It is midnight... the wind blows softly in the trees... Wendy, Peter, Dagger, Jumbo, and Beast are running through a forest... Beast looks over her shoulder as she is running...
"Is Joker alright?", she says worriedly. Dagger looks at her and smiles.
"Of course he is, Big Sis! Ya know Boss well 'nough to know he makes it around!" Beast slowly looks forward and frowns.
"I wish I could understand his reasoning... he never tells me anything! Maybe he's still mad about..."
"What?", asks Dagger. Beast sighs. She looks at Dagger and smiles.
"Never mind... anyway, if he continues to take his leisurely time on this, we're going to get caught!"
"Oh, leave him be... all he wants is to please the children..."
"By kidnapping them? Please..."
"I suppose he wants to make light of the situation...", says Dagger, shrugging his shoulders. Beast looks forward, frowning again.
"I hope that's all it is...", she says, quietly to herself...
"Now, you never told me you name...".
"Samantha!".
"Oh, that's a pretty name... do you like it?".
"No...".
"No? Why not?".
"Well, it was my grandmother's name... and... um...".
"Go on... you can tell me...".
"Well... um...".
"How about we sit on the ground for a few minutes and talk about it...".
"Ok!". Joker, carrying a little girl piggyback, stops, and gently places her on the ground. He sits across from her, smiling.
"Now... what's this about not liking your grandmother's name... hm?". The little girl looks down, frowning.
"Well, my grandmother was... mad...".
"Mad?". The girl nods her head.
"Mama says she kept trying to kill herself!".
"I... suppose that is why you think she was mad...", says Joker with a laugh. The little girl closes her eyes and starts to cry.
"But she was! She tried ending her life because my grandfather was away from her!".
"Oh... my... don't blame her, then...". The little girl looks up. Joker looks down, frowning. "Samantha, let me tell you a story... there was once a very poor boy living on the streets of London... he had no purpose, no reason to live... until that day...". Joker recalls your face. "The day he met the person who was to matter the most to him... suddenly, he had a purpose, a reason for living... he promised himself that, no matter what, he would continue his life if it meant seeing her again...".
"Did he?". Joker looks up, and down again, smiling.
"Yes, he did, and he loved it... having her there... always... it seemed as though such happiness would last forever... but... it didn't...".
"It didn't?".
"No... just when he thought he had her in his grasp... she... slipped away... and the sad part is, he began to blame himself for it... he became depressed, desperately wanting to end his life... for, you see, he had lost his purpose once more... and... then... an evil man, who the boy had trusted for years, decided to take advantage of his love... he told the boy that he himself knew where to find the girl he had so greatly wanted to have and to hold... forever... but that it would involve countless tasks before such information could be exposed... the boy knew going through with his blackmail would lead to great misery for others, but it was the anticipation of seeing his love again truly worthwhile...".
"Where... is the boy now, Mr. Clown?". Joker glances at the girl.
"He is still trying his best to acquire as much information as possible... whatever is necessary... to see his true love again...".
"Oh... so you think that's what grandfather's been doing?".
"Huh?". The little girl smiles.
"Mama told me that grandfather left grandmother because he wanted to kill people... see, he was secretly a hit man before he met grandmother... when they were married, grandmother found out about his job, and gave him the choice of either living with her and their children in peace, or to continue killing people for money... he decided to leave his family...". Joker looks down.
"So, your grandmother was upset he abandoned his family...".
"No...". Joker looks up, startled. The little girl laughs.
"She was upset because he decided to kill people! You see, grandfather wanted to remain a hit man because he knew of no other way to provide for his family! Mama remembers him sending grandmother letters containing great amounts of money, but each time she received them... grandmother would throw them into the fire, and cry her eyes out... she would say things like, 'Why is he doing this? Doesn't he understand I love him unconditionally? I want us to be together, but if it is at the cost of another life... I rather be dead! It aches inside knowing he is doing these things... the pain is unbearable... perhaps he stopped doing this... maybe this is honest money... but how can I know if I never see him? There is but one way...'".
