The next morning my dad wanted to tell me all about Bruce Wayne's party and everything new he had discovered about the Joker. I honestly didn't care, so I just pretended to listen as I ate my cereal. I was staring at the TV when the captions caught my attention, "BREAKING NEWS: The Joker seems to have escaped from Arkham." My spoon fell from my hand and I watched in full awareness as they warned the public to be careful, but there was no sign of The Joker anywhere.
My dad slammed his fist onto the table, "Damn it! I was going to go up and observe him today." I just rolled my eyes, only my dad would be that upset that he wouldn't be able to see The Joker now, forget worrying that a homicidal psychopath was back on the streets.
He remained glaring that the television as I cleaned up my dishes. So I broke the silence, "Hey, Dad…Would it be ok if I went out shopping some today? I want to get some different stuff for my room, it's just too painful to look at all that stuff from Boston."
He barely even glanced up from the news, "Sure, yeah, go ahead. Just be careful. And be back for dinner."
"Sweet! Thanks Dad!" I said running off to get dressed. I was ready and out the door in fifteen minutes. Time to hit the streets of Gotham and explore my new home, I thought.
--
That's when I first saw her. She was studying a purple dress in the window of one of the boutiques in downtown Gotham. I was across the street, just watching. I couldn't take my eyes off her, and I hadn't even seen her face yet. But I just knew it would be beautiful. I unconsciously licked my lips as I waited for her to turn around. And she did, and she was beautiful. I needed to find a way to get closer to her, to impress her, because it was like love at first sight. I knew I needed her, and she would be mine.
--
I felt someone watching me. I turned around to see if I noticed anyone. At first I didn't see anybody, but as I walked further down the street I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being followed. So I sped up, and then quickly turned around. And that's when I saw him. The green hair, the makeup, the permanent smile, the purple suit…it was The Joker. I knew it immediately. I was frozen in my place, I couldn't have moved if I wanted to. Why was he following me? I haven't done anything! I opened my mouth to say something, but the words caught in my throat. I cleared my throat and finally was able to squeak out, "What do you want?"
He chuckled as he inched closer to me. I unconsciously tensed up and prepared to fight. As he came close enough for me to kick him, I did and I caught him hard in the groin. He fell back and I took off running. I glanced over my shoulder and he was laughing. Laughing as if my kick had tickled rather than hurt. "A little fight in ya, I like that," he called after me still doubled over in the street laughing.
I ran until I could barely breathe and then I darted into the first store I came to. I said a little prayer that he didn't follow me into the bookstore. Why do I always attract the creeps? I thought to myself. I was too busy thinking about that incident that I wasn't looking where I was going and I walked right into a young man. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I apologized.
"It's quite alright, Miss," he said, smiling at me. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," I answered a little too quickly, "Why wouldn't I be ok?"
"You look like you've been scared half to death."
"Err…"
"Oh, I suppose I ought to introduce myself before you go telling strangers about what happened to you. I'm Bruce Wayne," he said holding out his hand.
I shook it, "I'm Melanie Staples. I just moved here."
"Aah, I met your father last night at the banquet I hosted. He's a criminal profiler, right?"
"He used to be, but he still loves trying to figure out criminals, particularly The Joker," I said. I shivered as I said "The Joker."
Bruce noticed, "You've met him, haven't you?"
"Huh? What?"
"The Joker, you met him. That's what happened to you, isn't it?"
I hung my head in defeat and murmured, "Yes, he was following me."
"Well, he's not anymore," Bruce said, peering around the building over the top of my head. "I think you're safe, just be careful and don't get too close to him."
"Yeah, thanks," I said.
"If you ever need anything, I'd be happy to help. Just let me know, ok?" he said as he turned to leave.
"Sure thing," I said as I watched him go. Wow, was he ever young? Kinda cute too. I thought.
--
I was watching her, but I was well hidden in plain sight. I heard everything she said to Bruce Wayne. He had gotten to her, which was going to make my job of getting to her a bit more difficult, but I would manage. Her name was Melanie Staples, and her father wanted to study me. Now that is interesting, I thought. He wants to study me, well, that'll make it easier for me to get to her.
I pulled out a cell phone from my coat pocket on my way out of the store and dialed information. I got the number for the Staples house. So I called, and her father answered on the second ring, "Staples residence."
"Hello, is Melanie there?" I asked politely.
"Not right now, can I take a message for her?"
"Sure, I was just calling to ask if she'd like to go to a movie with me tomorrow night, but I'll call again to speak to her."
"Okay, I'll tell her you called then. What was your name again?"
"J, you can just tell her that J called. She'll know," I said just before I hung up. I laughed to myself at how easily I had gained access into her life.
--
When I got home that evening, at about 6:00, my dad told me that some guy named Jay had called for me. He wanted to invite me to go to the movies. "Do you know him?" he had asked. I told him that I did. He was happy that I was already making friends and told me that he said he'd call back later.
After dinner, I went straight to my room and put on some music. I wanted to scream. Suddenly there was a knock at my door. I jumped but yelled, "Come in!" as I got up to turn the music down.
My dad entered to hand me the phone. "It's Jay," he said with a smile.
"Thanks," I said taking the phone from him. "Hello?" I said into the phone.
"Hello there, beautiful," the voice said at the other end.
I gasped. It was The Joker. I sort of guessed that it would be, but I still didn't want to believe that. "Why are you bothering me?"
"Well, I wouldn't call it bothering, I just want to get to know you, to be your friend. So will you go on a date with me tomorrow night?" he asked.
"If it will make you leave me alone."
"And I want you to go buy that purple dress you were looking at today. I think it would look lovely on you. I'll see you tomorrow, 7:30, the movie theater," he said. Before I could say anything more, he had hung up and I was greeted by the dial tone. What the hell am I getting myself into? Why didn't I just say no? I could have, I thought. But I knew the answer to that. I couldn't say no. I was sort of drawn to him, maybe it was love I felt, I couldn't be sure. No, it can't be love. I can't be in love with a freak like him, can I? I threw the phone down on my bed and sank into the chair by my desk. I laid my head down on my arms and began to cry.
AN: Hope you like it so far. If you do, please let me know. Take five seconds to send a quick review and let me know if I should continue :)