Author's Note: Another! This chapter will introduce the OC from the first story, Green with Enmity. And boy is she quite the character! Enjoy and leave a review if you'd like! :)

Chapter 3- Don't Poke the Bear

POV- Riley Monroe

2 Weeks Later:

I walk down the streets of Gotham, a short, blonde wig on my head and a short black dress hugs my body. I walk quickly, wanting more than anything to get out if this dress. The police had caught a trail by a relatively small mob member, who's going to get it when I see him next. My fist clenches and clutches the spacious, black designer bag on my shoulder. I stop on the side next to a small café, pretending to check the nonexistent makeup on me. I turn the mirror to the right and see the cops walking down the sidewalk. My eyes search quickly around the little outside café area. I spot a man, probably my age sitting alone at the table, coffee in his hand. His curly hair was wild from most likely just getting up.
I make a move towards the iron table and I couldn't believe I was going to do this. Public display of affection makes people uncomfortable. Right as I sit down, I plant my lips on his, grabbing the side of his head with my hand to cover my face. I keep my eye open to see them pass by and I sigh in relief once I let go. I make a popping sound with my lips and stare back at the stranger I just kissed. I take his coffee cup and take a sip.

"Nice choice. Well… that was fun. Thank you for your time" I say as I turn to get up. Though just as I do, I run into a policeman, spilling the coffee all over the navy peacoat I wear.

"I am so sorry, Miss" he says. But as he looks me in the eye I see a flash of recognition.

"It's okay, it's okay" I say quickly.

"Uh, miss, I'm going to have to take you with me" he says. His hand reaches back to grab his gun.

"No. I don't think so" I say lowly with a smile.

My knife slides smoothly out of the sleeve into the palm of my hand. My fist meets his gut, the knife plunging through his uniform and warm liquid drips down my hand. He slumps to the ground and the man I just kissed looks at me in horror.

"Police! Help!" He yells over his shoulder.

I look at him, tilting my head slightly. The officers round the corner and people start to part on the block.

"You're lucky you have your looks" I say with a wink.

I bolt down the block, spotting the mall as I get closer. The mall is perfect, crowds of people blocking my view. I push my way through the crowd, shoving and yelling to make everyone get out of the way. My wig whips my face when I turn quickly, only to make me more panicked from seeing the cops getting closer. I pull out my gun and shoot it into the air, making everyone in the crowd duck and run wild. I get into the mall, no cops in sight behind me. Sprinting towards the other door across the food court, I see the police barge into the place. They pant and spread out like a pack of wolves. I make it to the exit at the back of the mall outside. As I continue walking I yank off my short, blonde wig, throwing it into the bushes. I stop by the side wall next to a homeless woman. My arms shrug out of the peacoat and I set it next to her, pushing it so she knows to take it. I pull on my jeans, take off the dress revealing a tank top, and switch to my combat boots. I take out my gun and pocket knife from the bag, stuffing the gun in my back pocket and the knife in my boot. As I slide on my leather jacket, I glance at the woman who grips the coat in desperation.
"Don't mention it" I say softly.

I walk off through the city now far away from the cops. I decide to head back to the apartment and stay low for the rest of the day. My boots pad down the maroon carpet of the hallway, which remind me of the maroon theatre walls just months ago. I blink and the past is gone.
The key slips through easily and I smell the vanilla candle wafting to my nose. I shut the door and take a deep breath. Home sweet home. I set my gun and pocket knife on the small, round table and go to flop down on the couch. My legs rest on the coffee table in front of me. Maria would've hated that, I think as I snort. I turn to my right and envision her sitting next to me, flipping through the channels and barely holding for even a second. I smile shortly but it doesn't last long. I wonder if they ever saved her, or if she's finally at peace. I secretly hope the latter. The news comes on and I see a blurry picture of a woman with short, blonde hair. The caption says, "Random Shooter in Downtown Mall." The news anchorwoman says if you see her, proceed with caution. I'm glad I threw that wig away. I turn to the channel that plays classical music and get up to clean my weapons. I set a couple down next to the files on the Joker, Scarecrow, and Maria.
My fingers dig into the blade as I scrub away the blood until I can see some of my reflection glimmering back at me. I sigh when I remember what it was like to be a little more carefree and only wonder what my dad had been up to all those years. Things were so much simpler then. I shake my head. Life is much more interesting now, I guess. Suddenly there's a bang on the floor below. My brows furrow and I turn my head to the door. I turn back to my waiting knife, trying to ignore it.
The nice moment doesn't last long. The bang sounds again and I look up from my knife at the cabinet. It shook from a door slamming, a few doors down. I focus on the sounds, which is like someone breaking them down. The knife goes in my back pocket and I move around the bar to stand behind the cabinet to wait. My right brow arches in anticipation as I wait. I hear muffled voices and a few screams through the thin walls. Are they coming for me? Joker's goons? Mob bosses? Dollmaker- no. He told me she would be safe and out of the way, so why would he come for me now?

"I think this is the one!" One of the men yell.

I groan internally and get ready to fight. They're going to get their asses beat. I smirk to myself. The adrenaline starts to course through me and I feel the excitement wind up. The Thieving Magpie continues to play as it builds. I take a deep breath before the door flies off of the hinges. Hearing the men trek slowly makes me impatient. I walk from behind the cabinet, out to where I originally sat, before these fools interrupted.

