Payton's POV:

The was some sort of rustling around me. I didn't quite know what it was, but I knew that I really did not want to find out. My head was aching and my shoulders hurt. I moved my arm and touched my forehead. It was warm, but not warm enough for a fever. This all could not be happening to me. Maybe I was at Bruce's right now. That all of this was just a horrible nightmare. Hopefully, but I still wasn't ready to find out. I thought about yelling Melanie's name, but I was too afraid of who would answer in her place.

Finally I opened my eyes and looked up at the ceiling. This was definitely wasn't her room, let alone her home. It wasn't a nightmare. It was reality. I sat up and looked around. Nice room. Kind of roomy. It had white pale walls that made you feel surrounded and there was a bathroom a few feet away from the bed. A big closet. TV at the end of the bed. One thing stood out the most. A purple suit.

The Joker whipped around so quickly, that I had no time to react. I just sat there staring blankly at him. I couldn't take the evil stare andymore and I looked down to my hands. They were red, but that's not what concerned me. My arms where covered in black and blue marks. My wrist's had bluish circles around them from the grasp he had on them. I looked up to see him leaning on the door frame. I had no idea how long he was there. His stare made it impossible to think.

" Get up. We're leaving in ten minutes." Was all he said. He went back to doing whatever he was doing before. He didn't even stop to look back and make sure she was doing what she was told. He just assumed that she would. And he was right.

I sighed loudly, hoping that he would hear. I threw my legs over the bedside and sat there for a few minutes. I took notice to my outfit now. I really needed to change. I hated wearing the same outfit two days in a row. I fiddled with one of the rings on my finger. It was silver and had my birthstone in the center. Ruby. My dad had bought me that the last time I saw him. After years of fighting with my mom, he got up and left. He must've planned to leave, because he spent the whole day with me and Melanie. Buying us anything that we wanted.

The thoughts of her dad being out there somewhere and not knowing what was happening to her, caused tears to form in my eyes. He didn't even come to mom's funeral. Maybe he didn't know. There was a number of possiblities. Maybe he was dead. Either way, Melanie and I were sent to live with his younger brother Bruce. Many people didn't know that her dad was Bruce Wayne's brother. They hardly spoke. Her father always had negativity towards Bruce. Her mother on the other hand enjoyed their Uncle Bruce. He was a sweet man and visited us often. Everything changed though, when mom died.

I was knocked back to reality when the Joker froze completely. " Payton." He sounded fustrated.

My heart starting beating a mile a second. " Hmm?" Was all I could think of as a reply. He whirled around, now wearing a black trash bag outfit. This sight caused me to place my hand over my mouth, trying to hold in my laugh. It didn't work though.

" What's so funny? Hmm?" He asked in a harsh tone. His black eyes were now cold and they stared at me waiting for an answer.

I shrugged. " Nothing."

He sighed heavily and ran his left hand through his hair. " Goo-d." He slid across the carpeted floor to the bedside. He gripped both of her sides and jerked her forward off the bed. He licked his lips. " If you try anything tonight, anything at all, you will pay for it. Understand? I don't think we want anymore problems, right?" He paused to look down at her arms.

I shook my head no. The truth was, I was going to escape any chance I got. I needed to get home to Bruce and Melanie. Melanie was probably recovering from some sort of heart attack after everything that happened.

" Get ready to go." He said angrily. " I think I recall telling you that a while ago.

I still just stood there. " I am ready."

He shrugged. " Fine." He grabbed my wrist, which caused me to wince in pain. I was dragged to the door.

We stood in the kitchen. He wasn't making any attempt of losening his grip. The first thing that caught my eye was Ferb. He was really beat up. I felt so bad. His one eye was black and blue. There were scrathes and cuts on his face. I desperately wanted to tell him sorry, but there was no time for that. I was jerked forward violently. " Time to go!" The Joker shouted.

TEN MINUTES LATER:

We arrived at a nice appartment building. The kind of place you would expect a gambler to live. I watched everyone exit the SUV and I did the same. Halfway to the entrance door we stopped. " Boss, do you want me to stay out in the car with, Payton?" Logan asked. I looked at the Joker, begging him silently to say yes. He didn't.

" Nope. WE are all going inside!" He yelled the last part.

I felt more bruises starting to form on my wrist. Everytime he jerked me forward, I swear my shoulder would dislocate itself. I took in the sight of the lobby. There was no sign of anyone. I watched the Joker lay himself on the floor. He looked up at me with a smile. " I'm warning you one last time, Payton. Nothing. Stupid."

I nodded. He pulled the garbage bag over his head. Two of the men picked him up, while a new guy, named Mike lead the way. Logan garbbed my hand and walked beside me. I didn't pull away, because this may be the only thing gentle I'll have. We stopped outside of a doorway. Well Logan and I did. Everyone else kept walking through the doorway. I started to walk too, but Logan stopped me. " Oh no, Payton. I don't think that you really want to see that."

I stopped. Because for once Logan was right. I didn't want to see anyone getting a knife put inside their mouth.