Chapter 1: Rebirth

I push around the red jello on the tan tray. My mind searches for answers. Though I lose my appetite when I remember what's happened so far; almost dying and the last moments I see my best friends. I was helping Riley find out why her parents were killed by the Joker. I was going back to my apartment, only I didn't make it. The Joker tortured and tried to kill me, and Edward has betrayed us somehow.
Dying. I remember my screams, the pain was the worst. The skin on my wrist tingles from the memory of me being tied to the wooden chair. My eyes burn, tears pricking at them. I wish Riley were here. Where is she? What's happened to her? And Gotham… What's become of both in the wake of the Joker? How did I end up here though? Who saved me? Or- who trapped me in here? Suddenly the tears come spilling out. I pull my knees up and bury my head in them. I feel slight pain in my side but I don't think about it. I sit there and sob for who knows how long until I hear the knob on the door twist. I wipe my wet cheeks hastily. I hug my knees to myself, and sink back into the pillow as if I'll disappear. Is it that older man? I don't want to see him again. And out of my own luck, it sure is. He seems to be in his early forties. Although his small, round glasses and greying hair make him look slightly aged.

"Hello, Ms. Daes. Or may I call you Maria? I haven't had a chance to properly introduce myself. I'm Doctor Barton Mathis."

My breathing is shallow and I don't know what to do. I don't answer and we both look at each other strangely. I, staring at him with a most likely blank expression and he, staring back with a slightly raised brow.

"Maria? You're looking a bit pale. Are you feeling alright?"

Feeling alright? The only thing I feel is fear- and that sting of pain I felt earlier, which is increasing as the seconds go by. The only thing I want to feel is relief and happiness. Where am I? Who is this guy 'Mathis'? Why does that name sound familiar? I turn the name over in my mind. My mouth drops open a bit more and I'm suddenly terrified. The Dollmaker.

Why would he want me? Out of all the people to capture me, it has to be him? Is he going to cut me up into small pieces and hand me over to the police? To Riley? Where are they now? Do they know I'm actually alive, and not rotting in some abandoned warehouse?
All of these thoughts run through my mind in a matter of seconds. My vision goes blurry and I see two of Mathis. Lovely.

Dreadfully, I can see what is coming next.

The Next Day:
Golden sunlight filters into the room through the cracked blinds. My feet kick back and forth as I sit on the side of the bed. Two women check my vitals; one with red hair and freckles, the other blonde with an obvious faux tan.
"Alright" Mathis gives an annoyed sigh, "We're going to try again. This time, let's try not to pass out, okay?"

There was a slight edge to his voice. He takes a deep breath as he shuts his eyes. I take this chance to ask a question. Any other time he's brushed off my questions, telling me I'll figure things out in due time.

"Will I ever be able to leave?" I ask him quietly. His grey eyes open and we both look at each other with raised brows.

"Of course you will. Very soon, in fact" he tells me. There's something in his voice that throws me off a bit- almost cynical. He smiles shortly and nods to the women.

"Okay, slowly please. Even though your stitches have healed, there still could be some pain" the red head says.
I slide to the edge a little more. The women hold my arms but I brush them off a bit. Why are they treating me like a newborn child?
"I got it" I say in my hoarse voice.

