Author's Note: Hello everyone, just popping in briefly as I don't want to disrupt the flow of the story. I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone so far. It is such an incredible feeling to have people continuously coming back to read my story, but it is absolutely amazing to have a few new reviews as well. It blows my mind that there are people out there who are enjoying my story, as much as I enjoy writing it. Thank you to everyone, you warm my heart each week!
Chapter 14
Electricity
The silence seeped throughout the corridors of the hideout, consuming every wall and floorboard. A single droplet of water dripped from the unkept sink in the shared bathroom across the hallway.
Ana stared at her ceiling, watching the shadows merge with the patterns above. Her dry and puffy eyes forced themselves to stay open while she allowed herself to be taken away into the world of lost thought.
She lay in her bed, protected by her covers and a heavy arm sprawled out across her stomach. Duncan was asleep beside her, while Winston was curled up by their feet. Ana continued to watch the darkness above her morph into her mind. The single water droplet ringing out in the darkness caused her eyes to blink. One lone tear fell down her temple, in harmony with the leaky tap.
Ana let out a quiet sigh as the sound of water was gradually building up her thirst until she couldn't ignore it any longer. She glanced over to Duncan who was fast asleep on his front, snoring mildly. Satisfied that he was fast asleep, Ana sat up revealing her hair in a messy bun. She slowly creaked out of bed, with only a baggy t-shirt and leggings on.
She moved across her bedroom and covertly opened her bedroom door, leading to the corridor. She walked out into the hallway, glancing down the way and watching the darkness devour everything in sight. She turned to the stairs to the ground floor and noticed a strange blue hue.
Wanting to head to the kitchen to grab a drink anyway, Ana stealthily moved down the stairs and observed where the light was coming from. It flickered differing shades of blue as it emerged from the lounge.
As Ana walked around the corner of the L-shaped stairway, she was able to see more into the lounge. She was only five steps off the ground when she saw a figure sitting on the sofa and watching the TV. Ana swallowed a lump in her throat as she realized it was the Joker.
She debated on whether to go back upstairs silently or to get her glass of water. She hadn't spoken to the Joker since the incident that happened just a few hours prior. Ana watched him, trying to decipher if he had calmed down from his frenzy yet.
Ana decided to brave her way across the room to the kitchen, hoping that the Joker wouldn't notice her. Treading lightly across the wooden floorboards, her bare feet felt the cold touch of each plank.
"Ana," the Boss called. Ana soundlessly winced as she was caught almost instantly. She let out a deep breath and walked into the lounge to meet him.
Ana noticed how the Joker had not looked away from the television which was playing on low volume. She glanced to the dining table to her left and saw how it was smashed with blood splatters spread across it, assumingly from the crazy who now bragged a decreased Glasgow smile.
"Yes, Boss?" Ana meekly spoke, maintaining her distance. The Joker glanced over at her and raised an eyebrow.
"You look rough," he commented on her makeshift pyjamas and messy hair.
"It's been a rough night," Ana sighed. Already feeling defeated and not wanting to continue their conversation. The Joker let out a grunt as he raised his left hand, revealing a bottle of beer. After seeing the glass bottle reflect a shine from the TV, Ana suddenly became aware that there were several bottles on the floor. Some were unopened, and others were empty or fallen over.
The Joker took a sip from his bottle as he watched the television screen. Without looking at Ana, he raised his other arm up, offering a full bottle of beer to Ana. Ana was puzzled by the gesture, but she had to admit that she was feeling incredibly thirsty, and without her stash, she needed something to help take the edge off the night.
She walked up to the Joker and took the beer.
"Thanks," she mumbled as she opened the bottle and sat on the other end of the sofa, staying away from the Joker. She took a squig of her drink and felt relief as the liquid touched her lips. She glanced at the TV as it rambled on about an old war documentary.
"You want to know why I killed her, don't you?" The Joker casually asked without taking his eyes off the screen. Ana glanced over to him and felt a wave of sadness clog her throat. She didn't know how to respond.
