~Nine~ Minyadagniriel
Ch 4: Help
Time just wasn't on her side. It seemed like hours since the Joker raped her, but in truth, it had only been forty-five minutes. He left her alone to gather her thoughts…or what was left of them.
Her skin felt disgusting being covered in blood, dirt, and cuts. What was worse, her violated body harbored semen. Madison cried silently to herself. Even if she was rescued now, her mentality could never be saved. She lay on the table for a few more minutes before deciding to roll off and find an article of clothing or something to hide her shame. She searched the area around the table for her pants and found them. They were shredded…figures. Joker must have done that before he left her alone to make sure she wouldn't go anywhere. She scrambled across the floor to find something else, eventually stumbling across an old sheet. It was torn but large enough to cover her.
As she wrapped the piece around her, she heard heavy footsteps on the floor above her. Joker must be coming back. The steps then took off in a run. Madison then listened, as there was an enormous scuffle and Joker shouting obscenities. Somebody was up there with him and fighting. Was it the police?
Soon enough, the fight was taken downstairs. She was correct, Joker was fighting…and it was with the Batman. Joker crashed through the wooden ceiling and landed on his back. Madison backed herself into a corner to avoid them as they continued to beat the hell out of each other. Batman seemed to be winning, though he took several hits to the face from Joker's gadgets and toys.
"How the hell did you find me Batsy?" Joker shouted as he caught Batman's arm before taking another hit.
"You left a trail…" the dark knight responded. With his spare hand he reached for his utility belt and removed a sample of tinsel and tree lights. "Not like you to leave evidence as obvious as this. I take it you were in a hurry. You've gotten sloppy Joker. I was able to find your other hostage and freed her." Batman then landed another punch, sending Joker flying backwards into the wall, relatively close to Madison. Batman noticed the shaken woman and reached out to her.
Without question, Madison got to her feet and reached for his hand. She was ecstatic that Batman found Robyn first and removed the bomb Joker had placed.
Before she could take Batman's hand, she felt a set of fingers wrap around one of her ankles and she fell forward, nearly face planting the cement. Joker was not willing to give her up so easily and he dragged her back towards his body. He sprung a knife from his pocket and held it up under her throat. Joker laughed out loud, "Now Batsy, we're playing the game my way. One wrong move and my hand might slip." He pushed the blade into her skin and started guiding her over to the doorway.
Batman didn't move a muscle, just waited to see what Joker would do. It wasn't like the insane clown to take a hostage in this manner. "Let her go, Joker."
"Why would I give up my favorite toy? Sweets and I had such good times together!" he said playfully and emphasized by licking the side of her face.
"You need help Joker, turn the girl over to me," Batman demanded again.
Joker tightened his hold around Madison's waist; "You want some play time with her too? Oh Batsy! I didn't know you had it in ya!" Joker then ripped away the thin sheet Madison desperately tried to cling on to. "Take it all in Batsy!"
The poor girl closed her eyes tightly as tears trickled down her cheeks. She wanted so badly to crawl under a rock and die.
Batman never averted his eyes, but it wasn't the girl he was staring at. It was the self-proclaimed 'Clown prince of crime'. "It's sad to see you've stooped so low Joker."
"Oh come now Bats, can't you see what you're missing out on? This little minx is quite the animal! I had her screaming and begging for relief just over an hour ago!" His hand snuck up to her chest and he squeezed one of her breasts.
Clearly pissed off, Batman yelled, "Enough Joker! Release her!"
Joker grinned at his adversary and for a moment he lowered the blade, "Batsy, this is one victim you will not save…" He then quickly lifted the blade and sliced across Madison's throat and threw her to the ground.
Batman panicked and this time he had to force himself to ignore Joker and help the girl. She was lying on the floor, sputtering and suffering, trying to suck in heavy gulps of air. Her lungs would not fill. Shock was overcoming her body as her life's essence poured from the wound.
"I'd say she has only a few minutes Batsy!" Joker said and took off up the stairs.
