Chapter 2: The Torture Begins
A sick grin spread across the Joker's cherry red lips. He motioned with his gloved hand and the bird's teammates dissapeared, the ropes falling slack.
Robin narrowed his eyes. "Where are they?"
"Well, well, well! Does the Boy Blunder care for his friends? Not to worry! They've been teleported back home. Oh, and they won't remember you, Bird Boy!" He cackeled manically.
Robin swallowed. All of them. Aqualad, the original leader, the glue if the team, forgot about him. Me'gan, the sometimes clumsy but friendly martian, forgot about him. Conner, the clone, the one he had helped rescue from Kadmus, forgot about him. Artemis, the female archer, the only one who understood what being a human hero was like, forgot about him. And Wally, the speedster, his best friend for years, forgot about him. All his friends, now Robin was completely wiped away from their memories. It's okay. He thought. After all, he didn't want anything to happen to them. He turned to The Joker.
"Ready to spend some time with Uncle Jay?" The Joker grabbed the giant black gym bag and unzipped it, pulling something out. There was a glint, and Robin recognized it instantly. A carving knife. One of the many weapons Batman had him study so that he would tecognize them instantly. "I've always wanted to carve this bird!" The Joker loomed towards Robin.
His foot lashed out, hitting The Boy Wonder square in the chest. "CRACK!" The air was forced out of his lungs as he heard the painful snap. Third rib, right hand side. He bit his tounge, no allowing a scream to escape his lips. What did The Joker want? His question was answered.
"Now, Bird Boy, I'm going to ask you a question. And each time you don't answer, I get to play with my toy." He waved the curved blade menacingly in the air. "Now, who is The Batman?"
Robin shook his head. It was almost part of him now. The secret. It had been hammered into him since he took on the role of the Boy Wonder. Never, under any circumstances, will you reaveal that Batman is vise versa. The Joker would have to kill him before he would get his answer.
"Oh no answer?" He plunged the knife deep into the boy's leg, twisting it back and forth. This time, he couldn't help it. He let out a muffled yelp, cursing himself for showing weakness. Batman never would.
The question was repeated, but to no avail. The Joker untied the rope and dug the knife into Robin's shoulder. He hissed in pain, feeling the thick warm liquid drip down his arm. The Joker dragged the knife slowly, up his arm, past his elbow, over his wrist, and to the tip of his middle finger. The boy was groaning the entire time, holding back a scream, he knew it would leave a scar. Probably muscle damage too. He winced as more crimson liquid oozed from the wound, which was burning like fire.
"Come on, Boy Blunder!" The Joker begged. "Why won't you scream?" There was a pause, whe. Suddenly, a huge grin spread across the white face, showing yellowed, crooked teeth. He instantly grabbed his costume and tore it open, revealing a bare chest of tan skin, and toned muscles.
"Now, I'll ask you one more time, before you'll regret not answering. Who is The Batman?" Joker screamed.
"I'll never tell you, Joker, no matter what you do!" his voice sounded brave, but he was shaking on the inside. What would he do this time?
"Your choice!" The Joker grabbed the knife, and slowly pressed it into his chest, pressing it deeper and deeper. This time he let out a yelp. The Joker looked up happily, and continued. He pressed the knife into his skin untuil it was about a half-inch deep. Then he began digging a line into the skin, Robin shook as he did this, instantly realizing his intents. One minute later, the letted "J" was carved into his skin, jagged and bloody. He picked up the knife and examined his work, like an artist, then put it back down for the next letter.
Stay strong, I'm Batman's son, I have to stay strong. Oh God, it hurts. He writhed and let a long, agonized shriek escape his lips. The screams continued until the word "Joker" had been dug deep into his skin, creating a thick puddle od dark red blood around him.
He lay there, panting. So much pain. At this rate, he would die within a few days. He had to stay strong. He couldn't let his father down. With his identidy out, Bruce Wayne would be the target of Gotham. Dick Just couldn't let that happen.
The Joker went back to the bag to get something else, walking back to the profusely bleeding bird.
"Oh, I'm Just getting started, Bird Boy!" The Joker cackled.
"Batman . . ." Robin thought. "Where are you?"