Chapter 6
Petrichor
Ana was sat on her sofa lost in a stare, her hair up in a messy bun, her face still wearing the beating she endured a few days before. Her right eye was swollen with heavy bruising creeping up from her cheekbone; her upper lip was badly cut with a deep wound slashed toward her nose; and her left side had bruises across her cheek and down her jawline. With a blanket covering her body and Winston sitting purring on her lap, she recalled the ambush and the beating, questioning what she could have done differently and why she felt so deflated.
Duncan walked over with a cup of coffee for her, noticing that she was staring at nothing, he placed it down on the coffee table and sat beside it.
"How are you feeling?" he softly spoke but did not get a response. "You're up early?" he queried.
"I couldn't sleep," Ana mumbled whilst still in her stare, she felt her face pulse in pain as she spoke.
"You're alright now, we're safe, we made sure of it," Duncan reached and squeezed her blanket-covered leg. Ana could feel the faint smell of gasoline on both of them still. After the Joker retrieved his weapons from Maroni, he left behind explosives as a warning to the mob.
"Funny," scoffed Ana and looked toward Duncan. "We're never safe in this job," she whispered. She reached into her pyjama bottoms pocket and grabbed a small clear sachet filled with her cocaine.
"It's a bit early, isn't it?" Duncan shifted uncomfortably.
"No," Ana simply said as she opened the sachet and sprinkled a large amount of powder onto the side of her hand and snorted. Duncan watched as the bliss washed over her, soothing her wounds, and clearing the grogginess in her mind. She closed her eyes and let out a long exhale.
"I suppose I should go in today," Ana stated.
"You don't have to if you're not feeling well," Duncan insisted.
"But I do…" Ana snapped her head to him, "Perks of the job. No 9 to 5, no contracts, no sick pay. I've got to go in before the Boss gets annoyed or suspicious," Ana explained. Duncan moved from the coffee table to kneel on the floor in front of Ana.
"Ana, it'll be okay," he tenderly spoke as he placed one hand on her leg and the other on her shoulder.
"Will it?" she asked looking into his earthy eyes.
"Yes," he gave a small smile as his hand gently moved from her shoulder to lightly touch her cheek. Ana suddenly felt this heavy feeling in her chest, and a strange but exciting connection as she looked at Duncan.
"What are you doing?" she couldn't help but smile.
"This," he whispered as he slowly moved closer to her. Their lips locked together in a gentle kiss. Ana felt her heartbeat harder out of excitement. She felt more euphoria than from her previous snort. As they separated, Ana let out a sigh.
"Why did you do that?" she nervously smiled, "We don't do that. That's what couples do," She shifted uncomfortably.
"Ana, I stay over here most nights," Duncan explained.
"Yeah, as a friend," Ana looked down at her lap.
"What we do in there…" Duncan smirked as he pointed to her bedroom.
"Is just a bit of fun," Ana shrugged. Duncan sat back on his heel, let out a sigh, and then chuckled.
"Alright Ana," he shook his head and chuckled, then stood back up and waltzed to the bedroom.
"We're going to be late if you're not careful, and it's your turn to do the coffee run," he called. Ana looked over at her phone and caught the time. She let out a gasp as she whipped off the blanket, scaring Winston to jump off her lap.
She felt a welcomed surge of energy, either from her cocaine or their kiss. Ana wouldn't decide which one.
Ana ran into the abandoned apartment, by the time she climbed the twelve flights of stairs her clothes were almost dry from the downpour outside. Ana divvied up the coffee orders and looked around the hideout. She ended up being earlier than expected so only a couple of henchmen had arrived. Duncan strolled past her to the storage room, drinking his coffee. Ana looked over to Charles sitting on the sofa, reading a newspaper.
"Here you go Charles," she smiled as she handed over his coffee.
"Thank you, Ana," his eyes flickered up from his reading to look at her face. Once he saw her bruises, he lowered his newspaper and focused his attention on her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Ana gave a phoney smile. She noticed the gash on his forehead from when the butt of the guard's rifle whacked him. "How about you?" she nodded to his head.