Batman rushed to Madison's side and he quickly recovered the sheet Joker had torn off of her. He wrapped her naked body up tightly and picked her up, careful not to injure her further. He couldn't wait for an ambulance to arrive; she needed help immediately.
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"Madison…Madison can you hear me?"
What is this? Who's there?
"Madison, wake up deary…"
Her eyes slowly opened and she was greeted with the face of a nurse. The elderly woman was smiling and fixing the sheets of the bed. Madison stared at the woman in confusion.
"Welcome back Madison," the nurse said cheerfully. "You're a very lucky woman."
Madison leaned forward in the bed but stopped the moment she felt pain in her neck.
"Don't try to sit up Madison. You're far too injured for that. Just relax, deary." The nurse gently pushed her back down.
Madison suddenly remembered what happened and she sniffled. Her voice hurt so badly, so she couldn't cry out for anyone to hold her. She was an emotional wreck. It seemed the nurse could tell what feelings were settling over her patient. The elderly woman sat down on the mattress and held one of Madison's hands.
"I know you're very hurt my dear, but try to put the past behind you. You're safe now and look; you've had a visitor today. He brought you a Christmas gift." The nurse shifted off the bed and pointed to the nearby table. There was a large gift basket filled with comforts and flowers resting upon it. There was a large yellow blanket inside, along with an array of incense, soaps, candles, and orange roses littered between.
"Isn't it a beautiful present?" the nurse asked. "Bruce Wayne is a very generous man."
Madison's eyes widened. Bruce gave her this? She managed a small smile.
"That's better, dear. You're so much prettier when you smile." The nurse then took a small card off the gift basket and handed it to Madison before leaving the room.
Madison watched the nurse leave and she opened the little envelope. Inside was a Christmas card reading,
Hope you are feeling better. I will visit you again soon. Merry Christmas Madison. –Bruce Wayne
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Two months later…
Madison accepted Bruce Wayne's offer to be his personal secretary. His patience with her was immaculate while she recovered. She wasn't able to speak for the longest time but he always gave her a simple workload.
However…lately, Madison hasn't been feeling so well and not because of her neck injury…
She returned home the evening of February 28th and crashed on the couch after a long day at work. Sleep took over and she spent the entire night in the living room. The following morning was not pleasant at all as she had to rush into her bathroom to expel the contents of her stomach.
The next few weeks were similar and Madison finally went to a doctor to find out if her suspicions were correct. They were…
Her biggest fear since the Joker kept her as a hostage had come true. She was expecting…once again. The doctor gave her many options from keeping the child, to abortion. It wasn't too late for her to terminate the pregnancy. She said she would need a day or two to consider what to do. Returning home, Madison wandered into the second bedroom of her apartment…the room meant for her previous child. The room needed dusting since she hadn't touched anything inside for months. She kept the room as it was; not wanting to lose any memories. The Joker killed her baby and replaced him with his own. Why shouldn't she get the abortion? Joker took away her most precious possession, why should she be responsible for his, that is, if he would care if he had any kids at all.
Madison sat down on the dusty rocking chair and stared at the crib. Could she really take the life of an unborn child? Could she really do it? She hunched over in the chair and started to sob. No…she couldn't do it. Not only that, if Joker knew about this development, he'd probably expect her to do something like that. She made her decision…
Four months later…
Madison found out that Batman apprehended Joker once again and this time he was placed in a maximum-security cell in Arkham. Serves him right she thought. This time there would be no escape for the murderer. In a sense, she felt better about walking the streets at night again.
On a happier note, Madison's friend Robyn had thrown another baby shower. This time all of the women at Wayne Enterprises were invited to the event. Bruce Wayne even footed the bill. Madison was overwhelmed with the attention and the gifts. What was she going to do with a new car? (A gift from Wayne himself). She was so modest but acceptable the gifts graciously.
Two and a half months later…
Madison had never felt more pain in her life. It was by far worse than the injury Joker had inflicted on her neck. She rested against the edge of the tub waiting to meet her new baby. Save for a midwife, Robyn was the only person by her side, as she wanted privacy from all others. After several hours of labor, Madison gave birth to a baby girl… Grace.