"Hm?". Joker glances up at her.
"'If he returns to me unscathed, I will know he was dishonest... but, if he returns beaten and bruised, I will know he fought his way to me earnestly...'". Joker closes his eyes, realizing the similarity between her grandfather and he. He begins to clench is teeth.
"Maybe... maybe he had no other choice... maybe... maybe he knew of no other way to help his family... and wife...".
"But then he's a fool, right?".
I'm always acting like a ridiculous fool!
"What... makes you think he's foolish?".
"Isn't it obvious?". The little girl closes her eyes and laughs. "If he really loved her, he would have found a job that suited his family's needs because he knew it gave grandmother happiness, or, perhaps...".
"Perhaps?". The little girl looks at Joker.
"Perhaps he would have found another way, guided only by love... hm... anyway... grandmother eventually killed herself because he was taking too long, and she was worried... Mama told me grandmother admired grandfather's character, and that he really did love her... but... she could never tell what he loved more... being a hit man...".
Your Family... they love you because of those things, because of who you are...
"Or his wife..."
You are unforgettable...
Unforgettable...
UNFORGETTABLE...
Joker slams the door to Baron Kelvin's room behind him. Doctor is sitting next to the Baron, tending to his bandages. Both the Baron and Doctor look up at Joker.
"Now Joker, whatever is the meaning of this?", says the Baron questionably.
"Fifty..."
"What?" Joker walks up the Baron and Doctor.
"I've killed and kidnapped a total of fifty children and witnesses... pleased?"
"Why, of course, I'm pleased! I can just see the Earl now..."
"Good."
"What?" Joker sighs.
"You said fifty lives would be enough for a clue..."
"Oh, yes... a clue..." The Baron wheels over to the window, clasping his hands together on his lap. "Facility..."
"What?" The Baron glances at Joker.
"Well, you wanted a clue, so I gave it... facility... that is all." Joker flushes red, and prepares to punch the Baron. Doctor stops him.
"No, Joker... that won't due..."
"You're bloody right, it won't due! What kind of a moron do you take me for?! Huh? You stupid old man!"
"Joker..." There is a pause. The Baron turns around and looks at him with anger in his eyes.
"Don't you dare yell at me..." Joker starts to laugh madly.
"Ha, ha, ha! You must think I'm the most foolish person in England!"
"Aren't you?" Joker stops laughing, looking at the Baron. The Baron smiles.
"What man other than YOU would be willing to murder innocent lives as the price for acquiring a woman? Hmph... only you would be willing to do something like that... why do I even consider calling you a man? You're more like a wimp!" Joker goes at him again, but Doctor holds him back.
"Joker!"
"You feed upon the lives of children and adults without even the slightest thought that I might be giving you little information... or perhaps telling you lies... hmph... you're better off leaving the circus, traveling all over Great Britain, and searching for the asylum that holds your captivating princess! He, he, he... but you wouldn't do something like that... why? Because you're Family matters more to you than HER!" Doctor holds on tightly to Joker's wrist from behind him.
"NO! NO!"
"Quit your babbling, Joker... of course they matter more! You wouldn't dare abandoning them over some useless, crazy prostitute!" Joker releases himself from Doctor's grasp, and punches Baron Kelvin, hard, leaving a small stain of blood on his bandages. The Baron rubs his cheek, and looks up and Joker angrily. "You... you... BRAT! Doctor!"
"Yes, Baron Kelvin?" The Baron looks out the window again, frowning.
"Take him to the exterminating room... perhaps he will learn not to disobey me again!" Doctor takes Joker out of the room. Joker glances back at Baron Kelvin before exiting the room.
"You'll regret calling her that!" The Baron smiles.
"Yes, of course... but not before you suffer... regret..."
It is nighttime... you look up at the sky from your room window... for days, you have been sitting on the ground, refusing to eat, and clothed in your hospital gown... you begin to count the stars...
One... two... three...
Tears fall from your eyes... you hold your knees in your hands, and look down.