"Oh, I'll be alright," he brushed it off and went back to his reading. Ana nodded and looked around the room. There was no one else here who had ordered their usual coffees yet. She walked over to the kitchenette and placed all the other coffees on the counter. She looked down to the last one and gave a light exhale. It was the Boss' order.
"The Boss?" she called to Charles.
"He hasn't come out of his room yet," Charles answered whilst still reading. Ana gave a worried sigh as she contemplated not handing the Joker his morning coffee. She was concerned that as she had not seen him in a couple of days, she may have been in trouble for taking time off. Ana let out a scoff at thought of this feeling like a school and that she was worried about getting a detention.
"Stupid," she mumbled under her breath as she grabbed the coffee and charged out of the room.
Ana walked down the corridor, minding a few new crates that were sprawled out against the walls. The Joker's room was along this corridor, behind the blood-stained door. Even now Ana would get tense going near it after all these years.
Just as she came up to it, her steps lightened. Unexpectedly, the door opened, stopping Ana in her tracks. Her eyes widened as she saw Allie creep out of the room, her clothes dishevelled. Allie quietly closed the door and turned around, jumping at the sight of Ana standing in front of her.
"What the hell were you doing in there?" Whispered Ana, not wanting to draw attention, just in case the Joker was still in his room.
"Nothing," Allie nervously laughed as she pulled up her bra strap that hung off her bare shoulder. Ana looked her up and down; she noticed Allie's unbuttoned jeans and bedhead hair.
"Oh Allie," Ana sharply exhaled in disappointment.
"What?" Allie whispered back confused.
"Is the Joker in there?" Ana whispered as she placed the Joker's coffee on one of the crates and stepped closer to Allie.
"Yeah, he's just… getting changed," Allie tried to hold back a smile but failed in her attempt.
Ana gave a long sigh; her eyes flickered from the door to Allie and just stared at the naïve girl.
In one quick flash Ana aggressively snatched the back of Allie's neck. Allie yelped as Ana dragged her away from the Joker's bedroom door and down the corridor. Allie's neck hurt from the pressure, but Ana's sudden anger kept her silent as she was marched away like a misbehaved dog.
The Joker disconcertingly opened his door and stared after the two women.
"Hmmm," he raised his eyebrow and smirked. He continued his tasks as he locked his door and pulled on his deep purple coat. He looked back again and gave a deep chuckle, grabbed his assumed coffee from the crate and sauntered down the corridor in the opposite direction.
Ana entered one of the empty rooms further down, it was dimly lit by the rising sun that peered through the sheets that hardly covered the glassless windows. She slammed Allie face-first into the nearby concrete wall, Allie frantically spun around but flinched as Ana rested a hand on the wall next to her head.
"What were you thinking?" Ana shouted.
"What? He's kind of… charming," Allie slipped out a slight smile.
"Are you insane?" Ana grimaced, despite thinking it a redundant question in their current circumstances.
"You haven't been here! You haven't seen it! He likes me," Allie spoke proudly. Ana scoffed.
"My mistake, you're just an idiot." Ana hissed causing Allie to give a hurt expression.
"You're just jealous that he chose me." Allie roared back finally gathering up her strength.
"What?" Ana laughed.
"You have worked for him for years and he hasn't even looked at you. Then suddenly I come along, and he can't get enough," Allie sneered and then tried to walk away. Ana used her forearm to shove Allie back against the wall.
"He's using you, Allie. You're just too stupid to see it," Ana scorned.
"No, I am not, I can see clearly," Allie shifted under Ana's arm, "Besides, what's the difference between me and him, and you and Duncan," Allie bravely asked. Ana released her momentarily stunned by her question.
"What do you mean between me and Duncan, nothing is going on," Ana explained.
"Oh please, it's obvious! You both come into work together, looking at each other from across the room. There is clearly something going on," Allie argued.
"Don't change the subject. We're just friends," Ana insisted.
"Really? I think you're lying. I think there's more going on," Allie smirked.
"So what, we mess around, it's just a bit of fun," Ana defended.
"Exactly, and whilst you guys 'mess around', me and J have something more," Allie leaned into Ana, "And you hate that," she grinned. Ana gawked at this emptyheaded girl, who dared talk down at her, forgetting her place.
