A/N: Alright. I finally got another chapter up. YAY. Sorry for the delay, but now im soo excited cause i have so many ideas for chapters to come!! Also, i only have like 5 weeks of school left!!! IM very excited, so i should be updating more frequently.
Thanks for all of yout wonderful Reviews, and i really hope you guys continue giving them. I'd love to reach 100 soon :]
Disclaimer: DC Comics own Batman and Joker, And a few of the quotes used in this chapterrr. Have fun!
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If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance.
- George Bernard Shaw
The sleek black Cadillac crawled down the winding alleyways of Gotham until finally reaching its destination.
We pulled up to a large building, a good 20 stories high. The building looked unfinished, with no windows, only tarps covering the massive holes in the walls. And as I got out of the car, I took note of the fact that there was a big sign signifying that this was the Prewitt building. I remembered that name. It was the same building the Joker had gotten caught in all those months ago.
Caught up in my own world, I missed the Joker calling my name.
" Annabelleeee? Do ya plan on joining me any time soon?" He asked, already inside. And I quickly snapped out of my reverie, hurrying up to him.
The Joker led me to a rather large elevator, and pushed me in before getting in himself, but I didn't say anything. There was something in his eyes that told me I shouldn't speak. Something that made me feel small in comparison to him. Something that made him look like he was better than everyone else, like a god.
The elevator climbed, shooting up story by story at an alarmingly fast speed. And I had to grab on to the railing on the side to keep myself steady. I wasn't too fond of the motion of this elevator and the Joker laughed at my nervousness.
Laughing he spoke. " He he. We're uh almost there." He told me, leaning against the wall of the elevator as if nothing was wrong. Like he did this all the time, and he probably did. Hearing his reassurance, I closed my eyes and waited until the elevator made its final stop. Soon the elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
I opened my eyes wearily to see the doors open, and the Joker grab a hold of my arm, pulling me out with him.
We walked over scrap pieces of metal and other debris lying on the floor, and once I almost tripped, sending the Joker into a fit of giggles as he held me up. But soon, we made it to a large opening in the wall that looked out over the city, and the view was lovely, too bad I made the mistake of looking down.
" Holy Shit." I stated shocked, backing away from the large opening. The Joker still held a firm grip on my arm, but I maneuvered out of it quickly, hurrying back at least ten feet where I leaned against a wall, sliding down into a sitting position.
The Joker watched me, a bemused expression on his painted face, and he cocked his head to the side, licking his lips. Letting out a stiff laugh, he bounced over to me, his eyes glittering with excitement.
" You uh cant see the fireworks from way over here-ah" He Mentioned, sounding distant. But this was just an act. He kept his eyes from my face, but I knew I was holding his undivided attention.
" Oh I can see just fine from over here thank you." I snapped, catching his gaze. His smile grew, showing rows of yellowed teeth, and he strolled even closer.
" Aww. Is uh Something bothering you? Hmm? Are ya afraid of the uh height we happen to be standing at?" he asked, leaning down to eye level, his face inched from mine.
" Its about uh 200 feet to be exact-ah. And we're not even at the top!" He giggled reaching out to grab my hand, but I slipped away, jumping up to my feet.
" How fucking sweet of you. You see that I'm practically terrified of standing up here, and you make jokes. Not the best way to sweep a girl off her feet hot-shot." I fumed, storming back to the elevator, but I wasn't counting on his speed.
Before I could get back to the elevator, the Joker wound his arm around my waist, pulling me back towards the edge. He wasn't smiling, and his grip was iron tight. " Going so soon?" he mocked, pulling me away from the one place I wanted to be. His laugh came out strained and cold. And he removed his arm from my waist, instead placing it on the back of my neck, and squeezing.
I tried to push him away but it was to no avail, he was too strong and too determined. Now, mere feet from the edge, he spoke.
" So you uh want me to sweep you off your feet? Hmm? Wellllll, if that's what you want." He growled into my ear. His hot breath fanning across my face. And before I could react, he picked me up into his arms, bridal style, and walked even closer to the edge.
" Ahh!" I screamed, clutching onto the Joker's Purple jacket, holding on for dear life.
He held me out at arms length, over the edge, and laughed when I held onto him in a death grip.
I was terrified. My hands were getting clammy, and my breathing got heavier. This could be the end of me. The Joker could easily let me go, where I would fall to my demise. And he would do it, nothing was stopping him, but I still had the smallest shred of hope that he wouldn't.