I... feel like I'm dying... without him... without him... I am nothing... the first chance I get... I'm going to end my life...
"Ok, little girl... now, you try throwing daggers... don't forget to hit the target!" A girl throws several daggers at another girl, hitting her in the chest, killing her on contact. Joker, tied to a chair, watches forcefully in horror. Baron Kelvin watches, too, smiling and laughing sadistically. "Ha, ha, ha! Are you enjoying yourself, Joker? Ha, ha, ha!" Joker looks down, clenching his teeth tightly, and sweating heavily. The Baron takes a sip from his glass. "How would you like to see another one, boy?"
"I... rather... not..."
"Oh, come on, boy! Don't you want to see me kill more girls? The more I kill, the more you must get for me, if you expect to attain more clues!"
"I... don't... want..."
"Oh? You've given up on your two pence, one night stand, hm?"
"F-Father..."
"Look, I've already killed twenty for you... is that enough to satisfy your needs... to compensate for the lack of instruction on my part? Or would you rather I kill twenty more?"
"S-Stop..."
"Ok... OK! But only if you ask nicely..."
"P-Please... P-Please S-Stop... F-Father..."
"Hmph... not a chance..." The Baron goes over to Joker and pulls on his hair, forcing him to look up at him. "That was not a nice way to ask... you didn't even smile!" Joker breathes heavily. Baron Kelvin smiles, and tightly pulls Joker's hair back. "You smile for all the little children... but not I? The man who took you off the street? You unappreciative little bastard!" The Baron puts his other hand around Joker's neck, and squeezes it tightly. "And you have the nerve to call me your Father... after all I've done for you and your damn Family... AND THIS IS THE THANKS I GET?!" Joker closes his eyes, feeling the constriction around his neck unbearable. He ceases breathing for a few seconds before Baron Kelvin finally lets go of his neck. "Hmph... tell you what... I think I will stop, but not because I feel sorry for you... no... no, I have something better planned for your demise, starting with... this... Doctor, untie him..." Doctor, standing by the door, walks over to Joker and unties him. Baron Kelvin, smiling, hands Joker a dagger. Joker looks at it, still out of breath. The Baron points at a target. "Now then... Joker... you may be released from this room if you manage to complete a single task..." A little girl walks in front of the target. "Throw this dagger, directly into the heart of this girl..." Joker looks up at the girl. It is...
"S-Samantha!"
"Oh, whatever her name is, just throw it!" Joker shakes his head, looking at the Baron and frowning.
"No... NO! I REFUSE!"
"Then I refuse to let you go! Would you rather one life be lost, or, because of your judgment, several at a time? You seem to be forgetting their lives depend on it!" Joker looks down at the dagger. Baron Kelvin moves out of the way of the target. Joker looks up at Samantha, aims the dagger, and...
A door is slammed. Footsteps are heard going up the stairs. Dagger looks down at them from the top of the stairs.
"Boss?" Joker, looking down, has a shadow surrounding his body. He stops.
"I've never killed a singular child in my life... and now... I..." Joker collapses. Dagger catches him before he falls.
"BOSS!" Dagger glances at Joker's face. He begins to feel very worried and concerned. He sighs, looking down. "You love her, but I never knew it was this much! Oh...", he says, tearing up. "What can I do to help you, Boss?"
An hour later, Dagger, carrying Joker around his shoulder, reaches the circus. He walks over to Joker's tent, walks inside, and places him on the bed.
"The asylum..."
"Huh?" Dagger turns around to see Snake in the doorway.
"He wants to get her back, doesn't he?" Dagger nods, looking at Joker. "Write the girl a note, and I will deliver it to her... says Emily..." Dagger looks at Snake.
"Wait... an asylum? He..." Dagger looks at Joker. "Do you mean... Boss... and that girl of his..." Dagger glances at Snake, frowning. "What about an asylum?"
"I rather not say, but... all I know is that the girl is protected heavily... the only way to ensure her safe return is if we warn her in a letter... assure her she will be saved... I will give her the letter, if you write it... he is obviously too weak to compose one in time..." Dagger glances at Joker. He closes his eyes, and pats his hand gently.