"Sometimes things just don't fit. You can try your hardest to be something, but sometimes despite your efforts, it's just not right. It's not who you are supposed to be," the Joker explained, cocking his head to Ana. "You're only as good as the world allows you to be. Sweet little Allie just wasn't good enough," The Joker licked his scars and took a sip from his beer.
"She could have been," Ana mumbled, gazing down and fiddling with the label on the bottle.
"Have you ever wondered why you're still alive?" The Joker smirked as he watched Ana look up at him in confusion. "Or why any of you are still alive, after all these years?" he raised both eyebrows.
"Loyalty?" Ana answered.
"Hmmm perhaps," the Joker chewed on his scars. "Or perhaps it's because you're just too much fun," he grinned at Ana, causing her to lean back awkwardly.
"I think Allie gave you plenty of fun," Ana rolled her eyes. The Joker let out a chuckle.
"Maybe, but she also gave me a headache," the Joker scoffed.
"But all this isn't about me. It's about out there," the Joker carelessly gestured to the boarded-up windows, "About the big wide world and all its little false truths and divine pretences," he animatedly flung his arms up, slightly spilling his beer.
Ana cautiously watched him as he continued to monologue.
"She didn't get it. You get it. You all get it. In fact, you're part of it. I can see each of you play into the trickster's hands, I can guess how you will fall," the Joker pointed to Ana.
"Heartache, Drugs, Betrayal. The three musketeers!" the Joker howled. Ana flinched at the noise. The Joker started to appear more unstable, and more drunk. Ana had one final sip of her beer and figured it was time to leave.
"I think it's getting late…" Ana started as she placed her beer on the ground.
"If you shake the drugs, you'd make a fine agent of chaos," the Joker grinned. Ana glanced back at the Joker in surprise. She was confused as to why that felt like the highest of compliments, she couldn't help but feel flattered.
"I have stopped the drugs," Ana corrected.
"Hardly," the Joker scoffed. "How're the tremors these days, hmmm?" he sniggered. Ana looked down at her hands and felt the shudders, she stretched her fingers and then clenched them into fists repeatedly.
"I will shake off the drugs one day," Ana insisted sternly, causing the Joker to giggle.
"I can't wait," he leaned in and smirked at Ana. Ana stared into his dark eyes, watching them merge with the shadows. The Joker grinned before standing up and walking past her. Ana watched him leave the lounge and then glance back.
"Get some sleep, today is the big day," the Joker grinned before sauntering off and going upstairs.
Ana waited until he was upstairs to let out a sigh of relief. As she sat back, she let out a small chuckle at what was said, feeling rather proud to receive the Joker's praise.
The big day had arrived. The power plant heist was about to begin, a plot that had the Joker all riled up and excited. A bigger ploy than anything he's chased before, to plunge the whole of Gotham into darkness and watch them eat each other.
Duncan let out a huge yawn as he leaned against the doorframe of the lounge. Ana glanced up at him as she rested against the lounge wall with her arms crossed. The lounge was filling with henchmen and crazies, more than she had seen together in a while.
"I don't know why you're yawning, I'm the one who didn't get any sleep," Ana grumbled.
"I know, but that's not my fault. You've got to let it go and move on, we did everything we could for her," Duncan quietly spoke, Ana snorted in response. Duncan twisted around to face her, blocking out any ease droppers.
"We got her to the hospital, the doctors tried their best but they couldn't save her. I'm sorry that she died but there was nothing else we could do," Duncan insisted. Ana silently stared at Duncan, suddenly regretting not telling him the truth about Allie's survival and her chance for a normal life.
"I guess you're right," Ana shrugged and turned to face the rest of the hoard, deliberately forcing the conversation to finish. Duncan watched her, sensing that Ana seemed off.
The Joker strolled past the pair and entered the room. The bustling noises and conversations started to die down with his presence. He moved to stand in front of the boarded windows, with the smashed wooden table scattered around him, acting as his stage.