After a few moments, I began to feel his grip slipping and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to imagine myself somewhere else. That's when I heard him speak. His voice was low, but playful.
" Remember Annabelle. Its not the fall, it's the sudden stop!" He squealed, dropping me.
My eyes shot open instantly, and I immediately looked down. But then, I hit the hard floor.
Stunned, I looked up to see the smiling Joker laughing at me. My eyes were full of fear, and I couldn't speak. But I was ecstatic with the fact that he hadn't dropped me off the edge of the building. My back hurt a little from the fall, but I blocked the pain, getting up into a standing position.
The Joker was doubled over in laughter, and I waited patiently for him to stop, my arms crossed across my chest.
Finally, after what seemed like eternity, the Joker's laughs slowed and he straightened out, fixing his signature jacket. Walking over to me, he wrapped an arm over my shoulder, and walked me to the wall, leaving a foot from the edge.
" Thank you." I whispered to him, sneaking a glance his way, but he was looking out to the city around us. A small smile did creep across his face though, and I smiled to myself. We stood in silence for a minute before he turned abruptly, placing both his hands on my shoulders.
" I uh need you to do something." he said to me, grabbing a cell phone from his pocket. I looked towards him confused " What is it?" I asked, but he wouldn't respond.
Instead, he dialed a number and held the phone out to me.
" Tell them to uh go to 24th street at Prescott's, tell em that there is uh girl there. Dead." He commanded, holding the phone to my ear. I grabbed it and waited as it rang. It only rang once before a feminine voice spoke from the other side.
" 911. What's your emergency?" The women said. She was calm and very professional sounding, I almost laughed.
" Yes there's a dead girl. She's at uh," I stopped, looking towards the Joker for the Address. With a roll of his eyes he whispered. " 24th street at Prescott's." He said and I repeated it.
" Okay ma'am, Now please stay on the line as we get squad cars out there. What is your name?" she Asked, but before I could answer, the Joker grabbed the phone, and threw it off the building.
" Now, we wait!" he said excitedly, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. He was humming in my ear as we waited, and sure enough, the bright lights and the deafening sounds of police cars sped by, stopping at the same warehouse we had been in minutes before. This was what we were waiting for.
The cars parked, and the men inside them flooded out of their vehicles, into the warehouse, where they disappeared from sight, and the Joker took out a small black object, with a bright red button in the middle. It was a detonator.
" Are ya ready for the fireworks?" he asked huskily, removing his hands from my waist to grab hold of the detonator, but still encircling me with his arms. I nodded once, and felt him smile against my neck. But before he pressed the button, he placed my hands around the detonator, moving my thumb onto the red button.
" Why doesn't my little uh princess do the honors. Hmm." he whispered, moving his hands back to my sides, squeezing slightly.
And again I was faced with another dilemma.
I could set off the detonator, causing the warehouse, and all inside to be blown to bits, killing them. Or I could not. But really, was there even a choice anymore? I liked the risk, the danger. It was new and welcoming. I liked dancing along the lines of good and evil, playing the odds, and winning.
The Joker had opened up a life I had been too afraid to even think about, but now, there wasn't any other way.
Without hesitation, I pressed the button, sending colorful flames hundreds of feet into the air. The flames ranged in color from blue to orange, to finally yellow. And the smoke billowed up even higher, blocking out the sun. The fire spread to the buildings around it, sending downtown Gotham into a fiery hell.
And, I laughed. This is what I had wanted, the entire time. And I never even knew.
My name's Annabelle Mathews. You don't know me, but my whole life I knew you would.I knew that I'd do something-- be somebody-- that you'd know and take notice. A hot shot.
Front row seats, designer dresses, my own booth at the Toniest restaurant in town. Somebody.
Not some two-bit nobody, small potatoes wouldn't satisfy a starving Irishman. I knew I was going to be big. And I would do anything to get it. I had never imagined this would be it, as the Joker's apprentice, but either way. You would know my name.
The Joker was shaking with delight, his high pitched laughs echoing throughout the entire building, and I joined him. We stayed like that for quite some time, just standing on top of the world, looking down at the mayhem ensuing below us.
Soon though, the sun faded away over the horizon, and the moon took its place, giving the city and eerie glow to it. The flames had died down as well due to the fact that more reinforcements were called in. I wondered if they would find the bodies under all the wreckage, or what was left of them, if there would be anything left. I didn't think there would, but nowadays, you never know.