"Boss has done so much for me... he promised us we would be together, in peace, over the hills someday..." There is a pause... Dagger sighs. He opens his eyes and looks affirmatively at Snake. "Ok... I will compose a message on Boss's behalf... what should it say?"
"Tell her..."
Joker is well... he has not been himself lately, however, because of your absence... here is what I have told him...
"She will meet you at the circus in a week... we will be in London, so it shouldn't be too hard to find... I don't know how she will manage to escape that place, but... you will finally be with her...", says Dagger to Joker, a few hours later. Joker frowns. He closes his eyes, and holds his hand over his face.
"God... how many will there be before then?"
"Not... many... I haven't heard the details from Father yet..."
"Oh, bloody hell! I can give two bloody pence what Father has to say!"
"Listen to me, Boss! You have to remain obedient until she gets here, or else Father will..."
"Yes, yes... I know already... what will happen if he, or our Family, finds out beforehand?"
"The only people who know are Snake and I! Just... please... don't worry...", says Dagger with a smile. Joker looks at Dagger and smiles, too.
"Dagger, this is quite a risk you are taking... I... don't... know how to repay you..."
"Ha, ha!", says Dagger with a laugh. "You've repaid me tenfold, Boss, back there in the streets! I just want to see ya 'appy again!" Joker pats Dagger's head gently.
"Brother Dagger... thank you..." Joker stops patting his head and looks up, frowning. "What do you think will happen to Noah's Arc Circus when I leave?" Dagger smiles, and closes his eyes.
"Well, when we started this circus, we did it together... certainly, we will be bound together when it falls, and it will fall... if you're not around..." Joker smiles.
"What started out as a refuge, became hell quickly... the flames we tried so desperately to avoid, caught up to us... hopefully, when this is all over... we will regain the love, and appreciation, conceived prior to us knowing this was just not meant to be..."
"Correction... Boss..." Joker looks at Dagger. "We would never 'ave escaped if it weren't for Father... if it weren't for Father, we would never 'ave killed anyone... but also, if it weren't for Father, we would never 'ave been given the chance to leave... and you would never 'ave met that girl again..." Joker falls back in his pillow, frowning.
"Funny how things work... isn't it..."
"Yep... life certainly gives clowns a run for their money... ain't it, Boss?"
"Yeah..." Joker turns to his side. "Life is just one big..."
"Tomfoolery..."
Paper drops from your room window. You look up to see a snake slither away. You crawl over to the piece of paper and unfold it, reading it's contents carefully. You begin to cry, feeling an unbearable sadness in your heart for having wanted to kill yourself.
"J-J-Joker... I-I... p-promise..."
"Hey! Time to open this cell! Cleaning time!" You crawl back into the corner and hold your legs in your arms. Two workers approach your room, carrying buckets of water and brushes. They open the door, and looks at you immediately.
"Hey... don't you think we should put her in a straight jacket?"
"Nah... I'm not afraid of her! She's been sittin' in the corner since she arrived!"
"Ok... I trust you..." The two men start to scrub the floor with brushes and water. You look at them from in between your arms, and wait for the perfect timing... it comes... you stand up quickly, grab a bucket, and hit both men over the head with it. They pass out, and you are free to leave your room... you do...
You make a few turns down the hallway, and begin to realize it is not safe... people are looking for you... you run to one of the doors, open it, and run out as quickly as you can...
You begin to run through the streets of London, making sure you are not being chased... there is a bridge... you run over to the bridge, and walk under it, into a pipeline... you start to run down, inside the pipe, through a murky water... you stop for a second to catch your breath... you look behind, hearing voices chase after you down the pipeline... you run faster, and eventually gain enough speed for the to stop the chase... after an hour of running, you sit in the water to rest... you begin to feel tired and achy... your head becomes lighter as it falls into the massive puddle of sewage... resting... hoping... to be in freedom...
Soon...