My feet lightly touch the cold tile. I look up and Mathis stands by the women, watching quietly but intently. The corners of my mouth twitch to form a smile, but it falters. I remember he's not a friend- no matter how long I've been here.
My feet firmly plant themselves on the ground and the cold makes me shiver the slightest. My bones pop in my ankles and I wiggle my toes, making me giggle to myself. I remember the golden sunlight that filtered through minutes ago, and I have the sudden urge to look out the window.
I start to walk over and I see the blonde hesitate and look at Mathis concerned. Though I'm determined to look, rather than pay attention to what he does. I open the blinds and the sun hurts temporarily. I almost feel like I'm new to the world. The sun beams over the building and acres of land. As my eyes adjust I notice over the city are dark, grey clouds that look like they could swallow all of Gotham. Even from afar it looks like hell. It makes me picture a girl in my mind. She's familiar, but I can't place her. Long, dark brown hair and her brows are furrowed. She seems sad, and like she's seen too much in her short lifetime. And one name keeps repeating itself in my mind- Joker. I can picture his face clearly. I can see dark, black eyes, a ghostly face, and a bright red smile. Only, he's not smiling either. I feel like a child again, so oblivious to the world and what's going on around me. I don't know anything about what's going on or what's happened. All of these thoughts go through my head in just a minute.
"Is it strange? *Rebirth*" Mathis asks me quietly.
Rebirth. I feel new, different even. What's happening to me? I can't seem to think of any explanation as to why I'd be here. I'm not sick like he says I am. My eyes start to water. I quickly compose myself and bite my tongue. I turn around and see the door is still open. The hallway taunts me with the unspoken freedom.

"Could I use the restroom?" I blurt out.

"Of course" Mathis says. He nods to the red haired woman.

"Right this way, hun." I follow her towards the door, but I'm stopped by someone grabbing my arm.

"Make a move to escape, and you'll regret it, Maria. Trust me. You don't want to know what happened to the others" He says in a grave, but horribly polite tone.

He smiles shortly as I stand cowering in fear. My arm pulses from him gripping it so hard.

"Off you go now."

The red head stays a few feet in front of me, not speaking a word which I'm grateful for. My fingers graze along the wall feeling the roughness. Every few feet is a door to a room. Every room has a story of its own, rather, their own screams in this case. The woman breaks me out of my thoughts when she speaks, thankfully.

"Right here. I'll be right back, okay? Don't take too long" She says in a happy tone.

My eyes follow her until she goes around the corner. I burst into the bathroom.
Once in, I slide up against the door. I'm inhaling and exhaling heavily as I try to calm myself down. My fingertips feel the smoothed wood. I flip the light switch and I'm surprised how nice the bathroom is. My brows furrow at my frazzled thoughts. I shake my head and take deep breaths again. In and out. In and out. What is Mathis going to do with me? What does he have planned?
I go over to the sink and splash water on my face. When I look in the mirror I'm met with someone who I don't recognize. My eyes widen at the sight. The color in my face is practically gone. Dark circles under my eyes make me look like I haven't slept for weeks, and my cheeks are sunken in so I've lost weight. A scar has formed along my left temple, ending right at my cheekbone. Where did that come from? It's like I was put back together with different people. It's a grave possibility, one that makes me want to vomit. I realize this isn't me at all. Whatever happened to the old me? The one I faintly remember.
A knock on the door startles me, making me jump.

"Hello? You almost done, honey? I need to put fresh towels in there" a new voice says.

"Uh, y-yes! Sorry!" I reply. I stutter for a moment, I just need a minute to myself.
"I just have a stomach ache. I'll be out shortly."

"Oh, no worries, dear."

I take a deep breath and splash my face once more. I open the door and step into the cool hallway. When I turn to my left I'm startled once again. The red head stands there, cheery as ever. This whole situation is becoming increasingly annoying.
"I'm sorry I startled you, hun" She says politely. I smile shortly as she goes to put the fluffy white towels in the bathroom.

"I can't wait until you're trained. You need to learn how to defend yourself, don't you?" She smiles.

"What?" I barely say. What does that mean?

"We better get back to your room, you're looking a bit pale, again" She giggles to herself.

I stand there for a moment, not sure what to say. My first impression of her isn't what I think now. She walks quickly back and I try to keep up. I pass a few more nurses, who all act the same. They're all on drugs, I'm sure of it. I snort at my thought.

That night I lie awake. Every time I close my eyes I see him. The Joker. I beg my mind to open up and tell me more. But nothing gives. Mathis told me I was starting something new. I was a part of something big for him. He said he'll help me, fix me even. Somehow I don't think that's true.