"Hello, boys" I say slowly. They raise their guns when I raise mine.

"I'd hate to hurt you, so why not put the gun down?" I offer.

"So. It is her" the closest one says.

My brows raise in mock surprise.

"Oh, so you know about me? What's been said?"

"You're the one who gave up Maria, right?"

My face falls from sarcastic to indifferent in about a second.

"I didn't give her up, Mathis said she'd be safe and out of the way. And I assume she is, seeing as I haven't heard anything."

"Did you really think she'd be safe? Sure, out of the way. But you of all people should know, nobody is ever safe in this city" the closest laughs.
He takes a step towards the bar, where the files lay amongst other papers.

"Ah ah ah. I don't think so" I say raising my gun again.

"What's in the files?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you" I say with a wink. "Oh wait.."

He looks at me confused for a split second, and that's when I fire the gun. He howls in pain, clutching his knee as he falls to the floor. The two others stand there like idiots until they move. One helps the hurt, the other charging at me. He smacks the gun out of my hands, it flying towards the couch. I take my chance and punch him square in the nose. He doesn't stop with the slapping. He blocks a few of my punches and I get frustrated. I grab a sliver of wood that came off of the door, the piece going into his arm that shields his face. He grinds his teeth in agony.
While he's strong, he isn't that fast. I grab onto him and use his weight against him, flipping him over onto the ground. I bend down, grabbing the knife out of my boot. The knife plunges into his flesh, blood squirting up to my face. After a few stabs I breathe heavy and stand. The ending of Rossini is dramatic. I make note that I enjoy that one.
An irritated sigh escapes my lips.
"Ya know, I just cleaned this."

The next thing, I hear a ringing in my ears before I hit the floor.

My eyes flicker open to fluorescent lights in a white room. I blink a few times to adjust, my eyes fluttering as I come to reality. My dreams are black. These days I dream of what I've become, metamorphosis I guess you could call it. I dream of me changing, sometimes morphing into someone happy with a new life to love, or morphing to the Joker's puppet. He pulls strings over and over, making me dance. There seems to be a billion strings attached to me.
I come out of my thoughts and everything seems to be tilting left to right, right to left. I focus on what the room looks like. Pristine white tiles, a calming blue paint, and a bed behind me with an I.V. next to it tells me this is a hospital. But not just any hospital…
After a click of the doorknob, Mathis walks into the room, a slight smile on his face. Just who I didn't want to see.

"Speak of the doll himself!" I raise my voice.

"It's been too long" he says nicely. I don't buy it though. There's something in his tone. I remember what that goon had said back at the apartment. Nobody is safe in this city.

"What do you want? I'm done with you. I don't need you, you don't need me."

"Ah, you're right on that. But have you forgotten our little deal? You hand the bear over to me, and you don't poke at it."

"I didn't" I reply easily.

"Don't lie" he says shortly. "I know you took those files, wherever you got them from" he says in slight irritation.

"I know people."

"And who were those files on, Riley?"
I say nothing at first, but realize I'm getting nowhere.

"The clown.. and Maria" I say.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch-"

"Maria and the Joker, dammit! Now what do you want from me?" I say almost yelling.

He narrows his eyes dangerously at me.

"Just wanted to let you know she's doing fine. Or so she thinks. Let's just say she can't quite remember what's happened to her in the last, say, 7 months" he trails off.

"You brainwashed her?!" I grit my teeth. I struggle against these restraints.

He makes a short laugh but it's interrupted by someone bursting through the door. Maria. She looks horrible. Her face is paler than ever, a scar covers some of her temple down to her cheekbone on the side of her face, she's thin and her hair is long a uncut.
"There was all this commotion..." She trails off, realizing there's someone else in the room. I'm that someone else. There's an element of surprise in her eyes suddenly.

"I think I-"

"…Should go, Maria, what did I tell you earlier?"

"Sorry…" she says distracted. She clutches her head, shutting her eyes. My eyes widen, does she actually remember me?

"Maria? Maria, please. It's me, Riley, your best friend" I try. Her brows furrow in utter confusion. Mathis gives her a challenging glare. She looks at him, then back to me.

"I-I don't know. You look-"

"I think that's enough" Mathis presses. A red headed woman comes rushing in out of breath.

"I'm so sorry, Mathis. She insisted on leaving her room. I didn't know she'd come-"

"It's alright, Katie. Just don't let it happen again" He pauses and smiles at me.

"Take Ms. Daes back to her room, please." Maria's face shows confusion and pain.

"You son of a bitch! This wasn't supposed to happen! She wasn't supposed to end up this way!" Riley screams at him.
But what exactly did I want for her? I wanted her out of the way of things, safe. Though, maybe I should've let her die. I could've let her have peace.

"No, no, no, no my dear Riley" he says grabbing my slim face with his long, bony fingers, "This is just the beginning for her."

"Don't touch me!" I growl in anger.

"Guards! Get her off of the property."

Two burly men walk in, about a head taller than me. They grab me by the biceps, grips like pythons. They practically drag me out as I scream and protest, trying to fight against them.

"NO! MATHIS!"

The last thing I see is Maria's blank face.