Madison was overjoyed with the arrival of her daughter. The void in her heart had been filled. Robyn stayed with Madison and little Grace for the first week after leaving the birthing center.
"Oh Madison, she's so wonderful," Robyn stated as she helped get Grace ready for bed. Madison relaxed on the couch, watching Robyn change the little one into her pajamas.
"I know, I can't imagine life without her," Madison replied, "I can't wait until she's old enough to take dance classes or go into sports. I look forward to it all." She smiled as Robyn handed her Grace.
The two women took the infant into the nursery and Madison put her down for the night.
Robyn picked up a stuffed teddy bear from the dresser and put it in with the baby, "Do you want me to stay another night? Will you need anymore help?"
"No, I think Grace and I will be fine now. I appreciate all the help you've given me already," Madison said.
"Okay then, I think I'll head out then. I'm getting tired." Robyn headed back for the living room to gather her belongings, followed by Madison. "Oh by the way, are you ever going to tell the father about Grace?"
Madison flinched, "I haven't really thought about it. In fact, I don't want to think about that right now. If Grace wants to know who her dad is when she is older, I'll tell her. For now, I want her to grow up with a normal childhood."
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Eighteen years later…
"Mom! I'm going out now!"
"Wait a second Grace!" Madison shouted from her bedroom and rushed out into the living room after her daughter.
"Come on mom, I'm going to miss the boat," Grace whined and blew away a stray hair that tickled her lips.
Madison checked over her daughter's attire, "Are you sure you'll be warm enough? Why don't you take a jacket?"
"I am taking a jacket." Grace held up a brown leather coat. "Mom, you said you weren't going to fuss."
"Honey, I'm concerned for your safety. I really don't want you to go there." Madison pushed a lock of brown hair out of Grace's face. "Just promise me you won't let him play any mind games with you."
"Security is tight there, you said so yourself. Mom, I have to know who he is," Grace said as she put on her coat.
"All right, stay close to your escort and if anything should happen," Madison started and she pulled out a small can of pepper spray from her jeans pocket, "Use this, do not hesitate." She put the tiny canister in her daughter's hand.
Grace nodded and stuffed the spray into her coat pocket "Oh! I almost forgot the paper work." She quickly went back into her room and returned with a thick envelope, "I have a feeling without this, he won't believe a word I give him."
"Probably not," Madison agreed, "Be safe." She watched as her daughter left the apartment to meet with her chauffeur.
Grace stayed close to her escort during the entire trip across Gotham. Even the boat ride across the harbor was heavily secured. All guests were assigned a guard and Grace in particular was assigned two. The inmate she was about to see was deep within solitary confinement.
Upon reaching Arkham, a new guard was assigned to her. Grace waited patiently for this man to arrive, whoever he was. To her surprise, it was the dark knight himself. Besides her mother and Robyn, Batman was the only other person to know about Grace's bloodlines. All dressed up in full bat attire, he stepped down the halls alongside her.
"So, they felt it was necessary to send me with a maximum security guard?" Grace asked.
"Yes. This man is highly dangerous. I can understand your reasons for wanting to speak with him, but I will not take any chances," Batman replied. There wasn't a sign of emotion in his voice. "You ought to know how this man works from the stories."
"Yeah…my mother told me all about him and what he did. So I know what to expect but I feel that even the most criminally insane deserves to know they have a kid." Grace looked down at her side where she carried the envelope.
"You're very brave for doing this, Grace."
"Thanks."
After several security locks were opened and doors passed, Grace and Batman finally made it to solitary confinement where they were greeted by security.
"Hello Miss Florence. We've been expecting you," said an older red haired man. He turned towards Batman, "We've fully prepared the room and he is now waiting."
Grace nodded, "I'm ready." She looked up at Batman, "Shall we?"
Batman said nothing but silently followed the security guard, Grace right behind him.
