Chapter 2

The two girls stood in absolute shock. The Joker was on their front door, grinning a Cheshire cat grin. Since they were Batman fans, they knew all about the Clown Prince of Crime. Especially that he is extremely dangerous and insane. Most girls would scream and run. But not these two. They did something that was so gutsy that if some people did this to someone like him, they'd be dead: They slammed the door in his face.

"Holy Shit. The Joker, arch nemesis of Batman, is at my house!" exclaimed Nicole.

"Yeah, and we slammed the door in his face. WE ARE GOING TO DIE!"

Nicole replied, "Damn, you're right. At least you locked the door, right?"

" Uummmm….."

The door suddenly swinged open, and the Joker barged right in, still having his trademark smile on.

"Now, that was very rude girls. That's not how you treat a guest." the Joker said humor fully.

The Joker looked around the living room, and whistled like a wolf in those old cartoons.

"This joint looks homey! And where are the homely parents around here?"

The two 14 year olds still stood in shock. Nicole was the one to speak.

"Um, they're not home right now. It's just us."

The Joker then threw his head back in maniacal laughter, catching Nicole and Mara off guard.

"The kiddies are home alone! How convenient. Children are so much easier to handle then grownups. Better hostages too."

While Nicole was still wondering what he was talking about with the hostage part, Mara spoke with a hint of annoyance, "Hey we are not children! We are 14 years old."

"Mara! Don't tell the guy our ages! "

Joker then butted in, "Fourteen, huh. No matter. You two still shouldn't be a problem for me. I've handled worse, like old Guano Man."

"Why are you out here?" asked Nicole with a hint of courage.

"Great question, Ms…….?"

"Nicole." Said Mara

"Mara!" Nicole exclaimed as she turned to face her friend with an angry glare.

The Joker chuckled darkly. "Nicole and Mara, huh. Well, Nicole, when I was driving away from Batsy, I turned to hide behind the hill, but when the Dork Knight was gone, my car died right out on me. Sad, isn't it?"

"Well, we don't have any cars right now. Fresh sold out. Guess you have to try your luck somewhere else, heh heh." said Mara rather quickly.

Joker then wrapped his arms around both the girl's shoulders. Walking and leading the teens towards the other room, the Joker starts talking. "Oh, but what's the rush? Why walk back to Gotham when I can hang right here. And in case Batman comes by, I'll have two little hostages with me. Bats won't come near me with defenseless kids in harm's way."

Nicole laughed shyly. "Hostages, huh? Well as flattered as me and my friend are, I'm afraid we're going to have to decline. I mean we have a sleep curfew, and I'm sure we'd be too boring as hostages, right Mara?"

Mara nodded. "Yeah, we are seriously boring."

"Without a doubt."

"Completely!"

The Joker chuckled in amusement. "Oh, don't degrade yourselves girls. The youth are so entertaining. Better than old mayors and police commissioners. Besides, heh heh, you two put quite the smile on my face!"

The Joker and his captives then stopped before the basement door. He took his arms off the girl's shoulders, and opened the door. Behind the door, was a long staircase.

"Let's see what we have down here." The Clown Prince of Crime then motioned Nicole and Mara to go down the stairs. Hesitantly, the girls went down the stairs, Joker following them after. When they reached the bottom, there were a lot of boxes of old stuff, followed by a more recently built storage room.

"Ah, there we are." The Joker said. He pushed the teens in front of him and forced them to the little storage room. The Mogul of Mountebanks opened it, and nothing was in there.

"Well, it will have to do for now." said the Joker as he surveyed the small room.

"What will have to do for now?" asked Nicole.

"Since I can't watch you two while I plan what to do next, you girls will stay in here for awhile."

The Joker pushed Nicole and Mara in the room, and stepped towards them.

"Now you two be good little hostages and stay here while Uncle J. looks around."

The Joker started chuckling to himself and proceeded to leave, just as Nicole said, "You won't get away with this! Batman will stop you."

The Joker stopped dead in his tracks. Mara said also, "Yeah, Batman will stop you! I mean, let's face it. You don't exactly win all the time, you know."

The Joker slowly turned towards the girls, anger lighting up in his eyes.

Nicole started to smile smugly. "Yeah he'll defeat you just like he does every time. And he'll kick your butt right back into Arkham, where you belong."

That comment made Joker really ticked off. He walked menacingly towards Nicole, making her back up to the wall. The Joker shoved the 14 year old in the wall, and held her face to force her to look at him. Mara was about to intervene, but the look she received from the Harlequin of Hate made her back off.

The Joker then returned his attention to Nicole. "My, aren't we the brave one now. Listen little girl. You will not smart mouth me. Nothing is really stopping me from making you laugh to death. Literally. But since I need at least two hostages to keep Bats off my back if he arrives, I'll let you off with a warning. Plus you two somewhat amuse me. Now we're going to behave now, won't we?" The Joker ignored the angry glare Nicole was giving him, and nodded her head for her. "Good" He then let go of her. Mara and Nicole then huddled close together, as the Joker proceeded again to leave.

Just as he got to the door, he looked back at the scared girls. He had his old wide grin back on again, and said with a lighthearted tone, "Remember, I'll be right upstairs, so neither of you try to play hero," and in a more serious voice, "Or else." The Joker then started to cackle insanely and slammed the door, locking it.

Nicole and Mara then looked at each other, when Mara said, "Well this isn't good at all."