"Good evening uh… lady and gentlemen," the Joker smirked at Ana, who in return stared at him with her arms crossed. "It's showtime," he grinned. A few of the other henchmen started to nod in excitement.
"Now, as you all should know, there's been some modifications to the day since we've uh... lost a few of the team," the Joker explained. Ana let out a sigh as she counted in her head how many teammates they had lost in the attack a few months back. She then wondered how many have since accidentally died at the hands of the Joker, almost like Allie.
"So, where will you be?" The Joker pointed to George.
"I'm at the plant with you, Boss. We'll be getting past security and heading to the main control point," George reported confidently.
"Good," the Joker nodded. "Chuck?" he glanced to his right-hand man.
"Ana and I will be placing a converter on the main power line near Gotham Memorial Hospital," Charles recounted as the Joker glanced over to Ana.
"Good," the Joker simply said, staring at Ana before continuing his quick-fire questions to other teammates.
"You?" the Joker pointed to Rex, who was standing on the other side of the room, opposite Ana.
"Me and nut-ball over there will be heading to Gotham Bank, ready for your signal," Rex smugly answered as he gestured to one of the crazies.
"Good," the Joker said continuing to ask around the room. Ana glared at Rex from across the way, annoyed that he got it right. Sensing her daggers, Rex's eyes flickered to Ana and confronted her with his own brutish scowl.
After the Joker finished his test, he was satisfied that everyone was ready. Surprisingly, no one got the questions wrong.
"No mistakes, we have one shot to bring the night to Gotham. Let's get this show on the road," The Joker clapped his hands with a wide excited smile. This signalled everyone to move out and get into positions. Just as Ana stood up off the wall, Duncan turned to address her.
"Ana, be safe," he worriedly looked down at her.
"Relax, we're just climbing massive, electrified power lines, what could go wrong?" she jested.
"Exactly. If things get… tense," Duncan glanced over his shoulder as Rex sauntered past the pair, "Get out of there," he instructed. Ana stared at Duncan with confusion and shook her head.
"I'll be fine. I'll see you on the other side," she smiled before walking out with the crowd.
As everyone bottle-necked out of the hideout, they divided up into teams and headed to one of the six black vans. Ana begrudgingly had to share the van with Rex and a few crazies, as she and Charles were to be dropped off along the way.
Ana glared at Rex as she walked past him, and then hopped into the back of the van with Charles. Rex rolled his eyes as he climbed into the driver's seat. The van's back door slammed shut, casting the van into darkness, except for a beam of light from the small window separating the back from the front seats.
As the van growled to a start, Ana let out a few deep breaths. She could feel herself becoming more anxious. She glanced around the van sensing everyone sharing the same sensation. Even without the Joker here, they all knew the cost if they screwed up the mission. The Boss had gone off in another van with George, heading towards the power plant.
"You ready?" Charles asked, sitting next to her, noticing her irregular breaths.
"Ready as I'm ever going to be, you?" Ana nodded.
"I'm fine, I've been doing this for so long now, it doesn't bother me anymore," he calmly spoke.
"Lucky," Ana mumbled.
After 27 minutes of driving through the busy streets of Gotham, the van screeched to a halt.
The back doors were flung open by the crazy that was sitting at the front with Rex. Ana jumped out first and glanced at her surroundings. They were in front of the electrical pylon they were expected to climb. Ana looked up and swallowed a lump in her throat, only just realising how tall the power lines truly were when up close.
Ana's stare was interrupted by Rex's laugh, she snapped her head to the man in the driver's seat and sauntered over to him.
"What are you laughing at?" she snarled.
"You. Climbing up there," Rex chuckled as he leaned out of the window to look at the power line looming over them. "I hope you fall," he cackled. Taken back by his bluntness, Ana couldn't think of a comeback and so simply glared at the rat.