The security guard spoke as he led the way to the interrogation room, "He's been rather active today, so please be on your guard, miss. We've restrained him to a chair but are allowing him movement of his arms so don't give him any reason to grab at you. Well, here we are." He pointed to the pad locked door.
"I will go in first," Batman said.
The security guard then unlocked the door and slid it open. At first it was quiet, but when Batman moved into the room, Grace heard cackling and then a deep menacing voice.
"Batsy! How kind of you to visit me today!"
Grace furrowed her brow, was that really him? The voice that began all squeaky and then morphed into a low monotone, was it really the man she called her biological father? That cackling was so…ridiculous.
She listened as Batman cut in on the maniacal laughter. "Quiet Joker, I'm not the one who's visiting you today."
"Oh really? Then whom do I owe the pleasure?" Joker said sarcastically.
It was her cue, almost and she started straightening her clothes. She took off her leather jacket and fixed the hem of her red sweater. Deciding that her dark blue jeans were fine and her extremely long brown hair was secured in a ponytail, she stepped closer to the cell door, ready for Batman's signal to enter. Only a moment passed before she heard the dark knight call to her.
"You can come in now," he said.
Grace took a deep breath and went inside the room. It was dark inside except for the center light which shined down on a square shaped table. She could see the table clearly and the person sitting behind it. It was he, the Joker…just like the pictures she saw in the papers. He was pale faced with bright red eyes and long green locks, styled to resembled thick dreads. His body was long and lanky, tied down to the chair he was seated upon with chains and leather straps. He kept his hands folded, letting them rest upon the table. She noticed he had a wide grin across his face…
Joker looked up from the table, noticing the new person in the room…and that it was female, "Come in little missy…" he taunted, "It's been a while since I've had someone so young and naïve visit me."
Grace swallowed and looked around the room for the Batman. He was there, just hanging around in the shadows, keeping his eye on the Joker. She gathered her courage and approached the table, pulling out the second chair just opposite of Joker. There was a good amount of space between them and she felt a bit more confident. She didn't know where to start…perhaps she should have rehearsed this? It seemed that Joker would be the one to initiate.
"What brings you here sweets? Is my dashing, debonair smile? Or maybe it's because you have an interest in older guys?" he teased.
Grace cringed, that was seriously disturbing for her to hear, "You're probably going to regret saying those things after I tell you this…"
"Tell me what? Are you a lesbian?"
She smacked her forehead, "That is really gross to be hearing from you."
"I try, my dear…I try. So what is this 'oh so important news' you have for me?"
Grace shifted in her chair and put the large envelope on the table, "Let me start by asking if you remember a person by the name of Madison Florence?"
Joker scratched his chin with amusement, "Hm….nope! I've tormented so many people in my lifetime that not a single one ever stands out!"
Mildly irritated, Grace would have to do some reminding. She opened her envelope and pulled out two pictures. She slid them across the table where Joker could reach them. He picked them up and looked at each image carefully before saying, "Ah, yes…I remember now…" He started chuckling, "That's the woman that enjoyed Christmas Eve with me! Ha!"
"I don't think she enjoyed it very much…" Grace replied casually.
Joker glanced up at her, "Good point, it's hard to enjoy a special night when you're dead!" He tossed the images back at Grace; she quickly collected them and produced an entire stack of documents afterwards but kept them in front of her. Joker peered at the documents, "What are you hiding from me sweets?"
"I have nothing to hide, but I think you should know that Madison Florence is very much alive," she said.
Joker's jaw almost dropped to the table, "Batsy! You didn't fail! I'm almost surprised. That woman should have bled to death within minutes!"
"Is this some sort of a game to you Joker?" she asked.
"Oh yes. You youngsters wouldn't know my personality very well because Batsy does a good job keeping me locked up in Arkham!"
She rolled her eyes, "Well I'm not finding this very funny…"
"Awe…what's the matter? No sense of humor?" He leaned back in his chair and crossed both arms.
"Not when it comes to people's lives."
"Oh come now, girly. Put on a smile."
