CHAPTER 17
Tap. Tap. Tap. Ugh, what is that noise. Tap. Tap. Stop….. TAP, thump. And then there was a really cold gust of wind and an ice cold hand on my neck. My eyes shot open and I cocked my head to the side, staring back into Charity's perfect blue eyes whose golden locks covered her face. A smile made this whole situation so much better. The Joker telling me to leave, sleeping in a car, and having the most painful stiff neck. "About time you woke up," Her voice chimed and her smile grew bigger. The blush of her cheeks were darker today, but probably due to the cold weather. "Wh-what time is it?" I asked looking at her dashboard. "Hmm, almost 9," she said. My teeth started chattering. "Come inside, Emma. It's freezing out here and I have some money." Everything was a little too 'okay.'
I looked passed Charity's figure. And something was missing. Someone was missing… "Where's Mikey?" I asked. I straightened up and my back cracked. "Calm, Emma. He's inside. I met this really nice guy and he offered to buy us some food. Come in. I have money for you if he decides to become cheap all of a sudden." And then she laughed her laugh like bells. I shook my head some, trying to clear my morning daze. And the Charity got out of the door way for me. My whole body quivered. The car was no warmer than the outside.
"Good," Charity said, "Now come on." And then she walked ahead and I followed her. Looking through the windows I could well tell Bella's was packed again. Was this a daily thing? She opened the door and I was immediately hit with the scent of brewing coffee and cookies. And for some reason I had to inhale sharply. And hold back. I felt like crying. Charity turned back to look at me and locked her hand around my wrist. "Come on," she said. But I yanked my hand back, and without thinking, gave her an aggravated stare. "Don't," I said. Her smile dropped," Sorry Emma. But come on." I followed behind her. Until she led me to the other side of the café. There was little Mikey sitting high in a booth. And next to him, Toby. "Oh…" I said. Charity shoved him in the booth, so that I was sitting across from Mikey. "Sarah?" Toby said.
"Sarah?" questioned Charity. "Hi," I said quietly. "Wha…." began Charity. She looked between me and Toby. "Oh? You two have already met? That's just great!…. Wait…" Charity looked over at me. "Sarah?" she questioned again. "That is your name right?" asked Toby. "No, It's Emma," Charity chimed in. I looked over at Toby. "It's Emma," I said. "Oh….." said Toby. "I lied. I'm sorry. It's just, you know. Big city, strange people. I thought I should keep up the whole 'stranger danger' precautions." Toby beamed a wide, toothy smile at me. "Of course!" He said, "Very understandable. And of course I'm guessing this is Mandy, right?" He laughed a little and Charity joined in. "Emma, did you tell him that?" I smiled, too. Although it felt awkward and out of place.
Charity just kept staring at him. And Mikey. While we ate breakfast sandwiches and coffee which Toby so kindly offered to pay for. "So, Emma, how's the job hunting going?" he asked. Charity looked at me but continued at her sausage, egg, and cheese bagel. I looked across at Mikey. Cheese covered his face and bits of bagel covered his plate. He ordered just that. A cheese bagel. And he took his small hot wheels truck and drove it over the bagel bits. "Quite terribly, actually," I said, finally looking over at him. Something about his eyes made me think he was challenging me. "We're probably leaving Gotham." His brows furrowed. "Oh no! Two perfect young ladies like you are leaving me!" he said, laughing. Charity laughed with him. "But Emma's right. We're leaving. We have no where else to go so we're just…. Going!" she exclaimed.
"Mikey," I said. He looked up at me. "Emma, when is school start?" He asked. I smiled. Charity said, "Soon Mikey. Soon." I lifted the napkin up to his face and wiped the cheese off. "Thanks Emma," said Charity. "You are too cute," I said to Mikey, who just resumed his hot wheels derby racing. "So Charity, your this guy's mother? How is that possible, you're not that old," said Toby. His eyes kept flickering over in my direction. This made me uneasy. "Well, he's actually my nephew," she said a bit quieter so as to not have Mikey hear. "Ooh," said Toby. "And I'm his Mommy. She died giving birth," her voice choked a bit. I could see tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, excuse me," she said. And then she was up and off to the bathroom. "Oh, I think I should go-" I said. "Non sense, Emma! I know these girl things, too. I think she'd rather be in there by her self." I sighed. And returned my attention over at Mikey's race. His hot wheel just made a jump of the biggest bagel piece. Amazing. "So Emma." Snap back to reality. "Where do you and Charity plan to be heading?" I looked over at him, "Oh I'm not sure. We're just trying to get by," I replied. He stared right at me, "You know, I have an extra room at my place if you and-" "No! That's nice of you, but no. Really, we're fine." He laughed, "Emma! You and Charity slept in a car last night. In Gotham! You know what kind of freaks walk these streets? Have you seen the news lately? You know, the one serial killer, what's his name…" I shook my head and look at Mikey. "Come on, you know." "Nope, I haven't been here long." He laughed, "I can picture him, just not his name…" I looked over at Toby, who was staring at me. "Who?" questioned Charity. "No one," Toby replied. "Sorry about that you two, I really am."