"Ana," Charles called her over. She hesitated to move, glaring daggers one final time before admitting defeat. As she turned, Rex devilishly smirked and started up the engine.
The van drove off abruptly as Ana met up with Charles. They both stood at the base of the power line and stared up at the towering structure.
"Nervous now?" Ana asked lost in a stare.
"Maybe," Charles said, and then glanced down and opened his backpack to check the device he was carrying. Ana followed his gaze.
"Is the converter still good?" she queried.
"Yep. Just connect this up there, and the power should simply short-circuit when George works his magic," Charles explained.
"Instead of blowing up?" Ana rolled her eyes.
"Yep," Charles nodded calmly. "Place these converters on all major lines and we've got control of the whole grid," Charles adjusted his bag, before setting off towards the metal ladder sitting proudly in the centre of the power line.
"There's one thing I don't understand though, surely you can just turn off the power at the plant and then all of Gotham's power just shuts off. Why do we need these converters?" Ana asked, following behind.
"What George is doing will overload the system. You can't just press a button and all power shuts down, it takes time, time that the Joker doesn't have. The converters divvy up the power, so it doesn't overload and explode," Charles explained as they walked up to the fence that guarded the tower.
"I thought the Joker would want it to explode," Ana scoffed as she began to lockpick the gate.
"It's a ransom Ana, you can't ransom something that's dead," Charles shook his head as he glanced down at the henchwoman.
"I see. Well, I hope the others are good climbers too," Ana mumbled as she looked up at the metal tower crisscrossing above them.
After unlocking the gate, Ana and Charles walked to the ladder. A low humming noise could be heard above them. Charles started to climb first, followed by Ana. Ana's stomach started to churn harder with each step up, almost screaming at her to get down. Although her mind began to race, contradictorily telling her not to look down.
Time seemed to slow down as the pair got higher and higher, the world around them seemed to quieten and the air felt colder. Ana wasn't sure how long it took them to climb but soon they reached the main power box that sat near the top in the centre of the structure. Opposite the box was a ledge, built for an engineer to do maintenance. The pair climbed up and sat on the metal ledge, facing the box.
The wind blew harshly through Ana's hair as she observed her view. The sun was starting to set over Gotham, it was a beautiful sight as the golden rays bounced off the roofs of the nearby buildings. She could see for miles as the city was getting ready for the night-time. The perfect hour to turn off the light.
Charles shifted his balance on the ledge and opened the power box, handing Ana an assortment of wiring tools. Ana watched as Charles intricately started to set up the converter, every so often he'd instruct her to pass a different instrument.
"Team 3 wired up and ready," Charles' walkie-talkie rang out from his backpack.
"Bank team, ready and waiting," Rex's voice declared on the device.
"Almost there," Charles breathed as he twizzled a copper wire around his device. Ana remained quiet as Charles worked.
"Team 2 wired up and ready," another voice fizzled.
"Done," he smiled at Ana.
"Brilliant," Ana lightly smiled back, pulling out the walkie-talkie.
"Team 1 wired up and ready," she spoke into the device.
"Good good good, wait for my signal," the Joker ordered across the channel. Ana glanced up at Charles, noticing him observing the view.
"You don't get to do this every day," he spoke as the wind drifted through his grey hair.
"Climb up electrified metal tubes?" Ana jested.
"No, to stop and admire the view," Charles breathed, watching the sunset. Ana followed his gaze and joined in with his admiration.
"I guess we get so bogged down with life, that sometimes we forget to breath," Ana sighed feeling the wind caress her face.
"You know sometimes I wonder, how'd I get here?" Charles spoke as if in a trance. Ana listened to him closely, trying to take advantage of this rare moment of camaraderie.
"After my daughter, Jeannie, died, I was so angry, so lost, and heartbroken I wanted more than anything to find those that gave her the drugs she OD'd on," Charles continued.
"Did you? Find them?" Ana asked.