"So you go back to your Dunks, your friends with benefits, and doing the coffee run. I've got better things to do," Allie tried to swan off and get the last word. Ana laughed in pity as Allie tried to be the cocky henchwoman.
Ana watched Allie walk past her, but when they were shoulder to shoulder Ana's right hand swiftly grasped Allie by the neck and forced her backwards against the walk. Allie's head whacked the brick causing a sudden grogginess. She tried to flail out of Ana's grip, but Ana pressed her body against her and moved her hand from Allie's neck to her jaw.
"Just because you're fucking the Boss, doesn't mean that you now run this place," Ana growled.
"Get off! God, you fight like him," Allie cried as she referred to the Joker's movements.
"Who do you think taught me?" Ana snarled. Ana glared at her as she deciphered that the Joker has been intimidating Allie away from the rest of the group.
"Did he force you?" Ana eased the pressure she was applying.
"What?! No!" Allie protested. "We've had a connection from the beginning," Allie tried to shove Ana away, but Ana's stance was too powerful to shift.
"Stop being a stupid little girl, this is serious," Ana dug her nails into Allie's face, "He is dangerous and unpredictable," she growled.
"Get off of me," Allie squirmed.
"You'll die," Ana spoke bluntly, causing Allie to freeze. "He can kill you without a second thought," Allie felt her annoyance build, not wanting to hear more she slammed her arm down against Ana's and gave her a shove. Ana allowed it and stepped aside as Allie stormed past her.
"You're in danger Allie," Ana called as Allie got to the doorway to the corridor.
"No, you are Ana," Ana turned to face Allie in disbelief at her constant disregard for her warnings, "The next time you lay your hands on me, I will tell the Joker, and he will make sure you're sorry," Allie spat before exiting the room.
Ana let out an astonished laugh and started to pace around the room.
"What the fuck," she mumbled, shaking her head. She felt her anger bubbling in the pit of her stomach as she paced back and forth. She couldn't believe the audacity of Allie to ignore any sense or warnings, and then to have the nerve to threaten Ana using the Joker, as if you can tame the beast.
"Who does she think she is?" Ana grumbled, feeling the rage boiling up.
"Who does she think she is?!" she snarled, letting out her rage and kicking a nearby crate. A loud crack echoed throughout the large space.
Ana let out a few heavy breaths as she willed herself to calm down, suddenly feeling the throbbing pain on her face again. She rolled her eyes and reached into her pocket for her stash of cocaine.
This day was dragging, more henchmen returned to the base, filling the apartment, and getting on with their duties. Ana and Duncan were sorting the crates of firearms in the room off of the lounge, ensuring that all magazines and bullets were with their equivalent weapon and checking for any damages or malfunctions.
"Did you know?" Ana asked Duncan as she cleared the barrel of a gun.
"I didn't, I mean they were acting a bit strange these last few days, but it's the Joker. And Allie, well, she's been weird since she got here," Duncan brushed off as he loaded a magazine into a rifle.
"I just can't believe it," Ana whispered looking out into the lounge. She saw the Joker and Charles sitting at the table behind the sofa, the Joker was waving his arms around as he was explaining something to Charles, who was listening intently.
"Get the next crate," Duncan pointed to one stacked on top of another. Ana nodded and dragged the crate off the top. As she pulled, she suddenly felt light-headed and warm. Duncan noticed her stop.
"Are you alright?" he stood up and walked over to her. Ana closed her eyes trying to control her dizziness.
"I don't feel good," Ana murmured, her face was pulsing, and her cheeks felt warm. "I'm going to go get some air," she walked out of the room, past Charles and the Joker, and down the corridor.
A few floors down on the 8th floor was a section of the building completely unfinished. There were thick plastic sheets hiding gaps in the walls that looked out into the harbour. Abandoned ladders and construction tools were scattered around, and piles of forgotten pipes were stored in the centre of the room.
Ana had perched herself on a ledge of the floor that faced a hole in the wall. She had the perfect view of the harbour that spread far into the horizon. She loved to watch the calm waves, particularly from this height as the crisp fresh air from the previous rain weaved past the sheets and caressed her face.