She looked over at Mikey and reached across the table to brush his hair aside, "Would you like some more Sprite?" she asked him. Mikey shook his head. "So Charity… While you were gone, I was telling Emma about the extra room I have at my apartment," Toby said. No. I can just tell Charity is falling for this guy.
"Oh really?" Charity said. "Yeah and you could stay there until you got things together." I sighed. And I could feel Charity staring at me. "Toby, that's really nice of you but we can handle things on our own. We're big girls," she smiled over at him. Thank God. "Thanks anyways." Toby looked over at Charity, "Non sense Charity. It would be no burden to me and I know the dangers of Gotham. You can't afford to be sleeping in your car at night. The Joker could get you, or any of the mobs." I shuttered, and Toby caught sight of this. "We'll just leave today," I explained, "And we'll be out of Gotham way before sun down."
"We have no gas, Emma," said Charity, looking at me. And I knew in that moment's glance, defeat. "See, I'll drive us all over there and you can get you car towed to my place. Stay just tonight so by morning, you'll be well and ready to leave here." Charity looked at me," Well…" she said, quietly. And then both of them were staring at only me. I looked at Mikey who was still lost in his hot wheels world. My gut instinct told me 'No. Do not go with him.' But my pride and caring side said Charity needed this break. I sighed and mumbled, "Fine." "Yes!" Charity shrieked. And then Toby looked over at me, smiling. "I need the company, it's quite boring." The Joker…. My stomach was already churning at the remembrance of his last words to me. I choked on my own tears. And I'm sure Toby noticed. And I was sure Charity was lost in his charm to see what I saw.
"Well, are you ladies about finished here? We should get going, beat afternoon traffic," said Toby. And with every word, I could feel his eyes boring into mine.
~MEANWHILE~
Fire was sprouting from the top of an ancient building. Which used to be an old hotel, which closed about 10 years ago. Then, reopened as a bank about 3 years ago. What a sight to see. On the very eastern side of Gotham, where the river was visible. The huge building was slowly engulfed in flames. The fire made crackling noises, and with each a new part of the building crumbled. The smell of smoke filled the air and hundreds of people gathered around to watch the marvelous happening. It was indeed, beautiful, in its own twisted way. Police cars and fire trucks surrounded the building. The firemen sprayed water along every inch of the burning mess but it was very visible that it had no effects.
Just a moment ago the bank was empty. No one was there, it was Sunday. It seemed like just another ordinary day. But then a loud boom shook the ground and echoed across Gotham. One of the largest explosions ever. And now the building was history. The firemen's efforts were useless. And so everyone just stared at the inevitable. The building will be a pile of ashes. In minutes only.
The Joker was hiding out in the building next door. He killed his way to the 7th floor. Everyone was too distracted now to worry about him and his henchmen. The Joker looked out at the building, smiling with pleasure. "Joker, why we do this huh?" asked Angie, "All that precious money is gone!" She screeched and turned her back on the sight. "It's beautiful isn't it?" The Joker humorously stated. Angie sighed, "How do you expect to pay me?" Her voice was angry. "I don't plan to," he said. Angie clenched her fists and turned to face him, "Then I qwit!" The Joker turned to face her. A blank expression on his face. "Walk through those doors, I dare you," he said. And his voice was so menacing, you could almost tell he had had his heart ripped from him. Angie turned away from his dead eyes. And the Joker continued to look outside. Some flames were flecked with gold. Just like her eyes.
The building just burned. And the Joker laughed at 'their' pathetic attempt to put it out. "Angie," said Patrick. Angie lifted her head in Patrick's direction, "Whad?" "Go warm up the van," he said. Angie smiled, "Fuck off." Patrick stepped toward her, "What did you say?" "FUCK OFF!" Patrick laughed, "You whore, go warm up the van, that's your job right?" Angie lifted her hand and gave him the finger. "You slut!" he yelled. Her head shot up, "Shut up you fat ass or I'll slit your throat!" The Joker turned around, "How about both of you silence yourselves or I'll do that for you," said the Joker. "Did ya hear what he called me?" whined Angie, like some 9 year old. The Joker laughed, "And I'll make sure you stay that way forever."
Angie stomped out of sight and out of the building. The Joker's tone was enough to make your skin crawl. He was not joking. Ironic, right? The Joker turned back and stared out the window. His eyes more dead than death itself. Emma left him, he left himself. The Joker was now just the devil's puppet. At least now he could get back to the way things use to be. Even though, things will never be the same.
~Emma~
Of course things were worse than I had expected. His place wasn't just all the way nowhere, where you couldn't find him. It was also amongst many other 'ghetto' apartments, deep within the outskirts of Gotham. Where factories covered the view of everything. And yet, Charity still seemed hopeful. I sighed. This was not a good idea. Take my advice and always go with your gut feeling. It's usually always right.