"I did. The Joker helped. But then 10 years on and I'm still here. While my daughter is out there, shining down on me," he sighed, feeling the sun on his face. "It's a funny world we live in," he scoffed.
Ana glanced at the sunset, not knowing what to say. This moment felt endless and heavenly in its beauty. Ana could feel peace and tranquillity as the golden rays and crisp breeze embraced her.
"Team 4 wired up and… hey what was that?" a voice rang out on the walkie-talkie. Ana glanced down at the device with confusion.
"Oh shit!" a fuzzy array of gunfire fizzled across the waves. Charles snapped his head to the device. "Oh god, we need help!" the voice cut out.
"Team 2, there's someone here! They're shooting!" another voice rang out.
"We need to climb down, get down!" Duncan's voice buzzed through in the background. Ana's eyes widened as she listened helplessly to the radio.
"We're getting fired at here!" Rex roared over the channel.
"What's happening?!" Ana frantically asked Charles.
"It's an ambush," Charles breathed as he stared at Ana.
Their panicked gaze was interrupted by a sharp bang as something struck the metal frame near them. Ana and Charles flinched before looking to the ground, further away from them. They saw two figures standing there, both holding rifles.
"Shit," Ana breathed as she hastily hauled out her pistol from the backpack.
"Take cover!" Charles called, seeing the figures raise their arms. Suddenly, a splatter of bullets rattled all around them. Ana and Charles both yelped as they curled up as small as possible to avoid being hit. Bullets loudly embedded themselves into the power box.
"You'll kill us all!" Ana screamed down at them, hearing the power box taking hits. Ana quickly retaliated as she rapidly fired her pistol, but they were further away making it a harder target. Ana watched them back away temporarily, waiting for her to finish. She noticed their clothing, and how they weren't in uniform.
"It's got to be the mob," she angrily yelled as she quickly reloaded. Charles fired his Uzi at the pair, trying to stop them from firing again.
"We have to get down!" he called over the bullets.
"We're under attack!" George's voice shouted from the walkie-talkie. The Joker's laugh could be heard in the background over more fuzzy gunfire.
Ana reluctantly started to climb down the ladder, with Charles behind her. The figures came at them again and raised their rifles.
"Look out!" screamed Ana, as she pressed herself into the ladder. Bullets clattered against the metal tower, slicing through cables and ricocheting against the metal conductors. The power box took more damage, releasing massive sparks and flashes.
"They're aiming for the power box!" Charles yelled down to Ana. Ana could hear the sparks go off, she started to fire her gun again, one of the bullets ricocheting off the metal frame. As they tried to continue to climb down, Charles pulled out the walkie-talkie.
"They're here too. They're trying to blow up…" Charles was cut short as more gunfire roared against them. They both braced themselves tightly. Ana suddenly felt a sharp pain as a bullet penetrated her calf. She let out a scream as she tried to hold on and ignore the pain. Charles let out a pained wince as a bullet struck him in the shoulder, he dropped the walkie-talkie causing it to fall.
Ana felt a tear fall down her face as she looked down, seeing how far they were off the ground. They must have been roughly six stories high.
"Ana!" Charles called. Ana looked up at her teammate with wide watery eyes. A loud popping noise rang out as the power box burst into titanic sparks and erupted into flames. The whole metal pylon vibrated under Ana and Charles' grasp.
Ana heard the low humming noise cut dead, and then an electrical lightning blast discharged up the tower. Ana let out a distressed gasp as her body felt an intense jolt of electricity, her limbs went stiff, and her breathing was halted. The pair both felt a rush of pure heat spread up their body, and then suddenly a scalding spark threw them off the ladder.
Ana and Charles flew into the air. Ana helplessly watched as everything slowed down as she fell. She tried to scream but nothing happened. Her body felt rigid and numb. She watched as the sparks and flames from above were getting further away, the ladder was getting longer.
She couldn't see where Charles was propelled to. Her eyes fixated on the orange sky, her watery tears flying into the air. This was it. A loud sickening thud and then total darkness.