short and was painted a soft pink shade with a red doorknob. The door was so small and low to the ground Anna had to get on her knees to open it and crawl to go through it.

Once inside Anna felt warm. Unbelievably warm and safe like she had entered a warm bath. Not long after she entered the tiny door did Anna hear a voice. Faintly, she could make out the voice was of a woman singing. Her voice was the sweetest thing Anna had ever heard.

"Baby mine, don't you cry.

Baby mine dry your eyes.

Rest your head close to my heart, never to part

Baby of mine…"

The woman's singing was cut off by a sharp knocking. Anna had no sight in this room all she could see was that soft pink color that was the same at the door.

"Mother!" The woman said. Her shocked tone giving Anna a fright. Anna didn't like this tone, she wanted the woman to continue her singing.

"Hello Jean." Said another woman's voice. The second woman's voice was sharp and cold and much deeper than the woman who's been singing. Anna didn't like this second woman at all.

"What a surprise, how did you find me?" the singing woman named Jean calmed a bit but was still nervous. Anna suddenly felt the urge to give Jean a hug and comfort her.

"I see Joseph has been a busy boy. Where is he this late evening pray tell?" the second woman's tone was accusatory and smug. With every word Anna disliked her more and more and even began to fear her.

"He has a job tonight." Jean said proudly.

"Oh, glory be, Joseph has a job… tonight. And what about tomorrow night? Will he have a job then?"

"It's not like that mother. Joe is going to be famous. He has offers from every club in Gotham to perform."

"What telling his ridiculous jokes? How can he support you and that thing he put inside you? It is his correct?"

"Of course the baby is his mother."

"Well that's a shame. Alright, this is your last chance young lady. Come with me now, divorce that poor excuse of a man, and I will make sure you and my grandchild inherit everything. You can move back in with your stepfather and I and we will make sure he has everything he could possible need in life."

Anna could feel Jean tremble, "And if I refuse?"

"Your funeral girl." The second woman, Jean's mother ended her last statement with such a coldness that Anna wanted to hide.

"Well then mother, I'm very sorry that you risked your life walking around this neighborhood wearing Chanel. The locals are known for taking what doesn't necessarily belong to them, especially when it looks expensive. Now if you don't mind, I'm testing a baby bottle warmer my land lady gave us and I'm making dinner for when Joe comes home. I'm sure you won't mind that I don't walk you down to your car. And by the way, my baby is a girl. Joe wanted it to be a surprise but I couldn't wait and asked my doctor. It's a shame you will never know her." Anna felt pride that Jean stood up to that cold woman. Things were quiet for a moment then Anna heard that glacial voice again.

"Like I said, you insipid girl, your funeral."

There was a loud sound of something being knocked over and Anna heard Jean shout, "Mother no!"

Pain overtook Anna, a stinging burning pain that was also cold as ice. It shook her violently then she felt herself fall. The falling feeling ended as Anna landed on the checker board floor of the hallway. The tiny door slammed shut leaving Anna with aftershocks of the pain from that room.

Anna panted and she struggled to collect herself. She looked back at the door and of it's own volition her hand reached for the red doorknob. Before she knew it she was using all her might to force the door back open and was shouting.

"No! Mom! Come back!" She sobbed against the door. That was the only time she had ever heard her mother's voice. Jean had the voice of an angel. Anna reflected on her feelings in the pink room. They were her own yet somehow altered. They were more intuitive with what was happening with Jean. It was as if Anna could feel what Jean was feeling as well as what she, Anna was feeling. Then it hit her that that was a memory. A memory of being inside her mother's womb. She felt the connection to her mother she'd had while still in Jean's belly. The realization made Anna dizzy. Not only that, but in that memory, she learned just how Jean had died. Jean's own mother disapproved of the Joker, or Joseph as he was called at the time. When Jean refused to leave the man she loved for a more privileged life, Jean's mother committed an unspeakable act and electrocuted her own pregnant daughter.

"Daddy? Please? No more! I don't want to do this anymore!" Anna screamed and wept still huddled against the pink door. When there was no response from the other side of this reality Anna did the only think she could, she shook off the trauma of that first door and made her way to the second.

The second door was made of metal and was rounded at the edges with a circular window. Knowing now that every one of these doors held the pieces of her darkest past, Anna tried to peek in the window to prepare herself for what might be inside. The window was blacked out, no hints would be given from the outside. The only way to find out would be to open'er up and get it over with. Taking a deep breath, Anna grabbed the door's handle and twisted. When she stepped inside she was struck with bright light and smelled the woods.

"Anna! Get your ass over here!" A man yelled. His voice was gravely but warm. "Come on girl! You're on my team!"

"Coming!" She yelled back but didn't know why. Anna felt totally lost. Looking around she saw that she was standing in a forest and in front of her was a metal trailer, picnic table, a man, a woman and a young boy about 8 years old. She ran to them not sure of who any of them were. The man was tall and lean with a shaved head and hazel eyes that smiled as warmly as his mouth. In his left arm, he cradled a warn football, with his right he pointed to the boy and the woman.

"Ok Andrew, Beth you guys are on defense. Anna and me are gonna kick your asses!" he said and stuck his tong out.

"You wish big man!" The woman he called Beth yelled back.

He put his arm around Anna and led her a few steps away. "Ok, here's the deal. I can totally take Beth but Andrew is fast. All you gotta do is run around him and catch the ball. You got this baby girl." He held out his right hand for her to give him five. She did and they turned around beginning their game of family football.

Anna felt joy, like she belonged with these people. Why the hell didn't she remember them? They were warm and fun. More than that, what happened that made her leave them? Then the man switched the ball from his left hand to his right and Anna saw them. Needle marks all along the inside of the man's left arm, most of them fresh.

Outside the Dream World

"Get her out of there!" The Joker screamed.

"I can't," The hatter retorted.

"That wasn't a request you fucking midget! Get my daughter out of that fucking place now!" The Joker was done. It was a mistake bringing Anna here. He watched the screen as she begged for him to help her.

"You don't understand. Interrupting the progression before she is through will incinerate her limbic system. She will be virtually brain dead." The Hatter gave the Joker an apologetic look.

The Joker turned back to the screen and watched as Anna discovered who must have been a foster father seizing in the woods at night and foaming at the mouth. A hyperemic needle in his arm. Drug overdose, she looked to be only 7 years old. The first door killed him more it did Anna. Jeanie, his Jeanie, killed by her cold-hearted bitch of a mother. Gertrude, that fucking miserable wench. With her money and her things. She always made him feel small back then. That was until his transformation. Gertrude was his 5th kill when he was reborn. The only downside was it couldn't kill her again.

The Joker looked at Harley who was still holding Anna's hand and keeping her ear on Anna's heart rate with the stethoscope. She wouldn't look him in the eye but the Joker did see a trail of tears running down Harley's cheek. She said it was a mistake to come here and while he would never say it out loud, the Joker knew now that she was right.

On the screen Joker saw Anna shivering on that tile floor again. She was crying and cursing, begging to be let out. All the Joker could do was watch, completely powerless to save his suffering daughter from herself.