After 10 minutes had passed, Ana let out a sigh as she felt the faintness wash away. She shut her eyes to try and listen to the waves, but the echoes of Gotham seeped into her senses.
"Petrichor," a voice spoke from behind her. Ana immediately gave a sharp inhale and peered around. The Joker was standing there twizzling a small knife on his gloved finger. The afternoon glow failed to fill the large room with enough light, causing dark shadows to form on the far walls, making the Joker's form appear even more menacing.
"Boss?" Ana became more aware that she was sitting on the edge of the building, making herself an easy target for anyone to come and push her off. "Sorry Boss, I was just getting some air, I'll head back…" Ana quickly spoke as she began to stand up.
"No need," The Joker dismissed as he wandered closer. Ana looked at the Joker in confusion as she sat back down. "Do you know what petrichor is?" The Joker asked.
"No Boss," Ana watched him carefully as he walked closer.
"It's the smell after rain," the Joker began as he walked to the ledge, keeping his distance from Ana. "Well, it's geosmin being released after the rain but same thing," he waffled. Ana stared at him blankly, he appeared in a calm mood for now. "Petrichor is what's left after a storm," The Joker stared out into the horizon, almost admiring the view. Ana looked out to appreciate it as well. "Like with the Batman." Ana looked back at the Joker. He never mentions Batman anymore, not after he went missing years ago.
"Batman?" Ana squeaked; The Joker looked down at her briefly then back to the horizon.
"The Batman flew around, trying to eliminate chaos and give hope to Gotham," The Joker let out a chuckle, "But he knew couldn't save them. No, no, no, no… not with what Gotham's white knight was doing behind the curtain, the perfect storm," The Joker started to twizzle his knife again, "But then he vanished after he supposedly murdered Dent, a predictable disappearing act," he paused for a second and sucked his scarred cheeks. Ana was struggling to follow what he was talking about but still listened closely.
"What do you do when the storm is over, what's left?" The Joker asked glancing back at Ana.
"Petrichor," Ana mumbled. The Joker raised an eyebrow. "You're petrichor, you are what's left. So, you pick up the pieces and get used to a new…" Ana struggled to find the word, "Climate," she chose, trying to play on the Joker's analogy. The Joker chuckled and nodded.
Ana questioned if he was just going off on a tangent, thinking aloud, as he wandered around the building, or was he trying to communicate and reassure her? She wondered if she should ask about Allie but rejected the thought almost instantly.
"Maroni is a new storm," the Joker interrupted her thoughts.
"But we scared him off, we bombed his hideout," Ana queried.
"No, we haven't seen the last of him yet." The Joker mumbled as he watched the outside world.
"I don't know what I could have done differently. I tried to fight Maroni's guard, but he almost killed me," Ana blurted out, the Joker watched her. "If you hadn't been there…" Ana trailed off, her eyes flickered to the Joker and then to the view.
"It's not the first time I've almost died, I mean you…" She looked back at the Joker who raised both eyebrows and flashed a smirk. "You've tried to kill me before. Hell, you're probably thinking about pushing me off this ledge right now…" Ana mildly joked, pointing at the Joker.
"I thought about it," The Joker nodded. Ana stopped mid-sentence, caught off guard by the Joker's honesty. She let out a laugh and dropped her arm. The Joker watched her laugh and joined in. After the moment passed, Ana's laughs died down and she hissed at the pain radiating from her face.
"I think I'm just tired," Ana concluded watching the waves once more. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her stash again. The Joker glanced at her hands fiddling with the clear sachet.
"After you enjoy your… distraction, I need you to deliver a few envelopes to a few esteemed colleagues," The Joker ordered. Ana figured it was envelopes of cash for a few good dealers in the area that assist with getting information, creating bespoke orders and other unlawful matters.
"Yes Boss," Ana nodded, opening her stash, and pouring another large pile onto her hand. The Joker looked at his watch.
"And I guess you can head home after that," The Joker started walking away. Ana stopped her actions and looked over to the Joker.
"I can, Boss?" she questioned with a confused look as it was only 3:30 pm.
"Yeah, but I want you in bright and early tomorrow," he called as he exited the room.
"Yes, Boss," Ana smiled.