Nevertheless, I liked knowing it was my fault that they may never find out.
The Joker opened his mouth to speak, and my thoughts took over. There was something about Joker… it was like he could see everything you were thinking like it was written right across your forehead, plain as daylight.
Or maybe it was more like he made you think the way he wanted you to.
" They'll never find 'em. But they'll know it was me. They'll know." He said, still looking out at the carnage left behind. He was smiling, a genuine smile that was rare to see. It was free from and sarcasm or rage. Just… happy.
" Why do you want them to know it was you?" I asked, I mean it's great having people know who you are, but why isolate yourself this way. If people know what you have done, and your wanted, there's no way to ever truly be free. But if people had suspicions, but no concrete evidence, you'd be free to do as you wish. Or to even lead a double life.
" Well Annabelle, that's simple. Where's the thrill in committing the perfect crime if nobody knows it was you?" Was his reply, and I understood. I guess, if you can commit a crime, but have nobody pointing fingers your way, it would be as if you'd never done it. But if they knew it was you, the fact that you slip by time and time again is thrilling.
" Okay." I said, looking down at the city once more, smiling. The resulting silence was comfortable, it let me take in everything.
We spend our whole lives worrying about the future, planning for the future, trying to predict the future, as if figuring it out will cushion the blow. But the future is always changing. The future is the home of our deepest fears and wildest hopes. But one thing is certain when it finally reveals itself. The future is never the way we imagined it. Not by a long shot.
I had always wanted to be big, but I never thought this would be why. I mean, no I wasn't big yet, but I would be. People would know I was with the Joker. And together we would be unstoppable, but I couldn't help this nagging feeling deep inside me that made me feel like I was forgetting something. Something important.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Joker take a step back, yawning slightly, and grabbing my hand in his gloved one. " Time to go homeee!" He sang leading me to the elevator, and to the car. We both got in, and after placing his arm around the back of my car seat, he sped off.
The Explosion had put Joker in a good mood, which was good for everyone. I'd realized his mood, was like the weather. It has the same persuasive effect on everyone it touched. Even me. I was happy, even though I had taken lives today, I was happy. I liked this. I was on top of the world, I was in control. I was free. Free from the rules of society tying me down, holding me back from greatness.
In record time, we made it back to the house, crawling down past the gate, along the driveway. The Joker parked, and cut the engine, but remained seated, moving his head to the side to look at me.
" So uh on a scale from one to ten. How would you rate-ah your day?" He asked weirdly, his voice sounding off compared to his usual tone. And I really didn't have to think. The day went amazingly. Even though thinking that still left me a little uneasy. How could I have fun killing people? But it wasn't really that. It was the risk taking that thrilled me. Being with the Joker, committing crimes and wreaking havoc really made me feel in a way I never had before. So yeah, I liked it.
" Hmm. Well I'd say a sold 8 ½." I said laughing, and he joined in with me. His black rimmed eyes full of some unknown emotion.
" Huh. 8 ½. That's uh pretty good. Why uh, why not a ten?" he asked between laughs, his white paint cracking across his face. I looked at him, my smile fading. The answer was simple, but serious. It was true.
" Nothing's a ten in this city." I said, sighing, and his eyebrows furrowed in thought. Getting up, he ran around the car to my side, swinging my door open. Holding out a helping hand, I took it and he pulled me against him, shutting the door with his foot before pressing me up against the car.
" Your right. Not when you uh play by their rules." He said looking up around me, towards the city off in the distance. " But be-lieve me. On my side. Everything can be a ten." He whispered seductively into my ear, and I smiled in return.
" Oh my. He he. I wonder what good 'ol Brucey would say about his best uh friend joining the life of crime." He giggled, nibbling on my ear. And I felt as though I had been slapped across the face. All this time, I had forgotten all about Bruce.
Bruce Wayne, my best friend.
Bruce Wayne, the only person I had left.
Bruce Wayne, Batman.
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I think that this story is coming along wonderfully, i am actually quite proud of this chapter, and thank you to everyone who has given me ideas, i would still like to hear how you think this should end. Also i still need a beta reader :]
Please review, i still love those reviews, knowing what im doing right and wrong, or if you just like my story.
HAve a veryyy nice day. After you review!