Grace frowned, "Stop screwing with me."
"Can't stop when I haven't started yet!"
"You're disgusting."
"I've been called worse, sweets. You'll have to do better than that."
She sighed, "How about we just get back to topic?"
"Good good, I'll bet this'll be interesting…" Joker yawned.
"To you, it will be."
"We'll see, sweets."
Grace continued, "Back to Madison Florence, I thought you'd like to know that she's my mother."
Joker laughed out loud, "So, that woman managed to get herself knocked up again. After what I did to her, I'm surprised she had the mental stability to raise a kid, let alone screw with another man! Oh this is too good!"
She wanted to leap over the table and strangle him, "What you did to her wasn't-
The Joker's laugh drowned her out and she tried to get another word in. Batman had to step in and smack Joker on the back of the head to get him to settle down.
"Hey! No fair! Hitting a man who can't defend himself!" Joker shouted.
Batman backed away into the shadows, "Like you Joker, I take every opportunity I can. Now shut up and hear her out."
Joker rubbed at the sore spot on the back of his head, "I'll clock you for that one, Batsy."
Grace continued, "Like I was saying, you injured my mother deeply in more ways than one. After you killed my brother, you felt it necessary to-"
"Kidnap her? I know, girly, what's the point of this?" he interrupted.
She had lost her patience entirely and shot up from her seat, slamming her fists on the table, "YOU FELT IT NECESSARY TO RAPE AND HUMILIATE HER AND EVENTUALLY TRIED TO KILL HER. WELL JOKER, YOU'RE PLAN FELL THROUGH, SHE SURVIVED, YOU WERE SENT TO ARKHAM, AND I WAS THE RESULT OF THE ENTIRE INCIDENT!" She crashed back down into her seat and threw the documents at him. "See for yourself…"
The outburst shocked him. What the hell was she talking about? He picked up the papers and shuffled through them. There were a few pages of random gibberish in his opinion and then he found one particular page that showed test results. He read over them and suddenly remembered a few months back he was pulled out of his cell and subjected to blood drawings and other assorted tests. "How did you get these?" he asked suspiciously, "Only Arkham officials have access to these files."
"You are half right, Joker. Only Arkham officials and family members have access. I was the one who requested those tests and a copy of the papers. I was waiting for the right moment to show them to you…dad."
At first he was stunned with her, but then he started laughing again, "You're such a kidder sweets! You do have a sense of humor!"
"I wish I was kidding. See the next page."
Still smiling, he flipped the next page to reveal her test results; they were completely identical to his, a perfect match. His charts…her charts…same blood type, same genetic makeup, and when he flipped over to the next page he saw a photo of his former self, before the chemical accident. Her picture was right next to his and he compared their features. She had his square jaw line, high cheekbones, and even the same almond shaped eyes. Plus her hair was almost as dark as his.
Grace watched as Joker's smile turned into a frown. He dropped the papers to the table. For a second it looked like he was going to be sick but instead he nearly fell back in his chair in a large fit of laughter. He squealed and cackled, "I can't believe it! It's too much! I actually have a kid! Hah! I guess the jokes on me! Come give daddy a hug, precious!"
She stayed put in her chair, waiting for him to calm down, "Are you through?"
Joker's laughing slowed down to a chuckle and eventually a huge grin, "You put me in a great mood, missy." He looked down at the papers once again, "So, you're name is Grace. What a wholesome name…" he joked, "Tell me, what have you been up to these days?"
Grace narrowed her eyes, "Why would you care what I do?"
"Well, as your biological father, I'd think I'm entitled to knowing," he replied happily.
"Fine, I'll be starting college shortly and taking a internship with Wayne Enterprises."
She spoke with him for over an hour, mostly about her life and asking him questions as to why he was the way that he was. Unfortunately, she couldn't get much information from him and she decided to cut the visit short. It would be pointless to pry any further. However, she did what she came to do and now she had the choice if she would ever come back to visit again. Unless Batman accompanied her, she would not come.
To be concluded…
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He now knows…